Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-09
THE NEW AGE.
The Origin and Growth Of Our Esteemed
Democratic Neighbor.

After the removal of the State capt.
tai to Augusta, The Age was estab-
lished, December 90, 1881, by Ira Berry &
Company, Frank Oh. Smith, a brilliant
lawyer and able journalist from Port
land, being it's editor. The paper soon
became the most influential Democratic
journal in the State. One of the ear
lier incidents of it's career was a libel
suit growing out of one of Mr.. Smiths
caustic and personal items, chal ging a
prominent citizen of Belgrade with
being a deserter from the army in
the War of 1912, and that he was
tried, convicted and sentenced to be
shot. The publisher of The Age was
arrested and tried on a criminal libel.
The trial. which excited the most in
tense interest, lasted a week. The re-
suit was the sustaining the paper in
it's charges, and this gave the paper
a great boom and influence among lis
political adherents. The paper also
had the State patronage. Mr. Smith
was chosen to a seat in Congress. am
retired from the paper August 10, 1872,
when George Robinson, "A law student,
became the editor, and continued in
that capacity several years. In 1884
to William j. Condor, who had
been connected with the Saco Dem
ocrat. He continued the publica-
ton of the paper for about a
year, when William II. Smith,
who came from Wiscasset, and who
was at that time working at the print
er's case in the office, bought a quarter
interest, forming a partnership with
ROhinSOn
paper. Mr.. Smith was a printer almost
from birth, having entered a news
paper office as an apprentice when eight
years old. Mr.. Ira Berry, formerly of
The Age, died in Portland in Septem-
Der, 1891, at the great age of 80 years.
Mr.. Robinson died in February, 1910,
Smith having previously bought an
other quarter interest from him. Dur
ing this period was begun at The Age
office the publication of tri-weekly,
during the sessions of the Legislature,
reporting the proceedings, and after
ward giving the Geographic news.
Later, the kennebec Journal entered
upon the publication of tri-weekly,
on alternate days with The Age, the
two forming daily paper-the first
time the citizens of Augusta We're
favored with such an institution.
At the death of Mr. Robinson, George
Melville Weston, son of the late Chief
Justice Nathan Weston, became asso-
ciated with Mr.. Smith, and conducted
the editorial department of The Age.
The paper was conducted by this firm
until August ), 1874, when it was sold
to Richard ID. Rice, printer by trade,
who afterWard rose to the exalted posi-
ton of justice on the supreme bench.
Mr.. Rice edited the paper, controlling
it's politics in the interest of the Demo-
cratic party, until May, 1S4S, when he
returned to the profession of law, and
the paper was purchased by William 7.
Johnson (who afterward became ca h
Ter of the Granite National bank) He
associated himself with Daniel T. Pike.
who became its editor. Mr. Pike, who
welded forceful and facetious pen,
retired from the profession-Whosr
ranks he graced for more than twenty
DEATH in 1894 Messrs. johnson q
Pike conducted the paper until May,
1856, when they were succeeded by Ben
jamin A. G.. and Melville w. Fuller
NOW the honored chief justice of the
United States Supreme Court and the
orator of Augustus centennial celebra-
tom, who after number of years dis
posed of the establishment to Daniel
Il. Pike, and he in turn to Elias G.
Hedge and others. They sold to Gill