Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-02-21
A VETERAN NEWSPAPER NAN
G. P. johnson, Former Editor of
the Delaware Gazette.
ElGHTNONE YEARS OF AGE.
Printer and Editor for over
Fifty Years.
Mr.. johnson Refers TO the Great Changes
in Wilmington and the Wonderful Inn
proyements In Ncwspaper-malsing Dur
ing the Past Half Century.

ing the fnEt HAN Century.
Caleb Parker johnson, one OF tho oldest
newspaper men In Wilmington, was II yeurs
old Thursday and his friends extended to
him their Congratulations. Mr.. johnson
resides at No. 11u5 Market ttrees, Although
he retired from the newspaper Geld about
score OF years ago, he still retains Is in
terAst in the happenings throughout the
world and In tho present-dHy methods of
journalism.
MIR. johnson was born in Elkton. Cecil
county, Md, February 18th, 1920. He
was the son of John johnson and his
wife, Margaret Alexander, and was. a
grandson of John johnson, who came iIom
England prior TO the Revolution of 1875,
and settled in or nenr Darby, Pa. The
grandfather served in a light horse COM
pany In the Revolution and became COM
missary After the close of the war he
moved tn the "Head OF Elk Landing"
where he took charge of the grain business
for Tobias Rudolph, his wite's uncle.
Caleb Jchnson's father served in several
campaigns IN the War of 1872.
! Caleb's schooling was rather short, for
| when about " he became an apprentice in
the printing business with Richard Z. Bay
| ley publisher of the Cecil Republican.
| When that paper ceased publication he
engaged with Lambert A. Wilmer snd
George w. Yeazey, publishers Of The Gem
| trnl Guurant, and afterwards, In 1S24-5,
with Henry Bosee on the Cecil Gazette.
| He left his native town in l. 81 and found
| employment in Philadelphia, New York
| and Washington, spending the winter ot
| 1S40-4l it, the latter city. Returning 10
| Philadelphia, re took cHse'' in the COM
| posing room nf l.. johnson IL Co. s stereo-
| tipping establishment, and continued there
until November, 1872, when he was induced
| by Mr.. Bosee, his former employer, to come
to Wilmington and purchase one-half in
| forest in the Delaware Gazette, then a
| Democratic weekly paper, published by
John N. Harker and Henry Bosee. Tie
Gazette changed hands on January LIST,
1SlS, and appeared with the names of Henry
Bosee ana @. +. johnson as publishers.
| The paper entered upon an era of pros
| perity which continued as long as MIR.
johnson had Its management. For 10 years
/ Nh. Harker, Mr.. Bosee or William Penn
Chandler was interested as part owner Then
on January 1st, 1868, Mr.. johnson bought
out the remaining interest and became the
sole owner and editor.
Introducing steam presses, he increased
the circulation Of the Gazette and made it
rank as one of the most potent Democratic
newspapers in the Middle States. 1t advo-
cnted more liberal policy in the State,
through a constitutional convention, and
assisted in turning the State over to the
Democratic party. 1t sustained the war
with Mexico. the annexation OF Texas, the
acquisition OF California and New Mexico,
l
boundary, and Mr.. Johnson became SO
popular that for many years he was made
the sole custodian of all the returns of
nominations and elections. During the
Civil War, he conducted the paper with rare
Judgment and discretion.
The Gazette was a weekly and semi
weekly until April LIST, 1872, on which date
Mr.. johnson converted the semi-weekly
into daily. still continuing the weekly
edition.
For months at time, Mr.. johnson per-
formed the arduous duties OF editor, re-
porter and manager. His connection with
the Gazette covered a period Of ash years,
continuing until May 1853, when he sold
the paper TO j. b. Bell and Merris Taylor.
Mr.. johnson then retired from active work.
During the period Mr.. Johnson was in
control Of the Gazette, from 1913 to 1892, "
said gentleman qualified to discuss the
subject, 1.-THE paper was a political and
social power. ID was emphaticaly the organ
OF the Democratic party of the Sthte OF
Delaware in the highest sense. The gifted
men OF the PARTY sought Its columns to
reach their constituents, and its editorial
rooms were frequented by the leaders Of the
party for information and counsel. Party
policy, principles and platforms were largely
moulded and controlled by its able sug-
gestions. In the rural districts 1t was d
frequent saying: The Delaware Gazette i
the Democratic Bible The moral tone OF
the paper was unexceptionabe. Its column:
were closed to merely personal, scandalous
J and obscene articles, while full 1t general
news mud valuable information, making il
q welcome weekly visitor to the family fire-
side. A tirst,class newspaper, healthy il
| tone, morals and politics vigorous and
able in marked degree"
In years gone by Mr.. JohnEon's namt
! was prominent at Democratic county meet
, ings and State conventions, as secretary OF
delegate, and on one or two occasions hi
, was requested to allow his name to be uEeC
, for nomination for governor and repre-
sentative in Congress. He neither usket
nor sought office, however, and when ap
pointed United States marshal for Delaware
by President johnson I'M 1866, resigned
inter holding the position about year.
( MI, johnson has been contributor o
i his influence and money to public improve
lnentE, having been a subscriber to rail
! roads and to the Odd Fellows, Masonic
J and Iustitute Halls. Since retiring from
t the newspaper world, Mr. Johnson ma
3 devoted his attention to his real estAtl
interests, which are large.
r Many events have passed into history il
I the VI years of the life of Mr.. johnson
j He saw travel by stage give way to that b.
steam over rail and by water. The frs
railroad was built to this city from Balti
| more, and from Wilmington passenger
went for time by water to Philadelphia
D The Delaware railrOad ran from New Castl
< southwark, and connection from Whining
y l
was constructed from this city 60 Philadel
piia, 1t was on trestle work to Edge Moor
: II was in 1874 that the first steamboat bull
q by Haflan's whs launched. The first ca
t built here WIS constructed by Samuel Haral
i at the southwest corner of Ten5h and Mar
a ket streets. Thomas McClnry. who died
n few years ago, was an apprentice to Nh
: Harlan.
Great developments have been made Il
electricity. ana Mr.. johnson Is especial
9 impressed BY the value Of the telephone as
time saver.
o Wilmington seems like a new town (
I Mr.. Johnson, when he compares IL wit
= the small town he knew when he first wen
!. into the newspaper business here. East @
" Nalnut streer and west of Washington street
Q we're fields of wheat and pasture. and FIT
. street was about the uppel limit of the busi
!, ness part OF tnwn. The Indian Queen Hote
It which was succeeded by the Clayton iHouse
n was bought by Mr.. johnson ana Dayi
= OF the Clayton House. There was a hott
at Tenth and Market streets. and the oil
8 Kings Road passed through its yard.
n military school succeeded the hotel
10 The Office of the Gazette was at FIRST q
"a Market street, between Water and From
d from 1913 to 1874. Then 1t was moved to
a building in front of Temperance Hall o
q Fourth street, east of Market, where it II
q manned until 1853. The building now
% 416 Market street was purchased and
became the publication Office remainin
SO until Mr.. johnson sold the plant 10 lSS
Mr.. johnson believes the improvement
newspapers has probably eclipsed all 9th,
I'd business. In the early DAYS 1t was thOugl
Mt that machine to distribute type cOu
y never be made, although some progress hi
Of been attained IN machine composition