St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-04-09
Early St. Johnsbury Journalism.
Postmaster Razen Finds IA Valuable
Relic.

Postmaster Hazen Finds IA Valuable
Relic.
St. Tohnsbury did not have a local
newspaper until 1927. Up to that
time Ebenezer Eaton's North Star, pub
lished at Danville, was considered suf-
ficient for the three counties of Caledonia,
Essex and Orleans, and doubtless it
would have held the field alone for sever
al years more, had not Mr. Eaton wei
coined and given the influence OF his paper
to the anti. Masonic movement which
was sweeping o yer thecountry, and finally
resulted ia the election of William A. Palm
err of Danville, governor OF Vermont, on
an anti. Masonic platform. In 1927 the
friends of Masonry resolved to estab-
lish a rival newspaper in this town.
Luther Jewett, preacher, physician and
ex.congressman, was the leading spirit
in the movement, and he became the
publisher of a small sheet called the
"Friend" which was used chiefly to op-
pose anti. Masonry although as may be
easily imagined slavery, intemperance
and other topics of the day received
generous share of the editors attention.
The next year DR.. Iewett issued The first
number of the Farmers Herald, an ably
edited Wing sheet which he continued to
publish for four years For a while in
1929 DR.. Jewett had associated with him
in the work, William 7. Potter who
afterwards went to New York and be-
came famous as the founder of the Spirit
of the Times"
In 1892 DR.. Jewett gave up the paper
to Samuel Eaton, Jr,, printer, who
changed its name to "The Weekly Mes
senger, Connecticut & PasSumpsic River
Valley Advertiser" Eaton,-who was
not relative Of the Danvllle family
continued the publication about Is
months, then gave it up and went to New
Orleans, where he soon after died of fever.
The property reverted to it's former own
ers, DR.. Jewett being the principal one,
and was sold at great loss to out OF
town parties. Then St, Johnsbury again
depended on Danville for it's local paper
until August 8, 1887 when A. G. Chad
wick issued the first number OF the GALE
DOMAIN,
While searching among some old papers
recently, Postmaster L. D. Hazen found
a copy of the Weekly Messenger dated
July 2, 1888, about three months before
its publication ceased.
The paper is a four page, five column
sheet, devoted largely to miscellaneous
matter. Some general, but no local
news whatever. The editorial columns
contain an argument in favor of a union
between the Nationals and Iacksonians,
political fling at the anti-Masonic party
which had Just renominated as candi-
dates for state officers the victors of the
preceding year, with the exception OF
two or three councillors. Considerable
space is devoted to reports OF the cholera
scourge which was then raging 10 all
parts of the country. There are a few
advertisements. Shedd & Jewett and
Moses Kittredge of st. Johnsbury Plain
occupy considerable space in advertising
general merchandise; George B. Chand-
Ter OF Danville, secretary OF the Gale
donia County Temperance Society, an
nounces the annual meeting of that
society, to be held at St. Johusbury Plain
July 4; William Cushman of Passumpsic
wishes to purchase wool and sheep pelts;
Shedd & Jewett also advertise books aud
stationery; Luther Jewett adVertises
drugs and Benjamin & Samuel Eaton, Jr =,
announce the forming of the firm OF B, & S.
Eaton to carry on the manufacture and
sale OF shoes at retail at Lyndon Corner.
There is a probate notice bearing the
names of Hon. Benjamin F. Deming,
Judge, and Amos Paul, register of pro-
bate for the district OF Caledonia.
The copyis in good condition and is an
interesting relic of 70 years ago. 1t is
addressed to Mrs. Hazen's, father, L.
| kimball.