The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-01

pectus was a real heart talk by the
youthful editors and publishers with their
readers. The aim OF the paper was frank
ly stated TO be twofold. 1--WE wish. first
by receiving advertisements and subscrip-
tons from our friends and the people to
reap pecuniary harvest and TO supply
such harvest TO those who advertise IN
our paper. Then, secondly, we wish TO
improve our minds and our stock OF
learning"
Speaking OF advertisements, the paper
contained an editorial suggestion that If
you want 10 learn where 10 buy the best
goods for the least money read our ad-
vertisements on the fourth page" A
glance at the fourth page shows only two
advertisements, one to the effect that
r q w. Topham printed visiting cards
and the other that James G. Topham
sold trunks and other leather goods. In
other words, the advertising in the first
issue Of the Youths Advocate was con-
fined to the family
There is a touch OF humor in this other
editorial note:
Wanted - An enterprisIne voinr lady
not over twenty years of age, TO take
charge or a corner in this paper One
who VIII do this will find the pleasure de-
rived from the occupation a sufficient
recompense for her work. Let us hear
from you early.
Valuable and Interesting Experience
My interest in amateur printing" said
Mr.. Washington Topham to The Herald
reporter who asked him about his early
days. began In 1874. when a companion
printed some cards for me by pressing a
slate upon line Of type That printer
became an artist Of the art and has been
conducting a printing office in Washing
ton ever since.
My brother and myself then borrowed
or rented an old secondhand Lowe press
and with several fonts Of type set up an
amateur printing office. We afterward
purchased with the money we earned
from Job printing a Columbian press for
S3S. chase 6 inches by inches, and addi-
tional printing material. and in the spring
of 1876 began the printing and publishing
of our first amateur paper, the Schedule.
first inches by Z inches, enlarging to six
inches by 9 inches, three small columns
to the page, issued every month.
From 1877 to 1879 we published the
Youths Advocate. a much better and
larger paper. From 1879 to 1881 we pub
lished Our Progress. and, as the name
indicated IL showed considerable advance
in size, typographical appearance, and
contents. This was in size about 6 inches
by 10 inches. two columns to the mage
and eight pages, issued monthly.
''All the time we were publishing these
papers. which was after school and later
after working hours. we turned out con-
siderable job work for business houses
and banks. We burned much of the mid
night oil for several years. but the gain
Internationally. mechanically, and in our
aspirations was well worth the work and
cost
"Our amateur exchange list embraced
hundreds OF publications all over the
United States and foreign countries.
These were read eagerly and carefully
every month and filed regularly in an
propriate places, All this led up to con-
siderable comment editorially. involving
much criticism and correspondence. which
widened our mental perceptions and Wis
ion. and in the personal contact in our
city, State, and national conventions fos-
tered and cemented friendships that have