The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1950-08-10
HORSE AND
BUGGY DAYS
by
Ida 10 Martin

One of the greatest points of in
terest in relation to the times of the
past, is, and always will be, the
printed page. In the form of news
paper stories, many, many details of
history are recorded and kept for
future generations, little points of
history that the average historian ov-
erlooks, or considers of too little i'm
portance to be given space. But it
is these little things that often make
history more personal and more
interesting.
One such detail, from back in the
early days of this County, and typi-
cal of the policies of our early news
papers, is to be found in several
brief references taken from the
Herald of the early eighteen
hundreds. The editor, in his usual
editorial, speaks thus, of the editor
of the only English contemporary,
the GazeCte
Billy Brown is certainly a poor
thing. He neither knows how to
write, spell, print, or talk. AL
though friend of order, good gov
eminent and religion, it appears
from his last paper that he does not
look at his catechism even on the
Sabbath" We are not told just what
error in Mr.. Browns Gazette" call
ed forth this friendly comment, but
it seems that the editors must have
frequently taken such mild shots at
each other; but what !. wonder is just
how much of it did they mean.
Shortly after the above "compli-
ment" there was cause for another
dig in the ribs, when it seems that
someone who had taken offense at
something Mr.. Brown had said in his
paper, had cornered him and death
with him violently (probably giving
him black eye). The next morning
the Herald greeted all their readers,
with the personal salutation, Hello,
Billy! how do you feel after the
Gaming you got last evening!!!" Now,
strange as this may seem to us today,
if the same tactics were used now,
there would undoubtedly have been
a four-column cut of the Gaming"
on the front page to accompany the
story, and possibly rewards for both
the name of the culprit and for his
capture.
Before leaving this Mr.. Billy
Browns Gazette, let us mention the
few facts known about that paper.
1t was started in Hagerstown in the
year 1909, in May. 1t continued for
only five years, when it was the
property of William McPherrins, and
near the close of 1913, an assignment
was made to Henry Switzer, for the
benefit of creditors, and the paper,
press, type and equipment sold.
Now here is another case of read
ers dealing violently with the editor.
This time, however, the damage was
not to his person, but to the office
and equipment, and it was exceed
ingly costly. This was back in the
early days of the Civil War, and
point on the cost of this action is
found in the damages that were la
ter collected, amounting to $500,
which was quite sum then.
This was the destruction of the Of
fee, and all printing equipment of
the Mail" At the time the paper
was owned by Daniel Dechert, and
was located in the second floor of the
building on the northwest corner of
the square. Mr.. Dechert had not so
long before bought this towns first
cylinder press, in addition to the old
ones, of which several were hand,
and one proof press.
1t seems that the Mail" had open
ly favored the Secessionists and had
made itself very unpopular with the
prevailing local opinion. Then, in
the battle at Front Royal, the Fed
erals were badly defeated and chas-
ed back across the Potomac in utter
disorder. That faction of the public
In Hagerstown who synpathized
with the South, let go with exulta-
ton at the victory of the Southern
army, and the majority of the local
people rose up in heated protest, for
many local men were involved in the
defeat, and many lost. So a deter
mined mob was assembled and their
first point of interest was the Mail"
Here they broke all the presses,
desks, tables, sideboard, lounge,
chairs, all his furniture, and destroy
ed many books, among them the
ledger accounts of his subscriptions
and accounts due And the type
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