Page:History of the Press in Western New York (1847).djvu/76

Rh to my capacity, at that day, than Editor of the 'Genesee Intelligencer.'

"About the first of July, 1807, the firm of Williams & Blodgett resumed the publication of the 'Intelligencer' with an increased subscription list and advertising patronage. After publishing 13 numbers, Williams went to Alexander to attend a Military Review, and has never since been seen or heard of in this country. This unceremonious leave-taking of Williams put a mighty damper upon the prospects of Mr. Editor Blodgett, who instead of realizing the golden dreams he had anticipated, found himself involved in debt about $300, flat on his back with the fever and ague, which continued about six months without intermission; and for the want of help, not being a practical Printer myself, was obliged to abandon the publication of the 'Intelligencer.' However, in the spring of 1808, I rallied again, and in company with a man by the name of Peek, I started the 'Cornucopia,' (a very classic name,) with an enlarged sheet and new type, under the firm of Peek & Blodgett, with a subscription list of about 300. In the fall of 1811, Peek was taken sick and died, and with his death the 'Cornucopia' went down.

"I then, under the mechanical superintendence of David C. Miller, (afterwards Colonel, with his little Cane and Breeches,) commenced the publication of the 'Republican Advocate,' with a new Press and new Type, and continued its publication for several years, when I sold out to Colonel Miller, who became sole proprietor of that paper.

"Your friend,

"BENJAMIN BLODGETT."

This was the first paper ever established, I believe, which was called the "Advocate." Since that time, however, many a bantling has sprung into existence bearing that cognomen.

The "Republican Advocate" continued in the hands, and under the direction of Col. Miller until April, 1828, when he took into Co-partnership Charles Sentell, by whom it was conducted until July, 1829, when it passed into the hands of Charles W. Miller, and was continued by him until the 21st of Nov. 1831, when he died. The paper was continued without any acknowledged proprietor, until the 17th of January, 1832, when it passed into the hands of Edwin Hough and Andrew W. Young, the latter gentleman having been engaged in the publication of the "Warsaw Sentinel." On the 13th Nov. 1832, Hough left the establishment in the hands of Young. On the 8th of April, 1835, Young transferred the office to Lewis & Brown, who continued the paper for three weeks, and then it reverted back again to Mr. Young. The establishment was then sold to C. C. Allen, who continued its publication for four weeks, when he surrendered the establishment to Mr. Young again. Young printed a half sheet to give the paper an existence, and then, on the 8th of June, 1835, sold out to Waite & Cooley. This co-partnership continued until the 16th of Sept. of the same year, when Cooley retired from the establishment, leaving it in the hands of Mr. Waite, by whom it is still continued.

On the 3rd day of February, 1819, the first number of the "Spirit of the Times," was issued at Batavia, by Oran Follett, on which occasion the writer of this made his first attempt at Type setting. The "Times" was continued by the same proprietor until May, 1825, when Frederick Follett, purchased the establishment of his brother, and was duly installed Editor and Proprietor, and continued as such until August, 1836, when being fired by an extra love of liberty, and desiring to participate in the struggle then in progress in Texas, sold the establishment to a number of gentlemen, and repaired to the country of the "Lone Star." The establishment was then placed in the hands of Nelson D. Wood, who continued at its head until the writer's return, who, on the 17th of August, 1837, again found himself at the head of the "Times," and continued in that capacity until the 11th of June, 1840, when the "Times," passed into the hands of Lucas Seaver, who continued its publication until the 28th of January, 1845, when he disposed of it to William Seaver, and William A. Seaver, by whom it is still continued under the firm of Wm. Seaver & Son.

The publication of the "Leroy Gazette" was commenced in the village of that name, about the year 1826, by J. O. Balch, who continued it until 1827, when he disposed of it to Starr & Hotchkin, who continued in partnership about a year and a half, when Hotchkin retired, and sometime in 1828 Henry D. Ward became associated with Mr. Starr in its publication, and thus continued until 1832, when Ward left the establishment in the hands of Mr. Starr. In 1833 Richard Hollister became the owner, Starr continuing as the publisher. In 1835, Rufus Robertson became part owner, and in 1836, sole proprietor of the establishment, and then in connection with F. L. Goodrich, as partner continued the paper until Jany 1838, when Robertson disposed of his interest to Seth M. Gates and Martin O. Coe, by whom, with Goodrich as the owner of the other half, it was continued until Nov. or Dec. 1838, when it passed into the hands of Cyrus Thompson, who continued its publication until June, 1840, when the present proprietor, C. B. Thompson, became the owner and has since continued the publication of the "Leroy Gazette"

In the year 1829, Orestea A. Brownson, as Editor, and Freeman & Son, as Printers, commenced the publication, in the village of Leroy, of the "Genesee Republican and Herald of Reform," which had an existence of a year or two, and was then discontinued.

The "People's Press," owned by an association of individuals, and printed by Benjamin Blodgett, was commenced in the village of Batavia, in 1825, and was continued by Mr. Blodgett for about a year, when it passed into the hands of Martin, Adams & Thorp. Soon after Mr. Martin retired from the establishment leaving it in the hands of Adams & Throp—another change soon after took place, and the establishment passed into the hands of Adams & McCleary. The paper was afterwards merged in the "Spirit of the Times" and finally its name has become extinct.