Page:History of the newspapers of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.djvu/134

 110 HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS. Beaver Falls Courier. In 1875, John F. Porter examined the rield at Beaver Falls, and found a town of 4,000 people with a printing office but no weekly paper, an unheard of condition else- where in the great state, yet how to establish such a thing with a cash capital of $1.85 puzzled him ; but he had taken chances before, and he rushed a little plan of advertising specialty, so that when bills were to be paid there was enough of surplus to issue one week's paper and thus "The Courant," a name that lasted only one week, first saw light in April 18Y5. It was printed by Boles & Hays, job printers. Now it so happened that the publisher held an interest in a view of Niagara Falls, a striking picture, and this was the chromo day for subscriptions. The liberty was given to canvas in the many factories at the noon hour, and these orders for subscriptions were recognized by the cashiers of the companies as cash. It was a bold move for everj- subscription meant with picture framed $3.Y5, but it won, and the "Beaver Falls Courier" was established April 18, 18Y5, and in 1876 bought its own office. In 1879, having made a living for the editor and family, for these years of hard work, the inevitable happened. Two young men from Roches- ter, N. Y., Roberts and Vanhom, sought to establish another paper, and so rather than endure another struggle, and as these new men would pay a real value, by the advice of true friends who in the time of need stood by him, Mr. Porter sold his interest and retired. John Frederich Porter was bom at St. Joseph Berrian county, Mich., February 5, 1840; was the son of John Frederich Porter of German descent, and Mary Porter