Over the years that I have run the Eau Claire Co. WIGenWeb site and this mail list, I've had people ask me about the old newspapers that existed in Eau Claire. Which one ran during what time frame and similar questions. Today's article and the next will address those questions. I hope these articles will help you all to know the answers too. Our First Newspapers by Marshall Cousins The "National Democrat," La Crosse, Friday, November 7, 1856 said, "Eau Claire, a new town on the Chippewa is pushing on rapidly. Some twenty good dwellings and stores have been put up since May last, on the east side of the river, and seven or eight on the west. The town has now the appearance of a smart little village, with go-ahead men to back it. At present they are in great need of mechanics and traders, particularly a shoe-maker and barber. The country about is finely diversified with streams, timber, prairie, and oak openings and is without exception, the handsomest in the northwest part of the state. With their steam boat going next spring, and such men as Charley Whipple and Adin Randall to drive things ahead, Eau Claire is bound to shine." From a letter written by R. F. Wilson: "The first newspaper published in the Chippewa Valley was the "Eau Claire Times," owned and published by Wilson and Gleason, and Chapman and Thorp, proprietors of the village of Eau Claire. The paper was first published in the banking office of Wilson, Gray, and Bellinger, on Barstow and Gibson streets in the early spring of 1857. The mechanical work was done by a Mr. Jinkins of O'Neal Creek, now Chippewa City, who set up the type and ran the press. We had no editor, but we all took a hand in the editing. "The first paper struck off was gobbled up by Nat Johnson, a pine land man and a well-known character of Alleghany county, New York, for which he gave the press-man five dollars. We had arranged with Arthur Delany, of Portage City, to publish and edit the paper, and after coming up here, he went over to the West Side, and arranged with the West Side village proprietors to start the "Telegraph," and get their paper out first. We had the advantage as our press and material was all here and they had to purchase theirs. We were lucky enough to find a first-class printer on a visit to his brother-in-law, Mr., Manahan, who was one of the owners of the O'Neal Creek mills. "Soon after this Newton B. Spencer, of Alleghany county, New York, took charge of the paper as editor and publisher. Mr. Alexander Meggett was for some time manager and editor. The paper was moved over the Wyckoff store, now the Blue Front. "The story on the first page was taken from "Peterson's Magazine" by Mrs. Richard F. Wilson, who also arranged most of the clippings and selections. The first motto of the paper was furnished by Peter J. Bellinger. It was 'Eau Claire, May She Be Right, but Right or Wrong, Eau Claire.' Well, the state papers roasted us so strong on our motto that we were glad to haul it down. "After running the paper at a loss of $50.00 a week we let it die over Peter Wyckoff's store. We gave the outfit to Gilbert E. Porter, who started the "Free Press" over Shaw and Huntington's store on the corner where the Hart House now stands. "The "Free Press" was afterwards moved into the second story of the Rose building where it burned. The Rose building stood on the lot now occupied by George Tabor Thompson's drug store. So ended the old "Free Press." The Stocking brothers got a new outfit and re-established it. "The first flag raised in the Chippewa Valley was on July 4, 1856, at the crossing of Dewey and Kelsey streets. This was the first real day Eau Claire ever had. It was a big time. Everybody came with their wives and children in ox carts, on horse back and in wagons from all over the country. It was a regular old fashioned picnic, all bringing something to eat. Pot pies were made of wild pigeons, blueberry pie, venison cooked in various ways. Ladies dress in all fashions, a goodly number of bloomer dresses from Mud Creek. Dancing commenced at 5 p.m. and lasted until 6 a.m. "A wedding was the feature of the day. All stopped at the Eau Claire House. It was lathed, but not plastered; and everyone was his own landlord and no bills to pay. The first landlord of the Eau Claire House was Philander N. Drake, a brother-in-law of Arthur S. Bostwick. "Now Major, (Atkinson) you asked me for a few lines about forty years ago, and I give you a few lines about forty-one years ago, and you will find them all facts. Yours Truly, Richard F. Wilson" This letter established the fact the first number of the "Times" was printed in the building known at a little later period as the "Old Land Office", which was in 1857 the Counting Rooms and Office of Wilson, Gray and Bellinger, Bankers and Land Agents. It occupied the northeasterly corner of South Barstow and Gibson streets. A little after 1857, the county of Eau Claire rented quarters in this building for some of the county offices. but only the first number of the "Times" was issued in this building, as No. 2 bearing the date May 25, 1857, was printed in the Peter Wyckoff building. John Woodworth arrived in Eau Claire April 7, 1857. He was the assistant Post Master, was elected and served as a Justice of the Peace, and was later a clerk in the bank. When President Lincoln called for men to uphold the Constitution and suppress the Rebellion, John Woodworth was among the first to enlist, August 19, 1861. Jacob Burnett Demarest also enlisted the same day. Mr. Demarest in time became the First Lt. and Mr. Woodworth the 2nd Lt. of Company C, John E. Perkins, Captain, Eighth Infantry. And now, something as to Mr. Spencer. He was born August 22, 1836, and was therefore between 20 and 21 years of age when he became the editor and publisher of Eau Claire's first newspaper. He served in the War of the Rebellion in the 179th New York Infantry as a sergeant. He was wounded at the Battle of the Mine. The second issue of the "Times" gives a picture of the town. It reads: "Wanted, there are needed in this village immediately, the following enumerated citizens; "A skilled manufacturer of cabinet ware; a tailor who can give us a fit; and a manufacturer of fine and strong harness and trunks and valises; a boot and shoe manufacturer; a good barber who is never nervous. Also a stationer and book seller, and a retail dealer in drugs, medicines, paints and oils, would find here abundant custom. "We proclaim these wants on behalf of eight hundred people who daily reiterate the need of manufacturers and leaders of the classes above mentioned, and who would bestow patronage liberally on those of them who may choose to come." History of the rival paper the "Telegraph". Vol. 1, No. 1 was issued on Monday, May 25, 1857 by Arthur W. and Joseph Delany. The Delanys came from a family of newspapermen. In 1853, John, James and Joseph were publishers of the "River Times" at Fort Winnebago, now Portage. On the death of James, Arthur W. took his place. In speaking of his own early days in Eau Claire, and of the first newspapers, the Hon. William P. Bartlett said; "I remember Arthur W. and Joseph Delany. Arthur was the editor and Joseph ran the mechanical part of the "Telegraph." They were men of Southern make up and Democrats of the old school. Arthur Delany was an able, brilliant gentleman. He and Dr. Wm. T. Galloway were competitors for the leadership of the Democratic party in this county. Well do I remember one occasion when both were candidates for delegate to some convention. Dr. Galloway was successful. I met Delany soon after the convention and asked him the result. He stood up in true Southern style and replied; 'It was a contest between brains and bowels, and the latter won.' " ++++++++ More tomorrow! :~) -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net