S. I. Journalism

The newspapers presented on this website are only a small fraction of the Island's total newspaper output. The four pieces below:

"The Press" by Charles Leng and William T. Davis 1929

"Staten Island Journalism" by Ira K. Morris (and a book chapter with the same title) 1888 & 1898

"Newspapers" by Selden Judson 1886

trace the early history of the press on Staten Island and may provide useful leads to additional research sources.

For more information, see the Staten Island Museum's Newspaper Collection Finding Aid here.

Check the availability of early Staten Island papers in microfilm and paper formats at various New York institutions here.

THE PRESS

by Charles Leng and William T. Davis from Staten Island and Its People, Volume 2, Chapter XXIII, 1930 (full text on hathitrust.org.)

Newspapers Past and Present—Local Magazines--Pamphlets and Other Occasional Publications—-Newspaper Owners and Editors—Printing Plants.

Prior to 1827 Staten Island was destitute of newspapers of its own, and it was even ten years later before any were locally printed. The sparse population made the earlier newspapers difficult to maintain and their history is marked by frequent changes of name and enforced suspension. Gradually their character altered from one of literary effort with scant regard for local news to one in which the local items took first place. Their number then multiplied to such an extent that patronage was too divided for brilliant success even then, and few indeed of the newspapers of the last century survive. For the most part they were issued weekly, a few twice a week, and it was 1915 before Staten Island had its own daily paper.

Taking up the history of the forty-five newspapers of which we have been able to obtain some record, often very scanty, in chronological order, we begin with the “Republican” of 1827 which, despite its name, was what we should now call a Democratic paper.

The “Richmond Republican” was born October 17, 1827, and thus began the history of the press on Staten Island. It was edited by Charles N. Baldwin, whose office was on Griffen Street, next door to Swan, Tompkinsville; the paper was, however, printed at 4 Chambers Street, New York. On January 1, 1831, the ownership was transferred to William Hagadorn, whose connection with the newspapers of the Island, continued by his son, extends over a long period of time.

A volume of this first Staten Island newspaper, preserved in the safe of the Staten Island Historical Society, has been of the greatest service to us in preparing this history for its pages present, especially in the advertisements, many details of the doings of a hundred years ago. Its price was two dollars and fifty cents per annum in advance, or three dollars, payable half yearly. Advertisements not exceeding one square cost ten dollars per annum, paper included. The paper was published every Saturday.

In the prospectus published in the first number it was stated that it would be devoted to “such general selection of literary, political, miscellaneous, religious, and scientific subjects as may be thought capable of sustaining the reputation of the patriotic district in which it will be located.” The editor professed to be “impartial in politics” but frankly avowed his desire to aid in securing the election of Andrew Jackson as President.

The name of the paper was changed to “Richmond County Republican” on January 1, 1831; and on January 22, of the same year it is entitled “The Richmond County Republican and Saturday Morning Advertiser.”

After reading the volumes, once the property of Cornelius V. B. Corsen, which have been preserved, the temptation to make copious extracts is great. The editor’s interest in politics, horse racing, target firing, fox hunting, Fourth of July celebrations, balls and dinners, seems to reflect a social atmosphere quite different to that of the present time. This we have tried to present in part in some preceding chapters, and, with that attempt, must be content.

The “New York and Richmond County Free Press” was also published by William Hagadorn, apparently somewhat irregularly for on June 13, 1835, he refers to that as the first number of a new series and to the “interval between the date of our last and our present number.” On August 1 5 the publisher offered to sell the “copyright and patronage.” Morris says it was started about 1832 and published from 174 Broadway, New York. The public museum has the following: Volume II, No. 2 to No. 26, May 11, 1833, to October 19, 1833; Volume III, No. 1, to Volume IV, No. 23, November 2, 1833, to October 4, 1834.

The “Plaindealer” was first issued on December 3, 1836. It was printed for the proprietor by William Van Norden, at 96 Nassau Street; the publication office was at the corner of Pine Street and Broadway, New York. It was said to be an anti-slavery organ; we have not seen it.

The first newspaper printed on Staten Island was the “Richmond County Mirror,” which made its appearance in July, 1837, and continued until at least March 16, 1839, as shown by a volume in the possession of the junior author. Francis L. Hagadorn, son of William Hagadorn, was editor and proprietor, with an office on Richmond Terrace, New Brighton, somewhere between York Avenue and Belmont Hall, according to Morris. Financial success did not apparently reward the Hagadorns, for on September 2, 1837, the editor thus reviews his prospects: “Bad, badder, baddest! We will continue, however, to publish semi-monthly, until we have obtained a sufficient patronage to warrant our driving the ‘Mirror’ well.” Two volumes of the “Mirror,” preserved in the public museum, have been helpful for the years they cover, viz., Volume I, No. 1, July, 1837, to Volume II, January 26, 1839. The museum also possesses the imposing stone, on which it is believed the type was set.

F. L. Hagadorn Residence and Print Shop from 1853 Map of Staten Island o Richmond County. 16 views of buildings on border. Also view of Elliottville the property of Dr. S. M. Elliott.

The “Staten Islander,” published by John J. Adams, had a brief existence, terminating about July, 1837. It is mentioned in the “Mirror” of May 12, 1838, as having ceased publication “about ten months ago.” It was apparently revived after the “Mirror” ceased, if Morris is correct in his statement that the latter “was merged into the Staten Islander, and the publication office was in the little, wedge-shaped building, still standing, nearly opposite police headquarters at Stapleton.” Quotations from this paper under dates of 1848 and 1855 indicate its existence for several years. “New Series, Vol. I, No. 6” is before us dated September 11, 1847, and published by F. L. Hagadorn.

The “Staaten Islander,” edited by Francis L. Hagadorn, was published from 1852 to 1857, inclusive. Two volumes are in the public museum and show the violent abuse of Black Republicans and Know Nothings indulged in by their opponents in 1856, as well as affording the historian much information of the period they cover. These volumes are Volume V, No. 547, January 23, 1856, to Volume VI, No. 751, December 30, 1857.

We have also a copy, bearing the name of George B. Davis, of Volume I, No. 2, dated Wednesday, September 15, 1852, published by F. L. Hagadorn who evidently regarded it as a succession to his former efforts for he calls it “Whole No. 267” and “Third Series.” This number contains a list of Staten Islanders and their places of business in New York, which is of special interest.

The “Little Corporal” commenced publication in Stapleton, in 1853, with William P. Hagadorn as editor. The public museum has Volume I, No. 1, September 17, 1853; Mr. Davis has No. 2 of September 24, 1853. It was a small newspaper, 6 by 4 3/4 inches, of four pages, price one cent, fifty per cent discount to agents in schools, for cash (in italics), and plainly intended for juvenile circulation. The size of our newspapers has varied greatly. The “Mirror’s” pages measured 9 1/4 by 11 1/4 the “Free Press” was 10 1/4 by 12 1/2; the “World” and the “Times” were 13 by 191/2; the “Gazette” was 13 by 18. About forty years ago several newspapers were much larger, the “Sun” measured 14 3/4 by 21 1/2, the “Herald” 15 by 21 3/4 , the “Star” 17 1/2 by 23 3/4 , the “Standard” 17 1/2 by 23 1/4 , and the “Tottenville Journal” in 1895 reached a size of 20 by 26 inches. For comparison we may add that the pages of the “Advance” at present are 17 1/4 by 22 1/4 .

The “Staten Island Chronicle,” owned by Dr. R. H. Thompson, we know principally from references to it in the “Staaten Islander” as a “Black Republican” paper supporting Fremont in 1856. The editor is elsewhere mentioned as Rev. P. M. Brett. The “Staaten Islander” of February 13, 1856, published the contract between Henry C. Guest,described as publisher of the “Chronicle,” and Dr. Thompson, showing his control of the paper.

The “Sepoy” was started by Dr. William C. Anderson in February, 1859, at Stapleton to defend the people of Staten Island from unjust attacks in consequence of the burning of the Quarantine. The public museum has in its custody Volume 1, No. 1, February 12, 1859, to No. 18, June 15, 1859. George M. Root was the editor, and his son, Talbot Root, presented these newspapers to the Staten Island Historical Society in 1925.

The “Gazette” commenced where the “Sepoy” ceased, and starts with Volume I, No. 19, June 22, 1859, but had previously been sent out with a few numbers of the “Sepoy.”

The “Richmond County Gazette” was established at Stapleton by George M. Root in June, 1859, with Charles Vogt as editor, as a successor to the “Sepoy.” Later it was owned by a stock company, John Bale, manager. Since 1864, it had as editors: Thomas J. Folan, Ernest F. Birmingham, James S. Spencer, Colon K. Urquhart, James E. Lee, and William A. Suydam. It was consolidated with the “Sentinel” on May 10, 1882. This paper was Republican in politics. In the directory of 1882 its office is given as 6 Arietta Street, James S. Spencer, editor and business manager; James E. Lee, local editor; Arthur Livingston, superintendent of printing; publication days, Wednesdays and Saturdays; terms, $2.00. The president of the Staten Island Publishing Company, incorporated in 1880 with a capital of $6,000, was George H. Daley; the treasurer was Lester W. Clark.

The public museum has (with a few numbers missing) Volumes 1 to 24, 1859 to 1882, of the “Gazette,” and 29 to 33, 1885 to 1889, of the “Gazette and Sentinel.” The interval between 1882 and 1885 is occupied by Volumes 1 to 4 of the “Gazette and Sentinel,” equivalent to the missing 25, 26, 27, and 28.

The “Staten Island Journal,” Democratic in politics, E. C. Hull, editor and proprietor, was published at Stapleton in 1864 and 1865, as indicated by copies of Volume II, No. 22, Tuesday, July 25, 1865, and Volume II, No. 34, Tuesday, October 17, 1865, in the possession of the junior author. Both issues contain abusive matter relating to John C. Thompson and reflect therein the partisan character of the publication. They contain also advertisements of interest; one calls attention to the aerial cars, hobby horses and swings provided at Pavilion Hill and at Myer’s Grove, Chelsea (accessible from Port Richmond by stages four times a day to Bull’s Head), owned by Mr. Seliff; another advertises Mackenzie’s Patent Auto-Propelling Cantering Horses, of which it was said:

A Patent Horse,

to carry his master,

Needs no spur, to make him go faster,

Runs along cheerfully, as soon as you stride him,

Ready to go, wherever you guide him.

Also “Any person having but one leg, can ride perfectly well.” The illustration shows a large hobby horse, mounted on two front and one smaller rear wheel, all connected by flat steel springs.

The “Staten Island Leader” was started in 1866 by Samuel Marsh, John G. Vaughn, and others, as a Democratic paper. It was sold to P. H. Gill, and after his death, was leased to William A. Suydam who ran it for a brief period; it was then purchased by Nicholas and John Macklin. The 1882 directory shows P. H. Gill as editor and proprietor, office, Wright near Water Street, Stapleton. In 1886 it was published on Saturdays. In 1893 Mrs. P. H. Gill had an important dry goods store at 246 Bay Street, established in 1882. This publication is continued at present by Browne & Felton at 530 Bay Street, Stapleton. The paper is in its sixty-fourth year.

The “North Shore Union” was published shortly after the Civil War at West New Brighton by A. G. Gatter. In it appeared a portion of a history of Staten Island by Gabriel P. Disosway. As its name indicates it was a Republican paper.

“Der Deutsche Staten Islander,” a German newspaper, was started at Stapleton, in 1867, by John Schiefer. It was managed in 1900 by Adolph Schenk. The office in 1882 was at 68 Broad Street. In 1886 it was published every Saturday and thus continued until 1896 or later.

According to J. H. French’s “Gazetteer of New York,” a newspaper of the same name was published at Stapleton in 1855 by August Fries, which was discontinued before 1861.

The “North Shore Advocate’’ was started at West New Brighton in June or July, 1869, by John J. Clute, with Thomas J. Folan as assistant editor. It suspended in 1877. It was in the office of the “Advocate” that John Crawford, who later founded the “Advance,” learned his trade.

The “Richmond County Sentinel” was started in April, 1876, by Thomas Humphrey. Hans S. Beattie, afterwards Surveyor of the Port, was a reporter for it. It was purchased in 1881 by Erastus Wiman, and shortly afterwards consolidated with the “Gazette.” The public museum has Volume I, No. 66 and No. 67, December 23 and 27, 1882, of the consolidated paper; also of the original “Sentinel,” Volumes 1 to 17 with some numbers missing and a gap in the numbering of the volumes after Volume 5.

The “Staten Island Deutsche Zeitung” was established in 1876 by Carl Herborn, and continued publication at Stapleton for two or three years.

The “Staten Island Star” was established at West New Brighton in 1877 by Oscar A. Douglass. In 1889 it was purchased by the Star Publishing Company, Edward I. Miller, manager, and later became the official paper of the Borough of Richmond. The office in 1882 was at 153 Richmond Terrace, West New Brighton. In 1886 it was published on Fridays. The public museum has a copy of Volume V, No. 35, dated July 14, 1882.

The issue of Saturday, December 14, 1895, bearing a statement that it had “a larger circulation than any other paper in Richmond County," contains a “Story of Richmond Lodge” prepared by Ira K. Morris.

The publication was suspended about 1914.

The “Staten Island Advertiser” was started at West New Brighton in 1877 by Frederick Porter and afterwards merged in the “Leader.”

The “Richmond County Democrat” was first issued in September, 1880, by William J. and J. H. Browne. In 1883 the paper was enlarged and a power press added to the equipment. Thomas J. Folan was editor to his death in 1888, when he was succeeded by Leo C. Evans. The office in 1882 was at 44 Richmond Turnpike.

The “Democrat-Herald,” a consolidation of this paper and the “Herald,” published by Joseph A. Browne, a son of William J., has been continued to the present date at Tompkinsville, 208 Bay Street. John Clark is the editor and manager and is one of the oldest newspaper men on Staten Island.

The “Richmond County Herald” was established August 27, 1880, at Stapleton, by Gilbert C. Deane as a campaign paper with Thomas J. Folan as editor. In 1900 it was owned and edited by Cornelius A. Hart. In 1886 it was published on Fridays, and continued for more than ten years, being finally consolidated with the “Democrat” as the “Democrat-Herald.” The public museum has a copy of Volume IX, No. 12, dated November 2, 1888.

The “Richmond County Standard” was established April 9, 1881, by Robert Humphrey and Colon K. Urquhart. The latter withdrew in January, 1884, and Ira K. Morris became employed as editor. A nearly complete set of this newspaper, which suspended publication about 1900, is preserved in the public museum. The office in 1882 was at 374 Richmond Terrace, New Brighton. Deposited in the public museum are the following volumes:

1 and 2, April 9, 1881, to April 7, 1883. 3 and 4, April 14, 1883, to April 4, 1885. 5 and 6, April 11, 1885, to April 9, 1887. 7 and 8, April 16, 1887, to April 6, 1889. 9 and 1O, April 13, 1889, to April 4, 1891. 11 and 12, April 11, 1891, to April 1, 1893. 13, April 8, 1893, to March 24, 1894. 19, No. 35, to 20, No. 27, October 13, 1900.

The “Westfield Times” commenced publication at Tottenville in 1881; Arthur Y. Hubbell was proprietor. The name was changed to “Staten Island Times” and the paper passed into the hands of Hart Momsen. In 1886 the “Westfield Independent,” as well as the “Westfield Times,” was published weekly at Tottenville, but in 1896 we find only the latter listed. We have seen references also to the “Arentsville Times” but have no definite data concerning it. The “Staten Island Times” had a successful career; the public museum has a copy of Volume XVIII, No. 49, of May 27, 1899.

F. Ferdinand Petersen, who died on February 19, 1929, worked as a youth for Arthur Y. Hubbell on the “Times,” and later was connected with the “Transcript.”

The “South Shore Times,” a succession to this newspaper, and the “Transcript,” consolidated as the “Times-Transcript,” is now the principal newspaper of the south shore. The office is at 3933 Amboy Road, Great Kills, and also in Tottenville.

The “Richmond County Sun,” Volume I, No. 1, appeared July 11, 1884; the public museum has a copy presented by Mr. F. Wilsey Owen. The “Citizen” began at Port Richmond in September. 1885. It was published by Ira R. Bamber and George D. Swartwout.

Another sheet of the same name, marked No. 1, was issued by The Society of Citizens of Richmond County, Staten Island, New York, in October, 1892.

The “Richmond County Advance” was established at West New Brighton March 27, 1886, by John Crawford, Jr., and became a success. It occupied a building on Broadway, West New Brighton, for several years before moving to its present building, No. 1267 Castleton Avenue, in 1916, where it enjoyed the support of the late William G. Willcox. It celebrated its thirtieth anniversary by a special issue with contributions by many prominent people. It became a daily paper in 1918, Blanchard Preble being editor. It was later sold to Staten Island Advance Company, S. I. Newhouse, president, and continued under the name of “Staten Island Advance.” Its issue of June 20, 1928, in eight sections of sixteen pages each, was the most ambitious newspaper project ever carried out on Staten Island. A bound set of the “Advance” may be consulted in its office.

The “Staten Islander” was started by Ernest F. Birmingham in 1889 with Leo C. Evans as editor. By 1900 it had become the property of J. Judson Worrell and M. J. Kane, with Maybury Fleming as editor. Under their management it achieved reputation and success; its building at the junction of Bay Street and Central Avenue was known as the Staten Islander Building. It finally became a daily paper under the name of “Daily Dispatch”; but for many years after 1896 it was published on Wednesdays and Saturdays as a Republican paper. During that period it published many articles of historical interest and literary merit. The public museum has a set, nearly complete, of this news- paper until it became a daily paper. The issue of June 5, 1890, contains an index to the illustrations, biographic notices, and special articles published up to that time.

As a daily paper it changed its name again to the “Staten Islander” and after some financial troubles suspended late in July, 1928.

The “Real Estate Record” was established in 1890 by Daniel T. Cornell, in Stapleton, according to Morris.

The “Ventilator,” a temperance paper, was started by Rev. W. H. Vogler, in 1892.

The “Staten Island Independent” was started at Port Richmond in 1893 as a campaign paper, owned by a stock company with Frank M. Harrington as editor. In 1897 “The News” was issued daily for a few weeks from the same office and about 1897 a weekly, with the title of “News-Independent,” was issued, Hart Momsen, editor; Charles Wood, business manager. The public museum has Volume I, No. 1, of the “Staten Island Independent,” dated October 21, 1893', to No. 83, dated October 23, 1894.

The “Staten Island News” has been published at 16 Park Avenue, Port Richmond, since 1924 or earlier.

“Tottenville Journal.” Of this publication the public museum has Volume II, No. 32, dated February 2, 1895, presented by Mr. F. Wilsey Owen.

The “Post” was a German newspaper, published about 1896 by Hugo Kessler at Stapleton. It was a Democratic weekly. The “News-Letter” was started at St. George late in 1896 by Ernest F. Birmingham. The public museum has No. 1, dated December 5, 1896, to N0. 49, dated November 6, 1897. Michael J. Kane was the manager; and the first number of the “News-Letter” is very suggestive in its clear print and good paper of what the “Staten Islander” later became under the same management.

The “Staten Island Transcript” was started about 1899 in Tottenville, published by Cornelius Shea. The names of Arthur Y. Hubbell and F. Ferdinand Petersen have been mentioned in connection with early numbers of this paper. It subsequently became identified with the late Herbert Huntington and his talented daughter by whom it was continued until merged in the “Times-Transcript.”

The “Richmond Argus” appeared monthly about 1900, published by Leon Bossue dit Lyonnais. The public museum has Volume IV, No. 4, March 1, 1902, to Volume V, No. 1, December 1, 1902.

The “Staten Island World” was published at Stapleton by William C. Rowland from 1902 to 1920 as a Democratic newspaper and issued weekly except for occasional more frequent issues during campaigns. The public museum has a set (lacking 1906) from Volume I, No. 36, to the last issue of January 31, 1920. It has also of “The World,” Volume I, No. 14, August 3, 1901. The set was presented to the museum by Mr. Rowland to whom it owes also other valued and appreciated gifts.

The “Richmond Times,” Volume I, No. 1, was issued at Port Richmond, on July 15, 1905, and continued for three weekly numbers, of which we have copies before us; we have no further data concerning it.

The “Broadside,” Volume I, No. 1, appeared in September, 1909, and continued until February, 1910.

“Staten Island Progressive,” a new newspaper in 1913, was issued every Thursday, price one cent or fifty cents a year. The office was at 1 Warren Street, Stapleton.

"Richmond Boro Advertiser” was published from May to November, 1915.

The “Staten Island Eagle,” “issued to boost Richmond Boro,” by Clinton J. Sharrett, began October 28, 1927.

In addition to the publications entitled to be called newspapers, Staten Island has had serial publications of a literary, scientific, and commercial character. Among such we recall the “Staten Island Magazine” of which three numbers appeared from August to October, 1888, from the press of the “Richmond County Herald.” The contributors included many local authors whose work was known far beyond the limits of Staten Island and who will be mentioned in a later chapter.

“Staten Island Life,” of which Volume I, No, 1, appeared June 1, 1895, was a similar publication which also had a brief career. The “Mirror,” of which the first number appeared December 15, 1920, was planned by Judson R. Worrell as a monthly devoted to social, fratenal, and similar activities, but like its predecessors, apparently did not meet with success.

The “Islander,” which began in 1926, was a recent attempt to publish a monthly magazine devoted to Staten Island affairs. Well written, well printed, and copiously illustrated, it deserved but failed of success.

The Proceedings of the Natural Science Association of Staten Island, which began on November 10, 1883, include nine volumes ending June 3, 1905. They were followed by the Proceedings of the Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences in seven volumes from June, 1905, to May, 1918. These in turn were followed by the Proceedings of the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, of which the fourth volume has been published in 1928, carrying the series down to date. These proceedings contain many of the historical studies of Edward C. Delavan, Jr., George W. Tuttle, and other students of our history, as well as important contributions to our natural history.

The “Museum Bulletin,” which began in August, 1908, has given the current history of the museum for the past twenty years. The Proceedings beginning in 1883 also appeared in the “Richmond County Standard.”

Serial publications like the “Bulletin” of the Civic League, which began in July, 1913, and “Staten Island Light,” official publication of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce since January, 1926, give much information on the civic topics of their period. Organizations like the Boy Scouts, Wagner College, Curtis and Port Richmond high schools, Staten Island Academy, have also recently issued serial publications devoted to their special subjects. The “Richmond Magazine,” edited by E. Bertram Sanborn in 1899, was the official publication of the Teachers’ Association. The schools often adopted picturesque names for their publications, witness the “Scarlet Tanager” of Port Richmond High School, the “Quill” of Staten Island Academy, and the “Curtis Log.” The “Veteran Fireman,” of which a bound volume running from March 1, 1913, to May 1, 1922, has been presented to the public museum, has been especially valuable as a source of information; it was edited by Leon Bossue dit Lyonnais, and, while devoted especially to the subject indicated by its title, furnishes incidentally many other items.

The publications issued from Mt. Loretto are of a special character, devoted to the manifold activities of the institutions located there. They serve to support in part the work for blind children and have a wide circulation. They have been more particularly mentioned in our chapter on Charitable Institutions. Several churches also issue leaflets at stated periods indicating their appreciation of the influence of the printed word.

The directories and guides issued in 1862, 1882, 1893, 1897 and 1913, have been of value to us in preparing this and several other chapters. There may have been others also which we have not seen. We have for instance seen references to Gopsill’s Staten Island Directory for 1863 and 1864; but have not seen a copy.

Another class of publications have appeared annually with more or less regularity. The printed reports of the Board of Supervisors for the years following the Civil War have been of unusual service to us. The reports of the Staten Island Hospital, presented to the public museum by Mr. William Y. Wemple supplied data for the history of that institution.

Still more irregular have been the earlier reports of the Chamber of Commerce, pamphlets issued by boards of trade, amusement companies, &c., sometimes reduced to a single issue; but each has been helpful in compiling this history.

One of interest is a copy of “A Pointer,” Vol. V, No. 46, issued in 1888, and containing “Rides and Rambles on Staten Island,” an illustrated article of some length and considerable interest.

In reviewing thus the history of the press on Staten Island the influence of the Hagadorn family is brought prominently before us. Peter Hagadorn, its founder, came from Frankfort in 1716 and settled at Rhinebeck. His great-grandson, William, was a lieutenant in a Brooklyn regiment in the War of 1812, and thereafter settled in Newark, where he published the “Intelligencer” before coming to Staten Island to publish the “Republican” in 1831. Here he finally established a printing office in Stapleton, which is shown on maps of 1853 and 1859. Francis L. Hagadorn and his son, William P. Hagadorn, also printers and newspaper publishers, were William’s son and grandson. It was the privilege of the junior author to meet Francis L. Hagadorn, then an old man, temporarily visiting his son on Beach Street, Staten Island, in 1896. William P. Hagadorn, who was born April 6, 1843, continued the traditions of the family by serving in the Civil War, and by living to a good age. In 1914, past seventy years of age, he was ticket agent at Tower Hill Station.

In the history of a century of newspaper work many other names are often repeated, thus indicating the important part they played in making history. Thomas J. Folan, William Suydam, Ernest F. Birmingham, Thomas and Robert Humphrey, the Brownes, Colon K. Urquhart, Ira K. Morris, John Crawford, Judson Worrell, M. Kane, Maybury Fleming, and others are inseparable from the story. Their work has seldom yielded them more than a living; but it has preserved for us a contemporary record of the Staten Island in which they lived and worked, for which posterity owes them a debt of gratitude.

Few of these old-time newspaper men survive. The last to go was William A. Suydam on December 2, 1927, seventy-five years of age, but praising Mayor John F. Hylan in his last year with the same fire that for twenty-six years from 1882 made him the successful editor of the “Gazette and Sentinel.” Morris in the “Advance” of September 15, 1916, paid a deserved tribute to the memory of “Tommy” Folan, whom he describes as weighing only ninety pounds and working at first as a stenographer for $100 a year.

As an appendix to this chapter a few words may be said of the printing plants of Staten Island. That of William Hagadorn at Stapleton in 1837 was apparently the first of importance and for a long time the only one. As the number of newspapers multiplied, so did the printing plants, for the two were closely allied and the separation of job printing and newspaper work was a comparatively late development. The directory of 1882 shows nine printing establishments, every one connected with some newspaper project. By the end of the last century Arthur Y. Hubbell’s plant at Tottenville was apparently capable of turning out creditable specimens of book printing. We know of two issued from that press, perhaps with outside help. The printing plants of the Island have in recent years at least kept pace with its progress in other directions; indeed we suspect that a fascination about rapidly reproducing one’s ideas by printing them, manifest even in the hand press of boyhood, has often caused the printer to anticipate the future in the enlargement of his plant.

At any rate we have now twenty-four plants large enough to have telephones, of which two have turned out daily newspapers, one a paper twice a week, and four weekly papers. The remainder are occupied with job work, some like the Richmond Boro Printing and Publishing Company, however, combining the two. This plant turns out book and catalogue work on a large scale, as also does the John Willig Press. The following is a nearly complete list, as compiled from the Chamber of Commerce report and the telephone directory:

Advance Press, Inc., 1300 Castleton Avenue, W. N. B. [West New Brighton]

Browne & Felton, 530 Bay Street, Stapleton.

Wm. V. Colbum, 91 Midland Avenue, G. City. [Grant City]

Democrat-Herald, 208 Bay Street, Tompkinsville.

A. T. De Santis, 115 Brighton Avenue, N. B. [New Brighton]

Daily Dispatch,‘ 196 Bay Street, Tompkinsville.

W. B. Haughwout, 849 Richmond Avenue, P. R. [Port Richmond]

A. Longo, 202 Virginia Avenue, Rosebank.

Donald D. Magruder, Inc., Tompkinsville.

Sydney W. Messenger, 2132 Richmond Terrace, P. R.

Edward I. Miller Co., 104 Barker Street, W. N. B.

James G. Mottola, 358 Washington Avenue, P. R.

J. E. Mouner, linotyping, 102 Barker Street, W. N. B.

L. W. Raasch, 182 Midland Avenue, Grant City.

C. J. Sharrett, 1975 Richmond Terrace, P. R.

Richmond Boro P. & P. Co., 16 Park Avenue, P. R.

R. F. Spiegelberg & Co., 273 Targee Street, Stapleton.

Abram Sprague, 200 Butler Avenue, Tottenville.

Staten Island Advance, 1267 Castleton Avenue, W. N. B.

T. Tallaksen, 302 Richmond Avenue, P. R.

Times-Transcript, 3933 Amboy Road, Great Kills.

Westerleigh Press, 18 Jewett Avenue, P. R.

John Willig Press, 72 Gordon Street. Stapleton.

STATEN ISLAND JOURNALISM.

THE REMARK is often made that "Staten Island is a little world all by itself," and there certainly can be no branch of "human industry" within its limits that feels the effect of the isolation as forcibly as journalism. Yet the profession, handicapped as it is by its limited field, creditably keeps apace with the progress of the age, and, I believe, compares favorably with "newspaperdom" throughout the country.

Since the first establishment of newspapers in New York city there has been a constant and tender solicitude for Staten Island on the part of the journalists of the great Metropolis. Few important events have occurred here that have escaped their notice and consequent publication.

Prior to the establishment of a newspaper on Staten Island, the people who desired to read the local news were compelled to scan the columns of Rivingston's Gazette, Gaine's New York Gazette, the New Jersey Gazette (of Trenton), the Evening Post, Pennsylvania Journal, and a few other papers published before and after the Revolution. They all seemed to have manifested considerable interest in the Island.

The first Staten Island newspaper, so far as I have been able to ascertain, was called the Richmond Republican, and its first number appeared on the seventeenth day of October, 1827. It was edited by Charles N. Baldwin, whose office was at Tompkinsville; but it was printed in Chambers street, New York City. It was Democratic in politics, and its publication day was Saturday. Mr. Baldwin announced that he sold lottery tickets and solicited orders for signs and ornamental painting. The paper contained four small pages, and continued to be published for a number of years. I have been unable to ascertain the date of its suspension.

The New York and Richmond County Free Press was started about 1830, by William Hagadorn. It was a twelve-page paper, and its title page bore the following announcement:

"Devoted to the advancement of the liberal arts and sciences, and to the promulgation of useful knowledge, general literature, etc. In its columns may be found interesting selections in natural history, geology, mineralogy and botany, original and selected tales, poetry, strictures, essays, biographical sketches, traits of distinguished characters, etc." The publication office was at 174 Broadway, New York City. I have a bound volume of the Free Press commencing Saturday, June 10th, 1835. Under the editorial head is the following ticket: "For President, Martin Van Buren, of New York ; for Vice-President, Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky." The leading editorial is as follows:

"The first number of a new series of the Free Press is now laid before the public. Our readers will perceive that the interval, between the date of our last and our present number, has been employed in making a considerable improvement in the form and appearance of the paper. Subscribers, almost without an exception, desired us to make this improvement ; and, while we state that its accomplishment has incurred a heavy expenditure of time and money, [we mean, of course, an expenditure heavy in proportion to our light resources,] we will take leave to express our assurance of being amply reimbursed, by the accessions that will be made to our subscription list, and the promptitude and pleasure with which the old subscribers will now call and settle their dues, knowing that we have spared no pains or expense in placing this publication on a footing commensurate with the liberality with which it has been sustained during the past five years."

Following the above is an editorial comment concerning the order of President Jackson, to the effect that "public officers must pay their debts, or suffer immediate removal." A great deal is said about the tariff, and it is evident that Democrats and Whigs were having a lively time of it. In the following number this paragraph is printed:

"Our Richmond County Paper (the income of which has not for the past six or eight months paid the extra expense which it has been to us), will be continued throughout the present volume. Our paper has lately been 'got up' with considerable expense to us, and we are determined that it shall be punctually and regularly delivered to our subscribers. If at the end of this volume, our circulation in Richmond County has not enlarged sufficiently to warrant the continuance of that branch of our paper, we will then be compelled to discontinue it."

The Free Press contained a limited amount of local news. On the 27th of June, (1831,) there was an account of the robbery of Jacob De Groot's store on the North Shore, on the previous Saturday night. About $300 worth of dry goods were stolen. The old U. S. Frigate "Constitution" had just passed Staten Island and was anchored in port. July 4th there was a long list of uncalled-for letters in the Tompkinsville post office. John C. Thompson was post-master. Some of the names in the list are familiar to the residents of the Island today. There was also a list of letters, remaining in the City Ville post office (West Brighton), D. V. N. Mersereau, post master. The "Tompkins Guards" was the name of the "crack" military company in those days. The Richmond and Quarantine stage made a round trip each day. One dollar reward was offered for the capture of Richard Long, an apprentice, who had run away from Daniel Merrill, Sr., of Northfield. On August 15th the publisher offered to sell the "copyright and patronage" of the paper. He claimed that it was one of the best established papers in the city. October 3d this item appeared : "A farmer on Staten Island, whose fertile grounds we were admiring at the time, informed us that when he first came into possession of his farm, there was but one blade of grass within its precincts, and that a famished grasshopper was perched upon that, making his dying prayer."

The Free Press lost its interest in the Island shortly, and was superseded, in a measure, by the New York Plaindealer. Its first number was issued on December 3d, 1836. It was a very ably conducted paper. The great bank question, which at that time was the absorbing topic for the whole country, consumed a very large portion of its space. Its love for Andrew Jackson was only equalled by its hatred for Martin Van Buren. It was printed for the proprietor by William Van Norden, at 96 Nassau street; the publication office was at the corner of Pine street and Broadway. The editor was very bitter in his denunciation of the respect shown to Aaron Burr, at the time of the old soldier's death at Port Richmond, and a day or so later, when the college authorities at Princeton, with distinguished honors, placed his mortal remains at the feet of his fathers. The language used is far more forcible than elegant. The Pavilion Hotel at New Brighton, was a social center in those days, and the Plaindealer gives an elaborate description of the house and becomes enthusiastic over the, charming scenery of the Island.

The Staten Islander made its appearance at this period, as near as I can ascertain. Its editor was John J. Adams, who, on retiring from it, became one of the editors of the New York Sunday Morning News. The paper contained four small pages and was printed in New York City. There was a revival at that day, of a strong feature which characterized the press of America immediately after the close of the Revolution--namely, a strict regard for all matters of a literary nature. Local news, the little details of everyday life in village and country-- was a secondary matter, and the Staten Islander "moved and had its being" in the beaten paths of its contemporaries. It continued to be published for many years.

The first newspaper ever printed on Staten Island was the Richmond County Mirror, which made its appearance in July, 1837. Mr. Francis L. Hagadorn was the editor and proprietor, and the publication office was located on Richmond Terrace, New Brighton, somewhere between York avenue and Belmont Hall. It contained eight pages of three columns each, was ably edited, neatly printed, and reflected credit upon its manager. The editor was the son of the publisher of the Free Press, and had been connected with that paper. The first number contained a steel engraving, entitled, "A View of New Brighton," by Chapman, and later on there were printed engravings of the Pavilion Hotel and the castle-like residence of Mr. A. G. Ward, still standing at the corner of Richmond terrace and Franklin avenue. "Everyone will remember," says the editor, "that as recently as 1834 the present Richmond terrace, which now forms one of the finest drives in the country, was the very worst tatter of a road on Staten Island. Where, so lately as the year '34, the uncherished domicile of Capt. Lawrence, with the dilapidated stillhouse opposite, and three or four random cottages around, were the only objects around to occupy the visual organs ; now the stately Pavilion and its surrounding palaces do honor to the emboldened shore, that, bristling from the sloping chain of mountains in its rear, leaps like a startled deer upon the bay and arches up its antlers of Corinthian as if doubting whether to proceed."

In the same issue is a "History of Staten Island, chapter 1, by the Rev. Dr. Van Pelt," (who was pastor of the Dutch Reform Churches of Port Richmond and Richmond,) who also contributed an excellent outline history of the Huguenots, our earliest settlers. I quote from the editorial address :

"In commencing the arduous duties of a public journalist, we reverently bow to the ' usages ' and time-honored customs so religiously observed in such matters, and herewith essay to make known our rules of guidance. Those who will expect this paper to support and close up the deformities of any political party, must, at the outset, be undeceived. Those, also, who will image us as either the radical enemy of all social distinctions, or the court journalist of our Anglo-American aristocrats, must also be apprised of their error. Many of our compeers who affect to hold in abhorrence everything that savors of antiquity, although they have yielded reluctant obedience to this necessary requirement, have only in the same breath declared open war against the practice ; and with all the punctillious devotion of the Quaker, have grumbled at the stem necessity which has compelled them to tip their beavers to the public. For our part, we honor the practice and willingly yield obedience to its just requirements. It is a happy thing that there is a manner to be observed incoming before the public, as well as in entering the drawing-room. In perusing the hebdomadary offerings of the candidate for public patronage; the eyes of the public are instinctively directed to the editorial column, and the devoted wight is closely and attentively watched as he goes stumbling along, hat in hand, like a reviewing officer at a militia training, with all the eyes of a criticising populace upon him. This is a wholesome discipline. It, at least, requires moral courage as an essential in the composition of its object.

"In a community so small as this, and so equally divided in political sentiments, * [* The population of Staten Island, at the time of taking the last census, in 1830, was 7,084. The population of Westfield exceeded that of any other town in the County. ] it is evident that a paper devoted to either of the great political parties which now divide the people of this country, could not anticipate a patronage co-extensive with the necessary expenditures. Apart from this--if impartially considered, the so-called political papers of the present day teem with such tortured and one-sided statements, even of those things which fall within their especial province, that the enquirer after political facts meets on every side with continual reverses, which finally engender fixed disgust or blind acquiescense; and he who should have been a champion of his country sickens in the vain attempt to see her as she is. Thus the empirics, who, for the most part, guide the political journals of this country, are not only muddling, but poisoning those once vivifying streams over which the too-confiding public have given them control. And thus, in politics, as well as in science, the student is oftener presented with ill-defined outlines of conflicting theories than with established facts, or any real requital of his pains.

"Skillful politicians cloak their deep designs, and only act with openness and vigor when success is certain and applause is sure to follow. Political journalists oftentime deceive themselves and others, and-- in the vainglorious attempts to play the general-- conceal from the 'rank and file' of their partisans all such intelligence as may tend to exhibit the deformities and pregnable points of the party to which they are attached. And, inasmuch as all those opposed to the sentiments of its conductors, habitually discard everything which emanates from a partisan paper, so it is evident that it must finally become a burden, not an aid."

Editor Hagadorn, of the Mirror, was a genuine patriot, and we find him censuring the people of the Island for not celebrating the "Glorious Fourth." He boldly calls them "a generation of vipers and hypocrites," because they refused to honor the memory of Washington and his compeers. An advertisement also appeared for "a travelling agent for this paper in the township of Westfield, to engage in the business of procuring subscribers and superintending the delivery in that quarter of the Island ; one who will find security to the amount of few hundred dollars, and also attend to the collection of moneys, will be able to secure a steady and profitable employment." The following item appeared in the issue, of August 20th, 1837:

"Richmond Village.-- A new street has lately been opened in this village, on which seven pretty little houses have been created. These, in addition to the new Court House, give quite a business appearance to the place. 'Who'd have thought it?' Till lately Richmond had been a by-word for inanity." At New Brighton "everything was teeming with life and bustle." The editor lectures the Supervisors on account of the condition of old Richmond road. Probably his comments will be appreciated at the present day :

" * * * This is a matter of some importance, gentlemen, and should be so treated. The old road has become warped into its present state by neglect of ages ; like an old, untutored mind, it has followed the inclinations of passion and lawless folly--it has left the sterling paths of probity and truth, and rambled through the mazes of romance and adventure, prompted, it would seem, by nothing but the bent of idle curiosity. So we find it-- and all the mild persuasions and even the examples of the brave old fences, will affect nothing against the prejudices of age; forcible means must be called into action. The gullies of recklessness must be ploughed up. The rocks of stubbornness must be blasted, and the small stones and weeds of folly must be uprooted. The channels, where the stagnant pools of inanity have planted themselves, must be upturned, and the mud and filth of their sediments must be exposed, in lieu of the golden surface* which now glitter to allure."

The chief agitation among the Islanders, at that time, was the attempt to secure the erection of a light house on Robin's Reef, and the survey being made for the establishment a navy yard and fort at "the cove" on Bergen Point, opposite New Brighton. The Mirror's editorial comments are as follows :

"This undertaking, like everything else new, excites our wonder why its object has lain so long unnoticed. The advantages of bold water and proximity to the ocean, this location adds the important consideration of cheap and cosy defence. It is only approachable by large vessels from one passage. Nature too shut it off in every other direction by shoals and flats. It is also further proposed to establish a fort, similar to that at the Rip Raps, on the reef of rocks at the mouth of the Sound, known as Robin's Reef; and this, in addition to the defense of the navy yard, would from its position be able to effect more-- in case of an attack upon New York by sea--than all the other forts within the harbor. A strong fort upon Robins Reef, with a short chain to the shore of Staten Island, would effectually defend the navy yard; and any other flotilla, or attempting to force its way into our harbor, would enevitably be exposed to a raking fire of four or five miles."

On September 2d, (1837,) the editor speaks of his prospects as follows: "Bad, badder, baddest! We will continue, however, to publish semi-monthly, until we have obtained a sufficient patronage to warrant our driving the Mirror well. Perseverance is our motto. Everything is attainable by industry and application ; and when we have established a business on Staten Island, we shall take to ourself the credit of some fortitude." He then proceeds to criticize the Rev. Dr. Van Pelt, whom he had engaged to write a history of Staten Island, for omitting a "period embracing the Revolution, and some years after, up to the days of Tompkins." That was the very last of the history. The same number gives accounts of a ball at the Pavilion and the parade of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment. "Major Tompkins, of the staff of Maj.Gen. Van Buren, had lately been promoted to the command of the regiment, and this was his first parade or drill of officers." The editor says he unexpectedly met the battalion on its way from Richmond, and then proceeds to criticise it.

One of the habits of those days has not been forgotten, but is still practiced. For instance, this in October: "The Whigs of Richmond County meet on Monday night, at Richmond Village, to make the nominations for the ensuing election. Gentlemen, who does your printing? Sort o' crooked, this fashion of calling Richmond meetings through the medium of New York. Can't understand it."

In those days the two parties--Democrats and Whigs--were about evenly balanced in this county. A majority of from twenty to twenty-five was considered very large. The Mirror gives the following returns on November 11th, 1837 : "Israel B. Oakery, the Whig Assemblyman, is elected by about ten majority. Andrew B. Decker, the Van Buren candidate for Sheriff, is certainly elected. Walter Betts, the Whig County Clerk, is re-elected--no opposition ; and it is supposed that V. B. Connors are all in. So much for our higgledy-piggeldy, mixed-up little county. Our citizens go for the best men, and kick at everything like party discipline. We have not the official returns, or they would have been given. We cannot depend on flying-reports.

The same number of the Mirror publishes this little paragraph : "Another Patriot Gone--Married, on the morning of the first instant, by the Rev. Mr. La Fevre, Francis L. Hagadorn, E-s-q-u-i-r-e, editor of the New Brighton Mirror, to Miss Eliza Lawson, daughter of the late Peter Lawson, all of New York City."

November 25th : "Tonight the Whigs of Richmond County celebrate the result of the late election in this State, by a jollification at Richmond Village. Grub, grog and ginger-bread at six." At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors the following was adopted :

"Resolved, That the old Court House in the village of Richmond [the building now occupied as the residence of Mr. Isaac M. Marsh,] and lot on which it stands be offered at auction, at the Richmond County Hall, in said village, on Saturday, 17th of December next, at 2 o'clock p. m., if not previously disposed of at private sale."

Editor Hagadorn issued annual addresses to his readers, in one of which he stated that "gratitude is a keen sense of favor to come." He continued to publish the Mirror for a number of years, and, I am told, that at last it was merged into the Staten Islander, and that the publication office was in the little wedge-shaped building standing nearly opposite police headquarters at Stapleton.

Many years ago a little paper was printed at Rossville, by a sensational Bohemian, whose idea of journalism was to print such statements about the people as would '"get the laugh on them and sell the paper." He published several numbers, I am informed, and the love that the residents of the village bore for him was not such as characterized Damon and Pythias. One day he was called away suddenly, and when he returned, he found that his printing-press and types had been carried away and dumped into the river. There was a note left behind stating that, "Somehow or other, a newspaper wasn't appreciated in that locality, and there might possibly be other fields of labor where the editor could serve his country to a greater advantage.'" It was not very long before he ''folded his tent"' and departed.

Ira K. Morris also published a chapter in his book Morris's Memorial History of Staten Island with the same title as his earlier article:

STATEN ISLAND JOURNALISM.

SINCE the first establishment of newspapers in New York City, we are indebted to the press of the Metropolis for a great deal that would otherwise have been lost to the world. Few events occurred here of special importance that escaped the attention of the primitive reporter. We find local news in the files of Rivington's Gazette, Gaines New York Gazette, the Evening Post, the American Citizen, as well as in the New Jersey Gazette and the Pennsylvania Journal.

Staten Island did not have a newspaper of its own until 1827. On the 17th of October, of that year, the Richmond Republican made its appearance. Its editor and publisher was Charles N. Baldwin, and the paper was intensely democratic. It was published at No. 4 Chambers street, New York City, although the editorial and business office was on Griffin street, next door to Swan, Tompkinsville.

Editor Baldwin was a very enterprising man. Beside running two newspapers, he kept the Quarantine Hotel, at Tompkinsville, was a lottery agent, and " turned an honest penny" as best he could. As a journalist, it may be said Mr. Baldwin was "up to the times.'' We copy his address to his patrons, as he begins his work on Staten Island:

"Encouraged by a distant prospect of success, we have become a voluntary exile from our native city. We have cast our lot among strangers, and we rely with confidence on their support. From the slender population of the Island we have not much to expect—we throw ourself on the liberality of our enlightened and generous people. Richmond is, we believe, the only county in this flourishing and prosperous State that does not support a press. A newspaper is a stranger among you, and, therefore, as a stranger, bid it welcome.

"Let not the present attempt to sustain the character and dignity of this goodly portion of the commonwealth become abortive. We ask not—we expect not a rich reward for our services, but we do expect some trifling remuneration for our labor. There are few situations so arduous as, and more unpleasant than that of an editor of a public journal. He must cater for the tastes of his patrons, which are frequently as changeable as the color of the chameleon. Every eye is fixed upon him, and everybody takes the liberty to censure him and dictate the course he should pursue. His political opponents load him with bitter invectives, and those whom he had considered his political friends too frequently desert him when their ends are answered and his 'gray goose quill' can be of no further service to them.

"In our former efforts we have incessantly, and as the world goes, universally labored to expose corruption in the administration of justice, and most villainous swindling in legalized gambling, but 'poverty, the reward of honest fools,' o'ertook us for it. We now stand indicted for exposing the corrupt practices of the New York Police, and for innocently complimenting a certain Judge, whose temper sometimes gets the better of his understanding, and whose decisions have more than once been set aside by a higher tribunal.

"Plain and unsophisticated in our manners, we do not seek to become a member of ' good society '—the great Republican Family— the friends and supporters of General Jackson, are the men with whom we wish to associate, and in whose patriotism we can confide. The General has done so much for Ids country, and such a man the people delight to honor. We feel bound in gratitude to lend our feeble aid in his behalf, and to use every honorable effort to promote his election." Several columns of political news appeared in tins paper, all seeming to emanate from Richmond County Hall, at Richmond. Among the advertisements in the first numbers, were those of J. B. Simonson, who had fruit trees for sale; William Eddy wanted to sell a house he owned, on Sarah Ann street, Tompkinsville; T. Fardou " tendered his grateful acknowledgments to his friends for their support of his Union School," located at Tompkinsville; Cornelius Vanderbilt advertised a boat which he had found; P. Byrne sold quill and wafers. "Shaving, hair-cutting, bleeding and tooth-drawing, by Francis M. Spong, adjoining the Masonic Hall, Tompkinsville," was announced. D. Denyse kept a livery stable at the Quarantine ground, Masonic Hall. Samuel Dameron was the village tailor. John Deforest .sold lumber, lime, brick, etc. J. F. Fountain ran the Commercial Hotel, in front of the steamboat wharf. William S. Root kept a general provision store, at Tompkinsville. A. G. Dixon, the postmaster, advertised a list of unclaimed letters. Jonathan Merrill and John Goodhart, of Northfield, dissolved co-partnership. The Steamboat "Bolivar" made two trips a day to New York; fare, each way, twenty-five cents; all baggage at the risk of the owner.

The following important announcement was given prominence: "Ferry to Blazing Star, (Linoleumville).—Francis B. Fitch respectfully informs the public that he has once more started the above ferry, for which purpose he has built a first-rate Scow, and as soon as Ihe travelling will warrant, he intends adding a Horse Boat, and no exertion or expense on his part, shall be wanting to secure public patronage. The Turnpike to Quarantine, (it being only seven miles), is now in complete order, as also the Turnpike to New Brunswick, twelve miles. The road to Rahway, Milton, Westfield, &c.. is in good repair."

Accounts were given of the races which took place at Butler's Tavern, at Graniteville, and on New Dorp lane, there being rival factions among the sporting men of the time.

There was great excitement in the country about Freemasonry at the time, which caused the following to be printed:

"Hill is still traveling through the Western parts of this State, pestering various grand juries to find a bill against him for the murder of William Morgan, well known as the author of a certain pamphlet purporting to be an exposition of the secrets of Masonry. born to be drowned, for he pertinaciously but, poor fellow, he cannot find a court to Verily

this Hill was not insists upon being hung; convict him; and why should they convict him? Since Morgan has published four books, subsequent to his reported death, explaining the mysteries of the higher degrees, as he says, but they are as far from the mark as the first, and so glowingly improbable that Gulliver's Travels into the Brobdignag and Liliput or the celebrated Adventures of Baron Munchausen will appear like truth when compared with his nonsense. His first book is but a single improvement on a publication that appeared in London about thirty years ago (1798), and can now be purchased in New York for about nine cents, Staten Island currency! * * * We saw Mr. Morgan at the store of Henry Mead, at the corner of Harm an and Catherine streets, New York, on Christmas morning, alive and well.''

A large book could be filled with the choice bits of news we find in the Republican—the first four volumes of which lie before us. Suffice it to say, Editor Baldwin published a lively newspaper, and one that will compare favorably with those of today.

On January 1, 1831, the Republican contained this announcement: "The Patrons of the Republican are respectfully informed that I have transferred the establishment to Mr. William Hagadorn, Editor of the New York Democratic-Republican, whom I take the liberty to recommend to my friends as a democrat of the old school, and I think nothing will be wanting on his part to make the paper highly interesting to its patrons. In surrendering this journal, I beg leave to return my sincere thanks to my late patrons for past favors, with an assurance of my good wishes and lasting esteem.

"Charles N. Baldwin."

William Hagadorn assumed charge of the Republican, and settled on Staten Island. Peter Hagadorn, the first of the family in this country, came from Frankfort, in 1716, and settled at Rheinbeek, where he, his son, John; his grandson, Francis, and great-grandson, William, are buried side by side. William, the junior, saw many stirring events of the Revolution, and, although a mere lad, often took part in the hardships and services of the "Minute men." He was a lieutenant in the Brooklyn regiment, during the War of 1812, doing duty in that city, on Staten Island and at Sandy Hook. After that war, he settled in Newark, New Jersey, and published the Intelligencer, and also became a Universalist minister.

Before Editor Baldwin sold the Republican, however, he had opposition in The Chronicle, a Whig paper, edited and published by Dr. Thompson, the Health Officer of the Port.

The Republican ran for a few years under Mr. Hagadorn's management, and was finally consolidated with another paper and lost its identity. The Staten Islander was the next paper to make its appearance here. John J. Adams was its editor and publisher. The Mirror speaks of him on May 12, 1838, as follows: "This gentleman, since he brought his publication of the Staten Islander to a close, (about ten months ago), has connected himself with the New-Yorker, and absolved that connection; played and taken a benefit on the boards of the National Theatre; made a voyage to Europe and returned, and is now lecturing at Philadelphia! 'Business is business.'"

The New York and Richmond County Free Press was started about 1832, by William Hagadorn, formerly of the Republican. It was a twelve-page paper, and its title page bore the following announcement: "Devoted to the advancement of the liberal arts and sciences, and to the promulgation of useful knowledge, general literature, etc. In its columns may be found interesting selections in natural history, geology, mineralogy, and botany, original and selected tales, poetry, strictures, essays, biographical sketches, traits of distinguished characters, etc." The publication office was at 174 Broadway, New York City. The Free Press, on Saturday, June 13, 1835, under the editorial head had the following ticket: "For President, Martin Van Buren, of New York; for Vice-President, Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky." The leading editorial reads thus:

"The first number of a new series of the Free Press is now laid before the public. Our readers will perceive that the interval, between the date of our last and our present number, has been employed in making considerable improvement in the form and appearance of the paper. Subscribers, almost without an exception, desired us to make this improvement; and, while we state that its accomplishment has incurred a heavy expenditure of time and money, (we mean, of course, an expenditure heavy in proportion to our light resources), we will take leave to express our assurance of being amply reimbursed, by the accessions that will be made to our subscription list, and the promptitude and pleasure with which the old subscribers will now call and settle their dues, knowing that we have spared no pains or expense in placing this publication on a footing commensurate with the liberal ity with which it has been sustained during the past five years.''

Following the above is an editorial comment concerning the order of President Jackson, to the effect that" public officers must pay their debts, or suffer immediate removal." A great deal is said about the tariff. In the following number this paragraph is printed:

"Our Richmond County Paper, (the income of which has not for the past six or eight months paid the extra expense which it has been to us) will be continued throughout the present volume. Our paper has lately been ' got up ' with considerable expense to us, and we are determined that it shall be punctually and regularly delivered to our subscribers. If at the end of this volume, our circulation in Richmond County has not enlarged sufficiently to warrant the continuance of that branch of our paper, we will then be compelled to discontinue it."

On August 15, the publisher offered to sell the "copyright and patronage" of the paper. He claimed that it was one of the best established papers in the city. On October 3, this item appeared: "A farmer on Staten Island, whose fertile grounds we were admiring at the time, informed us that when he first came into possession of his farm, there was but one blade of grass within its precincts, and that a famished grasshopper was perched upon that, making his dying prayer."

The Free Press was superseded by the Plaindealer. Its first number was issued on December 3,1836. It was a very ably conducted paper. The great bank question, which at that time was the absorbing topic of the whole country, consumed a very large portion of its space. It was printed for the proprietor by William Van Norden, at 96 Nassau street; the publication office was at the corner of Pine street and Broadway.

There was a revival at that day of a prominent feature which characterized the press of America immediately after the Revolution— namely, a regard for matters of a literary nature. Local news—the little details of every-day life in village and country—was a secondary matter. The Plaindealer's chief mission seemed to be to attack slavery, and it carried on the work in a very vigorous manner.

The first newspaper printed on Staten Island was the Richmond County Mirror, which made its appearance in July, 1837. Francis L. Hagadorn was its editor and proprietor, and the publication office was located on Richmond terrace, New Brighton, somewhere between York avenue and Belmont Hall. It contained eight pages of three columns each, was ably edited, and neatly printed. The editor was the son of the publisher of the Free Press, and he, too, had been connected with that paper.

In the same issue is a "History of Staten Island, chapter 1, by the Rev. Dr. Van Pelt," who also contributed an outline history of the Huguenots. We quote from the editorial address: "In commencing the arduous duties of a public journalist, we reverently bow to the 'usages' and time-honored customs so religiously observed in such matters, and herewith essay to make known our rules of guidance. Those who will expect this paper to support and close up the deformities of any political party, must, at the outset, be undeceived. Those, also, who will image us as either the radical enemy of all social distinctions, or the court journalist of our Anglo-American aristocrats, must also be apprised of their error."

Editor Hagadorn, of the Mirror, was a genuine patriot, and we find him censuring the people of Staten Island for not celebrating the "Glorious Fourth." He boldly calls them "a generation of vipers and hypocrites," because they had refused to honor the memory of Washington and his compeers.

The editor also lectures the Supervisors relative to the condition of old Richmond road. His comments will be appreciated: "This is a matter of some importance, gentlemen, and should be so treated. The old road has become warped into its present state by neglect of ages; like an old, untutored mind, it has followed the inclinations of passion and lawless folly—it has left the sterling paths of probity and truth, and rambled through the mazes of romance and adventure, prompted, it would seem, by nothing but the bent of idle curiosity. So we find it—and all the mild persuasions and even the examples of the brave old fences, will affect nothing against the prejudices of age; forcible means must be called into action.

" The chief agitation among the Islanders, at that time, was an attempt to secure the erection of a light-house on Robyn's Reef, and the survey being made for the establishment of a navy yard and fort at "the cove" at Constable's Hook, opposite New Brighton. In the light of modern military events, the Mirror's editorial comments are quite unique:

"This undertaking, like everything else new, excites our wonder why its object has lain so long unnoticed. The advantages of bold water and proximity to the ocean, this location adds the important consideration of cheap and easy defence. It is only approachable by large vessels from one passage. Nature, too, shut it off in every other direction by shoals and Hats. It is also further proposed to establish a fort, similar to that at the Kip Raps, on the reef of rocks, at the mouth of the Sound, known as Robyn's Reef; and this, in addition to the defence of the navy yard, would from its position be able to effect more—in case of an attack upon New York by sea— than all the other forts within the harbor. A strong fort upon Robyn's Reef, with a short chain to the shore of Staten Island, would effectually defend the navy yard; and any other flotilla, on attempting to force its way into the harbor, would inevitably be exposed to a raking fire of four or five miles."

On September 2 (1837), the editor speaks of his prospects as follows: "Bad, badder, baddest! We will continue, however, to publish semi-monthly, until we have obtained a sufficient patronage to warrant our driving the Mirror well. Perseverance is our motto. Everything is attainable by industry and application; and when we have established a business on Staten Island, we shall take to ourself the credit of sonic fortitude.''

Editor Hagadorn issued annual addresses to his readers, in one of which he stated that "gratitude is a keen sense of favor to come." He continued to publish the Mirror for a number of years, and at last it was merged into the Staten Islander, and the publication office was in the little, wedge-shaped building, still standing, nearly opposite Police Headquarters at Stapleton.

When scarcely ten years old, Mr. Hagadorn entered his father's printing office in Newark and learned to set type. At twelve years of age he began literary work. He wrote poetry and little stories before he was sixteen. In later years he wrote a romance of Staten Island, calling it the "Story of a Spoon," locating the scenes on Richmond Hill, and in and around the little village at the County Seat.

Mr. Hagadorn took a great interest in military matters. He was first lieutenant of the Richmond County Guards, of Tompkinsville, commanded at first by Captain Minthorne Tompkins. He rose rapidly until, in a few years, he was commissioned Colonel of the Seventy- third Regiment, New York State Militia. Later he was appointed Quarter-Master General on the staff of Governor Horatio Seymour. He was Postmaster of Stapleton for three terms. In the old " training days " he commanded a Staten Island " division."

When the war broke out, in 1861, he was appointed Major of the Seventy-ninth New York Volunteers, with which he served but a short period. He resigned to accept the appointment of Inspector- General of the army of the Republic of Venezuela, under General Paza, which position he held for some time. General Hagadorn died at Georgetown, South Carolina, on Friday, July 1, 1897, and was buried with the honors of war at Troy, New York.

The Little Corporal commenced publication in Stapleton, in 1854. Its editor was William P. Hagadorn, son of the latter. He became a lieutenant in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York Volunteers, and was for some time in Libby Prison. One of his hands was badly shattered in battle. His paper had a short existence.

The Staten Islander—the second paper by that name in the county- was practically a continuation of the Mirror, and was published in the fifties and early sixties. Colonel Hagadorn was its editor and publisher.

The Sepoy was started by Dr. William C. Anderson, in 1858, at Stapleton. Its particular object was to defend the people of Staten Island from the unjust attacks of the New York press, in consequence of the burning of the Quarantine Hospitals. In a short time it changed its name to the Richmond County Gazette. Charles Vogt became its editor. Later it was owned by a stock company, and John Bale was its manager, with Thomas J. Folan as editor. Ernest F. Birmingham managed it for some time, and finally sold it, in 1882, to Erastus Wiman, when Colon K. Urquhart became its editor. After a year or so, it passed into the hands of William A. Suydam, who still owns it. It is Republican in politics. This paper is the oldest published on the Island today.

The Staten Island Leader. Democratic, was started in 1866, by Samuel Marsh, John G. Vaughn and others as a stock company, with Mr. Marsh as editor. The paper was sold to P. H. Gill, who controlled it for several years. At Mr. Gill's death it was leased by William A. Suydam, who ran it for a brief period, when it was purchased by Nicholas and John Macklin, who are still its publishers. The Leader is the oldest Democratic paper on the Island.

The North Shore Advocate was started at West New Brighton, in 1869, by John J. Clute, with Thomas J. Folan as assistant editor. It suspended in 1877.

Shortly after the war, the North Shore Union was published at West New Brighton, by A. G. Gatter. It ran for a short time.

The Richmond County Sentinel was started at New Brighton by Thomas Humphrey in 1876. Hans S. Beatty, afterward Surveyor of the Port, was a reporter for it. It was purchased by Erastus Wiman, in 1881, and consolidated with the Richmond County Gazette.

The Staten Island Star was established at West New Brighton in 1877, by Oscar A. Douglas. In 1889, it was purchased by a company, known as the Star Publishing Company, with Edward I. Miller as manager, in which form it continues. It is now an official paper of the Borough of Richmond.

The Richmond County Democrat commenced publication at Tompkinsville in 1880, with William J. and Henry Browne as publishers. Thomas J. Folan was its editor at the time of his death, in 1888. Leo C Evans has also been its editor. The paper is still published by William J. Browne.

The Richmond County Herald was started at Stapleton, in 1880, as a campaign paper, by the Hon. Gilbert C. Deane, with Thomas J. Folan as editor. Meeting with considerable success, it was continued as a permanent enterprise. It is now owned and edited by Cornelius A. Hart.

The Staten Island Advertiser was published at West New Brighton during the eighties, by Frederick Porter.

The Richmond County Standard was started in 1880, at New Brighton, by Robert Humphrey and Colon K. Urquhart. The latter withdrew in 1884, when Ira K. Morris became the editor, and held the position for several years. The paper has suspended publication.

The Westfield Times commenced publication at Tottenville in 1881. Its proprietor was Arthur Y. Hubbell. The name was changed to the Staten Island Times, and it passed into the hands of Hart Momsen. The paper is discontinued.

The Richmond County Advance commenced publication in 1885, by John Crawford, Jr., at West New Brighton. This paper occupied a different field from all others on the Island. It was established upon a commercial basis, and did not rely upon political support. The effort has proved a success.

The Staten Islander—the third paper by that name in the county— was started by Ernest F. Birmingham, in 1889. Leo C. Evans was the editor. It has changed hands several times, but is now pub- lished by J. Judson Worrell and M. J. Kane. Mayberry Flemming is the editor. It is Republican in politics and is an official paper of the Borqugh. The office is at St. George.

The Independent was started at Port Richmond in 1895, as a campaign paper, being the organ of the Independents. It was owned by a stock company, with Frank M. Harrington as editor. A daily was issued from the same office in 1897, called The News, of which Hart Momsen was editor. It was published for a few weeks only. A weekly is published from the office now, with the title of News-Independent. Hart Momsen is the editor, and Charles Wood business manager.

The Citizen, published at Port Richmond by Ira D. Bamber and George D. Swartwout, had a brief career in the eighties.

The Deutsche Staten Islander, a German paper, was started in 1867, by John Schiefer, who ran it for many years. It is now managed by Adolph Schenk.

The Staten Island Deutsche Zeitung, a German paper, was started in 1876, by Carl Herborn, and ran for a year or so.

The Post is the name of a German paper published at Stapleton by Hugo Kessler.

The News-Letter was started at St. George in 1897, by Ernest F. Birmingham, and is issued weekly at that place.

The Ventilator, a temperance paper, was started by Rev. W. H. Vogler, in 1892. After the removal of that gentleman from Staten Island, the paper passed into other hands, and in a short time publication was suspended.

The Argus is a little paper published in the interest of a faction of the Republican party. It appears once a month, and is published by Leon Bossue dit Lyonnais.

The Staten Island Transcript is the latest newspaper enterprise. It is published at Tottenville by Cornelius Shea, and is democratic in politics.

The Real Estate Record, established in 1890, by Daniel T. Cornell, at Clifton, is published monthly.

Many attempts have been made to run newspapers on the Island, which we have omitted to mention. A notable one was in Rossville, several years ago. The paper was needlessly personal, and one day everything movable in the office was dumped into the Kills, and the editor sought a more congenial field of labor.

Illustrated Sketch Book of Staten island, New York, its industries and commerce by Selden C. Judson. Published in 1886.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first Staten Island newspaper, called the Richmond Republican, was published October 17, 1827, by Charles N. Baldwin. Its location was Tompkinsville, but the sheet was printed every Saturday in New York. There are ten newspapers now published in Staten Island, all of good character, bright and enterprising. New Brighton has five, viz. : the Gazette and Sentinel, consolidated, published semi-weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays ; the Richmond County Democrat, weekly, on Saturdays ; the Richmond County Standard, weekly, on Saturdays ; The Richmond County Advance, weekly, on Saturdays ; and the Staten Island Star, weekly, on Fridays. Edgewater has the Richmond County Herald, published weekly, on Fridays ; the Staten Island Leader, weekly, on Saturdays, and Der Deutsche Staten Islander, printed in German and published every Saturday. The Westfield Times and the Westfield Independent are published weekly, at Tottenville. The circulation of these journals is not limited by the confines of the Island. They are interesting in the character of their news, full of spicy editorials and pungent criticisms, and it would be hard to find within the confines of the Empire State a territory of equal extent where the public press exhibits more originality or independence. Outside of Richmond County, the papers are fairly distributed in New York City and certain portions of New Jersey.