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Old 19th century newspapers make for lively reading
(by Rick Palsgrove, Southeast Editor - February 17, 2010)
While poking around in the archives of the Groveport Heritage Museum one recent wintry day I found myself exploring a box containing 19th century Groveport newspapers - "The Rose Bud" of the 1850s and "The Groveport Observer" of the 1890s.
"The Groveport Observer" was a weekly newspaper and its editor was Charles Rarey. One could get an "Observer" subscription for a dollar a year. "The Rose Bud" was a monthly newspaper and its editor was S.E. Adams. It's subscription was 50 cents a year.
One thing that struck me about reading these fragile, yellowed newspapers is that the news stories and information are presented in small, bite sized forms and resemble and read a lot like modern day Twitter "tweets," Facebook messages, and online blogs. It's interesting how the style has come full circle though the method has changed from paper to electronic conduits.
The other thing that stands out is the type of news presented in the papers. Groveport from 1850s to the 1890s was a town of 500 to 600 people and surrounded by a smattering of Madison Township farms. The news reporting is highly localized and personal. It's what people wanted to know and it's news that was readily attainable as the happenings in Columbus and beyond would take time to arrive in the village in those days.
In "The Groveport Observer" of July 5, 1890 I came across this news item, written in the colorful manner of the time by Charles Rarey, that described a drinking spree by a couple of men in Groveport and their ensuing arrest:
"A couple of fellows came with the vowed intention of doing the burg and painting the town red. After getting pretty well lubricated they proceeded on their mission and had the first coat partly on when they were called to a halt by Marshal Kile. They immediately took leg bail and an exciting race was the result. The marshal was joined by Constable Conklin and others and the race became general. They were finally captured near the train depot and locked up until evening when they were brought before Mayor Shaw and salted to the tune of $4.65, each which they paid and, smilingly, left."
I particularly like how Rarey referred to the men running away as taking "leg bail."
Here's some other news items from the newspapers - from "The Rose Bud" of Oct. 24, 1857:
•"The Madison Township Fair has started and the display of livestock is fine and that of vegetation and fruit we do not think has been equalled at any county fair."
•"Jacob Weaver has returned from the east with a new set of clothes and is decidedly a ladies man."
•"Farmers Knight and Lytle are trying to grow sugar cane to make molasses."
•"Mr. Vogle has returned from Philadelphia with an assortment of goods to sell. His good natured countenance more smiling than ever, a sure indication he has made some good bargains."
•Some ads included McCormick's Groveport Market selling "16 candles for 18 cents" as well as a wide variety of liquors. Zinn's saw mill asked people to "bring their logs down to the canal boat."
From "The Groveport Observer" of July 5, 1890:
•"Just 11 plain drunks in town one day last week and another saloon just started. What will its harvest be?"
•"Lucien Lindsey of Columbus Sundayed with Mr. and Mrs. Corbett."
•"G. S. Rarey had a streak of bad luck last week as he lost a horse, grain prices fell, and 100 bushels of wheat were stolen from his barn. He said he is 'prepared for almost anything now.'"
•"R.F. Dildine was selected to fill out the unexpired (Groveport Council) term of M.W. Darst, who has moved to Pickerington."
•Dr. Saylor (whose elegant brick home still stands on Main Street) had a busy week as he tended to: Will Thompson "who was picking cherries at Jacob Swisher's and fell receiving a severe gash in his head;" and Frank Bates of Madison Township who, while working by his barn when a storm came up was hurt when lightning struck killing a mare and "knocking Bates senseless."
•The ads in the paper do not list street names or addresses for village businesses. The town being so small and everyone so familiar with each other that they all knew where the businesses were.
Finally one of my favorite news items because of its matter of fact nature:
"H. Cring has corn 8 feet high. If you don't believe it, go measure it."
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