Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, June 19, 1896, Part I, Page 7, Image 7

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    Trlr OMAHA DAILY flrr.OltlmrlV . JflN7li xa 1 9ca 7
\ IIhi1D OI Tlll ; t I IZ OCI , SSI0
Pacts Concerning the Mechanical Depart-
v' ment of The Bee.
IT iS COMPLETE IN ALL OF ITS DETAILS
, lllsfury of Ills 1'nper 1'urnishr. the
Itey to Ihr 'Iq pogrnphirnl ln-
vehllelIs ur the l'res-
i I eat tge. , - , ,
1Y ,
Among the myrknd inventions of the past
gparler of n century those which relate to
the mechanical department of a great news-
pnper occupy a consptouaus place , P'or
nearly toter centuries and n unit the art of
printing liens been In consraut course of
development , but wither the memory of the
present generation improvetnenls Ifavo been
r added which nre for more won erfti1 than
7 Gultenberg's crude wooden blocks wliicli fur-
nhbcd the inspiration for the Inventive
genius of succccdlug centuries. Tim hlstory
of The Ilea affords a key to the typo.
graphical Inventions of Its Period , For
with Its characteristic enterprise ll has kept
fully abreast of thin times in Its mechanical
ftnttires. No sooner were the merles of new
Inventions and Improvements adequately
tested and established than they were
drafted Into the service of The lice. Vast
amounts of money were spent in procuring
the best that the times afforded and in
this respect Tlue Bee lmas distanced all
contemporaries. The three-revolution hioe
press , the Cottrell k llabcoclr press , the
double-cylinder line , the Chambers folder ,
p the Dexter automatic folder , the Web per-
fecteig Press and stereotyping machinery
and the Mergeiilhialer type-casting machine
were all first Intrcduccd in Omaha and
Nebraska by The flee.
A comparison of the magnificent equipment -
ment of The Flee of today with the meager
facilities which It afforded in its Incipiency
Is an effective portrayal of what human
Ingenuity has accomplished during the
period In which The flee has existed.
Twenty-eve years ago the machines that
are now regarded as necessary to the mann-
facturo of a newspaper were unknown. Per-
focthig presses , stereotype apparatus.
typesetting machlnea , automatic folders and
the numerous other contrivances by the aid
of which thousands of papers are turned out
almost ns soon as the forms are closed
okisted only In the visions of mechanical
cranks. The Gann press waa universal nun
as only one side of a sheet could be printed
at once each paper had to go through the
machine at least twice , after which It w ax
f9ldcil by hand ,
It was with xuch appliances that the neat
cbplcs of Thu flee were Issued. They were
printed on an old Clnclnnatl hand cylinder
press , which had been purchased by fled-
field Bros. some years before for $1,300. Its
capacity was about 700 Impressions or 350
four-page sheets per hour. It would have
required 137 hours of constant labor to acv
c6mplish what Is now done In a , Ingle hour
by the heo large Webb perfecting machlnea
in The flee Press room. An Intelligent
contraband of 4nublan complexion named
Archie Rlchmond furnished the motive
power. lie continued In the service of Tlme
ce for over twenty years , bit did not live
see Its quarter centennial. This same
press with the anme darkey attachment was
used until after the fire of 1872 , when the
o1Rcc was removed to the Farnam street
building.
FIRST FAST PRESS.
At.this limo Mr. Rosewater purchased a
three-revolution Iloe press with a capacity
of 3,000 four-page impressions per hour.
AtSthat'tiuie'thn'new ' press was accounted
it"tuarvpl Omaha , and although It was
bought at second hand , It did satisfactory
service for ten years. As tlio circulation
of the paper continued to Increase It was
found necessary to supplement the floe
pr2as with a large cylinder Cottrell & flab-
cock , which was also purchased at second
hand. Then Mr , Itosewater purchased the
first now press that The Bee hind over
owned. It was a two-revolution Cottrell
& Babcock and was at that time the finest
press that had 'ever boon brought Into No-
irpska , It was also used for job work
when It was not required In getting out
the cpaper ,
About 1881 the first folding machine was
put on the market. It was mmmfactured
py Chambera of Phllanolphla and Its merits
, , era seen and appreciated by Mr , Rose-
watcr , the at once ordered one of the
machlncs nil In due time The flee ofilce
was equipped with limo first folder over
+ seen , in the state.
'Tho next purchase was a second-hand
(10311)10 cr'indor ' lion press , and this was
shortly followed by a Dexter automatic
folder. him ISS3 another double cylinder
press waa added , which was equipped with
two Dexter folders. These addi-
tloms raised time mechanical depart-
rheut of the paper to a standard
tiyi4lch was not appraaclmed by any paper
ih this part of time country at that time.
But by this time The Weekly flee had
attained a large circulation and oven these
facilhles were found inadequate. Great
dlf eulty was exporicnced In getting the
editions off the press In time for the malls.
and Mr. ltosevater decided to provide himself -
self with what was then time latest Invention -
tion , the Webb perfecting press. Ono of
these machetes was purchased at thin Potter -
ter works at I'Ialnlleld , N , J. , at a cost of
$17,000 , and it was put in operation Sep.
tnnUm'r 28 , 18S5 , It included tmo ) dampen-
log macimino and the stereotyping apparatus
and hind a capacity of 12,000 complete papers
par hour. A year later this was su/nplc- /
ntrnivl by mmllmer similar Press , so that
Thu lice ofllcu was capable of printing
rleauly 25,000 raperi ; In a single hour ,
PE1'ULIAlt PASTING DEVICE.
There Ix a unique little machine In use
In Tee flea press room , witch is used to
spnl all papers w'hlrh are cent out ( or sale
on. trains. Ono of thin greatest frauds with
which time circulation department of nil
uuwapapers humus had to contend Is time practice -
tice of newsboys on the , trains selling a
f papo' over antl over again , and finally pick-
lug It up after the passonge' has left the
train and returning It ns nn unsold copy ,
Tluls machine is a siumpho attachment to the
pass wldch seals tin' parer In three spots
nn the top , edge. When a paper Is opened
limn pushed ( tits will ho broken and no
cop ) which lax been opead can be cc-
tut'ued as represmnting an unsold paper.
O'uln machhumo is Limo Invettoi of time foreman -
man of , Time ileu pressroom , Fred Youngs ,
and Is the first thing of time kind that lax
been both a mechanical anti financial sue.
cess. Time Roe now saves 25 per cot on
! napera sent Its raliroad noes eompanlea.
The nachino couststs of a brass paste can
atteelued to the frame of the press by a
bracket so as to move up and down min a
vertical rod , n toothed paste wheel and an
eccentric frlcllon wheel , The friction wheel
nuts on the binding reel. just before It goes
into time' binders , and time paper Is pasted
just after Itavlug the angle bars before rho
second fold is node , The friction were !
turns the paste wheel , and , being an ec.
centric , wimen time round surface Is against
time binding reel , lime whole machine is
pushed up oh the vertical rod , and It la
Hull whet its' list portion Is on the reel
tlmat time paste wheel touches tbo paper , In
tlmia' way limo paper Is pasted together In
tmree piacca on Its top edge. Just after time
Paper Is tints pasted It passes thruuSlm the
bending reels and Is firnuly pressed tugetimor
qnd sealed , Specially Prepared colored
Haste Is used amt the shades arc varied from
tiny to day , so that It Is inposslble tor lhp
! train boys 'to Inltato the machine sealing
rnd ; peculiar coloring , Timis is accompllslmed
At very smmall cost , no tine 1s lost In Roe
process , and It tins been entirely successful
In aecom plisldng Its purpose , Tlde attaelm I
can be lmsed on any angho bar press ,
qr op using a gear and using positivu motion
Instead of friction motion It can be attacued
to guy press nnd.wiil no doubt be used be-
ti fecu luug In every press room In the coun-
try.
PRESS ROOM 01' Tllbl flEE ,
r Tine present press room of Thp flee la
! prated at time loft of time court from the ,
entrance , but so perfectly is time nlaclmluery
* djusted that CVn when time two lightning
irozses are ruunluu at their full capacity
not the sllghleot Jar fa perceptible. In
this respect the arrangement of The flea
differs from that at other large dailies ,
whose press room is usually located in the
basement , The entire space occupied is
30x75 feet. which Is divided Into two Com-
partments. The presses occupy one , while
the other Is used as a matling room. Time
floor In the press room rests on twelve Inch
steel beams arched with brick and covered
w'llh a layer of concrete. in order to pee.
vent communication of time vibration of the
machinery to the walls of time building the
presses themselves are glare l on a fo nmia-
tion which la entirely Independent of ( lie
building. The ground In lime basement
was excavated to admit foundations of con.
crete , and from these solid brick buttresses
rise to about eight Imeimes above the floor
In the press room. On these rest the lunge
presses , and no alntter how rapidly they
revolve moo teenier Is communicated to the
floor around.
To describe the Intricate nechantsm of
time perfecting pressea would require several
columns. T1ie blank paper is hung ht lunge
Calls at one cud and completely printed
and folded papers come out at limo other
moro rapidly lheu time observer can count.
A feature of The lleo press room is that
( lucre is no vlsihle motive power. No belt-
lag or shafting disfigures rho apartment , but
time power is conronmicaled by bolts that
run up through the floor from the engine
room In the basement amid connect directly
with the main shaft.
In the mailing room on time riglmt time
papers are stamped and mailed on wrought
lion tables , surmounted by polished marble
slabs. hero Moro than 100,000 flees are
handled every week , exclusive of timnso ( lint
are delivered at Onalma , Sotli Omaha ,
Council fluffs and L.inccln. One of the boys
onployed him this department has wrapped ,
stamped and mailed 1,000 papers in an hour.
SUII BASEMENT MACHINERY.
The machinery required to run time presses
and to furulsh power for light , heat and
elevator service Is located In time sub bsse-
nment , which extends time full size of the
bullding , here is a vcrllablo labyrinth of
ongihes , boilers , dynamos , switches and the
various other appliances Incidental to such
an estnblislmment. The basement is divided
Into three coutpartnenls , occupied respec
tlvoly by the engimies , boilers and electric
light machinery. The boiler room is floored
with cement , time engine roes with stone tiling -
ing and time dynamo room with hard wood.
The boiler room is 35x41 feet , with a
10-foot coiling. Adjoining it are the hn
uleulse coal bunkers , with a capacity of 100
tons. There are three boilers of the faker
& Smith pattern , each 18 ( cot long mid 60
inches In diameter. Each Is supplied with
a Kirkwood rockeig and dumping grate , and
they are so arranged that any one or all of
then can be used ht pleasure. Combined
they have a capacity for supplying 200-
horse power , which is somewhat more than
is required.
The steam thus generated is utilized by
heo magnificent Corltss engines , with a earn-
bined capacity of 230 horse power. The
larger engine is used only for the operation
of the electric machinery. It Imas a 16x4.4
Inch cylinder , and is rated at 150-horse
power. The dri o wheel Is 11 feet in dimn-
titer , witii a 28 luch face , and weighs bey
tweet eight and nine tons. The smaller
eumgine is of SO-horse power , with a 12x36
cylinder. Its drive wheel Is ten feet In
diameter and weighs 11,000 pounds. It supplies -
plies the power for tlue presses , stereotyping
machines , Mergenthaler machines and Various -
rious other purposes.
Two hugo drums , one high pressure tor
power purposes and one 1ov pressure far
heating , are comiected with time boilers by
seven-Inch pipe. These arc equipped with a
Davis automatic pressure regulator , by
wldch any amount of steam , from ono pound
up , can bo utilized for heating purposes.
There are 16,000 feet of radiation In time
building , which are supplied from the low
pressure drum. The heat is taken through
the building from time drum by forty steam
risers , each of which is directly connected
with the source of supply , so that it may be
stmt off without affecting the remainder of
the system.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING PLANT.
Time electric lighting Plant of The flee
building Is a mechanical world iii itself. It
Is ono of the most complete Plants of its
size in exletence and has a capacity of
1,500 Incandescent lamps. For these the
current is furnished by three dynamos of
the most Impraved make mid pattern. The
two larger dynamos revolve 800 times per
minute and can supply 600 16-candle power
lamps each. The smaller one revolves
1,050 times per mlnuto and has a capaciP
of 300 lamps. The dynamos are self-gov-
erning , so that any number of lights may
be turned off or on without affecting the
balance.
The switchboard through which the power
frmn the dynamos is distributed Is one of
the marvelous triumphs of electrical
mechanism. It has an ampere meter by
which time number of lights in use are registered -
istered ; an Indicator for registering the
eandlo power of the lamps in use ; a bal.
aace to effect an ever distribution of
pocor between the different circuits. and a
ground ateof ateuocatTho remainder
any par of ( ho s
of ( lie electrical equipment of the building
Is equally perfect. The system is divided
into elht circuits , so that in case of acv
elicit only ate-eigiitli of the laumns would
be Impaired. The building Is wired up
mid down ( roan a central distributing point
en the timird liner , and each room is supPlied -
Plied witb a separate cut-off , It is neb
able fact that notwithstanding time mngnl-
ttle of rho system , with its miles of wire
and numerous amid Intricate machinery , so
perfectly was the work of construction
carried on that whet time power was first
turned on it worked perfectly hn ovemy dc-
tall
The elevators In time building are all of
time Crane pattern and they are supplied
with hydraulic pressure from a large tank
In the pent hmouso on top of the bulldhu „
'time two passengers elevators have each a
cylinder thirty inches In diameter and cloven
feet bug , The immense freight elevator
I
in the rear Los a cylinder th irtyaix imnc me s
in diameter and twelve feet long , a
one-horse power elevator used to carry
time stereotyping plates ( rani time sixth
hoar to the press roams In the basement
to a Cranrpatent screw elevator rum by
rope transmission. The water from the I
large mule 1s discharged by the action of
the clovttors into a similar tank hi the
basement , from which it is pumped hack
again by a Worthington compound duplex
pump.
TYPE CASTING MACHINES.
The inss recent and wonderful aequlal-
tlomt to time mechanical appliances of The
flee arc the Mergantlalor typo casting ma-
chines , which were put in in February. t
1801 , at a cost of $10,000 , Then , as x
provlonsi ) , Time Ilan took time lead , and the
nmachines were In succesaful operation 1n
Time flea office before other wester newspapers -
papers awoke to time fact that they were in
oxistemice , The idea of setting tyke by
nlaclminary was not a now one , but various
efforts load been made to put it Into prac d
Meal form. Several machines wore Invented -
vented , but failed to meet completely time
requirements. It was riot until the wih-
lee of 1855 that time attemiliou of some of 1
tIme large newspapers of time country was 1
attracted to lime Mergeumllmaher machine , for
'
which great lhemgs were clained , In Fob-
runry Mr. Itosuwatcr received a letter ( dmn
Melville E , Slone , editor of the Chicago
News , enclosing a description of time Ilno-
type amid asserting that It was actually time
thing that inen vvho had capital Invested
in newspapers bad m long sought and so
long awaited. At this tlmo a company
composed of large uowspaper propeletors
was bebmg formed to manufacture time may
chine , and Mr , Itnsesvuter was urged to
lend lila.assistance to limo enterprise. It
so hnppoted that he was not In a position
to take stoelt In time company at timat time ,
but bo realized at once tea imnportanco of
the lnvetlon and cemtlnued to mice a
lively interest in its deverdpment ,
Soon after 31r. Rosowatur received an Inv
vitation to join n party Cunuposed of White-
law Reid of time Now York Tribune , Stlllsem
llutcimins of time 11'ashlnglon Post , Richard
Smith of the Cinclnnatl Commercial
Gazette , Melville E , Stone of the Chicago
Nouns , Wiillain N. hnhlrman of the I.nuis-
vBlu Courier-Journal , J , M. Abel of tlmnflaltl-
nova American , William Ihnry Srnllh , then
general manager of the dssoelnted press ,
and others , who were to make an investiga
Lion of time pmerlta of the linutype at flaltl-
more , where the first factory was located.
There they were mot by Mr , Morgenthaler ,
who explained the worklugs of the various
parts of his Invention , which waa a very
cluumsy aflulr as compared wilt ! the lni-
proved models which were afterward pur-
based by Time lice. lint It was evident
that rho inventor imsd struck the real solution -
tion of the problem nut when sir. ltose-
mater returned from Baltimore he predicted
that the ilnotype would eventually rovolu-
( ionize the type-setting trade ,
In Decendicr , 1903 , a plant of twelve linotypes -
types was ordered by The lice. They were
placed in a single raw on time north side of
the composing room and when the plant
was complete It W88 cited as a model in
point of arrangement and coavenleace. Contrary -
trary to time general practice of newspapers
putting In time machines , 'rho lice did not
requlro the services of expert operators at
time beginning , its operators wera selected
from Its regular staff of union prihlors and
so rapidly did they mnstcr time details of
limo now metlmod that at no time was ( ho
publlcation of ( lie paper i peded.
l'or a long time after time Mergenthalers
were admitted to a place In The flee olHce
time composing room was besieged by people
who were curious to examine time marvelous
Iiventlon , It was Dually found necessary
to designate regular lmours for the reception
of visitors hn order mint to Inlerfrre with
tito work of time operators anti even how'
scarcely a day passes without applicntlmms
for admission , So nearly- akin to luminah
Intelligence is the operation of time mad -
d u ties that to see timeu Is a valuable ox-
pericmmce.
OPERATION OF TILE MERGENTHALER.
While ( ho action of the llnolype when
understood is simplicity Itself , it is a
veritable marvel of invention. Time assem-
h11ng of the matrices , the casting of limo
molds and the redlstribution of time nmatrlees
after each line is set each Involve time most
wonderful contrivances and so rapid mid
perfect Is time work that the observer can
scarcely believe that Its operation is purely
mnechanleal , in fact hurnami intelligence is
surpassed by timla invention , for while a
typesetter may set the wrong letter or set
it upside down , time lluotype hover nakcs a
Immlatake. Its action Is perfect anti It never
spends a night out wIth lima boys , to "bull
up" copy the next day.
The primary operation of time Ilnotype is
similar to that of an ordinary typewriter ,
The operator is seated before a bank of
keys , and by touching any one of them time
corresponding matrix is released from t the
magazine and drops down to the assenibling
block , where It Is retained until the entire
dine is set. 'rime key board contains ninety
characters , iucludlhg upper and lower case
letters , figures , pumctuatlem marks , etc.
I0ich of these characters is borne on a thiui
brass matrix , one vertical edge of which
bears time matrix proper for forming the
letter , while the other Is cut in a Y shape ,
time angle of wldch Is cut with teeth , by
which the matrix is grasped and handled
by the various mechanisms of time machine.
The magazine containing the matrices consists -
sists of a casing , supported in a vertical
position at the top of time machine. In these
thu nmatrices lie loosely on edge , the bottom
of ono touelilng the top of time one below
It , so that they slide down freely whoa released -
leased by time key. A pressure of the key
releases a single matrix , but lu case of
double letters , expert operators can regulate
the pressure on time key so that both letters
will drop down with a single touch of the
fln3er. On leaving the magazine the matrix
drops down a vertical chute , time front of
which is covered by a glass door , to a fast-
rmumning belt , which so regulates time speed
of the matrices ( bat those which are farthest -
est ( roam time assembling block reach It in
exactly the saute time as these which are
nearer. Consequently there can be no transposition -
position of letters , no matter haw rapidly
the machine is working. They are thus
delivered to time assembling block , where
they hang suspended by their Y-shaped
shoulders until their line is completed. The
spacing is done by composite wedges , which
are secured. like the matrices , by a touch
on the keyboard. The spacing Is a some-
svlmat remarkable feature , inasmuch as time
operator la ennabled to justify each Ilno as
easily as though he was setting It at band.
if ho sees that the line Is so nearly filled
that it will hot hold another word or part
of a word , lie simply presses on a lever at
his right and the space blocks are compressed -
pressed , the action of one wedge against
another crowding time words apart so that
they exactly fill time line.
CURIOUS AUTOMATIC DEVICES.
As soon as time line is complete another
lever causes time matrices to be engaged by
a clamp , and rho line is carried te'a mold-
wheel at the left , where it is held untii a
stereotyped cast of the line Is taken. The
stereotyping process is niso automatic , and
requires no attention from the operator , '
it only occupies au instant , after which the
cast of time Ilne Is pusimed out and a huge
vertical arm drops down , clasps the nmatrltes
aid delivers them to time distributor bar at
the top of rho magazine.
The distribution of the matrices brings
into play time mnost remarkable feature of
time machine. Each matrlx is carried to Its
proper place. It is never dropped into the
wrong magazine , but ( s carried along until
It reaches a point exactly over the nmagazimie
in which it belongs , wimem It releases ila
hold and drops Into its proper place to ho
again released by the key and carried
through the same process. This apparently
magical result Is obtained by simply nicking -
ing the shoulders of lima matrices on the
Principle of a Yale lock. Each differs from
any other In this respect , and limo distributing -
ing bar is so arranged ( lint no matrix can be
released until it reaches a poht'wherc the
bar Is fashioned to correspond with the
nicks on that particular matrix ,
The most valuable feature of the machipe
is that all these intrlcato cent ivauces are
entirely automatie , Wimen time operator sets
a line of matrices and pulls the lever whiclm
releases them and sends then to the mould-
ing wheel ; he gives them no further attention -
tention , but ennmedlately begins assembling
the matrices for the mext line. So the
several processes of setting the typo , making
the cast and redistributing the nmatrlcen are
carried on at time same time , the first. 0,111'
requiring mmy assistance front the operator.
--S - -
'rum DEE Iv TIU4 nlhiLE.
Iteferenees to limo honey-Malcer Iii
the Snored Ilool : ,
And the Amorites , which dwelt In that
nouutatu , came out agaluist you , and chased
you , as bees do , end destroyed you en Sctr ,
well unto Ihormnli ,
-Deuteronomy I ; 44 ,
And after a time he returned to take her ,
and he turned aside to see time carcass of a
ion ; amid , behold , there was a swarm oh Lees
and hooey in time carcass of limo lion ,
Judgcs XIV ; 8 ,
They compassed mime about like bees : y
are quenched as limo fire of tlmornx ; for in
the name of time Lord I will destiny tlmanm ,
Psalms CXVIII ; 12.
And It shall come to pees In that day , ( lint
ho Lord shah l inks for time fly ( lint is in time
uttermost part of the rivers of I3gypt , amid
for time bee that Is In time land of Assyria ,
-Isaiah , VII ; 18 ,
'rums 11UMIIld4 IuIbE ,
rime bunuhle lice , time bumble bet ,
lu flow to limo tep of the tutu ) tree ,
Ha time to time top limit lie could not stop ,
Fey imo Imad to got imomne to iris curly tea.
The buunblo lice , time buniblo bee ,
Ie now away from the ( dip tree ,
tut ho nmdo a niistnko and flew Into the
lake ,
ind imo never got homo to his early tea.
4 1G ; .
:
, rl 1yl
J Ih l
4 IiI
i
ik. :
Time greteat of
CURES
nPerient waters-
tar ( ill Iivcr
rorcealrated , A eilfousnexa
b laxativ'etonic md Jaundice
. Ilver regulator , tlysll"pSia
r" Cures mill diseases Ilenl't IJiUmi
sick heudmeho
of time
di'cstlvc
ennxtlpauoit
and Secretory dysentery
orgmna. disemuut's oP
' ) ' . , isle t/osDamtles al thekidlmeyd
, . amdrufrit , , i.ouk Cur rea6
artu usdr.uY.
OUAll OfU11Altl )
WAI'Ef Co. ,
Luul.vmllc , Ky , TnwE wj MARK
d c-
fZ/3ylt3fT
OLD-TI iC JOURd 1. 1IISTI I USI I
Newspaper EnhrprisoToday Equalled ,
Comparatively I3peaking.
NEWS SCHOONERS ANDIPONY EXPRESSES
Great ith nlr - Ain # hI htire Pnbllshers
nail \fonderfal Seolps .tltcnmpletl
Under AdversrJuu811Ulns / .
The Spur ofamecessity.
A gosslpy writer on the Philadelphia Times
recalls the enterprise boasted by lhu newspapers -
papers of a half centttry ago , Few newspaper -
paper amen , ho asserts , are ncqualnted with
time mnazlng vows enterprise of the penny
press of fifty years back. A few Instances
are cited in support of the assertion ( lint time
old tinmo hustlers could keep up with their
professional descendants.
It Is not necessary , says the Times writer ,
to go back to rho time when the editor of
the Roston News Latter in 1703 publicly rev
gretted ( ho fact that imo was "llmirtcen
mouths behind in giving the news from Eti
rope , " but ono can properly refer to limo
( fate , surprlsing as It nmay be , whet the
North Amerlcan leas spoken of "an time most
sprightly managed newspaper In Philadcl-
plmla , " and was actively engaged In the
spirited race for mows that preceded time
eemstruction of an ocean cable , and so cooperated -
operated with the great New York journals
him the support of expensive expresses that
Were run with European news from t foslon
and Halifax , The contest for news which
agitated the newspaper world fifty years ago
would make some of time journalists of today
dizzy. All information comiceruing European
affairs was received by steamers amid sailing
packets and the most amazing efforts were
nmade to secure foreign newspapers In ad
vance of hated rivals. Time big journals of
Now York had as a portion of their equip.
ments news schooners and pony expresses.
The Courier and Inquirer , for Instance , cant-
tinttously engaged two pilot boats and sub.
soquemmtly built a superb clipper which had
time name of time newspaper upon Its bow.
Its mast vigorous rival , the Journal of Com
merce , had two schooners , one named time
Evcnlag Edition and the otlmr time Journal
of Commerce , Sometimes these five swift
vessels would be together from fifty to 100
miles at sea from Sandy Hook in the exciting
pursuit of ships and foreign news. The
races between them were almost equal to
those of the fast yachts of the New York
squadron , The enterprise of these two jour-
uais alone cost each of timem $20,000 a year.
It was begun In 1831 , and was continued until -
til 1834 , wimen the schooners were disposed
of and small rowboats resumed their occupation -
tion him the harbor. These "blanket sheets , "
as the large uievspapcrs were termed even
in those days , also had § pecffai pony expresses
to carry their dispatches from Washington ,
and the races between there were most exciting -
citing , These efforts appear still more mar.
velaus whet you consI or that although time
circulation of these newspapers was considered -
ered very large , none of them sold more than
from 4,000 to 4,600 papers daily.
STORY OF A GREAT SCOOP.
The smmaller penny press of that day was
not one whit behind their larger conlemnpo-
raries. The New Yorlc Sum was the loader
among this qiass of journals , and it did not
lmositnto to endeavor to rival time boastful
herald in the acquisition 'of foreign noes.
When it was , 'managed by Moses .S. and
Joseph Beach , prior to , Its puroluaso by
Charles A , Dana and associates of one
wing of time republican party of New York ,
its enterprise was at times both nmusiug
and expensive. Frederick Hudson gives the
following Instauco of time energetic endeav
ors of time Beaches : "On one occasion two
expresses were arranged to bring the European -
pean news from Boston to New York , one to
run over the Norwich & Worcester road for
the Sun , amid the other to run over the
Providence & Stonington road for the i1er-
aid , The Cunard steamer macho a longer
passage than usual , and was not telegraphed
at Boston until early Saturday morning.
The Herald was not then published on Sun
tiny and time Sun never issued a regular issue
en that day. If the expresses were run they
would reach New York about midnight on
Saturday. What was to ho done ? Time agent
of the Ileraid determined not to run Isla ar-
press , but lie was not noxious for time Sun
to enjoy the luxury. So , with locomotive
fired up , he nmado arrangements to start
the momemmt the news rcaclmed his hands.
The wideawako agent of time Sun was not
to be beaten. He was watcimfimi. Time nmo-
meat the Cunardor touched time wharf at
East Roston ime started with the news for the
Worcester depot. John Gilpln's time was
beaten through the streets of Boston an
eazily as fonnor's team afterward distanced
nl ! others on Harlem Lane. On the pant-
lug and pulling locomotive junped tlmo lnde
fatigable man of time Sun , and , with one
thrill whistle , ho was off for New York.
"The agent of the herald , as soon as his
plucky companion was out of sight and going
off at the rate of a mite a nmhnite , head lmia
locomotive run In time engine house and
cooled off. He then went down to the
o1Hco of thin foaton Mail , published In State
street by Purdy N : Bradley , and quietly got
nut limo news and hind it printed on extra
sheets with time Now YorJ ; Herald head. lie
took several thousand by ono train that
afternoon and sent as many by a messenger
by the other regular line. They reached
New York about a o'clock the next morning
and the extras wrro immediately sold t
the newsboys. Meanwhile the Sun express
had made spcetal ( into from city to city ,
and there was great commotion in the Sun
oflico , All was bright and watchful , but
quiet at the herald establishment , There
was no news there , 'The hierald is beaten ;
gleefully exctalmrd the happy fellows Imi the
Sun building. limit to their bewilderment
about 6 o'clock they heard time cry : ' ( : re's
the extra 'F.raldl Inmpo'laul news frmn
Europol' under the very windows , it was
too late ; the Sun was eclipsed ( lint morning.
Tlmousands and thousmnds of dollars were
spent in these deligimlfhl contests. Some
of this money was nppnremitly thrown away ,
but none was in reality wasted. It as.
sisted In the great development of newspaper -
paper enterprise which lies becoumo a charac
terlstie of limo Anmericami Press. "
GETTING NEt'S FROM IU1tOPE.
It was the successful efforts of time ilerald
to obtain foreign news almond of Its rivals
at m o matter what cost that gave it time
pre-eminent position ht Aalorlcau joirnalismm
which it so long hold. So contmanding was
time lend It thus obtained that ht 1816 thin
Tribune , Sun and Journal of Conuuerco of
New York , combined with limo leading nevs
pnpors fn Roston , Plulladelphin , 'hialthnoro
and Wnsimington , auntie mete or two prodigious -
ous efforts to destroy its prestige. Au omit.
line account of one of these will illustrate
limo mmmer ( n wimtch time newspapur enterprise -
prise of those days iii many respects surpassed -
passed that of time present tlme , Omu Feb.
rrary 6 , 1846 , all of the New York newspapers -
papers , Including limo Herald , published the
following advertlseanent :
Lrtters for Europe-A vessel of extra-
ordluary speed , WIUm choice salting nlnaler
and pielted crew , Will leave New York tor
l.lver [ eel of Mondmiy , thin fltim lust. , at 12
o'clock , amid returning vv111 heave Liverpool
on or about the 26th or 27th inst. Letter
bags tvIhi remain open until Ntoutlay nmonm-
ing nt 10 o'clock.
Public curiosity was greatly excited by
this umysterious advertisement. It was ascertained -
certained ( hint the vessel was etc of time
famous and fast boats of New York , but as
to lice mission , all manner of speculation
was indulged lu. The names of the persons
who had chartered time William J , Rohner ,
for that was her name , worn kept such a
profound secret that ft was believed for
sonic tlnmo after her departure tlmdt shin had
either been dispatched by time national authorities
thorities at Wasiminglon , or by time frltlsh
minister with a treaty bearing upon the
Oregon question , which was then exciting
tits country. As n matter of fact she was
engaged by the Tribune , Journal of Com
fierce , Courier and Inquirer anti Sun , of
New York ; the Pitladelphia North American -
can and several newspapers in other cltira
for the purpose of getting news from
Europa in advance of the Herald , cud put.
ling a stop to the unpleasant boasting of
that paper on the arrival of each packet
slip from England. It was deemed especially -
pecially necessary to aecomplisim this object
at this particular time , wimen many bellevod
a war between the United States and Great
Britain on the Oregon question was Im-
minent. The Herald had , by the assistance
of the New York pilots , Its awn news boats ,
and its expresses from Boston , antleipated
its contemporaries so many tines ( lint they
say the necessity of one or two great efforts
to counteract the effect of their neighbor's
enterprise.
IT WAS A FLUIiib.
It was believed by time managers of the
new enterprise timat the pilot boat would
make a shorter passage across ( ho Atlantic
than any of the ( anions packet ships of that
period , and the only ocean steamers then
rundng were time Cunarders , making
monthly trips to Boston. The Romer ran
light , carrying only two mysterious passengers -
sengers , with glazed caps on their beads ,
besides the regular officers and crew. These
mysterious passengers were the assistant
foreman of the Tribune and time ship-news
collector of the Stun. On the 11th of April
time Adirondack , Captain hiackstaff , arrl'od
at Now York : She reported the arrival of
time Romer at Cork on the 6th of March
and of her sailing for New York on the
12th of that month. The Adirondack sailed
on the 13th , and the news she brought was
published in the Herald. It was deemed
an act of ironical courtesy to advise the
editors of the Tribune of this factVe
are certainly obliged to Mr. flennett , " said
Mr. McElreth , with cool suavity , "but Isn't
he nmistaken about our connection with the
Romer ? "
"I don't know about that , " replied the
messenger. "Fin thought that you would
like to know of her arrival , and especially
of her departure , as the foreman of you
ofilea Is on board. "
Shortly after the Romer arrived and the
two mysterious men , with ( glazed caps on
their heads and carpet bags filled with old
Engllslm papers , were safely landed after
their vain but plucky journey. Thus ended
time great news combination against the
herald.
The day of pony express and special
packets amid all contests or that klnd has
passed away , the lntrodtcfion of time telegraph -
graph and time submarine cabin making them
unnecessary. But time feats of those times
gave the first great incentive to the enterprise -
prise of American journalists , amid viiile
those of today anrpaas all those who preceded -
ceded ( hem in everything that goes to malts
up the perfect newspaper man , yet the
greater enterprise of thr present tines not
consist In special englne anti special trafus.
In those subsidiary efforts of a great profession -
sion , or rather a great art , we of today were
nutrivaled by the mom of half a century
ago , simply heeanso they labored under time
spar of a greater necessity. Amerlcan
journalism bus now greater things to be
proud of.
COME AND hhitUSIl.
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"Racic to my 1nmi1J' ,
Under the bruah ,
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