HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY
CHAPTER 6
THE AMERICAN EAGLE
On the 29th of September, 1848, Mr. Comingore having returned to Paoli, issued the first copy of The American Eagle, a six-column folio newspaper, Democratic in politics of course, subscription price $1.50 per year. In June, 1854, D. 0. Comingore was associated with H. Comingore in the publication of the paper, but his name disappears from the issues in January, 1856. In 1856, for a time, three or four columns of the paper were set in German. This was done by the editor to catch the German subscription, mainly in Dubois County. The issue of the paper continued until September, 1861, and was then abandoned until May, 1862, and then issued until July, 1862, and then abandoned again. It made its appearance in March, 1863, greatly reduced in size, but was suspended in August, and so remained until August, 1865, when it again came out as bright as ever. It was issued until 1874, and was then permanently abandoned, after having been issued about twenty-five years by the veteran editor, Henry Comingore; or counting the True Amenican as the real commencement of the issue, Mr. Comingore conducted the sheet from 1839 to 1874, a period of about thirty-five years. It is not too much to say that in this long period no man in the county did more for the Democratic party than Mr. Comingore. He took a strong party position and maintained it to the last. During the latter part of the war he displeased the ultra element of his party by favoring the rapid enlistment of men in hopes of soon quelling the Rebellion. For this he was called by some a "weak-kneed Democrat," but time vindicated his judgment. Again, in the Greeley movement he refused, as he stated, to leave his party and political principles and "eat crow," and for this was denounced by many of his party.
THE UNION AND THE NEWS
In 1868 a Republican newspaper called the Orange County Union, was started at Paoli, the editor being Mr. Knapp. The material had been purchased by Mr. Knapp mainly in Cincinnati, the funds being furnished or rather subscribed in shares of $10 each, by from thirty to fifty leading Republicans of the county. who felt the need of, and were determined to have a party organ. Sufficient funds to pay for the outfit were not raised, and a mortgage was executed upon the office in favor of the Cincinnati Type Foundry. The sheet was conducted with fair success until early in 1872, when the editor, who had been appointed Postmaster of Paoli, suddenly decamped, having first, by fraudulent postal orders on other offices made payable to himself, managed to rob the Postoffice Department of several hundred dollars which he collected on his departure from this portion of the State. The mortgage on the office was foreclosed, and the material was sold at Sheriff's sale to Thomas B. Buskirk, a promising young lawyer of the town, who began the issue of a bright Democratic paper called the Paoli News. Mr. Buskirk owned and conducted the paper from July 31, 1872, until November, 1879, and for a time had his father, John B. Buskirk as an associate. The paper during this management, secured a large circulation, and had a valuable job and advertising patronage. It was first a folio; then a quarto, then a folio, subscription $1.50 per annum. At the last date above named the office was sold to Hon. John L. Megenity who is yet its owner and editor. It has a comfortable circulation, and a good job and advertising patronage and is the organ of the Democracy of the county.
THE REPUBLICAN
The old American Eagle became defunct in 1874, and the following year, with the same office and material, J. W. Comingore began the issue of the Paoli Republican, a seven-column folio weekly newspaper. The paper was fairly prosperous, and was conducted by Mr. Comingore until November, 1878, when the entire office, good-will, etc., were purchased by Joseph P. Throop and Stephen Collier. The material belonged to Henry Comingore and was not sold. Throop & Collier bought the office material of the Orleans paper, and thus equipped, continued the issue of the Republican. In 1879, Collier sold his interest to Throop, who is now sole owner, editor and manager. At the time of purchase by Mr. Throop, the office was conducted mainly, if not exclusively in issuing the paper, but soon a valuable job and advertising patronage was secured, and is maintained until the present. The Republican is the organ of the county Republicans, though the Examiner of Orleans, takes a portion of this honor.
THE GREENBACK ADVOCATE
In 1876 Henry Comingore began the issue of The Greenback Advocate, the name signifying in what interest the paper was founded and conducted. A fair patronage in all departments was secured, but at the close of the second volume the issue was abandoned. The Normal School has for some time issued a small sheet in the interests of that institution and education in general.
PRESENT BUSINESS INTERESTS
Dry Goods - A. J. Rhodes, W. F. Osborn, J. M. Andrew, Stout Brothers. These firms also have groceries, boots and shoes, notions, etc. Drugs - L. S. Bowles, Gabbert & Hudelson, J. H. Sherrod. Furniture - B. D. Riley & Son, John R. Simpson & Sons. Grocers - E. H. McVey, King & Bro., Robert White, Braxtan Bros. Harness - B. M. Lingle. Hardware - B. D. Riley & Son. Milliners - Mrs. Rachel Williams, Boring Sisters, Mrs. L. E. King, Miss Ellen Dayhuff. Barbers - John V. Noblitt, William McCarthy. Wagon and Blacksmith Shops - Dickey & Stout, Alfred McVey and Jacob Schneider. Contractor - William Johnson. Lumber Yard - A. J. Rhodes. Shoemakers - Sebastian Kuri, W. F. Hoppe, A. H. Love. Marble Shop - Love & Carroll. Livery - Elisha Braxtan, A. J. Rhodes, T. J. Hunt. Photographer - George Coquilette. Agricultural Implements - B. D. Riley & Son, Stout Bros. Jeweler - J. W. Hollingsworth. Saloons - G. W. Felkner. Tailors - W. L. Worrell, Mr. Swallow. Grist-mill - King & Stucker. Carding mill - King & Stucker. Saw-mills - John R. Simpson, Cox Brothers. Newspapers - Paoli News, Hon. J. L. Megenity, editor; Paoli Republican, Joseph P. Throop, editor. Hotels - Sherrod House, Dayhuff House, Rhodes House, Hunt House. Lawyers - T. B. Buskirk, M. S. Mavity, William Farrell, Abraham Noblitt, William Throop, Joseph P. Throop, George A. Buskirk, J. L. Megenity. Physicians - U. H. Hon, Laban Lindley, L. S. Bowles, J. H. Sherrod. Dentists - B. T. Radcliff, C. W. Pinnick. Restaurant - William Bagley.