Ironton Register History

FOUNDING OF THE IRONTON REGISTER NEWSPAPER
SPRING, 1850
Ironton Register, Thursday, November 15, 1877

As some little talk in the local newspaper world is going on now, we might give an incident relative to the founding of the IRONTON REGISTER, over 27 years ago.

In the Spring of 1850, Dr. C. Briggs was writing in the office of the O. I. & C. Co., a little frame house that stood not far from where Steece’s block now is, when John Campbell stepped within, accompanied by a young man, white-headed and blazing with spectacles.

Said Mr. C., “Dr. this young man thinks of starting a paper here – what had we better say to him.” Dr. Briggs said that species of enterprise would certainly be needed to carry out the plans for this proposed community, but sharply catechized the young gentleman, and put him through a regular examination.

Learning he was a graduate of Marietta College, the Doctor asked to see the diploma. “I tore it up,” said the young man, “I intend to win by industry and not by diplomas.” The population of this town was then a hundred or so, and this, with other adverse facts, was mentioned, but they failed to impress the young man. He said he would start a paper, and a few weeks after, the “IRONTON REGISTER” – R. M. Stimson, Editor, was flung to the breeze. It still waves as benignly and securely as the American flag. Dr. Briggs and John Campbell are still subscribers.

A REMINISCENCE

 The First Newspaper in Ironton – Ironton Register, March 3, 1892 – Our old friend S. R. Bush called to see the Register this week. He and Mrs. Bush came down from Gallipolis to attend the funeral of Samuel Sample. Mr. B. looked better than he has for years; heavier and more youthful looking. He was one of Ironton’s earliest citizens and the first schoolteacher. He tells us he remembers his first visit to Ironton, then a town on paper. He and Mr. Wait came up to buy some lots.

The Ohio Iron & Coal co.’s office was then the little frame building on Olive (now Park) st., near the lower corner of George Willard’s residence lot. When they stepped into the house, they found Dr. Briggs there alone. He was the first Secretary of the Ohio Iron & Coal Co. While there transacting their business, which resulted in their purchasing a lot where the Second Ward hose house is, Mr. Campbell, came in, attended by a young man of light hair, and blazing spectacles, whom Mr. C. introduced to Dr. Briggs, as Mr. Stimson.

Mr. Campbell then went on to remark, that Mr. Stimson had been teaching school at Wheelersburg, but wanted to start a paper at Ironton. This, said Mr. C. is what we want, too; if we have a town, we must have a newspaper; and then he went on to say to Mr. Stimson that the Ohio Iron & Coal Co. would back him to a certain extent, and then when the paper was established, the money should be refunded. That was the start of the Ironton Register – over 40 years ago. Mr. Bush and Mr. Stimson still live, but Mr. Campbell and Dr. Briggs have gone to their long home.