Lawrence County Gazette

Published in ’49 Recalls Early County History.

Ironton Register, Feb. 26, 1903

Thomas A. Walton of Oklahoma sends the Register a copy of the Lawrence County Gazette, published at Burlington, Ohio, and bearing the date of October 27, 1849.  The paper is No. 23, Vo. 4, and the heading is “A Family Newspaper – Neutral in Politics and Religion.”

The first column of the first page is devoted to poetry – an October Sonnet by Willis Gaylord Clark, “The Temperance Star” from the Boston Saturday Rambler, and “Whiskey,” a local contribution, the last two showing the temperance sentiment of the paper.

The editorial leader says:  “As this is court week and a busy time with us, our paper laces the usual variety of interesting matter.”  A long _______ on the organization of the Lawrence County Educational Society follows.

A report of the meeting of the Rome and Union Farmer’s Club (still an active organization) appears over the signature of Thomas A. Walton, secretary.

A peculiar coincidence is an article giving rumors of a prospective war between Russia and Turkey, just now trying to get together in the Balkans.

A legal notice or two, signed by Ralph Leete, as commissioner in chancery, appears, as also makes many sheriff sales, signed by Lewis Shepard as sheriff.

Among the advertisements appears those of the old Burlington Academy, J. Rowe, A. M., Principal; Hanging Rock Foundry Warehouse; Gabriel Johnson’s barber shop and saloon at Hanging Rock,  “over the saddler’s shop of Mr. H. Clark next door to the Hanging Rock Hotel, open at all hours;”  E. C. McCormick & Co., drapers, and tailors, Hanging Rock, Ohio; William Elden & Co., Portsmouth, Ohio; William Nixon saddles and harness; Franklin House, Robert Montgomery, proprietor; M. & G. Gilbert, Portsmouth, O.; William Reckard, harness and trunk manufacturer, Proctorville, Ohio; Oakes & Buskirk, J. Carnahan, tailor, Hanging Rock.

Among the professional men advertised are  Dr. Wm. Burke, Dr. W. M. Murphy, and Dr. J. James; Attorneys J. F. Wheeler, Elias Nigh, Cushing & Leete, Hamilton & Jordan, Moore and Sprigg, and C. O. Tracy.

The steamers Little Boone, J. Brubaker, master, Portsmouth to Pomeroy, and Olive, Capt. R. Church, Cincinnati to Pomeroy, are mentioned. W. C. Wheeler publishes the paper, and some extracts may be used later.