Historical souvenir of Greenville, Illinois : being a ... - University Library

62 Historical Souvenir of Greenville, Illinois.
The Greenville Advocate Office.
Reading from left to right are J. H. Hawley, Miss Myrtle
McHenry, George E. Hities and Will C. Carson.
hands many times and was eventually
sold to a Scotchman, who moved
it to Staunton, 111. It was independent
in politics until 1856, when
It hoisted the Freemont standard.
Che Hmcncan Courier.
Thomas Russell and Othniel Buchanan
were the editors and owners
of the American Courier, which was
launched in the field May 22, 185G,
the entire outfit having been purchased
new in St. Louis. The paper
ardently supported the Native American
party and Millard Fillmore, its
nominee for the presidency. On
March 26, 1857, Mr. Russell retired
and Mr. Buchanan subsequently
bought the Greenville .Journal of J.
F. Alexander and then sold both the
Journal and Courier to Parson
Percy, who moved the two plants to
another town.
Cb« Greenville Hdvocatc.
By W. W. Lowis.
ins^, J. H.
the principles of this party. At the
outbreak of the civil war Mr. Alexander
made personal investigation
of the situation at Washington, and
at the various seats of war, and
wrote his impressions for the benefit
of his readers. During this time
and for years afterward an "Educational
Department," was conducted
by Rev. Thomas W. Hynes. In all
his career as a newspaper writer Mr.
Hynes urged with vigor the preservation
of the local history of the
city and county.
In June 18G3 E. J. C. Alexander
succeeded his brother as publisher
of the Advocate, remaining editor
until July 20, 18G5, when he sold
the paper to S. C. Mace. In April
18 65 T. O. Shenick became associated
with Mr. Mace as publisher. All
this time the paper was published in
the second story of a frame building
where Masonic Temple now stands.
In October 1866 Mace and Shenick
moved the plant to the rooms over
Denny and Dressor's corner, where
J. V. Dixon's store now is. T. O.
Shenick left the paper in March
1867, selling his interests to Mr.
Mace. In October 1S70 Wm. Boll,
afterwards one of the editors of the
Sun, was made publisher of the Advocate,
remaining in that capacity
until January 1871, when Mr. Shenick
again returned and bought back
his old interest. In 1871 the office
was moved over Smith's bank where
Hawley's jewelry store now is and
the proud and happy day dawned
when the paper announced that it
was "all printed at home."
In August 1871 Mr. Shenick again
severed his connection with the paper
and the following month the subscription
price was reduced from $2
to $1.50 a year and has since remained
that price.
In November 1871 Mr. Mace sold
the paper to Samuel B. Hynes, under
whose proprietorship, his father.
Rev. Thomas W. Hynes, was editor.
S. B. Hynes himself was the local
editor. The paper was in 1S72
changed from an eight column folio
to a six column quarto, retaining
this form two years and then returning
to its former dimensions. April
24, 1872, the publication day was
On February 11, 1858, the Greenville
Advocate made its initial appearance
under the editorship and
ownership of J. F. Alexander. The
paper was born in time to take a
stand for the preservation of the
Union, which it did. The Advocate
witnessed the birth of the Republican
party and has come down through
the years a staunch supporter of Reside.\cf. of W. W. Lewis, North Third Street.