At that time a 160-acre farm with 23 acres under cultivation, was being advertised for $1200 . . . Pioneering a new country meant going west to the present state of Iowa . . . Credit was granted even by newspapers, with the extent of the amount of credit time being reflected in the subscription price - $2.50 cash or $3 on three-months credit.

(Subscription price of the Journal today is still only $3 a year, which should prove this paper, at least, has done everything possible to hold the line in prices.)

EDITOR and Mrs. Thomas Gregg, Hancock county pioneers.  Mrs. Gregg, formerly Sarah Lawton, was one of the earliest teachers in Montebello township - she ran a private school, probably in several places.

By PEARL GORDON VESTAL

Birthday greetings are in order, for today, Thursday, June 18, 1953, marks the 117th anniversary of the publication of the first newspaper in Carthage and the first news sheet in Hancock County, as well: The Carthagenian and Herald of the Upper Mississippi.  Just as a small boy is not a "real feller" until his playmates have shortened his series of christened names into an abbreviated form, such as "Ed," so the eight words in the full title of the infant newspaper suffered a condensation into two words and as the Carthagenian it became comonly known.

Thomas Gregg, beloved in the memory of the older people now living in "Old Hancock," was the editor of the pioneer venture, which was financed by a company of which Dr. Isaac Galland was a member. Born in Belmont, Ohio, Dec. 14, 1808, the hopeful literary man was then 27 years old.  He had been educated in the common schools of his home county and had learned the printer's trade in Cincinnati. He and his pen and printing press were inseparable companions, until "death did them part" Feb. 11, 1892.

Even in 1890, when his life span was growing short, the young man who launched the Carthagenian in 1836 was publishing a book which has lived beyond his earthly years.  This product of the old man's mature living was the Prophet of Palmyra, a biography of Joseph Smith, the Mormon leader.  An earlier volume, the History of Hancock County, Illinois, appeared in 1880.

Before the books had come at least five magazines: The Dollar Monthly, 1873-1875; the Rural Messenger, 1876-7; the Temperance Crusader, 1854; The Western Emigrants' Magazine, 1837; and the Northwestern Fruitgrowers' Companion, 1862.

Six newspapers are creditied to this man who "just would write" - the Carthagenian, 1836-7; the Western Adventurer, 1837; the Warsaw Message, in the 1840's; the Warsaw Signal, also in the 1840's, sometimes by Gregg, sometimes by Thos. C. Sharp, and, at times, by both men; the Plymouth Locomotive, 1857-8; and the Hamilton Representative, 1858-9, perhaps a bit longer.  This wealth of published data about Hancock county makes the monument for the county's first editor, first historian, leader in the educational, civic, church, political life of the county for 56 years of his long life.  Gregg and his wife lie in unmarked graves in the lovely Oakwood cemetery, Hamilton, their later home.

Franklin William Scott, in his book, "Newspapers and Periodicals of Illinois, 1814-1879," says: "The Carthagenian, June 1836-1837: It was the first paper in the county and waas edited by Thomas Gregg. Finally it was purchased by Dr. Isaac Galland and taken to Montrose, Iowa, and was know there as the Western Adventurer."

In a valued old scrapbook left by my father, John A. Gordon, who was president of the Hancock County Historical Society during the period of the celebration of the county centennial, and until his death in 1932, there is a clipping from an old paper printed in 1868.  It gives the date and a word-picture of the very first issue of the initial newspaper in Carthage and our county as follows:

"AN OLD PAPER.  Mr. John Sample, in making repairs on his residence in this place, discovered some newspapers . . . One rotten fragment . . . is a part of No. 1, of the Carthagenian and Herald of the Upper Mississippi, dated June 18, 1836, printed and published weekly by Th. Gregg, for the proprietors, at three dollars per annum . . .

"The Carthagenian was a good looking paper, reflecting credit on the typographical ability of Mr. Th. Gregg and his assistants . . . The salutory, which is preserved entire, shows a creditable independence of character in the editor, as he boldly and determinedly say, 'We labor, and intend to labor, for our own benefit - and if our labors should prove advantageous to ourselves we are quite certain they will to others.  We wish no obligations conferred on either side; but having full faith in the sentiment that the 'laborer is worthy of his hire,' whenever the time shall arrive when obligations cease to be reciprocal, we shall consider our patrons and ourselves as standing in the same relation as did Abraham and Lot of old - and will at all times be willing to take the right hand or the left as circumstances may require, or opening prospects determine.'  We may be allowed to remark here that beside the independence of soul displayed in the above extract, the Scriptural knowledge evinced by it ought to put modern newspaper men to shame.

"The Carthagenian and Herald of the Upper Mississippi appears to have been neutral in politics and announces all the candidates for office, big and little, with equal impartiality.  From it we learn that Martin Van Buren, Hugh Lawson White, William Henry Harrison and Daniel Webster were candidates for the presidency of the U.S.

"John L. Stuart and William L. May, both of Sangamon county, were opposing candidates for congress. For state senator, McDonough furnished a candidate in the person of Mr. Wm. P. Richards, and Hancock presents two names, those of Isaac Galland and Thomas H. Owens.  For representative, Mark Alldrich, James W. Woods, David W. Mathews and Valentine Wilson were mentioned, while Edson Whitney and Jacob Gruwell contended for sheriffality.  As candidates for county commissioner the following citizens suffered their names to appear: Michael Richard, Richard Cannon, Austin Pennock, Jabez A. Beebe, Joel Cutler, David Greenleaf and Lafford Totten.

"The news department of the Carthagenian before us is not very extensive, the editor giving as a reason that he had received as yet very few exchanges.  There is, however, a tolerably full account of the battle of San Jacinto, and in a line at the foot of one column is a simple announcement, 'Davy Crockett has been shot.'

"The 32 years which have passed since the Carthagenian has made it first appearance, have brought many changes.  The veteran Th. Gregg still survives, buy many of the subscribers of the year '36 have passed away, many of them, it is to be feared, leaving their subscriptions unpaid.  Of the distinguished men named in the Carthagenian as candidates for the presidency, not one survives, and the hero of San Jacinto has been gathered to his fathers.  The local politicians who contended for the prize of office in 1836 have disappeared from the stage of action and no longer address the freemen of the prairies.  The county commissioners' court has given way to the board of supervisors, and the convention system has effected a great change in political machinery . ."

The librarian of the Chicago Historical society reports that she has no copy of the Carthagenian in her files, but Mr. Harry E. Pratt, Illinois state historian, has shown me the one copy in the Illinois state historical library.  It is the size of a sheet of typewriter paper, about 8 by 11 inches, and has 28 pages, counting both sides of both covers, which also carry the printing.  The paper stock was good, and is still well preserved.

The outer cover reads: "The Carthagenian - EXTRA - Carthage, Dec. 20, 1836.  A List of Lands Lying in the County of Hancock, Subject to Taxation, on which the taxes remain due and unpaid on the first day of September, 1836, for the years and amounts therein set forth, Carthage, Ill., Th. Gregg, Printer."

On the outer back cover, in which the lists are printed up and down the page, as they are on the two pages before that, Mr. Gregg certified to the accuracy of the copy.  The listings completely fill 27 of the 28 pages.  Certification is attested by "Wesley Williams, clerk of the county commissioners' court, Hancock county, Ill."  Each listing gives the patentee, present owner, number of acres, description, year tax due, state tax, interest, costs, and road tax.  The usual land holding was 160 acres, with a state tax of $2.40, 8c interest, 21c costs, and $1.20 road tax.

Late in his life my father had an opportunity to borrow two copies which were among the last to be printed in Carthage.  Omitting any reprinted stories, articles or poems, with which Mr. Gregg was apt to embellish his papers, he copied verbatim the items which were of local interest, mostly official notices, and advertising.  That was long before the day of reports of "personals," school chatter, sports news, or accounts of what the brides were wearing!

"The Carthagenian and Herald of the Upper Mississippi, Edited and published by Thomas Gregg.  While I have liberty to write I will write for Liberty, Carthage, Illinois, Saturday, May 6, 1837. Terms: this paper is edited and published every Saturday evening, in Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois, on the following terms: $2.50, if paid at the time of subscribing, or $3, if payment be delayed three months.

"We have received the first number of the 'Western Emigrants' Magazine and Historian of Times in the West.'  It is a monthly periodical, each number containing 26 octavo pages.  Mr. Th. Gregg, its editor, has shown considerable tact and industry in getting up the present number, and if the one before us is a fair speciman, we most cheerfully recommend it to the patronage of the public.  The above work is published at Carthage, Ill., at $2 per annum.-Illinois Patriot.

"FARM FOR SALE.  The subscriber offers for sale his farm, situated in Hancock Count, Ill., about one mile from the town of Des Moines, three miles from Montebello, six from Commerce City, and ten miles from Carthage.  Said farm contains 160 acres of good land, 100 of which is in timber, and remaining 60 prairie. There are 27 acres under fence and 23 under cultivation, with about 50 young fruit trees on the same.  There is a bank of stone coal-rock for all kinds of purposes, and a sufficiency of stock water during the year on the premises.  My price is Twelve Hundred Dollars.  Enoch D. Brown, Montebello, Ill., April 1st, 1837.

"GOODS. GOODS. The subscriber offers for sale at reduced prices, for cash or short credit, to punctual customers, a general assortment of Dry Goods, Hard Ware, Boots, Shoes, Leather, Paints, Oils and Dye Stuffs, Books and Stationery, Saddles, Bridles Groceries, &&, together with many fancy articles too tedious to mention. C. A. Carter, for I. Galland, St. Mary's, April 29th, 1937.

"A List of Letters Remaining in the Post Office at Montebello, on the First of April, 1837, which if not taken out in three months, will be sent to the General Post Office as dead letters: Peter Avery, Benjamin Bacon, James Doile, Mark Phipps, and Henry Stuart, Enoch D. Brown, Assistant Post Master.

"E. H. Derby, Tailor, has removed to Watson's and Wilkinson's office, on Main Street, where he will continue the above business in all its branches.  Wanted: an apprentice, 14 or 15 years of age, who can come well recommended. E. H. Derby, Warsaw, Ill., May 6, 1837.

"Elias Hughes, Tailor, Carthage, Hancock County, Ill.  Shop on the south east corner of Public Square.

"Doctor Thos. L. Barnes, Practioner of Medicine, Surgery, &, Carthage, Hancock County, Ill., Office on North Main St., east of Mr. Little's Law Office, North Side, April 22, 1837.

"Sidney H. Little, Attorney and Counselor at Law, Carthage, Ill., Office at the corner of North Main and Washington Streets.

"Homer Brown, Sign Painter, Carthage, Ill., Orders promptly attended to. April 1, 1837.

"Samuel W. Brown, Tailor, Warsaw, Hancock Col., Ill.  Orders in his line respectfully solicited and promply executed in the latest and most approved style.

"William J. Winn, Saddler, Carthage, Ill., Orders in the line of his business executed with dispatch and on accommodating terms.

"Galland and Gruwell have on hand, and for sale on accommodating terms, an assortment of Dry Goods, Groceries, Queensware, Leather, Boots, Shoes, Caps, &. Commerce, Ill., April 29, 1837.

"Notice. E. F. Chittenden & Co., Having removed their store to a new building, one door above the Clerk's office, are now prepared to accomodate their customers, and the Public generally, with nearly all articles wanted in this country.  They will sell goods for cash, produce, or approved credit, as low as they can be bought in this market.  Having permanently located in Carthage, they invite their old customers and the public to give them a call. Carthage, Ill., April 29, 1837.

"List of Letters Remaining in the Post Office at LaHarpe, Ill., on the last day of April, 1837, which if not taken out by the first day of July, will be sent to the General Post Office as dead letters: Baird, John; Cook, Jackson; Foster, Joanna; Langford, Perry. (Signed) Louis R. Chaffin, P. M.

KEOKUK, WISCONSIN TERRITORY.  This place is situated on the west bank of the Mississippi River, about 200 miles above St. Louis, at the foot of the Lawer Rapids, which is the first obstruction to the navigation for the largest class of steamboats.  At this place, all steamboats in ascending the Mississippi at low water, are compelled to discharge their cargoes from the lighters at this place.  The landing is equal to any on the river.  At this place, and its great local advantages are well known to the public generally, it is deemed unnecessary to enter more fully into particulars.  The proprietors prefer that those who wish to purchase, should examine for themselves the merits of this point.  A part of this property will be offered at Public Sale on the grounds, on the FOURTEENTH DAY OF JUNE NEXT. It is situated on the Half Breed lands, and the proprietors have so united their interests as to enable them to give a good title.

"Terms of Sale: One fourth cash, and the balance, half in two and half in three years, bearing interest at six per cent per annum.  A part of that portion of the Farming Lands of the Half Breed Tract, which has been surveyed being 119,000 Acres will also be offered for sale, by the quarter sections, at the same time and place, and on the same terms as above.  Joshua Aiken, Robert E. Little, Agents for the Proprietors.  The St.Louis Republican, Weekly Alton Observer, and Vandalia Register will please copy the above four weeks and forward their bills to this office.  April 29th, 1837.

"Madison property for sale.  Thirty-four lots in the Town of Madison, Lee County, Wisconsin Territory, will be offered for sale on the premises, to the highest bidder, on the First day of May next.  Among these lots are some of the most valuable unimproved in the town.  Terms of sale, one half cash in hand, and the other in four months, with approved security.  R. R. Mason, April 4, 1837.

"Notice: The undersigned, having been appointed by the Judge of Probate, for Hancock County, Administrator of the Estate of John Johnson, deceased, late of said county, notifies all persons who have demands against the estate of said deceased, to exhibit them to the subscriber, or to the Judge of Probate, for examination and settlement, and all those indebted by note or book account, are notified to come forward without delay, and settle those demands, as it is necessary that a final settlement be made of all demands against or in favor of said estate.  John Gordon, Administrator, Montebello, April 1, 1837.

"Notice: The Subscribers, having on the first day of January, purchased of Matthews & Co. their stock of goods, will continue the mercantile business at the store formerly occupied by Mathews & Co.  A. H. Matthews, D. W. Matthews.

"Cash Boot and Clothing Store.  Montague and Bedell have just received a handsome assortment of Spring and Sumer clothing, with a general assortment of articles usually kept in such establishments, for sale.  They expect to receive the supplies monthly, which will enable them to keep a general assortment. They will also attend to any Commission business confided to their care.  Warsaw, Ill., April 21, 1837.

"New Goods.  Montague & Harter Have received their Spring and Summer Goods, which with their former stock, makes their assortment as complete as any in this market, which they offer low for cash, or on liberal credit to actual dealers.  Those that are in arrears for cash purchases last year, are requested to close their accounts by cash or notes.  N. B.  They have just received on Commission, 50 Carey Ploughs, wrought Shares, on an improved plan.  Also a supply of superfine flour and bacon.  The above articles wil [sic] be kept constatnly on hand.  Warsaw, Ill., April 21st, 1837.

"For Sale: Two Yoke of Working Cattle.  For particulars enquire [sic] at this office."

The sands in the hour glass of this pioneer publication were running out, for the issue of May 23th, 1837, tells of its approaching end:

"Carthage, Saturday, May 27th, 1837.  Acording to notice, this is the last sheet we shall issue from this place. THe office will be immediately removed to Fort Des Moines, Wisconsin Territory (at the head of the Des Moines Rapids of the Mississippi) where a paper will be commenced by the same editor and publisher, with the title of the Western Adventurer and Herald of the Upper Mississippi.  With this change of location and name, the character of the paper will not undergo much change, except that it will be devoted more exclusively to the great interest of the west.  In a short time a prospectus will be issued and curculated, in which its object and character will be more fully explained.

"MARRIED: at this place, on Friday of last week, by the Rev. Jno Lawton, Jonathan Ely, Esq., of Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, to Mrs. Jeanette Cooley, of this village.

"New Store and New Goods.  Hopkins and Tyler are now receiving and opening, at their store in Fountain Green, a New Stock of Goods, comprising almost every article called for or wanted in the country trade, viz.: Dry Goods, Groceries, Medicines, Queensware, Hardware, Tinware, Saddlery, Sear and Fur Caps, Castings, Nails, Salt, &&&&&.  All of which we are determined to sell as low, and on as accommodating terms as any in the Western country.  And they will receive in exchange, Wheat, Corn, Pork, Butter, Hides, Lindsey, Janes, and almost every article in the line of country produce, -cash of [sic] good credit.  Hopkins & Tyler, Fountain Green, May 13, 1837.

"Sale of Lots in Carthage: There will be a Public Sale of Lots in the Town of Cartage, on the First Monday in the month of June next.  Terms: Twelve purchasers of lots will be required to execute Notes with approved personal security, the County also holding a lien on the lots sold, until payment is made. There will be a number of valuable lots sold, well worthy the attention of the Public.  By order of the County Commissioners' Court, March Term, 1837, Wesley Williams, Clerk.  The Rushville Journal and the Quincy Argus will please publish the above till sale, and forward their accounts to this office for settlement.

"To Bridge Builders.  The County Commissioners' Court of Hancock County, Ill., propose to erect the following Bridges, to wit: one on Bronse's Creek, near or at the point wher ethe [sic] State Road leading from Carthage to Rushville crosses it.  One on the North Fork of Bear Creek, where the County Road from Carthage to Rushville crosses it.  One on the North Fork of Bear Creek, where the County Road from Carthage to Quincy crosses it.  One on the Main Fork of Bear Creek, where the State Road leading from Warsaw to Rushville crosses it.  Persons wishing to undertake said Bridges, or either of them, are requested to make known their proposals, at the June Term of said Court.  The following are the conditions upon which they will be let out - The undertakes will be required to enter into Bond with approved security, to erect good and substantial Bridges, sufficient for the accommodation of the public, and insure them to stand for three years; two thirds of the contract price to be paid when the Bridge or Bridges are received by the Court, and balance shortly after the First of March, 1838.  By order of the County Commissioners' Court, March Term, 1837.  Wesley Williams, Clerk."

The final "Rest in Peace" may be taken from this extract from a letter written by Mrs. Gregg, after the removal from her loved home in Carthage had been make: "Camp Fort Des Moines, Wisconsin Territory, June 12th, 1837.  My dear Abby: If you have seen dear father when you read this, he has told you Dido's Seat, her second famous Carthage, is fallen?  Not in size or in beauty, but in strength of enterprise.  Yes, dear Abby, that child so loved and cherished by your Brother Thomas has gone to the shades.  And so we had to leave that delightful Prairie home for another, less dear, of course, because untried.  Thomas thought it best to go with the Press, as he could get a salary of $1,000 a year, as good a bargain as poor Editors get in these hard times...