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Judge Geo. W. Denbo Writes an In teresting Letter Concerning This County and the Democrat 40 Years Ago. Floyd Knobs, Ind , Mar. 1, 1900. Horrors Corypox Democrat: Dear Sirs :—In the last week’s issue of your excellent paper, you mentioned that “forty-four years ago The Corypox Democrat first saw the light of day.” When I read the article, my thoughts were carried back to the time and circumstances, the cause, and the necessity, that prompted the few Democrats of Corydon and a few Democrats in different parts of the county, to urge upon the late Judge Wolfe to engage in the enterprise. We do IT remember the coun cils had, and the Democrats pres ent at the meetings, and much of the advice and encouragement, in the meeting, given to Mr. Wolfe to start the paper, which finally he agreed to do, but with some mis givings as to its ultimate success. But it succeeded from the start, beyond the most sanguine expec tations of Mr. Wolfe or of his ur gent friends. I say a few Democrats of Cory don, fewer than a dozen voters, for at that time there were only a few of the faithful living in the ancient capital. But they were all strong in the faith and the Democratic doctrine of the fathers of Democracy. These were Col. Lewis Jordan, the late David Jor dan, B. P. Douglass, Samuel W. Douglass, Willison Ilisey, Judge Wolfe, Judge F. W. Mathes and the writer, if more, I don’t call to mind now. And of the country who gave their hearty support, were: Dr. Joseph Ellis, U. H. and Matthew Hon, Maj. Hancock, Peter and Jonathan Hottell, Capt. Isaac, William and Joseph Sonner, Levi Hottell, Philip Rosenbarger, Geo. Arnold, Sr., Judge Ramsey, John, George and Levi Sappenfield, Jo siah Littell, Peter Charley, Hon. John Lemmon, Hon. John Mathes, Hon. John W. Lopp, Hon. Peter M. Zenor, Col. Philip Zenor, John A. Thomas, Hon. Iverson Lynn, Hon. John Simler, Capt. Jacob Stockslager, Craven and Upton Boone, Col. Jacob Feree, Capt. Frank McRae, Henry Harbison, John Smith, Joseph Deweese, So crates J. Bence, Hugh Dyer, Hon. Joshua P. Farnsley, and many others, I can’t mention for want of space, I wish I could, for they are equally worthy. The editor and about all those named,as well as all the first sub scribers and supporters of the pa per, have passed away. Judge Douglass and I are the only two of the Corydon ones left. What a change in the citizen ship of a county, forty-four years makes. Just what substantial aid all the friends gave to launch the paper, don't remember now. The writ er subscribed and paid for twenty copies the first year, and ten copies the second year. My recollection is that the pa per started with a circulation of four hundred, and steadily in creased under Judge Wolfe’s man agement, as also did the majority of the Democratic party in the county. Judge Wolfe was among the most industrious editors and law yers never knew. His editorials, (and he always had one in each week) were well written. He was a Close, logical reasoner, one of the strongest members of the Corydon bar. He studied law after his marriage, and,up to the time he commenced the practice of law, he was a shoemaker and a good one. He was good at what ever he undertook. He died in 1888 at New Albany. When the Corypon Democrat was started, and for years before, the party had no organ in the county. Hence the necessity for, and anxiety among Democrats of the county, to have the paper started to maintain and uphold Democratic principles was urgent. Sometime in the forties, Henry B. Wools started and published the “Harrison County Democrat” and I think it only lived about two years. It either died, or Mr. Wools moved away from Corydon. Up to 1852, the county had a Whig majority of from three to five hundred, and for many years supported a paper, “The Corydon Argus,” run by Andrew Broad dus, a very clever gentleman, but a strong partisan. Up to 1852 the Democrats of the county occasionally elected a man on their ticket, but only when there was a division in the Whig party. William Gwin, a Democrat, was twice elected Sheriff of the county in the forties. William H. McMahan, a Demo crat, was elected Sheriff of the county in 1850 and 1852. He died on the 19th of April, 1856. He was regarded by all who knew him at that time and since,as among the best qualified Sheriff's of the county. He was well educated and competent, within himself, to do all the legal business of that or any other county office. He de feated the late Judge Gresham for Clerk of the county at the Octo ber election in 1855. Judge Wolfe and Judge Gresham made a joint canvass of the county, Wolfe speaking in the interest of Mc Mahon, who was in poor health, and who died, as stated, two months after taking his office. In 1852 the Democrats elected all their ticket except Capt. F. MecItne , who was defeated for the Senate by Hon. Geo. WL. R. Wilson by 40 votes. Hon. John Lemmon defeated Judge Porter for Representative by 25 votes. In 1854 the “Know Noth ing” party organized mainly out of the “Whig party,” with some Democrats, and defeated the Dem ocrats of the county, except Lem mon, who was re-elected Repre sentative, and again in 1862 and 1864. The most of the Democrat ic county ticket in 1852 was elect ed from 150 to 219 majority. The election of Pierce, Presi dent, in 1852, killed the “Whig party.” He carried all the States but 4. Since 1854 the Democratic par ty has generally been successful in the county, having various majorities at different elections. At the election in 1876, Gov. Williams (Blue Jeans) had 715 plurality over General Harrison. I think The Democrat is entited to a full measure of credit for the success of the party during these 44 years. It seems to me there is now a greater necessity for Tu Democrat to stand by the com mon people (I believe President Lincoln called them the plain peo ple) than ever before, as the class es can always get plenty of help. Taxpayers need a halt in all ex travagance and unnecessary ex penditures in State, county and township matters. I hope, as you say, that one Democrat, in the future, as in the past generally, will ever be watch ful of the interests of the plain people, and that it may live, and flourish, as it will deserve to do, if faithful to the people, and that we may all be here to read it for ty-four years more, each weekly issue fresh from the press, and before then have a daily added. Yours truly, Gro. W. Deyo.
Newspaper Details
Corydon Democrat
Corydon, Indiana, US
Wed, Mar 07, 1900
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Allison B.
MD, USA 20 Jun 2026
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