THE REPUBLICAN

October 1, 1886

 

A Correction

 

Office Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of Am.

                        Biography, 63 Bleecker Street.

                                    New York, Oct. 15^th, 1886

 

            EDITOR REPUBLICAN:  I see there is floating around among the papers, a statement that there will be shown at the Chicago exposition an old press with a history, a part of which I quote.

            “It (the press) was used in Nauvoo, Ill., in 1845, and during the Mormon riots in that town it was employed in printing a paper opposed by the polygamous element.  When these riots broke out he office in which this press was used, was entirely destroyed by the adherents of Joseph Smith.  The press was broken up with a sledge hammer, and the mutilated fragments thrown into the river.  After laying at the bottom of the stream for two years, it was fished out, repaired and sold.  It then entered upon a new career of usefulness.

            The Redfield Bros. obtained it and took it to Waupaca, Wis., where they printed the Waupaca Spirit on it in 1853.”

            In the above statement there is not an atom of truth, so far as Waupaca ad the Redfield Bros. Are concerned.  When the Redfield’s came to Waupaca, in November 1852, they brought with them one press, a NEW WASHINGTON.  I know for I helped them set it up.  The two brothers, Charles and Joseph B. or “Charley and “Joe” as they were soon familiarly called, began their enterprise without a single second hand thing, everything was new.  The stock was small, but not a type, not even the sheep’s foot had ever seen service before.  I was twelve years old at that time but had already had two years of type setting and office work on the Green Bay Advocate, under Col. Robinson’s tuition as well as on other papers.  As a consequence, I was thoroughly posted on the difference impresses then in use and when the Waupaca Spirit struggled through that first winter of its existence in the dingy room over Capt. David Scott’s store and post office, there was scarcely a day in which I did not do some work wither at the case or press.

            I write this letter in order to correct a very grievous mistake and do justice to the memory of the noble brothers whose history was so closely identified with the early days of your beautiful city, and who said at the outset, “gentlemen.  Everything is new, help us and we will wear it out in building up Waupaca.”

                                                                                    CHARLES ROLLIN BRAINARD