"Bainbridge Eagle" Newspaper

"Bainbridge Eagle' Town's First Paper

Bainbridge News, December 12, 1957

[Compiler note:  The Bainbridge Eagle made its appearance in 1845]

 

Some dozen years before the publication of the ancestors of the Bainbridge News and while the war clouds of the Mexican War had not yet thrown forth their bolts of fire and lightning, the first newspaper came to life in Bainbridge.  Dr. Edward Danforth has a rather extensive article about that original periodical "The Bainbridge Eagle" from which the following account has been adapted.

 

In its opening edition, a "Prospectus to the Bainbridge Eagle," the editor announces that the Eagle is to be a weekly journal of general news.  The editor goes on to say:

 

"The projector of any new and beneficial enterprise, particularly one of a literary nature, should, before advancing too far, state definitely the true ground on which he proposed to take the field for the completion of that enterprise.  If then what he proposed to effect, is even in part consummated, it is for a candid and unprejudiced world to extend to him a liberal patronage.  When we say patronage, we are far from inferring only a praise patronage--but we have a reference to that patronage, which, while it sustains us in the world of honor and distinction--will at one and the same moment, reward us liberally in a pecuniary point of view.

 

"We therefore propose to publish in this village, a family newspaper, aiming at the support of what to us may appear democratic measures spiced however with the other varieties necessary to the management of a news journal--such as temperance, miscellaneous selections, agriculture, science, poetry and the fine arts.  We shall as occasion offers itself, give our readers original essays from our own pen on the various topics touching and concerning what are in our opinion, the true principles of political science. Thus we have roughly blocked out to the minds eye of the reader, something of the course we wish to pursue, and to be able to pursue the same with profit to our own individual self, as well as the public, we respectfully ask the perpetuity of our design.--Hoping that the shackles which so often trammel the feelings of political pride and prejudice will in no way stand in a barrier to prevent the full flow of a social sentiment between us and the world in general."

 

The first page of the issue is devoted to poetry and literature with a column and a half article on the "Duty of the Democratic party."  There is much criticism of "the errors that were committed at Albany last winter" but a general endorsement of Mr. Van Buren and Mr. Wright.

 

On the second page the editor writes a voluminous apology to the people of South Bainbridge for not being available to deliver the Fourth-of-July oration at the village. There is also a news account of the burning of the Schoharie Court House and jail.

 

On page three there is a list of letters remaining unclaimed at the Bainbridge post office containing about 60 names, signed by D. Newell, postmaster.

 

Elliot J. Kidder advertised many things.  In one place he offers for sale a long list of patent medicines, tooth pastes, hair dye and toothache drops; further along he offers to buy any amount of WOOL delivered at his store which was formerly occupied by D. Newell.  Again, in another column, Mr. Kidder offer a "sure cure for consumption and liver complaints."

 

Elijah Bishop has an interesting advertising card which reads in part:  "Having made extensive arrangements in the city of New York with an experienced purchaser, who will be constantly in the marker, goods will be forwarded to old Jericho, (weekly) of the latest style and fashion.  The subscriber's long experience in business, and many other facilities enables him to come into market prepared to meet any fair and honorable competition; at the same time he would beg leave to say, that he does not expect to quite give away his goods.  Call and examine for yourself at the old stand next door but one above the Engine House No. 1.

 

A.K. Maynard, Bainbridge attorney-at-law, offers for sale:  "The Carding and Cloth dressing works recently built by Ezra P. Church Esq. on the Susquehanna River consisting of a large two story building, for Carding and Cloth Dressing--a small out building for a dye-house--all built new within two years--located about half way between the villages of Bainbridge and South Bainbridge and 53 acres of land.

 

Joel J. Bixby, colonel of the 193 Regiment of infantry of the Militia of the State of New York published notice that of a regimental court-martial for the trial of all delinquents:  "The said court will convene on the 29th day of October next at 10 o'clock a.m. at the house of D. Chaffee in the Town of Bainbridge."  (Chaffee was at this time landlord at the Bainbridge Tavern or Central Hotel.)

 

S. Shepardson informs his old friends and customers that he still continues the tailoring business at his old stand in the Watson building, one door above the hay scales, and immediately opposite the Eagle office, upstairs.  To this ad is attached:  "Those of my customers who promised to draw me wood last winter are informed that if it is not delivered by the first of July, they may expect to pay cash."

 

Blin S. Sill, M.D., announces he will attend to all professional calls and that his office is at no. 6 and his residence no. 3 Wright street (East Main).

 

Mathew D. Sill evidently a relative of the doctor, respectfully informs the inhabitants of Bainbridge and vicinity, that he is prepared to take likenesses by the Daguerreotype process in the best style of the art and continuing:  "Possessing one of the most perfect cameras in use; and having originally received instruction in one of the most celebrated establishments in New York City--his experience will warrant him in saying that he can satisfy the acutest critic, in regard to the perfections of his pictures.  Rooms at Dr. B. Sill's Wright Street."

 

Brown and Northrup advertise cooking, box and parlor stoves, also ploughs and plough points.

 

Sayre & Banks, attorneys and counsellors at law and solicitors and counselors in chancery announce their office on Main Street nearly opposite the Eagle Office.

 

Newell Slade had a card advertising:  "The subscriber still continues the business of watch and clock making and repairing, at his old stand on Main Street, one door south of Sayre & Banks law office.  Everything in his line will, as heretofore, be punctually attended to, and he respectfully solicits the continued favor of public patronage."

 

Alvin E. Wiest announces a Boot & Shoe Shop in the building of Jehial Evans on Main Street.

 

Smith and Phinney tell the public they are doing horse and ox shoeing at their old stand six doors north of the Eagle office.

 

Joel J. Bixby calls attention to his carriage and sleigh manufactory five doors north of the Eagle Office.

 

The Bainbridge house, which was the tavern built by DeZeng on the park states:  "The subscriber has rented the well known Tavern Stand, located on the south-west side of the public green in the village of North Bainbridge and formerly kept by Winthrop Fairchild. The house has been recently furnished to all who may be pleased to call.  Having left the Bigelow stand for this, which he intends to keep for a series of years, the subscriber would respectfully solicit his townspeople and his fellow citizens, a continuation of that patronage which they have heretofore extended to him.  And to the travelling community at large he would say that if rooms large and commodious; a bar at all times filled with the choicest liquors; stables and faithful grooms in attendance; and the willing and attentive services of the landlord and those in his employ, are the indispensable requirements of a well kept tavern, he trusts he shall ever be able to furnish them to all those who may become his guests."

 

A hat manufactory is advertised at No. 7 Wright Street, opposite the residence of Dr. Sill.  Castor, plain, brush napt and wool hats; also cloth caps were advertised.

 

Henry A. Clark, attorney-at-law offers announcement of the practice of his profession in an office opposite Chaffee's Hotel in the Betts building.

 

Levi Bigelow states that he practices law at No. 2 Wright Street.

 

An indication of what kind of furniture the people of Bainbridge had in their homes a century ago is an ad by Levi Bigelow:  "The place to buy cabinet furniture is at Titum M. Bixby at Bainbridge.  He has on hand a splendid assortment of cabinet ware, in the shop formerly occupied by W. Fairchild (deceased) where he has for sale and shall endeavor to keep constantly on hand all wares under this head in general.  We have now on hand a general assortment of sofas, secretaries, book cases, mahogany, cherry and maple bureaus, lockers, dressing bureaus, wash and candle stands, dining and tea table, French bedsteads, chairs, ottomans, Etc.