Page 273 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

COMMERCIAL HIGTORY OF MILWAUKEE. 269
Its existence and subsistence was somewhat precarious, and
occasional levies were made upon its friends around to keep its
head above water. But during all these vicissitudes it main-
tained the true faith. It gave out no uncertain sound. Bold,
unflinching, defiant, then, as now, it maintained the great doc-
trines. Mr. C. C. OLIN purchased up the stock mostly, and
became pretty much its main stay. He was desirous of find-
ing a man dyed in the wool, as to the faith, talented, perse-
vering and resolute. He was recommended to the present edi-
tor and publisher of the Free Democrat, who engaged to edit
it on a salary, on condition that Mr. OLIN would remove it
back again to Milwaukee. Judge you whether he got what he
sought.
Mr. BOOTH entered upon his labors in May of 1848, and
soon after purchased the entire establishment, and became sole
owner and publisher. In 1849, he changed the name to Pree
Democrat. It remained a weekly paper until September 16,
1850, when the Daily and Tri-Weekly were added to its pub-
lications.
I hrt.re thus run over briefly, the historical outline of the
four American presses of our city. For more than ten years,
three of these establishments have been under the same man-
agement. The Sentinel, with Gen. KING, the Wisconsin, with
Mr. CRAMER, and the Pree Democrat, with Mr. BOOTH. It
would be invidious to speak of these gentlemen separately.
But I venture to say that three more industrious and persever-
ing men have not lived in this city. And what superior papers
have they respectively furnished? It is not flattery to say that
three more accomplished men in their respective spheres are
rarely found. The evidence of this is seen in the wide influ-
ence of their respective papers upon the public mind. Neither
of them have been the recipients of public patronage to any
extent, or gratuities from any source. The growth and pros-
perity of their several establishments has arisen from their
enterprise, their talents and their industry.