HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY. 
 
the never ending confusion of the city, and vice 
versa are contrasts of great magnitude, and a 
sudden change from one to the other seems 
strange indeed, and for a time almost beyond 
the powers of endurance. From    country to 
city, our experiences, physically, as related, 
were anything but pleasant. Such a change 
fron a two-years' sojourn in the city, we would 
very reluctantly anticipate. 
"In 1857, we took up our abode in Brodhead, 
and since then have been a citizen a greater part 
-of the time. Perhaps it may be truthfully said 
that we are favorably impressed with the place, 
hence our departure at different times and suib- 
sequent return. These occurrences have been 
frequent. Between ourself and the Independent- 
we note the following: In the month of Febru- 
ary, 1861, a stock company, with I. F. Mack, 
Esq., president, and W. W. Shepard, (afterward 
killed at the battle of Pea Ridge), secretary, 
purchased the press and material of the States 
Rights, owned and published at our county seat, 
by F. Stout, Esq., and removed the same to 
Brodhead. Out of that material our hands set 
the first type on the Independent. These were 
the trying times of a Nation's uprising in 
armed conflict. Treason was asserting .itself 
day by day, until the "first gun" was flied at 
Sumter. 
"We well remember the day when this dread- 
ful evidence of war came upon us. A messen- 
ger came to the office in great haste with the 
intelligence, and with patriotic hearts and pa- 
triotic songs the "boys" of the office could not 
be induced to "stick" another type. (The main- 
agement, however, succeeded in issuing their 
paper regularly.) After thirteen months of 
army life we returned home, and again to the 
Independent, then edited 'by I F. Mack, Jr. 
This was of short duration however, for we 
rallied the "blowers," and again donned the 
blue. After the wearisome marches attendant 
upon Sherman's campaign, and after peace was 
declared, we were permitted to again return to 
 
Brodhead and confront a "case" in the Inde- 
pendent office. Very soon after we were a resi- 
dent of the very pleasant village 6f Monroe. 
Remaining there among good friends two years 
we returnied to Brodhead, formed a co-partner- 
ship with D. W. Tyrrell, and purchased the 
Independent, of I. F. Mack, Jr., at a good round 
price. After a partnership of about eight 
months Mr. Tyrrell associated himself with Mr. 
Potter, then publisher of the Green County Re- 
publican, at Monroe. Being then left to our 
own responsil)ility we did the best we could. In 
July, 1873, w'e sold the office to Messrs. Stone & 
Morse, taking ourself to the great city of the 
northwest Chicago. Two years have passed 
and again we are found in the Independent office, 
as proprieto", laving effected the purchase on 
the 28th ultimo. WVh at there may be for us in 
tlhe dim  and unknown future, we cannot of 
course predict with any degree of safety. If 
our past history has wrought anything to our 
good, the patrons of the Independent shall reap 
the same at our hands as one week succeeds an- 
other, and as good health is spared us. 
"Our promises will not be numerous. We will 
promise this much, that we will conduct the 
Independent to the best of our ability, and 
always to the best interests of its patrons and 
all inteirested in our beautiful village. Can we 
say more? If we know what morality is, our 
paper shall be ioral. If we know the meaning 
of discretion our paper shall be discreet. If we 
kniow what right is, our paper shall be as near 
the same as it lies in our power to make it. We 
shall not attempt to revolutionize local business 
in excess of local capacity, but shall advocate 
the full use of that capacity to the best inter- 
ests. 
'Ir politics, we shall not be "on the fence" 
but shall always aavocate republicanism, and 
may be depended upon as republican; and the 
lidependent, we are sure, while in our charge, 
will labor for the best interests of republicanism 
at home and abroad. 
 
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