Page:History of the newspapers of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.djvu/68

CHAPTER IV. The Western Argus. The "Western Argus" was started by James Logan September 1, 1818. In the first issue, of that date, Mr. Logan had the following editorial: "As we have been disappointed in getting our press in operation, and the public manifesting a great desire for the commencement of the publication of the paper, we have not been able as yet to issue proposals for a subscription to the 'Argus;' we have therefore sent on the first number to the patrons of the 'Beaver Gazette,' and if any feel a disposition to withdraw their patronage, they can signify the same by a line sent to the editor, otherwise we expect they will consider themselves subscribers." Thus was started on its career of usefulness, the oldest paper in Beaver county, which for over 86 years has retained the name of "Argus" in some form, and has never lost its distinctive character. In all that time the paper has advocated the cause of the Whig party since its formation in 1832, and its successor the Republican party. The ablest writers ever in the county have been among its editors, and the most astute politicians of the county at some time have held an interest in it. Mr. Logan had full control of the paper until 1825, when he