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==Early years== |
==Early years== |
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He had a younger brother, Hudson N. Ames.<ref name="Historical1911">{{cite book|author=Historical Society of Southern California|title=The Historical Society of Southern California Quarterly|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=HsI1AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10|edition=Public domain|year=1911|publisher=Historical Society of Southern California|pages=10–}}</ref> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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About the year 1847, he entered the employ of [[Henry O'Reilly]], the builder of pioneer telegraph lines, and aided in the construction of the first through line from [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] southward to [[New Orleans]]. Soon after his arrival in [[Louisiana]], he turned his attention to newspaper work and established, at [[Baton Rouge]], the new capital of that State, a paper which he called ''The Dime Catcher'', and devoted his energies to the support of General [[Zachary Taylor]]'s candidacy in the [[United States presidential election, 1848|presidential campaign of 1848]].<ref name=Historical1911 /> |
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In the following year, 1849, the excitement caused by the gold discoveries in California reached Louisiana. Ames soon caught the gold fever, closed his office, and went to California via the [[Isthmus of Panama]]. He landed in San Francisco on October 28, 1849, without any money. Borrowing a handcart, he began hauling trunks and luggage, and always kept as a souvenir the first piece of money he earned at this employment. He was soon able to advance to the more dignified and lucrative occupation of newspaper writer, and was for a time connected, in an editorial capacity, with the ''Placer Times and Transcript''. He also wrote for other papers under his favorite pen-name of "Boston". In 1850, he made a trip to [[Honolulu]], and it was probably immediately upon his return that he learned of the need to establish a newspaper in [[San Diego]]'s [[Downtown San Diego|New Town]]. He paid a visit to San Diego and issued a prospectus in December, 1850. There were similar interests in [[Los Angeles]] for the establishment of a newspaper. The first issue of [[Los Angeles Star|''La Estrella de Los Angeles'']] appeared May 17, 1851, and thus it became the pioneer newspaper of the Southwest; Ames's [[U-T San Diego|''San Diego Herald'']] came out on May 29th, just twelve days later. .<ref name=Historical1911 /> |
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Ames had at first the backing of several politicians who had in view the ultimate division of the State and the construction of the first trans-continental railway with San Diego as its terminus. Among these men were Senator [[William M. Gwin]] and Governor [[John B. Weller]]. There is no question that Ames worked and hoped for the success of Gwin for some time, but in 1854, he turned against him and declared that Gwin had acted with bad faith toward him individually.<ref name=Historical1911 /> |
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Having issued his prospectus and worked up an excellent advertising patronage at both [[San Francisco]] and San Diego, Ames set about getting his office established. The paper consisted, at first, of four small pages with four columns to a page. It was published each Thursday, at US$10 per annum, "half in advance". In January, 1852, the publication day was changed permanently to Saturday. There was some local news, domestic and foreign advices brought by steamer, and a hastily written editorial. He looked after this patronage carefully and made frequent trips to the north in its interest. The paper was twice enlarged, the first time in the spring of 1853 and the second on May 13, 1854. At the time of the first enlargement, the subscription price was reduced to $5 per annum, "always in advance," or $3 for six months. The 1854 enlargement made it a seven-column sheet, and Ames then claimed that the ''Herald'' had the largest general circulation of any paper in California. <ref name=Historical1911 /> |
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The editorial policy first announced by Ames was, that the paper would be "Independent, but not Neutral," and this course was adhered to for a time. Ames took no active part in the campaign of 1851, but two years later he cast in his lot with the Democrats and supported [[John Bigler]] for Governor. In 1856, he went over to the American, or "Know Nothing" party, but later returned to the Democratic party. He was always somewhat independent of politics, and particularly disliked and opposed President [[Franklin Pierce]], probably because of his veto of an appropriation for the improvement of the [[San Diego River]].<ref name=Historical1911 /> |
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The difficulties attending the publication of a newspaper in such a far frontier town as San Diego were soon evident. The dearth of local news and failures to receive exchanges was the cause of frequent editorial grumbling. At one period, Ames ran for several weeks a list of all the post offices and postmaster in California, and at another filled up with a circular of the General Land Office. Most of the American population, including Ames himself, hoped for the ultimate annexation of Lower California, but the presence of the military post and the influence of the army officers, with most of whom Ames was always on intimate terms, made open support or sympathy inexpedient. The ''Herald'' achieved its greatest journalistic feat by publishing a series of letters from one of Walker's officers, all grossly colored to favor the filibusters; but toward the last, when the hopelessness of the expedition was clear to all, Ames denounced it.<ref name=Historical1911 /> |
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Ames was known for his frequent and prolonged absences from San Diego, when he would go to San Francisco to look after his advertising patronage, collect bills, and have a good time. On August 27, 1852, he announced his departure for the East and that the office would be closed and the paper suspended in the meantime. Where Ames spent this vacation is not known, but by the next steamer after his departure, a smooth-speaking stranger arrived and sought out Judge [[James W. Robinson (Texas and California)|James W. Robinson]], who was Ames' attorney and had been left in charge of his business affairs. The stranger introduced himself as William N. Walton and said he had come to take charge of the ''Herald'' and continue its publication. He told a plausible story to the effect that he was an old friend of Ames', that they had met at the [[Fisherman's Wharf|wharf]] in San Francisco when the steamer for Panama was on the point of sailing, and concluded an agreement. There had been no time to put this in writing; but Walton seemed to know Ames and the ''Herald'' so well, and was altogether so glib and plausible, that Robinson was convinced and allowed him to take possession of the office.<ref name=Historical1911 /> |
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[[File:Robinson-Rose House.jpg|thumbnail|Built in 1850, the Robinson-Rose House contained the offices of the ''Herald'' when they were moved to [[Old Town, San Diego]].]] |
[[File:Robinson-Rose House.jpg|thumbnail|Built in 1850, the Robinson-Rose House contained the offices of the ''Herald'' when they were moved to [[Old Town, San Diego]].]] |
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Ames returned in March, 1853, and Walton quickly departed. In July, 1853, he was appointed and served for a time on the staff of [[David B. Kurtz]], major-general of state militia, as an aide with the rank of captain |
Ames returned in March, 1853, and Walton quickly departed. In July, 1853, he was appointed and served for a time on the staff of [[David B. Kurtz]], major-general of state militia, as an aide with the rank of captain. In the fall of 1853, Ames left his paper for a time to Lieutenant [[George Derby]]. Later, Ames compiled and edited ''Phœnixiana; or Sketches and burlesques, by John Phœnix'' (Derby's pseudonym).<ref name=Historical1911 /> |
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On April 21, 1855, Ames announced his departure for the East. He had printed an average edition of 500 copies, and the paper had made him a comfortable living. It is probable, however, that the means which enabled Ames to travel so much were drawn from some other source,—perhaps from his father's estate. It is also highly probable that Ames thought he was leaving San Diego for good. He had tried, without success, to sell the paper. During his frequent absences he wrote long letters to the ''Herald'', which he signed "Boston," a pseudonym by which he was rather proud to be known. He attempted the humorous and wrote a series of burlesque accounts of his adventures while travelling, in 1855-56. He was an admirer of [[Lord Byron]] and himself wrote sentimental verses of passable quality. During the whole of his residence in San Diego he was a [[notary public]], part of the time the only one, and this made a small addition to his income and helped bind up his interests with those of Bigler and Gwin. He was elected and served one term as councilman, one as justice of the peace and ''ex officio'' member of the court of sessions. He was also county superintendent of schools and served for a time as flour inspector for San Diego County. He was a Mason in good standing, helped to organize the first lodge in San Diego (which was also the first in Southern California), and was for a time its Master.<ref name=Historical1911 /> |
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Ames was three times married. His first wife was Miss Emily Balch, of Lubeck, Maine. They had two children: a daughter, Helen, who died at about eighteen; and a son called George Gordon (after Lord Byron), who died in infancy. This marriage was unhappy and ended by the wife's securing a divorce. His second wife was Eliza, and her home was at Carroll, Maryland. She died, at San Diego, March 14, 1857. His third wife survived him and was re-married, after his death, to C. A. Houston, of San Bernardino. By her Ames had one son, called Hudson ("Huddie"), born at San Dieg,o November 19, 1859, and died, at San Bernardino, March 27, 1863.<ref name=Historical1911 /> He died in 1861.<ref name=sandiegohistory.org>{{cite web|title=John Judson Ames (1821 - 1861)|url=http://www.sandiegohistory.org/online_resources/ames.html|publisher=San Diego History Center|accessdate=3 August 2014}}</ref> |
Ames was three times married. His first wife was Miss Emily Balch, of Lubeck, Maine. They had two children: a daughter, Helen, who died at about eighteen; and a son called George Gordon (after Lord Byron), who died in infancy. This marriage was unhappy and ended by the wife's securing a divorce. His second wife was Eliza, and her home was at Carroll, Maryland. She died, at San Diego, March 14, 1857. His third wife survived him and was re-married, after his death, to C. A. Houston, of San Bernardino. By her Ames had one son, called Hudson ("Huddie"), born at San Dieg,o November 19, 1859, and died, at San Bernardino, March 27, 1863.<ref name=Historical1911 /> He died in 1861.<ref name=sandiegohistory.org>{{cite web|title=John Judson Ames (1821 - 1861)|url=http://www.sandiegohistory.org/online_resources/ames.html|publisher=San Diego History Center|accessdate=3 August 2014}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 23:23, 3 August 2014
John Judson Ames (b. May 18, 1821 - July 28, 1861; pen name, "Boston") was a California Pioneer and the editor and proprietor of the first paper published in the city of San Diego, California, US.[1]
Early years
He had a younger brother, Hudson N. Ames.[2]
Career
Ames returned in March, 1853, and Walton quickly departed. In July, 1853, he was appointed and served for a time on the staff of David B. Kurtz, major-general of state militia, as an aide with the rank of captain. In the fall of 1853, Ames left his paper for a time to Lieutenant George Derby. Later, Ames compiled and edited Phœnixiana; or Sketches and burlesques, by John Phœnix (Derby's pseudonym).[2]
Ames was three times married. His first wife was Miss Emily Balch, of Lubeck, Maine. They had two children: a daughter, Helen, who died at about eighteen; and a son called George Gordon (after Lord Byron), who died in infancy. This marriage was unhappy and ended by the wife's securing a divorce. His second wife was Eliza, and her home was at Carroll, Maryland. She died, at San Diego, March 14, 1857. His third wife survived him and was re-married, after his death, to C. A. Houston, of San Bernardino. By her Ames had one son, called Hudson ("Huddie"), born at San Dieg,o November 19, 1859, and died, at San Bernardino, March 27, 1863.[2] He died in 1861.[3]
References
- ^ "San Diego 120 Top Influential Pioneers". The Daily Transcript. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
- ^ a b c Historical Society of Southern California (1911). The Historical Society of Southern California Quarterly (Public domain ed.). Historical Society of Southern California. pp. 10–.
- ^ "John Judson Ames (1821 - 1861)". San Diego History Center. Retrieved 3 August 2014.