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DANIEL’S HOTEL, PRESCOTT.
Prominent among the leading hotels of Central
cott. Many years of experience, coupled with an
aptitude for the business and an honest pride in not
make Daniel’s Hotel a favorite with the general
public. Situated very conveniently to the ferry,
and but a short distance from the railway depot,
it affords every convenience to travellers. It has
long been a favorite resort for American tourists,
who are among the best judges as to the merits
of an hotcl, and thoroughly appreciate the courtesy
with which all guests are invariably treated by Mr.
Daniels and his assistants.
During the past year the hotel has been remodelled
and changes highly advantageous brought about.
The dining hall, sitting room, billiard parlors, office
and sample room, upon the first flat, are elegant and
commodious. In every department the maxim that
“Order is heaven’s first law," is acted upon, the
result being a model hostelrie. Mr. Freeman I.
Daniels is the gentlemanly manager, and with the
commercial public numbers a host of friends.
THE PRESCOTT.“ LELEGRAPH,,
On the 31st day of December, 1831, Mr. Miles, of
Kingston, arrived in Prescott, bringing with him
the plant for a printing office, with which he com¬
menced the publication of the Grenville Gazette. The
paper struggled bravely for existence, but in conse¬
quence of the difficulties encountered, Mr. Miles
became discouraged, and: disposed of the office to
D. McLeod, who, however, did not long continue
the publication, the Gazef/e passing into the hands of
William B. Wells (now County Judge at Chatham),
Mr. Wells at that time being the representative of
the county in Parliament. Mr. Wells changed the
name of the paper to that of the Vanguard, which
continued, like its predecessor, a staunch advocate
of Reform principles Finding the publication
unprofitable, Mr. Wells sold the plant to a man
named Wilson, who changed the politics of the
paper, making it a Conservative journal. Wilson
disposed of his interest to the late Robert Headlam,
who continued its publication for about two years,
when it passed out of existence.
In 1847,a man named Harris started a journal
called the Packet, but after a few issues became
discouraged, and removed to Bytown (Ottawa).
In September, 1847, Mr. S. B. Merrill arrived in
Prescott, from Kingston, bringing with him the
materials for a printing office. On the sth of
October following, the first number of the Prescott
Telegraph was issued in the interests of the Reform
party. At that time Prescott contained only 1,700
inhabitants, and few business men who would fur¬
nish advertisements—the mainstay of all newspapers.
Notwithstanding all the difficulties encountered, the
Telegraph was soon placed upon a sound financial
basis, and rapidly won its way as a powerful advo¬
cate of Liberal principles. Mr. Merrill was a
trenchant and caustic writer, an able politician, and
an excellent judge of the weak points in the armor
of political opponents. His friends were warm in
his praise, but those who suffered from his: keen
criticisms were doubly anxious to rid Prescott of
his presence, and at one time threatened to
destroy the office, being exceedingly exasperated in
consequence of the course pursued by the Zelegraph
at the time when the Parliament Buildings were
destroyed. In time this bitterness of feeling passed
away, the rancour of party hatred giving place toa
christian spirit of mutual forbearance.
In 1861, Mr. Merrill handed over the Zelegraph to
his sons, but continued the editorial management
until 1863, when he was appointed Collector of
Inland Revenue for Prescott Division, a position
to which he was well entitled, from long and faithful
service to the Reform party. '
In consequene of Mr. Merrill’s retirement, the
Telegraph became the property of Mr. P. Byrne, who
formed a partnership with Mr. J. W. Anderson.—
Subsequently, Mr. Byrne was appointed Emigration
Agent for the Province of Ontario, Mr. Anderson
purchasing Mr. Byrne’s interest. After conducting
to Mr. Isaac Watson. The latter being a parlia¬
mentary reporter, devoted but slight attention to
the paper, which began to exhibit signs of decay.
In March, 1877, Mr. John A. McKenzie, an experi¬
enced journalist and printer, assumed the manage¬
ment, and in June, 1878, he became proprietor.
From that date up to the present time, the Ze/egraph
has been constantly improved, and edited with
ability, gaining in circulation and influence. Under
Mr. McKenzie, it bids fair to become one of the
leading local papers in Ontario.
Its rivals have one by one disappeared in Prescott,
among the slain being the O/d Messenger, the Zribune,
and the Plaindealer, the latter having passed into
the hands of three different parties in a short space
of time.
THE BUCKLEY FAMILY,
AND
JoHN BUCKLEY.
In the year 1829, the late Timothy Buckley and
his wife emigrated to Canada from the City of Cork, —
Ireland, and settled in Prescott, where he carried on