Publication History:
Place of Publication: “Our Shop,” “Tampa Bay” (presumably FL; elsewhere in the paper reference is made to [St.?] Petersburg and Russia, but it may have been an attempt at humor under “Foreign Intelligence”)
Frequency: Unknown
Volume and Issue Data: Monday, June 1831, Vol 1., No. 1.
Size and Format: Large newssheet, 4 pages
Editor/Publisher: “Three of Us!” Washington Hood (1808-1840), a surveyor, architect and engineer, possibly in his hand
Title Changes and Continuation: Unknown
General Description and Notes:
Issue dated “Monday, June 1831” (Vol. 1, No. 1) carries the motto, “I gouge, Thou gougest, He gouges!” The paper’s lead column reads:
“In presenting to its patrons the first number of the Gouger, we wish it expressly, distinctly, emphatically, and unequivocally understood that we totally, entirely and absolutely disclaim all allegiances, dependence , fealty, obligation or subservience to any body or bodies civil, military, or political–and that we are not in any sence or meaning, either direct or by inference or by consternation [?] the public’s. [signed] Humble servants, The US Three.
Below the fold, the column continues with an explanation of the publications purpose and character.
“We beg it, moreover, to be expressly understood by all those who may enjoy the high and distinguished privileges of drawing instruction, edification, and happiness from the rich, rare, racy, and diversified columns of the Gouger, that we hold it to be the standard of morals and manners, and the undisputed and indisputable umpire and director of wit, humour, taste, literature and sciences.”
Information Sources:
Bibliography: None
Locations: The Washington Hood Collection in the Downs Collection, Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera, The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, DE
The Handwritten Newspapers Project 