D. B. McLain

Pioneer journalist

OBITUARY -- from the Wheeling Intelligencer, Feb. 18, 1880

AN OLD PRINTER GONE. -- Mr. D. B. McLain whose interment we noticed last Monday was one of our oldest citizens and the pioneer of journalism in this city and a practical printer. He moved to Wheeling about 1840 and was editor of the Evening Argus, the only Democratic paper in these parts for many years, when newspapers were in their infancy. The Argus office at that time was in an old frame building which stood on the southeast corner of Twelfth and Main streets, where Gutman's clothing store now stand. It was at that time a big printing office, but would hardly be seen in one of our modern offices. The printing at that time was all done by hand, such a thing as a power press was hardly known here. Mr. McLain edited the Argus for several years and was a fearless and uncompromising Democrat, being sustained by such men as Judge Thompson, James Alexander and others we could name. John Dunham afterwards bought the office and it changed hands several times, and is now a part of the Register office. Mr. McLain after retiring from the printing office, served very acceptably for several years as a Magistrate in the First ward, when he moved to Cincinnati with his family and managed a paper there for several years, and removed to this city a few years ago with his aged wife to pass the remained of his days with his children. Mr. McLain was an honored member of the Franklin Lodge, I. O. O. F. of this city, the members of which lodge buried him on Sunday. He was also a member of the North Street M. E. Church. His last moments were peaceful and happy, his last words being "it is all right," "It is all right."

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