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In connection with Harvey Gregg, started the second newspaper in this place, in March, 1823. He had come out from Kentucky the year before, and in the spring the first number of the "Western Censor and Emigrant's Guide" was issued from a house belonging to Mr. Gregg, on the west side of the alley on the north side of Washington, between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets.
This paper has been continued ever since under different
names and by many different editors, until now we have
it as the "Indianapolis Daily Journal," with a large
circulation throughout the State.
It started out in opposition to the election of General
Jackson to the Presidency in 1824, and has strictly
adhered to the opposition of the political party that
sprang out of his administration ever since.
Mr. Maguire was long the manager and editor of the
Journal, but during his editorial and newspaper career
the business was not so profitable as at the present
time; indeed there was but little money in the country
to transact business with, and people, very foolishly,
did without newspapers and advertising rather than to
incur the expense.
After he quit the "Journal" he held several offices of
profit and emolument, both in the gift of the people and
the legislature; was Representative in the Legislature,
Auditor of State, a member of the Constitutional
Convention in 1850 that framed the present State
Constitution--all of which he filled to the entire
satisfaction of his constituents.
In personal appearance Mr. Maguire was very much like
his personal and political friend Henry Clay, tall and
slender, quick, nervous temperament, and quite
excitable.
In the summer of 1844, and during the Presidential
contest between Henry Clay and James K. Polk, Mr.
Maguire was one of a fishing party of ladies and
gentlemen enroute for "Broad Ripple," on Bob Earl's
canal boat; he and the late George Chapman, at that time
one of the editors of the "Sentinel," got into a
controversy in regard to the approaching election, and
both of them became very much excited. Mr. Maguire
while gesticulating and stepping back went into the
canal up to his chin. He was dressed in light, linen
clothes, which stuck close to his person, and when he
was taken on board presented a very ludicrous
appearance. He remarked that Democrats had a right to
laugh, but he did not think that the Whigs should.
This coolness in the manner of Mr. Maguire, which was so
unusual and unexpected in him, caused a roar of laughter
in which he joined himself, but did not like to have the
circumstances referred to after the first burst of
laughter was over, though there was many a silent titter
by both Whigs and Democrats unperceived by him.
Mr. Maguire took great pleasure in attending Democratic
meetings, and managing to have Governor Ray called on by
some of the faithful for a speech, well knowing that
gentleman's gift of continuance on such occasions, and
that he would occupy the whole time of the meeting if
left alone, such was his love of fun.
He was kind-hearted and hospitable man, and died in
1857, regretted by many new friends and all the old
settlers of this city. He is still represented here in
the person of his son, who bears his father's name.
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