Three-Piece Assemblage Includes Political Warning, Advertising Circular, Cover

Offering a single page, 8 x 10, ALS, from JEREMIAH ZEAMER to LEMUEL R. SPONG of West Fairview, PA. Spong was running for Register of Wills for Cumberland County and Zeamer was advising him on handling a political problem.  Zeamer included an advertising circular for his pro-Democratic newspaper. The circular features portraits of the 1884 Democratic presidential ticket – Grover Cleveland and Thomas Hendricks – and details the contents of The Volunteer.  Also included is the original cover with the postage stamp.

Boldly written, Zeamer writes: “Your enemies are still clinging to the report that if you are elected you will deputize Drawbaugh for the office. They seem to be determined to do you harm with it. You had better contradict it and contradict it in such a way as will make the contradiction be believed. Probably a consultation with your friends will evolve something effective.”

JEREMIAH ZEAMER (1842-1916) of Carlisle, PA, editor of The American Volunteer, a pro-Democratic newspaper.  Zeamer began teaching school in West Hempfield Township, Lancaster County. He taught and read law until 1872 when he was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar. In 1878, he published Pennsylvania State College, Millersville Class of 1868. In 1873, he was elected cashier of the Columbia Deposit Bank, a position he held until 1878 when he resigned to purchase The American Volunteer in Carlisle.

While driving a team of horses as part of a wagon train crossing the American west in 1865, Zeamer kept a diary.  Thirty-one years later, he began publishing his diary in serial form in the American Volunteer. From 1901 through 1909, Zeamer recorded cemetery inscriptions throughout Cumberland County. These records found their way to the state library in Harrisburg, and in 1960 they were transcribed from “brittle, crumbling pages” by Helen I. Harmon. The transcripts are now in libraries in Pennsylvania.

LEMUEL R. SPONG was the overseer of the shipping department of Cumberland County Nail Works, an agent for Adams Express Company and Northern Central Railroad at Fairview, Pennsylvania in 1884. He was elected register of wills for Cumberland County and became manager for the McCormick Estate quarry interests in 1888. Spong owned farming properties and was president of Mechanicsburg Gas and Water Company.

Light toning. Else excellent.

Everything we sell is guaranteed authentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a 30-day return policy. If you discover a problem or are dissatisfied with an item, please contact us immediately. Our goal is to please every customer.  We are pleased to be members of The Manuscript Society, Universal Autograph Collectors Club and The Ephemera Society. [P 218]]