The next paper to appear in Middletown was The Whig Press. It was started November 26, 1851, by John Whitbeck Hasbrouck, a young man from Ulster County. In 1866 he changed its name to the Orange County Press. This concern, always prosperous and influential, but which finally merged with the Times and became a part of the Times-Press (February 1, 1906), had an eventful career, which is best summed up in the following brevities taken from the last issue of the Daily Press, February 28, 1906:
Established November 26, 1851, by John W. Hasbrouck, and conducted by him for about seventeen years.
April 9, 1868, purchased by Moses D. Stivers and conducted by him for twenty months.
December 3, 1869, firm of Stivers & Kessinger formed, the junior member being Albert Kessinger, who died in the summer of 1872.
May 24, 1870, a tri-weekly edition was started, issued Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
October 15, 1872, F. Stanhope Hill and John Whiting Slauson bought the paper under the firm name of Hill & Slauson.
October 26, 1872. this firm discontinued the tri-weekly known as the Evening Press, and started in its place the Middletown Daily Press, issued afternoons.
July 1, 1873, M. D. Stivers bought Mr. Hill's interest, and the firm of Stivers & Slauson was formed and continued seven and one-half years.
December 14, 1880, Mr. Stivers sold his interest to Charles J. Boyd, and the firm of Slauson & Boyd was formed.
July 24, 1883, Slauson & Boyd issued the first number of the Orange County Semi-Weekly Press—the first semi-weekly local paper in this section, and a pronounced success from the start.