A Brief History Of Benton County Newspapers by Alvin Seamster
From Benton County Democrat (1950) - Now the NWA Democrat Gazette - The Century Of Progress Edition
From Benton County Democrat (1950) - Now the NWA Democrat Gazette - The Century Of Progress Edition
The first newspaper after war was estabished in the early seventies (1870's). It was the Advance and was published for several years, frwquently changing hands and was finally sold to the Bentonian and was operated by S. D. McReynolds and S. M. Womack. It was sold to J. B. Thompson, and the name changed to Benton County Journal. The paper was later sold to S. M. Dailey.
Gus Hurley later sold to Joe S. Stevenson. He operated the newspaper for several years, selling it to Ben Terry. Mr. Terry sold the paper to O. D. Stiles, who sold to W. H. Plank, who at that time was operating the Benton County Record. He also bought the Bentonville Sun, which had been operated by H. L. Cross since 1891. Mr. Cross also operated a daily, the Bentonville Daily Sun, for a few years. Mr. W. L. Marley established the News in 1904 and it ran for one year and combined it with the Sun. When the daily paper was started, Mr. Marley withdrew, becausehe thought it not advisable to operate a daily newspaper.
During 1926 Grover S. Lindsey, Jack Maxwell and J. L. McKeehen started the Benton County Herald, later selling to Boren & Crockett. Mr. Lindsey Later buying an interest of Boren & Crockett.
Mr. Plank sold the combined papers to Boren & Lindsey of the Benton County Hearld, who sold to the present awner, Mr. Richard Elam.
A few of the other papers printed and published in the county and surrounding territory were the Gravette Gazette, in 1900 edited by Oakes and Edwards; Sulphur Springs Speaker, by john R. Huffman in 1893; the CherokeeHummer, Kansas, Okla., The Southwest City Leader, by M. C. Falkenbury, 1897; Siloam Springs Democrat, by Collins & Ragdale, 1898. The last above mentioned papers were published at the time stated, as I have a copy of each one. We have not had the oportunity in such a short time to contact each paper and get the earlies publication, but it is understood that the Advance and Bentonian, were the first papers of any circulation to be published in the county.
Gus Hurley later sold to Joe S. Stevenson. He operated the newspaper for several years, selling it to Ben Terry. Mr. Terry sold the paper to O. D. Stiles, who sold to W. H. Plank, who at that time was operating the Benton County Record. He also bought the Bentonville Sun, which had been operated by H. L. Cross since 1891. Mr. Cross also operated a daily, the Bentonville Daily Sun, for a few years. Mr. W. L. Marley established the News in 1904 and it ran for one year and combined it with the Sun. When the daily paper was started, Mr. Marley withdrew, becausehe thought it not advisable to operate a daily newspaper.
During 1926 Grover S. Lindsey, Jack Maxwell and J. L. McKeehen started the Benton County Herald, later selling to Boren & Crockett. Mr. Lindsey Later buying an interest of Boren & Crockett.
Mr. Plank sold the combined papers to Boren & Lindsey of the Benton County Hearld, who sold to the present awner, Mr. Richard Elam.
A few of the other papers printed and published in the county and surrounding territory were the Gravette Gazette, in 1900 edited by Oakes and Edwards; Sulphur Springs Speaker, by john R. Huffman in 1893; the CherokeeHummer, Kansas, Okla., The Southwest City Leader, by M. C. Falkenbury, 1897; Siloam Springs Democrat, by Collins & Ragdale, 1898. The last above mentioned papers were published at the time stated, as I have a copy of each one. We have not had the oportunity in such a short time to contact each paper and get the earlies publication, but it is understood that the Advance and Bentonian, were the first papers of any circulation to be published in the county.
Copy of one of "The Weekly Advance," one of the earliest newspapers in Benton County from 1873.
If you would like to take a closer look at this newspaper click on like below:
- https://www.vintagebentonville.com/sep-23-1873---the-weekly-advance.html#gsc.tab=0
The first newspaper published in Rogers in 1881 was edited by Graham and Mason. Mr. Graham was the step-father of Mr. Mason.
There have been a great many newspaper published in Benton County, which we regret very much not having space to give their owner and publishers. One of them was Cains Thomas Cat, published in 1890's at Rogers.
There have been a great many newspaper published in Benton County, which we regret very much not having space to give their owner and publishers. One of them was Cains Thomas Cat, published in 1890's at Rogers.