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About The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917
Parma, Idaho (1903-1917)

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Title:
The Parma herald. : (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917
Place of publication:
Parma, Idaho
Geographic coverage:
  • Parma, Canyon, Idaho  |  View more titles from this: City County, State
Publisher:
M.A. Bates
Dates of publication:
1903-1917
Description:
  • Vol. 1, no. 1 (Oct. 17, 1903)-v. 15, no. 1 (Oct. 11, 1917).
Frequency:
Weekly
Language:
  • English
Subjects:
  • Idaho--Parma.--fast--(OCoLC)fst01288483
  • Parma (Idaho)--Newspapers.
Notes:
  • Archived issues are available in digital format from the Library of Congress Chronicling America online collection.
LCCN:
sn 89055001
OCLC:
19024847
ISSN:
2694-0582
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The Parma herald. October 17, 1903 , Image 1

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The Parma herald

In 1903, Marcus Bates, former editor of The Caldwell News, established the first newspaper of Parma, Idaho. The Parma Herald's inaugural issue declared Democratic leanings with intent to stay neutral, but Democratic politics crept into the Herald regardless. The four-page, seven-column paper published weekly on Saturdays until 1909, when the day of publication changed to Thursday. Its circulation peaked at around 800.

The Herald covered local news in Parma and Roswell and also featured columns titled "News of Idaho" and "Around the State." "People and Events" covered social news, primarily in Canyon County. Charles Lanning founded a Republican newspaper, The Parma Review, in 1909. The small town's two newspapers with opposing politics developed a natural rivalry.

The Herald covered significant milestones in Parma's history, including its incorporation and irrigation improvements. The editor was not shy in sharing his opinions on local matters. He wrote of incorporation, "There has been no concerted action among our citizens and business men looking toward improvement… It will take all of us, working all together, to make the town what it should be. The first necessary step in this direction is to incorporate."

Parma was incorporated in 1903. By that time, it already had an irrigation system, fertile farm land, a school, an Oregon Short Line rail station, three general stores, a Presbyterian church, a chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a meeting hall, and a reputation for being a good place to winter livestock. Farming and ranching played a persistent role in Parma's economy. Alfalfa, grain, and fruit were the primary crops grown, while sheep dominated the ranching sector.

The Parma Herald ceased publication in 1917. Bates took his presses to McCall, where he edited the Payette Lake Star.

Provided by: Idaho State Historical Society