The Russellville Democrat Archive

Russellville, in Pope County, Arkansas lies halfway between Fort Smith and Little Rock, on the Arkansas River. Today this area is referred to as the River Valley, but it was once known as the Cactus Prairie on the Buffalo Trail. Incorporated on June 7, 1870, it grew slowly until the Little Rock & Fort Smith railroad reached the town in 1874.

The Russellville Democrat was first published on January 28, 1875. The weekly newspaper was created by a group of affluent townsmen looking to unify the people of Pope County. These town leaders were J. L. Shinn, President; George E. Howell, Vice-President; J. F. Munday, Secretary; and M. L. Baird, Treasurer. In the paper's inaugural edition, it proclaimed to be an advocate of Liberal, Progressive, and Democratic principles as well as being devoted to local, political, commercial, agricultural, and literary intelligence. The newspaper featured seven columns, with areas dedicated to Fraternal and Religious notices as well as medical, home, and farming advice.

James E. Battenfield was the editor and B. F. Jobe was the business manager for the first six years of publication. Following Battenfield's retirement in 1881, Jobe became publisher with John R. H. Scott. Following several years of quick changes to management, Jobe returned as publisher of the Democrat by 1885. He stayed with the newspaper for a decade before retiring to McAlester, Oklahoma. His brother, J. R. Jobe, became editor and publisher until 1897, when he sold his interest to Bullock & Lawrence.

After only a year of publications, The Russellville Courier consolidated with the Russellville Democrat in September 1898. Under publishers C. B. Oldham and T. B. Mourning, the new publication was titled The Courier=Democrat. It continued to be a weekly paper until 1924, when it was published Monday through Friday. J. A. Livingston, the foreman for the newspaper, bought out Mourning's interest in 1903 and Oldham's in 1905. Livingston was the sole owner of the publication until 1920, when he sold half of the business to Todd Ellis.

Since 1994, the publication has been called The Courier and is published every morning, excluding Mondays.