The West Virginian Archive

The product of a joint stock company formed by local Fairmont businessmen, the Fairmont West Virginian served as a leading Republican newspaper in north-central West Virginia. The paper was a daily iteration of its probable predecessor the West Virginian, and indeed, several of the daily Fairmont West Virginian's initial editors previously worked for the weekly version. Beginning publication in 1904, the Fairmont West Virginian was published daily every evening except Sundays.

Usually comprised of eight pages, the Fairmont West Virginian offered news and commentary on a wide variety of topics. Its daily issues often featured sections on local and national news, business, women's topics and home affairs, sports, and classified advertisements. Perhaps reflecting the business roots of its owners, the paper paid little heed to the labor issues that wracked West Virginia in the early 20^th century and remained largely aloof from labor union affairs. International news also received coverage, particularly the growing war in Europe and the United States' eventual involvement in World War I, of which the Fairmont West Virginian proved supportive.

Politically, the Fairmont West Virginian mirrored its weekly forerunner and functioned as the Republican Party organ for Fairmont and Marion County, West Virginia. At the time of the paper's launch, managing editor Lamar C. Powell was a Republican candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates. Unsurprisingly, the paper supported Republican candidates in both local and national elections, and its columns covered Republican platforms and news favorably and extensively.

The Fairmont West Virginian possessed a full managerial and editorial staff, with local teacher M.C. Lough serving at its initial editor. In the mid-1910s, the paper underwent a change in leadership, with James C. Herbert assuming editorial responsibilities. In 1914, the newspaper dropped Fairmont from the masthead, reverting to the earlier West Virginian title and claiming establishment in 1868. Regardless of the changes, the paper enjoyed a healthy circulation, usually boasting over 5,000 subscribers.

The West Virginian continued publication as a Republican newspaper throughout most of the 20th century. At the start of 1975, however, the West Virginian merged with its more popular crosstown Democratic rival, the Fairmont Times, to form the Fairmont Times and West Virginian. A final slight name alteration in 1976 produced the Fairmont Times West Virginian, a publication which continues to serve Fairmont and West Virginia today.