{{Short description|American newspaper}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox newspaper | name = Cheney Free Press | type = Weekly newspaper | owners = Roger Harnack | founder = George H. Wallis | founded = 1896 | language = English | headquarters = 1616 W. First St.<br/>Cheney, WA 99004 | circulation = 3,695 | circulation_date = 2022 | circulation_ref = <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-14 |title=The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy |url=https://lwvwa.org/resources/Documents/Studies/LocalNews/Decline%2036.pdf |website=League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund}}</ref> | oclc = 17315741 | website = {{URL|cheneyfreepress.com}} }}
The '''''Cheney Free Press''''' is a weekly newspaper published in Cheney, Washington since in 1896.<ref name=NewEd>{{cite book |last1=Bagwell |first1=Steve |last2=Stapilus |first2=Randy |year=2013 |title=New Editions: The Northwest's newspapers as they were, are, and will be |publisher=Ridenbaugh Press |location=Carlton, Oregon |isbn=978-0-945648-10-9 |oclc=861618089 |url=https://archive.org/details/neweditionsnorth0000bagw/page/196/mode/2up |page=196}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 23, 1896 |title=The State Press (seattle) |pages=4 |work=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23256410/the-state-press-seattle/ |access-date=2021-03-12}}</ref> It was not the first newspapers there; the ''North-West Tribune'' was published in Cheney from June 1880 to about 1886, and was the second in Spokane County.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Newspapers of Washington Territory |first=J. Orin |last=Oliphant |journal=The Pacific Northwest Quarterly |volume=39 |number=3 |date=July 1948 |page=235 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Additions to Professor Meany's: Newspapers of Washington Territory |first=J. Orin |last=Oliphant |work=The Washington Historical Quarterly |volume=18 |number=1 |date=January 1927 |pages=33–54 |jstor=40475079 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40475079 }}</ref>
== History == The ''Cheney Free Press'' was established by three Northwest newspaper veterans,<ref name="NewEd" /> H. H. Hubbard, Dr. D. J. Turner and A. L. Ames.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Hubbard |first=H. H. |last2=Turner |first2=D. J. |last3=Ames |first3=A. L. |date=May 28, 1896 |title=Regarding The Cheney Affray {{!}} Mr. Sutton Has No Connection With the Free Press. |work=The Spokesman-Review |pages=3}}</ref> It first published in April 1896.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 23, 1896 |title=The State Press. |work=The Seattle Post-Intelligencer |pages=4}}</ref> The paper's first editor was George H. Wallis. It was originally delivered by horseback riders and the press stood underneath a tree as there was no building to house it.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=March 12, 1926 |title=Spencer Buys Cheney Paper; Pioneer Publication Sold to Dean of Journalism at State University. |work=Spokane Chronicle |pages=34}}</ref>
In May 1896, Wallis entered a post office to get his mail when he was assaulted by Richard A. Hutchinson in the lobby. The two fought and Wallis ended up with a large gash across his temple and a cracked skull. Hutchinson was upset about an article in the paper and accused Wallis of corruption. Witnesses alleged Hutchinson attacked Wallis with a billy club or a slungshot, but no weapon was found.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 27, 1896 |title=A Serious Fight At Cheny {{!}} George Wallis Badly Beaten by Dick Hutchenson. |work=The Spokesman-Review |pages=1}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 30, 1896 |title=Assault With A Deadly Weapon {{!}} Complaint Filed By Wallis Against Senator Hutchinson |work=The Spokesman-Review |pages=3}}</ref> At trial, the defense argued Wallis actually hurt his head after falling against a desk.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 18, 1896 |title=Fate Of A Senator {{!}} Hutchinson Assault Case Concluded and Given to the Jury. |work=The Spokesman-Review |pages=7}}</ref> The jury convicted Hutchinson of simple assault.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 19, 1896 |title=Notes of the Courts. |work=The Spokesman-Review |pages=7}}</ref>
In November 1896, Wallis sold the paper to Fred Z. Alexander,<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 2, 1896 |title=The State Press. |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |pages=4}}</ref> who in turn sold it in 1898 to Spencer L. Alexander.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 29, 1898 |title=Notice |work=Waitsburg Times |pages=2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Edwards |first=Jonathan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qf40AQAAMAAJ&q=%22Cheney+Free+Press%22+alexander&pg=PA568 |title=An Illustrated History of Spokane County, State of Washington |date=1900 |publisher=Eastern Washington Genealogical Society |isbn= |location= |pages=568}}</ref> Soon after the purchase, it was announced in a neighboring paper that the ''Free Press'' had deserted the Republican party and endorsed the People's Party and the fusion movement.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=August 5, 1898 |title=The Cheney Free Press. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23256299/the_cheney_free_press_politics/ |access-date= |work=The Ellensburg Dawn |page=2}}</ref> A year later, S.L. Alexander got into a fist fight with Frank A. Dunn, publisher of a rival paper called the ''Cheney Sentinel.'' Both were arrested following the brawl in the mud and received minor fines.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 25, 1899 |title=Fight To A Finish {{!}} Rival Editors Wallowed In Cheney Mud. |work=The Spokesman-Review |pages=1}}</ref> In 1901, C.F. Stephens and J.W. Stephens succeeded Alexander as publishers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 17, 1901 |title=Change in Management. |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |pages=10}}</ref>
In 1902, Henry Michels, of North Dakota, purchased the ''Free Press''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 28, 1902 |title=Notice |work=The Cooperstown Courier |location=Cooperstown, North Dakota |pages=1}}</ref> Two years his wife ran off after having an affair with a school principal, who lost his job as a result of the scandal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 14, 1904 |title=Herbert Finley Has Lost His Position, Mrs. Michels Has Gone East |work=The Spokane Press |pages=2}}</ref> In 1912, the ''Free Press'' began dedicating one of its six pages to the local high school, whose students assumed editorial control of the page's contents.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oliphant |first=J. Orin |date=1912 |title=Featuring High School News |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=34g9AQAAMAAJ&q=%22Cheney+Free+Press%22&pg=PA232 |work=The Washington Newspaper |publisher= |location= |pages=231 |language=en |isbn=|via=Google Books}}</ref> In that same year, the ''Free Press'' lost a libel suit worth $1,250, and was joined by other Washington newspapers in its call for the state to update its libel laws.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1912 |title=The Cheney Free Press Libel Suit |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=34g9AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA172 |access-date=2021-03-12 |work=The Washington Newspaper |language=en|pages=172|via=Google Books}}</ref> In 1913, Michaels died.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 7, 1913 |title=Cheney Editor Is Dead. |work=Davenport Times-Tribune |pages=2}}</ref> In 1915, Willis Swank bought the paper from Albert Michels.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 5, 1915 |title=Cheney. |work=The Spokesman-Review |pages=6}}</ref> In 1926, Swank sold the ''Free Press'' to Vernon R. Frost and M. L. Spencer, dean of the school of journalism at the University of Washington.<ref name=":0" />
In 1932, burglars ransacked the paper's office, stealing a Remington Typewriter and a rifle.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 22, 1932 |title=Cheney Free Press Office Is Looted |work=The Spokane Press |pages=1}}</ref> In 1934, V.R. Frost purchased the ''Buhl Herald'' in Idaho.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 19, 1934 |title=Publisher Sells Herald At Buhl |work=The Times-News |pages=3}}</ref> His brother Freeman S. Frost was then left in charge of the ''Free Press''. In 1936, Harry N. Beall and Max Schafer bought the paper from the Frosts.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=April 17, 1936 |title=Cheney, Wash., April 17 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23255799/cheney_wash/ |access-date= |work=Medford Mail Tribune |pages=7 |agency=Associated Press|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 20, 1936 |title=Paper At Cheney To Change Hands |work=Spokane Chronicle |pages=6}}</ref> In 1941, Beall donated several bound volumes of archived newspapers to Eastern Washington University.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 11, 1941 |title=Presents Old paper Files. |work=The Spokesman-Review |pages=10}}</ref> During World War II, Beall enlisted in the army as a captain in the supply service. At that time his wife served as publisher.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 8, 1942 |title=Publisher Given Captain Rating |work=Spokane Chronicle |pages=8}}</ref> In 1945, Glenn R. Maxwell became publisher.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 2, 1945 |title=From Here and There |work=Davenport Times-Tribune |pages=4}}</ref>
In 1952, Maxwell died.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 24, 1952 |title=Obituary {{!}} Glenn R. Maxwell |work=Spokane Chronicle |pages=27}}</ref> A year later his estate sold the ''Free Press'' to Guyel T. Frost, the third Frost brother to own the paper.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 15, 1953 |title=G.T. Frost Buys Paper At Cheny |work=The Spokesman-Review |pages=15 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In 1968, G.T. Frost died. <ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=July 19, 1968 |title=Cheney Free Press Publisher Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23255637/guyel_t_frost_dies/ |access-date= |work=Corvallis Gazette-Times |pages=9 |agency=Associated Press|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> His $102,000 estate was left to his wife, Ella G. Frost.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 23, 1968 |title=Editor's Estate Set at $102,000 |work=Spokane Chronicle |pages=10}}</ref> In 1970, Jerome H. Jerry Jantz and his wife Doris E. Wilbur acquired the paper.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 19, 2012 |title=Obituaries {{!}} JANTZ, Doris Ellen (Wilbur) |work=The Spokesman-Review |pages=B6}}</ref> In 1989, the Wilbur and Jantz sold the ''Free Press'' to Journal News Publishing, owner of the ''Grant County Journal.'' At that time the ''Free Press'' had a circulation of 3,200.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 28, 1989 |title=Editor & Publisher 1989-01-28: Vol 122 Iss 4 |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1989-01-28_122_4/page/22/mode/2up |access-date=2021-03-12 |work=Editor and Publisher |publisher=Duncan McIntosh |language=English|pages=23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 6, 1990 |title=1989 Non-Daily Newspaper Sales |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1990-01-06_123_1/page/74/mode/2up |access-date=2021-03-12 |work=Editor and Publisher |publisher=Duncan McIntosh |language=English|page=75}}</ref> The company was owned by Jeff Fletcher and Bill Ifft, and owned several other small papers in the area, including the ''Spokane Valley News Herald'' and ''Davenport Times.'' The two also invested in the ''Newport Miner'' and the ''Grand Coulee Star'', but eventually sold off their interests to the local owners.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Grayden |date=October 7, 1996 |title=Journal News Publishing {{!}} Partners proving there's nothing small about small town newspapers |work=The Spokesman-Review |pages=11}}</ref>
In 2007, Ifft bought out Fletcher and formed his own company called Free Press Publishing, which would publish the ''Free Press'', ''News Herald'' and ''Times''. Ifft also obtained the company's 70% stake in the ''Ritzville Journal.'' Fletcher maintained ownership of the ''Journal''. At that time Harlan Shellabarger was named ''Free Press'' publisher.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCallum |first=John |date=July 5, 2007 |title=Shellabarger new publisher of Free Press |url=https://www.cheneyfreepress.com/story/2007/07/05/front-page/shellabarger-new-publisher-of-free-press/9548.html |access-date=2026-05-21 |website=Cheney Free Press |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Biz07">{{Cite news |last=Gustafson |first=Jeanne |date=July 26, 2007 |title=Cheney News Publisher Buys Out Partner |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_journal-of-business_2007-07-26_22_16/page/n5/mode/2up |access-date=2021-03-12 |work=Journal of Business |publisher=Northwest Business Press Inc. |language=English|page=A7}}</ref> In 2019, Ifft sold his company to Roger Harnack,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=September 26, 2019 |title=New ownership deal for Free Press Publishing |url=https://www.cheneyfreepress.com/story/2019/09/26/news/new-ownership-deal-for-free-press-publishing/25441.html |access-date=2026-05-21 |website=Cheney Free Press |language=en}}</ref> who a year later acquired two weeklies: the ''Odessa Record'' and ''The Whitman County Gazette''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Virginia |date=March 12, 2020 |title=Free Press Publishing acquires two newspapers: Cheney company adds weekly publications in Whitman County, Odessa |url=https://www.spokanejournal.com/local-news/ |access-date=2021-03-12 |work=Spokane Journal of Business}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88085062/ Library of Congress entry] ** alt titles - Medical Lake Press * [http://www.cheneyfreepress.com/ ''Cheney Free Press'' website]
Category:Newspapers published in Washington (state) Category:Cheney, Washington Category:Newspapers established in 1896 Category:1896 establishments in Washington (state) Category:Mass media in Spokane County, Washington