The Final Edition in Loomis
After twelve years of service, the oldest newspaper in the county suspends publication due to a lack of local support.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Loomis Prospector has suspended publication. After a struggle lasting over a period of nearly twelve years, during all of which time he has worked faithfully and long for the upbuilding and advancement of the camp, Editor Dallam last week announced that he was ready to quit. The Prospector was the oldest paper in the county, and during most of its existence the best. Since its inception no chance has been let slip to boost Okanogan county, and especially that part of it surrounding Loomis. In spite of this fact, however, the Prospector has been practically without support from the beginning. For some reason the business men of Loomis could not appreciate the service they were getting and with but few exceptions their names were not to be found in the advertising columns of the home paper.
“For some reason the business men of Loomis could not appreciate the service they were getting.”
The closure of the Prospector highlights the precarious nature of independent journalism in resource-dependent frontier towns. This struggle between local boosters and local businesses for the survival of the 'town paper' remains a relevant struggle in rural media landscapes today.
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