The Bisbee Daily Review, a cornerstone of Arizonas journalistic history, emerged in 1901 and served the mining community of Bisbee until 1971. This paper traces its evolution from its origins as the Weekly Orb in 1896 through multiple title changes, political
shifts, and corporate influences, particularly the Phelps-Dodge Corporations control. By examining its role in reporting mining news, shaping public opinion, and navigating labor conflicts, this study highlights the newspapers significance in reflecting Bisbees
socio-economic dynamics. Drawing on archival records and secondary sources, the analysis underscores the Reviews transformation into a weekly publication and its eventual merger into modern periodicals, illustrating its enduring legacy in Cochise Countys media
landscape.
Introduction
Introducing the historical context and significance of the Bisbee Daily Review In the rugged mining town of Bisbee, Arizona, the Bisbee Daily Review emerged as a vital institution, chronicling the pulse of a community driven by copper extraction. Founded in 1901, the newspaper evolved from earlier publications, navigating a turbulent landscape of editorial changes, political affiliations, and corporate dominance. Its pages captured the aspirations and struggles of a mining hub, from labor disputes to community events, making it a primary source for understanding Arizona’s early 20th-century history. This paper explores the Review’s origins, its role under the Phelps-Dodge Corporation’s influence, its coverage of significant events like the 1917 Bisbee Deportation, and its eventual transition into contemporary publications, arguing that it was both a product and shaper of Bisbee’s socio-economic identity.
Origins and Early Evolution (1896–1901)
Tracing the newspaper’s roots and initial transformations The Bisbee Daily Review’s lineage began in 1896 with the Weekly Orb, an independent paper serving Bisbee’s burgeoning mining community. Under editors Alvan W. Howe and G.M. Porter, it transitioned into the Arizona Daily Orb in 1898, reflecting the town’s growing economic ambitions. The publication underwent rapid masthead changes, becoming the Cochise Review and Arizona Daily Orb in 1900, adopting a Republican stance, and later the Cochise Review and Bisbee Daily Herald. These shifts mirrored Bisbee’s dynamic political and economic landscape, as mining interests vied for influence.
By August 1901, the Cochise Review briefly aligned with Democratic principles, but stability arrived when William Kelly purchased it in November 1901. Kelly’s acquisition marked a pivotal moment, as the paper transitioned from a weekly to a daily format by mid-1902, renaming itself the Bisbee Daily Review. Promising “mining news from every county in Arizona” and billing itself as published in “the best mining city on earth,” the Review positioned itself as an authoritative voice for the region’s copper industry.
Corporate Influence and the Phelps-Dodge Era (1903–1971)
Analyzing the impact of Phelps-Dodge’s control on editorial content In 1903, William Kelly and his father, “Major” George Kelly, formed the Consolidated Printing Company, acquiring all dailies in Arizona’s southeastern mining districts. Their partnership with Walter Douglas of the Phelps-Dodge Corporation, a dominant force in Bisbee’s Copper Queen mine, tied the Review to corporate interests. By 1909, Phelps-Dodge began purchasing these newspapers, and by 1925, it owned the Review outright. Historian James Byrkit argues that Phelps-Dodge’s control “intimidated editors” and stifled criticism, ensuring “nothing reflecting unfavorably on the company would appear in newsprint”.
This corporate grip shaped the Review’s coverage, particularly during labor conflicts. The 1917 Bisbee Deportation, where Phelps-Dodge orchestrated the forced removal of striking miners, saw the Review praising citizen actions against strikers, reflecting its alignment with corporate interests \citep{uarizona}. Despite this bias, the newspaper remained a vital source of local news, offering insights into community life, from social events to economic developments.
Cultural and Editorial Features
Exploring the newspaper’s content and community role The Bisbee Daily Review was more than a corporate mouthpiece; it was a cultural institution. From 1940 to 1955, its Sunday editions featured black-and-white comic sections, transitioning to color from 1955 to 1959. Published as the Bisbee Sunday Review from 1925 to 1933, these editions fostered community engagement. The paper’s focus on mining news, alongside coverage of births, marriages, and obituaries, made it a repository of Bisbee’s social history.
Its archives, spanning 1901 to 1922 with over 54,617 searchable pages, reveal a commitment to documenting local life. Advertisements, such as those for the Bank of Bisbee in 1913, highlight economic aspirations, while notices for fraternal organizations like the Order of Eastern Star underscore community ties.
Transition and Legacy (1971–Present)
Detailing the Review’s decline and merger into modern publications The Review’s daily publication ended in 1971 when William Epler purchased it from Phelps-Dodge, reverting it to a weekly format. In 1974, the Wick family acquired the paper, merging it with the Daily Herald Dispatch in 1976. This consolidation birthed two enduring periodicals: the Sierra Vista Herald and Bisbee Daily Review, published in Sierra Vista, and the Bisbee Daily Review and Sierra Vista Herald, published in Bisbee. These publications continue to serve Cochise County, maintaining the Review’s legacy of community-focused journalism.
The Wick family’s stewardship, under Wick Communications, emphasized adaptability, with expansions in Sierra Vista’s facilities reflecting the evolving media landscape. The Review’s archives, available through the Library of Congress and Newspapers.com, remain invaluable for researchers, offering digitized access to Bisbee’s past.
Conclusion
Summarizing the Review’s historical significance The Bisbee Daily Review encapsulates the interplay of journalism, corporate power, and community identity in Arizona’s mining heartland. From its roots as the Weekly Orb to its role as a Phelps-Dodge-controlled daily, it mirrored Bisbee’s economic and social evolution. Its coverage of events like the Bisbee Deportation reveals the tensions between labor and capital, while its comic sections and local notices highlight its role as a community anchor. Though no longer a standalone daily, its legacy endures in the Sierra Vista Herald and Bisbee Daily Review, preserving Bisbee’s story for future generations. This historical analysis affirms the Review’s dual role as a reflection of and influence on the town’s complex history.