Vernal Express

The Vernal Express is a weekly newspaper published in Vernal, Utah.

On January 2, 1891, Ms. Kate Jean Boan published the first edition of the Uintah Pappoose in Vernal, Utah.¹² A year later James M. Barker bought the paper and relaunched it as the Vernal Express on February 11, 1892.³⁴

The paper was acquired by J. Alma Holdaway in 1898,⁵ Bartlett Bros. & Merkeley in 1899,⁶ Dan H. Hillman and Ashley Bartlett in 1900,⁷ and a company led by Don B. Colton in 1910.⁸

James H. Wallis became editor in 1917.⁹ He was born in England where in his youth he had apprenticed as a printer. While visiting Vernal working as a health inspector, a wealthy business owner learned of his printing experience and convinced him to run the paper. He bought it five years later.¹⁰ J.H. Wallis owned the Express until his death in 1940.¹¹

His son William B. Wallis succeeded him, and died in 1986.¹² His son Jack R. Wallis succeeded him, and died in 2003.¹³ His son Steven R. Wallis succeeded him, and died in 2007.¹⁴ Later that year his widow Tami Wallis sold the Express to Gull Communications, a subsidiary owned by Brehm Communications of San Diego.¹⁵ In 2022, Brehm sold the Reaper to CherryRoad Media.¹⁶