The Fort Smith Times began publishing in December 1884 as an afternoon newspaper.

The Fort Smith News Record, established in the spring of 1893, was also an afternoon publication.

In 1920, boyhood friends John S. Parks and George D. Carney purchased the Fort Smith Times Record, and in 1923, they also bought the American.

They continued to publish the American in the morning and the Times Record in the evening, maintaining separate editorial staff.

His purchase of the Times Record and American marked the start of the Donrey Media Group.