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Margaret Cobb Ailshie





EARLY YEARS

Born in in World War I as a member of the Red Cross .

Ailshie went to New York City to help with the Spanish Flu Pandemic and then ran a canteen in France. She returned at the age of 36 in the year 1919. Nine years later her father passed away. Her family lived at 212 W. Idaho Street, where after her father's death she carried on his torch of making Boise a better place.


PUBLISHER OF THE STATESMAN

She was the first woman Publisher for the Idaho Statesman . As publisher of the Statesman she followed the policies provided by her father, Calvin Cobb. Ailshie held the post from 1928-1959 and guided the Newspaper to greater growth.

Ailshie was called a "fearless" publisherCollias, John. "Margaret Cobb Ailshie: Guardian of the Policy". ''Idaho Statesman''. 1964 July 26 p 10. by the Statesman. Loved by her staff, Ailshie became publisher when her father died in 1928.

When Calvin Cobb purchased the paper, it was only a tri-weekly. In 1942 Ailshie led the Statesman to produce an evening paper. Ailshie led the paper to reach a circulation goal of 50,000 for the Sunday editionCollias, John. "Margaret Cobb Ailshie: Guardian of the Policy". ''Idaho Statesman''. 1964 July 26 p 11.. She founded a new site for the Statesman building. At the time it faced Steunenberg park, and surrounded the Ada County courthouse.

The newspaper achieved a daily circulation of 30,000 in the early 1940s under her leadership"Margaret Cobb Ailshie, Statesman Publisher, Dies" ''Idaho Statesman''. 1959 August 27.


OTHER PROJECTS

Her favorite projects were the Julia Davis Park restoration of a Pioneer Village and the construction of Bronco Stadium . The Idaho Statesman provided nearly the entire cost of the stadium.

Ailshie belonged to no clubs in Boise, though she entertained numerous guests at her home from her travels around the globe. She endowed the Margaret Cobb Ailshie Trust which benefited many public institutions over the years.

She closely watched the Harry Orchard case in the assassination of Gov. Frank Steunenberg . Her papers elucidate documentation regarding this historical case including the confession of Harry Orchard.


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