Outside his official duties, McCormick began the "Arizona Miner" with a Ramage press he had brought with him. The newspaper's first edition was printed on March 9, 1864, at Fort Whipple and began regular operations in Prescott on June 22, 1864. McCormick's control of the newspaper aided his political career by ensuring he could always receive favorable press coverage. The paper also provided a forum for McCormick to share his thoughts with the people of Arizona. In 1868, following the territorial capital's move to Tucson, McCormick sold his property in Prescott and purchased an interest in the "Weekly Arizonian". His association with the "Arizonian" continued till October 1, 1870, when the paper's editor withdrew support for McCormick. McCormick's response was to repossess the paper's printing press and begin a new newspaper, the "Arizona Citizen", on October 15, 1870.