Newspaper Published Works
His writing found its way into print, more than once
Beyond these pages, John’s stories found an audience in print. He was published more than once in the Vienna Times, his hometown paper, and in the Alton Telegraph. Below is a letter he wrote to the Vienna Times in 2020, working out with the publisher which stories to run and in what order — along with his own notes on which of his stories he loved most. As scans of the actual printed pieces surface, they’ll be added below.
Transcript
June 27, 2020
Mr. Lonnie J. Hinton, Publisher, Vienna Times, 305 E. Main Street, Vienna, IL 62995
Dear Mr. Hinton,
Meeting you and discussing the times we are in was enjoyable. Thank you very much for your time and information. It was more than expected and filled me in on a number of things I was seeking.
I went south on Locust and saw the neighborhood of the Hill I recalled in my years in the area. I have an image of the homes there in 1956. I also stopped at the high school and a pleasant lady helped me with questions I had about my black classmates.
Albert Shaviss was a year ahead of me and was to graduate in 1957. Olivia Worlds was a year behind and would have graduated in 1959. Virginia Shaviss was in my class along with Martha Kelley and would have graduated in 1958. Because of the murder and uprising and dangerous rioting and hate of blacks they didn’t finish their high school education. I never saw them after the murder and have not heard any word of them since. That is my reasons to search for records and perhaps write about the times in Vienna.
The murder happened in the fall of 1956 or spring of 1957. I’ll get the date right when I do more research.
As a mention, Brady Radcliff is a great granddaughter of Don Brady. I asked that she be told that I wished her a good day and my friendship with her name sake GGG Father.
I have included stories and a suggested order of publishing them. Of course that is up to you and I have confidence of what works for Vienna readers.
His notes on which stories to run:
I suggest the short stories of Don Brady to be first as his funeral will be held in August. The other stories are not connected with a timing need. The Brady stories are short and may be used in twos. They are meant to be about my friendship with him, but know he was a friend of everyone in Vienna. They are not meant as a eulogy.
I particularly like stories when I was a very young boy in Tunnel Hill. I have no favorites. I like the cow in the loft. I also like Betram and the dragon. They are about developing minds and interests of boys. I suggest they follow Brady’s stories.
The very short story of Harriet Tubman and poem was fun for me and true. She was important to improving the plight of blacks and slaves. Cassias Clay was a study. I wasn’t his biggest supporter and followed his career which turned out to be an inspiration for his race and advancement to being recognized for achievements by believing in you.
Lonnie (I hope we are past being formal) any format you wish with any of my writings is OK with me.
I know the information sent is more than a little. Hopefully you are a speed reader and a good critic and can cut to the chase. Thanks.
John
One of my favorite stories was named Betram and the Dragon. It was when I was 8 years old. Another was My Dog Jiggs Got Run Over by a Truck. I wrote a story about watching the moon landing in 1969. I watched TV when America was attacked on 9/11/02 and wrote a story. John Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy were my heroes and I wrote about both on the day they were assassinated. I wrote about what happened in my home town of Tunnel Hill, Illinois the day WWII ended in 1945. I wrote about the day my son, Shan, was born – 2/3/1973.
Published clippings
Scans of the actual printed newspaper pieces will appear here as they turn up in later batches.