I moved to Ruston in the summer of 1981, just out of college. Completely wet behind the ears, but eager to learn the craft of journalism. Little did I know Id landed in the midst of some of the best journalists north Louisiana would ever see. Among the first people I met as bureau chief of the Monroe News-Star was Wiley Hilburn, the legendary columnist for the Monroe and Shreveport papers and the head of Louisianas Techs storied journalism program. The second remarkable journalist I met was John Hays, the publisher, editor and paperboy of the weekly, Morning Paper. Johns office wasnt far from mine, so Id often find myself hanging out with he and his wife and co-editor, Susan. Some nights, Id accompany John on his paper route, helping him toss papers as we drove around Ruston. Wiley and John taught me so much about journalism, all on a very granular level. I watched and observed them both, and was honored that they paid me any attention at all. Wiley died earlier this year. And John died this morning. Tom Aswell knew John as well as anyone and his tribute to this remarkable journalist is well worth reading. Even so, it cant completely communicate what a complete iconoclast John was. He was unlike anyone Ive ever known in journalism. Odd? Yes. Crazy? Maybe. Fearless? Probably. Courageous? Without a doubt. Louisiana journalism wont see someone like him again.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 01:23:15 +0000
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