In the last column, based on a Tribune news article dated Feb. 15, 1944, found by local historical researcher Kevin Savick, we featured 13-year-old James “Jim” Bourne and his monthly newspaper. Now, let’s continue on with this topic about “The Town Talker” based on another Tribune clipping found and contributed by Kevin.

This second Tribune item was the Albert Lea Tommy daily column written by the paper’s editor Burt May and published on March 13, 1944.

Tommy, supposedly the Tribune’s journalistic newsroom cat, had this comment, “The Town Talker has put in its appearance on the streets of Albert Lea once again. This time it contains six pages, seven inches by 4 inches in size. It’s the ninth issue since its establishment — and put in its appearance monthly.”

In the last column I made a guess as to the size of Jim’s newspaper. The size Tommy mentions doesn’t match my concept at all. It would be nice to see a copy of this publication to confirm its actual size.

Based on information in the previous Tribune new article on Feb. 15, 1944, The Town Talker had its first issue in April 1943. Jim didn’t issue the newspaper during the three summer months.

OK, let’s continue on with Burt’s (alias Tommy’s) comments: “Jim, the 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bourne, 512 Park Ave., is the owner, publisher, editor, makeup man, job work man, circulation manager and all-around printer. In other words, he operates a one-man shop at his home, thereby keeping his overhead at an amazingly low figure. …

“The paper caters wholly to home town news and no outside influence – political or otherwise – is tolerated. Undoubtedly believing that he should be loyal to his home town, he takes no outside advertising.

“Proprietor Bourne sells his paper for two cents per copy and disposes of 250 copies a month. Besides his heavy duties at school and in his shop, he is a Boy Scout in Troop 10 at St. Theodore’s Catholic School.”

Right at this point, let me add two more details. First, I don’t like this Mr. and Mrs. foolishness at all. Jim’s mother had a first name and it was Margaret. Second, Jim was an eighth grader at St. Theodore’s Catholic School and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1948..

The Tiger yearbook for 1948 indicates Jim’s earlier journalism accomplishments had a bearing on his student life at Albert Lea High School.

Back in that era the local school system was evidently based on a junior high or middle school being for the seventh, eighth and ninth grades. As a result the high school, according to the yearbook, was based on sophomore (1), junior (2) and senior (3) classes

All this in intended to help emphasize Jim’s high school activities. Thus, his yearbook listing shows: Quill and Scroll, 2,3; Ah La Ha Sa, 2,3; Tiger, 3; Student Council, 2.3; Discussion Club, 3 ;Debate Club, 2.3; Caesar Club, 1; Rifle Club, 2; Tiger’s Roar, 3; Speech Festival, 2,3; Athletic Manager, 1.

I’m assuming the Tiger listing is for the yearbook, and the Tiger’s Roar is for the annual student talent show. I have no idea as to what the Caesar Club was and there’s no indication as to which school team he managed. (Maybe the Caesar Club made salads.)

I do have several requests and questions based on this and the previous column. First, does anyone have a copy of The Town Talker? Second, how long was his neighborhood newspaper published? Third, did Jim Bourne continue on with his journalism activities after high school graduation?

Hopefully, the answers to these questions and an update on the career of James Bourne could be used for a future column or even an article in Lifestyles.

Ed Shannon’s column has been appearing in the Tribune every Friday since December 1984.