When I joined the American Press on a full-time basis in January of 1961, the late-Truman Stacey was editor. Stacey also reviewed music and books and established a bountiful home library of free records and books as a result.

Bill McMahon, a lifelong friend of mine, and I were teachers before 1961 and both of us worked at the newspaper part-time. William McMahon, Bill’s dad, was managing editor and the one who eventually gave me a full-time job.

Ward “Buddy” Threatt was news editor, and I became city editor in 1965. Buddy and I became co-editors after Stacey retired.

Free books and records weren’t the only fringe benefits journalists enjoyed in those days. We had free tickets to places like Astroworld and free travel and hotels on some trips were other bonuses. What we did in return was write stories about all of our experiences.

Journalism cleaned up its ethics act in succeeding years and those freebies are now gone at most newspapers.

Now that I have introduced you to all of the players, here is a column I wrote many years ago:

“I heard a sad story recently and the more I heard it the sadder it got. In fact, I felt so sorry for the fellow telling the story, I’d like to share it with our readers so they, too, can understand the plight of that unlucky soul.

“It all began about a month ago when the publisher (Hugh Shearman) asked Buddy if he had heard that Stacey was going on a three-week tour of Europe sponsored by the American Press.

“We knew about the tour but had no idea Stacey would be going along. Buddy asked me if Stacey had said anything about making the trip. I said he hadn’t but I would find out since I had to check with Stacey about summer vacations.

“I asked Stacey when he was taking his vacation so that I could plan mine and others and avoid having all of us gone at the same time. It was then that I heard the sad story for the first time.

“’Jim,’ Stacey said, ‘I learned Monday night that I was to be tour director for the trip to Europe. I’ll be gone the last three weeks in June.’

“What about your regular three weeks’ vacation? I asked.

“I really hate to take that time off when I’ll be gone so long during June,” he said. However, he quickly added, ‘I probably won’t enjoy myself in Europe having to take care of the needs of some 40 travelers.’

“He did say he wouldn’t schedule his regular vacation until others were arranged. I felt it was extremely considerate of him under the circumstances.

“Things were quiet about the trip for a while until one night reporter Sam Tarleton — who is often talking when he should be listening — asked Stacey what he thought about the trip. I listened again to the tale of woe.

“I’ve been working hard getting ready for the trip,’ Stacey told Tarleton. ‘It’s going to be a pretty tough chore directing things on our swing through Europe.’ He looked so despondent as he related his difficulties.

“I hoped he wouldn’t have to go through the agony of again explaining the tough job he said he faced. However, Stacey brought it up to Bill, a copyreader at the time who hadn’t heard the story, ‘It won’t be easy but I have a feeling I’ll survive,’ he told Bill.

“I overheard the conversation and told Stacey, ‘Spare yourself the details.’

“I didn’t want him to have to torture himself thinking about those magic nights he was going to spend in Rome, London, Paris and other exotic places.

“After our leader left, I thought about him as I sat writing this column. The things he must be going through.

“I felt more downtrodden when I realized that the publisher  had gone to a ball game in Houston with the business manager (Maynard Woodhatch) and shop foreman (Steve Presley). And Buddy was at home soaking up sun and suds in his hammock. Things were quiet with only the cleaning man and I still around.

“Here I was working like a dog.

“I did have one consolation, though. I was spared from having to see Stacey crying all the way to the airplane that took him to Europe.”

Jim Beam, the retired editor of the American Press, has covered people and politics for more than six decades. Contact him at 337-515-8871 or jim.beam.press@gmail.com.

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