CARTHAGE, MO.--- Since 1992, H.J. Johnson has had a voice that was heard by thousands in the community. He's the publisher of the Mornin Mail Newsletter. His column "Just Jake Talking" was very popular and he even had his caricature on the page. He's published his last issue this week.
"I'm not able to spend the time I used to. We used to go to 22 or 24 meetings a month to report on, that'd we'd report on a lot," states Johnson.
The 1st paper was yellow and he put it together in his kitchen. He has saved every issue. The paper was always a hit at the Carthage Senior Center. 80 year old Bill says the news of it ending hit him hard.
"Crumbled. I thought, oh no. I enjoyed it as a weekly, his humor and his news, insights into our lives," states Bill.
The paper was free and available at nearly 100 different locations around town.
"Whenever I'd go into a shop. They usually have a stack and I'd take 1 home with me," says Bill.
Even though the paper was free, that didn't stop people from complaining.
"We changed our crossword form Tuesday to Thursday. Several people commented that their crossword was moved," states Johnson.
Johnson says he'll miss his daily opinion column.
"I guess I'll still have opinions they won't be as wide spread," states Johnson.
Johnson will continue to work at Carthage Printing Service and at the Oldies and Oddities Mall located on the Carthage square. He says you'll have to go there to get his daily opinion.
"I'm not able to spend the time I used to. We used to go to 22 or 24 meetings a month to report on, that'd we'd report on a lot," states Johnson.
The 1st paper was yellow and he put it together in his kitchen. He has saved every issue. The paper was always a hit at the Carthage Senior Center. 80 year old Bill says the news of it ending hit him hard.
"Crumbled. I thought, oh no. I enjoyed it as a weekly, his humor and his news, insights into our lives," states Bill.
The paper was free and available at nearly 100 different locations around town.
"Whenever I'd go into a shop. They usually have a stack and I'd take 1 home with me," says Bill.
Even though the paper was free, that didn't stop people from complaining.
"We changed our crossword form Tuesday to Thursday. Several people commented that their crossword was moved," states Johnson.
Johnson says he'll miss his daily opinion column.
"I guess I'll still have opinions they won't be as wide spread," states Johnson.
Johnson will continue to work at Carthage Printing Service and at the Oldies and Oddities Mall located on the Carthage square. He says you'll have to go there to get his daily opinion.
