Childhood Dreams

The following picture is taken from Calkins (1924):

As noted previously, Calkins was an ardent reader as a child; he viewed reading not as a means to an end, but as a stepping-stone to additional learning (Calkins, 1924). When Calkins was 12, his family moved to a larger home. They maintained their former residence, however, and rented it to a printer. His sudden departure one day resulted in Calkins' inheritance of a primitive press (Calkins, 1924). With it, Calkins erected a makeshift print shop that fulfilled his desire to become a printer and publisher (Kaul, 1994). Specifically, he aimed to print books and publish periodicals (Calkins, 1924). Calkins sharpened his printing ability through reading manuals such as The Harper Establishment as well as by trial and error. In 1880, he succeeded in setting up and imposing a page of the science-related, educational, The Young Naturalist (Calkins, 1924). However, enthusiasm for the power of the press dwindled with the responsibilities associated with school, and a sudden lack of curiosity in the wonders of science (Calkins, 1924).

During that period in history, the National Amateur Press Association was born; boys around the nation were exchanging short papers that they edited and published. In Calkins' Amateur Journalism, he praised the virtues of this interest that had captured the attention of boys for over one hundred years (Calkins, 1941). In addition, he compared the fervor with which American youth pursued this hobby to the same enthusiasm that spurred the introduction of the amateur, home-made radio the following generation (Calkins, 1941). In terms of format, he described the works as four and eight page newspapers. However, he acknowledged that the typical monthly release and inclusion of editorial material, such as poems or essays written by the editor or other sources, might warrant reclassification from "newspaper" to "magazine" (Calkins, 1941). Many papers never exceeded the first volume due to lack of finances or interest. But, a small number did advance to a second volume and progressed with the boy's age from newspaper to professional sheet (Calkins, 1941). With regard to backing, many parents supported their children's efforts both emotionally and financially (Calkins, 1941).

Calkins mentions a talented classmate at his public school, Charles Ferris Gettemy, the great-grandson of one of the men credited with founding Galesburg as well as Knox College. Gettemy released the manuscript, The Boy, monthly in his own handwriting; his work received much approbation from a Chicago newspaper. With Calkins' press, they joined efforts to edit and publish The Illinois Globe. Their sheets were marked by the adage, "The Pen Is Mightier than the Sword" (Calkins, 1941). The following representation of The Illinois Globe is taken from Calkins (1924). It consisted of four 5 x 8 inch pages containing two columns of print (Calkins, 1941):

Ultimately, Calkins' preference for printing over editing resulted in the dissolution of their partnership, at which time Gettemy engaged a group of classmates in the production of The Young Naturalist (Calkins, 1941). Calkins considered Gettemy's successful career a testament to the discipline one attains from early experience with editing and publishing. Gettemy's many titles included that of Washington correspondent for the Boston Advertiser, political reporter for the Boston Herald, writer of several books on municipal government, and assistant Federal Reserve officer for the Boston District (Calkins, 1941).

Finally, Calkins quotes the words of a sixteen/seventeen year old Gettemy describing a meeting of the State APA in the summer of 1885:

"Amateur journalism is the development of an idea whose primary conception was solely amusement, but which finally became an institution of learning. It represents a cast (?) literary society of progressive youth, and offers to any young person a medium through which a splendid education may be derived."

At that time approximately 300 amateur journalists existed in the United States. The largest union was that of the National Amateur Press Association, followed by a multitude of sectional and State associations (Calkins, 1941).

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