Behind
the Headlines: John Pulliam
By Karen
S. Lynch
Staff
Writer
The
Zephyr, Galesburg
Nov. 14, 2007
Sitting in a conference room inside
The Register-Mail, I pulled a
digital recorder from my briefcase and started recording what promised to be an
interesting interview. A list of prepared questions sat on top a notepad in
case the brain neurons that collect information should short circuit. I was unusually
nervous, about to interview a man I wished to emulate.
The south wall of the dual-purpose room,
punctuated by a row of glass windows, overlooks the newspaper presses. The room
reverberated with high-pitched whining noises and buzzers. The two-story
presses were pulling giant rolls of paper over metal rollers to marry paper to soy
ink impressions, spitting out a folded newspaper. The process is fascinating to
watch. Trying to project my dysphonic voice over the distracting drone of noise
was a challenge.
The interview with newspaper
journalist, John Pulliam began as a journalism class assignment. The first e-mail
interview with Pulliam intrigued my interest in some of the stories he had to
tell. The following week, I made a request for a ÒrealÓ interview outside of
class.
To my knowledge, a feature
interview between two journalists from different newspapers in the same
community is a rare opportunity. To my surprise, we received the approval of
both our respective editors for the unusual interview. This article breaks
several ÒrulesÓ of traditional journalism, written in first person as a
narrative comparison between two journalists—one a journalism student,
the other a seasoned and respected journalist.
As a broadcast graduate, Pulliam began
his career at a Galesburg radio station. Beginning in journalism at age 34, Pulliam
said he originally took an interest in journalism in high school. ÒI always
felt like journalism was a way to make a difference in the world. Putting a
spotlight on problems and hoping I could write stories that would make
governmental bodies address those problems. I love to write but always looked
at it as a way to help people.Ó That seems to be PulliamÕs style although, he
joked in the early years he didnÕt know he had a style. ÒI canÕt become an
aggressive, in-your-face type of reporter. ThatÕs not the type of person I am.Ó
Pulliam worked as a correspondent
for the Peoria Journal Star about four
and one-half years before joining the journalistic team of The Register-Mail in 1992, covering the police and court beat for two years. He became a
city editor in 1994. Due to some health issues, Pulliam requested a change to senior
reporter in 2003, before recently assuming his current position as business
editor.
For Pulliam, rapport appears to come
easy. When asked about a memorable interview, Pulliam said, ÒFrom a personal
and professional standpoint, the connection I made with the brother and sister
of Josh Steele of North Henderson, killed in Kuwait, was important to me.Ó
A statement issued by JoshÕs
father, an attorney in Alpha, gave some basic information about Capt. Joshua E.
Steele. The family wished to grieve privately by issuing basic information on
Steele.
ÒI was told no one from the
family would talk to the media. Knowing the family would be screening its
calls, I left a message. This was completely sincere. It was more about
expressing my sadness for them about JoshÕs death than a request for an interview.
I did make that request but I honestly felt there was no chance I would be
granted an interview. In this case, I was okay with that.Ó
Pulliam offered the family an
opportunity to talk about Josh, ÒTo let people who did not know him, a chance
to know Josh as more than a statistic.Ó Pulliam said he honestly did not expect
them to call him back. SteeleÕs brother, Stephen and sister, Gina did return
the call and offered to talk about their brother, sharing some fond memories.
ÒThey told me I was the only media member who left a message that was
respectful and sincere, which is why they talked to me.Ó
Pulliam said covering four
military funerals is one of the hardest things he has ever had to do. Covering
the funerals of Kyle Wehrly, Gary Rovinski, Daniel Miller, and Joshua Steele
all deeply affected Pulliam. He said approaching the families is difficult but
it is just as difficult to speak with people or friends who knew them. ÒWe try
to put a real face on the person to not only let people know what they are like
but it is also kind of a tribute.Ó
Marcy Gorsline, mother of Caleb
Lufkin, came to the newspaper to talk to Pulliam, Gorsline thanked Pulliam for
his support while her son, Caleb was under treatment at Walter Reed Hospital
for injuries he received in Iraq and to thank the newspaper for their coverage.
ÒThat one hit me so hard because it never occurred to me he wouldnÕt make it.
In fact I wrote to him that I was really looking forward to meeting him when he
returned home.Ó
Pulliam and I each shared our
difficult experiences covering the impact of the wars in our area. Images I captured
with my camera burned forever into my brain were moving moments. Seeing proud
Americans stand quietly along the roadsides, holding flags and signs, often lit
only by candles for the late night processions of our local fallen heroes.
When family friend Caleb Lufkin died, attending the following
funerals became more difficult. Writing about my eyewitness experience was
difficult, something an experienced journalist avoids because it is hard to
maintain objectivity. That story was as unique as this one. As an editor,
Pulliam would tell me to Òstay out of the story.Ó That is difficult when you
are part of that story, explaining how one journalist came to interview another
Despite trying to maintain journalistic objectivity, few people are aware how
involved a journalist can become with the people they cover in a news story.
One of PulliamÕs most memorable
interviews was one he did with Galesburg High School teacher and metal
sculpture artist, Jimmy Crown, who was very ill with cancer. Pulliam said Crown
had an intercom on his door because he was spending much of his time in bed.
ÒThat day, not only did he talk
to me but he got up and took me out to show me his studio. From an emotional
standpoint, I think that is something I will never forget. Realizing what he
was going through to even talk to me, let alone show me some of the work he had
done.Ó
Another interview Pulliam fondly
remembered, in his own words, ÒFrom a standpoint of, wow, am I ever glad I got
to talk to this person!Ó was Harrison Schmitt, reported to be the last person
to walk on the moon. Schmitt spoke with Pulliam at the old Holiday Inn on North
Henderson Street during an Admiral Retirees Club annual dinner event.
Pulliam said he was heading out to dinner with his wife when
he received a phone call from his editor telling him if he could arrive within
30 minutes, he could interview Schmitt. ÒTo talk to someone who had walked on
the face of the moon in person was quite an interesting experience. To ask him
what that was like and to know he was giving me first-hand answers, knowing he
had actually been there. That was interesting.Ó
A tough interview for Pulliam was one with Carmen Vienna, Wittek CEO. When
Pulliam arrived at the hose clamp manufacturing facility, he found Vienna in
one of her infamous fur coats, sitting in her dark office. A single window gave
Pulliam just enough light to do an interview.
ÒIllinois Power had cut off their
power and the receptionist was wearing mittens. At that point, everyone knew
the wheels had come off. Trying to get answers from her as to what had happened
and how the company had reached that point, as well as the condition of the
interview – It was memorable!Ó
Establishing rapport is not
always easy, according to Pulliam. ÒBoth company and union officials are tough
to talk to when a strike is under way. Sometimes you establish the rapport you
need, sometimes you donÕt. Politicians suspected of some sort of malfeasance
are also tough.Ó
Pulliam is strong on ethics, saying
he always protects his sources. ÒIf the next person I call asks me who told me
the information, IÕm never going to burn my source.Ó While admitting he does
little investigative reporting, Pulliam has a natural talent for getting the
facts in his own unique manner. Pulliam said there are different ways to obtain
information. ÒI have a job to do but I have to stay true to the kind of person
I am.Ó
Pulliam shared his journalism
definition, ÒA journalist is a person who writes a journal of what is going on.
They are the story, not me. I try to let them have their say. An editorial is
the place for the opinion of the writer.Ó
In four short sentences, John
Pulliam summed up several chapters from my journalism textbook. More
importantly, Pulliam made me think about how I look at a story I am writing. I
was unable to stay out of the story of John Pulliam – his experiences are
too intriguing. We found we had a lot in common, both in our attitudes towards
journalism but also discovered we had some personal connections. I was
surprised to learn Pulliam married one of my best friends from Knoxville High
School.
To be quite honest, I wish I
could compare my style of writing to PulliamÕs, but then I have always set my
goals very high. This story is one I can honestly say, ÒWow, am I ever glad I
got to speak to this person!Ó