Publishers of amateur newspapers devoted a significant amount of their limited space to critiquing other amateur papers — sometimes constructively, but often not. Two amateur publishers from Dassel, Minnesota, Allison C. Brokaw and Reno L. Hayford, grew tired of the critical nature of amateur journalism and wanted publishers to focus their efforts on literary pursuits.
In April 1897, they published the first issue of Roasts (Catalog Record), an amateur newspaper that promised to print only “honest criticisms.” They wrote, “‘roasts’ are becoming so numerous as to appear in nearly every single representative of the cause. This should not be so and our idea is to publish monthly this paper, wherein any and all amateurs may rid themselves of those noxious sentiments that they would otherwise present through the medium of papers perporting [sic] to be of a high literary standard.”
Embracing the food-themed title, the publisher’s advertised the paper as “with selected French dressing” and “served well done.” Brokaw and Hayford styled themselves as “chefs” rather than publishers, emphasizing the satirical spirit of their paper.
Both Hayford and Brokaw turned their amateur journalism hobby into careers. Hayford worked as an editor and reporter for several Minnesota papers while Brokaw worked for the Minneapolis Tribune for seventeen years before becoming the advertising director at a telephone company.
The American Antiquarian Society’s April 1897 issue of volume 1, number 1, is the only known copy of Roasts. Given the often-fleeting nature of amateur newspapers, it’s possible that this first issue was the only one ever published. Let’s hope that more will be discovered, and we’ll get a “taste” of the promised roasts!