Dallas author Rusty Williams is speaking on May 6 at the Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum in Greenville. He’ll talk about “how Texans gained a reputation for being oversized, cocky, self-promotional, sports-crazy, and too rich for their own damn good.”
From his book recently released by Roman & Littlefield, Texas Loud, Proud, and Brash — How Ten Mavericks Created the Twentieth-Century Lone Star State he introduces 10 unique Texans — Greenville-born Audie Murphy among them — he credits with changing the state’s reputation beginning in the 1920s.
“In 1925, most non-Texans wrote off the state as little more than cactus, cattle, and cowboys,” Williams says. “By 1950, Life Magazine (among others) was dedicating multi-page spreads to Texas sports teams, Texas women, Texas oil millionaires, and the locals who bragged about everything Texan.”
His 10 unique Texans include Boyce House, Tom Hickman, Mildred “Babe” Didrikson, Bob Thornton, Amon Carter, Sam Baugh, Stanley Marcus, Enid Justin, Audie Murphy, and Glenn McCarthy.
“Through their accomplishments, actions, and words (they) gained national attention between 1925 and 1950. These individuals painted an indelible picture of the Lone Star State that continues to percolate throughout the nation’s popular culture today.”
The book promises fascinating stories of these mavericks and how they branded the Lone Star State with its lasting reputation for being loud, proud, and brash.
The museum luncheon lecture event is free. Contact the museum at (903) 450-4502 for details and visit www.CottonMuseum.com.
