Signing Tour

"Lone Star Historian 2" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas during his second year. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine. In 2013 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by his alma mater, Texas A&M University - Commerce. 

With Sammy Brown Library Director Debbie Godwin

Several months ago I was contacted by Arcadia Publishing, located in Charleston, South Carolina. Acquisitions editors wanted to know if I would produce a book entitled Texas Outlaws. I was immediately attracted, but I pointed out that a book about Texas Outlaws would be about criminals, losers with few redeeming qualities, men on the dodge who left little photographic records. I suggested Texas Gunfighters, which would include Texas Rangers, town marshals, county sheriffs, and other upholders of the law. In addition to peace officers and outlaws, Texas Gunfighters would include blood feuds, as well as the evolution of Sam Colt’s revolving pistols, which took place by Texas Rangers who needed a repeating weapon as they battled mounted Comanche warriors on the frontier. Arcadia approved the project under the title Texas Gunslingers.

My first book, Encyclopedia of Western Gunfighters (University of Oklahoma Press, 1979), established that there were far more shootouts in Texas than in any other state or territory. More gunfighters were from Texas, and more died and were buried in Texas. There were more blood feuds in Texas, across a period of seven decades, beginning with the Regulator-Moderator War of the 1840s. For more than 30 years I’ve explored these events and people in a variety of books and articles. I’ve presented many programs through the years, and perhaps my most popular program as State Historian is “Gunfighterology,” presented with array of replica weapons and gun rigs.

Texas Gunslingers is my fifth title for Arcadia. I’ve put together two community books, the type of book that comprises the majority of Arcadia’s 9,000 titles. But increasingly Arcadia has turned to subject books which, like all other titles, rely upon 200 or so photos as a major element of telling the story of the community or subject. I’ve been permitted to utilize the Arcadia treatment on three favorite Texas history subjects: East Texas in World War II (2010); West Texas Cattle Kingdoms (2013); and now Texas Gunslingers (2014).

Karon at the entrance of the Scurry County Museum

At the beginning of the project I already possessed a majority of the images I needed, assembled for previous books and articles I had written. The theme of the book is that Texas was the gunfighter capital of the Old West. Nothing is more dramatic than life and death conflict, and when those conflicts take place in frontier settings, between men in big hats and boots wielding Colt revolvers and Winchesters, a special appeal is generated.

Texas Gunslingers was released the second week in December. But it was discovered that pre-orders greatly exceeded the first printing, and Arcadia scrambled to assemble a second printing. Of course, the timing of the release was perfect: A profusely illustrated book on a popular subject for just $21.99 – an ideal stocking stuffer!

My wife Karon and I embarked on a week of pre-Christmas programs and signings, beginning on Monday, December 15 at the Sammy Brown Library in Carthage. There had been excellent publicity, including interviews over KGAS Radio and lengthy PR pieces with color photos in the Panola Watchman. Head Librarian Debbie Godwin also flooded her website, and a banner crowd was the result. I signed non-stop for more than two hours, and many sales were of other titles of mine we had on display. Of course, like any author I’m convinced that books make the best gifts!

Before Monday afternoon ended, Karon and I were driving toward West Texas. By mid-day Tuesday we were in Snyder, and we reported to the Scurry County Museum on the campus of West Texas College. Museum Director Daniel Schlegel had arranged an evening program and signing, not only of Texas Gunslingers but also of The Johnson-Sims Feud and other titles he keeps in the museum gift shop. The last old-fashioned blood feud in Texas, the Johnson-Sims conflict, erupted on the Snyder Square on December 16, 1916. Several months ago Daniel arranged an anniversary program event with me, and several weeks ago he added a book signing activity. (Daniel also set up an exciting afternoon field trip, which I’ll describe in a future blog.) Daniel secured newspaper, radio, and electronic publicity, and we enjoyed a fine, responsive crowd.

With Rosa Latimer at Ruby Lane Books (below)

The following day, Wednesday, we drove to Post, where Rosa Latimer has established an independent book store, Ruby Lane Books. Without any prior experience in the book business, Rosa bought a two-story building on Post’s main street. She opened a book store downstairs and lives upstairs. The store is warm and intimate, and Rosa arranges pleasant book events. She provided a light lunch, and I enjoyed seeing old friends while signing a large number of books.

We were back in Carthage by mid-day Thursday. Several people came to the house to acquire inscribed books as Christmas gifts. On Friday I spoke to a noon meeting of the Carthage Rotary Club, describing the new book. That afternoon Karon and I made a two-hour drive to Winnsboro, where we had been invited to have a signing at the Gilbreath Memorial Library. (It was my third appearance in Winnsboro since February, and I intend to discuss the two most recent events in my next blog). Karon and I returned to Carthage on Saturday afternoon, and I happily signed books for last-minute shoppers through Christmas Eve.








For more information:
www.sammybrown.org
http://scurrycountymuseum.org
rubylanebooks.com
http://www.winnsborolibrary.org

Gilbreath Memorial Library in Winnsboro

With Library Director Pam Dumse

Dallas Activities

"Lone Star Historian 2" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas during his second year. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine. In 2013 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by his alma mater, Texas A&M University - Commerce. 

Class of 2014

With, L to R: Dr. Adolfo Benavides, Dr. Dan Jones,
Dr. Alex Williams, and Dr. Mario Hayek

On Thursday evening, December 11, I was privileged to present the commencement address at graduation exercises of Texas A&M University – Commerce at the Universities Center of Dallas (UCD). The UCD, established in 1994, was the first Multi-Institution Teaching Center (MITC) for higher education in Texas. The UCD provides access to public higher education at the upper division and graduate levels to citizens who live, work, and find it convenient to take courses in downtown Dallas. Several area universities have offered courses at UCD through the years, and after opening with 23 students in the summer of 1994, during the fall of 2014 enrollment has swelled to 1,300 students. The majority of students take courses from Texas A&M – Commerce, and the commencement last week celebrated 26 TAMUC graduates, 23 of whom earned graduate degrees. 

With Dr. Benavides and Dr. Berri O'Neal

With Araceli Cadena, UCD Director of
Marketing and Recruitment who has
just received her MBA

UCD is currently located in the former Titche’s department store building, a legendary Dallas structure. The commencement was held in the spacious, handsome lobby. A standing-room-only crowd of 250 assembled for the ceremony. The stage was beautifully decorated, and a delicious catered buffet was available after the ceremony. My daughter, Dr. Berri O’Neal, serves as Executive Director of UCD, and she presided over the ceremony. 

Dr. Dan R. Jones, President of TAMUC, offered greetings to the audience, and later presented the degrees. Dr. Jones was assisted by Dr. Adolfo Benavides, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. My remarks focused upon the deep connection between Dallas and the state-supported institution at Commerce, going back decades to East Texas State Teachers College. The evening featured the happiness and dignity worthy of a university commencement. A special pleasure for me was the presence of my brother, Mike O’Neal, who drove in unexpectedly from his office in Carrollton. 

With Paul Epstein

L to R: Paul, Tim, and Bill

The following morning Karon and I drove to Ludus Studios, west of downtown Dallas. I had been contacted by Nevena Bentler of Castle Pictures in New York City, regarding their syndicated series, Gunslingers. A few months earlier six one-hour episodes of Gunslingers aired, focusing upon Wild Bill Hickok, Billy the Kid, Jesse James, and other noted Western gunmen. Gunslingers is an excellent series with quality production values, and I was flattered to receive an invitiation to be interviewed on-camera for the next series of episodes. I’ve appeared on a few of these programs in past years, but I’m especially excited about Gunslingers. (By coincidence, my latest book, Texas Gunslingers, was released by Arcadia Publications the following week.) Producer Paul Epstein conducted a four-hour interview, which was taped by Tim Metzger, who recently was nominated for an Emmy in cinematography. 

During the next two days, “GrandKaron” and I enjoyed early Christmases in the homes of daughters Berri O’Neal Gormley and Lynn O’Neal Martinez. We had a grand time with Berri (and her three little children) and Lynn (and her two daughters). After Christmasing with daughters, sons-in-law, and five grandchildren, we left the Dallas area to pack up for a week of book signings and related programs (which will be the subject of the next blog). On the way home we had Christmas with another daughter, Dr. Shellie O’Neal, in Corsicana, where she is the head of the drama department at Navarro College. Karon and I drove into Corsicana at night, and as we proceeded down the town’s main thoroughfare – Beaton Street – we enjoyed brilliant lighting and a towering Christmas tree in the middle of a major intersection. Indeed, we had seen fine Christmas decorations throughout our trip. And a couple of days after Christmas our entire family will be at the Van Alstyne home of our youngest daughter, Causby O’Neal Henderson. Causby and Dusty’s youngest daughter, Kendall, will have her eighth birthday on Saturday, and she will be baptized on Sunday. It will be a wonderful close to the Christmas season. 
                                              
                                       MERRY CHRISTMAS, TEXAS!

For more information: 
www.ucddowntown.org

www.castlepix.com  

Corsicana's towering street tree

GrandKaron and Nolan Gormley

Granddaddy and Reagan Gormley

Larry McNeill

"Lone Star Historian 2" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas during his second year. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine. In 2013 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by his alma mater, Texas A&M University - Commerce. 

Tenaha Depot

1925 Tenaha championship basketball team

Old First Methodist Church

Dave McNeill Sr. and Jr. in front of drug store

Larry McNeill is a prominent Austin attorney whose long service to the Texas State Historical Association included a term as president in 2005-6. A major goal of President McNeill was to establish the office of State Historian of Texas. Utilizing his contacts and legal expertise, Larry maneuvered a bill through the Legislature which created a Texas State Historian. A key element in the statute was that the State Historian would be sworn in at the State Capitol, hopefully by the Governor. There are about 3,500 state appointees in a given year, and most swear and sign the oath of office before a notary public and mail it into the Texas Secretary of State. Thus the swearing-in ceremony for the State Historian at the Capitol was a special element inserted by Larry into the statute. The State Historian enjoys a two-year term. 

Drug store interior

Larry was raised and schooled in Houston, where his father, Dave McNeill, Jr., was an attorney. But Larry’s parents, Dave and Lois Parker McNeill, both grew up in Tenaha in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Founded as a railroad town in 1885, Tenaha was named after Tenehaw Municipality, which became Shelby County. Within a decade of its founding, Tenaha boasted a population of nearly 700, a score of businesses, three churches, and a school. During the 20^th century Larry’s paternal grandfather, Dave McNeill, Sr., owned and operated a drug store in a long brick building on the east side of the town square. As mayor of Tenaha, in 1942 McNeill was responsible for the installation of the city water system. In the rear of the drug store, Dr. James M. Parker operated his medical office. Two blocks south of the square, the McNeills and the Parkers lived in Victorian houses across Center Street from each other. 

Dave McNeill, Sr., in his buggy

Dr. James Parker

Larry and his older brother Dave spent more than half of each summer in Tenaha. Larry attended movies at the Queen Theater, two doors north of the drug store. Summer visits also included trips to the farm properties owned by the two families. Larry became steeped in the family lore in and around Tenaha, and fascinated by the history of the little town. 

Dave and Frances McNeill

Anna Baldwin Parker

The population of Tenaha stabilized at just over 1,000 and a modern school plant has been built. But like so many other small towns, Tenaha’s business section has dwindled and deteriorated. The Queen Theater and the other two commercial buildings north of the McNeill drug store have been razed, and three decades ago the handsome Parker home, built in 1905, was destroyed by fire.

Larry's parents -
Dave and Lois McNeill

But Larry McNeill has done his part to maintain the heritage of Tenaha, home town of his parents, both sets of grandparents, and numerous other ancestors. The old drug store, long vacant, has been restored during the past year by Larry. Advertising signs from the 1930s and 1940s prime of the business have been applied to windows. Amid a deteriorating downtown square, the old drug store looks ready for business. Three decade ago Larry’s mother renovated the 1903 McNeill home, shortly after the 1905 Parker home burned. Larry recently donated land north of the drug store that will become part of a downtown city park. 

One of Tex Ritter's biggest hits -
"Tenaha, Timpson, Bobo and Blair"

Larry and I climbed into his four-wheel drive vehicle to tour the wooded parcels of family land that he now owns or partially owns. It was a terrific field trip through rugged countryside that includes spring-fed Parker Lake. On one of his parcels, several miles outside Tenaha, Larry and his wife Rose are building a hilltop retirement home, to be called “MacRose.” The house has been framed, and so has the library, a separate two-story facility which will house Larry’s vast book collection, as well as a large office. A dumb waiter will hoist books up or down, and there will be a reading area on the second floor. This library will excite envy among book-lovers, and Larry – who is in the process of closing out his Austin law practice – is eager to re-settle the region of his family heritage. 

Larry at the 1903 McNeill home

Larry's Library

Larry on the second floor of his
library  for the first time

Bill at Parker Lake

Larry at the restored drug store