FRONTIER TIMES MUSEUM ANNOUNCES
TEXAS HEROES HALL OF HONOR
The history of Bandera’s own Frontier Times Museum is a story of one man’s dream that has become a legacy for an entire community. The Frontier Times Museum has often been referred to as the “jewel” of Bandera. How fortunate we are to have such a “jewel”.
The FRONTIER TIMES MUSEUM was established by J. Marvin Hunter, author and publisher of the world famous Frontier Times magazine. Now, 76 years since its opening, the Frontier Times Museum, in keeping with the pioneering spirit of its founder, has established the FRONTIER TIMES TEXAS HEROES HALL OF HONOR, to recognize the contributions of REMARKABLE INDIVIDUALS AND WONDEROUS CHARACTERS who, through their leadership, creativity, example and hard work, keep the pioneer spirit alive and HELP KEEP TEXAS, TEXAN. The second annual inductions into the FRONTIER TIMES TEXAS HEROES HALL OF HONOR will be held in conjunction with the NATIONAL DAY of the AMERICAN COWBOY, July 23th, 2011, at high noon the Bandera County Court House Lawn in Bandera, Texas, the Cowboy Capitol of the World.
2011 Inductees
POSTHUMOUSLY,
COY HERMAN “TOOTS” MANSFIELD - grew up on his family ranch on the site of Mansfield Park. “I remember his mother calling him ‘Coy Herman’ and that was when she’d be calling him home from the rodeo arena,” says niece, Barbara Mazurek. “He got his Christian name from the initials of his father.” Hi father, C.H. Mansfield, died when Toots was young, but uncles Dudley and Ed and his brother, Rhea, were early influences as he honed the techniques that made him a champion. He credited Juan and Tony Salinas of Encinal, Texas with teaching him the subtleties of calf roping that took him to the seven world championships he earned between 1939 and 1950.
Toots went on to accumulate more awards, honors, saddles and buckles than any other professional tie-down calf roper. His signature “loop of victory” and the distinctive way he threw up his hands to signal a tie-down are synonymous with his skill and celebrity. Widely acknowledged as the best roper who ever lived, Toots responded, “It’s not hard. You just throw up your hands and go down and get your money.”
In addition to his many honors and being inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1981, he also served as President of the Rodeo Cowboys of America and established the first successful rodeo school for aspiring young ropers in the mid 1950s. Barbara Mazurek, says, “He was such a kind man and this honor would have meant so much to him. He always said, ‘I may have lived in Big Spring, but I never forgot I came from Bandera.' ”
RICHARD S. “KINKY” FRIEDMAN - has been called “The Governor of The Heart of Texas”. The sometime politician is known for his sardonic and lyrical music, some of which is currently being recorded by his friend and chess partner, Willie Nelson, as well as for his books of satirical humor like Texas Hold’Em, What Would Kinky Do and the more serious Heroes of My Texas Childhood. He is also known for his series of mystery stories in which many of his friends, as well as Kinky himself, appear in thinly veiled characterizations.
His unique musical leanings were showcased in his band, The Texas Jewboys, during the early 1970s. He has appeared at the Grand Ole Opry twice and was invited as featured speaker for the ‘Pen Warmed up in Hell Lecture Series’ hosted by the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, an honor reserved for those who best represent the legacy of Mark Twain’s work as a social critic. In 2009, he was inducted into the Bandera Music Hall of Fame as that year’s Living Legend.
Born in Chicago, Kinky got to Texas as soon as he could when he moved here with his parents in 1952. He continues to live on his family’s ranch in Bandera County. An author of 27 books, with numerous CDs to his credit, a couple of political runs under his belt and a cigar company established in 2007, Kinky Friedman’s personal ‘pet project’ for over 10 years has been the no-kill animal shelter, Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, of which he is the founder. The non-profit rescue organization takes in and cares for stray, abused, homeless or aging animals while working to find them a permanent home.
LOUIS PEARCE – A true Texan whose storied history as rancher, cattle breeder, horseman, businessman and over sixty years service with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo more than qualifies his inclusion in the “Texas Heroes Hall of Honor”.
In 1938, Pearce bought his first bull for the family ranch in Brazoria. Young Louis exhibited cattle and cutting horses, crediting a prize horse with bringing him to the attention of what was then called the Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition. After World War II, he went to work in the family business, Texas Iron Works (currently known as TWI Corp.), later becoming president of Waukesha-Pearce Industries in 1947, an offshoot of TWI. But the businessman never lost his Texas cowboy roots. In 1947, he joined the horse show committee in Houston. Pearce calls his association with the event, “A labor of love for me.”
During his tenure, he has seen the Fat Stock Show grow into The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, helped facilitate the move to the Houston Astrodome, served as chairman of the horse show for 16 years, President of the Livestock Show and Rodeo from 1967 through 1969, brought in Elvis Presley and later George Strait to boost revenues and in the process aided in providing millions of dollars in scholarships for Texas youth. He continues on the board of directors and with the executive committee. The late artist, Jim Reno, modeled the cowboy in the bronze sculpture displayed in front of the Astrodome after Louis Pearce.
He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1998, the National Cutting Horse Hall of Fame and the Texas Cowboys Hall of Fame. He continues to take great pride in the fine herd of Brangus cattle on his ranches in Atascosa and Maverick Counties. “When it’s all said and done,“ Pearce says, “I want to be remembered as a cowboy.”
WYMAN MEINZER - Wyman Meinzer’s inborn love for his home state of Texas and for capturing its unique beauty, began on the 27,000 acre League Ranch on the rolling plains of Texas where he was raised. His uniquely spectacular photography has translated into 22 books and over 250 magazine cover credits. The Smithsonian, National Geographic, Time, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, Audubon, Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Highways, BBC Wildlife and many other publications have featured his work.
“I love everything about Texas,” Meinzer enthuses, “and I want to applaud all that defines Texas through my work.” When he began photographing in the late ‘70’s he worked on film and although he now works with digital photography he expresses displeasure with the common practice of photo-shopping to create the effects he captures by “chasing the light.”
“My theme of intent,” he says, “is to be on site at the greatest light.” It is a theme that finds him “chasing the light” from sunrise to sunset, from one end of the state to another. He began recording images of his home area in the rolling plains because, “The Texas plains region was largely unexplored until I started” filming there. He frequently shares his knowledge and techniques in workshops where he enjoys giving personalized attention in small, intimate groups of students.
In 1997, then Governor George W. Bush, in the 75th Legislature, recognized Wyman Meinzer as the only “Official Photographer of The State Of Texas”. Of his awards and his induction into the Frontier Times Texas Hall of Heroes, Wyman says, “I never thought of or planned on an honor like this. It’s beyond my wildest dreams and I just want to thank all who admire my work and I hope to continue to define and celebrate the great state of Texas and its people through my photography.”
MATHIAS EDWARD “SCOOTER” FRIES - “Scooter” Fries is not only one of the most titled cowboys in Bandera, he is one of the best known and recognized. Scooter was a true child prodigy in the world of rodeo calf roping. From the tender age of five, under the tutelage of his Uncle Bennie Adamietz on whose U Bar Ranch he was born, Scooter was roping and catching calves. By the time he was eight years old he was giving roping demonstrations not only at home at Mansfield Park in Bandera, but in San Antonio and other South Texas cities.
In 1948, Governor Coke Stevenson presented 15 year old Scooter Fries with his first state championship as a youth roper. That title was followed by three others, a national championship and reserve championship and even a championship in steer wrestling.
He gives credit to Felix Billings for “helping me a lot” and says, “Uncle Ed Mansfield, he let us use the rodeo arena at Mansfield Park every day for practice.” Continuing his list of “thank yous”, he says, “Frank Anderwald is the one who got the money together for the monument and he doesn’t get enough credit for that.”
“The monument” stands in front of the Bandera County Courthouse inscribed with the words, “Honoring All Cowboys, Dedicated To The Cowboy Champions From Bandera County, Texas.” That monument was dedicated on May 19, 1982, and among those honored were Scooter Fries and Toots Mansfield. “I really admired Toots,” Scooter says, “He was one of the greatest and he really inspired me.”
Of his induction into the Frontier Times Museum’s Texas Hall of Heroes on the National Day of the American Cowboy, Scooter Fries say, “You know, the town really didn’t take all that much notice of us way back then, but it sure is nice to be recognized now.”
2010 Inductees
Bill Picket - Bill Pickett invented the practice of what we know as bulldogging, or steer wrestling. Like a lot of what used to be strictly ranch activities, bulldogging has become a rodeo sport. The sport consists of jumping on a steer from a horse and wrestling the steer to the ground.
Even if someone else got the bright idea to subdue an unruly steer by jumping on it and biting its lip, that person never admitted it. History gives the distinction to Bill Pickett, the oldest of 13 children born in Williamson County to former slaves. He says he got the idea watching dogs do the same thing when they were herding cows.
Pickett demonstrated his unique skills all over America and in Mexico, South America, Canada and England. Cowboy actor Tom Mix and humorist Will Rogers were among the people who served as Pickett's assistant.
Rodeo and Old West historians differ on where this bulldogging thing first happened, and how. The most popular version, especially locally, has the defining moment taking place in Rockdale in 1903 when an unruly Longhorn steer tried Pickett's patience to the point where he did something drastic; he rode his horse alongside the ornery Longhorn then jumped off his horse onto the back of the steer and grabbed its horns. The steer resisted until Pickett bit the steer's lower lip, at which point the steer became downright docile. Pickett wrestled it to the ground with a compliant thud.
Jose Policarpio "Polly" Rodriguez: In the mid-1800s, making Texas habitable for the coming westward expansion meant establishing order across a wild and vast land. Gen. Persifor Smith and the 2nd Calvary were commissioned to site Army forts across the state; leading them across the horse-high grass of North Texas was Tejano scout, guide and interpreter J.P. "Polly" Rodriguez. Rodriguez, known as "Polly", was born in Mexico and came to Texas with his father as a child. He became famous as a scout for the U.S. Army, an Indian fighter, a guide, a hunter, and a minister. He joined the Methodist Church and was licensed as a Methodist preacher and built this tiny chapel with his own hands. Just a short distance from the chapel is a well tended graveyard where Polly is buried.
In 1849 Rodriguez also aided the corps of discovery that marked the first road from San Antonio to El Paso. Rodriguez was a Texas Ranger from 1861 to 1871 and later became Justice of the Peace for Bandera County.
RED STEAGALL - Although Red Steagall is best known for his wonderful Texas Swing dance music and such songs as "Here We Go Again", "Party Dolls and Wine", "Freckles Brown", and "Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music", Red is beloved by Texas cowboys for the quiet times they have spent with him around chuck wagon campfires. In their opinion, Red Steagall's best music has never been heard by the public. And, if you ask Red where his favorite place to play music is, he might say some famous stage in Nashville, California, Spain, or Germany - or he might say some lonesome cow camp in West Texas.
The Texas State Legislature named Red Steagall the Official Cowboy Poet of Texas in April of1991. He is also the official Cowboy Poet Laureate of the City of San Juan Capistrano, California. In March of 1993, Texas Christian University Press published Red's first book, entitled RIDE FOR THE BRAND; a 168 page collection of poetry and songs embracing the western lifestyle that Red loves and lives. The book includes lead sheets and is illustrated by Cowboy Artists of America members, Bill Owen, Fred Fellows, Joe Beeler and Howard Terpning. Red released his second book, THE FENCE THAT ME AND SHORTY BUILT, in April of 2001. This book of poetry and songs is a 142 page collection of all new poems and songs, including lead sheets, all written since his first book was published. In September of 2003, Texas Tech University Press published a joint effort between Red Steagall and Pulitzer Prize winning
BUCK TAYLOR - Like the windswept West Texas Ranch he now calls home, Buck Taylor’s life and career begins at the end of a long and winding dirt road...
Born the son of a famous Hollywood actor, Buck grew up on movie sets, watching his father, celebrated actor Dub Taylor, appear with such movie greats as John Wayne, Tex Ritter and Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. He initially took a different path, studying art at the University of Southern California, and, in 1960, trying out for the U. S. Olympic Gymnastic Team with the sponsorship of the cowboy actor Big Boy Williams.
But the acting profession came calling. It was deeply rooted in the young man, who, after all, had actor Chill Wills help him take his first steps as a baby. Buck began his acting career in the fifties working in television. He appeared in everything from the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and My Favorite Martian to the classic period westerns, including Have Gun Will Travel with Richard Boone, The Rebel with Nick Adams and Bonanza. He is best remembered for his eight-year run as Newly on Gunsmoke, which ended in 1975. Buck appeared in other popular shows including Wagon Train, The Virginian, Dallas, and Walker, Texas Ranger.
Preserving and celebrating the heritage of the American West is the driving force behind Buck’s career as a watercolor artist. With an artistic career spanning fifty years both on canvas and on the screen, Buck has garnered substantial acclaim. Recently Buck was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and received the "Spirit of Texas Award.” Buck has lent his name and financial support to numerous charities including the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, the Walt Garrison MS Foundation, the FFA Scholarship Fund, the Screen Actors Retirement Home, the Ben Johnson Children’s Hospital and the Frontier Texas Museum.
Rudy Robbins - Rudy Robbins grew up in Port Arthur, TX, graduating from Thomas Jefferson High in 1952. After attending Lamar Technical Institute and East Texas Baptist College he graduated in 1956. Robbins achieved success as a western entertainer in film, television, Wild West shows, music and literature. His career began when John Wayne cast him in the epic movie The Alamo and he went on to work as an actor/stuntman in such films as Two Rode Together, Cheyenne Autumn, The Rounders, The Green Berets, Rio Lobo and Sugarland Express. Joining the likes of John Wayne, Charlton Heston and Clint Eastwood, he was awarded an Honorary Membership in The Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures. Robbins also trained horses for other stuntmen and became a production manager for various shows. In 1967, he was selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce to go to Europe as a Cowboy Goodwill Ambassador to introduce and promote the sale of blue jeans. Later Robbins joined with Montie Montana, Jr. to re-create Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. With a cast of 125 cowboys, cowgirls and Indians and 135 buffalo, longhorns and horses the show toured worldwide. Back in Texas, Robbins produced the Rudy Robbins Western Show and The All American Cowboy Get-Together, a two-day event of cowboy music, poetry, cooking, arts, crafts and demonstrations. He also formed the Spirit of Texas, a western harmony group, which, in 1991, was named the "Official Cowboy Band for Texas" by the State Senate. In addition to singing, Robbins has written many songs as well as short stories for Cowboy Magazine. With so many high level accomplishments in the field of western entertainment, Rudy Robbins is truly an all-around Cowboy Showman.
Don & Judy Hicks – Don and Judy Hicks, along with other family members purchase the Mayan Guest Ranch in Bandera, Texas from Bill Morse in 1951. The ranch had been established as a Girl Scout camp for a number of years and boasted 30 cabins. The Hicks family added 36 cabins and got to work developing one of the top destination Dude Ranches in Texas. Well known for their family atmosphere and good food, the Mayan ranch also involved the entire Hicks family that has grown to 53 family members and “we’re still growing”. Don and Judy not only built a great Dude Ranch, they were the first to market the Texas Hill Country in Europe. In the late 1960’s the Hicks met Frank Hildebrandt, head of the Texas State Tourism Department. Frank invited them to London to the World Travel Market and from there; the Hicks took the Texas Hill Country on the road in three markets in England and one in Scotland. From that point forward, Texas has enjoyed the fruits of their labors as they spread the word about Texas and our Texas way of life. The Hicks family was then invited to the International Tourist Professional Powwow, a travel market place for international buyers. The Texas travel industry today continues to benefit from the first “Texas” contacts made in Europe.
2009 Inductees
J. Marvin Hunter- author, editor, publisher and founder of the FRONTIER TIMES magazine and the FRONTIER TIMES MUSEUM. Through his efforts, Hunter helped preserve the first hand accounts of the early pioneers and fostered a keen interest in frontier history and pioneer achievements. His legacy continues to educate and inspire generations through his writings and the Frontier Times Museum.
J. Frank Dobie - Professor, lecturer and author. Another pioneer in the collection of storiesof the great Southwest. Dobie was the first to recognize the stories of the cowboys and vaqueros as valid a literature as the works of Cervantes or Chaucer. He created a renewed pride inTexas' regionalhistory. He believed aliberated mindas one of man's greatest achievements.
Maudeen Marks -- Bandera, Texas. Maudeen came from a long line of Texas legends. She and her father, Emil Marks, were largely responsible for starting the HOUSTON FAT STOCK SHOW & RODEO which was first held on their ranch near Houston. It was through her vision that the Salt Grass Trail Ridewas organized. Maudeen was instrumental in the founding of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association and she served as an advisor. Her brother, Travis Marks, was an original board member with that organization. The Marks’ herd of Longhorn cattle is one of the 7 foundation herds of the Association. Ms. Marks was been involved innumerous community and state wide activities. She organized the Ladies of Texas Traditions trail riders. In a state which is known for amazing women, Maudeen kept the MARK in REMARKABLE.
“Captain” Joe Bowman, Houston, Texas, was known as "one of the fastest guns alive". He traveled the world showing the art and the skill of the fast draw and trick shooting. Joe devoted his time to working with youth groups, the FBI and the Texas Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies, with their gun handling proficiency. Bowman was given the honorary rank of "Captain" by the Former Texas Rangers' Foundation. He worked with many movie legends and in the film industry as both a technical director and an actor, Joe Bowman earned the title of being a "Texas Straight Shooter".
Ray Wharton of Bandera, Texas- 1956 WORLD CHAMPION tie-down Calf Roper. Wharton exhibits all of the best traits of the Texas cowboy. He is always a gentleman. He is generous with all that he has. Many cowboys camped at his place in Bandera when they had no other place to go. He is a natural teacher. He helped young cowboys get their start. He encouraged them and developed their confidence with their rope, their horse and themselves. Wharton extended an opportunity to a young African-American to become a professional cowboy at a time when many of his peers would not have taken such a risk. That cowboy, Cleo Hearn, is also a 2009 inductee into the FRONTIER TIMES MUSEUM TEXAS HEROS HALL OF HONOR.
Cleo Hearn, Lancaster, Texas, a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1959. In 1971, Hearn and 3 other men formed the American Black Rodeo Association. In 1995, Hearn changed the name and started the Cowboys of Color Association, to be inclusive of other cultures. This rodeo is designed to educate and highlight the contributions all cultures have made to the settling of the west. Hearn has received many awards for his work with communities around the world. He has a lifetime commitment to rodeo, his family, his community and the cowboy way of life.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Bandera, Texas. 2008 World Champion Trick Roper. Kevin continues to distinguish himself as the consummate ambassador of good will. A horse trainer and an expert with a rope Kevin has been an Ambassador at the Texas Folklife Festival for many years. Kevin has represented the Texas Cowboy for the State of Texas and the Cowboy Capital of the World in his travel abroad promoting Texas tourism. He has delighted audiences around the world with his charm and skill. He has devoted much time to his family, his community and his state. He is a talented and able representative of Texas and the American cowboy.
“Empresario” Terry Boothe, Austin, Texas, is a longtime cultural preservationist. Boothe also has the distinction of being the "Discoverer of the West Pole" (certified by the Texas Legislature in 2007) a fact that shows Texans, even Legislators, have a sense of humor. Boothe's desire to preserve Texas culture manifests itself in many ways including, collecting antiques and promoting Texas holiday celebrations. He is one of the founders of the Texas Cultural Heritage Preservation Association and The Benevolent Knights of the Raccoon.
Dr. Raul Gaona, Sr., San Antonio, Texas. The classic and elegant patriarch of the Gaona family. Dr. Gaona exemplifies the best of the Mexican culture. He is very active in his professional community and is an enthusiastic promoter of classical Mexican culture in Texas. He has initiated a tremendous cultural exchange between Texas and Mexico. Dr. Gaona is one of the principle founders of the San Antonio Charro Association. Founded over 55 years ago, it is the oldest Charro Association in the United States.
Frontier Times Museum
www.frontiertimesmuseum.org