For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.”
(Hymn adapted by Geoffrey Shaw, 1919 from a traditional English Melody)
Will Rogers, America’s Wit, Oklahoma’s Favorite Son
"I never yet met a man that I didn't like!"
Probably the most famous quote made by Will Rogers. However, it is only a part of the speech which is as follows:
I bet you if I had met him and had a chat with him, I would have found him a very interesting and human fellow, for I never yet met a man that I dident [sic] like. When you meet people, no matter what opinion you might have formed about them beforehand, why, after you meet them and see their angle and their personality, why, you can see a lot of good in all of them. Saturday Evening Post, November 6, 1926
Question: About whom did this quote originally refer?
William Penn Adair "Will" Rogers was born November 4, 1879 to a prominent Cherokee family. Oklahoma was not yet a state at the time of his birth; it was still “Indian Territory.” He was the youngest of four children of the eight born to survive until adulthood. His parents were Clement Vann Rogers (1839–1911) and Mary America Schrimsher (1838-1890). His father was a Cherokee Senator and judge, Confederate veteran, delegate to the Oklahoma Constitution Convention. His mother was a hereditary member of the Paint Clan (1838–1890). Thus, Will was slightly more than one quarter (9/32) Cherokee. He often quipped that his ancestors didn't come over on the Mayflower, but they "met the boat." Rogers was the youngest of his parents' eight children. Sisters Sallie Clementine, Maude Ethel, and May (Mary) and Will were the only ones to survive to adulthood. He was named for the Cherokee leader Col. William Penn Adair
Will was born on the Dog Iron Ranch near present-day Oologah, OK. The house he was born in had been built in 1875 and was known as the "White House on the Verdigris River." Rogers County is named in honor his father. His mother died when Will was 11; his father remarried less than two years after as was fairly traditional. Fathers in this time frame always needed a woman to help raise the youngsters.
The children attended Willow Hassel School in Missouri. He ended his studies after the 10th grade. He admitted he was a poor student, saying that he "studied the Fourth Reader for ten years." He was much more interested in cowboys and horses. He learned roping skills and the use of a lariat from a freed slave.
In 1908, Rogers married Betty Blake, and the couple had four children: Will Jr (Bill), Mary Amelia (Mary), James Blake (Jim), and Fred Stone. Fred died of diphtheria at age two.
Rogers was an actor (silent and talkies movies, Vaudville), a comic, columnist, radio personality, social commentator, a Master Mason, a Shriner and an ardent Democrat.
He was killed in an airplane crash with Wiley Post in Barrow Alaska at age 55.
Answer: Leon Trotsky
For more information on Will Rogers:
On several of our ventures in Tulsa, we wandered into two of the important places of Will’s life…the ranch on the Verdigris River and his Memorial (twice). Neither place charges an admission fee, but both ask for donations. The Memorial suggests $5.00 per adult.
On the quest to find Route 66 and its attractions, we took a wrong turn (yet agin) and found signs directing us to the Dog Iron Ranch, Will’s birth place. If you are in the area, you should not miss this. Near the Verdigris River on a hill overlooking Lake Oologah. It is so wonderful to behold God’s beauty. Since we were there in late October, the foliage was still beautiful.
The handful of acres that Clement Rogers bought turned into 60,000 and looks like a million acres. Clement started building the eventual two-story, log-walled house in 1870. The building site is on a hillside with a wonderful vista of the river. Using local hardwoods, the logs were hand-hewed. He started with one room; later adding the second room, then the two upstairs room. After the upstairs rooms were completed, he added a lean-to which became the kitchen, dining room and an extra bedroom. When he decided the house was finished, he “imported” clapboards and painted the whole building white.
As judge in the Cherokee Nation, and later a Cherokee Nation’s Senator, he held court and met constituents in the parlor. Sometimes, during the evening, the rugs would be rolled back and a dance commenced.
There is a lot of original furnishings. The tour is self-guiding with a pamphlet provided.
A appropriate time period reproduction barn in the yard houses some animals, but most seem to be free roaming within the large fenced area. We had a most entertaining time with a large duck. He was the loudest duck I ever heard. QUACK! QUACK! QUACK! We followed it through the barn. QUACK! QUACK! QUACK! It’s wings flapping almost hysterically. When the duck got outside, we saw a peacock. The duck ran up to the peacock and immediately quieted down…almost like he was lost without the peacock who was almost seemed like the duck’s Mom. A very funny scenario.
There were other animals to which one could walk to and pet. They were all very docile. Horses and cattle behind a fence. A good working ranch.
Some other convention folks stated a conversation in the parking lot. They were from Ohio. We had a most enjoyable day.
Next, we followed some map and found ourselves in Claremont where we visited the Memorial. It was amazing. Lots of little rooms. Film clips. A store. Displays of various possessions of Will and various Rogers family members. We spent several hours just moseying around. We went back a few days later as they were celebrating Will Rogers festival to celebrate his birthday. Cake and punch. Lots of flowers. Boy Scouts’ color guard. Different movie clips.
We learned a lot about the area and Will Rogers.
After the second trip, we stopped at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. We are not gamblers (We lost a total of $2.00), but we always like to see the décor in the various casinos. Had a “free” soda, wandered through the entire first floor. They do not build those gorgeous places on the money that we leave behind, believe me. They also do not build them with money from winners. If one is truly on a budget, set aside an amount you can afford to lose. Take in the beauty. Enjoy your free beverage. And leave.
No comments:
Post a Comment