Wild, Wild, Abe

Today is the birthday of that great western actor, Lee Marvin, born this day in 1924. . . in NEW YORK CITY! His performances in Cat Ballou and Paint Your Wagon place him in the pantheon of Western characters. He passed away in 1987.

Speaking of Western characters, how about that Abe Lincoln? Sure enough, he graces the cover of this month's edition of Wild West magazine, with the title, "Boss of the Plains." He's wearing a cowboy hat. It's a priceless image! We tend to forget that the 16th president was a "western man," as Jefferson Davis said (in explaining why it would not do to kidnap him; he was a "Western man" and would thus fight to the death something Davis would not risk).

Another really great article is the real story of the classic movie The Searchers--one of our favorites. Greg Michno, a first-rate historian, did a fine job on this research. You simply won't be able to put it down.

You have your assignments!

___________________________________

Frederick Douglass

On this day in 1895, Frederick Douglass died. He was 78 years old. From the website pbs.org:

The son of a slave woman and an unknown white man, "Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey" was born in February of 1818 on Maryland's eastern shore. He spent his early years with his grandparents and with an aunt, seeing his mother only four or five times before her death when he was seven. (All Douglass knew of his father was that he was white.) During this time he was exposed to the degradations of slavery, witnessing firsthand brutal whippings and spending much time cold and hungry. When he was eight he was sent to Baltimore to live with a ship carpenter named Hugh Auld. There he learned to read and first heard the words abolition and abolitionists. "Going to live at Baltimore," Douglass would later say, "laid the foundation, and opened the gateway, to all my subsequent prosperity."

A truly remarkable man.

Jeff, Abe, and Michael

On this day in 1861, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as provisional president of the Confederacy. Thousands of people gathered in Montgomery, Alabama, and watched him utter the historic acceptance speech that many believed, and some hoped, would take us into a full scale war. Notably absent from those observers was his wife, Varina, who was still in Mississippi deciding what to take with them and what to leave behind. Jeff loved being the center of attention; Varina wanted them to live quietly and "tend roses." That would never be.

I've been working on and off for years on a book on Mary Lincoln and Varina Davis, and last night, listening to Michael Burlingame inspired me to get back on it. He is a remarkable man and such a generous scholar--a man of many layers, and incredible insight. With the publication of his Lincoln biography, Michael has been much in demand for public appearances in this month of Lincoln. On two occasions, he and President Obama have been on the same slate. If I get in gear and get this book finished, perhaps Hillary and I could be at the head table together. . . or not.

Ranking the Presidents

I was watching nerd tv on Sunday afternoon and absolutely enthralled by Richard Norton Smith when I realized he was discussing CSpan's ranking of the presidents (in which I participated). It's a fascinating project and I have to admit, I was so honored to get a letter from Brian Lamb that I framed it, dorky as that sounds. That man has done more for America and the furthering of democracy than any other person, in public or private office. Surely someone will realize, if they haven't already, that Lamb deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Ken and Terry Hobbs and I are off to the Dole Center to hear Michael Burlingame tonight. Michael is a dear friend and such a generous scholar.

Oh, just in case you were wondering . . . . I ranked Washington the highest among the presidents, not Lincoln, and I didn't put Andrew Johnson on the bottom as did most of my colleagues.

Hippie Makes Good

Kudos to my old friend and former boss, Tom Joyce, on his awards at the recent North Carolina Press Association meeting. See mtairynews.com for details.

Looking good, Tom! You look like part of the "establishment" now and so unlike that skinny, rebel, radical, long-haired, kid who wore fatigues every day. Ah, the good ol' days at Patrick County High School! Speaking of hippies, Tom, do you recall that I dated Richard Rorrer? (Richard was the photographer for the high school paper, The Liberator; I was editor.) I can still remember Jackie Beeler screaming at Richard because the staff camera was dangling around his neck and banging against the water fountain when he stooped to take a drink.

Congratulations, Tom. The News is lucky to have you.

Cump

Sunday is the birthday of William Tecumseh Sherman--not high on my list, but not nearly as low as Nelson Miles or Phil Sheridan. . . .

The future pyromaniac was born on February 8, 1820, in Ohio. When his dad died, he was adopted into the prominent Ewing family. He and his foster brother, future general Thomas Ewing, Jr., would have an equal passion for torching Southerners--Ewing in Missouri and Sherman in Georgia.

Sherman did have a couple of redeeming qualities, however. He kept his troops from burning Raleigh in the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination, and he hated Edwin Stanton. As near as I can tell, these are two more than Miles or Sheridan.

Ironically, Nick Nolte was born on the same day in 1940. Hmmmmmmmmmmm...............coincidence? I think not.

Army Strong

While at Fort Leavenworth on Tuesday, I became acquainted with the story of this little soldier, Evan Pirtle. Evan is a patient at the Shriner's Hospital in Memphis and loves soldiers. When the guys at the Command and General Staff College were made aware of his situation, they began a relationship with him that is truly amazing. Yesterday, I spoke on the phone with Evan's mother and she just wants America to know how much the military has done for her little boy and what big hearts they have. Tomorrow morning, Evan and his mom, Rachel, will join me on Topeka Talks. Join us at 9 a.m., and in the meantime, visit Evan and sign his guestbook at caringbridge.org/visit/evanpertile. This photo shows Evan happily wearing the uniform sent to him by Col. Bob Burns. Bob and Ed Kennedy told me about Evan and Rachel could not say enough about the generosity of these two men.

Life Is Good

Folks, the new year is in full swing and perhaps my schedule is becoming more manageable. Thus, I promise each of you, faithful and whiny readers, to blog regularly from this day forward.

The radio show is going very well; ratings are up, I'm getting the hang of it, and I'm getting great guests. In fact, just last week I interviewed President Lincoln. Photos to follow.

Life is good.