ME
& OLD YELLER
Fred
Gipson author of Old Yeller, Savage Sam, The Home Place and other
works of fiction and nonfiction books about life on the frontier of
the American West was born February 7th 1908 on a farm in
the hill country of Texas near the town of Mason.
As
a fan of Mr. Gipson's books and the movies produced by Walt Disney
Studios especially Old Yeller and Savage Sam for years I have had a
desire to visit the Texas Hill Country and experience the landscape
and culture of this land.
This
past weekend after a long cold winter which still seemed not wishing
to give up its grips on my central Oklahoma home I decide it was time
to go see Old Yeller. With the truck packed I pointed it to the
warmer, greener land to the south.
Before
leaving my home state I noted the grass was greener and the trees
were leafing out and as I drove through Texas toward the hill country
my heart was smiling as I noted the wildflowers along the roadway.
South
and West of Fort Worth I thought about the settlers entering this
country for the first time and how with all their belongings stowed
in their wagons they traveled to new homes of dreams and promises.
Granted my trek was easier and faster rolling along on asphalt
pathways at speeds of 70 and 75 miles per hour.
I
watched the buttes and hills as I traveled across the land and my
inner eyes could see men on horseback watching my progression, at
times I swore they held war lances at their side and at other times
they wore the wide brimmed sombrero shading their eyes from the glare
of the sun.
In
the distance I could see the dust cloud of a moving herd of cattle as
the cowhands pointed the beeves to markets to the north as I passed
herds of goats grazing the land. I kept and eye on the Brazos,
Colorado and Llano rivers as I crossed, wondering if the trail boss
and cowhands would have a safe crossing.
Finally
after hours on the trail, excuse me highway, I reached my destination
of Mason Texas. The business district is constructed in a square with
the courthouse sitting in the center of the square most of the
buildings would date back to the late 1800's and early 1900's. Mason
is also home to Fort Mason which was Robert E. Lees last command with
the United States Army.
There
are many things to do and see in the small town of Mason and within
the surrounding area your choices or interesting and varied.
Fredricksburg is a German settlement with an interesting history and
just outside of town is Luckenbach Texas made famous with the
country song by the same name sung by Waylon Jennings.
But
I digress from the main reason I made this trip and that was to see
Old Yeller. Sitting in front of the Eckert Memorial library is a
bronze statue by Texas sculptor Garland A. Weeks depicting a boy and
his dog, Old Yeller.
As
I stood to have my picture made I placed my hand on the dogs neck and
ruffled his fur and the memories of dogs past and present flooded my
inner eyes and my outer eyes watered. A tear threaded down my cheek
as I relived the many adventures and fun times I shared with my four
legged friends. As the movie ended with tears of sadness for the
fate of Old Yeller my trip to see Old Yeller ended with a tear of
happiness.
