I really enjoyed this article, Michael! I was just a kid in Cameron, Texas, only twelve miles from Milano, when Johnny Horton was killed. I remember being in a crowd of onlookers, at the auto wrecker's yard, gawking awkwardly (and somewhat morbidly?) at the demolished Cadillac. My mother reached into the sprung open trunk and grabbed a postcard. It featured Horton, all done up in quasi-War of 1812 garb, I suppose, promoting "the Battle of New Orleans", I guess. The card had a single, round drop of dark red "something" on one side...probably just errant ink from printing but you know how a kid's imagination goes. Horton's tale had a sad and eerie ending.
Billy Jean often ordered pizzas from where I worked at Johnny’s pizza in Shreve Island area. Whenever she’d order I would get so excited. I tried to explain to my co-workers who she was. But, they just looked blankly at me. I always told the drivers to be very nice to her.
This incident always upset me. Thank you for the details, Michael.
If you ever find the time, a more complete history of Billie Jean seems appropriate, and I think it would be appreciated. Among other aspects, I wonder how her first and fourth husbands -- Harold Eshliman and Kent Berlin -- fared.
My maternal grandpa grew up in Gallatin, Texas. I never asked if he knew Johnny, but, my wife's dad grew up with him and knew him very well. Ward Bond died that same day. He was my all time favorite supporting actor.
James Evan Davis was a sophomore at Texas A and M and was my roommate's best friend. He and I were freshmen. Davis invited my roommate to ride with him to Dallas for the downtown parade before the football game against SMU around noon on Saturday, Nov. 5, 1960. My roommate said he had to go home first so he couldn't ride with him, otherwise he would have been in that wreck also. I went home to Gilmer, TX, and was going to Dallas early the next morning with my sister and best friend and we heard on the radio about the death of Johnny Horton and that the actor Ward Bond had died in his sleep in a hotel in Dallas early that morning. Of course, every time I heard North to Alaska and other Johnny Horton songs they would bring back many memories.
I really enjoyed this article, Michael! I was just a kid in Cameron, Texas, only twelve miles from Milano, when Johnny Horton was killed. I remember being in a crowd of onlookers, at the auto wrecker's yard, gawking awkwardly (and somewhat morbidly?) at the demolished Cadillac. My mother reached into the sprung open trunk and grabbed a postcard. It featured Horton, all done up in quasi-War of 1812 garb, I suppose, promoting "the Battle of New Orleans", I guess. The card had a single, round drop of dark red "something" on one side...probably just errant ink from printing but you know how a kid's imagination goes. Horton's tale had a sad and eerie ending.
Billy Jean often ordered pizzas from where I worked at Johnny’s pizza in Shreve Island area. Whenever she’d order I would get so excited. I tried to explain to my co-workers who she was. But, they just looked blankly at me. I always told the drivers to be very nice to her.
Outstanding article and interesting unknown history until you revealed it in this piece. Thanks Michael for sharing such intimate information.
This incident always upset me. Thank you for the details, Michael.
If you ever find the time, a more complete history of Billie Jean seems appropriate, and I think it would be appreciated. Among other aspects, I wonder how her first and fourth husbands -- Harold Eshliman and Kent Berlin -- fared.
Your knowledge and research have led, again, to an excellent article, Michael! Thanks so much.
Horton in the Hall of Fame yes! And a fine back story right here, leading right back to - where else? -Austin! Bravo once again sir
Thank you for the good article.
My maternal grandpa grew up in Gallatin, Texas. I never asked if he knew Johnny, but, my wife's dad grew up with him and knew him very well. Ward Bond died that same day. He was my all time favorite supporting actor.
James Evan Davis was a sophomore at Texas A and M and was my roommate's best friend. He and I were freshmen. Davis invited my roommate to ride with him to Dallas for the downtown parade before the football game against SMU around noon on Saturday, Nov. 5, 1960. My roommate said he had to go home first so he couldn't ride with him, otherwise he would have been in that wreck also. I went home to Gilmer, TX, and was going to Dallas early the next morning with my sister and best friend and we heard on the radio about the death of Johnny Horton and that the actor Ward Bond had died in his sleep in a hotel in Dallas early that morning. Of course, every time I heard North to Alaska and other Johnny Horton songs they would bring back many memories.