I am grateful to have good friends, especially friends who can kindly present to me an error I have made. Bob and Lorraine Becker are such friends. They pointed out that in a recent Chamber article, I led people to believe that Louis L'Amour developed the Hopalong Cassidy. Well, I am happy to set the record straight today. Clarence E. Mulford created Hopalong in 1904 through in his short stories.
Originally, Hopalong was a rude, rather dangerous character. When the stories were adapted to film beginning in 1935, the rough edges were removed from Hopalong, and he became a more civilized, polite character who had a strong sense of fair play. He always managed to show up just in time to save some gentle soul from the unscrupulous and dishonest person.(Hopalong got his name after he was shot in the leg and limped for a brief time.
So how does Louis L'Amour fit in? His early writing involved producing stories for pulp fiction magazines.
He created a few short stories based on Mulford's character for pulp magazines as well as for Colliers and The Saturday Evening Post. However, in the 1950s, pulp fiction was fading because of the success of TV, radio and paperback books. One of his short stories was turned into a film title "Hondo," which enhanced his writing career.
L'Amour did well with his novels and began selling stories to movie and TV producers. He wrote four Hopalong Cassidy books: Riders of High Rock, Rustlers of West Fork, Trail to Seven Pines and Trouble Shooter.
L'Amour made the Mancos Valley his home.
The Visitor Center carries many of his books, which will be on sale beginning the week of Thanksgiving.
All books, maps and other gift items will be marked down 20 percent through the holidays. While you are at it, you can also nominate someone for Citizen of the Year. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 1.
However, because that is a Sunday, we will accept your nominations through Dec. 2.
Applications are available online at www.mancosvalley.com or call 533-7434. If you'd like one by email, send your request to chamber@mancosvalley.com.