authors – Texas History Notebook

Book Club of Texas

The organization known as the Book Club of Texas was conceived in late 1928 and formally created in 1929. Its purpose was laid out by Stanley Marcus of Dallas in a newspaper interview carried by the Houston Chronicle in its issue of November 25, 1928 in the copy below. Marcus said “The Book Club of Texas has been formed for the purpose of fostering arts pertaining to the production of fine books. It will function in two ways: first, by the publication of books that will typify the best standards of bookmaking, in regard to object matter, printing, binding and typographical design; second, by sponsoring exhibitions and lectures pertinent to these interests.” Marcus went on to describe the governance, membership and benefits to those who participate. The entity was set up as a not for profit and non commercial group and began operating in early 1929.

The Last Picture Show (1971)

The Last Picture Show was the 1971 film adaptation of Larry McMurtry’s novel of the same name. McMurtry’s 1966 release was the first of five books McMurtry wrote about life in Texas. Other McMurtry books related to “The Last Picture Show” are “Texasville,” “Duane’s Depressed,” “When the Light Goes Out” and “Rhino Ranch.” “Texasville” was also adapted to a film.

Horton Foote

Albert Horton Foote, Jr. was born March 14, 1916 to Albert Horton Foote, Sr. and Harriet Gautier Brooks Foote in Wharton, Texas. His name Albert is a Foote family name and the name Horton was his grandmother’s maiden name. Horton was in third generation of the Foote family to be born in Texas. His great grandfather S. D. Foote had come to the state in the 1800s.

Bill Wittliff

William Dale “Bill” Wittliff was born Jan 21, 1940 to William Albert Wittliff and Laura Sachtleben Wittliff in Taft, San Patricio County, Texas. Bill was the youngest of two brothers. By the 1950 federal census, the couple had divorced and the two boys (aged 11 and10) were living with their mother Laura in Edna, Jackson County, Texas where Laura worked as a telephone operator.

Tex Maule

Hamilton Prieleaux Bee “Tex” Maule was born on May 19, 1915 to 2nd Lieutenant Claude Wendell Maule (1889 – 1918) and Zelita Bee Maule (1891 – 1986). His father C. W. Maule had been serving in World War I when he contracted pneumonia and died in England after a short bout with the disease. The remains of 2nd Lt. Maule were removed for burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Tex, one of two children of the couple, was born in Florida, though his family had lived in San Antonio for many years. His grandfather, named Hamilton Prioleau Bee, was a long time Texas resident who worked in the insurance business. The 1920, 1930 and 1940 census forms show Tex residing in San Antonio. He was single, living with his mother Zelita in the 1920 and 1930 census reports and married with no children in the 1940 census.