R.I.P Ford's Texas
author- john salmon ford
edited by- stephen b. oates
university of texas press
1963
memoirs of john salmon ford. memoirs appeal to the specialist through truth and accuracy, to the general reader thru lucidity in writing. having said this, the charm of memoirs,especially of a long ago age, is a sense of a taste of the language. i have found myself speaking in this language often while reading the book. terminology was simple and clear, outdated by todays adjetives and adverbs, hype and slang.
memoiers are tunnelvision--there is no feeling of a larger picture, of other characters present. memoirs are history isolated to one character.
john ford was born in south carolina may 26, 1815 and perished november 3, 1897. he was a doctor by training, a newspaper man by desire, a christian by the grace of god, a leader by nature and a warrior.
he was married and had one child, a son, before he came to texas. his wife divorced him and kept the son--i have wondered what became of this son (to you mrs. greybeard). he moved to san augustine texas in 1836 as the song goes when the story begins.
the reading of the book is tedious, in the beginning. the first part actually is only there, as we would say about central texas(no slam ol hamp) only to hold the world together, to begin the tale. seems as if he compiling a yellowpages or census-personnally i have no desire to know the name of every living being in east texas at this time, the names of dogs, horses and such. hamps wife and mrs. greybeard may find people to link to geneology- i wouldn't read it again. it does not seem to add to the history of the book. i must say, however, to be fair it is an area of the state in which igrew up and am greatly familiar with. this, in all truth, is what bores me-been there done that.
finally he moves on to austin and the story really begins.
the best about the book, to me, is the language, i've said all i need too concering this, and the details of daily life. what the primary and hardscrabble diet was. the personal habits. i made a comment on one of greybeards other forums about nutrias. i said they were eaten by cajuns and others until food was available. this was not a slam on anyone-i love cajuns and in many ways find i identify more easily with them than most other folk. the same in the book- the diet, what they ate, what they had to eat was a revilation in many ways-i guess i had never thought about it past pigs feet and cow tounge.
memoirs give a lot more depth to history. memoirs do not paint in broad strokes. they are the leaves and bark of a forest landscape.
tedious reading--can be at times--but worth the effort for the picture painted.
book has much more to say about the commanche wars than one would at first think. an interesting side bar is that ford talks of his father being with him during this episode.
i could easily reccomend the book. i can also see the blank look of despair from faces as they try to get there, especially if from a local not readily familiar with this history.
great saga and adventure are abundant-personal saga and adventure. i have some problem with the editing done by mr oates-i think others may have done a better job. having said that memoirs are a real b---- tho to unravel .
book covers a wonderful and exciting time to very near the modern era of the texas ranger. do not expect to hear about others-remember tunnelvision.
read and enjoy.
blessings
