Tales of Old-Time Texas

by J. Frank Dobie, J. Frank Dobie

It is for good reason that J. Frank Dobie is known as the Southwest's master storyteller. With his eye for color and detail, his ear for the rhythm of language and song, and his heart open to the simple truth of folk wisdom and ways, he movingly and unpretentiously spins the tales of our collective heritages. This he does in Tales of Old-Time Texas, a heartwarming array of twenty-eight stories filled with vivid characters, exciting historical episodes, and traditional themes. As Dobie himself says: "Any tale belongs to whoever can best tell it." Here, then, is a collection of the best Texas tales—by the Texan who can best tell them. Dobie's recollections include such classics in Lone Star State lore as the tale of Jim Bowie's knife, the legend of the Texas bluebonnet, the story of the Wild Woman of the Navidad, and the account of the headless horseman of the mustangs. Other stories in this outstanding collection regale us with odd and interesting characters and events: the stranger of Sabine Pass, the Apache secret of the Guadalupes, the planter who gambled away his bride, and the Robinhooding of Sam Bass. These stories, and many more, make Tales of Old-Time Texas a beloved classic certain to endure for generations.

Genres: History, Westerns, Nonfiction, American History, Folklore

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Called the "Storyteller of the Southwest," James Frank Dobie was born in 1888 on his family's cattle ranch in Live Oak County. During his long life, J. Frank Dobie would live astride two worlds: a rugged life on a Texas cattle ranch and the state's modern centers of scholarly learning.

Dobie came to Austin in 1914 to teach at the University of Texas. In time he pioneered an influential course on the literature of the Southwest. By the late 1920s, Dobie discovered his mission: to record and publicize the disappearing folklore of Texas and the greater Southwest. Dobie became secretary of the Texas Folklore Society, a position he held for 21 years.

J. Frank Dobie Dobie was a new kind of folklorist—a progressive activist. He called for UT to admit African-American students in the 1940s—long before the administration favored integration. Dobie's vocal politics led to his leaving the University in 1947, but he continued writing until his death in 1964, publishing over twenty books and countless articles.

The inscription on Dobie's headstone in the Texas State Cemetery reads: "I have come to value liberated minds as the supreme good of life on earth." J. Frank Dobie was not content to simply preserve Southwestern heritage within libraries and museums. He gave life to that heritage and informed generations of Texans about their rich history.

Reviews

[Diana Petty-stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody writes Texas, the rural southwestern part, better than J. Frank Dobie!! A book of 28 tales that will enrich your reading pleasure and make you proud to be a Texan!!

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't my typical genre of fiction, but I definitely found it entertaining. Livinga nd working up in New Mexico for the summer, I felt like some of these stories could come to life. I really enjoyed reading some of the taller tales, or more gruesome stories to the boys at the camp. The best part about it was being able to recognize some of the locations in Round Rock and Austin, where I grew up. I like the copy I was borrowing so much, that I had to buy my dad a copy to enjoy. When he opened it, he said it took him back, cause he used to own one growing up.

[Christine Granados · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, J. Frank Dobie certainly is a good ole boy. His tales are indeed a reflection of his era 20s, 30s, which is still very much in existence in small town Texas now. However, I wasn't' expecting to enjoy the stories as much as I did. I learned not only about Texas legends like James Bowie and his infamous Bowie knife but how colonistic attitudes are handed down through the generations. I also appreciated how Dobie was trying take control of the Texas narrative that at the time was being told by outsiders from the publishing industry in the East. He was a man after my own heart.

[LAMONT D · Rating 1 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the lending library on vacation. Thought it would be interesting, but it turned into a real dud. There is history in there but plenty more of folklore and tales from the great state of Texas. I cannot believe the University of Texas decided to print this multiple times throughout the years but to each his own. Although not a Texan I thought I could learn something of value but that was not the case. It did the poem entitled "Paradise in Texas" was humorous. Also, what General Sherman remarked when asked about Texas: "If he owned Texas and Hell, he'd rent out Texas and live in the other place..."). The only chapter I somewhat enjoyed was about the Bluebonnet flower.

[Sy DeMaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only thing I’ve read by J Frank Dobie and it was SO interesting! He lived from 1888 to, I think 1964, and he was an unpopular local hero in Texas because of his progressive views of the world. There was a wonderful long chapter about the Bowie brothers who are in my ancestry. Unfortunately it wasn’t too flattering, but hey! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and our family bears testimony to that! The book was published first in 1925 and is a journalistic view of life and people from that point of view. It was a pleasurable education for me.

[Rich · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories, but was disappointed with how they were presented.

[Christian Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a multi-generation Texan, of course I enjoyed this book. Many of these stories I had heard before be it from scouts or just random reading here and there. With two young daughters, I'll consider this more of a reference book that you can open, pick a story, read and put back down. If you're planning a trip to Texas, this would be a fun read before because through it you will start to day-dream about the history and the mystery that you're stepping into. And just think, it might be you that experiences that blue norther or stumbles across the now exposed treasure...just think :-)

[Sean Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a collector of first editions, this book by J. Frank Dobie, first released in 1928,is an excellent compilation of stories about Texas.

His translation of telling into printing does, as it always will, changes the way history books might portray the event. Most of the time he does it well and improves how the history books tell the story.

Dobie's improvement over the history books is similar to the way Shakespeare turned an Italian melodrama into Romeo and Juliet.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

J. Frank Dobie retells tales from early Texas with his sense of humor. While some of the material sounds historical, these stories are tales about the region and entertaining. Suitable for young readers.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

All time favorite book

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of great stories by a master story collector and teller. There's nothing fancy here, but plenty of snakes, bears, indians, outlaws, droughts, and storms.

[Maurine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to raise my own snake army!

[Vanessa Dargain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite read again book .