It all started with Walking John who appeared from nowhere, lived around an old railroad bridge, and tromped the highways and byways of my hometown, San Angelo, Texas. He became almost a fixture in town, and when his remains were washed up some two months after his death by drowning, his story--or what was known of it--made the front page of the local newspaper.
Researching from out-of-state was almost impossible, but on a visit home I found him buried, not in pauper's ground, but in a plot very near my own family, courtesy of someone familiar with his presence who wanted him to rest with the dignity he never had in life. Though buried as an "Unknown", I know he's Walking John.
Moving home again, I began to research in earnest and found more "forgotten faces" who left their own legacies large and small. Compiling a notebook of research on each subject was the fun part. Writing their stories is hard work, and that's where the project is today. It's BICHOK time aka Backside In Chair Hands On Keyboard!
The goal is to complete the stories, whip them into shape with the help of my beta reader and other volunteers, and publish in 2025. Hopefully, the face which emerge will no longer be forgotten.
Here are the stories' working titles:
They Called Him 'Walking John'
The Candy Lady: Bertha Kensel
Fisherman Jake: Jacob Schmidt
Some Gave All: Jack and Mark Mathis
The Educator: Felix Smith
A Future Lost: Arthur Q. Beverly
It Started on Chadbourne Street: The Edward Maier Family
The Pioneer Rancher: John P. Lee
Breaking Barriers: Noe Lara Camunez
Destiny in West Texas: Seaton Keith
Accidental Hero: Guy Stanford
Citizen Tailor: W.A. Alberthal
Preserving the Past: Nellie Cox
In addition, there will be several lists and articles of interest, including a history of what began in 1928 as San Angelo Junior College and is now Angelo State University.
So stay tuned for progress updates as I complete and organize the stories and articles and search for just the right publisher!
