The Paper 02-22-18

Page 1

February 22, 2018

Volume 48 - No. 8

By Friedrich Gomez

Famed American humorist, Will Rogers, often quipped: “I never had my Americanism doubted before. My mother and my father both were part Cherokee Indian. Of course my people didn’t come over on the Mayflower – but they were there to meet the folks when they landed.” The The Paper Paper -- 760.747.7119 760.747.7119

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Most everyone knows that vaudeville star, radio pioneer, newspaper columnist, and one of America’s top movies stars, Will Rogers, was of Native American extraction.

On that fact, alone, there is nothing new under the sun. But, few know that a myth-buster

would have his hands full in clearing away unnecessary cobwebs of misinformation concerning the real Will Rogers.

EXPLODING A MYTH. Will Rogers (1879-1935), known as “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son,” was never a “rags-to-riches” story – although his life has often been, erro-

neously, reported that way by numerous newspapers, magazines, and television documentaries, all of which have played fast-and-loose with the facts. Nevertheless, the Horatio Alger approach is irresistibly romantic at the expense of actual truth. Despite reports to the contrary, Will Rogers was born to a wealthy and

Will Rogers - See Page 2


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