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 Ross McSwain is a native Texan. He grew up in the Texas Heartland and traveled the area as a working newspaperman for nearly four decades. A resident of San Angelo, Texas, since 1959, he is a retired award winning journalist, freelance writer and author of eight non-fiction books about his beloved West Texas, its people, places and its things of interest. He and his wife, Jean, have been married for 48 years. He has three adult children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He has served as president of the Tom Green County Historical Society, the Permian Historical Society, and is an active member of the Edwards Plateau Historical Association, the West Texas Historical Association and the Texas Folklore Society.
He is now available for presentations to various civic and service groups, historical societies, writers organizations, library fund raisers, and to genealogical groups. Speaking and appearance fees are reasonable and can be negotiated. Contact by telephone AC 325-949-6180, cell 325-656-5468, e-mail to yonder11@suddenlink.net, or fax 325-947-1109 (Attn Ross)
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Wornout Memories, Ross McSwain's memoirs. The book, featuring stories about past interviews, jobs, International travel, growing up during the East Texas oil boom, ranching during the 1950s Drought, ancestry and other subjects, will be in soft cover, 8.5 x 11, with photos, 22 chapters. Price is $24.95, including sales tax, packing and postage. Please use the order form on this website. |
In late 1954 Texas was rocked by a scandal in its $100 million Veterans Land Program that included attempted murder, bribery and plenty of political intrigue. Various state officials were involved, and the state land commissioner and two land promoters were given prison sentences. Over 250 indictments were returned in nine counties. "Texas politics has launched many scandals over the years but few have equalled the veterans'land scandal of the 1950s for chicanery, arrogance and reckless violence," observed the late Elmer Kelton, America's premier western writer.
 See No Evil, Speak No Evil, A History of Mob Violence in the Texas Heartland, 1869-1904 Foreword by Elmer Kelton, noted western author of more than 60 books. From Kelton's foreword: Mob violence was rampant in several Central Texas counties from the end of the Civil War to about the turn of the century. For decades it laid a
blanket of fear over the people, for even to talk about it was to tempt death. The movement usually was started by prominent citizens as an extra-legal way to punish cattle and horse thieves, robbers, and murderers when law enforcement was broken down, intimidated, or in many cases implicated. In time, however, these mob actions almost always became corrupted, falling under control of people whose agendas had little to do with enforcing the law but much to do with breaking it.
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- Another project that the readers of his popular Out Yonder Column will be looking forward to is his fourth book based on his many years of column writing which will contain "The Best From Out Yonder," stories that will range from all over the Southwest.
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NEED A SPEAKER?
- Over the years, Ross has presented over 100 programs to various groups, including civic clubs, historical societies, professional organizations and churches. One of his most popular presentations, "Grandma, Did You Know Moses," covers historic preservation, developing local and regional history organizations and techniques used in interviewing persons about family history or recollections. Fee is negotiable, depending on travel requirements, basic expenses and potential book sales. Please call or write for additional information.
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