UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA Escuela de Lengua y Literatura Inglesa ABSTRACT This senior thesis, “Will Rogers: Native American Cowboy, Philosopher, and Presidential Advisor,” presents the story of Will Rogers, indicating especially the different facets of his life that contributed to his becoming a legend and a tribute to the American culture. Will Rogers is known mostly as one of the greatest American humorist of his time and, in fact, of all times. This work focuses on the specific events and experiences that drove him to break into show business, Hollywood, and the Press. It also focuses on the philosophy of Will Rogers as well as his best known sayings and oft-repeated quotations. His philosophy, his wit, and his mirth made him an important and influential part of everyday life in the society of the United States in his day and for years thereafter. This project is presented in four parts. First, I discuss Rogers’ childhood and his life as a child-cowboy. Second, I detail how he became a show business star and a popular actor. Third, I recall his famous quotations and one-liners that are well known nowadays. Finally, there is a complete description of the honors and tributes that he received, and the places that bear Will Rogers name. Reading, writing, and talking about Will Rogers, the author of the phrase “I never met a man I didn’t like,” is to tell about a life-story of “completeness and self-revelation,” because he was a great spirit, a great writer, and a great human being. CONTENTS TABLE CHAPTER I: Biography of Will Rogers……………………………............. 18 CHAPTER II: Actor and Social Occupations……………………………... 82 CHAPTER III: The Philosopher…………………………………................. 126 CHAPTER IV: The Legacy of Will Rogers……….………………………... 200 Conclusions…………………………………………………………………... 229 Annexes………………………………………………………………………. 233 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………... 242 María Lorena Vásconez 1 UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA Escuela de Lengua y Literatura Inglesa María Lorena Vásconez 2 UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA Escuela de Lengua y Literatura Inglesa María Lorena Vásconez 3 UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA Escuela de Lengua y Literatura Inglesa FACULTAD DE FILOSOFÍA, LETRAS Y CIENCIAS DE LA EDUCACIÓN WILL ROGERS: NATIVE AMERICAN COWBOY, PHILOSOPHER, AND PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR. Tesis previa a la obtención del Título de Licenciada en Ciencias de la Educación, Especialidad Lengua Inglesa. DIRECTOR: ING. GENNER OCHOA MALDONADO, MGST. AUTORA: MARÍA LORENA VÁSCONEZ NARVÁEZ CUENCA – ECUADOR 2012 María Lorena Vásconez 4 UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA Escuela de Lengua y Literatura Inglesa ACKNOWLEDGMENT My sincere gratitude to the director of my thesis, Ing. Genner Ochoa Maldonado, Mgst. and all the people who directly or indirectly contributed to the accomplishment of this work. María Lorena Vásconez 5 UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA Escuela de Lengua y Literatura Inglesa DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to the people whom I love and who supported me in the fulfillment of this large project, especially my mother, my sister, and my husband. María Lorena Vásconez 6 UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA Escuela de Lengua y Literatura Inglesa TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgment……………………………………………………………. 5 Dedication…………………………………………………………………… 6 Table of Contents…………………………………………………………… 7 Table of Pictures……………... ……………………………………………. 13 Table of Graphs…………………………………………………………….. 15 Introduction………………………………………………………………….. 16 CHAPTER I 1. Biography of Will Rogers…………………………………….. 18 1.1. Will Rogers: The Legend…………………………………….. 18 1.2. Cherokee Heritage……………………………………………. 21 1.2.1. The Cherokee Nation………………………………………… 21 1.2.2. Treaty of New Echota………………………………………… 23 1.2.3. The Trail of Tears……………………………………………... 24 1.2.4. Indian Territory………………………………………………... 26 1.3. Will Rogers’ Background……………………….................... 27 1.3.1. William’s Parents…………………………………………….. 27 1.3.1.1. Clement Rogers……………………………………………..... 28 1.3.1.2. Mary Schrimsher……………………………………………… 29 1.3.1.3. Schrimsher and Rogers Families…………………………… 30 1.3.1.4. Civil War………………………………...……………………... 32 1.4. Early Years: The Cowboy Child………….……………......... 35 1.5. Years at School……………………………………………….. 37 1.5.1. Drumgoole School……………………………………………. 38 1.5.2. Cherokee National Male Seminary…………………………. 38 1.5.3. Harrell International Institute………………………………… 39 1.5.4. Willie Halsell College…………………………………………. 40 1.5.5. Scarritt College………………………………………………... 42 1.5.6. Kemper School………………………………………………... 43 1.6. Cowboy Adulthood Adventures……………………………... 45 María Lorena Vásconez 7 UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA Escuela de Lengua y Literatura Inglesa 1.6.1. Roping and Riding Contests………………………………… 49 1.7. Travels and First Jobs……………………………................. 51 1.7.1. Argentina………………………………………………………. 51 1.7.2. South Africa…………………………………………………… 54 1.7.3. Australia………………………………………………………... 58 1.7.4. New Zealand………………………………………………….. 59 1.8. Show Business……………………………………………...... 60 1.8.1. Wild West……………………………………………………… 60 1.8.2. Vaudeville……………………………………………………… 65 1.8.2.1. Keith’s Union Square Theater………………………….……. 65 1.8.2.2. Hammerstein’s Theatre………………………………….…… 66 1.8.2.3. New York and Europe Vaudeville Theaters……………...... 67 1.9. Marriage……………………………………………………….. 68 1.9.1. Betty Blake…………………………………………………….. 68 1.10. The Peak of his Popularity…………………………………… 77 1.10.1. Broadway…………………………………… …………………. 77 1.10.2. Ziegfeld Midnight Frolic and the Follies…………………….. 78 CHAPTER II 2. Actor and Social Occupations……………………………….. 82 2.1. Hollywood in the Twenties…………………………………… 82 2.2. The Performer on Hollywood………………………………... 83 2.2.1. Silent Movies………………………………………………….. 83 2.2.1.1. Goldwyn Pictures Corporation………………………………. 83 2.3. The Journalist…………………………………………………. 89 2.3.1. The Writer: Syndicated Columnist………………………….. 90 2.3.2. Radio Commentator……………………………………......... 100 2.4. Ambassador…………………………………………………… 103 2.4.1. Ambassador of Good Will……………………………………. 103 2.4.2. The Great Depression………………………………………... 105 2.5. Presidential Advisor……………………………..................... 108 María Lorena Vásconez 8 UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA Escuela de Lengua y Literatura Inglesa 2.6. Return to Broadway and Hollywood………………………… 114 2.6.1. Rogers’ Last Performance in Broadway……………………. 114 2.6.2. Hollywood: Talking Pictures…………………………………. 117 2.7. Aviation………………………………………………………… 119 2.8. Tragic Death…………………………………………………… 123 CHAPTER III 3. The Philosopher……………………………………………….. 126 3.1. Will Rogers Writings or Says…………………………………. 127 3.1.1. Ziegfeld Follies…………………………………………………. 128 3.1.2. Politics…………………………………………………………... 128 3.1.2.1. Politicians………………………… …………………………….. 132 3.1.2.2. Republicans and Democrats…………………………………. 134 3.1.2.3. Congress………………… …………………………………….. 137 3.1.3. Presidents………………………………………………………. 142 3.1.3.1. George Washington…………………………………………… 144 3.1.3.2. Thomas Jefferson……………………………………………… 144 3.1.3.3. Andrew Jackson……………………………………………….. 145 3.1.3.4. Abraham Lincoln……………………………………………….. 146 3.1.3.5. Theodore Roosevelt…………………………………………… 146 3.1.3.6. Calving Coolidge………………………………………………. 147 3.1.3.7. Herbert Hoover………………………………………………… 148 3.1.3.8. Franklin Delano Roosevelt……………………………………. 149 3.1.4. Conventions……………………………………………………. 149 3.1.5. Campaigns and Elections…………………………………….. 151 3.1.6. America…………………………………………………………. 153 3.1.6.1. The U.S. Government…………………………………………. 158 3.1.6.2. U.S. Citizens……………………............................................ 161 3.1.6.3. U.S. States and Cities…………… …………………………… 162 3.1.6.4. Americanism……………………… ……………………………. 163 3.1.7. Travel……………………………………………………………. 164 María Lorena Vásconez 9 UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA Escuela de Lengua y Literatura Inglesa 3.1.7.1. Foreign Nations………………………………………………… 164 3.1.7.2. England……………… …………………………………………. 167 3.1.7.3. Russia…………… ……………………………………………… 167 3.1.8. Diplomacy………………………………………………………. 169 3.1.8.1. Diplomats……… ……………………………………………….. 169 3.1.9. Business………………………………………………………… 171 3.1.9.1. Wall Street and Stock Market………………………………… 172 3.1.9.2. Taxes…………………… ………………………………………. 174 3.1.9.3. Recession: The Great Depression…………………………… 174 3.1.10. Lawyers and Bankers…………………………………………. 175 3.1.10.1. Law and Lawyers………………………………………………. 175 3.1.10.2. Bankers…………………… ……………………………………. 176 3.1.11. War……………………… ……………………………………… 178 3.1.11.1. Conferences…………… ………………………………………. 180 3.1.11.2. Disarmament…………… ……………………………………… 181 3.1.11.3. Armed Forces………………………………………………….. 182 3.1.11.4. Aviation……………………… …………………………………. 183 3.1.12. Education………… …………………………………………….. 183 3.1.13. Labor………………… …………………………………………. 185 3.1.14. Personal…………………… …………………………………… 186 3.1.14.1. Rogers’ Family…………………………………………………. 190 3.2. Philosophy……………………………………………………… 191 3.2.1. Everyday Life…………………………………………………… 191 3.2.2. Religion…………………………………………………………. 192 3.2.3. Civilization………………………………………………………. 193 3.2.4. Philosophy……………………………………………………… 194 3.3. One – Liners……………………………………………………. 197 CHAPTER IV 4. The Legacy of Will Rogers……………….............................. 200 4.1. Honors…………………………………………………………... 200 María Lorena Vásconez 10 UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA Escuela de Lengua y Literatura Inglesa 4.1.1. Oklahoma Honors……………………………………………… 200 4.1.1.1. Will Rogers Memorial Commission………………………….. 201 4.1.1.2. Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch………………………………… 201 4.1.1.3. Will Rogers Memorial Museum………………………………. 203 4.1.1.4. Will Rogers World Airport……………………………………... 205 4.1.1.5. The Will Rogers’ Turnpike…………………………………….. 206 4.1.1.6. Will Rogers High School………………………………………. 206 4.1.1.7. Will Rogers Room at the University of Oklahoma………….. 207 4.1.1.8. Will Rogers Scout Reservation………………………………. 207 4.1.1.9. Will Rogers Bowl………………………………………………. 208 4.2. Memorials……………………………………………………….