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BRING
'EM BACK ALIVE:
FRANK BUCK
by Archie P. McDonald |
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Before
the late Steve Ervin wrestled his first crocodile, before Jane Goodall learned
to communicate with chimps, before swimming champion Johnny Weissmuller personified
Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan and Jungle Jim in movies and serials, and before
John Wayne performed in a film titled "Hatari!" about a professional trapper of
animals for zoos, Frank Buck captured American and international audiences with
tales of his adventures doing just those kinds of things everywhere on the planet.
Buck was born in Gainesville,
Texas, on March 17, 1884, to Howard and Ada Buck. The elder Buck operated
a wagon yard in Gainesville, and in the fashion of the day, that was where young
Frank joined the world. Later the family moved to Dallas were Buck sold Studebaker
wagons and Frank Buck attended local schools until his eighteenth year. Buck left
school to escort cattle to Chicago by rail, and thereafter his life's work was
associated with animals-although likely his expert showmanship really is why he
is remembered. Buck began collecting animals from around the world for exposition
in zoos, circuses, and other entertainment venues, hence his nickname, "Bring
'Em Back Alive," as distinguished from most game hunters who sought trophies they
could hang on the wall. Buck's earliest trips took him to South America but eventually
he worked in Africa and Asia, or anywhere "exotic"-meaning non-United States and
therefore "different" for American audiences-could be obtained. |
| Soon
Buck became the story instead of the animals. He wrote, with the assistance of
professional writers, of his experiences in a series of books titled "Bring 'Em
Back Alive," "Wild Cargo," and "Fang and Claw", and also produced movies with
the same titles. Buck's adventures were also celebrated in a daily feature in
newspapers. Frank Buck passed away in Houston
on March 25,1950. | |
© Archie P. McDonald
All
Things Historical
>
February 12, 2007 column
A syndicated column in 70 East Texas newspapers
This column is provided as a public service by the East Texas Historical Association.
Archie P. McDonald is director of the Association and author of more than 20 books
on Texas | |
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