He taught me to sip Jack Daniels and smoke (or chew on) Optimo cigars during our work. He did the full work on the degrees in due form, but our 3rd baseman had to stand up on a chair to deliver the important act during the 3rd degree. John took it gracefully and participated fully. He did the 3rd proficiency in California and went in to the upper degrees and the Shrine.

When he went into the Shrine, he sent his plane (a multipassenger turboprop) to Tucson to take me and my wife and children and the Potentate of Sabbar (Hack Baldwin, who was also treasurer- I think- of Marion McDaniel at the time) and his wife to witness the fun. We wondered how we would know which plane was his at the Tucson private airport. John assured us we would recognize it. We did. It had a painting of an "Oscar" on the fuselage and the "Oscar" had a patch over one eye.

John had just received the award for "True Grit". We watched him go into the Shrine and had a good time at the reception. Afterwards, his friend, whose name was Reifschneider, who was married to the owner of Knott's Berry Farm, gave my kids books of tickets for rides at the amusement park.

We saw the Duke several times after that, at the Shrine in CA and at the Francisco Grande Hotel in Casa Grande when he came in to visit his ranch near there or when he came to visit Tucson.

Fraternally yours,

Seneca L. Erman, MD, PM

The second is the script of Cahill U.S. Marshall that he let me read. As I was reading the typed script I noticed it was typed J.C. Cahill. The 'C' was crossed out and a 'D" was hand written above it.

When I asked Duke why the C was crossed out and the D written in he said if he were to make that movie calling himself J. C. the press would be all over him for trying to set himself up as Jesus Christ so he had them change the C to a D.

WB Jim Wild

BR John wanted in the worst way to play a part in the second section of the degree. However, he had not asked to participate due to his schedule. Just before the second section was about to begin, the WM approached me to ask if I would share "third base" with him. You see, I had been scheduled to do this part and was well prepared. BR John and I talked and behold, he wanted to do the physical part and I do the speaking part. As he would say, I would read the lines while he did the acting, because he had not had time to memorize it. It might be noted that he had just about a photographic memory and could have committed the part to memory very quickly, but he did not want to do that at the last minute.

Anyway when it came our time to participate, we preformed great together, except for just one little detail. BR John was accustomed to putting himself into acting a part and this part was played the same. When it was time to lay his foreman down, BR John did a great, but strong-handed job.

Immediately, afterwards he turned to me and whispered (the Duke could never really whisper due to his strong voice) "I wholloped H--- out him didn't I". I shushed him quickly because I am sure all nearby heard him. I was still concerned about his ranch foreman, as to whether he was just put down or if he had been put to sleep. The foreman was fine and the two of them later had a little discussion over coffee and doughnuts in the dining room.

Occasionally, after lodge when he had had a hard day at work before, he would ask during the coffee and doughnut break, if anyone wanted to go out for a little libation to end the day. Of course, we would go home and let the family know what was happening and go to one of the out of the way places that would let BR John in the back door without letting everyone know he was there.

So anyone that was with him received the same treatment. He just wanted to quietly have a stiff libation, some conversation and then call it a night.

In all occasions that I was around this man, he impressed me with his need to just be one of the ordinary people with no fan fare. He not only walked tall, rode tall in the saddle but projected an image of greater than life itself. For my money, I am the richer for having known and associated with him.

My wife still lets me have it when she talks about the Duke. She has all of his movies and some of the publicity sales stuff that she treasures still. Of course his autographs are hidden among her treasures. I guess that I probably should have managed for her to meet BR John but at the time I really did not think it was that big of a deal for her. Oh, well !!!!

Fraternally,

WB Don Milligan

Another anecdote, from BR Bob Volsteadt
(Who is about 6"1 or 2" - You'll see why this is notable)

We went to dinner that night at a restaurant near Golf Links and Kolb. It isn't there any more. While we were waiting for dinner we had a drink in the bar, and as people came in they were really surprised to see him and would sort of stare to make sure I guess.

Several tables were set up in the middle of of the room to accomodate our crowd, near the entrance, so people could see him when they came in. That bothered him somewhat, so after the meal he wanted to go back to his hotel room, which was on Alvernon just North of Broadway.

Bob Volsteadt