Norfleet

I've just finished reading Norfleet.  It's the true and amazing story of Frank Norfleet, a West Texas rancher who was the victim of a stock-swindling racket in 1919.  This 388-page book details his 5-year hunt for the swindlers.  Apparently, he didn't recover his money, but he did hand the thieves over to the authorities.  It was quite a feat of tenacity and endurance.  

This book's connection with Sugar Land is through Sugarland Industries.  Imperial Press, located in the old Salvage Building,  published it in 1927.  W. T. Eldridge, Sr. tried to sell the story to Hollywood, but never succeeded.

  

The book is surprisingly good.  It's a dramatic story, but the ghostwriter, Gordon Hines, never makes it melodramatic.

Here's a link to Norfleet's entry in The Handbook of Texas.  Here's an article detailing the swindle.

I want to thank Shirley Laird for letting me read her copy before giving it to the Sugar Land Museum.