Harley Sadler

Harley Herman Sadler (September 4, 1892 – October 14, 1954) was an American showman, oilman, and state legislator from Texas.

He is reportedly "the first man to make a million dollars from a tent show."

Early years

The fourth of six children and the fifth son, Sadler was born near Pleasant Plains, Arkansas, to Junius and Lula T. Sadler. His father was a farmer turned general merchant who made a new home in Stamford, Texas. With little experience beyond the town band and teenage theatrical performances, Sadler dropped out of high school to follow the traveling tent shows passing through Stamford. He would trail a company until his money ran out, return home to work and refill his wallet, and then set out again. for so long, the manager offered him a job.

Most tent shows, including Sadler's, were family affairs. Billie acted as business manager and played leading ladies, her mother Louise (Mama Lou) was backstage director (seamstress and dresser), while her brother Burnie was boss canvas man. Sadler's brother Ferd (short for Ferdinand) handled advance man duties; his wife Gladys ran the box office. The Sadlers' only child, Gloria, joined the troupe as soon as she could walk. Nephews, nieces and other family members worked the show during summer vacations.

The show stopped in 60-odd communities biennially. Sadler's gift for remembering faces, names and local events plus his empathic understanding of his audience endeared him to locals, onstage and off. He was noted for generosity with his money as well as his talent. He was presented as a silly, naive, mischievous kid who was smarter than he looked. A common plot involved Toby, the hayseed, outwitting a city slicker. Homespun humor, slapstick, gymnastics and facial contortions were part of the persona.

Sputters was a stuttering cowboy version of Toby. He could only speak fluently while tracing an imaginary square in the air with his finger.

Like Toby, Sadler's old man character G. String was introduced in Clouds and Sunshine. He was usually portrayed as bald headed with a fringe of white hair and a white goatee, wore wire-rimmed spectacles and often carried a cane. He might depict a constable, station agent or retiree.

Actor/singer Chill Wills began his rise to fame in Sadler's tent shows, as did character actors Will Geer, Dick Elliott, Milburn Stone, Charles Winninger and leading man Lyle Talbot. The following year, he entered state politics himself, entering the race as a Democrat for Texas House of Representatives. He won the Sweetwater District seat,

An Austin American-Statesman reporter wrote, "There has never been a milder, more sincere sort of man in the Legislature than Harley Sadler."

He served three terms in the Texas House. Pressed to run for the U.S. House or governorship of Texas, he instead campaigned for the Texas Senate, and lost. In 1950, he moved to Abilene and, once again, ran a successful race for a House seat, this time representing Taylor County. Years later, Sadler ran unopposed for Texas Senate. In this role, he represented the counties of Taylor, Borden, Dickens, Fisher, Garza, Howard, Jones, Kent, Mitchell, Nolan, Scurry, Shackelford and Stonewall.

Personal life

Sadler was plagued with poor health all his life. During his political career, it took a turn for the worse, exacerbated by his inability to say "no." He would readily agree to help any civic group asking for a favor, whether emceeing a benefit or working nonstop in other capacities. His daughter's death continued to take a toll. He left flowers on her grave twice a week.

He suffered a heart attack while emceeing a Boy Scout fundraiser in Avoca, Texas. He died the next morning, October 15, 1954. Nine months later, after a cancer diagnosis, Billie took her own life. He is interred next to her and Gloria in the Massengale plot in Cameron.