Above are depicted the things that should be around most of the contents of this collection. 

At least they should be around the things that are best. 

From whence it has all come, I could not swear.

It all began when I worked up an advertising campaign called "Texas Brags." People from all over the world have written in for these ads. 

They were interesting bits about a great State. 

But the advertiser had to tell the truth, and too often thought better than to tell the whole truth. 

Here I have let fly.

The Houston Chamber of Commerce started me out. 

The Texas Almanac, published by the Dallas News, furnished a lot of it. 

Friends have contributed at every turn.

There are surely adjustments needed to make exact truths out of some of the statements herein. 

For example, Widow Maker probably pitched Sluefoot Sue so high that she really did bump her head on the moon, but an effort has been made to be honest in the tales of this fabulous State.

To my wife, who has always, like every wife, wanted to write a book, I dedicate this masterpiece, as a sure way to make her write that book to redeem the family name.