The Crockett Legend

If you think Davy Crockett only became a legend after Walt Disney got to him, you've been hoodwinked by movie hype. Crockett was famous in his own time. That's what he was referring to in the letter that has caused all the ruckus: "I have got through Safe and have been received by everybody with open cerimony of friendship I am hailed with harty welcom to this country [Texas]...The Cannon was fired here on my arival."

Crockett represented Tennessee for three terms in the House of Representatives before losing an election and heading for Texas (You "go to hell, I'll go to Texas," he reportedly said after the electoral defeat). He burnished his legend with a series of Crockett Almanacs, published annually starting in 1835. They continued for twenty years after his death at the Alamo.

In a case of perfect timing, Texas auctioneer Dorothy Sloan is selling a long run - 21 issues - of the Crockett Almanacs at her October 26 sale. She calls them "economical on truth, but rich in humor and social insights."  Pictured is the 1837 issue, mostly written by Crockett before the Alamo, but published by his heirs after his death. The estimate is $50,000 to $75,000 for the set.