[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 158 (Wednesday, November 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2335]]
             TRIBUTE TO A NEWSPAPER LEGEND, CLAUD EASTERLY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 1999

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, with the passing of Claud Easterly, 
editor of the Denison Herald for 30 years and one of his hometown's 
foremost historians, comes the end of a generation of old-fashioned 
newspapermen who learned their trade on the job, not in the classroom, 
and who preferred their old typewriters to computers. Such a man was 
Claud Easterly of Denison, TX, who died this year at the age of 91.
  During Mr. Easterly's career, he interviewed five U.S. Presidents, 
several Vice Presidents, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, my 
predecessor in the fourth district, bandleader John Phillip Sousa, 
magician Harry Houdini, Father Flanagan of Boys Town, New York Mayor 
LaGuardia and heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis, among many other 
State and national dignitaries.
  Yet he said that his greatest experiences were ``in helping record 
the more routine events that reflected the failures and successes, joys 
and sorrows of the folks here at home,'' according to the Herald 
Democrat, the newspaper that succeeded the Denison Herald and to which 
he continued to contribute articles and serve as a reliable source 
until shortly before his death.
  Claud Easterly knew his community well and served it well through 30 
years as editor of the city newspaper. Inspired by his high school 
English teacher, he proved adept at writing. He was named the first 
editor of his high school newspaper and upon graduation from high 
school approached the editor of the Denison Herald, who agreed to hire 
him at no pay until he learned the job. Three months later, he was put 
on the payroll at a salary of $12.50 per week, and as they say, the 
rest is history. In addition to his famous interviews, he covered many 
historical events, including the Red River Bridge war in 1931, the 
construction of Denison Dam in the 1940's and the local perspective of 
World War II.
  In addition to his newspaper responsibilities, Mr. Easterly also was 
active in the civic life of Denison. He served as president of the 
Lions Club, a director of the Chamber of Commerce and a board member of 
the Public Library. Following his retirement in 1972 as editor of the 
newspaper, he campaigned for and was elected to the Denison City 
Council. He also was a member of Waples Memorial United Methodist 
Church.
  Claud Easterly was born in Denison in 1907, the son of Mr. and Mrs. 
E. W. Easterly. In 1931 he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth 
Davis. Following her death in 1967, he married Mrs. Ophelia Taylor, who 
survives him. Also surviving are his son David Easterly and daughter-
in-law Judy, stepson Richard Taylor and wife Carol; stepdaughter 
Carolyn Arnett and husband Butch, a brother Doug, 10 grandchildren and 
1 great-grandchild.
  Claud Easterly was proud that his son, David, followed him in the 
newspaper business, getting his start alongside his father at the 
Denison Herald. David is now president of Cox Enterprises, which owns 
and operates a number of newspapers, including the Atlantic Journal & 
Constitution.
  Mr. Speaker, Claud Easterly lived during the tenure of three 
representatives of the Fourth District of Texas--Speaker Sam Rayburn, 
Ray Roberts, and myself. He knew our district as well as we did, and so 
it is both an honor--and fitting--to ask my colleagues to join me in 
paying our last respects to this great newspaperman from Denison, TX--
Claud Easterly. His memory will be preserved in the archives of his 
newspaper--and in the hearts and minds of those who knew him.

                          ____________________