Hal G. Evarts

Writer

Born

August 24, 1887 · Topeka, Kansas, USA

Died

October 18, 1934

Birth name

Harry George Evarts

American writer Hal Evarts was born in Topeka, KS, in 1887. He dropped out of high school in Topeka after two years and journeyed to what was known as the Indian Territory (modern-day Oklahoma) where he got a job as a surveyor. He discovered that the outdoor life appealed to him. He traveled all over the west, living for a while in Wyoming, and at various times was a rancher, trapper, and back-country hunting guide and raised fur-bearing animals for their pelts. He became an acknowledged expert on hunting and trapping, and in his midlife became outdoors editor of "The Saturday Evening Post", specializing in articles about hunting. He joined the army during World War I and received a commission as a lieutenant, but the war ended before he could be sent overseas. His novels are full of tales of hunting, exploring, adventuring, Indian fighting, and other subjects close to his heart. What is probably his most famous novel, "Tumbleweeds"--about the famous "Oklahoma Land Rush"--was turned into what is considered a classic western, Tumbleweeds (1925) with William S. Hart. Another novel, "The Big Trail", was filmed as The Big Trail (1930), notable as one of the first films to be shot in 70mm and also as John Wayne's first "talkie". Evarts had a long history of heart problems, and in 1934 decided to take a cruise to South America to recover his health. He died of a heart attack on Oct. 18, 1934, on board a ship just outside the harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.