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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."
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. To the dismay of his father, Harley was stage-struck at an early age. His father harbored dreams of him becoming a lawyer. 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. In 1908, he followed a carnival, The Parker Show, for so long, the manager offered him a job.
He was hired as a musician, but the hoped-for band did not materialize. Sadler wound up making spiels, selling novelties and doing odd jobs. In 1909, he made his way to Kansas and the McDonald Shows. He worked as an advance advertising man as the troupe made its way to the West Coast, the Northwest and back to the Midwest. Harley briefly joined another show, before getting sick in Parsons, Kansas. His oldest brother Luther retrieved him and took him back to Texas.
Sadler recovered. At the entreaty of a minister who also offered a scholarship, he returned to school to study law at Reynolds Military Academy in Albany, Texas. When a repertory company passed through in 1912, Sadler went with it. During the following two years, he worked with several shows, including North Brothers Stock Company, the Renfro Jolly Pathfinders and the Wonderland Floating Theater, a Mississippi River showboat.
By now, Sadler had a clear idea of what he wanted from show business: to act and to be a comedian. He found a happy blending of the two in comedic acting roles.
His next stint was with Roy E. Fox's Popular Players. He was second comedian and played horn. He stayed with the company for several years, advancing to first comedian with its perk of top billing.
After a whirlwind courtship, Sadler married Willie Louise (Billie) Massengale of Cameron, Texas, in 1917. They met at the Cameron tax office where she was working when he applied for a permit for the show. Billie joined Harley on the Fox circuit, selling tickets and playing piano between acts. One performance she filled in for a leading lady who had fallen ill.
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."
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. To the dismay of his father, Harley was stage-struck at an early age. His father harbored dreams of him becoming a lawyer. 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. In 1908, he followed a carnival, The Parker Show, for so long, the manager offered him a job.
He was hired as a musician, but the hoped-for band did not materialize. Sadler wound up making spiels, selling novelties and doing odd jobs. In 1909, he made his way to Kansas and the McDonald Shows. He worked as an advance advertising man as the troupe made its way to the West Coast, the Northwest and back to the Midwest. Harley briefly joined another show, before getting sick in Parsons, Kansas. His oldest brother Luther retrieved him and took him back to Texas.
Sadler recovered. At the entreaty of a minister who also offered a scholarship, he returned to school to study law at Reynolds Military Academy in Albany, Texas. When a repertory company passed through in 1912, Sadler went with it. During the following two years, he worked with several shows, including North Brothers Stock Company, the Renfro Jolly Pathfinders and the Wonderland Floating Theater, a Mississippi River showboat.
By now, Sadler had a clear idea of what he wanted from show business: to act and to be a comedian. He found a happy blending of the two in comedic acting roles.
His next stint was with Roy E. Fox's Popular Players. He was second comedian and played horn. He stayed with the company for several years, advancing to first comedian with its perk of top billing.
After a whirlwind courtship, Sadler married Willie Louise (Billie) Massengale of Cameron, Texas, in 1917. They met at the Cameron tax office where she was working when he applied for a permit for the show. Billie joined Harley on the Fox circuit, selling tickets and playing piano between acts. One performance she filled in for a leading lady who had fallen ill.
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