But the idea of a man making his living by writing seemed, in that hardy environment, so fantastic that even today I am sometimes myself assailed by a feeling of unreality.

Cross Plains' population quickly grew from 1500 to 10000 it suffered overcrowding the traffic ruined its unpaved roads and vice crime exploded but it also used its new wealth on civic improvements including a new school an ice manufacturing plant and new hotels. He spent most of his life in the town of Cross Plains with some time spent in nearby Brownwood. She had spent her early years helping a variety of sick relatives contracting tuberculosis in the process.

Howard remains a highly read author with his best works still reprinted. Although a Conan novel was nearly publiRobert E. Howardd into a book in 1934 his stories never appeared in book form during his lifetime.