Published: June 23, 2009 12:36 pm      

Burl Ives legacy still resonates in Jasper County

NEWTON — Burl Ives was known to tell a good story. He was considered among the elite of post-Depression and World War II era troubadours, and his legacy of down-home wisdom still resonates for those who knew the man.

At the Newton Folk Festival, which paid tribute to Ives’ 100th birthday Saturday, one former resident had quite a story about the “Wayfarin’ Stranger.” For LeRoy Newlin, who could pass as kin to Jasper’s native son, some of his fondest Burl memories are of late nights and Ives’ “talking ukelele.”

Like many local stories of Ives, the connection relates to

Ives’ relatives living in the area. Newlin played football and graduated with Ives’ nephew Roger. After graduating from Newton High School, Newlin moved to Oklahoma City for a job in the insurance business.

“Farm life during and after the war was hard,” said Newlin, who is one of 10 siblings. “Roger didn’t want to be a farmer, either.”

Sympathizing with Roger about his troubles finding a employment, Newlin invited him to Oklahoma and gave him a job.

“He jumped into insurance like a fish into water,” said Newlin. “He was the easiest guy I’ve ever trained.”

Burl came to Oklahoma for several visits with Roger. According to Newlin, it was during this time he witnessed vintage Ives.

“Burl would tell us about his month through a song,” said Newlin. “That was the way he liked to tell stories. Roger was a great guitar player and he would sit around with Burl and play accompaniment until early in the morning.”

Beyond the ukelele Ives could make talk and long renditions of “Bluetailed Fly,” the late ‘50s was an interesting time to associate with Ives.

“Ives was popular, but this was just before his career started clicking,” said Newlin, referring to his extensive success in cinema. “After he got really popular and busy, he had to spend most of his time in Hollywood.

“I always felt after that, if we met, he would have treated me like an old friend,” said Newlin. “That was the kind of people he and Roger were, just good old boys.”

Some local sentiment has described Ives in a less than flattering light. It is what Dave Swick, tourism director and organizer for the Ives’ tributes, describes as jealousy for success.

Swick attitudes suggest Ives didn’t want a blue collar life and he forgot his heritage. This point does not hold credence for Swick, who points out Ives and his parents are buried in Hunt City cemetery, just outside of Newton.

As for Newlin, interest in Ives built over the years, as much of his own success and life mirrored that of Roger and Burl. He and Roger became successful district managers in the insurance business, with Newlin eventually taking a head circulation and advertising position for Look Magazine.

Like Ives’ now notorious helicopter landings on Newton’s football field, Newlin bought a Mooney Super 21 airplane and flew himself around the country. After a lifetime of “travel and excitement,” it’s obvious, Ives’ influence remains strong in Newlin.

“I came home four or five years ago and my sister had signed me up for a Ives’ look-alike contest without me knowing,” said Newlin. “I went along with it. I wore my going-to-hell hat pulled down and stood on stage with my cane.”

Whether in Newton or outside of town, Newlin admittedly lived life to the fullest and makes no apologies.

“Like Burl, I’ve had an exciting life,” said Newlin.

Tony Huffman can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 135 or tony.huffman@effinghamdailynews.com