Sadler, Harley, 1892-1954

West Texas showman, oilman, and Texas legislator. As an actor and tent show owner, he traveled over the United States in tent shows during the period 1910 to 1944, principally in Texas and the Southwest. Sadler was elected to the Texas Senate in 1943, where he served until his death in 1954.

From the description of Papers, 1910-1981. (Texas Tech University). WorldCat record id: 22837451

A West Texas showman, oilman, and Texas legislator, Harley Sadler was also an actor and tent show owner. He traveled through the United States in tent shows during the period 1910 to 1944, primarily in Texas and the Southwest. Elected to the Texas Senate in 1943, he served until his death in 1954.

From the turn of the century through the era of the Great Depression, tent shows were a popular medium of entertainment particularly in rural areas. Harley Sadler and Harvey Haverstock were among the famous tent show owners in Texas and the Southwest.

The Handbook of Texas has published a more in-depth online biography of Harley Herman Sadler at http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/search.html

From the guide to the Harley Sadler Papers, S 884. 1., 1922-1976 and undated, (Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University)