A.C.E. Writers

“Oris George Has Something to Say”
By Danielle Simone

“Mr. Hillerman and I didn’t get off to a good start,” recalls Oris Reed, Lamar author, oral historian and writer, who also writes as Oris George. “In 1968, after my fifth class in Professor Hillerman’s Beginning Journalism, he asked me not to come back. I was against interpretive reporting and spoke my mind. He was a gentleman about it.”

Tony Hillerman, New Mexico author of 18 fiction novels and other non-fiction works, died Sunday, Oct. 26 in Albuquerque from pulmonary failure at 83. Hillerman’s fiction novels, filled with Native American authenticity, included “The Blessing Way” (1970), “Skinwalkers” (1986), and “Dance Hall of the Dead” (1973). The last book won the Mystery Writers of America’s 1974 Edgar Allan Poe award for best mystery novel and the first one won the Western Writers of America’s Golden Spur Award in 1987. His love of the southwest country showed in his non-fiction works as well, and included “The Southwest with Tony Hillerman” (1991). He was a journalist for many years. Eventually, looking for a new direction, he earned a Master’s Degree from the University of New Mexico in 1966; he taught writing and ethnic courses there. This is where Reed and Hillerman first met.

“Hillerman might have been one of the best storytellers around; he had a unique way,” said Reed. Reed’s writing style is unique as well. His flyers say it succinctly; Oris George lives in Colorado. He writes refreshing reminiscences about Mules, Donkeys, Dogs and Kids. These reminiscences are peppered with a unique, enchanting style of country humor. Oris’ boyhood adventures take readers along the Back Roads of Yesterday. There they are treated to a nostalgic look at a vanishing era of life which took its own sweet time getting to where it went—summers lingered long.

Brought up on a farm in the 30’s, 40’s and early 50’s, Reed acquired his love and respect for mules and donkeys, especially from his mother and father. These animals are threaded through his stories and are the subjects in many of his articles. “A mule is everything a horse wishes it were,” Reed said with a smile. The trials and hardships, fun, friendships and hard work he lived then are the focus in the stories he writes now – and has written for over 40 years. You can taste, smell, hear and breathe those times when you wander through his words. Reed’s stories of his younger years take you back to a time too long forgotten, a time when life was harsh yet real, palpable, unforgettable.

Asked why he writes, Reed said, “I knew I really wanted to be able to tell a story.” And in 1950, in high school, he started doing just that. His first story, The Decision, received an “A” from his English teacher, won the school – as well as a district contest and was published in The Capital Press, an Oregon State agricultural newspaper. Over the next 5 years, while in the service, stationed in Tours, France, Reed wrote numerous articles for a local newspaper there. He also published an article for a paper in Chinon, France. Reed has something to say, and he says it well.

Since 1960 he has written stories, articles, columns and essays and has published in magazines and newspapers including Mules and More, Western Mule, Cappers, The Saddle Mule News and Three Springs. In 1994 he published a book called Donkeys I Grew up With, which contained information about donkeys from his mother’s stories over the years. “Because of her stories, I developed an early love of donkeys.”

In 1963, he began researching the lives and times of southern sharecroppers and has nearly 400 hours of personal and telephone interviews on the subject. These issues are close to his heart and a book is in progress. Reed has also researched slavery for over 20 years.

In 1976, Hillerman and Reed crossed paths again. At another author’s book signing, Hillerman recognized Reed. “What are you doing with your life?” he asked. “I’m writing and am thinking about going back to school,” Reed replied. Following a friendly conversation, Hillerman asked to read Reed’s manuscript. Later Hillerman told him; “You don’t need to go back to school. You have stories to tell, you have something to say. Get busy.”

Local writers enjoy Reed’s stories. Karlyn Thayer, a writer from Cheraw who works with Writer’s Digest and knows Reed and his work said, “All kinds of people think they can write, but what they often forget is to write from the heart. Oris knows how to write from the heart, and that’s worth more than 1,000 writing lessons.” Ava Betz, former publisher of The Lamar Daily News said, “I am a great fan of Tony Hillerman. I’ve read all his books. Reed and Hillerman have similarities; they both capture the people they write about. They are both storytellers. I lose myself in Reed’s stories.” Sherry Allen, local author and columnist from La Junta said, “It’s nice to read rural writing that’s written by someone who’s been there.”

Reed writes daily. “I’ve had a lifetime love affair with words,” he said. Presently, he is waiting to hear from both Heritage and Cappers magazines on a recent article submission. One book manuscript is ready to go, another is close to completion and two more are in the wings. His website is www.orisgeorge.com.

“Tony Hillerman had a large, loyal following in New Mexico, the southwest and other parts of the country,” Reed said. “I will always remember his lesson to me, to be my own man, to have faith in myself, to take my stories to the next level. If I could, I would tell him…thank you.”