Baby, Let's Play House Part 47

xiii "a message so shocking": "a message so shocking": Rodman, Rodman, Elvis After Elvis: The Posthumous Career of a Living Legend. Elvis After Elvis: The Posthumous Career of a Living Legend.

xiii "recognized as a threat": "recognized as a threat": Ibid. Ibid.

xiii "few rock and rollers": "few rock and rollers": Robert Christgau, Robert Christgau, The Village Voice, The Village Voice, June 10, 1997. June 10, 1997.

xiii "One of the most childish expressions": "One of the most childish expressions": Elvis Presley to Paul Wilder for Elvis Presley to Paul Wilder for TV Guide TV Guide, August 6, 1956.

xiii "What remains, unfortunately": Miami Herald "What remains, unfortunately": Miami Herald article as quoted in Osborne, Jerry, article as quoted in Osborne, Jerry, Elvis Word for Word Elvis Word for Word.

xiii "Any answer to that one?" "Any answer to that one?" through through "make the best of it": "make the best of it": Paul Wilder interview of Elvis Presley, Paul Wilder interview of Elvis Presley, TV Guide TV Guide, August 6, 1956.

xiv "charm the pants off a snake," Bobbie Ann Mason, "All Shook Up," The New Yorker The New Yorker, March 14, 1994.

xiv "She touched my hand": "She touched my hand": Truncated lyrics to "All Shook Up." Truncated lyrics to "All Shook Up."

xiv "He enjoyed the feel": "He enjoyed the feel": Alfred Wertheimer to Gary James, on the Web site cla.s.sicbands.com, 2006. Alfred Wertheimer to Gary James, on the Web site cla.s.sicbands.com, 2006.

xiv "His sneer was all-important": "His sneer was all-important": Whitmer, Peter O., Whitmer, Peter O., The Inner Elvis. The Inner Elvis.

xiv "wandering" uterus: "wandering" uterus: Whitmer, Peter O., Whitmer, Peter O., The Inner Elvis. The Inner Elvis.

xiv Hippocrates and hysteria: Hippocrates and hysteria: Wikipedia. Wikipedia.

xv "s.e.xual savagery": "s.e.xual savagery": Matt Dellinger, "For the Young Elvis, a Brand New Accompaniment," Matt Dellinger, "For the Young Elvis, a Brand New Accompaniment," The New York Times, The New York Times, August 11, 2002. August 11, 2002.

xv "People wonder": "People wonder": Kevin Eggers, quoted in "For the Young Elvis, a Brand New Accompaniment," Kevin Eggers, quoted in "For the Young Elvis, a Brand New Accompaniment," The New York Times, The New York Times, August 11, 2002. August 11, 2002.

xv "effeminization of the American male": Chicago Tribune "effeminization of the American male": Chicago Tribune, as quoted by the Web site imdb.com.

xv "like k.d. lang": "like k.d. lang": Leigh Crow to Kerry Bashford, quoted in Leigh Crow to Kerry Bashford, quoted in Polare Polare, 2005.

xv "He was the total androgynous beauty": "He was the total androgynous beauty": k.d. lang as quoted in k.d. lang as quoted in Elvis International Forum Elvis International Forum magazine, Vol. 11, #1, Spring 1998. magazine, Vol. 11, #1, Spring 1998.

xvi "Elvis swims in our minds": "Elvis swims in our minds": David Lynch, quoted in "Elvis Feared He'd Be Forgotten," on the Web site abcnews.com, 2007. David Lynch, quoted in "Elvis Feared He'd Be Forgotten," on the Web site abcnews.com, 2007.

xvi "For a dead man": "For a dead man": Rodman, Rodman, Elvis After Elvis: The Posthumous Career of a Living Legend. Elvis After Elvis: The Posthumous Career of a Living Legend.

xvii "Bottom line": "Bottom line": e-mail, Kay Wheeler to author, 2009. e-mail, Kay Wheeler to author, 2009.

CHAPTER ONE.

1 "She is always worried . . .": "She is always worried . . .": Elvis Presley to Robert Carlton Brown, March 24, 1956. Elvis Presley to Robert Carlton Brown, March 24, 1956.

2"could make you laugh when n.o.body else could": Annie Presley, quoted in Burk, Bill E., Annie Presley, quoted in Burk, Bill E., Early Elvis: The Tupelo Years. Early Elvis: The Tupelo Years.

3 "she would be carefully carried": "she would be carefully carried": Whitmer, Peter O., Whitmer, Peter O., The Inner Elvis. The Inner Elvis.

3 "Bring a bucket": "Bring a bucket": Mertice Finley Collins, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy. Mertice Finley Collins, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy.

3 "Just because you're poor": "Just because you're poor": Billy Smith to author, 1992. Billy Smith to author, 1992.

3 "lazy as a hog": "lazy as a hog": Lillian Smith Fortenberry, raw interview transcript, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy. Lillian Smith Fortenberry, raw interview transcript, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy.

3 "Old Dr. Hunt": "Old Dr. Hunt": Janelle McComb to author, 2003. Janelle McComb to author, 2003.

4 "This tiny impoverished community": "This tiny impoverished community": Elaine Dundy, on the Web site elvisnews.com, October 6, 2004. Elaine Dundy, on the Web site elvisnews.com, October 6, 2004.

4 "It seemed like": "It seemed like": Dundy, Elaine, Dundy, Elaine, Elvis and Gladys. Elvis and Gladys.

4 "Everybody in that family": "Everybody in that family": Lamar Fike to author, 1992. Lamar Fike to author, 1992.

5 "getting a little": "getting a little": Billy Smith to author, 1992. Billy Smith to author, 1992.

5 "Aunt Gladys was a strong-willed individual": "Aunt Gladys was a strong-willed individual": Billy Smith to author, 1992. Billy Smith to author, 1992.

5 "very highly strung": "very highly strung": Lillian Smith Fortenberry, raw interview transcript, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy. Lillian Smith Fortenberry, raw interview transcript, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy.

5 "dark things": "dark things": Dundy, Dundy, Elvis and Gladys. Elvis and Gladys.

5 "fast": "fast": Pid Harris, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy. Pid Harris, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy.

6 "Gladys got herself": "Gladys got herself": Dundy, Dundy, Elvis and Gladys. Elvis and Gladys.

6 "Conversion hysteria": "Conversion hysteria": Whitmer, Peter O., Whitmer, Peter O., The Inner Elvis. The Inner Elvis.

7 "she could not move": "she could not move": Annie Presley, quoted in Whitmer, Peter O., Annie Presley, quoted in Whitmer, Peter O., The Inner Elvis. The Inner Elvis.

7 "Back in them days": "Back in them days": Annie Presley to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript. Annie Presley to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript.

7 "Just a roof": "Just a roof": Annie Presley, quoted in Burk, Bill E., Annie Presley, quoted in Burk, Bill E., Early Elvis: The Tupelo Years. Early Elvis: The Tupelo Years.

7 "In all of our church services": "In all of our church services": Reverend Frank W. Smith, quoted in Burk, Bill E., Reverend Frank W. Smith, quoted in Burk, Bill E., Early Elvis: The Tupelo Years. Early Elvis: The Tupelo Years.

8 "Gladys was in and out": "Gladys was in and out": Annie Presley to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript. Annie Presley to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript.

8 "Your belief in G.o.d": "Your belief in G.o.d": Whitmer, Peter O., Whitmer, Peter O., The Inner Elvis. The Inner Elvis.

8 "Gladys didn't like my att.i.tude much": "Gladys didn't like my att.i.tude much": Vester Presley, as quoted on the Web site Elvis Australia. Vester Presley, as quoted on the Web site Elvis Australia.

9 "When Mertice": "When Mertice": e-mail, Roy Turner to author, 2009. e-mail, Roy Turner to author, 2009.

9 "She was a very strict disciplinarian": "She was a very strict disciplinarian": Joseph Presley, as quoted in Dundy, Elaine, Joseph Presley, as quoted in Dundy, Elaine, Elvis and Gladys. Elvis and Gladys.

10 "When that was gone": "When that was gone": Annie Presley to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript. Annie Presley to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript.

10 "Was he being stingy": "Was he being stingy": Tony Stuchbury to author, 2009. Tony Stuchbury to author, 2009.

10 "When he'd get off of work": "When he'd get off of work": Annie Presley to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript. Annie Presley to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript.

11 "Roses are red": "Roses are red": Elvis Presley's poem, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy. Elvis Presley's poem, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy.

12 "Vernon thought he was a stud": "Vernon thought he was a stud": Lamar Fike to author, 1993. Lamar Fike to author, 1993.

12 "I think it's time": "I think it's time": Gladys Presley, as quoted in Burk, Bill E., Gladys Presley, as quoted in Burk, Bill E., Early Elvis: The Tupelo Years. Early Elvis: The Tupelo Years.

12 "Jessie, drunk out of his mind": "Jessie, drunk out of his mind": Billy Smith to author, 1993. Billy Smith to author, 1993.

13 "more than half dead": "more than half dead": Whitmer, Peter O., Whitmer, Peter O., The Inner Elvis. The Inner Elvis.

13 "Some of the congregation": "Some of the congregation": Janelle McComb, quoted in Clayton, Rose, and Heard, d.i.c.k, Janelle McComb, quoted in Clayton, Rose, and Heard, d.i.c.k, Elvis Up Close. Elvis Up Close.

14 "n.o.body really knows": "n.o.body really knows": Joe Savery, quoted in Clayton, Rose, and Heard, d.i.c.k, Joe Savery, quoted in Clayton, Rose, and Heard, d.i.c.k, Elvis Up Close. Elvis Up Close.

14 "When I stumbled on": "When I stumbled on": e-mail, Roy Turner to author, 2009. e-mail, Roy Turner to author, 2009.

14 "I was doing a doc.u.mentary": "I was doing a doc.u.mentary": Ibid. Roy Turner to author, 2009. Ibid. Roy Turner to author, 2009.

14 "People say": "People say": Billy Smith to author, 1993. Billy Smith to author, 1993.

15 "Gladys had": "Gladys had": Unnamed cousin of Gladys Presley, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy. Unnamed cousin of Gladys Presley, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy.

15 "Gladys ruled her house": "Gladys ruled her house": Lamar Fike to author, 1993. Lamar Fike to author, 1993.

15 "My mother": "My mother": Elvis Presley, press conference t.i.tled "Press Interview with Elvis Presley." Brooklyn, N.Y. Source: "Elvis Sails" EP, September 22, 1958. Elvis Presley, press conference t.i.tled "Press Interview with Elvis Presley." Brooklyn, N.Y. Source: "Elvis Sails" EP, September 22, 1958.

15 "It sounded like": "It sounded like": Magnolia Clanton, quoted in Dundy, Elaine, Magnolia Clanton, quoted in Dundy, Elaine, Elvis and Gladys. Elvis and Gladys.

16 "The services": "The services": Annie Presley, quoted in Burk, Bill E., Annie Presley, quoted in Burk, Bill E., Early Elvis: The Tupelo Years. Early Elvis: The Tupelo Years.

17 "After about three hours": "After about three hours": Roy Turner to Piers Beagley, Elvis Information Network, May 2008. Roy Turner to Piers Beagley, Elvis Information Network, May 2008.

17 "It was a small church": "It was a small church": Elvis Presley, quoted in the Elvis Presley, quoted in the Sat.u.r.day Evening Post Sat.u.r.day Evening Post, September 11, 1965.

17 "Gladys used to laugh": "Gladys used to laugh": Harold Loyd, quoted in Clayton, Rose, and Heard, d.i.c.k, Harold Loyd, quoted in Clayton, Rose, and Heard, d.i.c.k, Elvis Up Close. Elvis Up Close.

17 "While pregnant": "While pregnant": Peter O. Whitmer to author, 2009. Peter O. Whitmer to author, 2009.

18 "uttering a forged instrument": "uttering a forged instrument": Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst, Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst, Elvis Day by Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music. Elvis Day by Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music.

18 "They were drinking": "They were drinking": Billy Smith to author, 1993. Billy Smith to author, 1993.

18 "Maybe J.D. thought": "Maybe J.D. thought": Ibid. Ibid.

19 "The warden made him a trustee": "The warden made him a trustee":This is not precisely clear. A penitentiary record dated February 6, 1939, the day of Vernon's release states, "Sergeant Day says his record is good; not a trusty [sic], but nothing against his record. Maude."

19 "action nightmares": "action nightmares": Unnamed Presley relative, quoted in "The Boy Who Would Be King," by Steve Dougherty, Unnamed Presley relative, quoted in "The Boy Who Would Be King," by Steve Dougherty, This Is Elvis This Is Elvis: Special Collector's Edition of TV Guide, TV Guide, August 2002. August 2002.

CHAPTER TWO.

21 "The money was repaid": "The money was repaid": Orville Bean, letter to Governor Hugh L. White, December 16, 1938. Orville Bean, letter to Governor Hugh L. White, December 16, 1938.

Orville Bean's letter, which was found in the Parchman Penitentiary archives in 2008, also provides the clearest picture of the crime. "An application of Vernon Presley for pardon," as Bean termed it, the letter reads in full:

Dear Governor: This young man plead [sic] guilty at the May Term, 1938, of the Circuit Court of Lee County, Mississippi, on a charge of forgery, and was sentenced to serve three years in the State Penitentiary. This young man, who is twenty-three years of age and was raised here, has never been in any trouble whatever until this came up.

I bought a hog from Mr. Presley and gave him a check for it and he allowed two other young men to see the check and copy the signature and the other men forged checks on me and I understand they paid Presley about $15.00 of the money they got on the forged checks for allowing them to copy the signature of the legitimate check I gave him, and not saying anything about it, but when Presley was asked about the matter he told the whole truth at the very beginning.

This young man has a wife and one small child that are in financial distress, and they need him very badly. He is not a bad man and has never been. The money was repaid to me and this man realizes the mistake he has made and I believe he has been sufficiently punished. He is a splendid young man and if given a chance I confidently believe he will make a good and useful citizen and for these reasons I respectfully ask you to grant him a pardon.

Yours very truly, O.S. Bean 21 "he has never even been drunk": "he has never even been drunk": Gladys Presley and Minnie Mae Presley, letter, October 29, 1938. Gladys Presley and Minnie Mae Presley, letter, October 29, 1938.

21 "My health is bad": "My health is bad": Gladys Presley, letter, November 25, 1938. Gladys Presley, letter, November 25, 1938.

22 "He wouldn't wait": "He wouldn't wait": Annie Presley to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript. Annie Presley to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript.

22 "Aunt Gladys": "Aunt Gladys": Billy Smith to author, 1993. Billy Smith to author, 1993.

22 "crying his eyes out": "crying his eyes out": Unnamed Presley relative, quoted in "The Boy Who Would Be King," by Steve Dougherty, Unnamed Presley relative, quoted in "The Boy Who Would Be King," by Steve Dougherty, This Is Elvis This Is Elvis: Special Collector's Edition of TV Guide, TV Guide, August 2002. August 2002.

22 "After [Vernon] went to prison:" "After [Vernon] went to prison:" Unnamed Presley friend, quoted in "The Boy Who Would Be King," by Steve Dougherty, Unnamed Presley friend, quoted in "The Boy Who Would Be King," by Steve Dougherty, This Is Elvis This Is Elvis: Special Collector's Edition of TV Guide, TV Guide, August 2002. August 2002.

22 "He'd run up to you": "He'd run up to you": Annie Presley, quoted in Whitmer, Peter O., Annie Presley, quoted in Whitmer, Peter O., The Inner Elvis. The Inner Elvis.

23 "Twinless twins": "Twinless twins": Whitmer, Peter O., Whitmer, Peter O., The Inner Elvis. The Inner Elvis.

23 "Elvis was just learning": "Elvis was just learning": Lillian Smith Fortenberry, raw interview transcript, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy. Lillian Smith Fortenberry, raw interview transcript, Mississippi Room Collection, Lee County Library (MRC), probably from the papers of Elaine Dundy.

24 "Given what is known": "Given what is known": Whitmer, Peter O., Whitmer, Peter O., The Inner Elvis. The Inner Elvis.

24 "a real condensed round": "a real condensed round": Billy Smith to author, 1993. Billy Smith to author, 1993.

24 "Elvis would rip": "Elvis would rip": Lamar Fike to author, 1994. Lamar Fike to author, 1994.