Iowa museum could answer the question: What would John Wayne do?

The inspiration for this article came on a day when I was at my Home Depot witnessing a loud-mouthed bully berate a helpless clerk.  In an attempt to distract myself, I thought back to my visit to Winterset, Iowa, the birthplace of John Wayne.  

Oh, how I wished to be John Wayne at that moment, all 6-foot-4 of him.  Wayne, by his presence, words or expression, would have put a stop to the unnecessary hostility toward a hardworking retail employee.  

I closed my eyes and recalled Winterset's remarkable museum honoring its native son. Memories of the museum filled my mind with Wayne's on- or off-screen verbal ammunition as he faced injustice, adversity or just plain loutish behavior. When spoken by a man of his size, his attention-getting barbs had a certain bite.  

Even landlubbers will feel the pull of Mystic

At Winterset, visitors see the iconic eye patch Wayne wore in “True Grit,” the outfit he donned for “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” and other movie memorabilia from 50 years and 170 films.  As a visual reminder of his larger-than-life persona, visitors are treated to seeing his 1972 raised-roof Pontiac station wagon.  They had to make room for that 10-gallon hat.  

Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison in 1907 and weighed in at a husky 13 pounds. His name did not suit him, and it was not long before he became known by Duke. A fireman gave him the name because Wayne was always in the company of his huge Airedale by the same name.  The dog was Big Duke, Wayne; incongruously, Little Duke.

After graduating high school in 1925, he was hired as an extra in western movies, where he learned his memorable gait from none other than Wyatt Earp, who frequented the set.  

Lucille Ball's museum is fit for comedy royalty

As his presence became more popular, movie executives shuttered at the thought of headlining anyone named Marion Morrison. To find a truly gritty (sorry) name, they dug up Wayne from that of a Revolutionary War general. 

The only time Wayne used the name Marion in the movies was for his role in “True Grit” for which he won his only Oscar.

Perhaps he should have stuck with Marion in the first place.  

I was startled from my pleasant museum memories by yet another bellow from the oaf behind me. If Wayne was standing there, he would have turned around and peered down and repeated one of his famous movie lines like, “Son, you're short on ears and long on mouth!”

Yup,that's what he would say. Suddenly there would be silence.  

This article is dedicated to Glenda and all retail store employees who have been mistreated by some of the very people they are trying to help. The Duke and I appreciate your service.  

Johnston is a Brevard-based freelance writer and avid RVer. Contact him at LarryJohnstonFL@aol.com