Hopkins on the tower

National newspapers in 1941 carried the true story of one George Hopkins, a daredevil who parachuted onto the top of Devils Tower in northeastern Wyoming. For almost a week it was headline news because he was stranded on the tower while rescue attempts failed and the weather turned bad. The newspapers did not, however, carry the story of Paulie, the owner of a bar in nearby Sundance, a bar which became the watering hole for locals, visiting reporters and the would-be rescuers. The news did not include Paulies feelings that in comparison to Hopkins exciting life, Paulies own was pathetic, and the news did not tell about his feelings for his barmaid, Luz Maria, a beauty who had come to town one day and captivated it with her beauty and with her wanton ways which earned her the nickname of Loose Maria. There was no mention anywhere about Paulies unrequited love, nor of his hatred for Hopkins when it became plain that Luz--like all of the clowns who fall for Hopkins--was smitten by the cocky daredevil. Paulie may have impressed the locals with his strength, and he may have been an ear for lonely cowboys in other times, but during the week that Hopkins was on the tower, he was cast aside like yesterdays news. Read all about it here!