On August 22, 1949, LIFE magazine ran a cover photo of C.H. Long who was a thirty-nine year old foreman of the JA Ranch in Paducah, Texas. The magazine described the cowboy as “one of the most purely functional human beings the world has ever developed.” In 1954, advertising executive, Leo Burnett, saw this photo & came up with the idea of the "Marlboro Man" cigarette campaign for Philip Morris & Company. The promotion is said to be one of the most brilliant advertising campaigns of all time.

 .. . . for more photos, stories and books about cowboys in Texas please see Texas Cowboy History

Resources:

Biography of the Original Marlboro Man: C H Long

West Texas History & Memories

Early Life in Texas County by County

Books about Texas People and Places

Amazing People from Texas County by County