FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?

Who was Fred Linton?

    That question can't be answered in a few words.  Fred Linton was a generous spirited man who knew no enemies. He mentored many people in Texas City, including and especially his daughter, helen jane.  True American will give you a little insight into who Fred was.

    On August 3rd, 1970, Fred Linton died of a massive heart attack.  He was 61 years old.  The hole in Fred's heart left a hole in his personal family as well as his Texas City family.  Fred is sorely missed and will never be forgotten by his family and his friends in Texas City.

Who is helen jane?

    helen jane is Fred Linton's daughter. helen jane promised her mother, Birdie Mae, when Fred Linton died on Auguust 3rd, 1970, that she would edit and publish the work Fred left on the book he began before he died.  True American is the fruition of that promise made 39 years ago.

What was the purpose of writing True American?

    True American is Fred Linton's tribute to the people of Texas City and the town he loved.

Why should I read True American instead of the other books written about the Texas City disaster of 1947?

    True American tells of the people Fred knew and loved who came to their neighbors' rescue and rebuilt Texas City to be bigger and better than it had been before the disaster.  The book is an exposition and celebration of the best character that mankind is capable of --  the American spirit, the American way of doing things.