“Ruined” - An author includes a reference to Floyd Earl in her writings

abilenet March 6th, 2008

While researching the episode “Trouble in Buffalo Gap” on this website, I found a reference to Floyd Earl on another web page.  I was interested in how Floyd ended up in a story on a website that allows authors to share their stories over the internet so I went in search of this author.  Her name is Mary Milstead and she wrote a short-story titled “Ruined” in which the main character takes to spending time at the grave site of Floyd Earl, meditating on her own life. After nearly six months of searching, I was finally able to track down the author, Mary Milstead, and have a conversation with her through email about how she ended up having Floyd Earl in her story and whether or not there was a family connection between her and Mr. Earl.   Unfortunately, I have to report that the inclusion of Floyd Earl in her story is purely coincidental.  While Mary has family in the Buffalo Gap, Texas area, she merely picked the name Floyd Earl from the cemetery list of Buffalo Gap because she liked the way it sounded.  I don’t mind saying that was a real bummer for me.  Be that as it may, I found Mary’s story, “Ruined,” to be a well written story and a pleasure to read.  As the story does include a real-life historical character from Taylor County’s rich historical heritage, I would encourage you to read this story and some of the Ms. Milstead’s other works.    You can link to the story “Ruined” at the this web site and can see all her stories at her personal blog.