Lafayette H. Russell was born May 31, 1905, in Osawatomie and died March 16, 1978, in Coffeyville. He later changed his name to Reb Russell. Russell was an All American football player for Northwestern and was one of the original Philadelphia Eagles in the team's first year of existence. In 1932, Russell went to Hollywood to appear in "The All-American" where he met Tom Mix. In 1933, Reb Russell made a string of movies. After his short film career he joined the Russell Brothers Circus and later (1937) he performed with the Downie Brothers Circus. He later purchased a ranch which extended from southeast Kansas into northeast Oklahoma. Russell is remembered for his innovative Hi-Goal Agriculture, a plan to help small farmers increase productivity and profits without government aid. Russell also ran against Joe Skubitz for the Fifth Congressional District.
Kansas Memory
Kansas Historical Society
Reb Russell photo collection - A silver mounted saddle that was loaned to Reb to use on Rebel when he appeared with the famous Los Angeles Sheriff's posse. Photo #10