By Loretta Gillespie
(The following story is Part 1 of “The Life and Times of William Bradford Huie, Hartselle’s Famous Native Son. It is told by Randy Sparkman, Hartselle historian. The second part of the story was published in the Winter edition of Hartselle Area Magazine.)
The first time Randy Sparkman met William Bradford Huie was in 1983. Sparkman was installing a computer system for the Hartselle Enquirer when Huie strolled in, curious about the computer. His inquisitive nature was part and parcel of his success as a reporter and novelist.
“I really think he was always more a reporter at heart,” said Sparkman, whose introduction to Huie turned into years of research into Huie’s life and work.
That first meeting stands out in Sparkman’s mind. “He was up front complaining about Nixon,” laughed Sparkman.” He sure didn’t sound like anybody from around here.
”Sparkman recognized Huie on sight; “I knew who he was. Up until that point I had previously had astereotypical view of W.B. Huie, but I quickly realized that there was something special about him.
”Huie was a man of small stature, but of big ideas. “He could foresee the utility of the computer,” explained Sparkman. “Keep in mind that this was before the PC, this was an old Commodore network, but Huie caught on right away as to what it would mean for the future.
”Although Huie never owned a computer (he used the red IBM Selectric on display in the Huie Room of the library) he would have realized what an impact it was about to make on the literary world, allowing writers, reporters and newspapers advantages he never had.
Between his travels, Huie became a frequent visitor to the Enquirer. His contact with Sparkman became the gist of several articles that Sparkman later wrote for leading publications such as Slate.com and Wall Street Journal Interactive. His insight into Huie’s personality and his extensive collection of Huie’s literary works is testament to his admiration of the man.
Sparkman was part of the effort to have Hartselle’s library named for its most famous son. The William Bradford Huie Library, on Sparkman Street, is the only building in the city to be named for the famed novelist who lived an unassuming life on a quiet side street not far from the library which houses a collection of his works. There are hundreds of movie posters,newspaper clippings, books and documents about Huie’s life, much of which was donated by Sparkman.
The walls of the room chronicle the body of work that brought Huie fame and fortune in the literary world, the Hollywood scene, and in New York’s publishing arena. Not only was he an acclaimed novelist, Huie was a noted
journalist, editor, publisher, television interviewer, screenwriter and lecturer. He was a fascinating speaker, captivating his audience with the ‘story behind the story.’
Huie was a champion of the underdog. He spent his career going from one jail cell, one murder scene, and one courtroom after another, delving deeply into the lives of both the victims and the defendants of varioussensational crimes. On more than one occasion he saved someone from execution by his bulldog tenacity and his willingness to buck the system.
This dogged determination to see justice done frequently landed him in jail along with the subject of his interest. “He could never tolerate a bully,” reminisced Sparkman. “He was always interested in seeing justice done, but especially when the accused was someone without the power or influence to fight back.”
“This is not a well-known fact, but Huie saw to thefinancial needs of Pvt. Eddie Slovik’s widow after hisexecution,” Sparkman said. “He also used his connections in Washington, D.C. to help WWI hero Sgt. Alvin York get his benefits from the government.”