Today, with tongue somewhat in cheek, I must sadly report that Big Tex is dead. Deceased. Departed. Gone. Finito.
Dallas firefighters received an unusual message from the dispatcher yesterday morning at about 10:15. "Got a rather tall cowboy with all his clothes burned off," the dispatcher said.
A blaze, which is said to have been electrical in nature, completely destroyed Big Tex in about 10 minutes, according to witnesses. Preliminary reports say that a short in the right boot of the figure was the cause of the accident. When the fire was extinguished, only the hands, arms and enormous Dickies cowboy belt buckle remained, but it was reported that Tex gamely kept drawling his famous welcome even as he met his tragic end.
Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings promises that Big Tex will be rebuilt and will be better than ever for the 21st century.
From dallasnews.com and cnn.com
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| Big Tex in flames, captured by fairgoer Haley Breedlove cnn.com |
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| The end of a 1950s icon corvetteforum.com |
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| Big Tex before his tragic demise examiner.com |
