Louisiana’s Neutral Strip, an area of pine forests, squats between the Calcasieu and Sabine Rivers on the border of East Texas. Originally a lawless buffer zone between Spain and the United States, its hardy residents formed tight-knit communities for protection and developed a reliance on self, kin, and neighbor. In the early 1900s, the timber boom sliced through the forests and disrupted these dense communities. Mill towns sprang up, and the promise of money lured land speculators, timber workers, unionists, and a host of other characters, such as the outlaw Leather Britches Smith. That moment continues to shape the place’s cultural consciousness, and people today fashion a lore connected to this time. In a fascinating exploration of the region, Keagan LeJeune unveils the legend of Leather Britches, paralleling the stages of the outlaw’s life to the Neutral Strip’s formation. LeJeune retells each stage of Smith’s life: his notorious past, his audacious deeds of robbery and even generosity, his rumored connection to a local union strike—the Grabow War—significant in the annals of labor history, and his eventual death. As the outlaw’s life vividly unfolds, Always for the Underdog also reveals the area’s history and cultural landscape. Often using the particulars of …

Photocopy of a script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Photograph of the Treys Singing Group, who visit Shreveport, Louisiana for a Christmas television special. The three women wear matching white blouses and skirts with a reindeer pattern. They pose by a piano.

Photograph of the Treys Singing Group, who visit Shreveport, Louisiana for a Christmas television program. They wear matching white blouses and skirts with a reindeer pattern, and they pose in front of a decorated Christmas tree.

Photograph of the Treys Singing Group, who visit Shreveport, Louisiana for a Christmas television program. They wear matching white blouses and light-colored skirts, and they pose by a piano.

Photograph of the Treys Singing Group in Shreveport, Louisiana for a Christmas television program. The tree women wear matching white blouses, and pose at a piano.

Photograph of the Treys Singing Group, who visit Shreveport, Louisiana for a Christmas television program. They wear matching white blouses and skirts with a reindeer pattern. They pose in front of a piano.

Photograph of the Treys Singing Group. The three women pose by a piano. They visit Shreveport, Louisiana for a Christmas television program.

Photograph of T&P train #719 in Alexandria, Louisiana with a faint plume of smoke rising from the engine. Written underneath the image are "T&P #719 at Alexandria, La. December 15th 1951" and "A. E. Brown Photo / Louis Saillard Collection."

Photograph of the Louisiana Limited, T&P train #414. A large crowd of people are gathered near the wreckage. Written below the image are "Cecile, La. Dec 15th 1931 Wreck of T&P 'Louisiana Limited' at Hutchinson's Spur - Engine #414 - wreck occurred Dec 14th 1931" and "Ed Robinson (A. R. Collins - Photo)."

Photograph of a small group of people inspecting the wreckage of the Louisiana Limited. In the distance a handful of cars are visible parked on the side of a road. Written underneath are "Cecile, La. Dec 15th 1931 Wreck of T&P 'Louisiana Limited' at Hutchinson's Spur - Engine #414 - wreck occurred Dec 14th 1931" and "Ed Robinson (A. R. Collins - Photo)."

Photograph of a group of people surveying the wreckage of the Louisiana Limited. Written underneath are "Cecile, La. Dec 15th 1931 Wreck of T&P 'Louisiana Limited' at Hutchinson's Spur - Engine #414 - wreck occurred Dec 14th 1931" and "Ed Robinson (A. R. Collins - Photo)."

Photograph of the Louisiana Limited, T&P train #414. A large crowd of people are gathered near the wreckage. Written below the image are "Cecile, La. Dec 15th 1931 Wreck of T&P 'Louisiana Limited' at Hutchinson's Spur - Engine #414 - wreck occurred Dec 14th 1931" and "Ed Robinson (A. R. Collins - Photo)."

Photograph of a large group of people gathered near the wreckage of the Louisiana Limited. Written below the image are "Cecile, La. Dec 15th 1931 Wreck of T&P Louisiana Limited at Hutchinson's Spur - Engine #414 - wreck occurred Dec 14th 1931" and "Ed Robinson (A. R. Collins - Photo)."

Bill of sale witnessed by notary Selim Wagner, containing details of the sale of a slave named Adam or Tircis. Adam was sold for $1,225 by auctioneer for the estate of the deceased Pierre Riviere of New Orleans as directed by his executor, Nicolas Tourne. The buyer was Lucretia Van Woert of Sabine Pass, Texas, though her husband, Theodore Gripon, accepted on her behalf.

Copy of transcript for a letter from David G. Burnet to Stephen F. Austin, on December 15, 1836, informing Austin of an impending trip, and mentioning that he plans to settle the land at Buffalo Bayou when he gets back.

Copy of transcript for a letter from Sam Houston to the people of Texas and the United States, on December 15, 1836, telling those who have received money for lands they are not authorized to sell to cease. He also asks that those who have given money to these frauds to send letters with reports of the incidents to William Christy in New Orleans.

Copy of transcript for a proclamation by President Sam Houston concerning people who have been impersonating agents of Texas in the United States.

Copy of transcript for a letter from H. J. Offitt to Stephen F. Austin, regarding payment to J. B. Chance for the survey of several leagues in Robertson's Colony. Offitt is displeased with political outcomes in the region and is eager to settle his business affairs so that he can relocate.