
George Tyng’s Father Was A Sea Captain
The museum has received a copy of Before the Wind: The Memoir of an American Sea Captain, 1808-1833 by Charles Tyng, Susan Fels (Editor), William La Moy (Preface). The hardcover book of 270 pages was issued by Viking Press in June, 1999. Lovett Memorial Library also has a copy of the book.

Eloise Lane

Eloise Lane
Charles Tyng (1801-1878) was 13 years old when his father sent him as a “ship’s boy” on the Cordelia which traveled to China and back to Boston . The voyage appalled him and he swore never to go to sea again. However, his father shipped him out again and, by his fourth voyage, he was determined to “get out of the forecastle as soon as possible”; gain a promotion and become an officer. He was promoted to third mate at the Start of his next voyage and continued to rise until, at the age of 22, he was given command of the brig Cadet. He continued to prosper and eventually became a successful ship owner and merchant. In 1878 Tyng wrote his memoirs, a fascinating eye-witness narration.
Charles Tyng was the father of George Tyng (1842-1906), who was the manager of White Deer Lands from 1886 to 1903. George Tyng was responsible for moving the headquarters of White Deer Lands to the station which, at his suggestion, was given the name of Pampa by railroad officials. The sons of George Tyng were Charles (born c. 1870-71), George McAlpine and Francis Carrillo.
Francis Tyng, for whom Francis Street in Pampa is named, helped his father in the mining business in Utah after he left Pampa and wrote “Grandfather Sails,” a transcription of the manuscript memoir written by his grandfather the sea captain.
Francis was the father of Dorothy Lorraine and Charles who with his wife Kathie was in Pampa when the Texas State Historical marker for the Pampa Post Office was dedicated on October 25, 1992.
Dorothy Lorraine Tyng married William T. McEwen and Susan McEwen Fels is their daughter. Susan Fels has done her own transcription of the sea captain’s original manuscript with an introduction containing unusual biographical information on her great great grandfather and his family.
Before the Wind has received many favorable reviews:
“A novelist’s eye for detail and a storyteller’s flair make this yarn a page turner.” — New York Times Book Review, W. Jeffrey Bolster.
“He told a wonderful story with clarity and touches of dry humor.” – The Atlantic Monthly, Pheobe Lou Adams.
“This never-before-published time capsule of U.S. maritime history is also a remarkable reminiscence. … This is no business memoir but an exotic travelogue through the maritime world of the 1820s.” Booklist, May 1, 1999.
“Before the Wind belongs in the sea chest of any sailor–armchair or no.” – C.B. Delaney.
Over 200 Articles, written by Eloise Lane, were published in the Pampa News. These articles may be accessed by clicking on each section below. A list of articles will be revealed that are linked to a page containing the text of the article.
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Articles 1-20
- Origin Of The "White Deer" Name
- The Log House On White Deer Creek
- Obtaining The Land
- The Lands Organized
- Cattle Brands Tell Story
- Ghosts And All
- Southern Kansas Railroad
- Fire Guard Dam
- When The Railroad Came
- The Sutton RR Station
- Post Office At Pampa
- The Bell Family
- J.C. Short
- Pampa 1892-1902
- Pampa Laid Out In 1902
- Crystal Palace Founded
- Gray County Organization
- Organization - Continued
- Gray County - Lefors
- McLean - The Largest Town
Articles 21-40
- Gouge Eye
- The "Mother Road"
- German Family Reunion
- Desks From Hopkins
- Grandview School Begins
- The Oil Money
- History Wall Painted
- Boydston Or Boydstun?
- Ontario???
- Laketon - Early Farming
- Laketon - Continued
- First Couple To Marry
- Hoover
- Water Well Drilling
- Kingsmills Visit Pampa
- George Tyng Left
- Tragedy In Utah
- T.D. Hobart - Manager
- M.K. Brown Arrives
- Rider Livery Stable
Articles 41-60
- The Pioneer Cottage
- Pampa's First Doctor
- Doctor Makes House Calls
- A Red Cross Nurse
- Pampa's First School
- Hobart Went To London
- Cemetery Began In 1904
- First Business District
- C.P. Buckler Arrives
- Five Barrett Brothers
- Influence Of The Santa Fe
- Trains Still Roll
- John V. Thomass - Teacher
- Cattle-loading Center
- Rolla J. Sailor & Arrowheads
- A.H. Doucette Arrives
- Lands Are Advertised
- The Holland Hotel
- Wheat Left Pampa
- First National Bank Begins
Articles 61-80
- Pampa News Begins
- First Denominational Church
- 2nd Office Of WD Lands
- J.N. Duncan Arrives
- Nels Walberg Sells…
- Dormer Simms
- Fourth Of July Celebrations
- Pampa's First Cars
- Pampa In 1907-08
- J.S. Wynne Family Arrives
- Gray Count State Bank
- Baptist Church Organized (Under Construction)
- Joe & Lizzie Bowers
- Threatened By Prairie Fire
- Library Began In 1907
- J.R. Henry
- Sir Gordan & Lady Cunard
- Three Vicars Brothers
- Dodd Grain And Produce
- December 29, 1991
Articles 81-100
- D.C. Davis Family
- Long Christmas Celebration
- First Christian Church
- Facts About Pampa
- Buster Brown
- The Last Hanging
- Bones Hooks
- The "Red Brick" Is No More
- The Purviances Family
- The Dr. E. von Brunow Park
- Boards Of First Headquarters
- Mary Jane Purvis
- Cook - Adams Addition
- Nativity Scenes
- Clyde Carruth
- The Mine Tragedies
- Additions To Pampa
- Third Family In Pampa
- Frank Dittmeyer
- Bricklayer Indian Jim
Articles 101-120
- A.A. Tiemann
- First Movies And Lights
- Pampa Incorporated
- Mark And Sara Fletcher
- Annie Baker Daniels
- Pampa's Business District
- Birthday Tea Of 1919
- Former Pampa Minister
- John Mack Patton
- The First Brass Band
- Early Graduating Class
- "How We Met"
- F.P. Greever Is Assassinated
- George Tyng's Father
- L.H. & Lula Greene
- John & Lena McKamy
- Robert & Mary Yeager
- "Dear Old PHS"
- Supt. Believed In People
- William A. & Ruth Green
Articles 121-140
- Jason A and Alice Poole
- Wayside School
- Pampa Football Begins
- The Pampa School Building
- Rev. C. E. Lancaster
- Panhandle Lumber Co.
- Will Wilks & Mora Hughey
- An Unusual Valentine
- Charles A. Tignor
- O. A. Barrett
- Poppies In Flanders Fields
- Barnard & Williams Families
- 4th of July Celebrations
- Cuyler Street Underpass
- The King Family
- Kretmeier and Baer Families
- Stephen B. Oates
- Phebe Worley
- Organization of Gray County
- First Courthouse
Articles 141-160
- Pampa Laid Out in 1902
- Pampa in 1902
- W. R. Kaufman
- The Pampa Country Club
- Living In Pampa in 1902
- Pampa Buildings of 1902
- May Foreman Carr
- Scaffers - Early Residents
- Nita Luna
- Former Sub Debs Reminisce
- PHS In 1932
- PHS Appreciated
- The Forth Worth and Denver
- From Pampa to Childress
- The Origination Of "Taps"
- The Warners
- J. C. Studer
- Floyd, John and Otto
- Our American Flag
- Stories and Memories
Articles 161-180
- Museum in Pampa?
- The Franklin Farm
- The Franklin Family
- Beryl Wayne Vicars
- Historian Made Cookies
- The Pioneer Cottage
- The Orginial Swastika
- Library Clerk
- Women's Clothing Store
- Jon and Pat McConal
- Whitey Walker Gang
- How Rudolph Began
- Gwendolen Avenue
- Jerry Kerbow
- Two Paintings
- Second Part - Paintings
- Bones Hooks
- Original Nativity Figures
- Why "V" Instead of "U"
- Pampa Incorporated