Memorial to hunting legends snags bucks

A memorial honoring internationally renowned hunters and brothers Murry and Winston Burnham is on track after receiving more than $7,500 in grant money from the Marble Falls Economic Development Corp. The Burnham brothers owned a Marble Falls sporting goods business best remembered for live rattlesnakes in its storefront windows as well as its predator calls.  

“These guys were the fathers of predator calling,” memorial organizer Robert Linder of Marble Falls told EDC directors during a board meeting Aug. 2. “Nationwide, internationally, they were builders of the first commercial one. Their dad, Martin, taught them how to (call game) with their mouth. They learned how to do it with plastic and rubber bands.”

Burnham Brothers’ Sporting Goods was located where Accents Boutique sits today on Avenue H. It opened in 1959 and was sold in 1991 to Gary Roberson, who moved the operation to Menard, where it remains the oldest game-calling business in the world. 

Plans for the memorial include a bas-relief bronze plaque on a 6-foot granite structure. Total cost is expected to be about $15,000. 

During his remarks to the EDC board, Linder also pointed out Murry Burnham’s soft spot for the personal game on his ranch, despite his reputation as an avid hunter. 

“He was a very private person, and he loved having his game around him, deer and wild turkey,” said Linder, a hunter himself. “He didn’t really hunt them; they were almost like his pets.”

One wild turkey, in particular, became famous around town because of a trick Murry taught the bird, Linder said.

“Murry Burnham was so good with animals that wild turkeys who lived in the trees at night became friends of his,” he said. “One of them came down and fell in love with him. Murry would put him in his truck and drive around town. At night, he’d fly back into the trees with the rest of the turkeys.”

Linder asked EDC directors to help bring the brothers’ contributions to hunters worldwide to the forefront rather than let that history gather dust.

“These guys were legends — nationwide and internationally — and they lived right here,” he said. “Most people don’t even know that. … We’ve almost kept them in the background.”

Once built, the monument could be placed along other memorials in Marble Falls that honor historical figures, such as the one to country music artist Floyd Tillman at the intersection of Main and Yett streets.

“I hope it goes down by Floyd Tillman because that corner should become a place of destination for our city to see some of these people,” Linder said.

While Linder initially planned for the monument to consist of black granite, EDC directors asked if it would be possible to use pink granite instead to match the Tillman statue.

“I’m open to it,” he replied. “I may have to come in and ask for a few more dollars, but I’m willing to do that.”

Pink granite costs considerably more than black or gray granite.

The EDC board unanimously voted to fund the project in the amount of $7,600. A caveat was added to the motion to allow for further funding if directors deem it necessary.

“Once we know what the additional dollar amount is, we will ratify it through formal action at a future board meeting,” EDC Executive Director Christian Fletcher told DailyTrib.com. 

The money comes from the EDC’s community leverage grant program. The program allocates $100,000 of funding each year to the EDC to hand out to local projects that increase the quality of life for Marble Falls residents or improve the city’s well-being. Since 2013, the EDC has awarded more than $800,000 in community leverage grants. 

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said Burnham Brothers’ Sporting Goods was located on Avenue H where Double Horn Brewing Company stands today. The store was actually located next door where Accents Boutique is today. DailyTrib.com apologizes for the error.

nathan@thepicayune.com