CLICK ON IMAGE TO READI believe this to be the earliest newspaper account in the Kansas City Star of “Home Boy Makes Good.” You can read a bit about Walt’s Midwestern in my essay on Walt’s return to Kansas City for the DeMolay Conference at: Kansas Cityan Decorates Protege. As of this writing, this is the earliest account I have found in the Star regarding Walt Disney. It dates from September 1930, but I don’t have an actual specific day. My feelings as a Disney Historian is that there is probably an earlier reference, and thus I will leave it to more brilliant historians than I (read: Michael Barrier) to fill me in. The entire article can be read by clicking on it for the larger image. I took great care in scanning this to make sure it could be read (my apologies the last portion of this piece was not with it when I found this). Enjoy.
The Mickey illustrations acocmpanying this article were drawn by legendary Disney animator Les Clark.
Thanks to Dave for this. I actually have noticed that these two particular Mickey drawings show up in at least two other articles I have (for future posting). All pre-1934 or so. Must have been the standard send out for the press. Also, click on David’s name to see his two outstanding Disney blogs. Highly recommended here at the Institute (highly!).