The legendary lies and tall tales of Reub Long (2 of 2)

This final episode of the two-part series on Rube Long, the legendary 'Sage of Fort Rock,' delves into the tall tales and practical jokes that cemented his reputation as a master storyteller and prankster in Central Oregon. From baffling businessmen with a fictional tale of mountain sheep hurling themselves off cliffs to orchestrating a fake volcanic eruption by setting fire to a pile of debris in a miniature lava cone, Rube’s stories blend humor, exaggeration, and a touch of local lore. The episode also recounts a real-life political satire involving a drunk judge who, in a drunken speech, declared himself a 'drunkard' and a 'damn fool'—a self-aware jab that ironically helped him win re-election. Another memorable story involves Rube’s desperate attempt to rid his ranch of rats using a folk remedy: whitewashing a live rat to make it look like a ghost. The absurdity of the scene, complete with a stunned onlooker in a fancy red car, underscores Rube’s gift for turning the mundane into myth. These stories, whether true or embellished, reveal a man who shaped his legacy not through grand achievements, but through the art of storytelling and community spirit.