Norman McFadden spent the first 21 years of his life in a tiny town in southern Missouri called Leeper.He was born in 1953 and he was one of five children.What the family lacked in money, they exuded in creativity and mischief. McFadden’s brother was an intense practical joker. His grandfather was a moonshiner.Growing up, McFadden was surrounded by people who were “characters,” who should be memorialized in a book. McFadden wrote it and Polston House Publishing released McFadden’s “Legends of Leeper Holler” in March. It can be purchased on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble and other online outlets.“It’s about the adventures of my youth and the legends that were told to me by older people living there,” said McFadden, who moved to Wright City 30 years ago.“It’s a wholesome book you can read to your family,” he said. “People are comparing it to Tom Sawyer. It’s an honor to have my work compared to Mark Twain. I read him more than anyone else. Him and Charles Dickens, ‘Tale of Two Cities.’”He said growing up he wasn’t a good reader. As an adult, he wanted to be better, so he hired a tutor to help him. As a better reader he became a better writer.“Legends of Leeper Holler” is a 100-plus page book of short stories. It starts off with McFadden, as a boy, getting caught by his grandfather drinking moonshine. He recalls the details in his book but readers can look forward to learning about his alcohol-burning throat and looking down the double barrels of a shotgun.In another tale, he recalls his brother locking him in an outhouse at school. Neither his home nor school had indoor plumbing.“We were poor. We had one set of clothes. (Our mom) told us not to get them dirty,” he said.When he found a small hole where he could escape, he took his clothes off — to keep them clean — and climbed through naked. He escaped, naked and covered in filth. The full story is featured in the book.McFadden, 64, has six adult children (three boys, three girls), 14 grandchildren and recently became a first-time great-grandfather.He attended college, married and lived in St. Louis. For 14 years he was a professional wrestler for the WWE, NWA, ICW and others. His chosen work now is writing — a follow up to “Legends of Leeper Holler” coming out in the spring — and ministry work. He is president of the Glory Riders Motorcycle Ministry in Lincoln County.“I was raised poor. It really makes me appreciate what I’ve got. You don’t realize what you’ve got until you don’t have it,” he said.Growing up poor led him to his ministry work, he said. His work provides assistance for food, clothing and medical care.McFadden describes his childhood as amazing.“I’ve had an amazing life. God blessed me with an amazing life,” he said.He added that life is about giving, not taking.“Do for others and God will take care of you,” he said.

Norm McFadden of Wright City wrote "Legends of Leeper Holler" based on his memories of growing up in a small town in Missouri.

Record photo/Adam Rollins