"Bugs" Hardaway in 1921

I came across a book published in Kansas City, Missouri, it's titled "Boomer Jones" and it was written by James W. Earp. The interesting thing to me is that it was illustrated by "Bugs" Hardaway, in 1921. The nickname was Hardaway's for at least 17 years before the creation of the famous rabbit.

The book is listed here http://books.google.com/books?id=HPYP-a0hjLsC&pg=PA205&lpg=PA205&dq=boomer+jones+earp+hardaway&source=bl&ots=TGZSNGJ4s7&sig=sF6wvUq1zhqZni_xRLwQu9VrgqI&hl=en&ei=bea3TNv6Ioj6sAPqvOWdCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=boomer%20jones%20earp%20hardaway&f=false .

An interesting post from Jennifer Hardaway (the grandaughter of Bugs Hardaway) sheds light on how her grandfather got his nickname. Her story is different than the story told by many animation enthusiasts. Her version is linked here, http://www.cartoonbrew.com/classic/bugs-hardaway-wwi-letters-found.html , it is at the bottom of the page.