Sabine Crossing - A Story of Early Texas

Review of Sabine Crossing by Jacquelyn Thompson
Review by K. K. Searle

I have to admit I was surprised by this book. I enjoyed it very much! Sabine Crossing is excellent Texas historical fiction. Jacquelyn Thompson obviously knows her Texas history as well as her own family history.

Thompson took real family history and made a book out of it and though this is normally the recipe for REALLY bad fiction, Thompson pulls off a HUGE upset! It is really difficult to believe this is her first novel.

The book follows the Bradley family of Kentucky to Austin's Colony in Texas in the early 1820's. The book is told from the perspective of the family matriarch, Elizabeth Bradley and later from the point of view of her daughter, Letty Bradley.

In the early pages of the book, you will think there are just too many characters to keep track of. But, this, as you will see, is just Jacquelyn Thompson sneaking up on you for the "emotional" kill, or rather kills, later on.

Her characters are extremely well developed and really come to life. A big part of this is due to Thompson's dialogue for each of her characters which is some of the best I have seen in while.

Gentlemen, be warned, Sabine Crossing is to novels what a chick flick is to movies. The book is definitely designed to appeal to a female target audience. Very strong women standing up to the incredible hardships in colonial Texas and beyond. This book really tugs at the heart strings and yes, I will admit it, Jacquelyn Thompson's story did bring a tear to my eye on several different occasions and that has not happened in a long long time. And as a guy, that is as much as I am going to admit.

Too often good books are too short and you wish there was more. That is not the situation here. Sabine Crossing, at 667 pages, pulls you in and just keeps on entertaining for a nice long while. My only disappointment in the book was that Letty did not get to kill Warren. And if you want to know what that is all about, you will just have to read the book!

Sabine Crossing - A Story of Early Texas is available at Amazon.com.

Passing of General Carroll A. "Curly" Lewis of The Texas Army

Col. Jim Peddy, Communications Officer of the Texas Army, informs us that General Carroll A. Lewis, Jr. of the Texas Army died at 2:45 p.m. on January 7, 2010.

The arrangements are being made for the Memorial Service for General Lewis. The services will be held at the San Jacinto Monument on January 20, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Members of the Texas Army will be forming up well in advance of the service shortly after 1:00 p.m. The Texas Army will be firing salutes with cannon and rifles.

The details of this special and meaningful service for General Lewis are still being worked out. If you have any questions, please contact Col. Jim Peddy at 713-451-5139 or jimpeddy@comcast.net.

Homestead Heritage Days - Humble, Texas February 13, 2010

Mark you calendars for Homestead Heritage Days on Saturday February 13, 2010, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Redbud Hill Homestead at the Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center.

There will be plenty of activities for everyone including:

Demonstrations:

Pioneer Construction Skills
Spinning and weaving
Open-fire cooking
Lye soap making
Hands-on crafts
Heritage music
Pioneer lore
Survival skills
Civil war drills
Black powder demos
Native American crafts
Militia re-enactment groups

1830’s Homestead:

Corn crib
Chicken house
Root cellar
Log cabin
Rail fences
Bread oven
Wagon rides
Pioneer garden
Blacksmith shop
Woodworking shop
Native American dwellings

The Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center is located at 20634 Kenswick Drive, Humble, Texas. For more information call Harris County Precinct 4, (281) 446-8588 or click here for a pdf file with all the information.

Photo courtesy of Texas Heritage Society Publicity Chair, Pat Spackey. Jennifer and Kary Searle in period attire.

Texas Heritage Society - March 2010 Meeting Historian James P. Bevill and The Paper Republic

The March meeting of the Texas Heritage Society is scheduled for March 18, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at 18 West Shaker Court in The Woodlands. The March meeting will feature Texas historian James P. Bevill. Mr. Bevill is the author of the fabulous new Texas history book The Paper Republic - The Struggle for Money, Credit and Independence in the Republic of Texas which was published in November of 2009 by Bright Sky Press. Texas Heritage Society President, Kameron Searle, has reviewed Bevill's book and writes that "The Paper Republic is destined to become a classic on the history of the Republic of Texas."

In researching the money and the economy of the Republic of Texas, Bevill has added a whole knew dimension to our understanding of the overall history of the Republic of Texas. James Bevill's 352 page book is also one of the most beautiful Texas history books we have ever seen. James Bevill has agreed to bring copies of The Paper Republic to sell and will be glad to sign copies of this amazing new book. James Bevill is a very interesting speaker and has many interesting historical anecdotes about the early history of Texas that he has discovered over his years of research. Come to this meeting and we can assure you that you will learn some things about the Republic of Texas you never knew before.

James P. Bevill graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston - Clear Lake. He is a First Vice President - Investments in the River Oaks office of UBS Financial Services in Houston, Texas. Mr. Bevill is also a past President of the Texas Numismatic Association and an authority on the currency issued by the Republic of Texas. Because of his extensive historical research into the history of the Republic of Texas, Mr. Bevill was recently elected an Honorary Member of The Sons of the Republic of Texas.

Click here to see the Texas Heritage Society web site.

East Montgomery County Historical Society - January 2010 Meeting and Goals

The following information was submitted to the Texas History Page by East Montgomery County Historical Society Historian, Barbara Hamilton.

Happy New Year!!!! The East Montgomery County Historical Society is planning another great year. Our first meeting of 2010 will be January 12th at the R B Tullis Library, on the Hwy 59 access road just north of Community Drive. Meet and Greet at 6:30 and the meeting starts at 7 p.m.

Our speaker for the evening will introduce us to his ancestor Jeremiah May. Tracking down an ancestor can be a tedious and difficult job but as you follow all the routine steps you don’t find just a name and dates. You find a person. A person who lived in a particular time period, who participated in certain events of history. Each step of the search reveals new insights into who this person was. Clifford May will introduce us to his ancestor Jeremiah May and tell us how he found Jeremiah’s history.

Short term goals for the Society include continuing the restoration work on the Old Porter Community Building so that we may open an East County Museum to spotlight the local history from the time settlers moved into the area just after the Civil War until about the mid 1950s when the telephone and electricity connected everyone with the rest of the world.

We plan to continue periodically display historical artifacts at the R B Tullis Library. The next display will be on personal care items from shaving gear to hair dryers. Later a display of small kitchen appliances is planned and then one of old hand tools. Most of the items will be of the “before electricity” genre. If you have items that would make an interesting display please contact Barbara Hamilton, Historian, at 281-689-2772 or retired@icansurf.net.

Publishing more books is on the list, specifically books on Fostoria, Grangerland, New Caney and Porter. These will be like the “Splendora” book published in 2009 with an expanded view of the communities featured in “Towns of East Montgomery”. If you have pictures or stories of these communities that the Society may use in these publications please contact, Jerry Gay, President, 281-851-6545; Kay Lynn Meyer, Vice President, 281-446-1200; or Barbara Hamilton.

Several cemeteries in the East County boundaries are being looked at for clean up and refurbishing. Lone Star College students partnered with us to clean up at the Enloe Cemetery and we look forward to working with them again.

We are always on the lookout for monthly speakers to tell us about the history of a local family, community, church or other interesting factors of East County history. If you would, or know of anyone who would, like to speak at one of our monthly meetings, please call Kay Lynn Meyer.

The Society will again be front and center at many of the local community events just as in the past. We have more pictures to look through and we continue to gather identification on those we don’t know about. Be sure and come out and look for the split log buildings and the people in the dress of the days of yore.

Although 2010 looks to be a busy year, long term goals, or dreams as the case may be, still focus on having three to five acres to create a living history museum with several old buildings or reproductions of the types of buildings prevalent in the area to demonstrate how life was lived in this section of Montgomery County referred to as the Wild Woods.

Please join us to learn more of the local history or to participate in saving that history for future enjoyment.

Who is Mother Neff and Why is She a State Park?

Review of Who is Mother Neff and Why is She a State Park? by Allan C. Kimball
Review by K. K. Searle

In this book, Allan C. Kimball will tell you who Mother Neff was and how a Texas state park came to be named after her. I will tell you what this book with the unusual title is all about. It is an excellent guide to all the Texas State Parks. Kimball has researched the history for the source of the name of each of the Texas State Parks and consolidated all of them into this handy 266 page paperback book.

Kimball gives an interesting history of how each of the state parks in Texas got its name as well as many entertaining historical anecdotes. But, the book is so much more than a history. The book is also a very good source of information if you are thinking about visiting a particular state park. All the information is here: 1) locations of the parks - with good instructions on how to get there; 2) hours of operation; 3) amenities available in each of the parks such as: camping, fishing boating, hiking, tours, etc.; and 4) contact information so you can get in touch with each of the parks prior to your visit.

Kimball has divided the state parks of Texas into seven regions: Big Bend and West Texas; Gulf Coast; Hill Country, Panhandle Plains; Pineywoods; Prairies and Lakes; and South Texas Plains. If you travel around Texas like we do, you will want to keep the guide handy. As you are traveling through one of these regions, you can read about the different state parks to help you to decide if you would like to visit. Before you arrive, you will know everything there is to know. It is also an excellent tool for planning your Texas vacation next summer.

As soon as I got through reading this book, it went straight into the glove compartment of our family van. This would make a great gift for the Texas outdoors men and women in your family.

This book is published by Eakin Press and is available from Amazon.com.
Author's book signings and other books: http://www.allankimball.com/

Passing of Joe H. Reynolds and Funeral Arrangements

“If I had more than one life to live, I’d live every one as a lawyer in Houston, Texas.”

Joe Hunter Reynolds, age 88, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, died on Saturday, the 19th of December 2009, of natural causes. Joe is survived by his loving wife Sue Stamper Reynolds,whom he married on the 17th of July 1948, and they spent more than 61 wonderful years together.

Joe was born on the 21st of November 1921, in Commerce, Texas, one of six children born to John Gordon Reynolds and Espie Duke Reynolds. Joe grew up in Tyler and graduated from Waco High School. He worked his way through Tyler Junior College, Baylor University, and Baylor Law School.

Following the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Joe enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. In 1945, Lt. Reynolds landed on Iwo Jima, and during fierce fighting Joe was seriously wounded. Joe watched as the American flag was raised atop Mount Suribachi. Most Americans have seen that famous photo. Joe saw it live. Joe received the Purple Heart and numerous other medals
for his military valor.

In 1950, Joe was called back to serve in the KoreanWar. Captain Reynolds landed at Inchon and later fought at the Battle of the Chosin River, called the “Frozen Chosin.” Joe suffered severe frostbite and other injuries, was hospitalized for many months, and for his service Joe was awarded the Commendation Ribbon with Combat V. The Commandant General of the Marine Corps has called the Battles of Iwo Jima and the Chosin Reservoir two of the bloodiest battles in Marines Corps history. Joe was one of the last survivors of both of those historic battles. Joe was a true hero, although he always denied it.

Joe graduated from Baylor Law School and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1947. Joe first served in the trial division of the Texas Attorney General’s office, representing the Texas Highway Department in antitrust cases, and he opposed Thurgood Marshall in the landmark case ofSweatt v. Painter. Joe was widely regarded as one of the greatest trial lawyers of the last 60 years, and he was recently named a “Texas Legal Legend” by the State Bar of Texas.

Returning to Houston, Joe practiced law the rest of his life, first with the firm of Bracewell, Reynolds & Patterson (now Bracewell & Guiliani). In 1967 Joe formed Reynolds, White, Allen & Cook and successor firms. During his later years he served in an Of Counsel position with Andrews & Kurth and finally with Schwartz Junell Greenberg & Oathout.

In 1972, Gov. Preston Smith appointed Joe as a Regent at Texas A&M University. Joe served as a Regent for 16 years, having been appointed by three different governors. In Joe’s honor, the medical school at Texas A&M is housed in the Joe H. Reynolds Medical Building. Joe organized the Board of Visitors of Texas Southern University School of Law and served on its board for ten years.

A Biblical scholar, one of Joe’s great loves was teaching his Sunday School class at Second Baptist Church, the “Nothing But the Truth” Class. Joe began every lesson with a quote from Romans 1:17: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God until salvation to all those who believeth, to the Jew first, and then to the Gentile.” Joe’s faithwas limitless and his love for others reflected his deep love of God and Jesus Christ. He expressed his Christian love for others daily by his words and deeds.

Joe is also survived by his sons, Hunt Reynolds and wife Laura of Houston and Dan Reynolds and wife Nancy of Brenham; grandchildren, Jennifer Reynolds McEwan and husband John of Austin, Clay Reynolds and Danielle Reynolds of Brenham, and Lisa and KentWhite of San Antonio. He is survived by great-grandsons, WilliamMcEwan and Charles McEwan of Austin. He was predeceased by his sister, the late Dorace Reynolds and brothers, the late Johnny Reynolds of Dallas, Earl Reynolds of Houston, andWilliam Reynolds of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Joe is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Joe was not only a great patriot, but also a teacher, mentor, and loyal friend to both the powerful and the powerless. His generosity was legendary. He had a heart of service, and his love knew no bounds. Few have impacted as many as Joe. All who knew him knew that they were in the presence of a unique combination of goodness and greatness. Joe would tell each of us at this time the words one Marine says to another just before an amphibious landing: “I’ll see you on the beach.”

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 21st of December, in the Library of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The interment service, with military honors, is to be conducted at half-past nine o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 22nd of December, at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston. A uniformed steward from Geo. H. Lewis & Sons is to be positioned at the cemetery’s entrance so as to guide guests to the interment site.

The memorial service, to celebrate Joe’s life, is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning, also on Tuesday, the 22nd of December, in the Sanctuary of Second Baptist Church, 6400Woodway Drive in Houston. Immediately following the service, the family is to receive friends during a reception in the Deacons’ Parlor.

For those desiring, contributions in memory of Joe Reynolds may be directed to Boys and Girls Country of Houston, 18806 Roberts Rd., Hockley, TX, 77447.

"The Paper Republic" Book Signing in The Woodlands - December 8, 2009

When native Houstonian James P. Bevill began writing the book on the early money of Texas four years ago, it began as an outline of the various forms of paper money and the circumstances which led to their issue during the Republic of Texas era (1836-1846). As he dug deeper into the inner workings of the early Texas Treasury, Bevill unearthed the dramatic economic story of a young government struggling to survive in the throes of a global credit crisis by issuing a plethora of paper obligations in order to survive.

Bevill’s book, The Paper Republic: The Struggle for Money, Credit and Independence in the Republic of Texas, was featured at the 2009 Texas Book Festival in Austin, where it met with rave reviews. According to Dr. Bruce Winders, Curator and Historian at the Alamo , “The Paper Republic is history on both the grand and small scale. Moreover, it presents readers with valuable insight into the Republic of Texas that will forever change their view of the revolution and its aftermath.”

The book evolved into a powerful financial story on the economic roots of Texas, ranging from the earliest days of Spanish colonization, through the war for independence and the massive buildup of debt through the paper money system under Presidents Burnet, Houston, Lamar and Jones – creating a financial house of cards which eventually led to the annexation of Texas by the U.S. in 1845. This fully illustrated tome enhances the reader’s experience by literally following the money through the Republic era to the climactic and shocking chain of events which occurred following Texas’ admission as one of the United States.

Bevill will discuss “Financing the Texas Revolution” and sign copies of the book on Tuesday, Dec 8 at the Lone Star Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, at Alamo Joe’s Restaurant, 4747 Research Forest Dr, Ste 475 in the Woodlands. Cost is $15. The public is invited. Call 281-467-8146 for information.

The Sons of the Republic of Texas is an organization of direct descendents of
the original residents of the Republic of Texas (1836-1846) and are committed to “promoting, preserving, and protecting Texas history for over a century". The Lone Star Chapter serves the Woodlands, Conroe and Montgomery county areas and hosts meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. The book is a new release by Bright Sky Press, 2009. http://www.brightskypress.com/

Jim Bevill
Author - The Paper Republic

Honorary Member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas
San Jacinto Chapter

713-940-2865 Office
713-825-7886 Cell

Dedication of Texas State Historical Marker for Anson Jones - The Last President of Texas - November 21, 2009

The Texas Heritage Society and the Harris County Historical Commission cordially invite you to the Anson Jones Texas Historical marker dedication ceremony on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Glenwood Cemetery located at 2525 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas. Below is the marker text of the Anson Jones marker:

ANSON JONES
(JANUARY 20, 1798 - JANUARY 9, 1858)

ANSON JONES WAS BORN IN GREAT BARRINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS. HE EARNED HIS M.D. DEGREE IN PHILADELPHIA IN 1827; BY OCTOBER 1833, JONES HAD MOVED TO TEXAS, ESTABLISHING A SUCCESSFUL MEDICAL PRACTICE IN BRAZORIA. IN 1835, HE HELPED ORGANIZE HOLLAND LODGE NO. 36, THE FIRST MASONIC LODGE IN TEXAS. IN 1836, JONES JOINED IN TEXAS WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE AND SERVED AS JUDGE ADVOCATE AND SURGEON OF THE SECOND REGIMENT. HE FOUGHT AS A PRIVATE IN THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO.

AFTER THE WAR, JONES RETURNED TO HIS MEDICAL PRACTICE AND IN 1837 WAS ELECTED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THAT YEAR, HE WAS ALSO ELECTED AS THE FIRST GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN TEXAS AND WAS AMONG THE NOTED CHARTER MEMBERS WHO ORGANIZED THE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF TEXAS. IN 1838, SAM HOUSTON APPOINTED JONES AS MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS. IN THIS POSITION, HE BEGAN TO STIMULATE AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR ANNEXATION BY STRENGTHENING TEXAS’ TIES WITH GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE, PLAYING AT U.S. INSECURITIES.

JONES MARRIED MARY SMITH McCRORY IN 1840; SHE WAS LATER ELECTED THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS. IN 1841, PRESIDENT HOUSTON APPOINTED JONES AS SECRETARY OF STATE, WHERE HE FURTHER ENCOURAGED ANNEXATION. IN 1844, JONES WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS; HE BECAME THE COUNTRY’S LAST PRESIDENT WHEN THE U.S. ANNEXED TEXAS ON DECEMBER 29, 1845. AT A FORMAL CEREMONY IN AUSTIN ON FEBRUARY 19, 1846, JONES LOWERED THE LONE STAR FLAG AND DECLARED, “THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS IS NO MORE.” HE RETIRED TO BARRINGTON, HIS PLANTATION NEAR WHAT IS NOW WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS, WHERE HE SPENT MUCH OF HIS TIME WRITING. TODAY, ANSON JONES IS REMEMBERED FOR HIS MULTITUDE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE THAT EARNED HIM THE NICKNAME, “THE ARCHITECT OF ANNEXATION.”

(2009)
MARKER IS PROPERTY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

"Time of the Rangers" by Mike Cox

Review of Time of the Rangers by Mike Cox

Review by K. K. Searle

Like the Alamo, the Texas Rangers are a cherished symbol of the Lone Star State recognized the world over. If you are a fan of the Texas Rangers, like we are, and want to read an excellent history of that world famous law enforcement organization, you can't go wrong with Mike Cox's new book, Time of the Rangers: From 1900 to Present.

In 2008, Mike Cox brought us the first of two books he's written about the Texas Rangers. His first book appropriately titled The Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821 - 1900 presented the well researched and detailed history of the Texas Rangers from the time of its creation in Stephen F. Austin's colony prior to the Republic of Texas until 1900.

The first real in-depth history of the Texas Rangers was written by Dr. Walter Prescott Webb and published in 1935. Webb's classic was titled The Texas Rangers: A Century of Frontier Defense. As Mike Cox points out in his excellent new book, Webb had intended to update his 1935 classic in the 1960's, but died in an automobile accident before he got the chance. Cox's new book, Time of the Rangers: Texas Rangers: From 1900 to Present, does what Walter Prescott Webb never got the chance to do; complete the history of the Texas Rangers into the modern era.

This book is incredibly well researched. Cox is something of an insider having served for fifteen years as a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Texas Rangers are part of the Texas Department of Public Safety. A ton of research went into this book. For the historical purist, Time of the Rangers has almost 100 pages of Notes and Bibliography. This book is destined to become the starting point for all future historians studying this period in Texas Ranger history.

But, if your not that into historical research, don't let this assessment put you off. As famed American historian David C. McCullough once put it, "No harm's done to history by making it something someone would want to read." Mike Cox has made Time of the Rangers something a whole lot of people will enjoy reading. He is a very interesting and entertaining writer. There is also a lot here for those who are looking for the heroic bigger than life Texas Rangers.

You might think that once the Rangers entered the 20th century that that might have been the end of the romance and adventure we have come to perceive about the Texas Rangers, but you would be wrong. The book begins with the Rangers still on horse back in 1900 and takes you to how they became one of the most modern and best trained law enforcement agencies in the world. From the rowdy oil field boom days to the killing of Bonnie and Clyde to the Carrasco prison escape attempt to the apprehension of rail-road killer, Rafael Resendez-Ramirez; the Texas Rangers have protected and are still protecting Texas and Texans from the bad guys. There is a whole lot of wonderful information in this book.

Another interesting aspect of Mike Cox's new book is that while he is relating the actual history of the Texas Rangers, he also reports how the public's perception of the Texas Rangers has been enhanced and romanticized even further by decades of different types of media including newspapers, books, magazines, radio shows, movies and television shows. A few familiar examples include The Lone Ranger; Walker, Texas Ranger and Lonesome Dove.

With his two books, Cox has become, without question, "the authority" with regard to the history of the Texas Rangers from its beginning to the present. Webb's book will always be popular for its heroic account of the early history of the Texas Rangers, but Cox's two books will be studied for their accuracy and balanced portrayal.

Christmas is coming. Get this one for yourself or the Texas history enthusiast in your family. You might also consider getting the first book, The Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821-1900, so you will have the the most complete history of the Texas Rangers currently available.

Time of the Rangers: Texas Rangers: From 1900 to the Present is published by Forge, copyright 2009, and is available from Amazon.com.

Publisher's book page: http://us.macmillan.com/timeoftherangers
Author's blog with virtual tour itinerary: http://www.lonestarbooks.blogspot.com/
Author's website: http://www.mikecoxonline.com/

Review of The General and Monaville, Texas by Joe G. Bax

Review by K. K. Searle

Wow! I really enjoyed this one! If you ever wondered what film writer/director Quentin Tarantino would do with a movie about post Civil War Reconstruction Texas, Joe G. Bax gives us a pretty good idea in his novel The General and Monaville, Texas.

The book is film noir through and through, but you don’t begin to figure that out until near the end of the book. Even the book's dust jacket makes no sense until the end of the book. The book reads like a screen play right down to the last close up shot at the end of the movie, ...uh book.

The book is historical fiction in that it does give the reader a much clearer understanding of the social changes that occurred in the South during the Reconstruction period following the Civil War. It is a picture that the reader may never have gotten in their American History classes. I had never really connected all these dots before myself until reading The General and Monaville, Texas.

Beyond that the book is almost completely fiction. Don’t look for General George Custer in Waller County at Liendo Plantation. He’s not in the book. Don’t look for anything approaching historical fiction about Waller County, Texas. Waller County is not in the book. Bax borrows the name of the town of Monaville, Texas and the Brazos River Bottoms and its all fiction after that right down to the courthouse in Monaville. Or is it?

We will just have to wonder if Joe G. Bax knew anything about Texas founding father, Edwin Waller, or not.

Buy the book! Read the book! Enjoy the book!

Quentin make the movie!

Photograph: Cover of The General and Monaville, Texas; Courtesy of Emerald Book Company, Austin, Texas.

San Jacinto Day Ceremony 2009

The official San Jacinto Day Ceremony commemorating the 173rd anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at the base of the San Jacinto Monument at the San Jacinto Battleground. The principal speaker will be Archie P. McDonald, Regent's Professor, Stephen F. Austin State University.

Ron Stone, Jr. will be the Master of Ceremonies. The musical prelude will be performed by the Deer Park High School Orchestra. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Sons of the Republic of Texas will present their scholarship winners.

USS San Jacinto & USS Texas Sailor Awards will be presented by the Sam Houston Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and the San Jacinto Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas.

The ceremony will conclude with a reading of Sam Houston's report of the Battle of San Jacinto and a laying of the wreath. The Texas Army will be present to fire a salute.

Come out and honor the memory of those brave men who fought and changed the history of Texas and the United States forever. All are welcome.

George Palmer Macias "Firefly" CD Release Party - April 18, 2009 - Ringtail

The CD release party for George Palmer Macias' CD, Firefly, will be this Saturday, April 18, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. at The Saxon Pub in Austin, Texas. George Palmer Macias is a very talented singer and songwriter in Austin, Texas.

The CD, Firefly, features ten original songs written and performed by Macias. One of these songs is titled, Ringtail. It is about Texas founding father, Martin Parmer. Martin Parmer was born in Virginia. He was an Indian agent for William Clark (of Lewis and Clark fame). Parmer made a name for himself as an Indian fighter in Missouri and was elected as a State Representative to the first Missouri General Assembly. He was later elected a Senator to the third Missouri General Assembly.

In 1825, Martin Parmer came to Texas. In 1826, he was the leader of a group of men that instigated the Fredonian Rebellion of 1826-1827. This was an early attempt to declare Texas independent of Mexico. The Fredonian Rebellion failed and Martin Parmer became a wanted man in Mexican Texas for almost ten years.

In 1835, Martin Parmer was elected a delegate to the Consultation of San Felipe where he placed Henry Smith's name in nomination for Governor of Texas. Smith was elected the first American born Governor of Texas. Parmer was then elected to the General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas.

In 1836, the people of the San Augustine Municipality elected Martin Parmer a delegate to the Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos. On March 2, 1836, Parmer voted for Texas independence from Mexico. In addition to signing the Declaration of Independence, Parmer was also chairman of the committee that drafted the Constitution of the Republic of Texas.

In 1839, Republic of Texas President, Mirabeau B. Lamar, appointed Martin Parmer Chief Justice of Jasper County, Texas. Parmer died on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 1850.

George Palmer Macias takes credit for all the songs and lyrics on his CD, Firefly, except one. On Ringtail, Macias credits Martin Parmer with writing the chorus. Martin Parmer called himself the Ring Tailed Panther and was known as such in Missouri, Arkansas, Mexico and Texas. About 1820, Martin Parmer who was the quentiscential frontiersman uttered the words that make up the chorus of Ringtail, "I am the Ring-tailed Panther, wild wooly, hard to curry. When I’m mad I fight, and when I fight I whoop!"

Our hats are off to George Palmer Macias for his fine song about Texas founding father, Martin Parmer. George Palmer Macias has a wonderful free Internet jukebox called Texiss Cafe spotlighting Texas singers and songwriters. You can also hear Ringtail there.

2009 Battle of San Jacinto Symposium

The 2009 Battle of San Jacinto Symposium will be held Saturday, April 18, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center at the University of Houston. This year's theme is New Light on Old Stories - What Can the Battleground Tell Us Through the Eyes of Archaeologists? Social Historians? Financiers? Anthropologists? Tickets are $50.00 and include lunch and parking.

Since 2003, more than 1000 newly discovered battle artifacts have extended the area of the San Jacinto conflict beyond the current park boundary. A panel of speakers will discuss these findings - as well as items recently found in the Texan camp.

This year's speakers are H. W. Brands, Sam W. Haynes, James P. Bevill and James Crisp. This year's panelists are Roger Moore, Gregg Dimmick, Douglas D. Scott, Douglas Mangum and Manuel Hinojosa.

The Battle of Sam Jacinto Symposium is sponsored by the Friends of the San Jacinto Battleground as a forum for promoting public awareness of the events of the Texas Revolution. For additional information, call 9281) 496-1488 or email sjba@usa.net .

You can also visit http://www.friendsofsanjacinto.org/ .

Photograph: San Jacinto Monument; Courtesy of David Melasky.

Texas Toasts

"Texas, - May her foes turn pale at her name, and may she flourish until time is no more."

"Soldiers of Texas; - May their "breast works" be honor, and fear always a days "march" behind them."

The following article appeared in the May 9, 1837 edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register newspaper published in Houston, Texas. On April 21, 1837, one year after the Battle of San Jacinto, a celebration was held in Liberty, Texas. I just thought I would share these wonderful patriotic Texian toasts. If you are ever looking for a proper toast to Texas, feel free to use one of these. It is also interesting to see how early Texans celebrated Texas Independence Day.

"At a meeting held at the town of Liberty on the 20th ult., to make arrangements to celebrate the 21st of April, in commemoration of the glorious victory at San Jacinto; Messrs. Luke Bryan, John Booth, Hon. E. T. Branch, Doctor Wm. G. Lewis, K. Bryan, and F. Harden, were appointed managers, and waited upon J. B. Woods, Esq. to request him to deliver an oration on the morning of that day; to which he consented and was appointed orator of the day.

At dawn of the 21st, the citizens and soldiers of the place assembled and fired salutes which were heard for many miles in extent. At an early hour the town was full of life and gaiety, and the presence of many ladies greatly added to the scene. The place of celebration was soon crowded and an appropriate address was delivered by the orator, J. B. Woods, Esq. Immediately after the oration the ladies were conducted to a sumptuous dinner, and then retired to the house to prepare to "trip the light fantastic toe." Many of the victors of San Jacinto and other citizens, to the number of two hundred took possession of a second repast, and after the cloth was removed, William Hardin, Esq. was conducted to the chair as president of the day, and Judge Coit as vice, and the following are the regular toasts drank:-

Regular Toasts

1. The president of the republic of Texas. 3 cheers.

2. The vice president of the republic. 3 cheers.

3. The day we celebrate. 6 cheers.

4. Texas, - May her foes turn pale at her name, and may she flourish until time is no more.
Tune "Hail Columbia."

5. The heroes of San Jacinto; - champions in the struggle for liberty, they justly merit the gratitude of their countrymen.
Tune "When wild war's deadly blast was blown."

6. To the memory of Travis, - drank silent.

7. Army of Mexico, - "What a dust we flees kick up."
Tune "Spider and the fly."

8. Texas Navy; - May she unfurl the banners of victory and ride triumphant o'er the ocean.
Tune "Lashed to the helm."

9. Star of Texas; - A beacon light to the port of liberty.
Tune "Yankee Doodle."

10. Soldiers of Texas; - May their "breast works" be honor, and fear always a days "march" behind them.
Tune "Soldiers bride."

11. Mexican Prisoners; - May they on their return home recollect the "first lesson of Cyrus." "To tell the truth."
Tune, "Dear native home."

12. Our host and hostess.

13. The Fair; - The highest incentive to honor.

Texas History - A Specialty Worth Looking Into

If you walk through the streets of any town in Texas, you will no doubt feel the pride of the citizens electrifying the air. Texans are some of the proudest people you will ever meet, especially when it comes to their home state.

There are so many things that make Texas an interesting place, especially from an historical standpoint; more and more history students looking into graduate school and beyond are eyeing Texas history as an area of specialization. Here are a few reasons why the next generation of historians is looking to Texas for more information.

Settlement

The story of the settlement of Texas reads almost like the Pilgrims coming to the US to colonize. Learn more about Stephen F. Austin and his “Old 300,” among other things when you dig deeper into the primary source material.

Wars

Texas has seen its fair share of warfare on a variety of different fronts. The Spanish fought with the Indians to take over Texas and claim it as part of their territory. Later, the Texans fought against the Mexican Army for independence at the Alamo, Goliad, and finally San Jacinto. There is a slew of information out there on these different wars and fronts where the Texans fought—and died—for their independence.

Cultures

Texas is one of the most culturally diverse states in the US. Just take a visit to the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures Museum in San Antonio, and you’ll see just how different and unique the settled areas of Texas were throughout its brief, but rich history. Once a slave state, African Americans were some of the first people brought in from the southern United States.

Of course, indigenous peoples lived in Texas; several Native American tribes still migrated through Texas due to weather throughout the year. Along the southeast coast of Texas, Cajuns, Germans, and Dutch people created settlements. Especially in central Texas, German was still spoken in some public schools into the twentieth century, when US federal funding required that classes be conducted in English.

Of course, there are many people throughout Texas of Hispanic origin, mainly from Spanish and Mexican mestizo descent. These different cultures have all helped make Texas the great state that it is today and are all great avenues of study for prospective Texas historians.

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of a History PhD. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24@gmail.com

A Truly Honest Biography –

Rare Texana and Americana Indeed!

Review of Unbridled Cowboy

by K.K. Searle

I enjoy an “honest autobiography” more than just about any other type of literature and of course I enjoy real Texana. Joseph B.Fussell gives us just such an autobiography in his memoirs entitled Unbridled Cowboy.

In his forward, Fussell describes most other autobiographies with exceptional accuracy, " In reading memoirs, I find, almost invariably, the writer seems to think he has accomplished something really worthwhile in his life and wants the reading public to know about it." Joseph Fussell does not become the owner of a great ranching syndicate or the president of a railroad company. But, He gives us an incredibly honest history of his life and some amazingly vivid snapshots of Texan and American cultures that existed at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century that no longer exist.

He writes his memoir from the perspective of a young man working as a cowboy on the Texas and Mexico border. Later we find him working undercover for the Texas Rangers (in the era of the mythic Texas Rangers). Still later we find him working as a railroader switching cars and finally as a yardmaster in a railroad career spanning the southwestern and western United States in the heyday of steam. That someone at his level in our society in that day would commit to paper such accurate observations is very unique.

Along the way, he provides detailed descriptions that Mark Twain would have been proud of. In one example he describes a particular honky-tonk this way, "The orchestra was composed of a white man, a white woman, a Mexican, and a Negro. Usually, about two hours after the dancing began, some members of the orchestra would be drunker than a billed owl, but the dance went on even if all four were drunk, for someone was found who played a harmonica."

In another he describes the meals cooked for him by a Mrs. James, "Of all the meals I have ever eaten in any hotel dining room, restaurant, boardinghouse, or private home, I never had anything better than she put before her boarders. I think that lady had an insatiable desire to kill and cook all the chickens in the world. She could think of more ways to cook a chicken than a farmer can to whip a mule."

How honest is honest? A friend of Fussell's is brutally murdered by nine assailants in Mexico and Fussell barely escapes himself. Fussell then gives us the cold, calculated and graphic details of his revenge killings of the nine. Real eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth stuff.

With a Twain like wit, Unbridled Cowboy provides rare glimpses of a Texas and an America that we can now only see through the eyes of Joseph B. Fussell. Whether he thought so or not, Joseph B. Fussell "has accomplished something really worthwhile." Get it. Read it. Enjoy it for all its worth!

E.R. Fussell, Joseph's grandson, deserves some credit here as well. He has shared with us a great memoir that previously was only known to his family. Unbridled Cowboy is published by Truman State University Press, copyright 2008, and is available from Amazon.com.

Ahoy, Texian Navy Day!

Saturday, September 20, 2008, 10:00 AM, Texian Navy Day will be celebrated at the Founders Memorial Cemetery in Houston, Texas. Texian Navy Day will honor the Republic of Texas Navy and Commodore Henry Livingston Thompson who is buried at the Founders Memorial Cemetery. Founders Memorial Cemetery is located at 1217 West Dallas at Valentine Street about a mile from downtown Houston.

This year's Keynote Speaker will be the Honorable Ed Emmett, Harris County Judge.

The event is sponsored by The Sons of the Republic of Texas - Texas Navy Committee. For more information contact Chairman, David Hanover, at dhanover@suddenlink.net or 903-509-2206. Or, contact The Sons of the Republic of Texas at www.srttexas.org

The Pirooters by Mark Mellon - Book Review

The Texas History Page received a copy of Mark Mellon's new book The Pirooters. Everyone here read it and everyone enjoyed it. It is the story of the Pargrew brothers, Heck and Virge, who have just returned from fighting for the Confederacy in the Civil War. They return to Reconstruction era Texas to find they have lost everything.

That's where the adventures begin. It was fun to read a Texas western that focused on that period after the Civil War but before the over cliched period of the 1880-1890's.

Mark Mellon's book is very creative in many other ways as well. He definitely did some research. For instance, much of the dialogue used in the book is authentic to the period. And, its not everyday a writer can work the "Bolson of Mapimi" into the storyline of a book.

If you enjoy Texas and western fiction and have ever thought it might be fun to go looking for Jim Bowie's legendary silver mine, we think you will enjoy The Pirooters. I particularly enjoyed the twist ending. The real treasure is where you find it.

The Pirooters is available from Treble Heart Books as well as Amazon.com.

Passing of Harry G. Daves, Jr.

The Texas History Page has received the following information from the nice folks at The Wallisville Heritage Park in Wallisville, Texas.

Harry G. Daves, Jr. 84 of Old River-Winfree, died on Monday, July 28, 2008 at his home.

He was born on September 17, 1923 in San Bernardino, California, a son of Sallie Robertson (Shannon) and Harry Grady Daves, Sr. He grew up in Baytown, where he attended Robert E Lee High School. Following his graduation, he volunteered for the U.S. Navy during World War II and served in their amphibious division. He made five major beachhead landings during the war, earning a Purple Heart, a Silver Star, a Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal and numerous other medals for his service.

After his return from the Navy, he was married in 1946 to Jeffie Herron of Highlands, and they made their home in Old River-Winfree, where they raised their two daughters, Louise and Bess Ann. He went to work that same year at Exxon's Baytown Refinery working as a machinist in the mechanical division.

After 31 years with the Baytown Refinery, Harry retired in 1977 to work on his farm and ranch. He also became a volunteer to many historic preservation groups in the area. These included the Wallisville Heritage Park, where he served faithfully on the board of directors; the Chambers County Historical Commission, where he most recently served as chair of the historical cemeteries committee; the Liberty County Historical Commission, where he oversaw the ringing of the Liberty Bell on special occasions; and as chaplain of Spaight's Battalion Camp #858, Sons of Confederate Veterans. He was also an ordained Southern Baptist minister.

He was extremely proud of his service as president of the Jacob Shannon Evergreen Cemetery in Dobbin, Texas, a burial ground established by his great-grandfather in 1840. He was the great-great-grandson of American Revolutionary War Veteran Owen Shannon and his wife Margaret Montgomery, pioneer settlers of the old Lake Creek Settlement in Montgomery County.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; his daughter Louise Daves; and his brother Rev. John M. Daves.

Survivors include his wife, Jeffie; his daughter, Bessie Ann; his sisters, Kay Mitchell and Bebe Armstrong; and by his granddaughters, Louise's daughter Heather Frazier and Bess Ann's daughter Candace Cherry.

The family wishes to thank Luis E. Gonzalez-Fraga and his staff, Faith Community Hospice, and caregiver Belinda Blair for their many kind deeds over the course of Harry's illness. Funeral services were held Friday, August 1, 2008 at Navarre Funeral home with Rev. Danny Biddy officiating. Graveside services followed at the Jacob Shannon Evergreen Cemetery in Dobbin.