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.

Isom Palmer - Patriot of Texas Revolution to be Honored

The Brazos County Historical Commission invites you to attend the unveiling of a marker honoring Isom Palmer, Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bryan City Cemetery, Bryan, Texas.

Isom Palmer was the son of Martin Parmer, one of the founding fathers of Texas. Isom Palmer fought with his father during the Fredonian Rebellion in 1826-1827. During the Texas Revolution, Isom Palmer fought in the Siege of Bexar in 1835 when the Texans captured San Antonio which had been under the command of Mexican General Cos, the brother-in-law of Santa Anna. Isom Palmer served as the Sergeant at Arms of the Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos in March of 1836 where his father signed the Declaration of Independence.

According to William Physick Zuber, Isom Palmer sold Sam Houston a fine gray stallion at the Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 6, 1836. This was the gray horse that Sam Houston was riding as the Battle of San Jacinto began on April 21, 1836. Sam Houston and the horse presented a wonderful target for the Mexican army shoot at. Houston was shot through the left ankle and the gray stallion was killed.

For more on the Texas State Historical Marker to be dedicated click here:

http://bchc.co.brazos.tx.us/node/66

To read Sam Houston Rode a Gray Horse, click here:

Sam Houston Rode a Gray Horse

Masons to Meet at Washington-on-the-Brazos

Donald W. Lemon, Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge No.18 A.F. & A.M. extends the following invitation to all Texas Masons to celebrate Texas Independence Day at the "Birthplace of Texas," Washington-on-the-Brazos. Washington Lodge No. 18 was originally charted by the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas on January 10, 1844.

"To all our Brethren:

Washington Lodge #18 A.F. & A.M. will be conducting its annual Texas Independence Day meeting at Washington on the Brazos State Park on Monday March 3, 2008. We are a day late this year for two reasons. First, Masons do not open lodge on Sunday; and secondly, though Texas independence was declared on March 2, 1836, the original Texas Declaration of Independence was not signed until March 3, 1836.

Lodge will open in Independence Hall at 11:00 am and will be closed at high twelve. Following the close of lodge we will adjourn to a nearby dining room for a catered lunch. The senior warden has not told us what the lunch will consist of, but I suspect it will be an excellent barbecue plate. The cost has been maintained at $15.00 as in previous years. We anticipate a wonderful day honoring our forefathers and visiting with old friends.

In the bonds of Freemasonry.

Donald W. Lemon, Worshipful Master"

Photograph: Independence Hall; Courtesy of Kameron Searle

San Jacinto Symposium - Expanding the Horizons of Texas History

This year's San Jacinto Symposium will be on Saturday, April 19, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University Hilton an the University of Houston campus.

This year's program will feature:

Steve Harrington, author of The Gates of the Alamo, a New York Times best-seller and winner of the Spur Award for the Best Novel of the West, and Comanche Midnight. Mr. Harrington's presentation will be "Historical Fact, Historical Fiction: Early Texas Through a Novelist's Eyes."

Drenna Belden, from the University of North Texas, will "Explore the Texas Revolution Online Through the Portal to Texas History" as she demonstrates this new digital gateway to the collections of some seventy museums, libraries and universities. The Portal is sponsored by the University of North Texas. Belden is coordinator of grants and development at the UNT libraries.

Betsy Davis, ties to--and unbounded passion for--the history of Texas and the revolution have made her one of the state's best fourth grade school teachers. Her ability to bring history to life for her students has won awards from the Austin Historical Society and the Austin Federation of Teachers. Her topic: "Making History Personal."

Stuart Reid, author of The Secret War for Texas, a recent book about British agent James Grant and the Texas Revolution will place the Texas Revolution into the context of the "great game" played out during the first half of the nineteenth century between Washington and London over mastery of the North American continent. Reid, a Scot and author of The Secret War for Texas (Texas A&M University Press, 2007), is the great-great-great grandson of his book's protagonist, Dr. James Grant.

Miguel Angel Gonzales Quiroga, of the U.A. De Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico, will discuss "Commonality and Conflict: Northeast Mexico and the Texas Revolution and Republic, 1835-1845.


The cost of the symposium is $45, which includes lunch and free parking in the Hilton garage. Registrations may be made by check to Friends of the San Jacinto Battleground, P.O. Box 940536, Houston, TX 77094-7536. Payments should be made by April 11. After April 11, the registration fee will be $50, based on availability.


Photograph: San Jacinto Monument; Courtesy of David Melasky.

100th Anniversary Party Albert Sidney Johnston Camp

On March 11th 1908 the Albert Sidney Johnston Camp 67, was chartered by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. One hundred years later we are still here and celebrating. Don't miss this special event honoring our Camp and Southern Ancestors. Rally and celebrate the centennial.

The 100th Anniversary Party
Albert Sidney Johnston Camp 67
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Saturday; March 8, 2008
2-6 PM
Big Woodrow's
3111 Chimney Rock (Chimney Rock & Richmond)
$20 per Person (dinner) & Cash Bar
Live Southern Music

Menu includes- Louisiana Boiled Crawfish, Gumbo, Red beans and Rice. Platters of assorted Seafood Appetizers, Buffalo wings, Chicken nuggets, Onion Rings and Confederate Fries.

We will eat, drink, and be merry, politically incorrect yet good natured and polite.

RSVP to Bryan Fox @

bnfox@swbell.net
or
713.914.0124

Photograph: Confederates Volley Fire; "© Steve Estvanik | Dreamstime.com"

Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas State Flag

The pledge of allegiance to the Lone Star Flag has evolved over time. The Texas legislature passed a law in 1933 which provided the rules for the proper display of the Texas Flag and establishing a pledge to the flag: "Honor the Texas Flag of 1836; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible." The original pledge mistakenly referred to the 1836 Texas flag. The Lone Star Flag of Texas dates from 1839, not from 1836. Amazingly, the words "of 1836" were not deleted by the legislature until 1965. For 42 years the pledge of allegiance to the Texas Flag was:

"Honor the Texas Flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible."

This is no longer the pledge of allegiance to the Texas Flag. During the 80th Legislature, the pledge of allegiance to the Texas Flag was amended by House Bill 1034 with the addition of the line "one state under God." The revised wording was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry on June 15, 2007 and became effective immediately. To see the legislative history of House Bill 1034, click here.

The new pledge of allegiance to the Texas Flag is:

"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."



Image: Flag of the State of Texas "© Martin Bangemann | Dreamstime.com"

Texas Independence Festival Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, March 1–2, 2008

A free two-day festival on March 1-2 will celebrate the 172nd anniversary of Texas' declaration of independence from Mexico. The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The annual event at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site commemorates the signing of the Texas' declaration by 59 men elected by citizens of each municipality in Texas, who convened here March 2, 1836, in a drafty, timber building atop a Brazos River bluff as war clouds loomed.

Members of the Texas Army, skilled craftsmen, talented musicians and costumed re-enactors, portraying such Texian heroes as Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin and Anson Jones, will be on-hand at the 293-acre park to bring the Republic of Texas era to life.

"Washington-on-the-Brazos has seen many changes since independence was declared here in March 1836," said Bill Irwin, historic site superintendent. "Most recently, additional park staff has been hired to better tell Texas' story. As Texans, we are all proud to be involved in preserving our Texas heritage."

As in past years, highlighting the two-day festival will be a ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday featuring several Texas heroes and invited special guests and a performance of "Once Upon A Time in Texas" by Texas troubadour Brian Burns. The cutting of a Texas-sized birthday cake will follow.

Washington-on-the-Brazos features three attractions open year-round: Independence Hall, the Star of the Republic Museum and Barrington History Farm. All admission fees are waived during the festival weekend. Vendors will be selling food and drinks.

A new exhibit — "Audubon's Creations: His Texas Legacy" — will open Saturday at the Star of the Republic Museum. On display will be world-renowned artist John James Audubon's collection of mammal engravings, including the Texian Hare, Red Texan Wolf, Texan Skunk, which were drawn from specimens collected by Audubon and his party during their visits to Texas in the 1830s and 1840s.

Photos Texas Independence Day Celebration and Chili Cook Off

Sunday, February 24, 2008, at the Log House, 1510 North MacGregor in Houston, Texas, the San Jacinto Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and Children of the Republic of Texas celebrated Texas Independence Day with the Texian Army and Sons of the Republic of Texas with a Living History Festival along with a Flag Retirement Ceremony.

Dale Williamson with the Sons of the Republic of Texas presented Tom Green's display of flags that have flown over Texas. Texas blacksmith Larry Hoff was present to demonstrate this ancient skill and Edwin Erwin was on hand to sign Mexican Land Grants for children. The Houston Dulcimer Society performed throughout the afternoon. The Texian Army in conjunction with the Sons of the Republic of Texas was present for a reading of William Barrett Travis' "Liberty or Death" letter and assisted with the retirement of a Texas Lone Star Flag by the Children of the Republic of Texas. Many came dressed Texas period attire.

Prizes were awarded for: Best Authentic Texian Chili, Best Deer Meat Chili, Best Armadillo Style Chili, Best Roadkill chili, Best Trailrider's Chili, Best Rattlesnake Chili, Best Red hot Chili Pepper Chili, Best Possum chili, Best Squirrel Chili, Best Texas Cowboy Chili and more. Hope to see you there next year.

All photographs are courtesy of Mr. Dale Williamson. Thank you Dale. Click pictures to enlarge.

March 2, 2008 Lone Star Flag Event in Montgomery, Texas

John Homman, President of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas in Montgomery County provides the following information:

On March 2, 2008 at 10:00 am, the members of Honea Baptist Church are joining with the Montgomery Historical Society and the Sons of the Republic to call attention to, and celebrate, the birth and birthplace of our LONE STAR FLAG OF TEXAS. Our plans are that this is to be the first (1st) annual event to commemorate the flag and our love for this, the greatest state, of mind or place to be living.

We salute the previous, and on-going, efforts of those two (2) groups (listed above) of dedicated volunteers, and their great strides to provide the historical marker located on FM 2854, near Highway 105. Those efforts have gone a long way in the placement of the marker and the flag pole. The flag pole stands without a Lone Star Flag, due to the fact that no lighting has, at this time, been provided. These groups need and deserve support from all Texans to see to it that the flag proudly flies over that marker and in our great county.

That flag was designed right here in the historic Montgomery County by Colonel Charles Bellinger Stewart, who also was the first signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The Texas flag has been described as the most recognizable flag, second (2nd) only to the flag of the United States of America, all over the world.

Our area is attracting new neighbors every day and we want them to share this heritage and know why Texans are a proud group of people.

Part of our celebration will include a presentation of a replica of that original Lone Star Flag, made by a local Montgomery, Texas artisan, to the Lone Star Elementary School, as part of our efforts to educate the students, friends and parents of our community of the patriotism that acquired and has insured our liberties. State Representative Brandon Crighton has agreed to participate in the celebration and will attend as the presenter of that flag.

There could be no such thing as a celebration of anything in a Texas Baptist Church without eating and this get together comes with the promise of barbecue and all the needed trimmings.

This is your opportunity to show your Texas Spirit…we will salute the flag of our former nation, our State and celebrate our Hope….

March 2, 2008
10:00 AM
Honea Baptist Church
Location: 16430 FM 2854
Montgomery, Texas 77316
936-588-1260

Image: Lone Star "© Neonriver | Dreamstime.com"

New Depository Agreement for Sam Houston Templar Sword

February 12, 2008, President General, Dick Reese KSJ, and Charlie Briggs KSJ, Knight Commander of the Knights of the Order of San Jacinto along with the director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and officials from Sam Houston State University held the ceremonial signing of the new depository agreement providing for the loan of Sam Houston's Knights Templar Masonic Sword to the Sam Houston Memorial Museum in Huntsville, Texas. The depository agreement provides for the continuous, public display of this priceless piece of Texas history.

Genealogy and Family History Fair

Saturday, February 23, 2008, the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 of the Sons of the American Revolution will host a free Genealogy and Family History Fair between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm at the Sugar Land Community Center at 226 Matlage Way in Sugar Land, Texas. This will be an opportunity for anyone interested in researching your family history/family tree to learn a little bit more on how to go about it.

Genealogical societies, historical and patriotic organizations, museums, research facilities, genealogical and historical vendors, and others are offering an educational opportunity to share available information with the amateur to expert genealogist or family history researcher. A few of the organizations which you will see include: CAR, Cherokee Indian Society., C of C, DAR, DCV, DRT, F B Museum, George Ranch, Houston Gen Forum, Jamestown Society, Museum of Southern History, San Jacinto Descendants, SAR, SCV, SRC and UDC.

All organizations at the Fair encourage children to learn about their family history and to start documenting it now. Students are studying about genealogy in school, Scout organizations provide badges for it, historical organizations offer contests and scholarships to promote it. The Genealogy Fair is a great place to bring your children to expose them to history and for you to teach them about their heritage.

At 11:00 am Harriet Rasmussen will speak on the topic of Uncovering Your Family Tree for beginner and intermediate researchers. At 12:30, Jennifer Salge and Shelby Salge will present a children's program entitled How Do I Start My Family Tree. At 2:00 pm, Eron Tynes will present a program entitled From the Alamo to San Jacinto - What it really means to be a Texan. Local authors, Emily Croom and Jeffrey Murrah, will be on hand to sign copies of their books.

Again, the public admission price is right - FREE!! For more information about the Genealogy Fair, contact Lance Salge at 832-248-0875 or salge@texas.net


"© Photographer: Robyn Mackenzie | Agency: Dreamstime.com"

Texas Independence Day Celebration to be Held on Steps of the Houston City Hall

On March 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. the San Jacinto and Sam Houston Chapters of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and the San Jacinto Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas are co-sponsoring a ceremony on the steps of the Houston City Hall (901 Bagby, Houston, Texas) with the City of Houston, to commemorate the 172^nd anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

The Mayor of Houston, Bill White will begin the program by welcoming everyone and reading a proclamation. Officials of the Sons and Daughters of The Republic of Texas will be speaking about the impact the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence had in shaping modern day Texas. We will conclude the ceremony by toasting those brave men who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence with good old Texas water.

Recognized by statute as an official state holiday, Texas Independence Day originally began with the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the 54 delegates to the Convention that met at Washington-on-the-Brazos beginning on March 1, 1836. On the first day, Convention President, Richard Ellis, appointed a committee composed of George C. Childress, James Gaines, Edward Conrad, Collin McKinney, and Bailey Hardeman to draft a declaration of independence.

George Childress, the committee chairman, is generally accepted as the author of the Republic of Texas Declaration of Independence, with little help from the other committee members. Since the six-page document was submitted for a vote of the whole convention on the following day, Childress probably already had a draft version of the document with him when he arrived. As the delegates worked, they received regular reports on the ongoing siege on the Alamo by the forces of General Santa Anna's troops.

A free and independent Republic of Texas was officially declared March 2, 1836, when the 54 delegates—each representing one of the settlements in TexasR12;signing the Texas Declaration of Independence, and 6 others signing later. After the delegates signed the original declaration, 5 copies were made and dispatched to the designated Texas towns of Bexar, Goliad, Nacogdoches, Brazoria, and San Felipe, and 1,000 copies were ordered printed in handbill form.

The Sons of the Republic of Texas and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas are 501(c)(3) organizations whose missions are to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the people who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas and to encourage historical research into the earliest records of Texas, especially those relating to the revolutionary and republic periods. The SRT and DRT encourage the preservation of documents and relics, the publication of historical records and narratives, and the celebration of important days in the state’s history. They also encourage the teaching of Texas history in schools and sponsor numerous scholarships. Everyone is invited to join us at 11:00a.m. on the front steps of the Houston City Hall to honor those brave men who took that first important step toward making Texas what it is today! For additional details about the celebration, please contact Event Chairman, Tom Green, KSJ at 281-922-1118.


Photograph: Houston with Texan Flag © Photographer: Stephen Finn | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Texas Independence Day Celebration & Chili Cookoff

Come join the San Jacinto Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and Children of the Republic of Texas as they celebrate Texas Independence Day with the Texian Army and Sons of the Republic of Texas on Sunday, February 24, 2008, at 2:00 pm at the Log House, 1510 North MacGregor, Houston, Texas. It will be a Living History Festival along with a Flag Retirement Ceremony.

Tom Green with the Sons of the Republic of Texas will be there to display Texas Flags, along with Larry Hoff, Blacksmith, and Edwin Erwin will be on hand to sign Land Grants. The Texian Army in conjunction with the Sons of the Republic of Texas will present the reading of William Barrett Travis' "Liberty or Death" letter. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 per child under 16. Please feel free to come in period dress of your favorite Texana.

It is time to dig out Uncle Bob's old chili recipe and start chopping those red hot chili peppers. Prizes will be given for : Best Authentic Texian Chili, Best Deer Meat Chili, Best Armadillo Style Chili, Best Roadkill chili, Best Trailrider's Chili, Best Rattlesnake Chili, Best Red hot Chili Pepper Chili, Best Possum chili, Best Squirrel Chili and more. Come see how many you can win.

If you are interested in having a Chili Team, please contact Eron Tynes @ 281-820-0676.


Photograph: Red Chilis" © Photographer: Niko Fagerström | Agency: Dreamstime.com"