Sad Day For Texas - Editorial by Margo I. Green - Removal of Daughters of the Republic of Texas as Alamo Custodians

 

Friday, July 10, 2015 was a “Sad Day for Texas” with the removal of the Daughters of  the Republic of Texas” as custodians of the “Alamo”. My husband, Tom Green, member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas; Knight of San Jacinto; Texas Army; Texas Navy Admiral and past State President of the Sons of the American Revolution, and I participated in the final hour of the Daughters of the Republic (DRT) custodianship of the Alamo.

The Catholic Church sold the “Alamo” chapel (only) to the State of Texas in 1883. In 1892, a portion of the land surrounding the “Alamo” chapel was saved from becoming a hotel when DRT members Adina de Zavala and Clara Driscoll raised the money to purchase what was left of the “Alamo” battle field from Charles Hugo and Gustav Schmeltzer, merchants. In September, 1905 the State of Texas drafted a bill, sponsored by Adina De Zavala,  reimbursing Clara Driscoll for the purchase of the Alamo grounds. Ownership of the surrounding “Alamo” grounds was transferred to the state at that time.

In 1905 the state of Texas awarded The DRT with the custodianship of the  “Alamo” chapel and remaining grounds  The DRT would lovingly  hold the custodianship of the Shrine of Texas Liberty and honored their commitment  for 110 years with little or no state financial support. The DRT has supported the “Alamo” with thousands of uncompensated volunteer hours and monies earned from the gift shop and donations .

Now, The Congress of the state of Texas voted to remove the DRT as custodians of the “Alamo”. The “Alamo” is now placed under authority of the Texas Land Commissioner, George P. Bush. It is indeed a “SAD DAY FOR TEXAS” when the Daughters of the Republic of Texas have been basically kicked out of the “Alamo”. Saving the “Alamo” was a masterful fete in the first place and continued care by mostly their own expense has now disrespectfully been discounted by the state.

Many reasons can be cited on both sides, (political, personal vendetta's, private business investments, and differences of opinions on how the “Alamo” should be run)  for the termination of the involvement of the DRT. However, I do believe that a compromise could have been reach between the state of Texas and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to allow the DRT to have an honorary role in daily operations of  “The Shrine of Texas Liberty” after the DRT’S  110 years of dedicated care and service.  

Tears fell, by the hundreds of DRT members and supporters present, as they watch the DRT’S flag being lowered at 5PM Friday, July, 2015 as the bagpipes played the “Yellow Rose of Texas” followed by a salute by the Texas Army to the Daughter followed by the singing of “Texas Our Texas”.  A “Sad Day for Texas”, indeed!

Editorial submitted by Margo I. Green.   Member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Pearland, Texas.

Texian Heritage Festival - Montgomery Texas - October 17, 2015

Save the date this fall, October 17, 2015 for the 2015 Texian Heritage Festival in historic Montgomery, Texas from 10:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. Put on your cowboy hat and have fun capturing a glimpse of the living history of Texas and supporting several excellent charities while you do it.

There will be fun for everyone!: Pioneer Activities, Frontier Children Activities, Civil War Era Fashions, Chikawa Aztec Dancers, Gunslingers and Shoot-outs, Vendors with Texas Cultural Products, Dutch Oven Cooking, Texian Heritage Army (1835-1836) Tent Encampment, Texas Independence Battle Reenactments, Cannon Barrages, Music of the 1800's, AND a whole lot more! The Texian Heritage Festival will be held at Fernalnd Historical Park, 708 Clepper, Montgomery, Texas.  Adult Donation are $5.00. Children are Free!  Parking is Free!  For more information about the 2015 Texian Heritage Festival, go to the website at: TexianHeritage.org

The Board of Directors of this year's Texian Heritage Festival are: Margie Taylor, President; Bea Rouse, Vice President; Annmari Cooper, Billy Ray Duncan, Bella Dall Flynn, Jack Flynn, Barbara Frazier and Jeredith Jones.  If you would like to be a preferred sponsor of this great event, contact the Texian Heritage Festival Board or President Margie Taylor at 936-828-6881 or email: margie@taylorizedpr.com

The Save Texas History Symposium - November 14, 2015 - In the Shadow of the Dome: Austin by Day & by Night

On November 14, 2015, the 6th Annual Save Texas History Symposium will be held at the William B. Travis Building, 1701 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This year's speakers will include Lt. Doug Dukes (APD, Ret.), Dr. David Gracy, James L. Haley, Ali James, Jeff Kerr, Dr. Andres Tijerina, Juanita Tijerina and Richard Zelade. There will be book signings, archive tours, vendors and exhibitors. The Save Texas History Symposium is a project of the Texas General Land Office. If you have been before, you will want to go again.  If you have never been, save the date.

Returning to Austin for its sixth year, the symposium will look at the capital of Texas, Austin.  The symposium will feature eight speakers, including, James L. Haley, who will recount tales from the Texas Supreme Court; Ali James has details on the destruction and and construction of the State Capitol; Jeff Kerr will discuss the Pig War; Richard Zelade , will discuss his book, Guy Town by Gaslight; Retired Lieutenant from the Austin Police Force, Doug Dukes, brings his expertise to the story of the Servant Girl Annihilator; Dr. David Gracy will discuss cattle baron and Driskill Hotel founder George W. Littlefield; and Dr. Andres Tijerina, and his wife Juanita Tijerina, will talk about the Slave Narratives of Austin, Texas..

Space is limited. Register Today! For more information see savetexashistory.org or call 512-463-3289.