|
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| The
Battle of the Alamo
1-27-12
NEW
After
the defeat of General Cos at the siege of San Antonio, Texans thought their independence
was won. They failed to understand that General Santa Anna was enraged over the
disturbances at Anahuac and Cos's surrender. The dictator would never rest until
his soldiers either killed every Anglo-American and Tejano rebel who openly defied
his rule or drove them across the Sabine River and out of Texas for good.More
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Features |
Rusk’s
Capitol Role by Bob Bowman 1-23-12
Over
one hundred and thirty years ago Texans celebrated the completion of the Texas
Capitol in Austin. But, as in past observances, there will be little acknowledgment
of the role that East Texas, especially the town of Rusk, played in the capitol’s
completion. |
| The
Siege of San Antonio de Bexar 12-30-11
On
October 2, 1835, the Texas "shot heard round the world" was fired in a brief skirmish
between Mexican troops and Texas settlers known as the Battle of Gonzales. After
the battle, volunteers from all over Texas continued to gather in Gonzales, and
on the morning of October 13, newly elected commander, Stephen F. Austin, marched
the "Army of the People" toward San Antonio. | NEW
| The
Battle of Gonzales: "Come and Take It" by
Jeffery Robenalt 12-1-11
Although
the Battle of Gonzales was, in reality, nothing more than a minor skirmish, its
political consequences were far reaching.Striped
Skunk by Bonnie Wroblewski 12-2-11
"These
striped wonders more than make up for any foul aromas with their unmatched gift
for “pest” control." Pinto
Beans by Mike Cox
12-7-11
...By
the time of Texas’ Anglo colonization, pinto beans (better known in the Southwest
as frijoles or Pecos Strawberries) had become ubiquitous...
|
| The
Rising Tide of Revolution
by Jeffery
Robenalt 11-1-11
Mexico's independence
from Spain and the Mexican Constitution of 1824 brought a new wave of American
immigration to Texas. Not only did the settlers have to cope with the usual hardships
of beginning life in a new land, but they also had to adjust to living in a country
with a set of customs and laws that were alien to their own. |
| Texas
Empresarios
by Jeffery Robenalt
10-1-11
Thanks
to Stephen F. Austin, "the Father of Texas," and many other dedicated Empresarios,
the population of Texas stood at nearly 20,000 citizens by 1830, most of them
from the United States. |
The
Ghost of Thurber by Bob Hopkins
9-28-11
“If people say that I didn’t see a ghost, you tell em to come see me!
I saw it with my own two eyes and I know what I saw.”America's
Third Largest Fire by Mike Cox 9-15-11
John
Cross had the day off that afternoon, March 21, 1916... About a mile from downtown
Paris, a thriving North Texas city of 12,000-plus, Cross heard the Central Station
fire bell... Comancheros
by Clay Coppedge 9-4-11
At
a time when few people dared to traverse the forbidding Llano Estacado on the
South Plains of Texas, a group of people known to history as the Comancheros made
quite a living in the region. |
| | Post
Office Closings in Texas by Brewster Hudspeth 8-1-11
The
recent news of some 3,600 post office closing nationwide included a list of nearly
200 potential closings in Texas. It’s a cost-cutting measure... |
Texas
Filibusters by Jeffery
Robenalt9-1-11
Although
the Filibusters were unsuccessful in gaining independence for Texas, reports of
their activities in newspapers and periodicals all across the country brought
the vast land of Texas to the forefront of American thought and encouraged countless
settlers to pull up stakes and journey to the new land of promise, paving the
way for the era of the Texas Empresarios.The
Beer Train by Mike
Cox 8-25-11
A
wreck blocking the mainline between Austin and San Antonio was bad enough, but
this derailment was even worse. Not only had there been casualties, ... the refrigerated
cars telescoped on each other held a liquid cargo capable of causing problems.
While not explosive or toxic, a trainload of beer could be problematic. Max
Hirsch, Healer and Winner Clay Coppedge 8-8-11
We’re
not quite sure why Max Hirsch ran away from home to become a horse trainer. He
was already working with and riding horses on the Morris Ranch near his hometown
of Fredericksburg when something got into him and he decided to cast his fate
with some horses bound for Baltimore, Maryland... |
| The
State Capitol Dome Mike Cox 7-21-11
Land
Commissioner W.C. Walsh had been watching the construction of the new Capitol
since the first shovel of dirt was tossed on Feb. 1, 1882... Now, with construction
about to begin on the dome, Walsh grew increasingly uneasy... Don
Antonio de Espejo by Byron Browne 7-27-11
He
was only trying to return home, to New Spain, by a short cut. However, Don Antonio
de Espejo’s venture through Texas has warranted his inclusion within the history
books (the Texas ones in particular) alongside other explorers and conquistadors... |
Lavaca
County's Old Brown School by Murray Montgomery 7-25-11
Recently,
I came across this article describing the history of the old Brown School near
Hallettsville. People who were raised in Lavaca County, Texas, are probably familiar
with the old school and I decided to reprint this article, which appeared in The
Tribune on Jan. 10, 1933, in hopes that it would stir some memories and perhaps
more information would come forth. |
|
Sibley
inventions simple by Delbert Trew 7-19-11
Although
Maj. Henry Hopkins Sibley never reached the war hero level, he made great contributions
to the comfort and survival of his fellow troops during his career. Graduating
from West Point in 1838...Plunder
In The Pines by
Dana Goolsby 7-11-11
Just beneath the surface of the Pineywoods, buried treasure is said to be scattered...
|
|
La
Salle and French Exploration in Early Texas
by Jeffery Robenalt 7-1-11
"Although La Salle's expedition
was unsuccessful, the French presence in Texas finally stirred the Spanish to
action. Fearing they would lose the race to claim the Americas, the Spaniards
renewed their exploration of the Gulf Coast and began working diligently to settle
East Texas." |
|
Coronado’s Search for Cibola by Jeffery Robenalt 6-1-11
Coronado’s expedition, including
250 cavalry, 80 infantry, 1000 Indians, several priests, and thousands of horses,
cattle, and sheep, departed from Culiacan in the spring of 1540. |
| The
Texas Theatre by
Dana Goolsby 6-4-11
After
nearly a century of tragedy and neglect, and a host of closings and re-openings,
the Texas Theatre, crown jewel of Palestine, has been salvaged and reborn. |
| History
The Journey of Cabeza de Vaca by Jeffery Robenalt 5-1-11
Spanish conquistador Alvar
Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was the first European to explore the interior of Texas,
and the narrative he wrote of his experiences in the New World remains the most
valuable source of information we possess today on the Native American tribes,
landforms, plants, and animals of early Texas. |
|
The
Anderson County Poor Farm by Dana Goolsby
5-1-11
The
existence of the poor farm in Texas is part of a larger national story that shows
how nineteenth and twentieth century America responded to the needs of its indigents
for almost 100 years. |
| Ghosts
Lubbock
Ghost Stories by Mike Cox 4-7-11
Two Lubbock ghost stories and one strange tale of a man who made his amends for
a ghastly crime one brick at a time.
WildlifeBarred
Owl by Bonnie Wroblewski
4-6-11 |
| Ferdinand
Lindheimer by Clay Coppedge 4-12-11
About
50 species and sub-species of plants are named for Ferdinand Lindheimer, a man
born to the good life in Germany who made his name – and the name of all those
plants – on the Texas frontier. The
Haunting of Old Memorial Hospital In Palestine by Dana Goolsby
4-1-11
Supernatural tales have lived within the old hospital far prior to the
closing of the facility. |
| The
Battle of Walker's Creek and the Colt Paterson Revolver by Jeffery Robenalt
4-1-11
The
Battle of Walker's Creek was more of a minor skirmish than a battle, but thanks
to Samuel Colt and the introduction of his Colt Paterson revolver, the outcome
of the fight had pivotal consequences in the long-running struggle between the
Comanches and the Texas Rangers. No longer would the Rangers be at a distinct
disadvantage when engaging the Comanches on horseback. Armed with the five-shot
Paterson, they were more than a match for the "Lords of the Plains" and their
deadly short bows. |
| In
the aftermath of President Mirabeau Lamar's ill-fated expedition to Santa Fe,
his successor, Sam Houston, did his best to maintain an uneasy peace between Mexico
and the Republic of Texas. However, after Santa Anna twice ordered Mexican troops
to occupy San Antonio, political pressure for action eventually forced Houston
to dispatch General Alexander Somervell and 750 volunteers to the Rio Grande.
What began as a demonstration in force soon ended in "A March into Hell: The Mier
Expedition." |
| Animal
Smithville's
Dexter - From Underdog to Best of (Picture) Show
by Ted R. Krueger 3-12-10
"Adena
Lewis called asking us to bring our dogs to a casting call for the movie "The
Tree of Life" that was soon to be filmed in Smithville. The director, Terrence
Malick, wanted the "hero dog" (to be called "Shep" in the movie) to be an untrained
dog..." |
| The
Edens-Madden Massacre of Houston County by Dana Goolsby
3-8-11
Almost two centuries ago, a gruesome massacre occurred in the northeastern
portion of the county, near San Pedro Creek and the Augusta community, which was
established in 1821. The massacre has lived on as local legend of a tragedy that
claimed the lives of many... |
Town: Muenster
- Old Europe in Frontier Texas by John Hellman
3-3-11
...
Although they were hardly conscious of it, there was something peculiarly medieval
about pockets of European culture in America like those scattered German parish
communities who arrived in Texas (my grandparents as small children) in the late
nineteen century, and eventually prospered on the rolling lands which ran down
to the Red River valley and the Oklahoma border of east Texas... |
| Texas
History: The Battle of the
Salado by Jeffery Robenalt 2-21-11
In March of 1842, Mexican President
Santa Anna retaliated for Texas President Mirabeau Lamar’s ill-fated "Wild Goose"
expedition to Santa Fe by sending General Raphael Vasquez and a substantial force
of soldiers across the Rio Grande with orders to occupy San Antonio... |
| Black
History by Dana Goolsby
2-16-11
Black history has
deep roots in the first county in Texas... |
| Texas
History: Lamar’s
"Wild Goose Campaign to Santa Fe" by Jeffery Robenalt 2-9-11
In 1841, President
Lamar proposed to send the expedition on his own initiative; ostensibly to establish
a trade route across northern Texas to Santa Fe, and to offer the citizens of
New Mexico an opportunity to voluntarily join the Republic... |
| East
Texas Woolly Booger – Creature Seekers Beware by Dana Goolsby
2-1-11
East
Texas is home to many creatures of the night that humans fear, and occasionally
claim to encounter. East Texas has given way to Bigfoot sightings, alien encounters,
and close calls with blood–sucking creatures. |
| Texas
History: The
Expedition of Colonel John Moore by Jeffery Robenalt 1-26-11
In
the aftermath of the Great Comanche Raid of 1840 and the Battle of Plum Creek,
Mirabeau Lamar, the President of the Republic of Texas, charged Texas Ranger Colonel
John Moore with the responsibility of organizing an expedition for the purpose
of attacking and destroying a Comanche winter village.. |
| Texas
History: The
Great Comanche Raid and the Battle of Plum Creek by Jeffery Robenalt
1-9-11
One
of the most storied events in the historic past of Lockhart, Texas occurred two
miles south of town along the wooded banks of Plum Creek, when a small group of
volunteers defeated more than 600 Comanche and Kiowa warriors who had participated
in the Great Comanche Raid of 1840... |
Small Town Saga:
Prairie Fire by Mike Cox
12-16-10
The
Rev. C.B. Jernigan spent most of his life trying to save sinners from eternal
fire and brimstone, but when he finally got around to writing a memoir he devoted
a full chapter to an incident from childhood he remembered as hell on earth –
a raging winter prairie fire. |
| Texas
History: The
San Antonio Council House Fight by Jeffery Robenalt 12-13-10
In March of 1840,
a meeting took place in old San Antonio between representatives of the government
of the Republic of Texas and the Penateka Comanches to discuss terms of a peace
treaty. The disastrous results of this meeting would soon lead to the Great Comanche
Raid of 1840 and the Battle of Plum Creek. |
| | People
The
Murder of Dr. Sam Houston Adams; Slaton, Texas, 1930s by James Villanueva
11-1-10
The
murder of Dr. Sam Houston Adams is not a tragic tale. It’s not necessarily a gloomy
story. Nor is it a hopeful story about overcoming hardships or tribulations. It’s
not quite folklore either. No. For lack of a better description, it is simply
- a love story. |
Ghosts: A
Huntin’ Ghost Story by Linda Kirkpatrick 10-25-10
Besides
being the time of ghosts and goblins, it is almost time for hunters to arrive.
Those of you who manage hunting leases and should any of you hunters arrive early
you might want to read this story very closely. |
| | Ghosts:
Haunted
Nacogdoches by Dana Goolsby
10-24-10
Stephen
F. Austin State University is allegedly home to numerous spooks. The Turner Fine
Arts Auditorium at SFA has more than fine art in the building. A ghost named Chester
is believed to haunt the building... Ghosts:
Parker Cemetery by Dana Goolsby
10-22-10
Parker
Cemetery has long since been the most talked about haunted place in Grapeland. |
| | People:
The
Tar and Feathering of Father Joseph M. Keller, Slaton, Texas, 1920's by James
Villanueva 10-1-10
On
a Saturday night, March 4, 1922, in Slaton, what may have begun as a whisper,
an aside, a comment, or just mindless chatter amongst neighbors, transformed the
community... |
People: William
B. Bloys and Bloys Camp Meeting by C. F. Eckhardt 10-6-10
While
a lot of folks have heard about another denizen of the trans-Pecos, Roy Bean,
William B. Bloys was far more influential, though far less widely known. |
| Animals:
CaraCara Means
More Than FaceFace by Maggie Van Ostrand 9-17-10
It
seems the Caracaras must have expensive lobbyists representing them in Washington
DC. The United States Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects Crested Caracaras as
an endangered species, even though these big birds only visit Arizona, Florida,
and Texas... However, in Mexico, where Caracaras have the exalted title of National
Bird, humans sometimes eat them. Go figure." |
People: LBJ
and Sad Irons by
Clay Coppedge 9-10-10
As Johnson biographer Robert Caro pointed out, “Without
electricity, even boiling water was work.” Water was hauled by hand from a well
or creek and carried to the house. It took about 40 gallons of water a day to
run a farm, which meant a lot of trips from the well to the house. Lyndon’s reluctance
to help his mother with pumping and hauling water was a source of constant friction
between the future president and his father... |
| The
Quest: Searching
for the Pulaski Historical Marker by
Barclay Gibson 9-6-10
Where to start describing how I visited the five foot
tall granite 1936 Panola County Centennial Historical Marker for the defunct town
site of Pulaski, former seat of Panola County? |
| 15
Minutes of Separation:
Panhandle
“Backlash” Saves Trees
by Brewster Hudspeth 8-9-10
or Love in the Time of Dendrophobia
According
to a recent article in the Amarillo Globe, it has been four years since “state
transportation officials” proposed cutting down both trees in the Texas Panhandle.
Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration. There are a few more than two. TxDOT managed
to count 1,185 trees – that were “encroaching” on Hemphill County highways and
proposed to cut every one of them down... |
| Storm:
The Secret Hurricane by
Mike Cox 7-8-10
The
Secret Hurricane of 1943County:
Ghost Counties of Texas
Vintage maps courtesy TGLO 7-2-10
Buchel
and Foley Counties, Greer County, Wegefarth County, Encinal County, Perdido County,
Worth County, and the First Dawson County |
| History:
The Brownsville-Metamoros
Ferry by
Maggie Van Ostrand 6-19-10
The ferry was an efficient means of transportation
between the U.S. and Mexico for 110 years, but in 1929, it took its last trip
across the Rio Grande. |
| Things:
Thurber Brick
by Mike Cox 5-20-10People:
Sally
Rand and Yesterday's ‘House of Tomorrow’
by Clay Coppedge 5-1-10
News that Sally Rand would come to Texas for the Forth
Worth Frontier Centennial in 1936 was met with outrage by some and curiosity by
many. Her reputation, gained at the 1933 World Fair in Chicago in 1933, preceded
her... |
| People:
The Mysterious Yellow Rose
of Texas by Linda
Kirkpatrick 4-1-10
This is a story about Texas. It is the story of a woman---a
mysterious woman closely related to the song, “The Yellow Rose of Texas.” As I
further delved into the research, I found a story beyond anything that I had imagined.
Is it myth or is it fact, I do not know but I will share my discoveries and you
can decide for yourself... |
| Cemetery:
Finding the Polancio
Grave Marker
by Barclay Gibson
3-22-10
"Back in the 1870s a stage was attacked by Indians and a man,
Jose Maria Palancios, was killed. He was buried right where he fell, at the base
of the Peak and a crude rock slab had the information scratched on it." |
| Animals:
Tails of Two Cities
by Brewster Hudspeth
3-5-10
or The Great Columbus, Colorado County / Canada Cat Compromises |
| | Art:
"Stampede"
by John Troesser
Photos
courtesy Barclay Gibson 1-28-10 Book:
“Death by Rope” by
Bob and Doris Bowman
2-26-10
Explores 49 lynchings and legal hangings in East Texas between 1862
and 1942. |
| | Aviation:
Vin Fiz Flyer
by Clay Coppedge
11-19-09
One of the first great aviation events in Texas... Sculptor:
Pompeo Luigi Coppini
by John Troesser 11-2-09
Coppini's Life and His Works |
| | Texas
Centennial
Index by Sarah Reveley
During the 1936 Texas Centennial celebration,
the state built memorial museums, restored historical structures, improved parks,
erected statues of important Texans, and installed over 1,000 historical markers.
This
ongoing project will examine the extant Centennial projects and include the stories
behind them. |
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