Medicine Mound and Quanah

"Lone Star Historian 2" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas during his second year. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine. In 2013 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by his alma mater, Texas A&M University - Commerce. 

Bill and Gayla Neal at their ranch gate.

Our room was decorated in bright Texana.

Medicine Mound is a ghost town  in Hardeman County. The region is flat, but west of the old community four hills rise as tall as 1,750 feet. Comanches believed these hills had healing qualities and called them the “medicine mounds.” Late in the 19^th century ranchers and farmers settled the area to work the land. In 1908 the grandly-named Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway Company established the Medicine Mound townsite along the railroad right-of-way. A post office was opened, tracks were laid, and a frame depot was erected. A variety of businesses were centered around a cluster of commercial buildings, including a two-story frame hotel, a bank, and a newspaper. There were three churches: Baptist, Methodist, and Church of Christ. 

The town’s heyday was the 1920s, when “Mounders” numbered nearly 500. But in 1933, during the heart of the Great Depression, a fire devastated the business district, and most structures were not rebuilt. In 1946 secondary students were moved to Quanah or Chillicothe, and the elementary grades consolidated with these schools in 1954. Dwindling congregations caused the closure of the churches. Today only two rock buildings remain downtown, along with a few walls of the single-story brick school. 

Medicine Mound Museum

But one of the rock buildings, once the Hicks & Cobb General Store, has been kept in good repair and now houses an excellent museum. A Downtown Medicine Mound Preservation Group has been organized, led by a board of directors of native Mounders. Board member Jeanene Stermer is the dynamic and resourceful curator of the museum, and the driving force of the Downtown Medicine Mound Reunion and Jubilee. Bill Neal, a Mounder who was raised on a ranch that included the four mounds, produced a book about his home town: Our Stories, Legend of the Mounds. Bill collected and edited stories from Mounders, wrote a large portion of the book, and induced his friend and mentor, A.C. Greene, to write a Foreword. Recently Jeanene Stermer produced an excellent DVD, Mounds, Dominoes and Doodlebugs, The Early Days of Medicine Mound, Texas. 

The other surviving commercial building

Bill Neal invited me to come to this year’s annual Medicine Mound Reunion on Saturday, October 19. He also arranged a reception for the State Historian by the Hardeman County Historical Society at their museum housed in the picturesque old depot in Quanah. Bill was raised a cowboy, but after graduating first in his class at the University of Texas Law School, he practiced law for 40 years. Following his "retirement," he has researched and written a series of noted books on frontier murders, bringing the legal maneuverings to a new level of writing. Bill's middle initial is "O," and when I receive a phone call from him, his greeting is, "Apostrophe, this is Period." 

Ruins of the school

Bill and his lovely wife Gayla invited Karon and me to spend the weekend at their handsome ranch home. We arrived Friday evening, after a quick stop in Medicine Mound to meet Jeanene Stermer. The next morning we returned to Medicine Mound, arriving as a large and lively reunion crowd gathered. I was delighted to see Tai Kreidler, director of the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech and of the West Texas Historical Association, also headquartered at Tech. Accompanied by Mounder James Crowder, we hiked over to explore the remains of the old school. Later, in the museum, we examined hundreds of artifacts and photographs, with a number of helpful Mounders eager to offer explanations. 

Inside the museum

I was introduced by Bill Neal to make a few remarks, and the first thing I did was present a Certificate of Appreciation to Jeanene Stermer for her work in preserving Medicine Mound. Tai Kreidler also offered a description of the role of the Southwest Collections. Following a delicious catered lunch, we made our way to Quanah and the Hardeman County Historical Museum, presided over by curator Scarlett Daughtery. I had the pleasure of exploring the superb depot and museum for a second time. The reception was attended by local history buffs who were dedicated enough to come out o a Saturday afternoon. Once again Bill Neal introduced Tai and me, and this time I explained the office of State Historian to a group of fellow historians. When Karon and I finally headed east out of Quanah, we agreed that we had enjoyed a wonderful day in Hardeman County. 

Presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to
Jeanene Stermer

With Bill Neal and Tai Kreidler

Old Depot Museum in Quanah

The old county jail stands behind the depot.

Scarlett Daughtery welcomes the crowd.

Describing the position of State Historian

Tai Kreidler describes the Southwest Collections.

For more information:  http://www.texasescapes.com/TOWNS/Quanah/Quanah.htm#depot
http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasTowns/Medicine-Mound-Texas.htm

Waco

"Lone Star Historian 2" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas during his second year. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine. In 2013 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by his alma mater, Texas A&M University - Commerce. 

The rich history of Waco is reflected by a varied collection of venerable structures throughout the city. The Historic Waco Foundation has the stated purpose to collect, preserve, maintain, publish, and interpret the heritage and history of Waco, McLennan County, and Texas. The Foundation owns and operates four historic residential properties: the superb, sprawling East Terrace House; the McCulloch House; the Fort House; and the Earle-Napier-Kinnard House. The Foundation hosts an impressive slate of events, from Christmas on the Brazos to Stained Glass Workshops to a recent exhibit on a History of Baseball in Waco. 

Bill with Brenda Rhoades

Doris Miller

One of many activities is the Annual Meeting, a banquet which was held Tuesday evening, October 15, at the Red Man Museum and Library. A few months ago I was invited to deliver an appropriate address, and I eagerly accepted. During the summer I accompanied my wife Karon, who directs the handbell choir at our church, to a handbell workshop conducted at Baylor University. When we arrived in Waco we stopped at the Historic Waco Foundation headquarters, located east of the Baylor campus in a handsome two-story Victorian house on 4^th Street. We visited with Don Davis, the genial executive director of the Foundation. The Foundation is working to create a riverside monument to Doris Miller, Waco’s famous World War II hero. Consequently, it was decided that I would talk about “Texas During World War II,” with emphasis on such Waco wartime notables as Capt. James Connally, Lt. Jack Lummus, Sen. Thomas Connally – and Doris Miller. Miller’s exploits aboard the sinking battleship West Virginia made him the first African-American to be presented the Navy Cross (sadly, later in the war he died when the escort carrier Liscombe Bay was torpedoed and sunk). 

While my wife was involved with her workshop, I drove all over Waco, shooting photographs for this blog. Indeed, when Karon and I met for lunch, she decided that I was having so much fun that she accompanied me during the afternoon. Unfortunately, Karon could not return to Waco during my mid-week banquet trip in October (it was mid-term week at Panola College). She missed an excellent meal and congenial company. The large crowd included Brenda Rhoades, a student of mine at Lampasas Junior High during my first year as a teacher. It was an unexpected and delightful reunion, and I assured Brenda that I improved as a teacher after my rookie year.

East Terrace House

Waco Village was established in 1849 and was designated as the seat of newly-organized McLennan County the next year. In 1837 Texas Rangers established an encampment that came to be known as Fort Fisher beside the Brazos River; today the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum occupies the site, and is one of the finest museums in Texas. The Chisholm Trail crossed the Brazos River at Waco (which became known as "Six Shooter Junction" during the cowboy era), and the world's longest suspension bridge was built to accommodate northbound herds, along with other traffic. The 475-foot toll bridge was built by the Roebling Company, which years later erected the much longer Brooklyn Bridge. In 1886 a local druggist developed Dr. Pepper, and Waco boasts  an excellent Dr. Pepper Museum. Near downtown stands old Waco High School, built in 1911 and home to the Paul Tyson-coached Waco Tigers, the finest high school football dynasty of the 1920s. Tyson and the Tigers are celebrated in the excellent Texas Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Throughout the city are numerous other historical attractions, enough to occupy any history buff for a couple of days.

Texas Ranger Hall of Fame

Dr. Pepper Museum

Waco High School, 1911

Lover's Leap above the Brazos River

Praha

"Lone Star Historian 2" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas during his second year. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine. In 2013 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by his alma mater, Texas A&M University - Commerce.

During World War II almost 830,000 Texans, including 12,000 women, donned uniforms, representing more than 7 percent of  the overall American total, even though the Texas population (6.4 million in 1940), comprised only 5 percent of the U.S. population. More than 23,000 Texans died for their country - 7 percent of overall American losses.

This view of the east side of St. Mary's shows
one of the three small chapels, in the foreground.
Another chapel is on the west side, and another
stands in front.

No Texas community was hurt harder by the loss of its young men than Praha. Praha was a Czech-Texan rural community in Fayette County with a population estimated at 100, although many farm families lived in the surrounding countryside. 

Tragically, nine sons of little Praha were killed in action during a one-year period beginning February 1944. In North Africa, Pfc. Robert Bohnslav was the first to die. In France, Pfc. Rudolph Bart fell 10 days after D-Day. Four were killed in July 1944: in France, Sgt. George Pavlicek and Pvt. Jerry Vaculik; in Italy, Pvt. Alvye Ral; in the Phillippines, Pvt. Joseph Lea. In September 1944, Pvt. Eddie Sbrusch was lost at sea in the Pacific and Pfc. Edward Marek was killed in action on Pelilieu Island. And in February 1945, Pfc. Anton Kresh, Jr., died in the Phillippines. 

These brave men are pictured on a granite monument at the entrance to the parish cemetery behind beautiful St. Mary's Catholic Church. The monument also honors chaplain Father Marcus Valenta, a Pearl Harbor survivor. Three small chapels around the church also honor the fallen men. 

Praha is east of Flatonia and south of I-10. From downtown Flatonia drive east on Highway 90 a few miles to FM 1295, then drive south one mile to Praha, dominated by its striking St. Mary's Church. The interior is well worth a visit, and so are the three little chapels. Behind the church is the quiet cemetery, and the monument to the World War II heroes features their photos. The countryside is lovely, and anyone would be moved by a visit to Praha. 

The world's smallest Catholic Church stands on
the west side of Hwy. 237 south of Round Top.

Manley Lecture Series

"Lone Star Historian 2" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas during his second year. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine. In 2013 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by his alma mater, Texas A&M University - Commerce.

Following a lengthy tenure on the faculty of Jacksonville College, Nora Belle Manley retired in May 1975. As a tribute to her faithful and talented service, her colleagues established the Nora Belle Manley Lecture Series. The first lecturer was noted Texas folklorist Francis “Ab” Abernethy. The next year one of the state’s leading historians, Dr. Archie McDonald of Stephen F. Austin State University, came to Jacksonville. In later years humorist Bob Bowman, award-winning novelist Elmer Kelton, and other notables appeared on campus. With such a record, it was fitting that in 2006 the annual event was rechristened the Manley Distinguished Lecture Series. 

Newburn-Rawlinson House

A few months ago I was contacted by Marolyn Welch of the Jacksonville College English Department. For the past several years Marolyn has served as chair of the Manley Lecture Series. It was her hope to secure the services of the State Historian, and I assured her that it would be a privilege to participate. The event was scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, October 1 and 2. The Tuesday evening lecture would be open to the public as well as to the student body. There would be another program on Wednesday morning during the regular chapel hour. Both programs were held at Buckner Chapel, a handsome auditorium building with a balcony. 

My wife Karon and I drove to Jacksonville on Tuesday afternoon, October 1. After setting up a book table in the foyer of the chapel, Karon and I were escorted to the Newburn-Rawlinson House, an imposing Victorian structure which overlooks the campus from the north. Jacksonville College opened in 1899, and within a few years Rev. J.M. Newburn moved to Jacksonville to assume the pastorate of the First Baptist Church. In 1903 he built an impressive home on a hill across the street from the campus. Through the years the big house twice served Jacksonville College as the president’s home, as well as once as a dormitory. Owned by the college, today it is the oldest building on campus, and often is used for special events. Large tables were set up in the dining room and adjoining parlor. Dr. Mike Smith, president of the college, headed a gathering of members of the administration and faculty. Following introductions and a prayer, we were served a delicious meal by student members of the Walter Prescott Webb Society. 

After an hour of dining and conversation, we walked back to the chapel, where I began signing books and greeting audience members. An excellent youth choir, Voices of Faith, presented a most enjoyable 30-minute prelude to my program on “Musical Traditions of Texas.” Music instructor Tom Vandegriff, a former student of mine, introduced me, and the crowd was most receptive. 

On Wednesday Karon had math classes at Panola College throughout the morning, so I had an early drive to Jacksonville. The program was “Cowboys: Texas Icons,” and I transported a load of saddles, spurs, branding irons, sombreros, posters, and other items. When I arrived at Buckner Chapel I was met by a squad of student, faculty, and maintenance men, who whisked my cowboy cargo to the stage within moments. I’ve honed this program on Texas cowboys for decades in Panola College classrooms, and the response by the Jacksonville College student body and staff was enthusiastic. Members of the Cherokee County Historical Commission also were present, along with audience members from Tuesday evening. 

Marolyn Welch, Chair of the Manley Lecture Series

Voices of Faith Choir. Note the Texas ties on the young men.

On Tuesday afternoon Marlena Hamilton from KETK-TV in Tyler filmed an on-camera interview for the evening news. The next day another KETK-TV reporter, Alan Snow, taped another interview. There already had been excellent newspaper coverage. Jacksonville College resourcefully garnered widespread publicity for the 2013 Manley Lecture Series, and I was extended every courtesy while on campus. I am proud indeed to have participated in this Jacksonville College event. 

For more information: http://www.jacksonville-college.edu/

Tom Vandegriff of the Music faculty

Demonstrating a 78 rpm record - "the ballad of
Davy Crockett" by Fess Parker

Ready for the Wednesday cowboy program

Interview with Marlena Hamilton of KETK-TV

ETHA Fall Meeting

"Lone Star Historian 2" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas during his second year. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine. In 2013 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by his alma mater, Texas A&M University - Commerce.

The East Texas Historical Association staged its Fall Meeting at the Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 26-27-28. More than 230 ETHA members gathered to enjoy an excellent slate of programs and the company of fellow historians and old friends. It was the second largest attendance in the 51-year history of the ETHA. 

Exhibitors Hall, with Ron Chrisman on duty
the UNT Press table. 

There were 22 sessions, most of which featured three presentations. The sessions on "Black Women and Their Scholarship" and on "Texas Labor History" each offered four presentations  There was a panel on "Twentieth Century Texas Rangers," and another on "The Kennedy Assassination: A Fifty Year Perspective " The ETHA sponsored a joint session with the Texas Folklore Society, and two with the West Texas Historical Association. 

ETHA Secretary-Treasurer Chris Gill

Linda Hudson and her entertaining presentation

On Thursday evening, the Max and Georgianna Lale Lecture Series presented Quintard Taylor of the University of Washington. At the Friday luncheon, the crowd was spellbound by Heino Erichsen's address, "The Reluctant Warrior: A POW Remembers." Drafted into Hitler's army as a teenager, he came to the United States as a prisoner of war, and several years after World War II he returned to the U.S. and attained citizenship. Dr. Bruce Glasrud delivered his presidential address, "Anti-Black Violence in 20th Century East Texas " at the Friday evening Banquet. There was a Women's History Breakfast on Saturday morning, followed by a Women's History Session with two delightful programs: "Hogs Gone Wild in the Texas Supreme Court" by Linda S. Hudson, and "The Great Tyler Chicken War of 1914" by Vickie Betts. 

Lynn Burlbaw and his student/presenters,
Mychelle Smith and Stephen Scogin

A number of graduate students from several institutions offered informative 
presentations. An especially fascinating session was organized by Dr. Lynn Burlbaw of Texas A&M University. In his graduate course, "History of Education," Dr. Burlbaw requires his students to prepare and present a "Biography of an Old School." The structure must be at least 50 years old, and the assignment features the presentation of 20 images of the old school with a commentary lasting no more than 20 seconds per image. Dr. Burlbaw's two presenters were Mychelle Smith and Stephen Scogin, experienced public school educators who are working on doctorates in the field of education. Neither is a history major. Dr. Burlbaw rarely has history majors in his program, and most of his students approach this assignment with doubts. But as they go through old annuals and interview former students, the venerable schools come back to life. 

Bill presenting for the WTHA

Certainly that was the case for Mychelle Smith (Palestine's stately 1915 high school, which now houses the Museum for East Texas Culture) and Stephen Scogin (the now-abandoned Gaston High School and its surrounding complex of buildings). I have visited these old schools on numerous occasions and I was captivated by both presentations. Mychelle and Stephen were highly knowledgeable about their assigned buildings and had become involved with the one-time schools and teachers and students and communities. I have long contended that historical architecture is our most tangible reminder of the past, and this assignment confirms this contention. Dr. Burlbaw and his students are to be complimented on their historical exercise - an exercise that could be richly utilized in a variety of history courses.

Pat Parsons, foreground, presided over this WTHA session.

L to R: Patrick Hughes, Pres. Bruce Glasrud,
Dan Utley at the Friday evening reception

The Fall Meeting closed with the Awards Luncheon. Dr. Kenneth Hendrickson of Midwestern University was named Educator of the Year. There was a tie for Book of the Year: Kate Kirkland's superb biography of Captain James A. Baker of Houston, 1857-1941. published by Texas A&M Press; and Just Between Us, Stories and Memories from the Texas Pines, edited by Dan Utley and Milton Jordan, and published by Stephen F. Austin University Press. Other awards included research grants from the Ottis Lock Foundation. The Fall Meeting ended when Bruce Glasrud handed the president's gavel to Gene Preuss, who announced that the Spring Meeting would be held in Emory, February 20-22, 2014. 

Presenting Ken Hendrickson the
Educator of the Year Award.

Editors Dan Utley and Milton Jordan (rear) with several
contributors to award-winning Just Between Us

Bruce Glasrud hands the president's gavel
to Gene Preuss.