Van Alstyne

"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.

On Saturday, November 23, the Friends of the Library in Van Alstyne hosted a program and signing event for my latest book, Van Alstyne. I discovered Van Alstyne in 1967, when I came to nearby Anna as a 25-year-old head football coach. I was also the high school principal, one-man English department, speech teacher, and athletic director. There were only 75 high school students, and Anna was a farm town with a population of just 600. Today Anna is booming with 8,000 citizens, but in 1967 most of the brick buildings in the little "downtown" section were vacant. 

Van Alstyne still boasts many fine Victorian structures.

Four miles to the north, however, stood Van Alstyne, with a population of 1,500, and a business district where I could get a haircut, sit down to a meal, visit a drug store, buy groceries, and fill up with gas. I was intrigued by the two-story brick Victorian commercial buildings that dominated the business district. There were three handsome brick churches built during the second decade of the 20th century, a classic period for church construction. And there were superb Victorian homes, from Gingerbread cottages to massive frame houses with soaring turrets. Historical architecture is our most tangible connection with the past, and Van Alstyne boasts an enviable collection of vintage buildings.

Tracy Luscombe welcomes the crowd.

Through the years, while traveling north, my wife Karon and I stopped in Van Alstyne to slide into a booth at a downtown drug store and eat grilled cheese sandwiches and delicious fountain malts. Our occasional visits became more frequent four years ago when our youngest daughter, Causby O'Neal Henderson, moved to Van Alstyne with her family, husband Dusty and their daughters Bailey and Kendall. Causby teaches kindergarten, Dusty is an insurance adjuster, and Bailey and Kendall go with their mother each day to Van Alstyne Elementary School.

During our visits with the Henderson family I was able to study Van Alstyne, and I became convinced that the town was an ideal subject for the Arcadia treatment. Arcadia Publishers, located in Charleston, South Carolina, specializes in books about communities - towns, military bases, universities, counties. Arcadia has published more than 8,000 titles, each with an identical formula. Every Arcadia book is 128 pages in length and is priced at $21.99. There are 200 or more photographs in each Arcadia book. Following a two-page introduction, the story must be told through 75-word captions and, of course, the accompanying photographs (in an Arcadia book, every photo truly needs to be worth a thousand words). Van Alstyne would be my fourth Arcadia title. I telephoned acquisitions editor Laura Bruns, who shared my enthusiasm about Van Alstyne.

Bill with local historian Julie Morris

With former mayor Benny Edwards

Librarian Tracy Luscombe guided me through the rich local archives of the Van Alstyne Public Library. Former mayor Benny Edwards opened the Van Alstyne Historical Museum and the First Christian Church to me. During my research I was treated with great hospitality around town, and citizens shared information and insights with me. My daughter and son-in-law, Causby and Dusty, performed countless research chores for me. 

With Dusty and Causby Henderson

Van Alstyne was created as a railroad town in 1873. The town was surrounded by cotton farms, and by the 1880s the population reached 1,000. At the turn of the century the population doubled to 2,000. Columbia College was organized in 1890. Both Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft appeared in town. The Van Alstyne Grays, a crack semi-pro baseball team, sent players to the major leagues. Transportation was enhanced by an interurban line for 40 years. Van Alstyne was a vigorous community, thriving in an era when small towns formed the backbone of America.

With Vicki and Light Cummins

The book was released in October, and sales were brisk around town. Tracy Luscombe, who was a Hilton events coordinator before she became a librarian, arranged a book signing to be sponsored by the Friends of the Library. I donated five dollars from each purchase to the Friends. Although held on Saturday afternoon, there was an impressive turnout. Julie S. Morris, a superb local historian who produced fine articles and a book about Van Alstyne, was there. So was Rodney Williams, managing editor of the Van Alstyne Leader, and Rajonia Carnley, innovative and resourceful Texas history teacher at the local elementary school. Former mayor Benny Edwards attended, and so did others who helped me. Dr. Light Cummins, my predecessor as State Historian, and his charming wife Vicki were welcome attendees. 

Rodney Williams of the Van Alstyne Leader took this shot
of Karon and me at the book signing table.

Tracy Luscombe, who introduced me, had asked that I describe the office of State Historian as part of my program. Of course, I'm always delighted to spread news about the Texas State Historian, and Light Cummins later gave his approval of my description.  Following my remarks, the crowd enjoyed refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library. It was my pleasure to inscribe a great many books, because many people wanted multiple copies for Christmas gifts. After a busy signing, I taped an interview with a reporter from KTEN-TV in Sherman, and Karon photographed me with a number of attendees. It was a grand event, made even more pleasurable by the presence - and assistance throughout  a busy afternoon - by Causby, Dusty, Bailey and Kendall. They were our hosts for the weekend, and before leaving, Karon and I took them out for an early Thanksgiving meal at Romano's - in downtown Van Alstyne.

Taping a news piece for KTEN-TV

Long Before the Pilgrims

Long Before the Pilgrims

"Lone Star Historian" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas. 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 almost 40 books, half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine.  

Long before the Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving at Plymouth in 1621, a similar feast of thanks was conducted in a region now known as Texas. In 1598 Mexican conquistador Juan de Oñate led an expedition northward to establish the colony of Nuevo Mejico. After surviving life-threatening hardships in the deserts of northern Mexico, the expedition emerged to safety at El Paso del Norte. To celebrate their salvation, Oñate and his colonists joined Native Americans in a feast on April 30, 1598 - the First Thanksgiving.



Our little book about the first Thanksgiving
was published in hardback in 2000, and
remains in print in softcover.

Several years ago I was urged by Ed Eakin, founder of Eakin Press, and by editor Melissa Locke Roberts to write this story for fourth-graders. Melissa skillfully guided me through the process of writing history for juveniles, and Eakin Press secured an experienced illustrator, Polsky Morgan. Since the story is an Hispanic adventure, I enlisted my oldest daughter, Lynn O'Neal Martinez. Lynn is the wife of Tejano Rudy Martinez, a banker from Corpus Christi, and they are the parents of two wonderful girls, my oldest grandchildren. As a college student Lynn studied Spanish, including a term in Mexico, and she became an elementary school teacher specializing in bilingual education.



Lynn O'Neal Martinez
translated our book with
the help of her students.
This photo credit should
go to her older daughter,
Chloe, while little sister
Jessie directed her mother
to raise her head and
smile more.

We decided that this book should be bilingual, with a page of English opposite a corresponding page of Spanish. After I completed this book in English, Lynn translated it into Spanish. At that time she was teaching fifth-graders at John H. Reagan Elementary in Dallas, where she was awarded Teacher of the Year honors. She read her translation to her students, who excitedly interrupted her from time to time. "Teacher! Teacher! Here's how we say that...."

 

Throughout the book a page of English faces a corresponding page of Spanish.
Illustrations were created by Polsky Morgan.

 

      Lynn's final translation combined formal Spanish with age-appropriate vernacular that was a major strength of the book. Of course, it was a delightful experience for me to collaborate with my daughter on a book. And Lynn's Tejano students, while working with their teacher on the translation, became familiar with a story of heroism and importance in Texas history.

Juan de Oñate was one of the wealthiest men in Mexico during the late 1500s. His wife was a granddaughter of conquistador Hernan Cortes and a great-granddaughter of the great Aztec chief, Montezuma. Oñate wanted to conquer a new frontier for Mexico, and he persuaded the Viceroy of Mexico, a personal friend, to appoint him as governor and captain-general of New Mexico to the north. Governor Oñate spent three years organizing a colonization expedition. He collected wagons and carts, supplies and livestock. Peasants were enlisted as colonists with the promise of the rank of hidalgo (from hijo de algo - "son of something"). Early in 1598 Governor Oñate assembled his colonists - more than 400 men, women, children, and soldiers. In addition there were 11 Franciscan priests. On the trail the expedition stretched for four miles.

Governor Oñate intended to blaze a new route northward. But on the deserts of northern Mexico the expedition ran low on food, water, and shoe leather. As the situation grew perilous, Governor Oñate sent eight men ahead to find water. At last they came upon the Rio Grande at a passage soon known as El Paso del Norte. They fished and hunted ducks and geese, and Native Americans from a nearby village brought a supply of fish.

By April 26, 1598, the entire expedition was encamped beneath cottonwood trees beside the river. Governor Oñate proclaimed that before the column crossed the river to march into New Mexico, there should be a celebration of gratitude to God for delivery. A feast was planned, which would include the friendly Native Americans. On March 30 everyone dressed in their best clothing: soldiers donned polished breastplates, priests wore vestments laced with gold, and Governor Oñate was resplendent in full armor. At a candlelit altar, the priests sang High Mass, and Father Alonso Martinez preached an appropriate sermon.

A captain from Spain put together a pageant about the expedition, with soldiers playing the various parts. At the end of the play the Indians knelt in the sand and were baptized. Trumpets then sounded as Governor Oñate steeped forward to claim New Mexico for Spain. Finally a bonfire was started, and fish and venison and duck were roasted. A feast ended the first Thanksgiving - 23 years before the Pilgrims feasted and prayed at Plymouth.



Statue of Juan de Oñate at the El Paso Airport.

Governor Oñate led his colonists north and founded the province of New Mexico. With the passage of years the river channel changed at El Paso, and eventually the former south bank site of the 1598 event became part of Texas. By the 1750s the community of San Elizario was forming on the historic site. When El Paso County was created in 1850, San Elizario became the county seat. (In 1883 the county seat was moved to El Paso following a controversial election.) The first county jail still stands in San Elizario.

An annual celebration of the First Thanksgiving takes place at the beautiful San Elizario Chapel (the current building was erected in 1882). In front of the chapel is a charming plaza, where Los Portales Museum is housed in a long adobe structure. On a recent trip to El Paso I turned south off of I-10 and drove into San Elizario. It was Sunday afternoon and the plaza was busy. At Los Portales Museum the staff was gracious and hospitable. I donated a copy of my book Long Before the Pilgrims to the museum library, and I've since learned that the museum ordered copies to sell.

San Elizario was the scene of most of the violent events of the El Paso Salt War. Not far from the chapel stands a two-story adobe building where a special detachment of 20 Texas Rangers was besieged for three days. At the center of trouble was the county judge, who surrendered to halt the siege. But the judge and two friends were promptly shot by a firing squad of Mexican nationals who had crossed the border. San Elizario has a dramatic past, and there are significant tangible remains that will prove of great interest to history buffs. 

For more information: http://www.visitelpasomissiontrail.com/history/san-elizario-presidio-and-chapel.html

Oldest jail in El Paso County

Los Portales Museum

Site of Ranger HQ and siege

Old stagecoach station

State Historian Tour

"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.

On Wednesday, November 6, I left Carthage for a State Historian Tour across much of Texas: seven days and five programs  from Dallas to Blanco to El Paso. On Thursday morning I entered the fourth floor of "Old Red," the 1892 Dallas County Courthouse which now houses a superb museum. Stephen Cure and JoNeita Kelly of the Texas State Historical Association have organized several conferences across the state, designed to offer hard information - rather than methodology - about Texas history to teachers. These fourth- and seventh-grade teachers form the front line of Texas history instruction for public school students. Steve and JoNeita bring a great number of speakers together for each conference, and participants may choose from an impressive variety of sessions. The overall focus was on the Republic of Texas period, and I was privileged to offer the keynote address: "Leadership Roles of Sam Houston." More than 130 teachers were present, and they received professional development credit for participating in the two-day event, which was jointly sponsored by the Texas State Historical Association and the Region VII Educational Center. My remarks opened the event, and when the participants split up to attend group sessions, I offered my thanks to Steve and JoNeita, then I departed for Mansfield. 

My brother Mike attended my address.

My oldest daughter, Lynn Martinez, teaches at the Mary Lillard Intermediate School in the Mansfield ISD. During her two decades as a teacher I have appeared with Lynn at each of her schools, and from time to time she has returned to Panola College to assist me, most notably at a day-long conference on our campus for Region XIII social studies teachers.  Lynn is quite innovative and has won many teaching awards, including Teacher of the Year at Lillard last year. It was my pleasure to present to her, in front of her colleagues and students, a Certificate of Excellence for "Exceptional Classroom Performance." 

With my daughter, Lynn Martinez

The Mary Lillard Intermediate School instructs more than 1,000 fifth- and sixth-grade students, and Lynn arranged for me to present a program on "Texas Cowboys" to the student body. This program utilizes a great many props, from saddles to spurs to branding irons, and emphasizes Hispanic contributions to the range cattle industry, as well as the great Texas ranches, epic trail drives, and the lifestyle of frontier cowboys and cowgirls. 

With Lynn and her teaching partner, J.T. Roe 

After arriving from downtown Dallas I made a quick change from suit and Texas tie to cowboy garb, and at 1:30 delivered the program to 500 well-behaved but enthusiastic sixth-graders. At 2:30 more than 500 Lillard fifth-graders - equally well-behaved and even more enthusiastic - formed the audience. The students asked many questions, and teachers and administrators were most complimentary  As State Historian I wish that I could reach 1,000 impressionable students several days a week with a colorful program on Texas history. 

Interior of the one-room schoolhouse

After spending Thursday night with Lynn and her family, on Friday I drove southwest, heading toward a Saturday engagement in Blanco. I stopped in Cleburne, where soon the centennial anniversary of the impressive Johnson County Courthouse will be celebrated. In the courthouse a county museum is maintained  and I had a delightful visit with the ladies in charge. A few miles out of town, on Highway 67, is the ghost town of Wardville, the first county seat. Today Wardville features a handful of buildings, some original and some rebuilt. A one-room school is completely furnished and equipped. Randolph Garner, president of the Johnson County Historical Foundation, frequently conducts classes for 4th-graders from area schools. I had missed him on a previous visit months ago, but on Friday he was present and in costume. Randolph had hosted students during the first three days of the week, and he eagerly shared with me what he tries to accomplish in his 19th-century classroom. 

Randolph Garner behind his teacher's desk

The Blanco courthouse

On Saturday I arrived early enough in Blanco to enjoy a repeat tour of the Victorian courthouse erected in 1885. Although the county seat later was moved 12 miles to Johnson City, the Blanco town square still is dominated by the handsome old structure  After the seat of government moved, the one-time courthouse served as a school,  a hospital, and a  bank. Today it is Blanco's Visitor Information Center, as well as a museum. When True Grit was remade starring Jeff Bridges, the courthouse scenes were filmed here, and on the Saturday that I visited,  a lovely young lady was having her bridal portrait photographed in the old courtroom. 

Courthouse interior

With Wayne Calk

Last year I spoke at a weekend writer's conference at Fort Davis, where I had the pleasure of meeting Wayne Calk, president of the American Chuck Wagon  Association. Wayne invited me to speak at the national meeting of the Association, scheduled to be held in Blanco. The meeting was conducted at the Buggy Barn resort on the outskirts of town. I encountered Wayne amid the rustic charm of the resort  and I introduced myself to as many of the chuck wagon cooks and their wives as I could reach. I had a fine time putting together a program suitable to the occasion, and it was an enjoyable meeting. 

ACWA members at the Buggy Barn resort

With Berri

It is 560 miles from Blanco to El Paso. At El Paso the annual meeting of the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (TACRAO) was held from Sunday through Wednesday morning, November 10-13. There are more than 1,100 members of TACRAO, and 600 came to El Paso. Last year's meeting was in Dallas, and the president was one of my daughters, Dr. Berri Gormley. When one of her presenters unexpectedly withdrew, she asked me to fill the slot on short notice. For more than three decades in my Texas history classes I had lectured on "Education in Texas." I tweaked this lecture for the occasion, and attendees seemed to enjoy a program which provided background and perspective for educators (as contrasted with the methodology of collegiate record-keeping, which quite properly dominates the program menu). 

Sunday evening dinner at El Paso Convention Center

A few months ago I was asked to repeat the program, entitled "History of Education in Texas," at the 2013 TACRAO convention in El Paso. When I expressed surprise, I was told that a number of members had heard about the program and wanted to experience it, while others expressed a desire to hear it again. Of course, I was deeply gratified that non-historians wanted to attend a history program! I accepted with gratitude  and on Monday, November 11, I had the pleasure of again addressing a receptive TACRAO audience. 

Afterward I drove east out of El Paso. It is over 800 miles to Carthage, but I had a great many pleasant memories of the past week to savor. And I knew the long journey home would include occasional stops at historic sites. 

 

 

 

To Lone Star College and Points Beyond

"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.

Lunch at Tommy Bahama's

Introduction by Donna Smith Burns

Over a period of several days there was a flurry of varied events for the State Historian  On October 23 there was a program at Lone Star College in Montgomery, arranged by Donna Smith Burns for the Academy of Lifelong Learning. Before the afternoon event, however, I was treated to lunch at exotic Tommy Bahama's by a charming lady, Nancy Caldwell, and her pastor, Dr. D. Green, who is an enthusiastic history buff. The lunch came about as part of a college fundraiser: the State Historian was auctioned off as a lunch partner, while Tommy Bahama's contributed the meal. 

After lunch I was welcomed on campus by by the genial and efficient Donna Smith Burns. My program was presented in a large arena-style lecture room, which was filled by Lifelong Learning participants, as well as  by the history students of Dr. Craig Livingston. There had been considerable publicity, and the audience warmly received my program on "Gunfighterology." After an hour there was a refreshment break, after which I was asked to inform the crowd about the role and activities of the State Historian. 

With Pastor Charkey Marquis

Following a delightful time at Lone Star College, I was scheduled to provide the Sunday morning program for the Lone Star Cowboy Church in Corsicana.  Karon and I arrived in Corsicana on Saturday evening and drove out to the church, which my wife had not yet seen. Every light on the campus was bright, and the riding arena was filled with pickup trucks - and great numbers of costumed children  It was the weekend preceding Halloween, and the church staged a community-wide "Trunk or Treat." Pastor Charkey Marquis informed me the next morning that more than 800 little goblins and spooks had turned out. There was a lively Sunday morning crowd; attendance averages 250, and the church is experiencing growing pains - a welcome problem. A 12-piece band serenaded the congregants for half an hour, after which I presented a "Religious Western" program. An "Eatin' Meetin'" provided a delicious lunch with an opportunity for fellowship. 

The Lone Star Cowboy Church Band

Introduction by Trey Powers, TMRA Executive Director

Karon and I returned to Carthage late in the afternoon, but the next afternoon I set out for Bastrop. East of Bastrop is the beautiful Hyatt Lost Pines Resort, where the Texas Mining and Reclamation Association held its annual meeting on Saturday through Tuesday. Months ago Trey Powers, Executive Director of the TMRA, invited me to be the lunch speaker on Tuesday; he hoped that the State Historian could offer something "a little different." Of course, I'm eager to spread the presence of the State Historian outside the usual historical sphere. But I felt a bit of pressure, so I worked hard to prepare an address that would entertain and inform a large lunch crowd. Within an hour after my arrival I had encountered four of my former students at Panola College, which was a delightful surprise. And during my presentation there was laughter and, at an unexpected point, spontaneous applause. As I drove home I pondered how I could work the applause line into other programs! 

With Linda Pitzer, DAR Regent

On Friday I was in Waco at a meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution  My first program of 2013 was on January 3 - in Waco at a meeting of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. I spoke to the DRT members about "Frontier Women of Lampasas," excerpted from my recent book, Lampasas, 1855 - 1895. A member of the DRT also belonged to the DAR, and upon her recommendation I was invited to deliver the same address to Waco's DAR chapter. My sister, Judy O'Neal Smith of Lampasas, gave me a special treat by driving to Waco for the program. Following a half-hour of refreshments and socializing (I brought two recipes home to my wife), the customary DAR opening commenced the meeting. Presiding was DAR Regent Linda Pitzer, who graciously permitted me to present my program prior to the business meeting, since I had a 200-mile drive home. The audience was most receptive, and for the second time in two weeks the State Historian had a very enjoyable trip to Waco. 

Introduction by Dorothy Bates

Addressing the DAR

At the end of the week, on Saturday morning, I assisted with the re-dedication of the Gary Family Cemetery south of Carthage  The Gary clan began farming in Panola County during the 1840s, and an acre of land was dedicated for a private family cemetery. Bro. E.J. Adams, the subject of a previous blog, supervised the reclamation of the overgrown cemetery - the 22nd pioneer cemetery he has reclaimed in Panola County  After family members gathered, Bro. Adams made introductory remarks and I provided historical background. Rev. Dale Reed, a longtime friend of the Gary family, made a brief consecration address, then offered a closing prayer. Although the morning temperature was chilly, the consecration ceremony provided warmth to all of us. 

Bill, Bro. E.J. Adams, Rev. Dale Reed