From the PCDF to the SCV

"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. 

With Tommie Ritter Smith

During the third week in January I delivered programs to two East Texas groups in three days. At noon on Tuesday, January 19, I attended the annual luncheon meeting of the Panola Development Foundation at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in Carthage. I had been invited to provide an address about Carthage by Tommie Ritter Smith, President of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce. Other guests included spouses of Foundation members. We enjoyed a catered steak meal, and PCDF President Jerry Hanszen conducted a brief business session before giving me a most gracious introduction.

In my remarks I emphasized notable men and women who were natives of Carthage and Panola County, while stressing that our community always has been in the mainstream of Texas economic activities. The Texas “Economic Trinity,” in chronological order, has focused upon cotton, cattle, and oil. From its founding in the 1840s, Carthage was a cotton town, and for several decades the economy of Panola County was based on cotton farming. As the Panola County cotton lands wore out in the 20^th century, West Texans had begun to engage heavily in irrigated cotton farming. Simultaneously, East Texas farmers began to shift from cotton to cattle raising and Panola County farmers participated in this trend. During this time Panola County became one of about 210 Texas counties to produce oil, although Panola County petroleum production was modest. But during the 1940s the largest natural gas field in the United States was developed in Panola County. Large gas refineries were constructed on the outskirts of Carthage or only a few miles outside town. Carthage enjoyed population growth and remarkable community development, trends which occurred again during the 1970s when TUGCO (Texas Utilities Generating Company) began a large coal mining operation, bringing 100s of good-paying jobs to the county.

Intro by Jerry Hanzsen

Carthage also is the home of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Panola County is the only county in the nation with two native sons – Tex Ritter and Jim Reeves - who are members of Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame. During the 1990s Tommie Ritter Smith pulled family strings, obtaining a treasure trove of Tex Ritter memorabilia and artifacts, and developing the Tex Ritter Museum. By 1998 The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame opened in Carthage, the most appropriate community in the state, and our annual Hall of Fame induction is a major event in the world of Country and Western Music. 

Statue of Tex Ritter and White Flash outside the Hall of Fame

Johnnie and Norma Holley

Top Chapter Award

Two days later I drove to Tyler to provide a program for the Captain James P. Douglas Camp of the Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. I have been privileged to meet with the Tyler SCV Camp annually for years, and it was a pleasure to greet a number of friends. I was invited by Johnnie Lee Holley, who recently completed his tenure as Commander of the Texas Division, which boasts 80 camps, or chapters. Johnnie’s vivacious wife Norma also was present, and she recently was the statewide Director of the Texas Society of the Order of Confederate Rose. A number of other women helped comprise a large crowd at Sweet Sue’s Family Restaurant in Tyler. I was introduced by Camp Commander Dennis Brand, and my topic was the 1864 Battle of Adobe Walls, when a force of 400 Union soldiers and Native American scouts from New Mexico battled 2,000 Comanche and Kiowa warriors. Col. Kit Carson, utilizing his vast combat experience – and two mountain howitzers – successfully fought a far superior force. It was the largest military combat against Native Americans during the Civil War, and the engagement took place in Texas.

The Tyler camp always has been exceptionally active, and during the meeting it was announced that the Captain James P. Douglas Camp had been selected as the best SCV camp in the nation. Congratulations to the enthusiastic and dedicated members of the nation’s top SCV organization.

With Camp Commander Dennis Brand

The Start of 2016

"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. 

Longview Public Library

My first two activities in 2016 as State Historian occurred early in January. On Tuesday, January 5, I drove to Longview for a 1:30 meeting with the local DAR chapter. A few months ago I provided a program on Margaret Houston to a Longview garden club (Margaret was an avid gardener). One of the members, Freida Frost, is president of the DAR chapter, and she asked me to present the same program to the DAR ladies. Since Sam Houston’s father was a combat officer during the American Revolution, and since Sam became a key figure in the Texas Revolution, the program seemed appropriate for a DAR group.

With Freida Frost

The DAR convened in the large meeting room of the Longview Public Library. The DAR ladies arranged refreshments, and several gentlemen joined the crowd. I participated in the customary DAR opening ceremonies, then I had the pleasure of addressing a receptive audience.

With Margaret Houston

With Ralph and Cliff Todd. Cliff is presenting
me an Oil Patch Bible.

I enjoyed a similar pleasure a few days ago in Tyler. I was asked to deliver a luncheon address to the Oilfield Christian Fellowship, a band of Christian men and women who are employed in the oil industry. This Fellowship meets monthly at Tyler’s Hollytree Country Club, and the membership includes Ralph and Cliff Todd of Carthage. The Todd twins were history students in my classes at Panola College more than 40 years ago. Since that acquaintance it has been my privilege to enjoy their friendship. We belong to the same church, Central Baptist, where Ralph and Cliff are deacons. Several weeks ago I was asked to deliver a lay sermon during an evening service at Central Baptist. I am neither a theologian nor a preacher, so I prepared an address tracing the religious roots of the founding of America. It is my conviction as an historian that we do not know who we are until we know who we were, and I attempted to describe the deep religious background of Americans.

After hearing my remarks, Cliff Todd told me about the Oilfield Christian Fellowship. It was my honor to address such a group, and there was an excellent attendance, including several former students of mine at Panola College. I was impressed with the men and women I talked to before lunch, and I enjoyed the company of those at my table. The principal activity prior to my program was to announce those in the industry who had been laid off since the last meeting, and to anticipate their needs. It was a poignant moment, particularly since many of those at the meeting might soon face the same disruption in their careers.

I was introduced by John Trosclair, president of the Tyler group. It had been revealed to me that the customary program for Oilfield Christian Fellowship meetings is the Christian testimony of the speaker, which made my program on the Christian roots of early America somewhat out of the ordinary, but quite suitable for this audience. Afterward, in fact, several men requested copies of my speech.

I was presented a copy of the New Living Translation Bible: God’s Word for the Oil Field Patch, Fuel for the Soul. I also picked up a glossy, four-page description of “The Oilfield Christian Fellowship: Past, Present, and Future.” In 1991 two Houston oilmen, John Bird and Jim Teague, hosted a breakfast in order to get to know other workers in the oil industry. Immediately it was decided to stage a monthly luncheon at Houston’s First Baptist Church, where as many as 150 men and women attend. There were over 50 in attendance at Tyler, and other Texas chapters are centered in Dallas, Fort Worth, Midland, The Woodlands, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi. There are chapters in other states, Canada, and three universities: University of Houston, LSU, and University of Tulsa. The mission statement of the Oilfield Christian Fellowship is: “To share the good news about Jesus Christ at each function, giving men and women in the oil industry the occasion to accept Christ as their personal Savior and to encourage everyone in their walk with our Lord.” In 2003 the OCF began to print and place God’s Word for the Oil Patch Bibles around drilling rigs, and more than 250,000 copies have been distributed internationally. The OCF has funded oilfield chapels and has certified “Oil Patch Chaplains.” Building on the camaraderie of oil industry workers, the oilfield ministry is based on Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” The OCF is a remarkable movement, and one of which I was unaware until this week.

Chapter President John Trosclair

For more information: OilfieldChristianFellowship.com

Fort Chadbourne

"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. 

“We’re called the `Friendly Fort’.”

This fact was cheerfully related to me by Lana Richards, and vigorously endorsed by Ann Pate. Lana is the secretary/treasurer of the Fort Chadbourne Foundation, while Ann is a member of the board of directors and author of Fort Chadbourne: A Military Post, A Family Foundation. Lana’s husband, Garland Richards, is president of the Fort Chadbourne Foundation. In 1876 Garland’s great- great-grandfather, Confederate veteran Thomas Odom, drove 36,000 head of cattle into the vicinity of abandoned Fort Chadbourne. The next year Thomas began acquiring land, and by 1883 he had put together a ranch of approximately 42,000 acres.

Two sets of barracks.

Thomas Odom and his wife, Lucinda, became the parents of 13 children, and they raised their large family in a double officers’ quarters of old Fort Chadbourne. The one-time military reservation was part of the first land parcel purchased by Odom in 1877, and it became – and remains – ranch headquarters. A 100-foot-long stone barracks was utilized as a barn and stable. Other aging fort buildings were used for various purposes, as long as they remained stable. Thus the structures of Fort Chadbourne continued to be of service for decades after the military left the post.

Restored barracks.

Fort Chadbourne was established in 1852 on Oak Creek, 11 miles northeast of present-day Bronte. Companies A and K of the Eighth U.S. Infantry began organizing the new outpost, which was named after Lt. Theodore Chadbourne, who was slain during the War with Mexico. Soldiers from Fort Chadbourne campaigned against Comanches, and in 1856 there was a skirmish on the post grounds. One warrior barricaded himself behind a table inside one of the officers’ quarters, and bullet holes from a fatal fusillade still pockmark the wall. In 1858 a substantial stone building was erected by the Butterfield Stage Line, and for three years Fort Chadbourne was a stop on the famous Overland Mail route. In 1861 the U.S. Army withdrew from Texas, and Confederates attempting to protect the frontier from raids sometimes used the post. Following the Civil War Fort Chadbourne was regarrisoned by U.S. troops, but a lack of water and wood caused permanent abandonment in 1868.

The only restored Butterfield Stage Station in Texas.

A decade later Fort Chadbourne became ranch headquarters for Thomas Odom and his descendants. In 1949 oil discovery provided unexpected revenue, much of which was put back into the ranching operation. Odom’s great-great grandson, Garland Richards, developed an especially a strong sense of history about his home. As a young man he began collecting frontier weapons, and in time he amassed a superb gun collection, along with other pioneer artifacts. But the buildings of old Fort Chadbourne increasingly crumbled before his eyes. Indeed, when I first traveled to the fort site in 1965, there were mostly piles of rubble around the parade ground, with portions of stone walls still standing. But upon returning a few years ago, the walls to the hospital and one of the barracks were stabilized, and officers’ quarters, a root cellar (which served the area as a post office), and the Butterfield Stage Station were restored. When I returned last week, a spacious visitor center and museum had been added.

Garland Richards at officers' quarters.

Garland inside OQ.

Eighteen years ago Garland Richards decided to stabilize and restore the fort that always had been the heart of his ranch. Garland and Lana organized the Fort Chadbourne Foundation, with friends and neighbors such as Ann Pate making up the board of directors. At the first meeting in 1999 the board set goals, but soon were advised that the only way to restore a substantial historic site was to relinquish control to a federal or state agency with adequate funding and expertise for such projects. But Garland and Lana were only challenged by such advice.

“I’m a rancher, and ranchers rebuild, patch it up, and make it last another year.” Garland made this statement as he toured me around the old parade ground, stopping at building after building. He even drove me into a nearby pasture to show his small herd of bison and longhorn cattle. Inside the museum, Karon and I were shown by Ann and Lana a treasure trove of artifacts, from a handsome bar from a Ballinger saloon to thousands of bullets and arrowheads and buttons.

Double officers' quarters long was used as ranch headquarters.

 “We found so many buttons around the barracks,” laughed Ann, “I don’t know how they kept their clothes on!” While Karon explored the gift shop under the guiding hands of Ann and Lana, Garland took me to his office to show me a mint condition Sharps Big Fifty and other prizes of his collection. When Karon and I finally departed, we understood the nickname, “The Friendly Fort.” Don’t miss this one!

For more information: wwwfortchadbourne.org

Comanche chief was shot dead behind this table.
Notice bullet holes in wall plaster.

Hospital ruins.

Root cellar behind the double OQ later was used
as community post office.

30-foot tall entrance to ranch/fort.

Buffalo posing for photo.

Garland's longhorn also posing for photo.

Field piece inside museum.

Lana Richards and Ann Pate.

Part of Garland's immense gun collection.

Handsome bar from old Ballinger saloon.