Last Weekend in February

"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 Tom Keener and Steve Seale

During the last weekend in February I was delighted to participate in a trio of exciting Texas history events. On Thursday evening (which is weekend eve!), February 25, I was at the Allen Public Library to speak about the work of the WPA and the CCC in Texas during the Great Depression. Under the leadership of Tom Keener, the library maintains a busy schedule of programs open to the public. Indeed, when this handsome library was built, a civic auditorium was included. But Tom was stymied when he tried to find a speaker on Texas during the Depression. Tom’s colleague, Steve Seale, had heard me speak at a library conference held at Texas A&M University at Commerce, and I received a call asking if the State Historian could provide an address on the WPA in Texas.

Allen High School students

I was happy to accept, but I asked that the Civilian Conservation Corps be discussed as a part of the topic. Tom Keener provides excellent publicity for the library programs, and a fine crowd assembled at the auditorium. In addition to Allen residents who regularly take advantage of the variety of programs presented by the library, there were a number of students from Allen High School. I had lectured about the Great Depression for more than four decades at Panola College, and my parents grew up in Depression Texas, which provided me with personal details. The lecture was well received, and there was an active Q&A session afterward. My final duty was to verify the presence of the high school students. I expected to sign my name to a stack of forms. Instead, the students photographed themselves with me on their cell phone cameras. Once again I was reminded that we are in the second decade of the 21^st century.

Proof of attendance

Boarding the Panola College super van in 1986

There was a memorable bonus to the Allen event. Thirty years ago I was persuaded to conduct one of my Traveling Texas History classes with a band of Allen teachers. My course featured a 2,100-mile itinerary to historical sites around the Lone Star State, following two full classroom days at Panola College. For 20 years I conducted this course twice per summer, taking 18 students in two college vans and, on two nights during the week of travel, camping in the Davis Mountains and in Big Bend. We decided that there would be no camping on our teacher trip, and that we would travel in the college’s “super van.” Carol Pierson, an Allen elementary teacher, arranged for professional development credit – as well as the usual three hours’ credit in Texas history – and signed up a total of 25 teachers. These ladies drove to Carthage for a [slumber party] night in a dorm, and back-to-back lecture days in the classroom. A couple of days later I picked up the ladies in Allen, and for the ensuing seven days we rambled across Texas. The teachers pumped me for information, and they collected classroom materials at every stop. We had a grand time, and it was the most rewarding teaching experience of my 42-year career. I told them so at a reunion dinner arranged to precede my appearance at the Allen Library. Carol and another dynamic lady, Jo Long, arranged our reunion at the Allen restaurant. Photos from 1986 were placed on posters, and a dozen of us reminisced happily for two hours. It was icing on my reunion cake when they attended the library event in a group.

Allen teachers at the Governor's Mansion

To see Allen program:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T37FI5SaLg0

With Chapter President Teresa Johnson and VP Pat Jackson

With John Murray, a descendant of Margaret Houston

I drove from Allen to New Braunfels, where I met with the Ferdinand Lindheimer Chapter of the DRT at mid-morning on Saturday, February 27. The occasion was the chapter’s annual scholarship brunch, which was catered at the McKenna Events Center. I had not visited New Braunfels in several years, and I enjoyed checking out the town’s splendid old buildings. Arriving early in the McKenna Events Center, I was greeted by chapter vice-president Pat Jackson, who had arranged my appearance. The room boasted superb Texas decorations, and a crowd of 120 began to gather. Pat had urged me to bring books, because many of the members like to purchase inscribed volumes about Texas. Indeed, that proved to be the case, and I was pleased to sign books before and after the meeting. It was a special treat to see John Murray, a direct descendant of Margaret Houston. He had an excellent portrait of Margaret, and my program was about the First Lady of the Republic and of the State of Texas. The audience was most receptive, and I was given a large basket overflowing with Texas gifts from New Braunfels. A great deal of scholarship funding was raised during the event, and the Ferdinand Lindheimer Chapter is one of the finest in the state.

Brunch at New Braunfels

Texas flags at the boundary marker

I drove home on Saturday afternoon. After church on Sunday I traveled 23 more miles to the stone marker in southeastern Panola County which is the only existing international boundary marker in the United States. There is a little park on Highway 31 where this historically unique treasure stands. The marker was placed in 1841, as a result of the work of a surveying party and of commissioners from the United States and the Republic of Texas. Elizabeth Hedges, president of the John Tilley Edwards DRT Chapter and a former colleague at Panola College, arranged for a medallion placement at the stone marker. Various DRT officials, including President General Betty J. Edwards, were in attendance, along with Sarah Funderburk, state president of the CRT (and granddaughter of Hedges). I was asked to present a brief program about the history of the marker. There was a large crowd at this remote park, and everyone was invited to a reception in Carthage at the Old Jail Museum. These last few days in February provided a lively lead-in to Texas Independence Week.

"R.T." (Republic of Texas) on west side
of marker - "U.S." on opposite side

With DRT officials

Crowd at Medallion ceremony

ETHA and Dallas DRT

"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 Light Cummins, former Texas State Historian

On Friday and Saturday, February 19 and 20, I had the pleasure of attending the Spring Meeting of the East Texas Historical Association in Beaumont. I’ve been a member of the ETHA for more than 40 years. I’ve been privileged to serve as president and to be named a fellow, and currently I am chair of the Lock Awards Committee. The ETHA always has been a close-knit group, and at each Fall and Spring Meeting we enjoy the company of longtime friends and kindred spirits.

With ETHA Executive Director Scott Sosebee

More than 150 ETHA members gathered in Beaumont at the spacious Holiday Inn and Suites. There was a Board Meeting and Welcome Reception on Wednesday, but I was unable to come until Thursday morning. I arrived in time to start seeing everyone at the morning break. Immediately afterward I attended a session on “Formidable Texas Women,” chaired by Debbie Liles of the University of North Texas. A program on Oveta Culp Hobby could not be presented because of the illness of the presenter. But Jean Stuntz of West Texas A&M University informed us about the resolute widow and mother of five, “Mary Jane Alexander: The Panhandle’s First Woman Rancher.” My predecessor as State Historian, Light Cummins of Austin College, regaled us with a controversy of the Texas Centennial year: “Goodbye to Pioneer Women: Wauldine Tauch, the Texas Centennial of 1936, and the Evil of Female Nudity in Denton.” There were 15 sessions, each featuring enthusiastic historians and presentations rich in color and historical detail.

ETHA Secretary Chris Gill

George Cooper, First Vice President, Heather Wooten,
Second Vice  President, President Kyle Wilkison

At the Friday night banquet, Sam W. Haynes of the University of Texas at Arlington presented a delightful and informative topic, “Myth, Memory, and Monument: the San Jacinto Battlefield.” At the Awards Luncheon on Saturday, Mary Lynn Dixon was presented the prestigious Ralph W. Steen Award, while Joe and Cecilia Coch received the Lucille Terry Award for their superb preservation of the Monti Verdi Plantation near Cushing. On Saturday afternoon there were tours of Beaumont’s splendid McFadden-Ward House and of the historic Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown. Our Beaumont experience comprised a memorable Spring Meeting.

Presider Debbie Liles

Friday night banquet

Banquet address by Sam W. Haynes 

J.B.Bonham  DRT chapter

A few days before driving to Beaumont, I was in Dallas for a meeting of the James Butler Bonham Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The DRT ladies convened in the Fellowship Hall of the Northway Christian Church. They formed a warm and lively group, and we got to know each other at a mid-morning refreshment period. The highlight of the opening ceremony was “Texas, Our Texas,” sung with a piano accompaniment by 102-year-old Elizabeth Walsh, a devoted DRT member who is treasured by her fellow members. The response to my program on Margaret Houston was gratifying, and I drove out of Dallas happy to have met such a charming group of proud Texans.

With chapter president Currie Wilson Woolverton,
descended from San Jacinto veterans Col. Edward
Burleson and Walker Wilson

Elizabeth Walsh, 102-year-old chapter pianist

I was introduced by Kay Thomas, an old friend from
Carthage who belongs to the Dallas DRT chapter.

Fort Croghan

"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 Carole Goble and "Jesse,"
the uniformed Dragoon

I spent a week in January traveling throughout southwest Texas, as far as the Davis Mountains, and along the Rio Grande, from Del Rio to Eagle Pass and from Laredo to Brownsville. The purpose of this trip was to gather photographs for an Arcadia Press book, Frontier Forts of West Texas.

1852 ballot box was used for decades.

The first fort I visited was Fort Croghan in Burnet. An early outpost on the Texas frontier, Fort Croghan was established in 1849 on 1,600 leased acres just west of Hamilton Creek and including Post Mountain. A sentry hut was erected atop Post Mountain, and lookouts kept a watch for war parties. With soldiers providing manual labor, other buildings were built, including officers’ quarters (four dog-trot cabins), several small structures for enlisted men, officers, and a hospital. Within four years, however, the Texas frontier moved far enough westward for a new line of forts to be built. Most of the original line of outposts were abandoned, including Fort Croghan, decommissioned in 1853. A village, modern-day Burnet, had grown up east of Hamilton Creek. When the military moved out, citizens from the community and from the country side visited Fort Croghan for “midnight requisitioning.” Doors, windows, shingles, timber – even entire buildings – were hauled away for civilian use.

Blacksmith shop with Noah Smithwick tools.

In the 1960s the Burnet County Heritage Society began to collect pioneer buildings from the area, arranging them on the site of the old post. The collection includes the sentry hut from Post Mountain and the former adjutant’s office. Citizens donated artifacts large and small, including a great many pieces of farm equipment. Venerable farm machinery is displayed throughout the grounds, and many other items are displayed in the Fort Croghan Museum, housed in a modern building at the entrance to the old parade ground.

Post Mountain sentinel hut.

For years I stopped by the old fort for a quick look with Panola College students I was taking to the Davis Mountains and Big Bend. But it had been quite a number of years since I had stopped to see Fort Croghan, and now I needed photos and fresh information. Except for “Christmas at Old Fort Croghan,” a living history event held the second Saturday night each December, the fort is closed most of the winter. But I phoned the museum and connected with curator Ann Nelson. I identified myself and explained the nature of my proposed visit, hopefully just after lunch on Friday, January 22. Ann graciously assured me that someone would be on hand to show me the museum and grounds.

My guide, Milli Williams.

One-room school interior.

When I arrived a delegation was present to welcome the State Historian to Fort Croghan Museum. I was privileged to meet several key members of the local historical community. Ann Nelson introduced me around, and it was a special pleasure to meet Carole Goble, whose family came to Burnet County in the 1870s. Carole is the author of the Arcadia book, Burnet, a 2009 publication, and she long served as director of the Fort Croghan Museum. I told her of my Burnet County family connections and of my admiration for her book, and she showed me treasures of the museum.

Dog-trot cabin.

It was a frigid day, but I was conducted around the grounds by Milli Williams. A member of the DRT, Milli attended a public address that I delivered in nearby Lampasas and that was sponsored by the DRT. Despite the cold temperature, Milli took me from building to building, sharing with me a stream of information about the museum she serves as director.

My visit to Fort Croghan was fruitful and most enjoyable. Any fan of military or agricultural history will find Fort Croghan Museum well worth a visit.

For more information: www.fortcroghan.org

Memorial to soldiers who died at Fort Croghan.

Pioneer cabin.

Community well.

Post headquarters.

Stagecoach Inn interior.

Part of the vintage farm equipment display.

TSHA and ICE

"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 the first week of February I had the pleasure of presenting Texas historical programs to two diverse groups. On the first day of February I was in Richardson to participate in a two-day event for Texas history teachers, mostly fourth- and seventh-grade instructors. The event was sponsored and arranged by the Texas State Historical Association, with the cooperation of the Region 10 Education Center in Richardson. The sessions were put together by Charles Nugent, TSHA Adult Program Manager. Charles spent 17 years as a public school teacher before joining the TSHA staff. With his long background in the public schools, Charles has a special feel for the instructional needs of teachers, and he has demonstrated an excellent touch at organizing events for Texas history teachers which stress content over methodology. Charles lined up numerous presenters, experts in various fields of Texana who would offer rich information for attendees to take back to their classrooms. In addition, participants would be credited with two days of professional development (the requirement for professional development has been increased from three days per school year to seven days).

Vendors room

I was asked to lead off the conference with a program on a favorite subject of mine, “Musical Traditions of Texas.” I opened with my conviction that Texas has the richest and most colorful history and culture of any state, emphasizing that a program on Texas music would combine important elements of both history and culture. Music, like any art, is a reflection of life, and since schoolkids like music – granted, their music – it is relatively easy to interest them in musical heritage. Of course, Texas has produced a parade of talented musicians in every genre: Scott Joplin, King of Ragtime; Jack Teagarden, King of the Jazz Trombone; Broadway star Mary Martin; classical pianist Van Cliburn; pop star Jessica Simpson; Hispanic musicians Selena and Johnny Rodriguez.

With Charles Nugent

But for all of the gifted Texas artists in various genres, Texans have dominated Country and Western Music. Marion T. Slaughter of Jefferson – popularly known as Vernon Dalhart – was the first artist to record popular C&W, and to record a million-seller (Wreck of the Old `97” – country people loved train songs). Ernest Tubb of Ellis County became a fixture at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. Fiddler Bob Wills created Western Swing. Two of the top three Singing Cowboys – Gene Autry and Tex Ritter – were Texans, and the third – Ohioan Roy Rogers – was married to Texan Dale Evans. Willie Nelson is a Texas icon. George Strait has released his 60^th Number One C&W hit. And with the aid of a PowerPoint I quickly indicated more than a score of other C&W stars from Texas.

By the time I began the opening address at
Region 10, 115 teachers had gathered.

The TSHA conference took place on Monday and Tuesday, February 1 and 2. On Saturday I was in Nacogdoches for a luncheon address to a regional meeting of ICE. Not an acronym, ICE indicates the Packaged Ice Industry. Indeed, I picked up a copy of ICE World Journal, the international publication of the Packaged Ice Industry. The regional meeting in Nacogdoches was open to industry members from New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.

Meeting room of  ICE

A former student of mine, Connie Browning Dorsett, felt that this predominantly male crowd would enjoy the change of pace that my program on Texas Gunslingers would offer. I was delighted at the opportunity to provide a dose of Texas history to any group, and I brought a bag of vintage weapons and gun rigs. For 45 minutes I presented the point that Texas was the “Gunfighter Capital of the Old West.” The audience enjoyed the program, eagerly examined my history toys, and bought a great many inscribed books. We ate a catered lunch together, and I had a grand time with a new group of history friends.

With James and Connie Browning Dorsett

Buffalo Soldiers

"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. 

Tenth Cavalry company in dress uniforms on
Fort Davis parade grounds.

Lt. Henry O. Flipper in 1877 became
the first African-American to
graduate from West Point. Assigned to
the Tenth Cavalry, Flipper served in
Texas at Forts Concho, Elliott, and Davis.

It was easy to select a blog topic for Black History Month. During the past few weeks I’ve made two long tours through Central and West and South Texas to photograph frontier forts for a book for Arcadia Publishers, Frontier Forts of West Texas, to be published in the fall of 2016. One trip of a few days covered a little more than 1,000 miles, while the second journey, to far West Texas and along the Rio Grande, extended for nearly 2,000 miles. At most of these nineteenth century posts, as proclaimed in exhibits and brochures, frontier “Buffalo Soldiers” served with faithfulness and pride.

Col. Edward Hatch commanded the
Ninth Cavalry from 1866-1889.

Col. Benjamin Grierson commanded
the Tenth Cavalry from 1866-1890.
Grierson was a music teacher prior
to the Civil War. He created a
regimental band by procuring
instruments and training his musicians.

During the Civil War black regiments, led by white officers, fought with notable skill and courage. The army was reduced and reorganized after the war. Ten cavalry regiments were retained, and the Ninth and Tenth were black units. In addition, there were four black infantry regiments, the Thirty-eighth through the Forty-first. But in 1869 there were further reductions, and while all ten cavalry regiments were maintained, sixteen infantry regiments were eliminated. The remaining two black units became the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Infantry Regiments.

Company barracks at Fort Concho. There were serious
racial tensions between the citizens of nearby
San Angelo and the Buffalo Soldiers.

All four black regiments saw service in Texas. About six companies would establish regimental headquarters at a large base such as Fort Concho, Fort Griffin, Fort Richardson, or Fort Davis, while the other six troops would be deployed to smaller outposts. For all frontier soldiers, white as well as black, daily activities usually were mundane: construction or maintenance of post buildings, stringing miles of telegraph wire, while enduring Spartan living conditions and harsh discipline. Troopers also guarded mail coaches and wagon trains and surveying crews, and cavalry patrols rode in pursuit of mounted war parties. 

Barracks interior at Fort McKavett.

Throughout the West during the post-Civil War Indian campaigns, the majority of fighting against horseback warriors was done by cavalrymen. Colonels of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry Regiments were Edward Hatch and Benjamin Grierson. Colonels Hatch and Grierson were able combat leaders, and their men were courageous and resolute in battle. Indeed, thirteen black troopers were awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in Texas. The tightly curled hair of the black soldiers reminded Plains Indians of the hair on the head of buffalo. Bison was the staff of life of Plains Indians, and as a gesture of respect they called the black troopers “Buffalo Soldiers.”

Exhibit at the Buffalo Soldiers
National Museum in Houston.

Enlisted men earned from $13 monthly for privates to $22 for sergeants, in addition to meals, housing, and uniforms. This was better than most black men could do in the Old South after the Civil War, and the quality of enlistees was high. The quality of white recruits was much lower, because opportunities for white civilian were far greater, and the desertion rate was quite high. But the desertion rate among Buffalo Soldier regiments was the lowest in the army. Reliable, loyal, and courageous, Buffalo Soldiers established an admirable record on the frontier of Texas.