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95260-Texian Newsletter

95260-Texian Newsletter

THE TEXIAN The Official Publication of The Sons of the Republic of

VOL II NUMBER 4 OCTOBER 2008 The 12 Stops of San Jacinto Replica Flag The Friends of the Park have asked Friends’ member and Sons of the member Scott Dunbar to collect this most important flag replica. Mr. Dunbar was chosen be- cause he is also a Knight of the Order of San Jacinto started by then President of the Republic of Texas Sam in 1840. First Stop - Because of the importance and symbol this flag represents to the State of Texas the FOP wanted their replica to absorb the emissions that were instilled in the original San Jacinto Flag that now hangs in the . Sir Knight Dunbar has taken on this incalculable challenge. He chose to collect the commissioned replica flag on July 26, 2008, which was the 145th Anniversary of the death of General . Along on this first quest was FOP member Marilyn Dunbar and member of the “Texas Dare Devils” Kevin Dunbar. Before the original San Jacinto Flag could savor victory it endured many gloomy days, one was the fall of the Alamo. Now on this the 26th day of July the San Jacinto Flag is displayed proudly in front of the Alamo and viewed by hundreds of curious onlookers. FOP Member Marilyn Dunbar displayed the flag at the long arbor on the south side of the Alamo. The commissioning of this replica flag could not have been possible with out the generous contribution by FOP member Paul Schenck. cont. on page 4

PRESIDENT GENERAL’S MESSAGE

condition is that membership in “just around the corner.” Just establishments are on the decline. plugging along seems futile, but All of this causes the generations “high tech changes as we speak.” It after the Baby Boomers to not be also seems out of sight to develop concerned with their ancestors. papers for a presentation, but it might wake us up to think about This change in society translates communicating with others. It might to a change in dealing with our wake us up to realize that we are not membership and potential gathering under a tent at a revival or L. Vaughn Oliver, KSJ members. In addition, we must at a Sunday picnic. It does not mean deal with the communication that our ancestors are any less We must reflect on the changes in evolution as it translates to relevant, but today is totally different. society. These various cultural speaking clearly and plainly in Today we speak of a terabyte, high changes are affecting our membership recruiting, program density displays, and iPods; what will organization. These changes can be presentation, and in a verbal be on the thought waves of summarized into a few statements. human interface. How do we tomorrow? We need to meet these Families are now more scattered than interest the New World with the thoughts. We need to address ever. There is less commitment given Old World ideas? How do we yesterday’s stories with today’s new to society. Families have more translate the past into the future? technology. Our ancestors made the options to pursue. The rises in the cost changes necessary for them, so will of living allow people less to give of This is not a new problem and we. their time and money. Another ideas of a new solution are always God Bless Texas! WHAT’S INSIDE President General’s Message ...... 1 In and Around Texas ...... 3, 8-12 12 Stops of San Jacinto Where Are They ...... 7 Replica Flag...... 1, 4-7 Knight Commander’s Message . 13 Janet’s Journal ...... 2 Passing of a Knight ...... 13 2009 Supplemental Ancestor In Memoriam ...... 13 Contest ...... 3 New SRT Members ...... 14-15 Editor’s Note ...... 3 Calendar of Events ...... 16

Executive Committee 2008 - 2009

JANET’S JOURNAL email: [email protected] 1717 Eighth Street Bay City, Texas 77414

• The Quarterly Meeting will be December 5 & 6, 2008 at the Hampton Inn in Victoria. Cut off date is November 21, 2008. Rate is $102. Telephone number is 361-573-9911. L. Vaughn Oliver, KSJ President General • Be thinking about submitting a nomination for the Educator of Sam F. Clark, Jr. First Vice President General the Year Award to be presented at the Annual Meeting in 2009. Dead- David Hanover Second Vice President General line is February 10, 2009. Criteria for the award are available from the Tom Houston Secretary General National office. Bob Steakley Treasurer General Robert Kendall, KSJ Historian General • Nominations from the Chapters for Honorary Membership and Wesley N. Schulze, KSJ Chaplain General Knights of the Order of San Jacinto are due November 20, 2008. J. Richard Reese, KSJ Executive Committeeman Edward A. Heath Executive Committeeman • The Topic for the Texas History Essay Contest Award is “The Janet Hickl Administrative Assistant Siege and Battle of the Alamo”. Brochures are available at the Na- tional Office and on our website www.srttexas.org.

• Remember: All members who are active service personnel your dues are waived. Notify SRT office by email, postal service or by telephone. District Representives 2008 - 2009

• Please note there are new fees. Life Membership application fees have changed. Junior Membership and Supplementary fees are now $30. Discard any old SRT applications, brochures and applica- tions guidelines. Check the SRT website for a copy of the application or request applications from the National office.

• Please note that any applicants for membership in the SRT must have 3 signatures of recommending SRT members. It is not necessary if the applicant lives out of state BUT every applicant must affiliate with a chapter. This does not mean that they will have to attend meet- ings. APPLICATIONS MUST BE TYPED AND NOTARIZED.

• 2006 Yearbooks are available for $25, which includes CD, binder and dividers. L-R (back) Stan Stokes, Duane Blair, Randy Pollard, • Dues notices are in the mail. Please Note: Be sure and mail your payment in prior to December 30, 2008 for your chapter to qualify Joe Pyle, (seated) Ken Pfeiffer, David Hanover, and for a rebate check in 2009. This is not a new change but this is in line Bob Steakley with the Constitution and Bylaws.

2 IN AND AROUND TEXAS

Member Marriage On Saturday September 13 the members of the John O. Meusebach Chapter #48 helped the marriage of member Jim Runge, and Claryce Williams at the St. James Episcopal Church on the grounds of Ft. McKavett, TX. The reception was followed later at the T9C Ranch in Eldorado. Members and wives who attended were L-R Midge, and Bob Goldsborough - Kay, and Don Clark - Don Taylor, and wife - Ft. McKavett's Parson, - Pat, and Paul Burrier - Sherri, and Delmar Hiller - and Sam Smith. At the end of the service the bride and groom walked under a salute of Sabers and Muskets.

2009 Supplemental Ancestor Contest A “Supplemental Ancestor Contest” will begin January 1, 2009 and end December 31, 2009. This contest is open to all SRT members in good standing. The standard requirements for submitting a supplemental will apply, as found in Section 5.7 of the SRT Bylaws. This contest is only for new supplemental applications submitted and approved during the contest period. Please submit applications at least a couple of months before the last day of December 2009, in order to allow for normal process and review. The President General will present a prize to the winner at the Annual Meeting 2010.

SRT is now sanctioned by Microsoft. We can sell a licensed copy of MS Office 2007 Professional Upgrade for $100, which includes one disk, postage and handling. The downside is that this does not include any type of operating manual or Help Desk. An installation write up is included on the disk, but people need to be computer proficient. Computer Requirements Needed: Pentium 4, RAM-1 Gig, Hard Drive-250 Gig (MsO-07 needs up to 600MB space). The upgrade will probable disable all external devices: printers, scanners, etc. so a reinstall may be required. You do no need to upgrade to Vista, Office-07 will work on XP or Vista. It is easy to save down to 97-2003 to share documents with others. Contact Janet.

Editor’s note: Good news is we had a lot of very good submissions for this issue. Bad news I couldn’t get them all in. If your article or photos are not in this issue I will try to make sure they make it into the next issue! If you submit a scanned article, please print it out and make sure you can read it. I received several scanned articles (which are handled as pictures) that I could not read. If you sent photos, please include the who, what, when and where. John Baker

3 cont. from page 1 The 12 Stops of San Jacinto Replica Flag Second Stop - After departing the Alamo on its long and historic journey to the flag’s final stop at Monument Hill, it was looking for inspiration. Inspiration was to be found at the gravesite of James Austin Sylvester. Mr. Sylvester came to Texas with Captain Sidney Sherman’s Kentucky Volunteers to fight for Texas Independence. Also Captain Sherman’s Kentucky Volunteers brought with them what was to become the famed San Jacinto Battle flag, which now hangs in the Texas House of Representatives Chamber. Mr. Sylvester not only was a Republic of Texas Veteran and one of Santa Anna’s captors but he served as the color bearer during the , waving the San Jacinto Flag for all to see. Now reunited one final time with those that brought it to Texas it is truly ready for the Journey to begin. Third Stop - After departing the gravesite of James Austin Sylvester on its journey to the flags final stop at Monument Hill, it needed to start at the beginning. The Muster Oak, one of the “Famous Trees of Texas”. Fayette County is home to this historic live oak and the citizens of La Grange and the surrounding area know that it is a living shrine. Located on the northeast corner of Courthouse Square with its spreading branches like outstretched arms it has been a mustering point and seen off many a man of the area who have gone to serve their country. Its shade is like hope to parents, wives and sweethearts of loved ones that have departed and put life on hold for their country. With the invasion of Texas by the Mexican General Adrian Woll this tree stepped into history when beneath its shade Captain Dawson gathered 53 troops to join the Texas Mexican Revolution in 1842. Presumably the oldest living witness to what has occurred here from 1837 to present, it could not have foreseen the outcome when Captain Dawson and his men assembled with Colonel Matthew Caldwell of the Texas Army to resist Woll near at a creek called Salado. One of the men with Captain Dawson was Nathaniel Faison. Mr. Faison will open the doors to his home and welcome in this flag later. Fourth Stop - After departing the Muster Oak one of the “Famous Trees of Texas” located in Fayette County the replica flag started down the Kings Highway on it’s way to San Antonio much like Captain Dawson and his troops did. In San Antonio the replica flag met up with members of the “Texas Dare Devils”, much like Dawson’s men met with Colonel Matthew Caldwell and his men of the Texas Army. They all advanced to . After the invasion of Texas by the Mexican General Adrian Woll, Caldwell on September 18, 1842 sent a small band of rangers to draw the Mexicans toward the battlefield he had chosen. An estimated 850 Mexican soldiers moved out of San Antonio to attack the Texans. A separate company of about 54 Texans, mostly from Fayette County under the command of Nicholas Mosby Dawson, arrived at the battlefield and began advancing on the rear of the . The Mexican commander, General Adrian Woll, afraid of being surrounded, sent between 400 and 500 of his soldiers and one or two cannon to attack the group. The Texans were able to hold their own against the Mexican rifles, but once the cannon got range the Texan fatalities mounted quickly. Dawson realized the situation was hopeless and raised a white flag of surrender. In the fog of war, both sides continued to fire and Dawson was killed. The battle was over after a little more than one hour. It ended with thirty-six Texans dead, fifteen captured and three escaped. At the front, Caldwell’s men had repelled several Mexican charges and inflicted heavy casualties. Woll was forced to retreat back to San Antonio. The next morning Caldwell’s troops located the Dawson Battleground and buried the dead Texans in shallow graves. Caldwell then unsuccessfully pursued Woll’s forces south as they retreated from San Antonio. Caldwell returned to San Antonio, after the Mexicans successfully recrossed the . In late summer of 1848, a group of La Grange citizens retrieved the remains of the men killed in the Dawson Massacre from their burial site near Salado Creek. These remains and the remains of the men killed in the failed Mier Expedition were reinterred in a common tomb in a cement vault on a bluff one mile south of La Grange. The gravesite is now part of the Monument Hill and Kriesche Brewery State Historic Sites. Fifth Stop - After departing the Kings Highway and the first burial site where the citizens of La Grange retrieved the remains of the men killed in what is now and forever called the Dawson Massacre, members of the “Texas Dare

4 Devils”, went north to find someone in common with our replica flag. The original San Jacinto Flag was handmade “homemade” as was about all the flags of that era and it came from Kentucky. Another historic flag came from Georgia and it was handmade by Joanna Troutman also known as “the Betsy Ross of Texas”. She was a Georgian, who, after learning of the Georgia Battalion’s plans to join Texas’ fight for independence, presented the men with a lone star flag that she has sewn. It was constructed of white silk and embroidered with a blue star. On one side was the motto: “Liberty or Death” and on the reverse side, in Latin: “Where Liberty Dwells There Is My Country.” This flag was carried to Goliad, where Colonel James Fannin after hearing of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, raised it as the of Texas. The flag was destroyed by wind before Fannin and his men surrendered and were later massacred. Goliad is also where another historic flag was flown, the “Bloody Arm Flag” now called the Goliad Flag. Famed sculptor Pompeo Coppinin was commissioned by the State of Texas to create a bronze sculpture of Joanna Troutman. In her honor, also included on this monument, is a list of the men who died during the Goliad Massacre. You can find her near 7th and Navasota Streets in Austin, Texas. Sixth Stop - Members of the “Texas Dare Devils” and descendents of “Austin’s Old 300” paid homage to the “Stephen F. Austin Oak Tree” that is planted at Monument Hill and Kriesche Brewery State Historic Sites. Austin’s money was limited. When he found a friend in New Orleans that could help his liberality he took up J.L. Hawkin’s offer, and the schooner “Lively” was fitted out with the necessary provision and implement for a colony, and in November 1822 set sail. Her port of arrival was Matagorda Bay and also on board were eighteen emigrants. More colonists were to be collected at Natchitoches so Austin himself proceeded up Red River and was not aboard the schooner. Austin and the other colonist arrived at the old La Bahia crossing in December. Austin sought along the coast for the “Lively” but she and her crew were never to be found. After losing all provisions and implements on board the colonists were placed in great straits. In the meantime, James Austin, a brother of S.F Austin, had reached the colony; and the two brothers, with twenty others, set out for San Antonio, to make a report to the Mexican governor. They arrived there about the middle of March 1822. Much earlier the news of Austin’s intended colony had spread over the western country. The love of adventure, and the desire to find comfortable homes, excited quite a spirit of emigration. About the middle of June, 1821, and before Austin had made his selection, several families at Pecan Point, in Arkansas, started for the Brazos, and on the first of January, 1822, encamped at the crossing of the old San Antonio road, two miles above the mouth of the Little Brazos. Here they found the families of Garrett and Higgins, who had reached the crossing a few days before them, and were engaged in erecting cabins. Before this, however, on the western bank of the Colorado opposite the present town of La Grange, had settled Buckner and Powell and this is why we have a SAF Oak tree planted on Monument Hill. We recognize SFA for his effort to colonize Texas and be known as “The Father of Texas”. This tree was gown from an acorn from the Old Oak tree that shaded the home of S.F Austin’s sister in West Columbia, and the same home in which he died. Seventh Stop- Because our flag is remembering Texas past our Texas Heroes and Veterans we should not forget the very important role that the played for Texas Independence. The first ships in the Texas Navy were the Independence, Brutus, Liberty and Invincible. Also because Texas Heroes Day and Texas Navy Days are celebrated on the same day our San Jacinto Flag stopped at three most interesting graves, that of three Texas Navy Veterans. They each have a story to tell. Eighth Stop - After visiting the three graves of the Texas Navy veterans our flag went cross country and met up with the La Bahia Road that led us to a small but very important place where 59 brave men signed what could have been their death warrant. We were looking for a ferry landing and found it one mile southwest of the junction of the Brazos and Navasota rivers. This small, ramshackle town built next to the ferry landing is known as Washington on the Brazos. Which was the site of the Convention of 1836 and the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The Texas Declaration of Independence was the formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from in the . It was adopted at the Convention on March 12, 1836. When these men put ink to quill to paper they forged a new republic that eventually transformed itself into our great state of Texas.

5 Who were these men, where did they come from, and where did they go? When they signed the Declaration of Independence the Alamo was still holding out but by the time the finished final work some days later, Santa Anna was victorious in San Antonio and now was going to put down this rebellious action across this part of Mexico. One signer had taken leave, went home, got married and returned to finish his duties. Many of the other men and family with them and now all must make haste because the word is, Santa Anna is on the way. Now with our victorious San Jacinto flag flying over this all most deserted town it once again can have the taste of victory. Ninth Stop- After leaving Washington on the Brazos our flag like many of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence left in haste. Our flag is now going to find and give updates on what happened to some of these brave men. Now once again down the La Bahia Highway to San Antonio and here we find Jose Antonio Navarro. Jose Antonio Navarro, who was born in San Antonio February 27, 1795 to Maria Josefa (Ruiz) and Angel Navarro. His father, like , had come from the French island of Corsica. His mother was from a Spanish noble family. In 1825 Navarro married Margarita de la Garza; they had seven children. The Navarro family came to know young Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna when he visited San Antonio as a young Lieutenant in the Spanish Army. He was appointed Land Commissioner for DeWitt’s Colony in 1831, and in 1834-5 was Land Commissioner for Bexar District. He was a consistent Republican and an implacable foe to despotism in any form. He also was a personal friend of Stephen F. Austin, Navarro owned granted and purchased lands in current Atascosa, Karnes, Guadalupe, Travis and Bastrop counties on which he developed productive ranch enterprises. In 1836, Navarro made the final break with Mexico. He, with Samuel A. Maverick, was elected delegate from Bexar to the convention, which declared independence and framed the Constitution of the Republic in March 1836 at Washington on the Brazos. Navarro, his uncle Jose Francisco Ruiz and were the only three Mexican signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Navarro’s contemporaries later said that he “trembled at the thought” of the enormity of the step he had taken. Jose Navarro was the only person to sign Texas’ Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the Republic of Texas and the Constitution of the State of Texas. He practiced law, was a merchant and served the people of the State at all levels of government. He not only championed Texas independence from Mexico, but also then fought for the rights of as citizens of the Republic of Texas and as citizens of the . He died in San Antonio on January 13, 1871, universally beloved and respected by all patriots in Texas. The county seat of Navarro County was named Corsicana as a compliment to his father from Corsica. His home in San Antonio is a State Historic Site operated by the Texas Historical Commission. Jose Antonio Navarro was the most influential Tejano of his generation. Tenth Stop - Our flag is now going to the battlefield. Our journey to the battlefield where the real San Jacinto Flag became famous is taking a different route. We have found real inspiration for our journey and it starts at Smithville in Bastrop County also one of the oldest counties in Texas. Here lives a family that not only had a great-great grandfather that was at San Jacinto, he was also one of the captors of Santa Anna. They also had 9 great-great uncles at the battle of San Jacinto. Three of those uncles were spies for the Texas Army in the now famous Karnes Company of spies. Another member of Karnes Company was Deaf Smith. In the first photo is three generations of Texans. As we now head east on Hwy 71 about 15 miles west of La Grange we stopped at the site of Woods’ Fort. A family living at or near the fort loaded everything they could into a wagon pulled by a team, they like many other families living in Fayette County are fleeing for their lives. Santa Anna has just won at the Alamo and is on the move east to stop the Texas Army. Fayette County alone had some 50 brave souls at San Jacinto on the afternoon of April 21, 1836. What if Fayette County was not there when the fighters struck the Mexican line that caused mayhem among a much larger and better- trained army. What if Joel Robison of Fayette County with others had not captured Santa Anna and he escaped back to Mexico and raised a new and larger invasion army to come back against our smaller Texas Army? What if when Sam Houston’s Army needed a driver with a team to pull the twin sisters into battle that afternoon they did not have James A. Wells who arrived after his long journey with its wagon and team? One could say that Fayette County saved the day at San Jacinto.

6 Most families returned to what was left of the homes they fled, many were burned so Santa Anna’s army could not use them. Mr. Wells lived and died near Woods Fort. Eleventh Stop - Our most beautiful replica of the San Jacinto Flag has now made it to the battlefield that gave it so much glory; it crossed over the now much wider bayou that gave way to the green grass fields of that day long ago. As she was unfurled where the Texas Army was encamped it hung still from its staff, not a wave, not a flutter, as if it was just quietly waiting. We advanced the flag from the encampment across the field toward where Santa Anna’s Army had been, a small hill where the huge Monument built in 1936 by the State of Texas now stands to remind us all of this great victory that created the Republic of Texas. The flag now stands at the foot of this huge monument and as before it hangs still as if it is waiting. Time passes, we move the flag to other places around the monument, as we stop in front of the writing on the wall that lists all the states and countries from where these brave man came – look she now begins to flutter. We again move and now stop at more writings, the time is now 2:00 p.m. about the same time as the battle started and the flag in now waving almost straight out, and as we look upon the wall behind her the words “Sidney Sherman's Regiment” are etched in stone. Now once again she waves proudly. Twelfth Stop - September 3, 2008, One Hundred and Thirteen years ago today the last surviving signer of Texas Declaration of Inde- pendence died while visiting his son in Erath County. William Carroll Crawford, son of Archibald and Nancy (Carroll) Crawford, was born in Fayetteville, , moved to Texas in 1835 and settled near Shelbyville. Crawford, who later lived in Camp, Hill, and Johnson counties, died ten days before his ninety-first birthday. He was related to Charles Carroll, the last surviving signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. He and Sydney O. Penington represented Shelby County at the Con- vention of 1836, which wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the Republic of Texas and established the ad interim government. Crawford was postmaster from 1874 to 1881 in Camp County and a Pioneer Methodist Minister. He was buried in Cow Creek Cemetery, about five miles north of Dublin. In 1936 his remains were reinterred in the State Cemetery.

WHERE ARE THEY? DO YOU KNOW?

PAST PRESIDENTS GENERAL (DECEASED) Franklin Williams Glenwood Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes Houston Williams Glenwood Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes NAME CEMETERY LOCATION MARKER E. N. Gray Glenwood Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes PLACED George D. Sears Glenwood Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes W. B. Bates Oak Grove Nacogdoches, Texas Yes Robert B. Morris Glenwood Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes A. J. Houston State Cemetery Austin, Texas Yes W. E. Howard, MD L. W. Kemp State Cemetery Austin, Texas Yes William F. Tarver Glenwood Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes J. C. McVea Flatonia Flatonia, Texas Yes Char. Gilbert, Jr. Forest Park Lawndale Houston, Texas Yes J. P. Moore Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Jones Creek, Texas Yes Harry Pennington Church Cemetery James Shaw J. M. Moore, Jr. Morton Richmond, Texas Yes O. H. Carlisle Charles E. Barrera San Fernando San Antonio, Texas Yes R. E. Briscoe Memorial Oaks Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes Archdiocesan Catholic James Slayden San Jose Burial Park San Antonio, Texas Yes Cemetery #2 Maverick Cemetery Payne Lee Bush , Texas Yes Frank Tritico Holy Cross Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes Andrew Dillworth San Antonio City San Antonio, Texas Yes Harvin C. Moore,Jr. Glenwood Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes Cemetery #6 Gordon Wiley Greenwood Mem. Park Fort Worth, Texas Joe Fisher San Augustine, Texas Yes 3100 White Settlement Alexander Frazier Anchor Masonic San Antonio, Texas Yes Fort Worth, Texas (may not be possible) Cemetery 76107 (817) 336-0584 Frank Guittard Victoria, Texas Yes S. Sherman Kendall Forest Park Lawndale Houston, Texas Yes Hobart Huson San Jose Cemetery San Antonio, Texas Yes Larry W. Hays Forest Park-Westheimer Houston, Texas Yes Talmadge Main Dallas, Texas Yes Robert Ritchie H. Sellers Rogers Navasota, Texas Yes Stephen J. Hay Harry Seeligson Dallas, Texas Abe San Miguel San Antonio, Texas John Spellman Dallas, Texas W. T. Kendall Glenwood Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes Charles R. Tips Dallas/Seguin, Texas Joseph Wearden Victoria, Texas Yes Valin R. Woodward Parkdale Cemetery Arlington,Texas 701 Mary Street, Arlington, Texas 76010 Please Email, telephone, or US Mail any known information to: (817) 275-2711 Lewis R. Bryan Forest Park Lawndale Houston, Texas Yes The Sons of the Republic of Texas Jacob F. Wolters Forest Park Lawndale Houston, Texas Yes 1717 Eighth Street L. B. Moody Forest Park Lawndale Houston, Texas Bay City, Texas 77414 Charles E. Ashe Glenwood Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes 979.245.6644 William E. Kendall Glenwood Cemetery Houston, Texas Yes [email protected]

7 IN AND AROUND TEXAS

John O. Meusebach Chapter 48 On Friday, February 29 the John O. Meusebach Chapter made it’s annual appearance at the Fredricksburg, Texas middle school’s 7th grade history class. This year we had a show and tell with objects the chapter brought. Among the items the chapter brought. Among the items were Sam Smith’s cannon “The other Sister”, Dellmar Hiller brought part of his Texas Navy collection, Paul and his wife Pat Burrier with period items, and Don Clark with his ancestors Steven F. Austin Land Grant, a gourd canteen, and members weapons, and powder flask. The students, and teachers enjoyed the question and answer and hands on program.

Lone Star Chapter 58 Annual Meeting Guest Speaker Sam Houston IV On behalf of the entire Lone Star Chapter, I want to thank everyone for making our annual meeting such a success. Our guest speaker, Sam Houston IV did a great job as usual and I am truly honored to be associated with this fine chapter. The Steamboat House was fantastic food and very courteous to us all. Congratulations to the top three Texas History Teachers from the Conroe ISD. The Conroe ISD is one of the largest school districts in and it really speaks to quality of the award winners. We really appreciate your hard work to instill Texas History in our children. A Special thank you goes out to HEB and the Steamboat House for helping to sponsor this event. Cindy Howard - 7th grade, Knox Jr. High School - First Place Lisa Shugart - 4th grade,, David Elementary - Second Place Joyce Upshaw - 4th grade, Broadway Elementary - Third Place

Sabine District 33 The Sabine District 33 Sons of the Republic of Texas presented a dedication for nine citizens or soldiers of the Republic of Texas on March 29, 2008. There were approximately 85 in attendance. The markers were unveiled by 7th, 8th, and one 9th generation Texan, all descendants of John Payne and Eppreson Duke Payne. All officers of the chapter participated in the ceremony.

Nicole Wade 8th Generation Kenneth Skillern J.E. Gooch Texan with son Colton a 9th Past Historian General Direct descendant of Epperson Generation Texan unveiling Sons of the Republic of Texas Duke Payne and John Payne Epperson Duke Payne Marker 8 IN AND AROUND TEXAS

Sam Houston Chapter Lunch with President General L. Vaughn Oliver KSJ

9 IN AND AROUND TEXAS

PINEY WOODS CHAPTER 52 Stan Stokes Retires Just prior to his retirement at the end of July, and as his last unofficial act as the head of the unofficial Oasis Chapter in Saudi Arabia, Stan Stokes held an application recommendation signing ceremony for Matt Cumings on the left in the picture who descended from the Old Three Hundred. Also shown in the picture in the center is Life Member Jim Davis. The boys just rode out into the desert, unsaddled their camels, sat on a magic carpet and got down to SRT business. It was 119 degrees F that day, and the wind was blowing like everything. Not shown in the picture (somebody had to make oil that day), but who also signed the application was Life Member Rodney Burge. Stan recruited and helped Rodney, Jim and Matt with their applications, and all were processed within Saudi Arabia. The picture was taken by DRT member Betty Stokes. There was a lot of Texas in the Arabian desert that day.

Matt has since been approved for Life Membership and will receive his certificate as soon as we can decide how to get it to him in Saudi Arabia. Hopefully more interested Texas will be found in Saudi Arabia, and Stan can help them from Tyler Texas. The only signing ceremony that can include Stan now is in the of .

On the way back to town, the Texas transplants ran across a little Nepali taking care of a herd of camels, and more pictures were taken. This camel’s name was Bye, and at one point he tried to lick Stan’s head. Next time Betty can take the position next to the camel’s head.

MSgt Paul Kaqrstendiek Retires

Piney Woods Chapter member MSgt Paul Karstendiek (R) retired from the United States Air Force after 24 honorable and memorable years serving our great nation. His CO presented a SRT certificate of appreciation and Texas flag flown over the Alamo.

10 IN AND AROUND TEXAS

Honoring Dillard Cooper At 11:00 am Saturday March 15, 2007 The Sons of the Republic of Texas Honored a real soldier of the Texas Revolution. Dillard Cooper had rested for 112 years at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in the city of Llano, TX. All that was there was a simple stone marker which said D. Cooper age 82 years. When I learned from my wife that a survivor of the Goliad Massacre was buried in the town cemetery I was stunned. Even more so when there was no mention of it on his grave, and that half of the town knew that he was there. Thus began my quest to get recognition for a man who had lived though and was a part of our heritage. I informed my chapter and received an overwhelming Yes to honor Dillard Cooper with a grave marker and dedication. We obtained an S.R.T. bronze marker, and a local granite works gave me a very reasonable price, and from middle October till March 15 we accomplished more than I had hoped for. We had 88 people show for the dedication, "24 " descendants, The Llano City Manager, Mayor, a County Judge, District Attorney for the 33rd & 424th Judicial Districts, Mr. Sam Oatman, S.R.T. members from the San Antonio Chapter, and ladies from the D.R.T. and guest speaker Mr. Newton Warzecha from La Bahia. Mr. Warzecha gave a wonderful program about Dillard Cooper, and the Goliad Massacre. Mr. Joe Shimek from Hunt, TX. played the bagpipes. Some of the family members had never met before that day, and there was a family reunion .This kind of event is what the S.R.T. is all about, honoring our forefathers. The event was covered by the Llano News, and Journal, but the Fredericksburg paper would not give the event coverage because of not being "Politically Correct !" It might offend someone. If you had seen the program all it would have given you was a sense of pride. Donald Clark, President John O. Meusebach Chapter #48

Musket saulte SRT Grave marker (L-R) non member, Don Taylor, Joe Ginn, Sam Smith, Jay Robinson, Piper, Joe Shinek. Don Clark speeking.

Color Guard (L-R) Joe Ginn, Sam Smith, Don Taylor, Jay Robinson last two non members

(L-R) back row - Bob Benavides, San Antonio, Alfred McCutcheon, Boerne, Scott Dunbar, Round Top, Kevin Dunbar, Marion, Sam Smith, Kerrville, Don Taylor, Hunt, and Jay Robertson, Llano. Uncovering Stone (L-R) front row - Don Clark, Llano, Joe Ginn, Fredericksburg, (L-R) Don Clark, Mr. Bill Stewart of and Edward Heath, Fair Oaks Llano Historical Society

11 IN AND AROUND TEXAS

Battle of Medina History Seminar

The Alamo Chapter No. 40 sponsored the first annual History Seminar on August 23, 2008, in Pleasanton, TX as part of the chapter’s commu- nity and area membership outreach. Seminar coordinator, Bob Benavides, fo- cused twelve historians and archeologist on the theme of the 1813 Gutierrez- Magee Expedition, and the First Revolution for Texas Independance. Historical speakers included Tom Green, KSJ, Robert H. Thonhoff, KSJ, and Bob Benavides. Seminar attendance of 120 included members of the SRT, DRT, SAR, DAR, Society, Mayflower Descendants, and area descendant families of the 1813 Battle of Medina. Alamo Chapter President, Al McCutcheon, presented SRT recognition awards to each history presenter on the program. A seminar DVD is planned for distribution this fall.

L-R: Bob Benavides, history seminar coordinator; Topics and speakers were: Richard Santos, Texas & Mexican historian; Robert “An Overview of Sources for Studying Early Texas” - Jesus “Frank” de la Thonohoff, KSJ, multiple SRT Presidio La Bahia Award winner; Dr. Steve Tomka, Texas Historical Commission; Teja, PhD, Professor of History at Texas State University and the State of Texas Al McCutcheon, Alamo Chapter President. Historian.

“Historical Setting for the Battle of Medina” - Robert H. Thonhoff, author/ historian of “Forgotten Battlefield of the First Texas Revolution” and numerous history books and articles.

Historical Art Display Associated with Gutierrez de Lara and that era - Jesus Moron, historian artist, biographer of Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara, and publisher of “La Gazeta de Tejas”

“What was it all about: - The first Texas Declaration of Independence and Constitution” - R.M. “Bob” Benavides, The Alamo Chapter, Sons of the Republic of Texas.

“A Documented List of Leaders and Participants in the Battle of Medina” - Tom Green, SAR, SRT, KSJ, historian and historical flags specialist.

“The Political Rise and Fall of the First Republic of Texas” - Richard G. Santos, Past Bexar County Archivist, Texas & Mexican historian, author of more than 30 history books and articles.

“Property Confiscated from the Rebels” - Alfred Rodriguez, Current Bexar County Archivist.

“Tejanos at the Battle of Medina” - Dan Arellano, historian/ author of Tejano Roots.

“Eyewitness Account of the Battle of Medina from the Rebel Side” - R.M. “Bob” Benavides, Alamo Chapter, Sons of the Republic of Texas.

“The Roads to the Battle of Medina, An Archeologist’s View” - Bruce Moses, UTSA Center for Archeological Research and Chair- man of the Southern Texas Archaeological Association.

Seminar attendance of 120 included members of the SRT, DRT, SAR, DAR, War of 1812 Society, Mayflower Descendants, and area descendant families of the 1813 Battle of Medina. Alamo Chapter President, Al McCutcheon, presented SRT recognition awards to each history presenter of the program. A seminar DVD is planned for distribution this fall.

12 KNIGHTS OF THE ORDER OF SAN JACINTO

Knighting Ceremony for Newton Warzecha to be held at the Presidio following the Presidio La Bahia Book Award Ceremony. Knights attending are asked to wear a dark suit with their KSJ sash and medal. Knight Commander’s Message at the San Jacinto Day ceremony and he a tremendous legacy of achievements and he loved being a part of the commemoration will be missed by all. of the battle. Please note these important dates on the Sadly, we have lost another Knight, the SRT calender. November 20 is the deadline pioneer broadcast journalist and distin- to submit Knight nominations to Janet. On guished historian, Ray Miller, KSJ, who December 6, Newton Warzecha will be passed away on September 27. He be- Knighted at the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad. came a Knight in 1983. This will be a splendid ceremony and all SRT Ray’s famous “Eyes of Texas” televi- members are invited and encouraged to share sion series enlightened us about the rich this special occasion with Newton. and diverse heritage of our state. He During these challenging times, it is in- Al Davis IV, KSJ wrote ten books on Texas. Several years spiring to think about our ancestors and the Knight Commander ago, he was the Principal Speaker at the difficulties they overcame in settling in an In the July issue of the Texian, there was a San Jacinto Day Ceremony. Ray received often harsh and hostile environment. wonderful tribute to Ron Stone, KSJ, who many honors and awards recognizing his died in the spring. For the past few years, contributions to his profession. He was Al Davis until this year, Ron was Master of Ceremony a shy and reserved individual who leaves Knight Commander

Ray Miller, born March 28, 1919 and died on September 27, 2008. He was an oral historian for our age. He began his radio career in 1938 in Fort Worth, and broadcast with informed truth. Later, he hired Houston’s first female television journalist, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Best seen in his famous “Eyes of Texas” television series, he was loved and respected by thousands. History caught up with Ray, but not before his contributions were honored. He was recognized with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Leters from the University of Houston; he was hailed as a “Pioneer Broadcaster”; he won a Peabody Award; and he was a Knight of the Order of San Jacinto. His ten books can still be read by those interested in exploring Texas.

IN MEMORIAM Name Chapter Hometown David S. Bays 45 Mesquite, Texas James Kenneth Ingram 45 Rockwall, Texas Early Alva Limmer, Jr. 3 Temple, Texas Ray Miller KSJ Houston, Texas Thomas Earl Morrison 49 Center, Texas Clyde D. Smith 53 Orange, Texas Donald Leland Steele 1 Trinity, Alabama Calvin Lee Blake, Sr. 58 W. Conroe, Texas Thomas H. Flinn III 12 Lakeway, Texas Thomas Marshall Read 29 Boerne, Texas

13 NEW SRT MEMBERS

Name Chapter Ancestor Hometown Matthew Cumings 1 William Cumings Abqaiq Saudia Arabia John Fred Denson 1 Archibald Jethro Denson Houston TX Rodman Edward Gorman III 1 Alfred W. Morris Kingwood TX Rodman Edward Gorman III 1 Matilda Parmer Morris Kingwood TX Rodman Edward Gorman III 1 Martin Parmer Kingwood TX James Elmore Hudson IV 1 Martin Franklin Alexander Houston TX Patrick Craig Murphrey 1 Willis Murphy (Murphrey) Virginia Beach VA Jack Robert Terry 1 Anslam Lumiun Terry Murrieta CA Matthew Nicholus Walling 1 Alfred M. Hallmark Magnolia TX Judge Randall William Wilson 1 George Wilson Houston TX Judge Randall William Wilson 1 James Wilson Houston TX Daniel Abram Amaro 3 Eli Wilburn Lawler Temple TX Kelly Wayne Cottle 3 Stephen Cottle Markham, Ontario Canada Lucas Hall Ernstberger 3 Eli Wilburn Lawler Temple TX Don Allen Manges Jr. 6 David Levi Kokernont Pearland TX Charles Brett Codd 7 James Clinton Neill San Antonio TX William Maurice Harris Jr. 7 John William Jockusch Houston TX James Hess Hiler Jr. DDS 7 James Humphres Pearsall TX Mark Lee Hiler 7 James Humphres Hondo TX Matthew Thomas Muecke 7 John Douglas San Antonio TX Mark Walter Muecke 7 John Douglas San Antonio TX William David Oliver 7 Andrew Oliver, Jr. Round Rock TX Charles Murray Oliver Jr. 7 Andrew Oliver, Jr. Waxahachie TX Charles Marlis Oliver 7 Andrew Oliver, Jr. Austin TX Chandler O’Quinn Wahrmund 7 George Washington Robinson San Antonio TX James Rober Weathers 7 Daniel Bird Laredo TX Rush William (R.W.) Callan 8 Green Weaver Healdton OK Seth Michael Mascorro 8 Froylan de la Garza Waco TX Samuel Allen Mascorro III 8 Froylan de la Garza Waco TX Samuel Mascorro Jr. 8 Froylan de la Garza Dallas TX Samuel Christopher Mascorro 8 Froylan de la Garza Waco TX Christopher Randall Mascorro 8 Froylan de la Garza Dallas TX Bobby Ray Quillen 8 John H. Wood Richardson TX Bradley Harrison Temple 8 Isaac Reynolds Coppell TX James Wells Osvold 9 Lydia Ann Dana Hasting Hull (Pay) Wells Sachse TX James Wells Osvold 9 Capt. James Babbage Wells Sachse TX Shannon Lee Faircloth 10 John Robert Craddock Jarrell TX Samuel Coles Bennett 12 Samuel B. Marshall Austin TX Alexander A. Ferris Jr. 12 Orville Thomas Tyler Lakeway TX William Tyler Ferris 12 Orville Thomas Tyler Cedar Park TX Ronald Reed Franke 12 Humphrey Jackson Buda TX

14 NEW SRT MEMBERS

Name Chapter Ancestor Hometown Ronald Reed Franke Jr. 12 Humphrey Jackson Austin TX Mark Steven Franke Jr. 12 Humphrey Jackson Evergreen CO Gary Brown McNutt 12 Robert McNutt Pflugerville TX Walter Brown McNutt 12 Maj. Robert McNutt Cedar Park TX Billy Neil Bosley 13 Sarah Robinson Wortham TX Taylor Nathaniel Musgrave 13 Shapley Prince Ross Lorena TX Jordan Patrick Musgrave 13 Shapley Prince Ross Lorena TX Travis Elijah Musgrave 13 Shapley Prince Ross Lorena TX John Richard Rhodes 13 Moses Wilson Burleson Clifton TX Keith Michael Ray 14 Mark Phillip Holleman Centerville TX Matthew Hazlewood Vangervoort 16 Anson McCracken Victoria TX Rush Quinn Higginbotham 18 David S. Higginbotham Shreveport LA Robert Leon Hutchison 19 Alexander Allen Coats Nacogdoches TX Dylan Brent Johnston 23 Sebastien (Bastian) Olivo El Campo TX Clayton Anthony Mann 23 Sebastien (Bastian) Olivo Sweeny TX Jerry Alan Murphey 23 Sebastien (Bastian) Olivo El Campo TX Rae Harold Doran Jr. 29 Henry Christian Hardt Moulton TX Maurice Jean LeBleau 34 Rayford Crawford Balance Brenham TX Reginald Dean Snyder 34 James Stephenson Chappell Hill TX Terral Leigh Broxson 36 Charles Jones Broxson Flower Mound TX Dan Edmond Oliver 36 Josiah F. Harrell Broomfield CO Dan Edmond Oliver 36 Benjamin Gage Broomfield CO Roger Lynn Tate 36 Nancy Slaughter Westfall Euless TX Roger Lynn Tate 36 Zachariah Westfall Euless TX Frank William Renee Hubert Jr. 38 Benjamin Hubert Houston TX John Francis Thrash 38 Henry Bailey Houston TX Stephen Allen Barlow 40 Robert Doughertly McAnelly Wimberly TX Lesuell Dwaine Bowles 40 Lorenzo Van Cleve Marble Falls TX Erin Charles Danzer 40 Gordon C. Jennings Nampa ID Michael Bernard DeLee 40 Joel Spencer Ingram TX Alfredo Hernandez 40 Jose de Jesus Hernandez Devine TX Raymond Vara Jr. 40 Juan Casillas Von Ormy TX David Arthur Williams III 40 William Montgomery Greenwood Helotes TX William Paul Weathers II 47 Daniel Bird Frisco TX John Stephan Weathers 47 Daniel Bird Coppell TX Orion Brooks Huron Sr. 48 Jose Uron San Saba Tx Luke Jeffrey Werner 50 Nealon Soules New Braunfels TX Gilbert Howard Stone 56 Charles Jones Broxson Rochester NY Chancey Louis Westfall 57 Isaac Pierson Odessa TX

15 Please accept [email protected] as a trusted sender of emails. This is a new, one way address being used to send information to SRT members. We will limit the use of the emails for items that require total SRT member notification. Items of this magnitude include notification of the posting of The Texian, an explanation of the improper dues notices, or an alert about a trademark infringement. The use is only for special cases.

Calendar of Events December 5 & 6 Hampton Inn, 7006 N. Navarro, Victoria, Texas 77904 Phone (361) 573-9911 2009 Annual Meeting March 20-22, 2009 Tapatio Springs Resort, Johns Road, Boerne, Texas 78006 Phone (830) 537-4611 SRT Rates $90.00 2009 Executive Committee Meetings June 12-13, 2009 LaGrange most likely September 11-12, 2009 December 4-5, 2009 Victoria 2010 Annual Meetings April 9-11, 2010 Tyler, Texas 2010 Executive Committee Meetings June 11-12, 2010 TBD September 10-11, 2010

2008 Executive Committee Meeting December 5 & 6, 2008 Hampton Inn, 7006 N. Navarro, Victoria, Texas 77904 Phone (361) 573-9911 SRT Rates $102.00

1717 Eighth Street Bay City, TX 77414 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Contact us at: SRT Office: www.srttexas.org Email: [email protected] 1717 Eighth Street, Bay City, TX 77414 Phone: (979) 245-6644 Fax: (979) 244-3819

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