Prominent Women of Texas

PD Commons ^if rW^- PD Books PD Commons PD Books PD Commons PD Books PD Commons PROMINENT WOMEN OF TEXAS BY ELIZABETH BROOKS MANUFACTURED BY !>' THE WERNER COMPANY, AKRON, OHIO 3^u Copyright, 1896, BY ELIZABETH BROOKS. PD Books PD Commons PREFACE. ^^HE women of Texas, like the women of every geograph- ical division of the globe, and in every age of the world, have played their part in the drama of human progress. Like their co- workers of the other sex, only the comparatively few have filled niches in the pantheon of greatness, but these few, of both sexes, had added to the light of the world's illumination some of its purest rays, and have given to history some of its lessons of great- est value. By way of proem to the story of female achievement in Texas, it may not be unprofitable to recall a few of the women, who, in their day, and by their mental prowess, contributed to human advance- ment. In the dawn of history, and among the most favored of the race, though subordinated to her lord by civil and religious law, woman began her intellectual work. In the person of Deborah we find one of the thirteen judges who successively ruled in Israel, and one whose wise administration vindicated her claim to the ofiBce. When Jeremiah, the prophet, and Hilkiah, the high-priest, and Shaphan, the scribe, all faltered in their interpretation of the Divine will, only Huldah, the prophetess, could reveal to them the mean- ing of the book of the law. In the Golden Age of Athenian learning, a woman, as preceptress, unfolded the philosophy of Socrates, and formed the rhetoric of Pericles. Sappho entranced cultured Greece with the charm of her lyric verse. Hypatia was famed for her knowledge in astronomy, and for the profoundness of her philosophy. In more modern times, the Marchioness of Pescara and (V) vi Prominent Women of Texas. Margeritte Clothilde de Surville eclipsed all other lights in the field of poetry and belles-lettres; while Elizabeth, Lady Jane Grey, and Signora Joan of Arragon, made themselves famous as scholars and linguists. In theology and eloquence Isabella de Kesara displayed powers that electrified her cotemporaries; and Elena Lucre- zia Piscopia, as linguist and mathematician, rose above all the men of her time. Even as rulers of great nations, women have held with firm and skillful hand the reins of government, and the throne tas been exalted by their wisdom. From Artemesia and Semiramis and Zenobia to Elizabeth and Victoria, the crown lost none of its splendor while adorning the brow of a woman. In art, as in science, she has excelled. When Rosa Bonheur with her brush made the canvas to glow with the consciousness of its charm ; when Prosper- sia Rossi with her chisel startled the formless rock into life ; when the female Herschel with her lens brought down to our sphere the secrets of the stellar hosts, the world applauded and confessed that painting and sculpture and astronomy found expression in woman's genius equal to that displayed by her gifted brother. As his help- meet she has also given signal proof of collaborative efEort. Grote, the historian, Carlyle, the essayist, John Stuart Mill, the political economist, and Agassiz, the scientist, only wrote in part the works that made them famous ; their wives were the partners of their toil, and they helped to build the pedestals on which these great men stand. These examples of feminine achievement are proof of potential force, of inherent aspirations; they reveal in female nature the qual- ities of strong patience, trustful energy and tenacious purpose. They give woman place in the palestra of intellectual contest, for there she has asserted her readiness to struggle for the prize, and has even shown her proud scorn for the palma sine pulvere—the crown of victory without the dust of contention. The very obstacles that nature and social laws have placed in her way have proved incen- tives to her effort. Themistocles, in his exile, said that his ruin had PD Books PD Commons Preface. vii made his fortune; woman, clothed in the disabilities of her sex, may well claim that her fetters have given her liberty and honor. The women of Texas, like their sisters in other climes, have an experience and a renown of their own. The scene of their lives is laid in a land that was pressed by the adventurous foot of the white man a hundred years before the Pilgrims touched the Plymouth shore—a hundred years in the van of the Mayflower did the battered bark of Cabecja de Vaca cast forth the wanderers who were first to spy out this land of our Canaan. From that time till now, with scarce a day of interruption in her story, has Texas been the scene of adventure sprung from avarice, or born of the spirit of conquest and discovery. In all her epochs she has attracted the immigrant and home-seeker, and, whether, as Province, Republic or State, her visi- tors have come in family groups in which the women have borne no small share of the labors and dangers of the new life. Beginning thus in the generation of the pioneers, these women displayed in- trepidity begotten of the perils in which they lived—perils that made martyrs of some, heroines of all; pursuing still their wonted vigor and high resolve, their successors of to-day have culminated in a generation whose powers and culture place them in the front ranks of modern progress. The bibliography of Texas is bright with female names. Whether in the domain of history, travels, romance, adventure, poetry, or other learning, women have equally shared the laurels with the other sex. Mrs. Holly's " Texas," Mrs. Helm's " Scraps of Texas History," Corine Montgomery's " Texas and Her Presidents," and Melinda Perkins' " Texas in 1850," are all reliable and entertaining narratives of the country. Mrs. Houstouns' four volumes of " Trav- els and History," Cora Montgomery's "Life on the Border," and Mrs. Eastman's " Romance of Indian Life," are all charming contri- butions to Texas literature. Mollie E. Moore's poems, and Au- gusta J. Evans' " Tale of the Alamo," have become famous among readers everywhere. Mrs. Fairchild's adventures of herself, and viii Prominent Women of Texas. Mrs. Kelly's "Experience" contain the thrilling recitals of their sufferings while in captivity among the Indians. Mrs. Young's "Flora of Texas" is the repository of much valuable knowledge from the natural history of the State. Mrs. Viele's " Following the " Drum is the delightful production of a Texas author. These are among the female writers who have adorned our literature ; others are in the field; and still others are equipping themselves by col- legiate training for the fascinating pursuit. In introducing The Women of Texas to our readers, it is appro- priate to state that many distinguished in their several spheres have been necessarily omitted, and among these the annals of Texas do not furnish a brighter story of heroism in the cause of human liberty than that of Mrs. Jane Herbert Long, the " Mother of Texas," and champion of her freedom. Her husband, the illustrious Gen. James Long, was the first to proclaim the independence of Texas. This he did at the town of Nacogdoches in the memorable year of 1819, and forthwith began the work of organizing a provisional government. Forced by superior numbers of Spanish regulars to retreat, he fortified himself on Bolivar Point opposite Galveston, being aided by the famous Ben Milam and Capt. John Austin. Here he placed his wife, proceeded westward, captured Goliad, and marched to San Antonio where he made a treaty whereby he was constituted provisional Governor of Texas under the new government of Mexico. He was soon after arrested and carried to the City of Mexico, where he was assassinated. Meantime the General's soldier wife remained at the fort on Bolivar Point, and this she held though the garrison deserted their post. She resisted all threats and entreaties to com- pass her surrender, occasionally firing a gun to deter the Indians from assault ; and in all this peril she was alone with her infant child and one servant. Not until she was convinced of her husband's death could she be persuaded to abandon the post he had committed to her keeping; then she retired, and finally became a member of Austin's colony. This ardent patriot made her final home in Rich- PD Books PD Commons Preface. ix mond, Fort Bend County, where she died in 1880, thus living for many years to enjoy the discomfiture of her enemy, and the freedom and progress of her beloved land. The women of Texas have given their share of representatives to the Congress of the distinguished women of the world, and the following pages will be their commission to accept the tribute and the homage that, in every enlightened land, is paid to culture, energy and good works. PD Books PD Commons Prominent Women of Texas. CHAPTER I. "WIVES OF TEXAS PRESIDENTS. MRS. SAM HOUSTON—MRS. ANSON JONES. Mrs. Sam Houston.—Sam Houston and Texas are as indissolubly linked in the chain of history as Philip and Macedon, Caesar and Rome, the Norman Conqueror and Eng- at San Jacinto crowTied land ; and the splendid achievement its hero with bays as imperishable as those that fame has placed upon the brow of the victors of Cheronsea, Pharsalia, and Hastings. Sam Houston was of Celtic origin, and was born in Vir- ginia in 1793.

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