TexasTexas PostalPostal HistoryHistory SocietySociety New JournalJournal Confederate Catalog Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 Listings Necessary ‘Texas Independent Statehood’ dates narrowed in new CSA This Feb. 1, 1861 cover from Fort Quit- man, Texas is no longer recognized as Independent Statehood use by the catalog . . . See Page 2 CSA catalog editors.

= Postal System of the , Part 2 - Page 3 = = Charles Deaton’s The Great Texas Stamp Collection released - Page 11 = TEXPEX 2013

The Texas Postal History Society will hold its next business meeting and Spring Fling social on March 1 and 2, 2013 at the TEXPEX World Series of Philately show. The new location is the Hilton DFW Lakes Ex- ecutive Conference Center, 1800 Hwy. 26 E, Grapevine, TX 76051. Of- ficial times will be announced in the February, 2013 issue.

Reserve your room now by calling direct at 817-410-6777 or Visit the TEXPEX website at www.texpex.org and click on the hotel The Conference Center is located five minutes from DFW International Airport. It “book a room” link. is next to the popular Grapevine Mills Mall and numerous restaurants and retail stores. The hotel is set in a 40-acre lakeside location featuring horseback riding, fishing and jogging trails.

Plan to show your Texas The APS-sponsored show runs March 1-3, 2013 Postal History material at the TEXPEX exhibition. Postal history dealers such as our own Charles Deaton and Jonathan Topper will bring large stocks It has been several years was well as other national dealers such as Doubleday since we have presented our William Emery Texas Postal Postal History, Stanley Piller, Labron Harris, etc. History Awards. Sam Houston Philatelics will also be on hand to offer The prospectus and entry form its specialties including duck stamps. are located at the TEXPEX website at: The Texas Stamp Dealers Association will also be well represented at the show with the likes of Warren www.texpex.org Crain, Oklahoma Stamps, Melvin Edmonds, Crown Colony Stamps, and Castle Stamps. Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 Page 1 Texas Postal History Society Journal

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

President From the President by Vince King...... 2 Vince King 315 S. Locust, Denton TX 76201 The Postal System of the Republic of Texas (Part Two) ...... 3-8 E-mail: [email protected] Mail Delivery Woes for Clarksville, Tex. (1848) ...... 9-10 Vice President Deaton Book on Texas Rarities Released ...... 11 Jim Doolin 11258 Goodnight Lane #105 Dallas TX 75229 Seen at Auction ...... 12-14 E-mail: [email protected] Friends We’ll Miss ...... 16 Secretary-Treasurer Austin Reaps a Flurry of FDC events ...... 17 Lyle Boardman 3916 Wyldwood, Austin TX 78739-3005 E-mail: [email protected] On the Cover: A “former” Texas “Independent Statehood” cover that has not been Journal Editor reclassified by the editors of the new Confederate States catalog is shown over an Tom Koch 1847 map of Texas that depicts various routes from the Republic of Texas period. 1013 Springbrook Drive, DeSoto TX 75115 E-mail:[email protected]

Charles Deaton Fine Stamps of the World

Summer/Fall - PO Box 2836, Orleans, Mass. 02653, Phone 508-240-2683 Winter/Spring - PO Box 2465, Fredericksburg, Tex. 78624, Phone 713-927-9948 Email: [email protected] Specializing in Texas Postal History for more than 30 years

Stamp Collections Wanted - I am always interested in buying collections of and Foreign Stamps, Covers, Old Letters, Cards, etc. For larger collections I will come to your place. You will find that I treat both you and your collection with the respect and courtesy you deserve. Page 2 Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 From the President New Confederate Catalog Listings Required for

Vince King ‘Transitional Texas’ Period With the release of their new publication, the editors of the These Historically Important Texas History new Confederate States of America: Catalog and Handbook of Stamps and Postal History decided to exclude much of the pre- Artifacts Should Be Properly Cataloged viously listed Texas “independent statehood” material as a result For more than 80 years, the Confederate States philatelist, en- of formulating a new stricter, albeit technically accurate, defini- couraged by the fathers and legends Dietz, MacBride, Antrim, tion of terminology.1 In my view, this has brought about a most Everett, Malpass, Molesworth, etc., has ventured well beyond drastic change to the new edition. collecting just stamps and postal history. After all, the Confeder- ate States postal system did not function until June 1, 1861, so Their decision centered on the dates in the process of seces- any Confederate “labels” placed on postal history prior to that sion. While a Texas delegation vote triggered the secession date are mere philatelic abstractions. Spurred on by Dietz hand- process on Feb. 1, 1861, secession did not legally take effect book subheadings “A New Field for the Specialist” or “A Field until March 2. “Independent Texas” was then formally accepted of Uncommon Historical Interest,” Confederate collectors have into Confederate States membership on March 5.2 As a result, generally engaged in a broader “socially historical” collecting Texas covers postmarked from Feb. 1 through March 1 have dis- pursuit. appeared from the Confederate Stamp Alliance’s new handbook altogether for the first time since the initial Dietz catalog ap- The bottom line is that the history and reality behind the peared in 1931.3 Texas secession events transcend imprecise terms such as “inde- pendent state.” The postal artifacts from this fascinating transi- As Ken Lawrence correctly discussed in his Linn’s Stamp tory period are certainly every bit as important as the News article devoted to Texas secession events and mail, serious time-honored, yet still still-cataloged, postal history abstractions Texas CSA collectors should define new terminology to classify such as advertising covers, wallpaper covers, patriotic covers, and catalog this historically important postal history.4 I would college covers, general’s mail, etc. They are also equally as im- propose that the term “Transitional Texas Use” be applied to portant and significant as the still-cataloged March 2, 1861-May mail postmarked in Texas from Feb. 1, 1861 – March 1, 1861. 31, 1861 Texas material . . . thus should remain recognized and This term is far more appropriate with regard to events that were cataloged using more inclusive terminology. transpiring on the ground during this period. See CSA Catalog Decision on Page 15

Texas Postal The Texas Postal History Society Journal is the offi- cial publication of the Texas Postal History Society. It History Society is published quarterly. The TPHS is not responsible for Journal the accuracy of any contributed articles. Submitted ar- ticles and images are welcome by the editor by regular Texas Postal History Society Website: mail or electronic mail. The TPHS provides no guaran- tee that submitted articles will be printed and when http://www.texasphilatelic.org/texpex.html they may be printed. Articles may be reproduced with Founded in 1975, the TPHS is affiliated with the prior permission and attribution. Texas Philatelic The Journal is available to members of the society. Association and Dues to the TPHS are $18 per year payable to the Sec- the American retary-Treasurer. Single copies are $5 with $1 first Philatelic Society. class postage. Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 Page 3 The Postal System of The Republic of Texas

fices were to be established along this route as the postmaster- PART TWO general should deem necessary and proper.4 In May 1838 bi- weekly service was ordered from Galveston to Matagorda and Texana via Velasco and Quintana. At the same time the following Editor’s note - The following is the second in a two-part in- routes were ordered into operation: stallment of a detailed description of “The Postal System of the From the town of Bastrop to the residence of Reuben Republic of Texas” by W. L. Newsom as printed in the October, Hornsby on the Colorado River; 1916 issue of The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. XX, From Anahuac, Liberty County, to the house of Thomas Stub- No. 2. Reprinted with permission. Second installment. The first blefield on Trinity River in Liberty County installment appeared in the August, 2012 edition of the Journal. From Shelbyville in Shelby County to the town of Milam in Sabine County, via Hamilton on the Sabine River.5 Postal Routes In December 1838 the route from Houston to Nacogdoches via Cincinnati was changed so that after leaving Cincinnati it No record is available as the exact date the first route went passed by Mustang Prairie Post-office, thence to Crockett, in into operation in Texas but it was about 1835. We have already Houston County, thence to intersect the existing route at 6 noticed the recommendations of the Permanent Council that mail Williams’s on the Neches River. Another route authorized at this routes be established by subscription, under certain regulations, time, proceeded from Houston to San Augustine via Captain “from San Felipe de Austin to Cantonment Jessup in the United Hiram’s on the Trinity River, Belt’s on the Neches River, B.W. States, to headquarters of the Army or to Bexar, and to Velasco, Harvey’s on the Angelina River, and Nathaniel Hunt’s on Ayish and that branch routes be established at suitable times.” Bayou. Mail was transported weekly over this route. A bi-weekly 7 In section 34 of the ordinance passed by the General Council route was also established from Jasper to Belgrade. on Dec. 2, 1835, a mail or post route was established from the In January, 1839, weekly routes were established: From Tex- General Post-office to the principal town of each municipality of ana to San Antonio, and from Victoria to Live Oak Point; the mail Texas. These routes were to go into operation as soon as contracts leaving Texana immediately after the arrival of the mail from 8 could be made by the postmaster-general being authorized to reg- Houston. About the same time a bi-weekly mail was inaugu- ulate and determine the post-roads on which said mails were to rated from Clarksville to Shelton on Sulphur Fork; a weekly route be carried, and how often they were to be carried, etc.1 from Crockett to (Fort) Houston via Brownsville; from Myrtle Dec. 20, 1836, Congress authorized the establishment of the Springs in Red River County to Fulton on Red River; from San following routes: Augustine to Port Caddo, via Shelbyville and Shelton’s store, From the location of the General Post-office to the headquar- with post-offices at Shelton’s store, at Bristow’s Ferry, at Thomas ters of the Army; Timmons’s, and at Port Caddo. This route was extended from 9 Also to Gaines’s Ferry on the Sabine River, via Washington, Port Caddo to Coffee’s Station in Fannin County. Nacogdoches, and San Augustine; The act of Feb. 6, 1840 which reduced into one the various Also from Velasco, via Brazoria, Columbia, and Washington laws relating to the post-office department, abolished all routes to Viesca; except the following 36: From Liberty, via Jasper and San Augustine to Nashville in No. 1. From Houston to Galveston, via Harrisburg, Lynch- 10 Shelby County. burg, Spilman’s Island, and New Washington. These routes went into effect as soon as the postmaster-gen- No. 2. From Houston to Cincinnati, via Spring Creek, Mount eral could make the proper contracts.2 In June 1837, he was au- Vernon, and Huntsville. thorized to extend mail routes via Ballou’s and Gaines’s Ferries No. 3. From Cincinnati to Nacogdoches, via Neches, Mustang so as to communicate with the United States mail and to pay for Prairie, Crockett, and Mount Sterling. any services already rendered to effect that object.3 In December No. 4. Nacogdoches to McClannahan’s Post-office, 1837 he was instructed to establish as soon as practicable a mail , via San Augustine, Milam, Gaines Ferry, and Sabine routed from Nacogdoches, via Epperson’s Ferry on the Sulphur Town. 11 Fork to the county seat of Red River County, Jonesborough, to No. 5. From Nacogdoches to Epperson’s Ferry. the county seat of Fannin County, and to look to it that the mail No. 6. From Epperson’s Ferry to Jonesboro, via Myrtle 12 was carried over said route once every two weeks. Such post-of- Springs, Dekalb and Clarksville. No. 7. From Jonesboro to the seat of Justice of Fannin Page 4 Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 The Postal System of The Republic of Texas, Part 2 Continued

County, via Franklin, Johnson, Raleigh, and Lexington, Fannin No. 28. From Quintana to Galveston, via San Luis. County. No. 29. From City Sabine to Beaumont. No. 8. From the seat of Justice of Fannin County to Coffee’s No. 30. From Austin to Crockett, via Nashville, Franklin, Station, via Warren. Dunn’s Post-office, Tinnen’s, Robins’s Ferry, on Trinity River, No. 9. From Clarksville to the seat of Justice of Fannin and Mustang Prairie.16 County, via Lexington, Red River County, and Shelton’s and No. 31. From Austin to San Antonio, via Gonzales, and English’s.13 Seguin.17 No. 10. From San Augustine to Port Caddo, via Shelbyville, No. 32. From Gonzales to Victoria. Shelton’s and Elysian Fields.14 No. 33. From Austin to Houston, via Comanche, Bastrop, No. 11. From Houston to Swartwout, on Trinity River.15 Primm’s, La Grange, and San Felipe. No. 12. From Liberty to Lyons’ Post-office, Louisiana, via No. 34. From Texana to La Grange, via Stapp’s, Zumwalts’, Pine Island, Patillo’s, Richland, Jefferson, and Beaumont. Chandoins’, and Lyons’. No. 13. From Jefferson to Hamilton, on Sabine River, via No. 35. From Quintana to Texana, via Matagorda. Jasper, Zavala, San Augustine, and Shelbyville. No. 36. From Swartwout to Jasper, via Barclay’s. No. 14. From Jasper to Salem. The postmaster-general was to inaugurate service on each of No. 15. From Houston to Egypt, via Hodges’ and Richmond. the above routes, not already in operation, and to regulate and de- No. 16. From Matagorda to Egypt, via Preston’s and Peach termine the roads upon which the mail was to be transported. Creek. These routes were to continue in operation during the year 1840. No. 17. From Egypt to Goliad, via Texana, and Victoria. On Dec. 21, 1841, the secretary of state was authorized to es- No. 18. From Egypt to La Grange, via Columbus. tablish a weekly route form Port Lavaca to Victoria, provided No. 19. From Velasco to San Felipe, via Crosby’s, Brazoria, service did not exceed the average cost per mile on other routes.18 Marion, Orozimbo, and Big Creek. In January 1842, he was authorized to establish a weekly route No. 20. From San Felipe, to La Grange, via Dr. Punchard’s, from Fanthorp’s post-office in Montgomery County, by Centre Hill, Cedar Creek, Washington, Independence, Gay Hill, Boonville, in Navasota County, to Dunn’s in Robertson County.19 Oak Grove, and Rutersville. A law of Jan. 6, 1843, amending the several laws relating to No. 21. From Independence to Franklin, via Mound Prairie, the post-office, established the following 21 routes, and no oth- Fort Oldham, Tenoxtitlan, and Nashville. ers, on which public mails should be transported: No. 22. From Montgomery to Washington, via Rusk and No. 1. From Galveston to Matagorda, via San Luis, and Ve- Fanthorpe’s. lasco. No. 23. From Brazoria to Matagorda, via Williams’s at No. 2. From Galveston to Houston. Caney Crossing. No. 3. From Houston to Patillo’s, via Liberty, and Beaumont. No. 24. From Huntsville to Swartwout, via Carolina. No. 4. From Houston to Washington. No. 25. From Houston to Washington, via Myrtle Turf, and No. 5. From Houston to Egypt via Richmond. Groce’s Retreat. No. 6. From Egypt to Victoria, via Menefee’s. No. 26. From Crockett to Houston, via Bennett’s Post-office, No. 7. From San Antonio to Rutersville, via Obarr’s and La and San Pacero. Grange. No. 27. From Victoria to Live Oak Point, via Lamar. No. 8. From Rutersville to Cincinnati, via Mount Vernon, In-

Shown above is the 1847 map showing the 1843 Postal Route 3 from Houston to Patillo’s, via Liberty, and Beaumont Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 Page 5 The Postal System of The Republic of Texas, Part 2 Continued dependence, Washington, Montgomery, and Huntsville.20 No. 9. From Cincinnati to San Au- gustine, via Crockett, and Nacogdoches. No. 10. From San Augustine to Sabine Town, via Milam. No. 11 From San Augustine to Daingerfield via Shelbyville and Mar- shall. No. 12 From Daingerfield to Fort English, via Boston, DeKalb, Savannah and Clarksville. No. 13. From Jasper to Sabine Town. No. 14. From Velasco to Washing- ton, via Brazoria, Columbia, Richmond, San Felipe and Burleigh. No. 15. From Matagorda to La 1843 Route No. 9. Cincinnati to San Augustine, via Crockett, and Nacogdoches. Grange, via Egypt, and Columbus. No. 16. From La Grange to Austin via Bastrop. No. 17. From Victoria to Gonzales via Cuero. No. 18. From Independence to Nashville via Caldwell. No. 19. From Washington to Franklin via Booneville. No. 20. From Huntsville to Swartwout. No. 21. From Swartwout to Jasper via Town Bluff.21 On Jan. 30, 1845, a route was established from Galveston to Point Bolivar and attached to the route leading from Point Boli- var to Patillo. At the same time all routes were revised and weekly service provided as follows: San Antonio to La Grange via Seguin, Gonzales and Hallett’s. La Grange to Fanthorpe’s via Rutersville, Shelby’s, Sieper’s, Buster’s, Brenham, Independence, and Washington. Fanthorpe’s to Crockett, via McGuffin’s, Huntsville and Cincinnati. Fanthorpe’s to Huntsville via Rusk, Jacob Shannon’s, Mont- gomery, Lone Oak and Collard’s. Crockett to San Augustine via Master’s, Mount Airy, Dou- glass, Nacogdoches, Melrose and Flournoy’s. San Augustine to Sabine Town via Milam. Nacogdoches to Marshall via Wm. Wooten’s and Henderson and Hiram Walker’s. San Augustine to Marshall via Shelbyville, Hilliard’s, Mount Mourn and Parry’s. Marshall to Boston via Daingerfield and Weaver’s. Boston to Bonham via DeKalb, Savannah, Clarksville, Blos- som Prairie, Paris and Honey Grove. Austin to Columbus via Smithwick’s, Bastrop, Mount Pleas- ant, Cunningham’s, Miller’s, La Grange and Frail’s (Frels) on Cummings’ Creek. 1945 No. 14. From Velasco to San Felipe via Brazoria, Colum- Columbus to Matagorda via Egypt, Peach Creek, Preston and bia, Orozimbo, Big Creek and Richmond. Caney. Columbia to Galveston via Hines’, Brown’s, Liverpool and San Felipe to Franklin via Bostwick’s Crossing, Travis, Cedar Virginia Point. Creek, Washington, Boonville and Wheelock’s. Velasco to San Felipe via Brazoria, Columbia, Orozimbo, Big Franklin to Dallas via Alta Springs, Parker’s Point, Melton’s Creek and Richmond. and Chambers’ Creek. Page 6 Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 The Postal System of The Republic of Texas, Part 2 Continued

Dallas to Bonham via M’Garrah’s. ment, and offered a number of suggestions for the improvement Fanthorpe’s to Crockett via Mitchell’s, Leona Mills, Alabama of the service. The income for the year 1839 is given in this re- and Mustang Prairie. port as $12,512.84. The income for the first three quarters of Crockett to Fort Houston via Pettett’s. 1840 was $11,640.31. During this period a number of outstanding Washington to Houston via Arnold’s accounts were collected, making the total cash received Houston to Galveston via Lynchburg. $16,810.54. The expenditures for the first three quarters of 1840 Houston to Egypt via Hodge’s Bend, Richmond and Damon’s were $75,422.01. It is evident form this report that there was Mill. much irregularity in reporting and remitting by the different post- Egypt to Victoria via Texana. masters. Independence to Franklin via Mound Prairie, Caldwell, Dil- Judging from the recommendation made to President Lamar, lard’s and Nashville. the entire system was in need of much improvement. Mr. Jones Galveston to Swartwout via Chambersia and Liberty. states: (1) That there was great need of mail bags and mail locks, Huntsville to Jasper via Rankin’s, Swartwout, Criswell’s, that these had been ordered from New Orleans several months Hooker’s, Ratcliff’s and Town Bluff. before and the order not filled; (2) that a number of routes had Jasper to Sabine Town, via Williams’ on Cow Creek. been consolidated because the carriers for different routes trav- Point Bolivar to Patillo’s via David Garner’s and Beamont. eled long distances over the same road; (3) that a number of of- Matagorda to Port Caballo via Matagorda Bay. fices had been discontinued because the income was not Port Lavaca to Gonzales via Victoria and Cuero. sufficient to keep them in operation; (4) that legal proceedings Clarksville to Fort Towson, U.S. has been instituted against several postmasters in order to collect Boston to Fulton, U.S. via Moorsville. outstanding accounts. Montgomery to Houston via Jacob Croft’s on Spring Creek. This report, with is suggestions and recommendations, was Marshall to Greenwood, U.S. via Port Caddo. referred to the committee on post-offices and post-roads, and on Sabine Town to McClannahan’s, U.S.22 Nov. 30, 1840, this committee made its report to Congress ap- All contracts on these routes were to hold from April 1, 1845 proving the recommendations made by the postmaster-general. to April 1, 1846. This same law provided for the appointment of The following are the most important recommendations: (1) That an agent in New Orleans to assort and forward all letters ad- the existing rates and charges of postage be doubled, which in- dressed to Texas. He was to be paid $150 a year for his trouble crease owing to the depreciation of the currency would be but and expense. slightly more than they were in reality a year ago, and would be The sixth section of this act provided for a post-office at Cor- generally less than the rates now charged in the United States. (2) pus Christi and instructed the postmaster at Galveston to forward That the commissions now allowed postmasters be reduced one- by water (when an opportunity occurred) all mail for Corpus half, excepting postmasters at Austin, Houston and Galveston. (3) Christi, and to collect five cents extra on letters so forwarded. A That any office yielding less than $20 per quarter after the first route was also established from Galveston to Matagorda via San quarter be discontinued. (4) That no offices be established or per- Luis and Velasco and contracts let as for the other routes.23 mitted within less than 12 miles of each other. (5) That printers In June 1845 a route was established from San Antonio to and publishers be required by law to put up their papers and Laredo; and another from Corpus Christi to Point Isabel.24 At the packages in substantial wrappers or envelopes, left open at one same time the secretary of state was empowered to establish a end, and the whole securely tied with strong twine. (6) That post- route from Galveston to New Orleans and to contract any Texan masters be required by law to collect postage on newspapers for vessel plying between these ports to carry the mail, provided the each quarter in advance. (7) That the postmaster-general be au- cost did not exceed one-half the tonnage duties on the vessel.25 thorized to prosecute persons who made proposals for carrying The above routes were in operation when annexation was the mail, and afterwards refused to enter into contract under the completed and the postmaster-general at Washington D.C., as- bid accepted by the department, for the difference between the sumed control of the postal system in Texas. bid so accepted and the sum for which contracts shall afterwards be made in the same cases. (8) That the postmaster-general be au- Annual Reports thorized to contract hereafter for payment of dues of the depart- From the reports submitted by the postmasters at the different ment in par money, or in promissory notes at his option. (9) That offices and from the reports of the postmaster-general, some esti- no semi-weekly mails be allowed in the Republic, except be- mate can be formed of the volume of business transacted. The re- tween Austin and Houston and Galveston, during the session of ports for all years, however, are not available, and many of those Congress only. (10) That provision be made to compel prompt that are available are so incomplete that it is difficult to get a delivery of all letters carried by boats plying on the waters of the 26 clear conception of the system with its workings and income. Republic and that postage on ship letters be increased. Hence, no attempt is made to give all the reports, but some repre- The postmaster general’s report for the year ending March 31, 27 sentative ones are used to show the volume of postal business. 1841 gives the following receipts from postage : On Oct. 29, 1840 the postmaster-general filed a report with Quarter ending June 30, 1840 $908.75 President Lamar showing the receipts of the post-office depart- Quarter ending Sept. 30, 1840 $1,032.92 Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 Page 7 The Postal System of The Republic of Texas, Part 2 Continued

Quarter ending Dec. 31, 1840 $340.00 T. Dillard – Dillard’s June 30, 1844 Quarter ending March 31, 1841 $181.11 J.W. Dabbs – Boston July 1, 1844 The most complete report, and in fact the only one in which W.W. Buster – Mt. Vernon July 6, 1844 the system of bookkeeping is clearly comprehensible is that of W. Boyles – Boonville July 6, 1844 J. Long – Paris July 8, 1844 Dan T. Toler, chief clerk to Anson Jones, secretary of state. This C. Beache – Beache’s July 18, 1844 report is dated Dec. 2, 1844, and it shows the following things: R.K. Ratcliff – Wolf Creek Aug. 24, 1844 (1) Quarterly returns from each post-office from Oct. 1, 1843 to Casey Askew - Marshall Sept. 4, 1844 Sept. 30, 1844. (2) Appointments of postmasters. (3) Cost of mail A.J. Denson – Mount Pleasant Sept. 4, 1844 transportation, under contract from March 1, 1844 to April 1, A.D. Kellam – Kellam’s Mills Sept. 4, 1844 1845. (4) Foreign mail transportation. (5) Comparative statement T. Criswell – Criswell’s Sept. 4, 1844 of revenue of various offices from Oct. 1, 1843 to Sept. 30, 1844. W.H. Cobb – Port Caddo Sept. 4, 1844 Ninety-eight post-offices reported for the fourth quarter of B.F. Thompson – Loneoak Sept. 4, 1844 1843 and the first three quarters of 1844. A few of the larger ones J.B. Harris – Fanthorp’s Sept. 21, 1844 M.K. Snell – Houston Oct. 1, 1844 are given to show the volume of business transacted: W. Conway – Damon’s Mills Oct. 15, 1844 D.W.C. Vary – Alta Springs Oct. 15, 1844 Fourth First Second Third P.H. Hays – Europe Oct. 21, 1844 quarter quarter quarter quarter A. Vannoy – Golden Drain Oct. 23, 1844 Post-office and Postmaster 1843 1844 1844 1844 E. Melton – Melton’s Oct. 29, 1844 Thos. I. Smith – Parker’s Point Nov. 5, 1844 San Felipe-J. Hillyard 7.25 19.85 7.72 12.64 W.D. Miller – Washington Nov. 11, 1844 San Antonio-J.W. Smith 39.37 39.61 27.93 53.81 P.H. Petty – Preston Nov. 23, 1844 La Grange-A.L. Vail 63.54 71.77 51.07 51.28 Houston-M.K. Snell 222.45 161.81 67.54 67.45 Beaumont-W.P. Herring 3.19 1.38 -- -- The cost of transporting the mail from March 1, 1844 to April Paris-J. Long 3.33 3.33 1.80 17.41 1, 1845, 13 months, was as follows: Matagorda-G.W. Ward 93.90 101.52 70.28 68.89 Amount of Distance in Rate per Huntsville-A. McDonald 31.62 37.85 29.50 29.13 Route, Contractor contract. Miles Mile Nacogdoches-A. Sterne 24.73 44.12 38.81 20.77 1. Thos. G. Masterson $1440 180 $8.00 Austin-H.G. Catlett 24.17 9.48 23.99 6.47 2. W.B. Goodman 1050 105 10.00 Victoria-J.A. Moody 27.15 23.62 34.62 26.39 3. Andrew Miller 679 97 7.00 Washington 52.08 63.99 68.61 60.62 4. N.H. Darnell 300 30 10.00 5. Andrew Miller 609 87 7.00 6. Andrew Miller 700 100 7.00 The total receipts from the ninety-eight post offices reporting 7. Jacob McFarland 900 90 10.00 were as follows: 8. Jacob McFarland 1210 121 10.00 Fourth quarter, 1843 $1,234.70 9. Jacob McFarland 380 38 10.00 First quarter, 1844 $1,363.49 10. Andrew Miller 175 25 7.00 Second quarter, 1844 $1,123.01 11. John Hamilton 600 60 10.00 Third quarter, 1844 $1,157.44 12. Hamilton & Laird 840 100 8.40 13. Hamilton & Laird 420 50 8.40 The postmasters appointed and commissioned from Oct. 1, 14. Charles Smith 848 100 8.48 1843 to Dec.2, 1844 were: 15. Thos. G. Masterson 1099 133 8.26 16. Thos. G. Masterson 750 90 8.33 Postmaster and Post-office Date of commission 17. Stephen Tichenor 400 80 5.00 S.M. Flournoy – Flournoy’s Nov. 8, 1843 18. J.F. Brown 1122.55 65 17.27 L.L. Chiles – Caldwell Dec. 11, 1843 19. Thos. G. Masterson 830 105 7.90 M.P. Norton – Houston Jan. 1, 1844 20. Thos. G. Masterson 842 100 8.42 J.A. Miller – Ingram’s Prairie Jan. 25, 1844 21. John Craddock 400 59 6.77 C.J. Birdsall – Fanthorp’s Feb. 14, 1844 22. R.H. Grimes 812 100 8.12 O. Earll – Columbus Feb. 3, 1844 23. Harvey Kendrick 700 90 7.77 Postmaster and Post-office Date of commission $17,106.55 2005 D.P. Penn – Penn’s Feb. 3, 1844 Average Cost per mile. $ 8.53 H.G. Catlett – Austin Feb. 5, 1844 A.L. Vail – La Grange Feb. 25, 1844 The disbursements for incoming foreign mail paid by R.D. C. Wilcox – Anahuac April 6, 1844 Johnson, postmaster at Galveston from Oct. 1, 1843 to Sept. 30, E.D. Little – Cedar Creek April 11, 1844 1844 were: J. Ralston – Brenham May 18, 1844 Fourth quarter, 1843 $76.27 C.A. Betts – Peach Creek June 10, 1844 First quarter, 1844 140.54 B.B. Peck – Gonzales June 15, 1844 Second quarter, 1844 131.00 A.M. Crooks – Clarksville June 23, 1844 Third quarter, 1844 88.00 Page 8 Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 The Postal System of The Republic of Texas, Part 2 Continued

$435.8128 to Epperson’s Ferry was changed Nov. 7, 1841, so as to run from Nacog- doches to Marshall, thence to Smithland, Daingerfield, and to the county This brief study of the postal system of Texas during the Re- seat of Bowie County (Ibid., II, 676). public shows a crude organization but one that served a purpose 12 Nov. 17, 1841, the route from Epperson’s Ferry to Jonesboro was and laid the foundation for a better system. The country was new, changed so as to commence at the county seat of Bowie County and pro- ceed thence to DeKalb, Clarksville, and Jonesboro. (Gammel, Laws of roads were poor, distances were great, and money was scarce. Texas, II, 676.) The route from Myrtle Springs to Fulton, Ark. Was But all these difficulties were surmounted, for communication changed so as to commence at the county seat of Bowie County, and go was a necessity. The extension of the service is an index of the via Col. Charles Morris’s and David Lane’s to Fulton, Ark. . (Gammel, settlement and development of the country. Laws of Texas, II, 676.) 13 Dec. 13, 1839, Congress authorized a weekly route from Shelton, BIBLIOGRAPHY Red River County, to the county seat of Fannin County with post-offices Gammel, Laws of Texas, Vols. I-II. at Merrell’s and at Fort English. At this time the postmaster-general also House Journals, Fifth to Ninth Congress, Republic of Texas, 1840- established post-offices at Ward’s Ballard’s, Haman’s and H.L. 1845. Williams’s on the route from Clarksville to Shelton, and let the contract Kennedy, History of Texas, II. to have the mail carried over this route once a week. The route from Port Post-Office Directories, 1838-1841, 1839-1842, and 1842-1844. Caddo to Coffee’s Station, established Jan. 16, 1839, was discontinued Vols. 68 to 70. MS. State Department of Texas. on Dec. 13, 1839. (Gammel, Laws of Texas, II, 421.) Post-Office Letter Books, 1840-1842 and 1842-1846. Vols. 71 and 14 This route was changed by the Sixth Congress, Nov. 17, 1841, to 75. MS. State Department of Texas. run from San Augustine by Shelbyville, Pulaski, Elysian Fields, and ter- Post-Office Ledger, 1840-1841. Vol. 72. MS. State Department of minate at Marshall, Panola County. The route from Elysian Fields to Texas. Greenwood, La., was changed so as to have a weekly mail. . (Gammel, Post-Office Journal, 1840-1841. Vol. 73. MS State Department of Laws of Texas, II, 676.) Texas. 15 On Jan. 25, 1840 the postmaster-general was authorized to estab- Post-Office Day Book, 1840-1841. Vol. 74. MS State Department of lish a route from Swartwout to San Augustine with convenient offices Texas. along the route. Also in January 1840, the following routes were abol- Post-Office Accounts Approved by the Secretary of State, 1839-1841. ished by Congress: From Neches to Tenoxtitlan; from Houston to Stub- Vol. 53. MS. State Department of Texas. blefield; from Houston to San Augustine. (Gammel, Laws of Texas, II, Reports of Postmaster-General John Rice Jones, 1840-1841. MS. 369.) State Department of Texas. 16 Dec. 18, 1839, the postmaster-general was authorized to establish U.S. Senate Documents, 29 Cong. 2nd Sess. I, 684, 697. a weekly route from Austin to Crockett, via Nashville, Franklin, Tin- Texas State Historical Association Quarterly, VII, 249-278. nen’s, Robins’ Ferry, and Mustang Prairie. The route from Houston to Thrall, Pictorial History of Texas. Nacogdoches was then altered so as to pass directly from Cincinnati to Western Advocate, Austin. Crockett, discontinuing that portion of the route from Independence to National Register, Austin. Franklin. . (Gammel, Laws of Texas, II, 416.) Daily Bulletin, Austin. 17 The postmaster at Austin was to make up a mail for Victoria on Austin City Gazette, 1839-1842. the same day, and Gonzales was to be made a distributing office for Vic- Morning Star, Houston, 1839. toria and San Antonio. . (Gammel, Laws of Texas, II, 369.) Jan. 5, 1840, Telegraph and Texas Register, Houston, 1836-1838. a route was established from Col. Harvey Jones’ to Comanche, and the Colorado Gazette and Advertiser, Matagorda, 1839-1842. postmaster-general was authorized to contract for carrying the mail over Colorado Tribune, Matagorda, 1839-1842. this route once a week, provided the expense was not more than $200 per Matagorda Bulletin, 1837-1839. year, and that the income from it would amount to at least $50 per year. . Journal and Advertiser, San Augustine, 1840. (Gammel, Laws of Texas, II, 408.) Red Lander, San Augustine, 1841-1844. 18 Gammel, Laws of Texas, II, 694. 19 Ibid., II, 729 END NOTES 20 By an act of Feb. 1, 1844, the route from Montgomery, in Mont- 1 Gammel, Laws of Texas, I, 997). gomery County, to Huntsville was changed so as to pass along the 2 Ibid., I, 1238. In November, 1836, the First Congress recognized Huntsville road, through Joseph Lenley’s settlement, and a post-office certain routes established by T.J. Rusk, and instructed the paymaster to was established at the house of B.F. Burke of Lone Oak on said road. audit accounts for said routes. no records are found to indicate just what (Gammel, Laws of Texas, II, 972.) routes General Rusk established. (Gammel, Laws of Texas, I, 1087). 21 Gammel, Laws of Texas, II, 831. 3 Ibid., I, 1295. 22 Ibid, II, 1096-1098.. 4 Ibid., I, 1439. 23 Ibid, II, 1099. 5 Ibid., I, 1497. 24 Ibid., II, 1204. 6 Ibid., II, 12. 25 Ibid., II, 1212. 7 Ibid., II, 24. 26 House Journals, Fifth Congress, 1840-41 8 Ibid., II, 38. 27 Report of Postmaster-General Jones from 1840-1841, MS., State 9 Ibid., II, 53, 71, 128. Library. 10 Feb. 5, 1840 the postmaster-general was authorized to transport 28 An itemized statement of these disbursements may be found in the mail from Houston to Galveston twice a week, provided it should be House Journal, Ninth Congress, Appendix, 35-46. All maters under the done for $2,500 per year (Gammel, Laws of Texas, II, 439). heading of Annual Reports are found on pages 35-43 of House Journals, 11 Gammel, Laws of Texas, I, 1439. The routed from Nacogdoches 7-9 Congress, Appendix, State Library. Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 Page 9 Clarksville, Texas newspaper seeks faster mail route in 1848

This is a reprint of the Standard newspaper in Clarksville, Texas in the summer of 1848. The writer is talking about the tremendously slow mail service from Washington D.C. to Clarksville from the northeastern route through Washington in Arkansas Territory which is on a stage coach trail. The writer continues to say that the mail agent for Texas, George Clapp, is recommending a faster route through New Orleans and Natchi- toches, La. Text in [ ] has been added by the editor for clarifica- tion. The river and road map of northeast Texas from 1847 shows generally the routes leading into Clarksville during that period. Mail Route – Mail Roads

On yesterday we were visited by Geo. L. Clapp Esq., the Mail agent for this State, who presented us his views for the im- provement of our mail facilities. Heretofore we have received our mail matter from Washing- ton City [District of Columbia] via Little Rock and Washington, Reprinted from the Standard (Clarksville, TX) July 1, 1848 Arkansas. Mr. Clapp shows clearly by computation of time and means of conveyance, that it is far better for us that this should Hopkins County, still the mail matter which arrives here by way come by way of New Orleans. From Washington to New Orleans of Boston, is so great that a horse cannot bring it at one trip, and the mail is conveyed in seven days. From New Orleans to last week, the mail rider being unable to bring both bags left one Clarksville, coming by way of Natchitoches [LA] and Mansfield at Savannah [Red River County PO] , and after lying there six [LA] the mail would come in ten or eleven days more: at present days, a subscription was made up to send for it. Thus, at a most mail matter gets here from Washington City in thirty to forty interesting time, every one wanting to see the proceedings of the days. By the New Orleans route it would come in seventeen or Baltimore convention, the mail was kept back absolutely from in- eighteen, which would certainly be great improvement. By this sufficiency of transportation. route, upon which there is plentiful means of conveyance as well Mr. Clapp will recommend immediately, a semi-weekly as speed, there would be no detention of papers and documents horse mail, and as soon as the roads are put in order between this forwarded from Washington, as there has been nearly all the time and Marshall, he will recommend two horse coach conveyance during the sessions of Congress, by the route through Arkansas. between Shreveport and this place via Marshall, the coach to re- Then again, getting New Orleans papers by mail, in ten or eleven ceive at Marshall the main bulk of the mail, which will still come days, will be such an improvement upon the eighteen days con- by way of Mansfield. veyance which we have had heretofore, that it will be quite a We are satisfied that Mr. Clapp is an efficient agent, examin- treat. ing everything pertaining to his duties in person, and at the same We had received twice lately, the Delta [the Daily Delta, New time that he is disposed to do justice to the people of the State, he Orleans, LA] in thirteen days, and did not know how to account is careful not to recommend undue expenditure of the public for it, but are told by Mr. Clapp that it must have come by this money in the establishment of any lines of route which can be route, which between Mansfield and this place is now only a reasonably dispensed with. Our readers will understand that mail weekly line, but which Mr. Clapp proposes to have made a semi- service in a new State, pays not a tenth of its cost. Still the laws weekly line, and have it come by way of Mt. Pleasant instead of guarantee to the people a certain quantum of accommodation in Boston [TX], which last would be the true course for it. this way, based upon the fact, that the mail is a facility to which Mr. Clapp has become well satisfied by examination, that the every citizen is equally entitled of natural right, but the establish- main line of route through this section of country is insufficiently ment of which must necessarily be made with regard to the cost, supplied; indeed this is fully demonstrated by the fact that al- which has to be contributed from the tax levied upon all the peo- though the mail matter is divided at Daingerfield, so that the Bon- ple of the Union. ham mail which comes to that place is sent up by the way of Mr. Clapp will make personal examination of all the routes Page 10 Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012

1847 Map of Texas

The map shows the ap- proach from Washing- ton, Arkansas Territory that includes Fulton, Boston, DeKalb, Sa- vanah and Clarksville (spelled with an “e.” The Clarksville newspa- per complains in the story that the mail is so great coming in from Boston that the horse cannot carry both bags and sometimes the mail is left in Savanah for weeks. The state agent, George Clapp, has told the newspaper he hopes to initiate a semi-weekly route by horse from Marshall and a two- horse coach semi- weekly between Clarksville and Shreve- port that gets mail from Mansfield.

The Clarksville newspa- per preferred to get mail from Washington D.C. via New Orleans, Natchitoches, up through Mansfield, etc. shown on the map. The between this and the Trinity, and endeavor to remedy the irregularity and delay of time between this trail from the location of and Buffalo [TX]. In forty days time the citizens of Mt. Pleasant may expect to have a semi-weekly line of mail run- Merritt’s Ferry has been ning through their town directly to Clarksville, and the subscribers to the Standard [the Clarksville added to the map from newspaper], will be able to get their papers in some reasonable time. An office will also be estab- an 1845 Louisiana map. lished in the Keith neighborhood, and our friends in that region will be able to gratify their long ex- It is not original to the pressed wish to get the Standard regularly. Texas 1847 map but is Editor’s note - The town of Mount Pleasant was formed in 1846 and a post office established likely the route taken there in 1847 during the time this map was created. The location of the town was not indicated on the from Natchitoches to map but has been added here. Mansfield. The newspa- per said that route would save weeks on delivery. Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 Page 11 Deaton Book Covering Texas Rarities Debuts

Longtime Texas stamp dealer Charles W. Deaton has done it again. Charlie has a new book out and it looks like a sure winner. The University of Texas Press recently published The Great Texas Stamp Collection that has the lengthy subtitle of “How Some Stubborn Texas Confederate Postmasters, a Handful of Determined Texas Stamp Collectors, and a Few of the World's Greatest Philatelists Created, Discovered, and Preserved Some of the World's Most Valuable Postage Stamps.” His work is a detailed history of the rare Texas postmas- ter provisionals of the Confederate States of America. Deaton is a recipient of the Phillip H. Ward, Jr., Award for Excellence in Philatelic Literature and the Distin- guished Philatelic Texan Award from the Texas Philatelic Association. He is the founder and first president of the Texas Postal History Society. Among his many works on the subject are Texas Postal History Hand- book, A Philatelic Guide to the 1936 Texas Centennial Celebration, and Fifty Years of Texas Philately. The hardcover book, a part of the Charles N. Prothro Texana Series, is available through the UT Press website at a 33 percent discount of $18.73 from the list of $27.95. The website is found below. Search for Deaton or the title. Lawrence T. Jones III, of the Jones Collec- tion at the DeGolyer Library at Southern Methodist Univer- sity, said, “This book reads like a combination mystery and adventure story, one of discovery with twists and turns bolstered by incredible and surprising tidbits of historical fact.” Of course, most members are aware that Charlie started the TPHS in the mid-1970s which many of us count highly among his philatelic accomplishments. More information on the book can be found at: http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/findabook/search.html Page 12 Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012

Seen at Auction by Vince King Goliad 10c Provisional sold by German Auctioneer

There seems to be a recent focus on some of the rarest Texas items - tions, four boxes with illustrated covers and cachets from the "Texas the Confederate States postmaster provisionals. In the May 2012 issue of Centennial Year 1936" and a lot of other interesting things in partly dif- the TPHS Journal you saw the major sale by Siegel that highlighted five ferent condition. All covers (a few with content) are single packed in Texas covers and two adhesives with the Texas postmaster provisionals. plastic sleeves and priced out up to 250,-$. A great and enormous old Then in early September Auktionshaus Gartner in Germany featured a american dealer stock, perfect for reselling! (Palette). Starting price € Goliad 10-cent dark blue provisional on piece. 10,000. Unsold.

Danbury Stamp Sales, Mail Sales and Web/Inter- net Sales, Kelleher Auctions, Oct. 24, 2012

Lot 6230 - [Texas] Corpus Christi, 3¢ tied by "Corpus Christi Tex/Oct/18" cds on cover to Middlebury CT, edge flaws, F.-V.F. Scott 11. Suggested Bid $80. Unsold.

Auktionshaus Gartner, 23rd Auction, Sept. 10-14, 2012, Germany

Lot 6286 - Overseas - America - USA, Confederate States. Goliad Texas, 10c Black on Dark Blue surface-coated paper. Large margins all around, tied by wide manuscript "X" cancel on yellow piece with bold strike of "Goliad Tex. Feb. 15" circular datestamp, probably 1865 year Danbury Lot 6230 date Extremely fine. by far the finest of the three known 10-cent Goliad postmaster's provisional stamps printed on dark blue paper, and all of the others have faults or serious defects. this is not only one of the rarest Lot 6231 - [Texas] Corpus Christi, 3¢ cancelled by grid with "Corpus provisional stamps issued by a southern postmaster, it ranks among the Christi Tex/Feb/22" cds on cover to Philadelphia PA, mended reverse, F.- rarest stamps in all of philately. The only recorded examples of the 10c V.F. Scott 26. Suggested Bid $60. Realized $30. Goliad provisionals on Dark Blue paper are as follows (only exists used): 1) 10c on piece with Feb. 15 datestamp offered here, discovered by Albert Steves in 1930 (Crown book, page 117), 2) Defective (creased and thinned) off-cover 10c stamp, cancelled by pen "X", ex Worthington, Hind and Lilly, sold by Cherrystone in 2006 3) Off-cover 10c stamp can- celled by pen "X", last seen in a photograph taken by Steves before 1911. Its condition is far superior to the condition of the other known ex- amples, including the defective ex-Worthington-Hind-Lilly stamp, which realized nearly $20,000 in the Cherrystone 2006 auction, the Scott cata- logue value is based on the price realized by the defective 2006 example and is not valid for the extremely fine stamp offered here. Ex Steves. With 2000 and 2012 Philatelic Foundation certificates. Scott 29X9, Michel 4b, Yvert 9. Realized € 27,000 (Euro).

Lot 19226 - Overseas - America - USA.1848/1950 (apprx.), "TEXAS"- Very comprehensive stock in 55 boxes with covers, sta- tioneries, picture postcards, payment orders, war tax receipts & other Danbury Lot 6231 specialities from Texas, alphabetically sorted by counties (Anderson - Zavala) with first flights, first / last day covers, nice illustrated covers, a Lot 6232 - [Texas] Corsicana, pair 3¢ (26) pen cancelled with manu- lot of airmail covers, camp post from different military camps in Texas script town cancel "Corsicana Tex/Jany 5 1858" on cover to Waxahachie (1943-45), postage dues, registered letters, ship's mail, several destina- TX, edge faults, F.-V.F. Suggested Bid $30. Unsold. Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 Page 13

Lot 6237 - [Texas] Tyler, 3¢ postal entire with "Tyler Texas/Jan/20" cds on cover to New Orleans LA, F.-V.F. Scott U4. Suggested Bid $30.Un- sold.

eBay Realizations

Gonzalez, Texas Manuscript Town mark, 10-cent Rate. Sept. 28, 2012. Item 370628372246. Detailed 3 page stampless folded missionary letter written March 5, 1848 by the Rev J.L. Hawley, a Baptist minister near Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas (not too far from San Antonio) - Danbury Lot 6232 but postmarked in Gonzalez - and sent to Milton Badger at the American Baptist Home Mission Society in New York City. Excellent travel de- scriptions, early town references in Texas including Seguin and Victoria. Lot 6233 - [Texas] Eagle Pass, strip of three 3¢ (11A) left stamp with Letter fully intact and in excellent condition. 9 bids. Realized $312. upper left corner missing pen cancelled and tied by "Eagle Pass TEX/May/5" cds with manuscript "Official Business" to San Antonio TX, two vertical filefolds, F.-V.F. Suggested Bid $100. Unsold.

Danbury Lot 6233 Ebay 370628372246

Lot 6234 - [Texas] Marshall, 3¢ postal entire cancelled by "PAID" US - March 17 1912 Galveston, Texas Pioneer Air Mail Cover - straight line with "Marshall Tex" cds, addressed to Louisburg NC, F.-V.F. AAMC 19. Oct. 13, 2012. Item 140866593669. March 17, 1912 Pioneer Scott U59. Suggested Bid $30. Realized $19. Air Mail Cover flown from Galveston, Texas to La Marque, Texas at the National School Of Aviation Meet by Paul Studensky. 2c Washington Prepaid entire with three line "Galveston, Tex / U.S. Aerial Mail / March 17, 1912" handstamp. American Air Mail Catalog / U.S. Pioneer Flight Covers 19. Sold for $250.

Danbury Lot 6234

Lot 6235 - [Texas] Marshall, 3¢ postal entire cancelled by "PAID" Ebay 140866593669 straight line with "Marshall Tex/Oct/2" cds, addressed to Louisburg NC, F.-V.F. Scott U59. Suggested Bid $30. Unsold. 1902 all over advertising Galveston Texas sea wall proposal Pneu- Lot 6236 - [Texas] Town Bluff, manuscript "Town Bluff TX/Dec 14" matic machine. Oct. 9, 2012. Item 200827545257. Neat advertising town cancel with manuscript "Official Business" and "Free" on cover to cover for proposed Galveston sea wall construction, showing map of Washington City DC, light toning, F.-V.F. city. Postmarked by somewhat scarce Pneumatic machine cancel from Suggested Bid $150.Unsold. Galveston. 9 bids. Realized $127.55. Page 14 Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012

Republic Post

by Rex H. Stever

The story of how the Texas Republic Ebay 200827545257 handled mail

Stampless Cover ~ New Orleans SHIP Cancel to Brownville Texas Due 12c. Oct. 14, 2012. Item 380483505467. 6 bids. Realized $125.95. Texas residents - $37.50 + $5 shipping Out of state orders $35 + $5 shipping

Place orders through:

Rex H. “Jim” Stever 44 Camden Place Corpus Christi TX 78412-2613 Fax: 361-991-4688 Email:[email protected]

Ebay 380483505467

Ebay 380496486374

1870 Rusk Texas to San Augustine TX with Good Letter to Famous Texan. Oct. 29, 2012. Item 380496486374. To noted Texan William Hol- man, Soldier, Settler and Congressman. 10 bids. Realized $17.61. Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 Page 15 CSA CATALOG DECISION future catalogs or on-line published errata. In a day and age where our hobby is seeing decreased num- From Page 2 bers it is very important to be all-inclusive (i.e. a friend to all). This is especially true of more specialized handbooks which in The Making of a Handbook many cases are driven by the history and tradition of social events as opposed to merely postal history by definition. As Richard Frajola has eloquently opined on several occa- sions . . . On a final exciting note, Richard Frajola has invited me to head a team to scan and catalog the historic Texas CSA seces- Sale catalogs and handbooks have to be geared to the way sion era postal history which will be added as a permanent people collect. Souvenir dates, important dates, history driven record on his website www.philamercury.com . This project will artifacts, etc. . . . Market demand mandates listings. begin June 2013.

In other words, market demand mandates the inclusion of this 1 Texas section editors Charles Deaton and Vince King opposed these exclusions but material. were over-ruled by the CSA catalog editors. 2 Erroneously documented and referenced as March 6, 1861 in most prior philatelic Texas postal history from Feb. 1, 1861 – March 1, 1861 is publications historically unique, fascinating and extraordinarily significant 3 Chronology of Texas secession era events: thus deserving of philatelic handbook mention, cataloging and Feb. 1, 1861 -Texas Secession Convention passes an Ordinance of pricing. By this article, Texas postal historians formally request Secession to be voted on by residents on February 23, 1861 and the editors of the Scott Catalog to allow us to work with them in if passed becomes effective March 2, 1861. crafting the proper terminology for continued inclusion of this Feb.23, 1861 - Popular vote held and Ordinance passes. important aspect of Texas Confederate postal history in their spe- Mar. 2, 1861 - Texas Ordinance of Secession becomes effective. cialized catalogs. Additionally, Texas postal historians would Mar 5, 1861 - Texas legislature adopts an ordinance accepting admission as a hope that sometime in the future we would be allowed to work Confederate state. with the Confederate Stamp Alliance to create new terminology 4 Lawrence, Ken; Linn’s Stamp News, November 14, 2011, Amos Publishing Co.; for the inclusion of these previously “settled” postal artifacts into pp24-26 Page 16 Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012

FRIENDS WE’LL MISS

Richard E. Spies (1926 - 2012) Shannon became a supporter of the Texas Longhorns to the extent of adding a UT tattoo. Jim Shannon, our current club President, passed away on Friday, August 24th. His service was held at St. Mary of Richard Spies did just about everything the Assumption Catholic Church on Tuesday, August 28th. Jim en- as a member of the San Antonio Philatelic joyed the club very much and was a regular member until his illness. Association (SAPA). He died Aug. 4, 2012 He loved postal history and was an avid collector of Lebanon, Ten- at age 85. He joined the association in 1966 nessee postal history. We can all remember the joy and excitement and became a life member in 1975. He when he announced to the club that he had found another piece of served as president in 1974, ‘75, ‘90-91, postal history from Lebanon, Tennessee. Jim will truly be missed at and ‘97. He was vice president in 1967 and our club meetings. Our condolences are extended to his family dur- 2006 with a stint as treasurer in 1984. He ing this very difficult time. (James Berryhill) was editor of the club newsletter, Philatex, in 1979, ‘82-83, and ‘86. He was the club historian in 2005-6 and was a board mem- David L. Straight (1955 - 2012) ber at least a dozen times. He then served as an honorary board member for many years. He was an avid collector of railroad post of- David L. Straight, 57, of St. Louis, Mo., fice material, highway post offices and Texas postal history. He was a longtime librarian, philatelist, and postal a member of the TPA and the Texas Postal History Society historian, died Oct. 13, 2012 after suffering Spies was born in Yokum, Tex. in 1926. He served in the U.S. a stroke. A member of the Texas Postal His- Army from 1945-46, then worked for the U.S. Post Office. He served tory Society, David was a specialist in U.S. in the Railroad Post Office and the Highway Post Office before set- post office forms. He spoke frequently tling in with the regular post office in San Antonio. He retired in about “Postal History Without Covers: U.S. 1972 and began working as a docent at the Institute of Texas Cul- Post Office Forms as Collectibles and Re- tures in 1981 for 30 years. He was active in his church and served as search Materials.” a Scout leader from 1973-95. David wrote the cover story for the February 2008 TPHS Journal, titled “Dating Jack Smith Jr. (1933 - 2012) a Postmarking Device: The Missing ‘E’ in Carmine.” It was about the change of a worn out barred oval duplex postmarking device from Carmine, Tex. in 1932. Jack Smith Jr., 78, was an avid Doane His current research included U.S. registered mail from 1855- postal cancel collector and a regular contrib- 1910, the development of pneumatic tubes for mail distribution, and utor to La Posta: A Journal of American the antebellum cheap postage movement. Postal History. He also collected Texas He was a frequent visitor to Texas, having inspected the Wineb- DPOs as a member of the Texas Postal His- urgh Philatelic Research Library at The University of Texas at Dallas tory Society,. He died May 23, 2012 at Bur- in Richardson, Tex. It just so happened the day he came to the net, Tex. Smith taught math and physics at Wineburgh in 2007,he was present for a special ceremony there for Kingsville, Tex. and Louise, Tex. before the new Gerald Ford commemorative stamp that featured Ford’s joining the Dept. of Defense at Brooks granddaughter, Tyne Berlanga, daughter of Susan Ford. He returned Medical Aero-Space in San Antonio. He to North Texas in 2009 for the Ameristamp-TEXPEX show in Ar- worked at White Sands Missile Range dur- lington, TX. ing his 20-year career and retired in 1998. He was a member of the He was a vice president of the Postal History Society and a Baptist church in Burnet and active in many community organiza- member of the Council of Philatelists for the Smithsonian National tions. Postal Museum. He was a gold medal exhibitor and guest-curated the Hawaii section of the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery’s National (1939 - 2012) James Shannon Stamp Salon. He also was co-founder of the annual Winton M. Blount Postal History Symposium and served as its co-chair since Jim Shannon, president of the Heart of 2006 at the museum. He was a member of the exhibit development Texas Stamp Club, died Aug. 24, 2012 in team for the museum’s “Systems at Work” exhibit that opened in Waco. Shannon was a person of varied in- 2011. terests and hobbies. Jim was interested in He was a fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society of London and postal history especially covers from the recipient of the Pope Achievement Award for Lifetime Contributions central Tennessee town of Lebanon where to Philately presented by the St. Louis Stamp Expo. his family settled. He was a member of the He was a vice president and director at large of the American Texas Postal History Society. Besides being Philatelic Society and a trustee for the American Philatelic Research involved in numerous stamp clubs, he was Library. He wrote a column titled “Colophon” for the Philatelic Lit- active in the Knights of Columbus, Ameri- erature Review about upcoming publications from 2003-2011 and can Genealogical Assn.., Friends of the was happy to mention the TPHS Journal on occasion. McLennan County Library, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and He worked for Washington State Libraries in St. Louis for 30 pipe enjoyment clubs. Though a graduate of Baylor University, plus years, retiring in 2010. Texas Postal History Society Journal, Vol. 37, No. 4 November 2012 Page 17 Austin Reaps a Flurry of First Day of Sale Events Collectors inclined to favor Texas-related stamps have enjoyed a mother lode of issues over a four- month period. And if you happen to reside in the Austin, Tex. area like TPHS Secretary-Treasurer Lyle Boardman, you were able to take an active role in all of the ceremonies. Lyle began his new stamp saga in August, appear- ing on stage as a part of the VIP contingent during the first day of sale ceremony for the U.S. coil set that in- cluded the Texas flag framed by a field. Lyle even got some television exposure when KXAN-TV showed the unveiling at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. Several weeks later on Sept. 11 Lyle was off to the O. Henry Museum in Austin for a first day of sale event for the O.Henry commemorative issue. While the official stamp ceremony for the well-known short story writer was held in his birthplace of Greensboro, NC, Austin organized its own event since William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) lived in Austin where he wrote some of his stories. As a nice topping to the series of stamp events is the upcoming Nov. 30 release of the Lady Bird John- son souvenir sheet combining five Beautification of America stamps and a portrait of Lady Bird during her White House years. Boardman produced several covers of the various festivities. Those interested can contact Lyle at 3916 Wyldwood Road, Austin, TX 78739-3005.

Top - One of the Texas flag coil first day of issue covers pro- duced by Lyle Boardman. Center - The color version of an- Austin Postmaster Fina Morales, Lyle Boardman, USPS other Boardman cachet for the O.Henry first day of sale. District Manager Jeff Taylor and Museum Director Joan Bottom - Image of the special Lady Bird Johnson souvenir Marshall unveil the new Texas Flag stamp. (TV image from sheet to be released as a first day of issue at the end of No- KXAN-TV). vember in Austin. T E X A S P O S T A L H I S T O R Y

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