A BRIEF HISTORY OF
CAPTAIN THOMAS MOORE CHAPTER
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
San Marcos, Texas
1923 - 1973 A BRIEF HISTORY OF CAPTAIN THOMAS MOORE CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION SAN MARCOS, TEXAS 1923-1973 by Tula Townsend Wyatt The Captain Thomas Moore Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters American of the Revolution was organized in San Marcos, on May 2, 1923 in the home of the organizing Regent,
Mr. Renick Frazier Ansel1. As a courtesy to Mrs. Ansell and an expression of appreciation, the Chapter was named for Mrs. Ansell s revolutionary ancestor. Captain Thomas Moore. The Chapter was organized with fifteen members, with five added during the year. The Charter members were-
Mrs. J.W. Ansell Miss Annie Goodloe Pearsall (Renick Frazier) Mrs. J.T. Roberts Mrs. James Dudley Berry (Georgie Talmadge (Elizabeth Elrick) Miss Daisy A. Scott Miss Gutrude Louise Berry Mrs. C.S. Smith Mrs. W.M. Cavness (Grace Berry) (Kate Buchanan) Mrs. A.W. Strahan Miss Grace Virginia Cavness (Marion Hardy)
Miss Carrie Emma Cochran Mrs. E.G. Tanner (Varina Saunders) Mrs. George B. Donalson (Mary McGehee) Mrs. C.G. Taylor (Elizabeth Cochran) Mrs. Claude S. Ivey (Fannie Barber) Mrs. Thomas Willard (Martha Storms) Mrs. Will C. Johnson (Jennie McKie) Miss Frances Willard
Miss Adaline P. Neighbors Mrs. George A. McNaughton (Minnie Barber)
The Chapter meets once each month from September to May in the homes of the members, using the ritual of prayer and the flag salute. The program is followed by a social hour. Programs have emphasized the historical background of our country and the continued preservation of the United States of America as a Republic with its freedoms as outlined in the constitution by our early ancestors. Through the years literature concerning the flag has been given to the schools, and presentation of United States flags have been made to various public schools of
the area. Through the years the programs have been patriotic subjects including studies of the Constitution of the United States,
national defense, preservation of historical sites, docviments,
books and other materials. The chapter has had many outstand
ing speakers on its programs.
BACKGROUND
Five years prior to the organization of the chapter, the
state of Texas and the Texas DAR had erected 123 red granite
markers located five miles apart along the King High's Highway,
or Camino Real, from Pendleton Ferry on the Sabine to Eagle
Pass on the Rio Grande. There are six of these red granite
markers in Hays County between Travis County and the Comal
County line.
The route of the El Camino Real was determined by Professor
W.E. Dunn, an archivist of the University of Texas. The earliest crossing of Texas recorded is that made by Solis in 1683, another record shows that Worfi a Spanish missionary, in 1778, travelled from Mexico to the missions in San Antonio de Bexer and wrote of his route. The line of this route was used by Mexico as the designated northern and southern boundary for grants made
-65- to Texas colonists. The inscription on these markers read-
King's Highway Camino Real Old San Antonio Road Marked by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the State of Texas A.D. 1918
These markers are maintained by Texas State Highway
Department. Four of these in Hays county are on the Hays and Caldwell county line on State Highway 21. The other four are on the old road but maintained by the county. One marker is at the site of the ghost town of Center Point. The last one is on York Creek on the Comal county line south. When the Hays county Memorial Hospital was built in 1922 the chapter cooperated in raising funds and members gave bed linens at different times, and assisted in redecorating the first floor rooms. In 1938 the chapter gave the hospital a set of wicker furniture for the living room. The furniture consisted of a long settee, four chairs, a table and a planter
They also furnished the second floor hall with the same type of furniture. The chapter helped furnish cookies for National Hospital Day Open House each year. After the New Memorial
Hospital was erected and opened March 6, 1960, the Hospital
Auxiliary roll of Volunteer workers, "Pink Ladies", included the following DAR members; Mesdames J.T. Roberts,(charter member), Bessie Lockhart, Irm.a Bruce, Mary Louise and Virginia
Hightower, Margaret Pool and Ruth Woolwine.
-66- GIRL SCOUTS AND CONSERVATION
Interested in Girl Scout work in the early days, the chapter contributed money and some of the members were active in the work, Mrs. W.C. Merritt, Mrs. William A. Wyatt and Mrs. Edward M. Cape helped to organize Girl Scouts in the home of
Mrs. John Morton in 1926. Later these ladies became active DAR members and Mrs. Wyatt and Mrs. Cape kept the chapter's interest in Scouting alive for years. Mrs. Thacher Gary was an active girl scout mother as was Mrs. Fred Feltner and Mrs.
Ben Primer.
Conservation being one of the committees of the DAR, the chapter gave several shurbs and trees to help beautify the ground when the American Legion erected its rock club house on the
San Marcos River in 1933. The Chapter gave memorial trees and plants to the memorial city park when it was established after
World War II.
The members of the chapter gave roses bushes, bridal
wreath bushes and other flowering shurbs to the old Memorial
Hospital several times. . -
TEXAS CENTENNIAL
The chapter was very active in 1934-1936 when Texas celebrated its 100th birthday. It had programs on historical sites,
collected data, cooperated with the Moon-McGehee chapter.
Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the American Legion Auxiliary
and United Daughters of the Confederacy in a series of Patriotic teas held at the American Legion Hall. The DAR Tea was held
October 25, 1934, the first of the series in preparation for
-67- the Texas Centennial. Mrs. H. Grady Walker was chapter Regent. Miss Ruby Henderson, an active DAR and member of the faculty of the Southwest Texas College was the speaker, her subject was "Texas Prior to the Republic". The colonization and history was discussed in a comprehensive manner. This was followed by singing America with Mrs, J.T. Roberts at the
piano.
Many Antiques were displayed by the members relating back
to 1776»"A Museum For a Day", brought out many relics and filled
many downtown store windows with exhibits.
The DAR exhibit chairman was Mrs. J.T. Roberts, and the
Guarentee Shoe Store windov/was filled with old and beautiful
articles. The over all project was so well accepted it lasted
March 1, 2, 3, 1935.
Finally on May 1, 1936 all of the schools in Hays County
staged a big pageant. "Texas Through the Years". On
Field, over 1000 persons were in the cast, with 7000 witnessing
the pageant. The director and producer was Buren C. Robbins,
Dramatics Director at SWTSC. Miss Irma Bruce, DAR member,
was general Chairman; other DAR member on the committee:
Miss Ruby Henderson, Publicity. Miss Edna McCormick designed
the programs. Mrs. William A. Wyatt was Hays County Chairman of the Centennial Advisory Board, which cooperated in all
phases of the production.
-60- TSDAR STATE REGENT PROJECT On March 15, 1943 the chapter participated in the dedication of the Early Text Book Library established by the Texas DAR
at Southwest Texas State College. The State Regent was Mrs. Edwin Stanton Lammers who presented the DAR collection to the college. It was accepted by the college President, Dr. John G.
Flowers. Ernest B. Jackson was the Librarian. Local members on the program were Mrs. M.C. McGee, Regent and Mrs. J.W. Ansell.
Dr. C.E. Evans, President Emeritus of STSTC welcomed the 300 guests, DAR delegates and members faculty and students. A surprise feature of the dedication program was the presentation of $1500.00 by the State DAR to the College to be used to purchase other rare books to add to the 3000 books in the
collection. The room housing the collection at that time was "fashionably and ornately" furnished by the Texas DAR with white oak furniture. A long table, and six chairs with the DAR emblem carved on the high back of each chair. The bookcases were decorated with the
emblem. (In 1974 this Library is still in use and the beautiful
furniture is in the large ball room on the top floor of the
library building). The money left over from the $1500.00 was used to buy historical books for the geneological section of
the University library. Since the dedication. Miss Irma
Bruce has been chairman of the fine project. In this collection is a nearly completed set of the National Sociaty DAR magazines.
Mrs. A.L. Camp was chairman of the magazine collection in 1966.
She also served as chapter chairman to collect magazines for
-69- the San Marcos City Library. The chapter and the Hays County
Historical and Genedlogical Society have established a geneblogical
section in the city library. Genealogical quarterlies and books
helpful to the student of geneology and history are found there.
WIDE INTERESTS
The chapter has carried out its responsibilities to the
State and National society. It has contributed to each project
with cash and clothing for the DAR schools. It has added historical
books and geneological records for the libraries. The year •
usually begins with a program on the constitution and with
American History week. The chapter follows though with twenty
six committees, appointed by the Regent. Each committe emphasizes its project either by a program or by action.
Several District conferences have been entertained by the chapter and members have attended numerous state conferences.
In 1943 Mrs. M.C. McGee was a delegate to Continental Congress.
Others who have gone to Washinton have been Mrs. T.F. Moon
(Elizabeth Goodman) 1950, Mrs. George Baker and Martha Baker,
1955; Mrs. A.L. Camp, Mrs. Edward M. Cape 1964. Mrs. Camp and
Ruth Thomas, 1968. Mrs. Camp and Martha Baker in 1971.
At a special ceremony October 20, 1965 the Hays County courthouse was given a flag pole by the Jaycees. The Captain
Thomas Moore chapter DAR obtained the flag which had been sent by Senator John Tower after flying over the national Capitol.
Mrs. George C. Baker, Regent of the DAR chapter, presented the flag to Judge Max Smith.
-70- WAR TIME ACTIVITY
During World War II Red Cross work was emphasized by the
NSDAR and the chapter cooperate by rolling bandages, holding-
sewing classes, learning first aid and other activities.
The members worked with War Bond sales in Wbrld War II. One
of the leaders, not a DAR at the time, Mrs. Oiren Patterson was
War Bond Chairman of the Women Division in 1944. Others were
Mrs. Springer Smith, Miss Ruth Thomas, Mrs. Marion McGee,
Mrs. William A. Wyatt, mother of a son serving England, and Mrs.
Arthur Gary, mother of Hays County's first war casulty. Her
only son Edward Gary was killed December 7, 1941 on Luzon.
Edward Gary Air Force Base was named for him.
The DAR participated in the USO, United Service Organization,
from the beginning of its work in San Marcos in World War II.
The first drive to raise funds to establish a center was
organized in 1941 with Mrs. William A. Wyatt, county chairman
USO. A Silver Tea was held in the home of the Regent, Mrs. LolA/i-vn-^ (K,W M.C. McGee in January 1942. Miss Vyrame Votan was chairman of the tea. After the USO was set up in May 1943, the American Legion Hall was renovated and turned over to the
USO. The rock bulding was dedicated to the men and women of the armed forces, especially the men at Gary Air Base. This
DAR chapter acted as hostess on many ocassions for dances, musicals, socials, book reviews and other activities.
-71- SILVER ANNIVERSARY
The Chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary May 1, 1948
in the home of Mrs. Marian McGee, honoring the organizing
Regent, Mrs. J.W. Ansell. Six of the charter members were
present, Mrs. Claud S. Ivey, Mrs. George B. Donalson, Mrs. J.T.
Roberts, Mrs. C.D. Taylor, Miss Carrie Cochran, and Mrs. J.W.
Ansell. The State Regent, Mrs. Edward Roland Barrow of Houston
was also present. Miss Ruby Henderson was chairman of the tea. Other members present were Mrs. Horace Pirtle , Mrs. Chas.
M. Decker, in comming Regent, Mrs. Chrles Gary, Mrs. Ed M. Cape,
Mrs. William A Wyati^Sr., Miss Ruth Thomas, Miss Louise Lawson, yVi Miss Dora Brack, Miss Irma Bruce, retiring Regent.
On July 20, 1968 the chapter celebrated its 45th anniversary
with a tea in the home of the retiring regent. Miss Ruth
Thomas. The in coming Regent was Mrs. Louis Sanders. Mrs.
William A. Wyatt Sr. a past Regent was chairman of the occasion.
Three charter members, Mrs. J.T. Roberts, Mrs. A.A. Grusendorf
and Mrs. Gertrude Striegler were present. Others who assisted
were. Miss Irma Bruce, Mrs. George Baker, Mrs. J.M. Pool,
Miss Virginia Hightower, Miss Martha Baker, Miss Louise Lawson,
Mesdames Ed. M. Cape, Glenn Sfidisbury, D.E. Lockhart, A.J. McCrocklin, Ben M. Primer, R.A. Russell, Horace Pirtle,
A.L. Camp, Julius Hill, Thacher Gary and Fed Feltner. As it was also Mrs. J.T. Roberts' birthday, special tribute was paid to her.
The chapter had had five members named "Mother of The Year" by the San Marcos Record. Mrs. M.iCJ. Mc Gee 1939, Mrs.
-72- J.W. Ansell 1957, Mrs. E.L. Thomas 1959, Mrs. J.T. Roberts
1967, and Mrs. William A. Wyatt Sr. 1972. In 1970-1971, during Mrs. John M. (Mickey) Pool's second term as Regent several new members were added: Mrs. Albert Smith, Mrs. Jack Stovall and Mrs. Herbert Nix. The chapter earned
the NSDAR Silver Honor Roll Award and the Regent was cited for
outstanding service by TSDAR in 1970.
During 1971 the chapter was hostess to the TSDAR Regent,
Mrs. Ford Hubbard of Houston, with a tea in the Fellowship hall of the First Methodist Church. The chapter was named first in . i Texas for membership at the TSDAR convention held in
San Antonio. Mrs. Wyatt received honorable mention as chapter
librarian and Miss Martha Baker was commended for the gift
she made to Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. Miss Baker
and Mrs.C&wp attended Contintental Congress in Washington at which time the Captain Thomas Moore Chapter was awarded the
Gold Award of Honor for outstanding accomplishment in NSDAR.
BICENTENNIAL PREPARATION
The Bicentennial celebration for 1976 moved forward under
the chairmanship of the Captain Thomas Moore Chapter member
Mrs. Jack Stovall who was appointed chapter U.S.A. Bicentennial
chairman by the Regent, Mrs. J.M. Pool in 1971.
In August 1971 Mrs. Stovall scheduled the annual program on the Bicentennial by inviting Mrs. Gene Jones Riddle, executive director of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Texas^to address the chapter in the May 1972 meeting on a "Projecting for '76—Texas' role in the Nation's Bicentennial.
-73- Mrs. Riddle explained the purpose of the Texas Commission is to encourage the establishment of an organization in each community, a citizens group appointed by the Mayor. This group should plan a permanent improvement as a gift to their city by 1976 on the 200th anniversary of the nation. It was suggested that projects be linked to an environmental concern or a civic improvement of lasting heritage to the city. With the 1972 Regent, Miss Virginia Hightower, Mrs.
Stovall called on the Mayor, Luciano Flores, and suggested that he appoint a City Bicentennial Commission. Among those appointed May 31, 1972 by City Council (at the request of the Mayor,) were those who had served on a steering committee to develope a beautification project for the San Marcos River.
I4rs, William A. Wyatt, Sr and Mrs. Edward M. Cape were also
named to the committee as well as Mrs. Stovall and mrs. Walter L. Buckner, who had served on the original steering committee.
Mrs. Stovall became the City chairman and Mrs, Wyatt was
named vice-chairman for Heritage. In 1973, Miss Hightower was named by the City Council to the Bicentennial Commission. The Captain Thomas Moore Chapter played a prominent role in the early months of the City organization. To help the
Commission with finances, the Chapter on October 7 staged a
Country Store in the courtyard of the First Methodist Church. It was a benefit for "Beauty Along the River" and for the operating
fund of the Commission. The Store was sectioned into "Grand
mother's Attic", "Treasure House", "Farmer's Market", "Ye
Olde Antique Shoppe" and "Tinker's Trash." A check for $100
-Til- was given to the river project. Other funds helped establish the operating account known as the "Bicentennial Boutique . A portion of the funds also helped the Chapter become
100% in the National DAR Bicentennial project "A Gift to the Nation", the renovation and furnishing with period furniture two rooms in Independence Hall in Philadelphia. It is the
NSDAR Bicentennial project, completed in 1974. The Chapter supported the TSDAR state Regent, Mrs. Ford Hubbard's Bicentennial project, the Freeman Plantation. Memorial gifts, sale of cookbooks, note paper and individual money gifts have supported the ante-bellum plantation home in Jefferson which is the Texas State DAR Bicentennial completed project. The Chapter projected as its own specific goal, to be accomplished in time for the nation's birthday in 1976, the landscaping of the DAR markers on Camino Real in the San Marcos vicinity.
AWARDS
Achievements for 1972 were TSDAR certificates for excellence in Library (Mrs. Wyatt), the yearbook (Mrs. Ben Primer), Constitution Week program, (Mrs. Weatherby). The NSDAR recognized the chapter for outstanding achievement in DAR magazine advertising
(Mrs. Stovall) and named the Chapter to the Silver Honor Roll.
The Bicentennial program for 1973. was a color movie on the nation's plans and the City Horizons project "Beauty Along the River". The chapter again supported the City commission with a food booth in the first "Music Along the River Festival" in
Sewell Park April 19, 1973. Miss Hightower was chairman of
-75- the food booth for the City Commission.
The Chapter's Bicentennial chairman utilized the NSDAR certificates of recognition and the Bronze NSDAR Bicentennial medal by honoring men who had contributed to the progress of the City's Bicentennial goals. Mayor Flores was given the
NSDAR bronze medal, the first presented in Texas.
Achievement awards given the chapter in 1973 from the
TSDAR were leadership citations to Miss Hightower, the Regent, and to Miss Irma Bruce for the SWTSU DAR Library^ The TSDAR awarded second place in Texas to the U.S.A. Bicentennial committee, and outstanding achievement for Constitution Week, and excellence in Library work and a blue ribbon to the year book. The NSDAR gave the Gold Honor Roll award to the Chapter and a NSDAR certificate for one hundred percent participation in "A Gift to the Nation."
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
The 50th anniversary for the Chapter was celebrated with a tea, on May 17, 1973 in the home of Mrs. Jack Stovall.
Antique porcelain embossed with gold leaf and an ornate Florentine candlabriam arranged with pale pink rose buds centered the
Pointe Venice cloth.,for the tea table. Gold imprinted napkins commemorating the anniversary years carried out the golden birthday theme.
Mrs. Bert Miller was co-hostess as were Mrs. Jack D. Hearn and Mrs. Swan T. Burrus (in absentia.) They were assisted by
Mesdames J.M. Pool, Louis Saunders, Mrs. William A. Wyatt Sr.,
A.L. Camp and Miss Ruth Thomas, all past Regents. Mrs. J.T.
-76- Roberts, the first Vice-Regent of Captain Thomas Moore chapter
(1923) and Miss Virginia Hightower, the immediate Past-Regent,
were honored in this tea on the Golden Anniversary of the
chapter. Other special quests were Miss Ann Ansell and Mrs.
Wren Giesen,daughters of the organizing Regent, Mrs. Renick F.
Ansell. A display representing the history of the chapter,
included a picture of Captain Thomas Moore and a feature story
and picture of Mrs. Ansell brought by the Ansell daughters.
A scrapbook of the Chapter's activities since 1923, belonging
to Mrs. William A.. Wyatt, Sr., and the Press book of pictures
and articles completed by Mrs. H. Ellis Thomas, chairman of
Publicity 1971-1973 were displayed.
1973-1974
The Bicentennial emphasis continued in the 1973rl974 year with Mrs. Thacher Gary as Regent. The October meeting was built around the U.S.A. Bicentennial program for the year
"America's Religious Background." It featured Coronal Institute,
1868-1918, as the focus for the chapter's annual Bicentennial porgram. The brief story of the school was written by Mrs.
Jack Stovall and narrated by Valerie Edwards, a speech honor winner at San Marcos High School. The mini-review of the old school's development described its influence on education in early Texas. Ex-students present were Ruth Thomas, Foldine
Rylander Jackson and Tula TownsendWWyhtt
STATE CONFERENCE
In March 1974 the Diamond Anniversary State Conference was
-TT- held in the historic Driskill Hotel in Austin. The Captain Thomas Moore Chapter was hostess chapter for the evening reception following Mrs. Donald Spicer^s talk. Mrs. Walter Preston, the vice-Regent, arranged the reception assisted by Mrs. Mickey Pool and Mrs. Bryan Baldridge. Mrs. Spicer, President General of the NSDAR, talked on the organization's Bicentennial project, "A Gift to the Nation," the $200,000 renovation of Independence Hall accomplished by the DAR across the nation.
Awards won at the 75th State Conference for the Captain Thomas Moore Chapter included a leadership citation for the regent, Mrs. Thacher Gary; first plaee in Texas for the U.S.A. Bicentennial chairman, Mrs. Jack Stovall; a TSDAR certificate of outstanding service for Miss Irma Bruce, State Chairman of the DAR Library at SWTSU; awards for DAR magazine advertising;
Honorable mention for Sherry Peterson, a San Marcos Baptist Academy student from Victoria Australia in the TSDAR Good Citizen competition; outstanding achievement for Constitution
Week. Delegates to the conference were Miss Hightower, Miss Thomas, Mrs. Camp and Miss Baker. Alternates were Miss Bruce, Mrs. Spence and Mrs. Stovall. Miss Mary Jane Dibrell, a junior member of the Captain Thomas Moore Chapter, was honored by selection as page for the Diamond Anniversary TSDAR conference and was presented at the State Regent's evening.
-TO- CIVIC COOPERATION
The chapter has long cooperated in the effort to erect a
museum in San Marcos. DAR members are serving on the Museum
Board as various methods have been tried to bring about the
construction of a building. Currently on the Museum Board are
Mrs. William A. Wyatt, vice-president, Mrs. Mickie Pool, Mrs.
Jack Stovall and Mrs. Walter L. Buckner.
In 1974 the City set aside a piece of land near the river project as location for a future museum, with possible dedication during the Bicentennial era.
MEMBERS 1973-197^
Miss Martha Louise Baker Mrs. Marion McGee Mrs. J. Bryan Baldridge Mrs. Bert Miller Mrs. C. L. Becker Mrs. William Harper Moon Miss Irma L. Bruce Mrs. Herbert Carroll Nix Mrs. Walter L. Buckner Mrs. Jake C. Obenhaus Mrs. Swan Thomas Burrus Mrs. Ohren R. Patterson Mrs. Alva L. Camp Mrs. John M. Pool Mrs. Edward M. Cape Mrs. Walter B. Preston Mrs. Marvin L. Deviney Mrs. Joseph T. Roberts, Sr Miss Mary Jane Dibrell Mrs. Louis Y. Saunders Mrs. Joe Dollahite Mrs. Joe G. Spence Mrs. Bidney W. Edwards Mrs. Clinton E. Spragins Mrs. Fred W. Peltner, Jr. Mrs. Jack N. Stovall Miss Mildred K. Bambrell Mrs. John W. L. Sutnerland Mrs. Thacher Gary Mrs. Harry Edward Terrell Mrs. Jack David Hearn Mrs. H. Ellis Thomas Miss Virginia Hightower Miss Ruth Thomas q Mrs. Julius W. Hill Mrs. J. P. Ulery Mrs. James R. Hotz Mrs. Sellers M. Weatherall Miss Louise Lawson Mrs. Eugene J. Weatherby Mrs. A. J. McCrocklin, Sr. Mrs. Charles E. Wiegand Mrs. James H. McCrocklin Mrs. Earl G. Woolwine Mrs. William A. Wyatt, Sr.
-79-