THE TEXIAN The Official Publication of The Sons of the Republic of Texas VOL IV NUMBER 3 JULY 2011 MORE 100TH AND 175TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT HUNTSVILLE! This year marks the 100th anniversary of the unveiling and dedication of the monument at Sam Houston’s grave at Oakwood Cemetery, Huntsville. The monument, completed in 1911, was sculpted by Italian born, U.S. naturalized citizen, Pompeo Coppini. Among Coppini’s other works are the cenotaph memorial to the Alamo defenders, Littlefield Fountain in front of The University of ´ Texas Tower, the statue of a Terry’s Texas Ranger in front of the Texas State Capitol, the statue of Rufus Burleson at Burleson Quadrangle, Baylor University and the statue of Lawrence Sullivan Ross at Texas A&M University. After the June 4, quarterly meeting and tour of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, the Executive Committee placed a wreath of yellow and red roses at Sam Houston’s grave during this important 175th anniversary year of Texas independence, as well as the 100th anniversary year of the dedication of this monument. Chaplain General David E. Stone gave cont. pg. 3 PRESIDENT GENERAL’S MESSAGE The Saturday morning meeting a part of our new WEB Page bore much fruit for the coming days Committee and will build on the of the SRT. foundation he originally put into We have formed a new committee place. to develop a new SRT web page. We were excited to vote on our District Rep. John Homman, newest SRT chapter, the James assisted by John Meredith, President George Chapter #59 of Athens, Texas. of the Lone Star Chapter, presented Charter date to be announced. a mock up of the the new proposed Congratulations to these folks up in web page for the SRT, which will East Texas. Sam F. Clark, KSJ allow us to reach out to prospective Immediately after our meeting, we One of our best Executive Meetings members and disseminate had the honor to accompany SRT yet was held on the weekend of June information to our current members. Honorary Member Dr. Patrick Nolan 3rd & 4th in Huntsville. Committeeman Vaughn Oliver will continue to be on a tour of the historic buildings and Randy Pollard and Trish Pollard cont. pg. 2 sponsored our Friday evening get WHAT’S INSIDE together at the Homestead on 19th St. Randy’s ancestors built the original Huntsville Meeting ...................... 1, 3 Huntsville Pictures ................... 8-9 structure where we enjoyed our President General’s Message ... 1-2 Chapter News and Events .. 6-7,10-11 Janet’s Korner.............................. 2 In Memoriam ............................. 11 evening together. The food and Mystery Photo Answer ............. 3-4 Speaker Bureau .................... 13-14 refreshments were great. Thank you, Sam Houston DVD ..................... 4 New Members ........................... 15 Randy and Trish. Texian Navy Day ...................... 5-6 Calendar of Events .................... 16 PRESIDENT GENERAL’S MESSAGE cont. from pg. 1 the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, which enabled us to gain insight into life during the Great Republic era. Midday we gathered at the grave site of our great leader and statesman, Sam Houston. David Stone, Chaplain General, led us in a graveside memorial service honoring Sam Houston, with scripture and the laying of a wreath. Sam Houston IV, great grandson of Sam Houston, shared some of the Houston family history and insight into the man that we honored during our visit. Thanks to all of you for your hard work and the love you have for Texas as we move forward. Sam Clark, KSJ. President General SRT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2011 - 2012 JANET’S Korner By: Janet Knox Administrative Assistant email: [email protected] 1717 Eighth Street Bay City, Texas 77414 (979) 245-6644 • If you’re looking for a Chapter’s web page, please go to the SRT web page, click on Membership Chapters, then go to the Chapter you are looking for. • The KSJ Yearbook for 2011 is now available! This yearbook contains all the names, dates, and bios for every Left to right front row; Knight through the last investment on April 2, 2011. The David Stone; Tom Houston; Sam F. Clark, KSJ; David yearbook is printed and posted in a three ring binder. The Hanover; and Janet Knox price is $25. which includes printing and shipping. All Left to right back row: orders are submitted to Janet. Robert Kendall, KSJ; Randy Pollard; L. Vaughn Oliver, KSJ and Edward A. Heath (not shown Bob Steakley) • Please note that any applicants for membership in the SRT must have 3 signatures of recommending SRT members. It DISTRICT REPRESENTIVES is not necessary if the applicant lives out of state, but every 2011 - 2012 applicant should affiliate with a chapter. This does not mean that they will have to attend meetings. Application must be typed and notarized. • I would like to Thank You for the articles and pictures you are sending for your newsletter; they have been GREAT. If your chapter has or will be celebrating any events for the 175th Anniversary this year or any other events PLEASE email me at: [email protected]. I will be putting the October issue together for publication; deadline is September 19th. • We have contacted a company to make presentation folders Left to right front row: for the SRT with the logo on the front . These should be Ken Pfeiffer; Duane Blair; and Joe Pyle $ available for purchase by the end of July for 3.50 each. Left to right back row: Please call Janet at (979) 245-6644 to purchase. John Homman; John Knox and Stan Stokes (not shown Bob Steakley) 2 IN AND AROUND TEXAS MORE 100TH AND 175TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT HUNTSVILLE! cont. from pg. 1 the invocation, and President General Sam F. Clark, KSJ, led the brief ceremony. Sam Houston IV, KSJ, shared accounts of the gentler side of his great-grandfather, sharing several accounts demonstrating the close friendship with Jeff Hamilton; at the age of 13 in 1853, Jeff worked for the Houston household and as Houston’s personal driver and valet. After Houston’s death in July 1863, Jeff moved with the Houston family to Independence, Texas, and remained with them until Margaret Houston’s death. He remained an honorary member of the Houston family and attended all their reunions and special family events, until his death in Belton in 1941. At the end of the ceremony, Chaplain General Stone closed with a prayer. A wreath of yellow and red roses were placed at Sam (L-R) President General Sam F. Clark Houston’s grave; the red roses are symbolic of the month KSJ, and Past President General Sam of July, remembering his death on July 26, 1863 Houston IV, KSJ MYSTERY PHOTO IDENTIFIED! As promised in the April issue, here are the captions and “the rest of the story,” for those of you who were unable to attend the June Executive Committee meeting in Huntsville. The photograph was taken on April 21, 1911, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto and the unveiling of the monument at Houston’s grave. An original Program of Exercises may be viewed in the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, along with other photos of the event. One panoramic view shows a crowd of several hundred onlookers at the unveiling of the monument. The afternoon event began at 1:00 PM, with a procession formed at the Huntsville Courthouse Square. Exercises at General Houston’s grave began at 2:00 PM. The unveiling was performed by one of Houston’s daughters, Nettie Houston Bringhurst, with a keynote address delivered by Col. William Jennings Bryan. Also delivering some remarks was W.P. Zuber, Veteran of San Jacinto. Of Margaret Lea and Sam Houston’s eight children (Sam Houston, Jr., 1843–1894; Nancy Elizabeth, 1846–1920; Margaret Lea, 1848–1906; Mary William, called “Mary Willie,” 1850–1931; Antoinette Power, called “Nettie,” 1852–1932; Andrew Jackson Houston, 1854-1941; William Rogers, 1858–1891; Temple Lea Houston, 1860– 1905), three of them were in attendance, along with other family members: Antoinette Bringhurst Bush (Nettie “Jr.”) – Houston’s granddaughter, daughter of Nettie Bringhurst, called “Aunt Pet” by some of Houston’s great-grandchildren. Mary Willie Houston Morrow – Houston’s third daughter. cont. pg. 4 3 cont. from pg. 3 William Rogers Houston – Houston’s third son, an Indian agent in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Antoinette Power Houston Bringhurst (Nettie) – Houston’s fourth daughter. Annie McKeever Williams – Franklin Williams’ wife. Franklin Williams – Houston’s grandson. William Jennings Bryan – speaker at the dedication ceremony. Bryan was known for his innate talent at oratory and his famous 1896 “Cross of Gold” speech. General Houston no doubt would have been proud of such a famous person delivering a fine oration. Bryan ran for president of the United States in 1896, 1900 and 1908, ultimately being appointed by Woodrow Wilson as Secretary of State in 1913, less than two years after this ceremony at Houston’s grave. Alfonso Steele – one of the last two Texas Army veterans. William P. Zuber – one of the last two Texas Army veterans; according to authors Dan Kilgore and James E. Crisp in How Did Davy Die? And Why Do We Care So Much?, “Zuber could be called the greatest Alamo folklorist, because he is the single source for the most dramatic episodes of the gallant defense. Only through Zuber does the world know of Travis’ impassioned before-the-battle speech which Zuber literally composed during ‘a phenomenal refreshment of memory.’ Only on Zuber’s word do we know of Travis’ drawing that legendary sword-etched line in the dirt of the Alamo floor. Only Zuber told of the ailing Bowie asking his comrades to lift his cot over the line and of Moses Rose declining to step across, thereby becoming the last man to leave the garrison and escape the slaughter.