THE TEXIAN The Official Publication of The Sons of the Republic of Texas VOL VII NUMBER 2 MAY 2014 92ND ANNUAL MEETING - SAN ANTONIO The 92nd Annual Meeting, April 4-6, at the Marriott Plaza San Antonio, was a resounding success. A special thanks to the host chapters, the William B. Travis Chapter #7, and the Alamo Chapter #40. Additionally, Melba Stout of the DRT Alamo Heroes Chapter headed up a group that provided a wonderful collection of Fiesta-oriented items for sale to our members and guests. As a special treat for the early arrivers on Friday, Bob Benavides of the Alamo Chapter #40 conducted a historic walking tour that included the La Villita location where Gen. Cos surrendered the Mexican garrison in Bexar in December 1835, and all the historic places around Alamo Plaza where the battle took place. Over 40 SRT members and guests participated. After the very successful tour, the hospitality suite afforded refreshments and camaraderie for members and guests. The San Antonio River Walk proved popular for a relaxed evening of dinner and more fellowship. A very special thanks to the SRT Hospitality Committee that always exceeds expectations! Another treat on Saturday morning was the special display of copies of historic items from The Sons of the Republic of Texas / Kathryn Stoner O’Connor Spanish-Texas Collection housed at UTSA. Amy Rushing, Head of the Special Collections at UTSA Libraries, provided insight into the importance of the items. The Summerfield G. Roberts Award luncheon recognized Jeffrey Stuart Kerr for his award-winning book, Seat of Empire: The Embattled Birth of Austin, Texas; the Houston-Lamar rivalry was at its height during the formative years of Austin, with almost fatal results for the newly established seat of government. You will want to read about the fascinating struggle, and, against all odds, survival and success. In the epilogue, Kerr quips about local pride in individualism, inspiring residents to encourage each other to “Keep Austin Weird”! Another highlight of the luncheon was the “Three Legged Willie Chapter Archives Award,” presented by award sponsor Dale Williamson. Dale is a direct descendant of Judge Robert McAlpin Williamson. Small, medium and large chapters were well-represented, and the competition was stiff. The respective winners were the Lone Star Chapter #58, Conroe/ cont. pg. 3 PRESIDENT GENERAL’S MESSAGE the members of the Travis chapter for Ginn for his help in acquiring access their help and hospitality. to the Kathryn Stoner O’Connor I am honored to have been elected Spanish-Texas Collection for display your President General for the coming during the weekend. I know those who year. Those of you who know me, had the chance to view the collection know that The Sons of the Republic thoroughly enjoyed it. of Texas has been a big part of my It’s spring again; a time for birth family’s history for many years. I look and rebirth. The birth is that since forward to seeing many of you during the 91st annual meeting The Sons local events this year. of the Republic of Texas has had a I would like to thank Sir Knight Joe tremendous growth in new members, cont. pg. 3 Robert Kendall, KSJ WHAT’S INSIDE The 92nd annual meeting in San 92nd Annual Meeting .............1, 3, 4 Chapter News ..................10, 12, 13 Antonio was a great success due to President General’s Message ....1, 3 93rd Annual Meeting-2015 ...........11 our members and guests. A special Janet’s Korner ...............................2 Ross Memorial ............................11 thanks to Tom Houston for organizing the event; to George Harcourt, Ed Annual Meeting Pictures ...4, 5, 8, 9 In Memoriam ..............................13 Heath, Ken Pfeiffer and the members Texian Navy Day ..........................6 New SRT Members ...............14, 15 of the Alamo chapter; Joe Taylor and Texas History Essay Winners ........7 Calendar of Events ......................16 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JANET’S Korner 2014 - 2015 By: Janet Knox Administrative Assistant email: [email protected] %IGHTH3TREETs"AY#ITY 4EXAS (979) 245-6644 s 4HENEXT1UARTERLY-EETINGIS*UNE Hampton Inn & Suites, 240 South Hasler Blvd., Bastrop, TX, 78602, (512) 321-2898, May 4, 2014 cut-off date. Room rate $89.00 + Tax, Standard or King. s 9OUCANVIEWh4HE4EXIANvNEWSLETTERONTHEWEBSITE for free. You may also purchase “The Texian” and it will be mailed to you for a fee of $20.00 this year. If you would like it to be mailed please send the fee to Left to right front row: the National office. David Stone, Chaplain General; Bob Steakley, First Vice President General; Robert Kendall, KSJ, President General, Edward A. Heath. Second Vice President s 4HOSEWHOSENTINTHEIR#HAPTER2EPORTSWILLBE General; and Janet Knox, Administrative Assistant. receiving rebates soon. Left to right back row: s 2EMEMBER!LLACTIVEDUTYPERSONNEL YOURDUESARE Kenneth W. Pfeiffer, Treasurer General; David Hanover, waived. Please notify SRT office by email, postal KSJ, PPG, Executive Committeeman; Joe R. Davidson, service or telephone. KSJ, Executive Committeeman; William D. Power, Secretary General; Randy Pollard, Historian s 4HOSEMEMBERSTHATHAVENOTPAIDTHEIRDUESARE General. now considered delinquent and must pay a $50.00 DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES reinstatement fee plus the $40.00 dues fee for the current year. You can mail or go to our website to pay 2014 - 2015 your dues with PayPal. s 0LEASENOTETHATANYAPPLICANTSFORMEMBERSHIPIN the SRT must have 3 signatures of recommending SRT members. There has been a problem with the signatures from chapters, if the applications are not signed and I have to send the application to the chapter, it may take up to an additional month to receive them back at National Office. Please let us remember to fill out the application completely and save us all $$$ on postage. It is not necessary if the applicant lives out of state, but every applicant should affiliate with a chapter. This does not mean that they will have to attend meetings. Application must be Left to right front row: typed and notarized and don’t forget the check. Arthur O. Evans, Gulf Coast District; Bob Steakley, Frontier District; William D. (Buddy) Power, North East s )WOULDLIKETOTHANKYOUFORTHEARTICLESANDPICTURES District; and Ronald W. Brown, San Jacinto District. you are sending for your newsletter; they have been GREAT. I need YOUR help with articles and pictures. Left to right back row: If your chapter has or will be celebrating any events Tom Gann, Piney Woods District; Tim Gibson, North Central District, John W. Knox Post Oak District, and PLEASE email me at: [email protected]. I will be John Meredith, Lone Star District Representative. (Not submitting the July issue for publication; the deadline shown, Jim Massingill, Heart Of Texas District; and for submissions is June 24, 2014. George Nelson, Brazos Valley District.) 2 cont. from pg. 1 92ND ANNUAL MEETING - SAN ANTONIO The Woodlands, William J. Bryan Chapter #14, Bryan, and the Alamo Chapter #40, San Antonio. Thanks to all chapters participating in this annual award. The William G. Bachman Award recognized the chapter with the highest percentage of member growth, and the winner was the newest chapter, the James George Chapter #59, Athens. Keep up the good work! The strength of any organization is its membership; new members and retention of existing members are critical to our continued success. The President General’s List honors those members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, out of their love of Texas and their desire to promote the purpose, mission and goals of The Sons of the Republic of Texas. Those honored members were: George Harcourt, Sam Hopkins, John Knox, David Martin, Fred Mead, Bob Steakley, Dale Williamson, Mike Wilson and Mike Young. Thanks to these men for their tireless efforts to promote Texas history and to keep SRT in the public limelight. The evening Awards Banquet was the culmination of the meeting, with many well-deserving individuals receiving recognition reserved especially for them. Texas music legend K.R. Wood delighted dinner guests with a variety of Texas music; K.R. was nominated in December and elected as an honorary member at the members’ afternoon business meeting, with his induction to be held at the 93rd Annual Meeting in 2015. Thanks and congratulations to K.R.! After dinner, the 2012-2014 Executive Committee was recognized for their service. District Representatives were given Certificates of Appreciation for their service over the past two years, and Arthur Evans, Gulf Coast District Representative, received the District Representative of the Year Award. A highlight every year is the induction of honorary members. This year, two especially deserving individuals were awarded honorary membership for their years of publicly promoting Texas history and The Sons of the Republic of Texas. Among his many community service projects, Dean Bass took the lead in getting the Spirit of Texas Bank to become the Grand Sponsor for the dedication of the Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park on April 21, 2011. In December 2005, Craig Campobella had a vision of the park; despite five years of challenges and obstacles, the opening of the park became a reality, now enjoyed by countless Texans as they travel IH-45 through Conroe. The park displays 13 historic Texas flags that tell the story of the Texas revolution; for those passersby who stop to enjoy the educational venue, they will see the historic bronze, “The Texian,” and the Campobella bust of Dr. Charles B. Stewart. Thank you, Dean and Craig, for all that you have done and continue to do for Texas and SRT. John Homman was one of two outstanding members receiving the Distinguished Service Award. John was instrumental in the chartering of the Lone Star Chapter #58, Conroe/The Woodlands; he has continued to give his time, energy and resources to SRT. As Chairman of the Information Technology Committee, John and the committee make sure that the SRT website is current and user-friendly.