THE TEXIAN The Official Publication of The Sons of the Republic of Texas VOL. 10, NUMBER 2 JULY 2007 Texas History Essay Winners Receive Awards at San Jacinto On April 21, 2007 The Sons of the Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Republic of Texas awarded their Texas. The Second Place Winner 33rd Annual Scholarship Awards to of $2,000 was Vanessa Bazan from Winners of the Texas History Essay New Braunfels High School in New Contest. The Awards totaled $5,000 Braunfels, Texas. Both students and were given to two graduating expressed their appreciation and plan High School Seniors. The First Place to use the scholarship money to further Winner of $3,000 was SRT member their education at the University of Britton Lee, graduating Senior from (L-R) Vanessa Bazan, 2nd place winner, Denton Bryant, Texas in the fall. Chairman Texas History Essay Committee and Britton Lee, 1st place winner PRESIDENT GENERAL’S MESSAGE The new Constitution and By-laws passed What’s Inside? unanimously at the Annual Meeting in Corpus Christi. To commemorate this historical event in SRT’s History an archive book was signed by all present and a group picture was taken. Janet’s Journal 2 The William B. Travis Chapter made a detailed Eagle Scout Award 3 presentation at the members’ meeting on their very successful Texas History poster program. This year they had over 490 entries! Several Texas Independence Day 4 award-winning entries were displayed. This is a great idea to reach young Texans and give them Around The State 5 a personal experience in researching Republic of Texas historical dates. I look forward to hear- ing from all the chapter presidents that took the Annual Meeting Awards 6-7 well-documented handouts home for review. J. Richard “Dick” Reese, KSJ Texas Navy Day 8 Have you visited our website lately? Changes have been made. Working with 1st Vice Presi- dent General Vaughn Oliver, we rearranged several topics so that they would be David Hanover more obvious to first time visitors. The Texian Navy got its own listing but all Newly Commisioned Admiral 11 SRT Republic of Texas Historical dates are now under this topic but added to it is “Teacher Resources”. Our goal is to have detailed account of each Republic of Texas Historical date and the back up bibliography and further reference links for 10th Generation Members 10 teacher or member use. Knighting Ceremony 11 To get an idea of what I envisioned, click on “Texian Navy” and read the three pages of material. Couldn’t you easily make a lesson plan or write a speech on the topic from this information? If you have a special interest in any one of the New Members 12 historical dates listed, contact Tom Green, KSJ, the new chairman of the Texas Historical Dates Committee at 281 922-1118. Your assistance will be appreciated Deceased SRT Members 13 in helping him develop this important project. Continued on pg. 2 Janet’s Janet Hickl PRESIDENT GENERAL’S MESSAGE (CON’T) E-mail: [email protected] Journal 1717 Eighth Street As promised at the Annual meeting, I planned to write a Conflict Bay City, TX 77414 of Interest Policy for the SRT and amend its corporate charter • Remember: All members that are active ser- to comply with the new IRS Regulations for non-profit corpora- tions. Thanks to several expert scriveners (Will Haddock and vice personnel your dues are waived. Notify SRT my first son in law, Jeff Slade), drafts will be available at the office by email, postal service or by telephone. Liberty quarterly meeting. Don’t worry there is more to do. • Let me know if your chapter will be having We are revising the Handbook of Texas entry for the SRT and any upcoming events to be announced in The we have a new information Fact Sheet for fund raising (Clay Texian. Fisher). Come join the fun! (Bring your own pen). • Please note there are new fees. Life Mem- bership application fees have changed. Junior Membership and Supplementary fees are now $30. Discard any old SRT applications, bro- chures and application guidelines. • Please note that any applicants for mem- bership in the SRT must have 3 signatures of recommending SRT members. It is not nec- essary if the applicant lives out of state BUT every applicant must affiliate with a chapter. This does not mean that they will have to attend meetings. • If you have not paid $10 for your 2007 copies of The Texian you will have to view the issues on our website. • Those members that have not paid their 2007 dues are now considered delinquent. • 2006 Yearbooks are available for $25, which includes CD, binder and dividers. SRT members attending the Annual Meeting in Corpus Christi signed the archive book com- memorating the new Constitution and Bylaws. 2007 - 2008 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President General Historian General J. Richard Reese,KSJ Robert Kendall, KSJ 1st V.P. General Chaplain General L. Vaughn Oliver Wesley N. Schulze, KSJ 2nd V.P. General Executive Committeeman Sam F. Clark, Jr. Leonard G. Cloud, KSJ Secretary General Executive Committeeman David Hanover Bob Steakley Treasurer General Administrative Assistant Tom Houston Janet Hickl 2 AROUND THE STATE… “Gone To Texas” Pioneer Day 2007 Vaughn Oliver, 1st Vice President General portraying a character in Texas at The Williamson County Historical Museum. This was for the “Gone to Texas” Pioneer Day 2007, Saturday, May 12, 2007. An annual event at the Old Settlers Headquarters Grounds, Round Rock, Texas. To celebrate 100 years of pioneers coming to the county! Visitors listened to storytellers and met people from the past, they visited historical displays by the cultural groups who settled here, and experienced life like it used to be, sat among the log cabins and stately oak trees in this historic setting. Duane Blair presents Eagle Scout Award Certificates 1st Vice President General L. Vaughn Oliver Duane Blair presents the SRT Eagle Scout Award Certificate to Adam Argersinger (left) and Andrew Mitchell (right) at their Court of Honor in Arlington, Texas on April 21, 2007. They were in the Scouts together from the very beginning. They are in Troop 222 of the Longhorn Council. Restoring Local Cemeteries for Historical Protection On Friday, April 20, The Sons of the preservation of the knowledge of the Republic of Texas Monument Texas history. Most of the chapter Hill Chapter #53 met for an alfresco members (18 in all) reside in Fayette lunch at Black Jack Springs Cem- County. etery located just off FM 609 in Fayette County. The project is a new endeavor by the members of the chapter, to restore one or more (L-R) Robert Schuhmann, chapter local cemeteries, for historical pro- president, Arnold Romberg, LaGrange tection. The SRT is a genealogic city council member and Admiral historic organization dedicated to Weldon Koenig, (Ret.) 3 AROUND THE STATE… Texas Independence Day Celebrations Matagorda County celebrates Texas Independence Day with the San Jacinto Volunteers, and Texas Army. Houston celebrates Texas Independence Day on the steps of the new Civil Courts Building. President General Reese, KSJ was guest speaker. Members of the Texas Army honoring the men who died at the Alamo 171 years ago on March 6, 1836 4 AROUND THE STATE… The John O. Meusebach Chapter #48 makes its annual visit to Fredericksburg and Kerrville On Friday March 2,2007 the members of the John O. Meusebach Chapter #48 made their annual visit to the Middle Schools in Fredericksburg and Kerrville. The students and teachers always enjoy the pro- grams. Sam Smith brought his Cannon “The Other Sister” and told the students the history of the real guns. Members also brought documents, artifacts, and photos pertaining to the Republic of Texas. A Steven F. Austin land grant of Donald Clark’s, a cannon ball found on the San Jacinto battle ground from Sam Smith, and a land grant and other papers from Joe Ginn. Afterwards the students were allowed to inspect the cannon, this was especially enjoyed by some special needs students. Members present were Sam Smith, Joe & Jane Ginn, Donald Clark, and Paul & Pat Burrier. 5 AWARDS PRESENTED AT THE 85TH ANNUAL MEETING Robert Fancher, descendant of William Gordon Randy Pollard accepts his certificate for District Rep- Bachman presented the Sidney Sherman Chapter #2 resentative of the Year from 2nd Vice President General the William Gordon Bachman Award. Randy Pol- Sam Clark. lard, San Jacinto District Representative accepts the certificate and check on behalf of the chapter. Dr. Thomas L. Charlton unable to attend the Annual Meeting President General Reese, KSJ presents the Distin- in Corpus Christi was presented his Honorary Membership guished Service Award to Secretary General David certificate by John Cathey, Post Oak District Representative. Hanover. Mark Elley was presented the Educator of the Year Unable to attend the Presidio La Bahia awards ceremony award with a certificate and check from President in Goliad in December; Jean A. Stuntz was presented the General Reese, KSJ. 1st place PLB award from chairman Scott Dunbar, KSJ for her book Hers, His, and Theirs, Community Property Law in Spaian and Early Texas. 6 AWARDS PRESENTED AT THE 85TH ANNUAL MEETING President General List Certificates Dale Williamson presents the Chap- ter Archive Awards to Joe Ginn, KSJ, member of the John O. Meusebach (L-R) Northeast District Representative and (L-R) Piney Woods Chapter #52, Tyler, Life Chapter #48, Will Haddock, president of Piney Woods Chapter #52, Tyler, Life member member Jeff Austin III receives the President the San Jacinto Chapter #1 and David Stan Stokes receives the President General’s General’s List certificate, presented on behalf Hanover, Secretary General and member List certificate, presented on behalf of J.