Category Archives: Today in Texas History

Today in Texas History – June 26

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From the Annals of Democracy –  In 1928, the Democratic National Convention began in Houston at Sam Houston Hall.  It was the first nominating convention to be held in a Southern city since 1860 when the Democrats nominated Stephen Douglas.  The 1928 convention resulted in the nomination of  Gov. Alfred E. Smith of New York for President and Sen. Joseph Robinson of Arkansas for Vice President.   The Democrats were the first to nominate a Roman Catholic for President. The Texas delegation, led by Gov. Dan Moody strongly opposed Smith.  After Smith was nominated, they rallied against his anti-prohibition sentiment by fighting for a “dry” platform. Ultimately, the convention pledged “honest enforcement of the Constitution”.

Smith became the first Democrat since Reconstruction to lose more than one southern state in the general election, due to his “wet” stance, his opposition to the Ku Klux Klan, and his Catholicism.

Today in Texas History – June 25

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From the Annals of the NBA –  In 1999, the San Antonio Spurs won their first NBA title beating the New York Knicks 78-77 in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.  After a lock-out shortened 50-game season, the Spurs earned an NBA-best 37–13 record which was the only time since Tim Duncan was drafted that the Spurs did not win at least 50 games in a season. The team, anchored by David Robinson and Duncan, was dominant in the playoffs, rolling through the Western Conference with a record of 11–1, and completed their remarkable playoff run with a 15-2 record. In the Finals, they faced the Knicks who had made history by becoming the first eighth seed to ever make the NBA Finals.   Duncan was named the Finals MVP. The Spurs became the first former ABA team to reach and to win the NBA Finals.

Today in Texas History – June 24

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From the Annals of the Missions –  In 1699, San Juan Bautista Mission was founded on the Rio de Sabinas twenty-five miles north of present day Lampazos in Nuevo Leon.   Franciscan fathers Francisco Hidalgo, Antonio de San Buenaventura y Olivares, and Marcos de Guereña of the College of Santa Cruz de Querétaro established the mission which was moved to a site near present-day Guerrero, Coahuila about thirty-five miles down the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass. San Juan Bautista was the mission from which all other Texas missions sprang forth and it was the base for early expeditions to the Texas interior.  In 1716 Domingo Ramón set out from San Juan Bautista to establish the missions in East Texas. In 1718, Governor Martín de Alarcon used San Juan Bautista to launch the expedition which resulted in the founding of San Antonio de Bexar.  Soldiers of the mission’s presidio provided supply trains and escorts for travelers into Texas.

Image from http://www.elcaminorealdelostejas.org/photos/

Today in Texas History – June 20

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From the annals of the US Army –  In 1852 Fort Clark was established at Las Moras Springs in Kinney County. Originally named Fort Riley, the post was renamed in honor of Major John B. Clark, a Mexican- American War veteran. Fort Clark was the southern anchor of the line of frontier forts protecting the western frontier. The land was leased from Samuel Maverick. Oscar Brackett established a supply village for the fort at Las Moras, later called Brackettville.  In 1884 Mary Maverick was paid $80,000 for the 3,965-acre tract. From 1872 until 1914 the fort was the home of the Black Seminole scouts and the Fourth United States Cavalry. Later Fort Clark was the garrison for the Tenth United State Cavalry and the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth United States Infantry which were mounted regiments known as the “Buffalo Soldiers.”  In June 1944, after full mechanization of the cavalry, Fort Clark, one of the last horse-cavalry posts in the country, was ordered closed.  Legend has it that the wife of one of the commanders wanted to create a swimming pool using the water from Las Moras  Springs. When the requisition was denied, it was resubmitted as a horse watering trough and granted – which is the only reason the incredible pool exists today. If you love great swimming holes this is a must pilgrimage.  In 1971 the property was purchased by North American Towns of Texas and turned into a private recreation and retirement community.

Today in Texas History – June 15

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From the Annals of the Race Riots –  In 1943, an estimated 3,000 people marched on Beaumont City Hall after workers at the Pennsylvania Shipyard learned that a white woman had accused a black man of rape.  Some 2000 workers and another 1000 hangers on surrounded City Hall. The woman involved could not identify the suspect among the black men held in the city jail.  That did not deter the mob which dispersed into smaller bands and began breaking into stores in the black section of downtown Beaumont and terrorizing black neighborhoods in central and north Beaumont.  Many in the mob carried guns, knives, axes and other weapons which they used to assault any black they could find.  Several restaurants and stores were pillaged, a number of buildings were burned, and more than 100 homes were ransacked.  Authorities arrested more than 200 people.  Another fifty persons were injured, and three–two blacks and one white–were killed.  Ultimately, martial law was declared with troops entering the city after most of the rioting had ceased.

The riot was the result of increasing racial tension caused by the rapid expansion of the city’s population during the World War II boom.  The city was unprepared for the influx of workers and the strict segregation of the races had broken down because of inadequate housing, transportation and the need for workers in the wartime industries.  Blacks were being put into to skilled labor positions which aggravated the white racists.

In addition to these factors, southeast Texas was a hotbed of Ku Klux Klan activity and the local chapter was planning to host a regional convention on June 29.  It was expected that they would attract 15,000 to 20,000 of their fellow racist scum from all over the South to hear Imperial Wizard William J. Simmons speak. The Klan meeting was widely reported and aggravated existing racial tensions.  And at the same time, the black community was preparing for its annual Juneteenth celebration, scheduled for Saturday, June 19, when hundreds of East Texas blacks were expected to come to Beaumont.

Yes, not all race riots were started by minorities.

Photo from beaumontenterprise.com.

Today in Texas History – June 12

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From the Annals of Killing – In 1901, Gregorio Lira Cortez shot and killed Karnes County sheriff W. T. Morris.  Morris was investigating a horse theft and learned that Cortez had recently acquired a horse.  He confronted Cortez and his brother Ronaldo and their tenant farm.  Problems with translation led to Morris shooting and wounding Ronaldo.  Cortez then shot and killed Morris escaping to a nearby farm.  When the Gonzales County attempted to arrest Cortez at the farm, both he and the owner were killed in a shoot out.  Cortez then walked 100 miles to a friend’s home where he obtained a horse and made out for Laredo.  The ensuing manhunt involved over 300 men, but Cortez was only captured when he was betrayed by a friend.  With many newspapers  covering the massive manhunt, Cortez became a hero to many Hispanics and some Anglos.  After his arrest and first trial, a mob attempted to lynch Cortez while his case was on appeal.  The lynching failed but the appeal was successful.  Cortez was tried again and sentenced to life.  Cortez was finally granted a conditional pardon by Gov. Oscar Colquitt and released in 1913. Cortez’s escape, the massive manhunt and capture and trials made Cortez something of a folk hero. His exploits are celebrated in many variants of El Corrido de Gregorio Cortez, a popular ballad that has inspired books and at least one movie.

Today in Texas History – June 11

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From the Annals of Banditry –   In 1865, during the chaos following the defeat of the Confederacy, bandits broke into the office of the Texas State Treasury in Austin.  The thieves apparently targeted over $300,000 in specie and U.S. Coupons.  At the time, Austin had no police force and the thieves believed that escape would be easy.  However, Austin citizens rallied to find the bandits.  Among those involved in the hunt were volunteers from Gen. Joseph Shelby’s band of Missouri raiders who were encamped near Austin while escaping to Mexico – possibly to avoid prosecution as war criminals.  The thieves fled to Mt. Bonnell.  Several were wounded in the ensuing fight but only one was captured.

Today in Texas History – June 10

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From the Annals of the Revolution –  In 1832,  a rebel force attacked Anahuac in the first armed clash between Anglo-Texians and Mexican troops. Juan Davis Bradburn, formerly an American citizen, was commander of the Mexican post at Anahuac on Galveston Bay.  He was an ardent opponent of slavery which was illegal under the Mexican Constitution of 1824.  Bradburn was unpopular with the Anglo-Texians in the area for his opposition to slavery and enforcement of Mexican law.   When he granted asylum to 3 escaped slaves from Louisiana, tensions began to heat up.  Attorney William B. Travis was hired by the slaves owner to attempt to regain control of the slaves.  Travis was probably involved in writing a letter to Bradburn claiming that 100 men were coming from Louisiana to reclaim the slaves.  When Bradburn realized it was a hoax, he arrested Travis.  Patrick Jack, a ringleader of the Texians opposed to Bradburn confronted Bradburn about Travis’ arrest and was himself arrested.  The arrests provoked Jack’s brother to bring a contingent of men from Brazoria and other towns to secure the release of the prisoners.  Bradburn agreed to exchange Travis and the other Anglos for nineteen cavalrymen held by the insurgents. The cavalrymen were released, but when Bradburn discovered that a number of rebels had remained in town overnight, he refused to free his prisoners and began firing on the town. The insurgents withdrew to Turtle Bayou, where they drew up a series of resolutions explaining their action. Bradburn appealed for help from other military commanders in Texas. Col. José de las Piedras marched from Nacogdoches, but met with Anglo insurgents near Liberty and agreed to remove Bradburn from command and free Travis and the others.

Today in Texas History – June 9

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From the Annals of Judaism –  In 1870, Mr. Tuck, the grand master of the Masonic Lodge of Texas, laid the cornerstone for Temple B’nai Israel in Galveston.  Rabbi Jacobs of the New Orleans Portuguese Synagogue officiated. It is believed that this was the first time an ordained rabbi functioned in Texas. Temple B’nai Israel is the oldest Reform Jewish congregation in Texas. The earliest mention of the congregation is found in the October 8, 1859, edition of the Galveston Weekly News. The earliest extant temple record dated August 16, 1868, records the normal meetings that led to the establishment of the congregation.  On March 27, 1870, S. K. Labatt was asked to secure a charter for Congregation B’nai Israel from the next session of the Texas legislature.

Today in Texas History – June 8

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From the Annals of Arson –  In 2008, the historic 1856 Governor’s Mansion was set ablaze by a Molotov cocktail thrown on the front porch.  Fortunately, most of the historic paintings and furniture had been removed to complete a major renovation of the historic residence. Gov. Rick Perry and his wife Anita were living in another mansion at taxpayer expense during the renovation.  The fire gutted the home.

A special commission investigated set up to investigate uncovered several security flaws. Among them, the DPS found seven security cameras not working. Some DPS staff were also not adequately trained, and at least one DPS officer not at his post. For some unknown reason, it took almost 3 years for the DPS to release surveillance video showing the arsonist throwing the fire bomb into the mansion. The video shows a shadowy figure running to the front doors, lighting a Molotov cocktail, and running away.  But to this day, the crime remains unsolved.

There is a $50,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to an arrest.  You can call Texas Crimestoppers at (800) 252-TIPS (8477) or the state fire marshal’s arson hotline at (988) 252-8477 if you think you have information that might solve this mystery.