The Texas African American History Monument may actually be placed on the Capitol ground someday thanks to pushing by Bill Jones, an Austin lawyer-lobbyist, with connections to the Texas GOP.  The monument would celebrate Texas’ rich history of African-Americans beginning with Estevanico de Doranates and including aviator Bessie Coleman, singer Scott Joplin, world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson, World War II hero Dorie Miller and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. The San Antonio Express-News reports on efforts to get the monument funded and built.

“At some point, I thought if I didn’t do something about this, no one would,” said Jones, 55, an Austin lawyer-lobbyist, who at one time was general counsel to Gov. Rick Perry. “This is part of my history. … But it’s the state’s history.”

State Rep. Sylvester Turner, a Houston Democrat and fifth-generation Texan who is a descendant of slaves, agreed. As the chairman of the Texas Black Legislative Caucus, he has for years advocated for a Capitol monument highlighting the achievements of African-Americans in Texas. 

“This will be a powerful depiction of history that I think will speak powerfully to every Texan,” said Turner, who is a board member of the Texas African American History Memorial Foundation, which is building the monument.

So far, Jones and other supporters said, about $750,000 has been raised to get the two-sided African-American Texas History Memorial underway, after receiving approval for the project from the State Preservation Board, which manages the statehouse grounds.

Fundraising is ongoing to secure the rest, and officials said Denver-based sculptor and historian Ed Dwight has been commissioned to produce what promises to be a showcase memorial near Texas’ seat of government.

Image from the monument model of Estevanico de Dorantes, a slave in the party of Cabeza de Vaca who is believed to be the first African to have set foot in Texas.

From the Annals of Electrification – In 1936, the first power line in Texas under the Rural Electrification Administration was energized.  The project was a 58 mile line near Bartlett.  The REA was create to bring electric power to rural America.  When President Franklin D. Roosevelt began the REA in May 1935, only about 2 percent of the farms in Texas had electricity. The REA was established as a lending agency. The $33,000 loan to a group of farmers at Bartlett was one of the first ten loans made by the REA.  By 1965, instead of only 2 percent of Texas farms with electricity, there were only 2 percent without electricity.

Scott Huddleston of the Houston Chronicle reports on various myths that have surrounded Texas iconic shrine.  Among them, the fact that Ozzy did not pee on the Alamo.  He directed his stream onto the Cenotaph – perhaps an even scummier act of stupidity from the now addled aging rock star.

From the Annals of the Revolution – In 1836, the Alamo was overrun after a thirteen-day siege by a Mexican Army commanded by Gen. Santa Anna.   In the early morning assault, no quarter was given and the crumbling mission turned fortress was quickly taken. Approximately 189 Texian troops and volunteers were killed and then burned in a large funeral pyre.  The number of Mexican soldiers reported killed has varied greatly over the years.  The Texas history I learned had the defenders of the Alamo killing as many as 2000 Mexican soldiers.  That number seems highly unlikely and the actual number of Mexicans killed or wounded was probably closer to 600.  Historians have also debated whether Davy Crockett and small remnant were taken prisoner and then executed at the order of Santa Anna.  Various accounts conflict as to Crockett’s ultimate demise and the actual manner of his death will likely remain one of history’s mysteries.

From the Annals of the Republic –  In 1842, a Mexican force of at least 500 soldiers under the command of Gen. Rafael Vasquez seized control of San Antonio.  The outnumbered Texans withdrew from the City without a fight when Vasquez demanded surrender.  Vasquez quickly raised the Mexican flag and declared that Mexican law was in effect.  It is unclear how Vasquez completely surprised the City, but the invasion was short-lived as Vasquez withdrew from the City on March 7 and returned to Mexico under some pursuit.  The incursion was one of many cross-border fights between Texas and Mexico throughout the life of the Republic.