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The
Story of Richard J. Clark - Lavaca County Cattleman 12-5-18
The
USS Lexington is a true historic treasure 8-28-18
Visiting The Blue Ghost
Old
Mass Grave at Gonzales 3-3-18
Lavaca
County violence from back in the day 3-22-17
The
Endless Search for Texas Cannon 4-6-16
Longhorn
Branded Murder 1889
12-4-15
Elijah
Cox - Fighting Indians on the Texas Frontier 2-2-15
Booger
Red - ugliest man living or dead 12-15-14
Moravia
– When Texas Was Young 11-22-14
It's
that time again in Gonzales - Come & Take It 10-2-14
The
great flood of 1940 hits Moulton 9-18-14
How
Hallettsville Became Seat of Lavaca County - An Eyewitness Account
7-28-14
Moravia
Store celebrates 125 years and is still going strong 5-19-14
Captain
Barnett's Traveling Whale Show 4-18-14
Eyewitness
to the Council House Fight 3-23-14
Rest
in Peace, Son of the South - William Riley Byas 2-16-14
Death
at Goliad 1-13-14
A letter written by J.G. Ferguson to his (Ferguson’s) twin brother
on March 2, 1836. This document gives a real insight into the final
days surrounding the tragedy at Goliad as seen through the eyes
of a man who lived and died there.
James
Butler Bonham 11-2-13
The Alamo's brave messenger
From
Successful Cattleman to Man Burner 10-4-13
Print Olive could have been highly successful in life if he would
have stayed on the right side of the law.
Sam
Houston's trusted friend was born a slave 8-27-13
The man who was born into slavery and went on to become a trusted
friend of Sam Houston died in Belton on April 3, 1941. He is honored
by two Texas historical markers...
Wreck
of the steamship Mary Summers 7-29-13
Listed on National Register of Historic Places, beneath the waters
of the Navidad River rests the wreckage of the Confederate iron-hulled
steamship known as Mary Summers.
What
became of Jim Bowie's famous knife? 6-13-13
When we read stories about the heroes of the Alamo, namely Crockett,
Travis, and Bowie, it’s very hard to separate fact from fiction.
Legends about the lives of these men are numerous, and when the
legend is more romantic than the fact, it seems fiction takes center
stage.
Last
President of the Republic 5-13-13
Like so many other men who came to Texas during those trying times
proceeding war with Mexico, Anson Jones had a colorful past. At
times he was successful but, more often than not, failure seemed
to follow this man who would end up being the last president of
the Republic of Texas.
Wild
Willie's Picnic 4-15-13
Willie Nelson, for many years, has been regarded as an outlaw in
his music and his lifestyle. No doubt, he attracts many fans — but
he also stirs up feelings in some folks that are somewhat negative
to say the least. Such was the case in Gonzales County in July of
1976. Because you see, Ol’ Willie was coming to town.
Small
Texas newspaper reports: U.S. declares war on Japan 3-5-13
President Roosevelt’s message to a joint session of Congress, asking
for a declaration of war against the Empire of Japan
From the front page of The Gonzales Inquirer, December 8,
1941 issue
When
Camels Came to Texas 2-7-13
Some Texans may not be know that once upon a time the Lone Star
State was home to not only longhorns and buffalo, but another ornery
and smelly beast — the North African camel.
Sugarland
Express 1-18-13
Movie star Goldie Hawn and actor Ben Johnson were in Belmont, Texas,
in March of 1973, filming portions of the movie, "Sugarland Express."
The
changing face of Texas from 1860-1960 12-3-12
What Texas was like just prior to the Civil War
One
piece at a time 11-16-12
Oliver Albert, a resident of Gonzales, and his hand-built Longhorn
II automobile
Dr.
Pat Wagner and the "Come & Take It" Cannon 10-16-12
"He was determined to prove that the cannon he purchased from
Robert Vance of Refugio was truly the little gun that had started
the Texas Revolution at Gonzales on October 2, 1835."
The
Deadly Tower 9-18-12
One of the saddest days in Texas history occurred August 1, 1966.
On that day a crazed man started firing from the observation deck
at the University of Texas tower — picking random human targets
on the ground and hitting them with deadly accuracy...
Born
to be a Texas Ranger, the life of John Coffee (Jack) Hays 8-27-12
It seems that from the day he was born, Jack Hays was destined to
be a Texas Ranger – when you consider his roots, it shouldn’t have
been any other way.
Remembering
Lavaca County's old Grieve School 7-27-12
Not long ago, I was going through files from the Lavaca County Tribune...
I came across an old article about the Grieve School which was located
in the Novohrad community in Lavaca County.
Gonzales
County Courthouse 6-18-12
From the original April 23, 1896, issue of The Gonzales Inquirer,
on the front page.
Slave
Ada Stone 5-28-12
109-Year-Old Ex-Slave Recalls Days Long Past
The
War to End All Wars 4-7-12
A Gonzales County boy, Courtney C. Buchanan, served with the 36th
Infantry Division in World War I and some of the letters that he
wrote home to his family and friends were published in The Gonzales
Inquirer.
A
Texan by Choice 3-17-12
A story about James Charles Wilson who was born in England and became,
“by choice,” a Texan and patriot from Gonzales County.
Stealth
Weapon of the Confederate Navy 2-10-12
H.L. Hunley, world's first combat submarine
Step
back in time at Gonzales' Pioneer Village 1-13-12
I’ve often been surprised at the number of folks living in Texas
who have never paid a visit to a historic treasure located in Gonzales
County. The treasure that I am referring to is Pioneer Village...
John
Clayton: Rebel with a Cause 12-10-11
Dialogue from an old movie came to mind when I read the obituary
of John H. Clayton. The film depicted an intense battle and many
men were being killed. One of the actors said, “Where do we find
men such as these? Men who will charge into combat and die for a
cause, without any regard for their own life.” Apparently, Clayton
was that type of man.
Top
dollar paid for Texas cattle in 1870s 11-9-11
A newspaper becomes an eyewitness to history as it documents the
story of those cattle drives and markets in 1874.
"A
River, A Town, and Memories" 10-10-11
Remembering Tillie McGill Bright
"I met her one time and I will always cherish those few hours that
we spent together — talking about the memories of her childhood
in Gonzales, Texas..."
Mystery
of Lavaca River cannon remains unsolved 9-9-11
"I’ve written about the cannon more than once, the first time
being some 14 years ago when I was working for The Gonzales Inquirer
– that original column brought folks out of the woodwork providing
me with more information than I could ever have imagined..."
Gallant
Texas Ranger killed in Mexico 8-12-11
This story was found in an old Hallettsville Herald from 1893 and
describes a fight between Rangers and smugglers on the Rio Grande...
Lavaca
County's Old Brown School 7-25-11
Recently, I came across this article describing the history of the
old Brown School near Hallettsville. People who were raised in Lavaca
County, Texas, are probably familiar with the old school... in hopes
that it would stir some memories and perhaps more information would
come forth.
Lives
of two Texas Rangers Lee Hall and John Barclay Armstrong 6-27-11
There’s not many times when people are doing research on the history
of Texas that they don’t come across that illustrious group of lawmen
known as the Texas Rangers...
The
Revenge of 'Devil John' McCoy 6-3-11
John McCoy, called “Devil John” because of his bravery and daring,
lived near Concrete in DeWitt County. One of his neighbors was killed
and horribly mutilated. Suspicion rested upon a tribe of friendly
Lipan Indians in the neighborhood...
Recalling
the lesser-known heroes of the Alamo 4-11-11
Texas history contains much information about the famous men who
died at the Alamo, but what about the others; the messengers?
Rev.
Marcus Valenta achieves longest active-duty record in U.S. history
2-4-11
Of all the chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces, one has seen longer
continuous combat-theatre duty than any other...
The
Legend of Campbell’s Branch 12-9-10
If you leave Hallettsville traveling on FM 957 towards Breslau,
you will cross over a small creek named West Campbell Branch – known
as just plain “Campbell Branch” to most folks. Recently I came across
a fascinating story, from 1944, about the legend of Campbell’s Branch...
“Law
West Of The Pecos” 10-11-10
You will look in vain for Eagle’s Nest on the map of Texas today,
for the town of Langtry has taken its place. But in the old days
of 40 years ago Eagle’s Nest was famed for just one thing – a saloon.
On the front of this building was a sign which read “Judge Roy Bean,
Justice of the Peace, Law West of the Pecos.”
Old
Moulton: The Queen of the Prairies 9-1-10
In his book, The History of Lavaca County, well-known local historian
Paul C. Boethel has several pages describing some of the towns in
the county, including a location known for years as Old Moulton...
Claude
Hinton’s Great Pencil Collection 8-1-10
Back in 1969, The Gonzales Inquirer ran a feature story about a
man named Claude Hinton and his somewhat unique hobby. You see,
Claude collected pencils — over 5,000 of them...
List
of Dead in WWII 7-3-10
Back on June 27, 1946, the War Department released a booklet with
a list of the war dead and those considered missing in action. According
to authorities this was the first consolidated listing of Army dead
and missing in World War II...
Did
the Dalton boys ever visit Lavaca County 6-4-10
In the year 1895, reports were circulating around Victoria, Texas,
that a member, or members, of the famous Dalton Gang were in the
Victoria and Lavaca County area...
'Kid
Mendoza' and the Battle of the Bulge 4-19-10
The story of Medal of Honor recipient Jose Mendoza Lopez.
Rocks
From The Sky 3-9-10
One story appeared first in the Yoakum Times and the Halletsville
Herald printed it on July 16, 1903. This fascinating piece was about
a fellow named Benedict Manning who was witness to several strange
occurrences during his lifetime...
All
were welcome at Fink's Hotel in Hallettsville 2-6-10
It has been said that Mr. and Mrs. A. Finkelstein always had a room
in their hotel and a home-cooked meal for any who appeared at the
door...
G.W.
Fly: Confederate soldier and Texas statesman 1-1-10
The Fly name is very prominent in the history of Gonzales...
This
Wild Bill Was No Hero 11-20-09
The Legend of Bill Longley
The
Adventures of Spencer Houston Jack 10-6-09
Students and researchers of Texas history are inundated with information
about the heroes of the Texas Revolution. But more often than not,
the history books don’t tell us much about ordinary soldiers who
also served Texas in the cause of freedom. One such man was Spencer
Houston Jack...
Texas
outlaw Sam Bass inspired tall tales 8-24-09
He was only 27 years old when he met his maker, but during his short
life he became the subject of cowboy songs and tall tales which
were told around many a campfire in Texas...
Early
Cattlemen saved Texas from financial ruin 7-10-09
After the Civil War, Texas and the rest of the South were in a bad
economic situation. The war had drained the resources of the defeated
states and when the soldiers returned home, they found it extremely
hard to make a living. But Texas had an untapped resource roaming
wild on the open range – longhorn cattle provided an industry that
grew to become the largest in the state.
Hallettsville
was booming in the early 1900s 3-17-09
With the construction of a new light system in the summer of 1900,
Hallettsville started a nine-year run of development that included
the construction of new buildings, the beginning of new businesses,
and renovations to existing structures...
Hazel's
Whip 2-13-09
I came across several articles in the old Hallettsville Herald that
I found to be very interesting, if not downright hilarious...
Recollections
of a Mier Expedition Survivor 1-18-09
Pearl
Harbor attack teaches a valuable lesson 12-11-08
The
story of Emil Kreklau's self-propelled fan 11-1-08
Terrible
Memories of Hurricane Carla 10-13-08
One
saloon for every editor in old Hallettsville 8-29-08
All
Veterans Should Be Honored 8-8-08
Former
slave recalls memories of old Lavaca County 7-7-08
The
life and times of F.W. Neuhaus 5-8-08
Warrior’s
Weekend at Port O’Connor, Texas 4-10-08
The
adventures of John Himes Livergood 3-20-08
Black
Cowboys 2-3-08
Mystery
Creatures 12-24-07
A
time to honor our military veterans 11-9-07
Is
Jesse James really in that Missouri grave? 10-4-07
Old
Tunes Bring Back Memories 8-8-07
Deaf
Smith - Eyes of the Texas Army 7-5-07
Letters
from the Alamo 3-27-07
Yoakum's
Soda-Pop War 1-24-07
It's
a Wonderful Life 12-6-06
"The
Grand Old Lady On The Square" Lavaca County Courthouse 10-18-06
The
Demise of Bad Man Buckley 9-1-06
During the days of early Texas, there were many a scoundrel packing
guns and causing panic and mayhem amongst the town folk. Hallettsville
had one of the worst of these villains..
A
True Texas Woman 7-20-06
The
Most Distinguished Tramp 6-21-06
Murder
of Local Doctor During Reconstruction 5-22-06
The
Half-breed Savage 4-20-06
Quanah Parker
The
First Shot May Have Been Second 3-18-06
'Come and Take It' and the Battle of Velasco
Texas
Rangers and the Battle of Plum Creek 2-19-06
The
Old Iron Bridges of Lavaca County 1-19-06
Christmas
is a special time 12-20-05
Hallettsville
Photographer Left a Legacy of Memories 11-18-05
Henry Jacob Braunig
Black
Soldiers in the Confederate Army 10-17-05
Wild
Woman of the Navidad 9-13-05
"The Navidad isn’t really much of a river, as rivers go – it’s
not very famous and can’t be compared to the stunning Guadalupe
or majestic Colorado, when it comes to beauty. But the little old
Navidad just might have a claim to fame that the others can’t equal.
You see, the Navidad has a past of mysterious and wild creatures,
of the two-legged variety, living along its winding path...."
The
Man From Nickel: Leslie Jones Askey 8-19-05
The classic example of an entrepreneur.
Rustlers
and outlaws were common in early days 7-19-05
"Folks living in Lavaca County in this day and time might be
surprised to know that back in the 1870’s, 1880’s and 1890’s this
was quite a wild place..."
Bunting
Family Cemetery 6/15/05
Richard
Gaertner's Story 5/14/05
Every town needs a storyteller and Moulton is fortunate to have
a mighty good one in a feisty fellow named Richard Gaertner.
Thomas
Lenz 5/2/05
"All three of the high-school pals saw action in Vietnam –
two survived and one, Tommy Lenz, would die a month after his 21st
birthday and just a week before he was due to come home. He had
volunteered to go on a mission to replace a man who was ill..."
Old
Turner Hotel Uncovered by Hallettsville Fire 3/21/05
Macario
García, Veteran of D-Day 2/16/05
The
Lost Treasure of Padre Island 12/11/04
Remembering
Leesville 10/15/04
Survivor tells of dreadful ordeal... A captive of the Comanche
9/8/04
The Horrors of Bataan 7/17/04
The story of one survivor...
Brazoria
County brothers make guns for the South...
The Dance boys and their guns 6/9/04
The
Angel of Goliad 5/19/04
"A tenderhearted Mexican lady who will forever be remembered
for her many acts of kindness during those dismal days of the Texas
Revolution."
Richard
Kimble and Almaron Dickinson, Heroic hat makers at the Alamo
5/12/04
Savior
of The Alamo... Remembering Adina De Zava 4/20/04
"If it hadn't been for her efforts, the Alamo might well have
been replaced by a parking lot."
The
history curse... It's got to be true or I'm not interested!
9/1/03
"It seems to me that these moviemakers should strive for authenticity
when it comes to portraying history. Anyone who studies Texas history
can tell you that these "true" stories are an adventure all their
own."
This
family tree has roots made of cedar 8/03
The early cedar choppers didn't really maintain a home - many lived
out of a wagon, sleeping in tents and traveling from one cedar brake
to another ... Living off the land, they hunted their meat ....
The
story of Gregorio Cortez 7/03
He was considered a hero by the Mexican people; to the Anglos he
was the "sheriff killer" and needed to be hung.
Eyewitness
to the Battle of the Alamo -
An Unidentified Mexican Soldier's Personal Account of the Historic
Struggle 9/5/01
Midget
sub commander tells of his role in the attack on Pearl Harbor
7/17/01
Glad to be first Japanese prisoner of war!
The
Killing of John Wesley Hardin 5/6/01
"...There are several different versions as to how Hardin was
killed. ... Regardless of which version is true, the fact remains
that John Wesley Hardin died as he had lived - violently. ..."
The
Battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836 4/19/01
Saturday, April 21, 2001, will mark the 165th anniversary of the
Battle of San Jacinto. Because of the eventual consequences of this
encounter, the battle is considered, by many historians, as one
of the most important in world history.
1st
Lt. Loye James Lauraine, Jr. 4/8/01
"He was young, only 26 years old, when he gave up his life
to save others...... He was a hero and was posthumously awarded
this nation's second highest honor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
....."
Life
and Times of a Goliad Survivor 3/24/01
"..... the young man could have avoided all the misery he endured
at Goliad because the Mexicans offered all captured Germans the
opportunity to join their cause - Ehrenberg refused the offer saying
that he considered himself a Texan......"
A
Survivor's Account of the Goliad Massacre
3/11/01
"There is a day in Texas history that quite possibly could
be considered one of the most tragic. On that day, March 27, 1836,
General Santa Anna ordered the execution of some 380 Texas army
soldiers - they were prisoners of war. ....."
Life
on the Trail 2/12/01
"The cowboy legacy is very much alive in Texas and it has
been that way for a long time. After the Civil War, times were tough
in Texas and throughout the South. Men returning from that devastating
conflict found it hard to make a living. Texas, it seemed, was short
on everything; everything that is, but cattle. ....."
The
Crusty Old Baptist
1/29/01
"Little
Butch" Comes to Gonzales, Texas 1/15/01
The
Great Elephant Stampede 1/8/01
The
Lost Cannon of Lavaca County 12/18/00
Riding
the Stage, in Old Texas - Stagecoaches from Gonzales to Galveston
12/6/00
The
Wreck of the Acadia - This blockade runner sleeps with the fishes
just off the coast at Surfside 11/21/00
Wild
Times in Old McDade - Outlaws and vigilantes in McDade
Dogs
in Church - Vintage wit from Gonzales County 10/27/00
Mass
Grave in Gonzales (1905) - Still a mystery today 10/10/00
From
Cost, Texas to Normandy Beach - A World War II hero 9/26/00
Bailey's
Light - A Brazoria ghost tale 9/15/00
The
Alcalde Hotel, Gonzales, Texas - Rooms with a past 9/3/00
Towns
Dilworth
Hackberry
Hallettsville
Old
Moulton
Speaks
Vienna
Vsetin
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Published
with author's permission since September, 2000
Murray Montgomery
is a photographer and writer based in Hallettsville.
Lone Star Diary also appears regularly in these Texas newspapers:
The Hallettsville
Tribune Herald,
The Moulton
Eagle,
The Shiner
Gazette, and
The Yoakum
Herald Times.
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