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Maybe
it was because Texas's revolution from Mexico had begun 75 years
before, maybe it was just coincidence. But for whatever the reason,
in 1910 Texans suddenly seemed particularly interested in their
history.
In late October that year, newspapers reported the removal of colonizer
Stephen F.
Austin's bones to Austin
from his original grave at Peach Point plantation in Brazoria
County. Here's the story published in the Oct. 29, 1910 Eagle
Pass News-Guide:
"The mortal remains of...the founder and father of Texas, were Tuesday
disinterred from the little cemetery at Peach Point, where they
have rested since Dec. 19, 1836, under the auspices of a committee
from the legislature and in the presence of many relatives and friends.
The remains were conveyed to Austin,
the city which bears his name and the permanent capital of the State,
for final interment in the State
cemetery, where grateful people will soon erect a monument as
fitting to his memory as human hands can construct.
"Imbedded in the soil he loved, the remains of the great Empresario
of Texas were remarkably well preserved. Of the clothing in which
he was shrouded nothing was found and only a few pieces of the casket
in which he was buried were recovered, but every bone of the frame
which stood at various times in the hostile halls of the Montezumas
and before friendly audiences in the United States and successfully
pleaded the cause of Texas and Texans, was recovered from the earth
and brought to light of day before the reverent eyes of friends
and relatives."
Next came a powerful paragraph from the good old days of "tell it
like it is" journalism:
"The great brain cavity of the illustrious colonizer and diplomat
was filled with the soil for which he suffered and endured and pleaded
and it seemed appropriate that the clear and prophetic brain which
once planned, organized, nurtured, directed and preserved the State
should in the process of time be supplanted by some of its rich,
warm earth. Loving hands collected the immortal relics and tenderly
placed them in a casket and carried them away from the scenes of
the happiest days to a place where more Texans might have the opportunity
to do them reverence and all along the way people gathered to pay
their respects."
The same issue of the border newspaper carried a short note about
the upcoming meeting of the Trans-Mississippi Commercial Congress
in San Antonio:
"'Assemble at the Alamo'" is the slogan, and 'Every patriotic citizen
should at least once during life stand within the walls of the Alamo,'
is an argument which, together with statements concerning the important
work of the organization and beauties and historic charm of San
Antonio, are being used by the officers of the Trans-Mississippi
Commercial Congress to induce a large attendance [at] the twenty-first
annual session of that body, to be held Nov. 22-25, at San
Antonio."
Clearly, Texans still remembered the Alamo.
The revolution that included the March
6, 1836 Alamo massacre had begun the previous October in Gonzales.
Seventy-five years later, a monument commemorating that event was
unveiled in the "Come
and Take It" town. As the News-Guide reported:
"The Texas monument was unveiled Thursday after a program rendered
in Klein's opera house during a cold, drizzling rain.
"Those who occupied seats of prominence were: Judge W.C. Fly of
San Antonio, Hon.
T.F. Hardwood of Gonzales; Wm. Klein of Gonzales;
Aug. Klein, mayor of Gonzales;
Senator [Ferdinand C.] Weinert of Seguin,
Representative Schleick of Gonzales,
Mrs. Dr. J.W. Hildebrand of Gonzales,
together with a host of members of the [Daughters of the] Republic
of Texas.
"The program rendered was: Invocation, Rev. Gaston Hartsfield; reading
names of notables of the skirmish of Gonzales, October 1835; twelve
high school boys bearing Texas flags; address, W.S. Fly; song, "The
Texas Flag;" chorus of Gonzales High School girls, bearing Texas
flags; address, Mrs. J.B. Dibrell; address, Senator Weinert; unveiling
of the Texas monument, Mrs. J.W. Hildebrand, president local Daughters
of the Republic.
"The address of Hon. T.F. Harwood was an apt rehearsal of the history
of Gonzales, together
with the various vicissitudes of the early colonies and frontiers.
He read for the audience the detailed accounts of the valor of the
men who launched into life the republic of Texas. His eloquent words
elicited frequent applause.
"While the words of Mr. Harwood were along the lines of a historical
research, those of Judge W.S. Fly were more commemorable. His words
were received by attentive listeners and a round of applause greeted
his appearance.
"Mrs. J.B. Dibrell's address was very interesting, well delivered
and her words expressed thanks in behalf of the United Daughters
of the Republic of Texas.
"Senator Weinert, who was commended highest with thanks, as well
as the legislature and the governor himself, by those who spoke
previously, made a terse talk, expressing his gratitude for the
position he occupied in bringing to a head the appropriation which
gave us the highly prized monument.
"At the conclusion of Judge Weinert's talk the crowd dispersed to
the monument, and while the band played "Dixie" in martial air,
the veiling was felled from the monument by Mrs. J.W. Hildebrand,
president of the local Daughters of the Republic."
Finally, work was underway at Huntsville
on a monument honoring Sam
Houston. Again, from the Oct. 29, 1910 Eagle Pass newspaper:
"A car [rail] containing the Sam Houston monument came in Thursday.
H. Myers of San Antonio
who has the erection of the monument in charge, has been in the
city for several days and will put his force to work without delay.
He estimates that two weeks will be required in which to complete
the job. The date of unveiling has not been decided on."
© Mike
Cox
"Texas Tales"
March 23, 2017 column
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