THE TEXIAN. The Official Publication of The Sons of the Republic of Texas VOL VII NUMBER 3 JULY 2014 PRESIDENT GENERAL S MESSAGE

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1 THE TEXIAN The Official Publication of The Sons of the Republic of Texas VOL VII NUMBER 3 JULY ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF MEDINA The public is invited to attend the 14th annual ceremony commemorating the 201st anniversary of the bloodiest battle in Texas history! The Battle of Medina occurred on August 18, 1813, between the Royal Spanish Army and the Republican Army of the North when between 800 and 1,300 Americans, Tejanos, Indians, and Spanish soldiers died in this all but forgotten battle which historians have named the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition. Since August 18th is on Monday this year, we will hold our normal commemorative ceremony beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2014 under the large oak trees on Old Applewhite Road. We will have a Color Guard representing the U.S.A., Spain, Texas and Mexico, plus descendants of the men who fought and died in this battle. Due to the heat, we will try to keep this ceremony as short as possible, and adjourn to the nice cool Church of Christ located at 1003 North Main Street in Pleasanton, Texas beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, August 16, 2014, courtesy of Norman Porter, Atascosa County Historical Committee Chairman, and his church. Our speakers this year, including Robert Thonhoff, teacher, Administrator, County Judge, and award winning author; Frank de la Teja, PhD. the former State Historian from Texas State University; and our feature speaker, Dr. Caroline Castillo Crimm, Ph.D., Sam Houston State University History Department. The Battle of Medina was between approximately 1,800 men in the Royal Spanish Army and approximately 1,400 men in the Republican Army of the North, which included Spaniards, Tejanos, Native Americans, and men from the USA. In fact we have identified 5 men who fought in the American Revolution who were involved in some way in the Gutierrezcont. pg. 3 PRESIDENT GENERAL S MESSAGE Our Texas, accompanied by the Deer Park High School band. Ron Stone Jr. was the emcee and did a great job. The main speaker was the Texas State Historian, Dr. Bill O Neal. He gave a unique twist to the battle which was very interesting. Denton Bryant, KSJ, Chairman of the SRT Texas Essay Contest and I presented the awards to the two recipients who were there at the ceremony. They were first place winner Austin Ackerman and second place winner Hunter Corb; third place winner Margot Brose, who cont. pg. 3 Robert Kendall, KSJ Since the last time I wrote you, I have been to another wonderful San Jacinto Day with a great crowd and nice weather. It started with the singing of our National Anthem and Texas Battle of Medina...1, 3 President General s Message...1, 3 Janet s Korner...2 Hospitality Update...3 September Registration...4 Lecture Series...5, 6 WHAT S INSIDE Texian Navy Day...7 Chapter News...8, 9 In Memoriam...9 New SRT Members...10, 11 Calendar of Events...12

2 JANET S Korner By: Janet Knox Administrative Assistant srttexas@srttexas.org (979) Stagecoach- Inn; P.O. Box 97- #1 Main Street, Salado, TX 76571; (254) or (800) , cutoff date is August 13, 2014, Rates: Standard Upstairs $ 69. Standard downstairs $80., Jacuzzi $100. Poolside $ 120., all plus tax. will be mailed to you for a fee of $20.00 this year. If you would like it to be mailed please send the fee to the National office. and photos for The Texian. Please submit electronic Data using the following guidelines. 1. Submit text in WORD document format; articles may be edited due to space limitations. 2. Submit photos as separate attachments in.jpg,/eps, or.tif format. Caption for each photo or after the article s text. Identify the placement of people (e.g. L to R, center, front row, back row, etc.), with a corresponding key that matches the name of the file attachment (e.g.) file name Photo 1, Photo 2, etc.) Please limit the number of photos submitted per article. now considered delinquent and must pay a $50.00 reinstatement fee plus the $40.00 dues fee for the your dues with PayPal. the SRT must have 3 signatures of recommending SRT members. There has been a problem with the signatures from chapters, if the applications are not signed and I have to send the application to the chapter, it may take up to an additional month to receive them back at National Office. Please let us remember to fill out the application completely and save us all $$$ on postage. It is not necessary if the applicant lives out of state, but every applicant should affiliate with a chapter. This does not mean that they will have to attend meetings. Application must be typed and notarized and don t forget the check. you are sending for your newsletter; they have been If your chapter has or will be celebrating any events PLEASE me at: srttexas@srttexas.org. I will be submitting the October issue for publication; the deadline for submissions is September 23, 2014 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Left to right front row: David Stone, Chaplain General; Bob Steakley, First Vice President General; Robert Kendall, KSJ, President General, Edward A. Heath. Second Vice President General; and Janet Knox, Administrative Assistant. Left to right back row: Kenneth W. Pfeiffer, Treasurer General; David Hanover, KSJ, PPG, Executive Committeeman; Joe R. Davidson, KSJ, Executive Committeeman; William D. Power, Secretary General; Randy Pollard, Historian General. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES Left to right front row: Arthur O. Evans, Gulf Coast District; Bob Steakley, Frontier District; William D. (Buddy) Power, North East District; and Ronald W. Brown, San Jacinto District. Left to right back row: Tom Gann, Piney Woods District; Tim Gibson, North Central District, John W. Knox Post Oak District, and John Meredith, Lone Star District Representative. (Not shown, Jim Massingill, Heart Of Texas District; and George Nelson, Brazos Valley District.) 2

3 cont. from pg ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF MEDINA Magee Expedition, with only one Patriot of the American Revolution, Peter Sides having been proven to have fought in the American Revolution and also fought and died in the Battle of Medina. Direct descendants of Peter Sides are eligible for membership in the DAR, the SAR, the DRT and the SRT, and descendants directly related to any of the 3,200 men who fought in this battle are eligible for membership in the DRT and the SRT. Over the past 14 years the SAR, DAR, SRT, DRT, Mayflower Society, the Daughter of the War of 1812, and descendants of the men who fought here have dedicated markers to the men who fought and died in this battle, and these descendants will rededicate their markers at the Saturday morning ceremony under the large oak trees. Everyone interested in history is invited to attend. Signs will be placed where you turn to the west off Highway 281 onto the Old Pleasanton Road about 15 miles south of San Antonio. Signs will also be placed where Bruce Road branches off Old Pleasanton Road to the west. Signs will also be where Old Applewhite Road where it branches off Bruce Road to the west, but for additional directions, contact Tom Green at TBGreen3@gmail.com or cont. from pg. 1 PRESIDENT GENERAL S MESSAGE lives in Wyoming, was unable to attend. Sam Houston IV recited the battle report of that day. On a sad note Sam also told everyone that this would be his last time to be at San Jacinto Day; he will be greatly missed. On May 30th, I was privileged to be at the meeting of the Fayette County Historical Association in LaGrange. The guest speaker was Tom Green, KSJ. His subject was the Battle of San Jacinto and the San Jacinto Monument. As usual Tom had many interesting facts about both. There was a lady in the audience this year, who told us that when she was a little girl, she was at the monument when it was being built. The quarterly meeting on June 7th, at Bastrop was well attended. I want to thank everyone who traveled to central Texas to participate. Two upcoming events we need to remember: First is the quarterly meeting at Salado on September 12 & 13; the second is Texian Navy Day on September 20th. I hope that everyone can attend one or both of these events. God Bless Texas. HOSPITALITY UPDATE For some years, there has been concern about the liability of SRT providing liquor at the Hospitality Room. The transportation of open bottles and the conflicts with hotel contracts is also a concern. Therefore, at the Bastrop quarterly meeting, with the agreement of the members in attendance, the Executive Committee decided that until further notice, for all provide the set-ups, beverages, and appetizers. 3

4 The Sons of the Republic of Texas September Quarterly Meeting Stagecoach Inn, P.O. Box 97- #1 Main Street. Salado, TX 76571, ; Friday, September 12, 2014 Schedule of Events 5:00 p.m. Hospitality Room Rm. # 135- Ronald W. Brown, Chairman 7:00 p.m. Dinner- In the Garden Room of the Stagecoach Inn Saturday, September 13, :30 a.m. Executive Quarterly Meeting (all members are welcome but may not vote) I will attend the Executive Committee Meeting on Saturday ************************************************************************************************************************** September Reservations You re pre-registration for the Friday night dinner is REQUIRED. The charge for dinner will be $35.00 per person. Please choose from the following items and the number of each. Entrees: # Grilled Salmon, # Fried Shrimp, # Sugar Baked Ham, # 6oz.Filet Mignon Appetizers: # Shrimp cocktail, # Fresh Fruit cocktail Salads: # Tomato Aspic, # Fresh Fruit w/poppy seed dressing, # Green Salad w/dressing Desserts: # Vanilla Ice Cream w/strawberries, # Vanilla Ice Cream w/sherry Chocolate Sauce # Famous Stagecoach Kiss, # Fudge Pecan Pie, # French Lemon Pie, # Sherbet Please include your check with your registration. Thank You. I will attend the Hospitality Room. How $ 5.00 I will attend the dinner on Friday. How $35.00 Attendees: Please return this information by August 22, 2014 SRT Office: th Street, Bay City, TX 77414; Phone ; srttexas@srttexas.org 4

5 TEXAS HISTORY LECTURE SERIES CONTINUES AT LONE STAR COLLEGE-TOMBALL In the spring 2014, The Sons of the Republic supported and arranged for one of the best and most enjoyable Texas History Learning experiences available to Seniors age 50 and up. Through the efforts of Denton Bryant, KSJ, Chairman of the Texas History Lecture Series, the following educators, speakers, entertainers and re-enactors participated. On February 19, 2014, Dr. Lisa Morales, Dean of Instruction at the college, presented a colorful PowerPoint show which highlighted the relations of Texas with the United States during the Civil War and the leadership of President Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Morales explored the role Texas played prior to and during the Civil War as well as considerations of the 16th President of the United States which related to the Lone Star State. The tensions surrounding the Civil War consumed the nation. The State of Texas was in the midst of finding its place as a new state in the Union and became a place of refuge for Confederate leaders. Not all Texans agreed with the separation of Texas from the Union and joining the Confederacy. Governor Sam Houston opposed secession from the United States but Texas joined the Confederacy and became a key supplier to the armed forces representing the Southern States. On February 26, 2014, K.R. Wood, a native Texas singer, songwriter, historian and musician educated the audience and entertained them with songs from the Fathers of Texas CD Series. It is a collection of songs and narration of Texas storied corded live in the Alamo with the Davy Crockett Fiddle from the Witte Museum. This is an honor and privilege that only K.R. Wood has been given. K.R. Wood wears a coonskin cap and Indian jacket while he plays a guitar during this entertaining, educational and enjoyable show. ence singing along with him during the entire show. It was a wonderful combination of country and western, western swing, blues and traditional country. One of the most unexpected and unforgettable highlights was the addition of a recitation of the famous Travis Letter by Historian and Re-enactor Jack Edmondson. Combining the skills of both K.R. Wood and Jack Edmondson was one of the most enjoyable experiences by the audience. cont. pg. 6 Jack R. Edmondson, Honorary Member SRT, as John Wayne known as the Duke. K.R. Wood, entertaining with his guitar and wearing his coonskin cap. 5

6 cont. from pg. 5 TEXAS HISTORY LECTURE SERIES CONTINUES AT LONE STAR COLLEGE-TOMBALL the audience with his rendition of the life of John Wayne. Speakers like Jack Edmondson, Honorary Member of the SRT and K.R. Wood have made the Texas History Lecture Series the most popular and well attended program of the Academy for Lifelong Learning at Lone Star College Tomball. Denton Bryant, KSJ, K.R. Wood and Jack Edmondson after the Texas History Lecture Series. SRT LOGO JACKETS The Lone Star Chapter is selling light weight Jackets, with the SRT logo on the back, for $90. If a personal name is desired on the front of the jacket it can be added for $5 more. Jackets are available in sizes small to 5XL, and are made to order. Shipping is extra. To order, or for more information contact Fred Mead at fmead@lonestarsrt.org. 6

7 2014 Texian Navy Day Honoring The Texian Navy Saturday, September 20, :00 AM Battleship Texas USS TEXAS BB-35 Battleship Texas State Historic Site 3523 Independence Parkway South La Porte, Texas Ceremony organized and hosted by: The Sons of the Republic of Texas SRT sponsored by: The Battleship Texas Foundation With assistance from the staff of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Contact: Ronald W. Brown / / ron@ronwbrown.com ( for additional details) 7

8 COMBINED SRT & DRT PILGRIMAGE TO THE ALAMO The Alamo Chapter Sons of the Republic of Texas members are joined by members of the Travis chapter in a combined participation in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Pilgrimage to the Alamo on April 21, SRT BOOK EXCHANGE & CIRCULATING LIBRARY This program started in 2008 and has been underutilized for a few years. We would like to see the program reactivated. The reasons this program started are: quarterly or annual meeting; meeting, hopefully bringing some of his used Texas history books to donate to the library; a chapter president could request a small supply of the frontispiece labels from the SRT Headquarters and promote the program at chapter meetings, encouraging chapter members to bring their unwanted Texas history books to the next chapter meeting and put them into circulation within the SRT. Each donated book becomes the property of The Sons of the Republic of Texas, and will be used in a circulating library, available during quarterly and annual meetings. If you need a label for your book, please contact Janet at the office. Labels will be available at quarterly and annual meetings. 8

9 ALAMO CHAPTER WELCOME PHIL COLLINS Members of the Alamo Chapter SRT welcomed singer Phil Collins to the Alamo as he announced the donation of his extensive collection of Texas Revolution artifacts to the people of the state of Texas. Ken Pfeiffer, Joe Weathersby, Tom Foster, Jimmy Peet, Edward Heath, Chris Lancaster, George Harcourt, John Meehan, Tommy Wood and Al Davis cheered the announcement of the donation along with the announcement of a long term project to house the collection and efforts by the General Land Office to enhance the Alamo experience. Ken Pfeiffer presented Mr. Collins an Alamo Chapter Presidential Medal to recognize his contribution to Texas history. Mr. Collins had been made an honorary member of the Alamo Chapter in George Harcourt presented gifts from the chapter to honor the occasion. In Memoriam Name Chapter Hometown Rubin Steele Frels 16 Victoria, TX James Donald Giuffré 38 Houston, TX J. Martin Green 28 Beaumont, TX James E. Raney 19 Nacogdoches, TX Robert H. Welder II 16 Victoria, TX William Geoffrey Wheeler 16 Victoria, TX Charles Michael Lusk, Jr. 1 Houston, TX John Edward Manton 53 Chewelah, WA Andy Jerome Zumwalt, Jr. 6 Alvin, TX 9

10 NEW SRT MEMBERS Name Chapter Ancestor Hometown Lance Kenton Bailey James Herny Bailey McGregor, TX Chayson Rogers Comfort James Cope Waits Plano, TX Larry Lee Fuller Francis Walter Capps Grand Junction, CO James Rawls Williams Bailey Washington Anderson Colorado Springs, CO Michael Allen Lemen 1 William Washington Hawkins Houston, TX Paul Edward Powell 1 W.H. Stone Houston, TX Joseph Richard Day 6 Thomas Collins Lake Jackson, TX Jarrett Alston Oliver 7 John Willis Leander, TX Patrick Christopher Featherling 8 Richard West Allen, TX Jonathan Allen Freier 8 James Gotcher Flower Mound, TX Herbert James Bilhartz 12 Francois (Franz) Joseph Bilhartz Hutto, TX Gregory James Bilhartz 12 Francios (Franz) Joseph Bilhartz Round Rock, TX John David Harris 12 James M Rankin Austin, TX Kerry Martin Lacy 12 Stephen Prather Elgin, TX James Christopher Weiler 12 Eli Clemens (Clement) Cedar Park, TX Paul Wayne Wilson 12 Sara Jane Wilson Central, SC Milton Barry Hendler 14 Joseph Monroe Fitzgerald Uvalde, TX Mark Lawrence Nichols 16 Margaret Theresa Robertson Wright Fredericksburg, TX Peter Bolin Mahaffey, Jr. 17 Isaac Harrier Mahaffey Corpus Christi, TX 10

11 NEW SRT MEMBERS Name Chapter Ancestor Hometown David Lewis Billingsley 18 Duncan St. Clair Keithville, LA John Westly Waldrop, Jr. 33 Ann Ranney Hemphill, TX Michael Louis Bilhartz 37 Francois ( Franz) Joseph Bilhartz Herndon, VA Jeffrey Wade Dockery 40 Matthew Dockery Boerne, TX Ted Edwin Dockery 40 Matthew Dockery San Antonio, TX Kirk Wayne Dockery 40 Matthew Dockery Floresville, TX Gilberto S. Garcia, Sr. 40 Andres Garcia San Antonio, TX Henry James Ortega 40 Mateo Casillas Kerrville, TX Hector Rafael Pacheco 40 Jose Pacheco Floresville, TX James Allen Strain 40 Dr. George Tribble Allen Marquette, MI William Lee Bennett 47 Rev. John Wesley DeVilbiss Weatherford, TX Michael James Pryor 50 John L. Marshall New Braunfels, TX Louie Edward Adams 52 James Adams Murchison, TX Jonathan Kyle Findley 52 Thomas Crutchfield Loyd Houston, TX Lee Ernest Bernhoft 58 Bartlett M. Hall Oak Ridge North, TX George Donivan Conaway, Jr. 58 Cpt. John English Crockett, TX Caleb Stephen Masengale 58 Eleazer Louis Ripley Wheelock Trinity, TX 11

12 Sept , 2014 Dec. 5-6, 2014 March 2 March 6 March 27 April 21 September 20 October 2 November 3 April 10-12, 2015 Calendar of Events 2014 Quarterly Meetings Stagecoach Inn; P. O. Box 97, #1 Main Street, Salado, TX 76571; (254) or (800) ; August 13, 2014 cutoff date. Rate: Standard Upstairs $ 69, Standard Downstairs $ 80, Jacuzzi $ 100, Poolside $ 120, all plus tax Hampton Inn & Suites, 7006 N. Navarro, Victoria, TX 77904; (361) ; November 18, 2014, cutoff date. Rate: $110+tax, 1 king or 2 queen size beds; free parking 2014 SRT Events Texas Independence Day Fall of the Alamo Goliad Massacre San Jacinto Day Texian Navy Day on the Battleship Texas Battle of Gonzales Stephen F. Austin s Birthday (Father of Texas) 2015 Annual Meeting Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa, 1701 Commerce St., Fort Worth, TX, 76102, (817) , Rates: $ tax, cut off date March 24, QUARTERLY MEETING Sept , 2014 Stagecoach Inn; P. O. Box 97, #1 Main Street, Salado, TX 76571; (254) or (800) ; August 13, 2014 cutoff date. Rate: Standard Upstairs $ 69, Standard Downstairs $ 80, Jacuzzi $ 100, Poolside $ 120, all plus tax 1717 Eighth Street Bay City, TX RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Contact us at: SRT Office: srttexas@srttexas.org 1717 Eighth Street, Bay City, TX Phone: (979) Fax: (979)