What Constitutes a Texas Hero?
I have a question for everyone to ponder.
First, a little background information---The Hall of State opened in 1936 as the centerpiece of the Texas Centennial Exposition, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Texas independence. Included in its original design were six bronze statues honoring six heroes of Texas Independence. The heroes were selected by a panel of historians (just who they were, I have yet to find out). Those selected were James Fannin, Mirabeau B. Lamar, Stephen Austin, Sam Houston, Thomas J. Rusk, and William Barrett Travis. Their statues still remain on display in our Hall of Heroes. I would bet that if a similar poll of historians were conducted today that at least two and probably three of those names would not make the list. But who would?That is one of the issues that we will raise in "Courage, Honor, and Dignity: Defining Texas Heroes." In preparation for that exhibition, we (i.e. the staff) are conducting a very informal poll to find out who people would pick, if they could choose six heroes to be commemorated in a new hall of Texas Heroes. However, this time, we are not limiting the field to the Republic era. These heroes can be from any era of Texas History, including the present, be men or women, living or dead, famous or not famous. We are interested in who you would choose, not necessarily who you think others will choose.
The exhibition will, by necessity, explore several questions, including, but not limited to: What qualities do heroes possess?, is celebrity a prerequisite for being a hero?; is there a distinction between heroism and being a hero--in other words does a heroic act bequeath on someone the mantle of being a hero; and do we live in an age so cynical that the notion of heroes in general seems at best, quaint? We are hoping that the exhibition will raise all of these questions and others, and that one will leave the Hall of State pondering those issues.
We will include a look at the actual lives of the original men in the Hall of Heroes, but our intent is to raise questions about why these men were chosen and not necessarily to reveal their feet of clay (of course, technically speaking almost all bronze statues begin with clay). I am sure that some people will not come up with six people; some will not come up with one, but I am hoping that through this survey we will discover many interesting and in fact admirable individuals. I may have front loaded the selection process somewhat simply by including in the title, the words, courage, honor, and dignity--but we had to start with some parameters.I am interested in hearing your thoughts and your candidates, and naturally, why you have chosen the people you have. Again, you can't choose more than six, but the selections can come from any period of Texas history. I am sure that we will hear of some people that only a few people know about, as well as those that have a greater celebrity factor. During the exhibition we will continue the poll, both in the exhibit area and on-line and we will announce the most popular selections at the end of the exhibition period. It will be interesting to see how closely those popular choices match with the initial qualities of courage, honor, and dignity (qualities that of course can be measured quite subjectively.)
Any thoughts and comments you have will be appreciated.
Thank you for your participation.
Sincerely,
Michael Duty
Executive Director
The Dallas Historical Society
P.S. Please feel free to forward this link on to your friends and family. The more responses we have, the better exhibit we can build!
posted by DHS at 11:30 PM
36 Comments:
A hero is usually someone who inspires us because of the deeds they have done. Sam Houston and Steven Austin are easily selected as great Texas heroes. They both worked very hard to build Texas. But because there are so many individuals who are true Texas heroes, it becomes increasingly difficult to select just six. I think consideration should be give not to specific individuals, but to a common type of individual that built Texas, pioneers who led people or smooth the way for other people to come to Texas. People like the founder of Dallas, John Neely Bryan, or the leader of the Cherokees, Chief Bowls. John Neely Bryan founded a town, one of many that were founded at that time, and his just happened to become one the largest cities in the nation. Chief Bowls died trying to lead his people to a better land. John Neely Bryan was successful, Chief Bowl not so successful. But they are both examples of the type of men that make Texas great. And they are both great heroes.
22/1/06 7:02 PM
One last comment about the blog to to blog owner. I found the blog itself difficult to use. I actually don't know much about blogs, and I spent a good while trying to figure out how to respond. I was expecting a button that said something like "Post your reply here." Also the process where I created my username tried to make me create my own blog, which I didn't want. So I escaped out and guess it created me a username anyway. Anyway, the blog is a good idea, and the whole question about heroes is great, but us inexperienced blog users might need some guidance. Thanks.
22/1/06 7:09 PM
As promised here is Lonn Taylor’s definition of a hero and his selection of the six he would choose. Among many other things Lonn has done in a long and distinguished career (most recently retired as Assistant Director of the National Museum of American History), he was once worked here.
Part of this, of course, turns on one's definition of "hero".
Mine is fairly simple: A hero is someone who shows exceptional courage over a sustained period of time in acting for the public good, and whose actions result in the expansion of opportunities for citizens to lead more fulfilling lives. I realize that this definition excludes actors, football players, and Medal of Honor winners, but that's it.
So here's my list:
Stephen Austin
Sam Houston
James Stephen Hogg
Hector Garcia
Lyndon Johnson
Barbara Jordan
Also, here is the response to my question on heroes from Dr. Gregg Cantrell who holds the Erma and Ralph Lowe Chair in Texas History at TCU. His response gives you an idea of the sort of responses that I have gotten:
Dear Mr. Duty,
I finally have a few moments to collect my thoughts on the questions that you posed to Mary Volcansek, and which she then forwarded to me.
I'm glad to hear that you're undertaking this project in such a thoughtful manner. You are certainly right that the six "great white men on horseback" (as we sometimes derisively refer to such) would probably not make the list today. Indeed, Austin and Houston would likely be the only two of the six that there would be much agreement on, with Travis a controversial possible third. Fannin and Lamar almost certainly would NOT make anyone's heroes list, and indeed they would make lots of people's villains list! Fannin's incompetence as a commander probably cost nearly 400 men under his command their lives, and badly damaged the Texans' prospects for winning independence. And Lamar was a catastrophic chief executive, whose extravagant, imprudent policies virtually bankrupted the Republic. His vicious wars against Texas Indians contrast sharply with Houston's humane policies. As for Rusk, he wasn't a bad character, but I'm surprised that he made the list
to begin with. Just not consequential enough.
You quite perceptively note the problems inherent in the making of any such list. It can never be anything but subjective, and no two people would likely ever agree on the criteria for selections. I personally like the criteria of "courage, honor, and dignity." I think that to be considered a hero, your actions must have affected people's lives, or the history of the state, in some positive and important manner. You asked whether celebrity should be a prerequisite for hero-status; well, in the abstract, perhaps not, but in practical terms I can't see how an institution like the Hall of State could recognize some obscure person, no matter how worthy. After all, we all know people whom we consider "heroic" because of their private deeds or character, but since the Hall of State is a public institution, it seems to me only logical that these be people who had public careers of some sort.
So, who makes my list? Well, certainly Sam Houston. He's the no-brainer, not just because of his role as general in the Revolution, but perhaps even more so because of his courageous (and unpopular) battle against proslavery extremism as senator and governor in the 1850s and 1860s, as well as his humane Indian policies. Austin is a bit more problematic figure, but he probably still makes the list as well. He had more than his share of "courage, honor, and dignity" in his role as chief colonizer between 1821 and 1835. Those are the easy ones.
For modern sensibilities, I think I probably would add Juan Seguin to the list. Seguin's role in the Revolution was important, and he certainly displayed uncommon courage, honor and dignity in the face of tough odds. True, he did some controversial things later in his career, but if we start putting anyone's life under the microscope, we'll find flaws and mistakes. But Seguin is more than just a "token," I think.
I would similarly suggest that Minnie Fisher Cunningham belongs on the list. She led the fight for women's suffrage in Texas in the early 20th century, and remained a political crusader of great importance for the rest of her long career. The recent biography of her by Judith McArthur (and a coauthor--I forget his name) is an excellent source on her.
Lyndon Johnson also goes on my list. Yes, I know he's controversial, and lots of people cuss his name. But whatever you think of LBJ, his personal morals, his philosophy of government, or the Vietnam War, the fact remains that his importance in civil rights places him on the same list as Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, William Lloyd Garrison, and Frederick Douglass. That's pretty good company. In ramming the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 through congress, Johnson changed the course of history in a profound way.
I would also consider placing Barbara Jordan on my list. She brought down all sorts of barriers in her political career (I don't need to list them), and she certainly conducted herself with courage, honor and dignity throughout her career, and especially when she found herself in the national spotlight during the Watergate hearings.
So, there's my list of six: Houston, Austin, Seguin, Cunningham, Johnson, and Jordan.
There are endless arguments that could be made for others. Names that come to mind: Audie Murphy, Jesse Jones, Van Cliburn, Oveta Culp Hobby, Henry B. Gonzalez, Tom Landry, Earl Rudder. I could make an argument for any of these, and for many others, I'm sure.
Hope this helps!
23/1/06 12:14 PM
What a fantastic idea. The sort of thing I would have come up with.
The real question is—what defines a Texan? As an example, an astronaut who lived in Texas at the time he ventured into space certainly qualifies as a hero. But was he a Texas hero if he was born in New York?
Many people probably would say “no.”
Yet none of the men represented by the six statues in the Hall of Heroes was born in Texas!
And then there is a second problem. This “contest” cannot finally be resolved by a majority vote. The majority are ignorant of history.
Certainly the one statue that belongs in the Hall now was a simple and modest man who never promoted himself, never ran for political office, never achieved wealth. Yet he selflessly helped early Texas colonists establish their settlements. He married an Hispanic woman. He had an African-American son-in-law. He initially opposed the Texas revolution until he was forced into it. He participated in most of the major battles, survived a severe wound, served as a courier from the Alamo only a short time before the arrival of the Mexican army, and made perhaps the most significant contributions to the victory at San Jacinto. He was so revered in his day that his image adorned the Republic of Texas five dollar bill. Yet, today, most people have never heard of Erastus “Deaf” Smith.
So I will volunteer to arbitrate this “contest,” carefully consider all entries, and make the final decision as to who should replace the inept Fannin and the two Indian haters, Lamar and Rusk. Of course, Austin, Houston, and Travis will always remain.
23/1/06 12:17 PM
Very interesting question, and one that I feel needs to be addressed. Sorry, I find eight.
Lorenzo de Zavala* 1788-1836 Former Mexican citizen and supporter of Santa Ana who helped Texas gain her independence from Mexico. He served as Texas' first vice-president.
Henry B Gonzales* 1916- An honest man who was the first Mexican American to serve in the House of Representatives.
Claudia (Lady Bird) Johnson* 1912- Helped her husband design the Head Start Program for underpriviled children and known for her highway beautification program.
Barbara Jordan* 1936-1996 First Black woman to serve in the Congress of the United States of America.
Dorie Miller* 1919-1943 Born in Waco, Texas, this Navy cook manned an anti-aircraft gun at Pearl Harbor and shot down Japanese planes attacking our ships.
Audie Murphy* 1924-1971 This Texan was the most decorated soldier in WW II
Chester Nimitz* 1885-1966 Born in Fredericksburg, this Naval hero served as the Commander of the Pacific Fleet during WW II. The Japanese held Nimitz in such respect that they would only surrender to him.
Juan Seguin* 1806-1889 Son of Erasmo Seguin, Juan helped Texas win its independence from Mexico. He was the last person to leave the Alamo to ride for help. He was later treated shamefully by the new Texas government.
23/1/06 12:18 PM
My initial reaction would be the WW2 heroes: Audie Murphy and Sam Dealey Jr.
As far as the republic era heroes, I always felt that the Hispanic heroes, such as Juan Seguin, were "short changed". Possibly because of the more bigoted era of 1936.
23/1/06 12:23 PM
Right off -- these individuals who were "native" Texans came to mind -- as a child, young woman, and now old lady these were the role models and mentors I most remember as true "Texas Heroes"
Judge Sarah Hughes
Barbara Jordan
Frances T. "Cissy" Farenthold
Audie Murphy
Hope these individuals make the list.
23/1/06 12:24 PM
I would readily elevate Bowie over Fannin, Lamar, and Rusk, but I am not sure he should rank as one of the top six Texas Heroes of all time. Maybe in the top ten.
23/1/06 12:25 PM
Matthew Gaines, former slave, community leader, minister and Republican State Senator in Texas
Barbara Jordan
Mickey Leland
If I think of 3 more, I’ll let you know…
23/1/06 12:27 PM
I have been giving a lot of thought to Texas "heroes". Seems like everyone I think of makes me ponder exactly what constitutes a "hero", i.e. accomplishment, power, example, impact (with a mixture of good and bad) on the state, nation, or other people, etc. So, if nothing else, your request has made me think - and that, usually, is a good thing.
After all my pondering, the only names that I could come up with are Tom Landry with a close second being Ross Perot - heros have to have a "positive, people" aspect to their accomplishments. Since I am not a history buff, people of past eras do not come to mind for me. Many of those I thought of (Eric Johnson for example) impacted Dallas primarily rather than the State of Texas.
I am wondering if there could be categories, based on dates - 1850 - 1900, 1901 - 1950, 1951 - 2005, for example - to make a more even selection process for the old-timers? I am sure whatever is done, it gets more and more complicated the more you analyze it.
23/1/06 12:29 PM
Try these-
Neil McClennan (Founded Waco, McClennan County)
Stephen F. Austin
Sam Houston
Juan Seguin (Alamo participant, namesake of Seguin, TX)
Captain Richard King (King Ranch)
Samuel Burk Burnett (6666 Ranch)
23/1/06 12:29 PM
Two suggestions, and this is because I have researched the lives a great deal preparing for books.
Jane Wilkinson Long, who some call the Mother of Texas, but no matter what she is called, she was a civilizer, patriot, solid citizen during the period of Texas' fight for independence. I have two books out on her with Pelican Publishing. One is for adults, the other for children, and I found her fascinating.
My next suggestion would be KATHERINE STINSON OTERO, an early female flyer who flew in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Mexico, China and other places. Again, she was courageous and had a strong Texas connection with the Stinson School of Flying in San Antonio.
Actually it could be the Stinson Family, since her sister Marjorie, brothers Eddie and Jack were also notable flyers. They even formed a corporation that built Stinson
aircraft.
I know there are many more. These are just two that interest me.
New book should be out in spring: Katherine Stinson Otero: High Flyer [for children]
23/1/06 12:31 PM
I have thought about this request for a “new hero” ever since you sent it, and am unable to come up with even one name. I will keep trying though and hope I do not miss the deadline (whatever it is). It makes me sad to think of all the wonderful things that Texas has and has done, there is such a short supply of heroes. Maybe the heroes are the millions of unknowns who kept trying to make things better in spite of civil rights, faulty legislation and legislators, depressions, storms, graft, corruption, political parties, etc.
These millions may not make the headlines, but without them Texas would have eroded into the Gulf of Mexico.
23/1/06 12:32 PM
I love the project and will follow what you do. Because of the
book, I have a lot of old photos of Katherine Stinson should they
ever be needed. Would be happy to loan them out!
I will bet some solid thinking is going into this.
23/1/06 12:32 PM
My contribution is necessarily spotty, not having inhaled Texas myths and history from birth, but i have a few to offer for consideration:
Molly Ivins, for having the courage to speak truth as she understands it as our surrogate eye on public policy and government;
Audie Murphy, not only for his wartime contributions that made him America's most decorated soldier, but also for the pain and psychic cost that his contributions inflicted on him in the decades following the war; today, we have much more understanding of the impact of war on the post-war lives of veterans;
Chester Nimitz, a fine and no-nonsense naval commander whose bravery and clarity led to the Midway victory - one of the most stunning naval victories in the history of the world - an "incredible victory" (Walter Lord) that marked the pinnacle of Japanese conquests in the Pacific and put the Japanese forever on the defensive; Nimitz pioneered the island-hopping through the Central Pacific that helpd lead to Japan's eventual defeat;
Sandra Day O'Connor, not just for being the first woman on the Court, but because she worked to bridge the judicial and cultural gaps that have closely devided the Court and nation, striving to find common ground that is both propoer and necessary for a democracy that lives by the rule of law and not rule of humans;
Because the gifts of music and laughter ought not to be underestimated, Carol Burnett, Buddy Holly, and Roy Orbison;
Barbara Jordan, for every obvious reason;
Lyndon Johnson, because he - along with Richard Nixon - stands at the dark heart of the American soul, and like Nixon, rose above his darker impulses to try to serve with honor (I cannot believe I am actually saying this about Nixon, but I guess I am) - in Johnson's case, he did only what a southern Democrat could do: implant ideals of civil rights into mainstream consciousness and law, and affirm New Deal notions of a different relationship between the government and its poorer citizens, notions that continue to be attacked and chipped away at, but not completely, not ever, because of what Johnson did and tried to do to remake society into one that would be fairer AND better.
That's my contribution for now.
23/1/06 12:33 PM
I feel that all the heroes in the Hall of State belong except for Fannin, and I would replace him with a Buffalo soldier. With used,worn out equipment and uniforms, or those they provided themselves, they stood between the hostile Indians and the settlers of the west, a formidable task. I am sure the west would have been settled eventually but not without more of the settlers' blood spilled. Credit should be given for such valor.
I tried to think of a woman who deserved recognition but was unable to come up with one who made an indelible mark and stood above the others. I hope someone else can.
23/1/06 12:36 PM
The exhibit sounds fascinating. As we have just finished our unit on The Alamo, all those heroes sound perfect to me. Other names that come to mind as a Texas hero is Susanna Dickinson-a female heroine at the Alamo, Shirley Chisolm (although political figures probably get sticky....).
23/1/06 12:42 PM
Dear Michael,
What a wonderful idea and exhibition! I don't have my 'reasons why' prepared -- and it's just a working list (it will be neat and educational to read those of others), but here are my ititial, and five heroes and heroines. I'll forward supportive evidence later to the link that you provided :)
Closest to home:
1. Catherine Bunting Coit
2. Nancy Hughes Cochran
3. Sarah Horton Cockrell
4. Spotted Tail (Kiowa), of Collin County
5. William E. Bates (Denton and Collin Couties)
State-wide:
1. Samuel Houston
Thanks so much!
Holly
23/1/06 12:59 PM
State-wide, I also would remember Dawali (Chief Bowles, Cherokee) and Quannah Parker (Comanche).
It is a difficult task to choose just five!
23/1/06 1:09 PM
Holly....Do a search here and you'll find other postings about Chief Bowles. I remember posting one or two a couple of years ago.
Why would you consider Chief Bowles a "Texas hero", as asked by the DHS Blog? Just curious.
23/1/06 1:10 PM
Thanks, Fred. I had read those previous postings, and appreciate the information that you brought forth on Chief Bowles at that time.
But gosh, I'm surprised that his status as a hero would require defense. I can develop an argument -- at least, will try to -- but I think that he passes the intitial criteria of "courage, honor, and dignity," and proceeds to extend quite far beyond.'
What a wonderful project and forum for discussion the DHS has opened.
Thank you,
Holly
PS. Many of the 'old' heroes remain with us. There's lots of room in the house :)
23/1/06 1:11 PM
Didn't mean to offend you in any way, Holly.
I can see how Chief Bowles may have been a "hero" to his tribe, but I thought the question was directed at heros of Texas, or what would become Texas; based on their actions during the time of Mexico's ownership, the Republic or the State in the early days.
23/1/06 1:12 PM
It's okay, Fred. You didn't offend.
The reasons why I would choose Chief Bowles as Texas hero are outlined by Jimmy Clay above. Many respected individuals have died while providing excellent leadership to their people. 'Success' is only one lens through which to view an undertaking. Duwali outlined in a reasonable manner the Cherokees' and associated peoples right
to abide in Texas. Lamar was terribly in-the-wrong in his response, his leadership and in his conception of human dignity. Duwali, by contrast, responded courageously in defense of his people when the Texian troops and militia converged upon them. He demonstrated the qualities which we should pass along to our children and grandchildren -- the current and future Texans -- as being worthy of admiration.
Sincerely,
Holly
2/2/06 12:45 PM
I have been thinking about how to respond to your email about the hero exhibit since I got it. I passed it on to our school’s Texas history teacher. I even asked my husband, a former history teacher and Widely Read Person to help me compose an answer. But today I received as a birthday email from my sister the very message that had been incubating in my thoughts. This is it: Some of the greatest heroes of our state are those who, day by day, year in and year out, take care of their loved ones. They show up. They love and they plod on, because they care. They are unmentioned in the history books and unregarded in general by our success-oriented culture. But they are the cells of the great body of our life as a people. My sister called me her hero and said, “You have always and continue to do a wonderful, loving job as a mother, daughter, sister, wife, mentor and friend. You are my hero.”
Then she included the following lyrics to a song she’d heard that made her think of me. And I couldn’t be happier or prouder than if I’d won the Nobel Prize.
“She's never pulled anyone from a burning building
She's never rocked Central Park to a half a million fans, screaming out her name
She's never hit a shot to win the game
She's never left her footprints on the moon
She's never made a solo hot air balloon ride, around the world,
No, she's just your everyday average girl (but)
She's somebody's hero
A hero to her baby with a skinned up knee
A little kiss is all she needs
The keeper of the cheerios
The voice that brings Snow White to life
Bedtime stories every night
And that smile lets her know
She's somebody's hero
She didn't get a check every week like a nine-to fiver
But she's been a waiter, and a cook and a taxi driver
For twenty years, there at home, until the day her girl was grown
Giving all her love to her was her life's ambition
But now her baby's movin' on, and she'll soon be missin' her
But not today, those are tears of joy runnin' down her face
She's somebody's hero
A hero to her daughter in her wedding dress
She gave her wings to leave the nest
It hurts to let her baby go down the aisle she walks right by
Looks back into her mother's eyes
And that smile lets her know
She's somebody's hero
Thirty years have flown right past
Her daughters' starin' at all the photographs
Of her mother, and she wishes she could be like that
Oh, but she already is
She's somebody's hero
A hero to her mother in a rockin' chair
She runs a brush through her silver hair
The envy of the nursing home
She drops by every afternoon
Feeds her mama with a spoon
And that smile lets her know
Her mother's smile lets her know
She's somebody's hero”
Thank you for soliciting our input about the Hero exhibit. This is mine.
3/2/06 9:26 PM
A list is just a list. It means nothing. However if I was to think about it, I would pick what DULY said about Heros and Public Service. This guy has it right.
my list :
Allen Shivers-- great, pulled us out of a swamp.
Uncle Roy ? Maybe/ Naw. I met the in Wink, as a Kid.
Leland and Ivins--- NEVER, NEVER.
Seguin's men at Channelview-- YES, YES.
Seguin himself- YES
Dorie ( Doris ) Miller-- yes, for I met the man during his savings bond tour in Waco during the war.
Audie-- ya, I guess so, for I met him also.
Deaf Smith-- well, at least he burned the bridge.
Any Texican what was awarded the NAVY CROSS in WWII.
You guys are thinging toooooo modern. and toooo much about Dallas.
How in the world could you leave out from your list my hero--- SUL ROSS. He did more and faster and better than anyone. Read about him : houston, cyann parker, yankees, gov'er-- the best, railroads, best Sheriff ever, UT, TAMC, Senate, 1st man in the Capital, was a librial-- 1st on health issues-- , Black schools, a General, battle of antilope hills, Fort sill, Indian issues, etc.
Can you name me anyone better.
Bet ya will not print this one !
22/2/06 2:28 AM
How about a vote for Francita Alavez, the "Angel of Goliad"? Not only did she save men at Goliad, but she also showed compassion at Copano Bay and at Matamoros, where she helped Texian prisoners. Her compassionate example shows the best in humanity.
18/3/06 12:18 AM
I nominate:
1. Andrew Foster (1879-1930) - founder of the Negro baseball leagues in 1920 and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame (1981). He was born in Calvert, Texas, and was a pitcher. In 1903, he won four games of the first of what was called the "Colored World Series".
2. Ernie Banks - 1st black player to play for the Chicago Cubs. Also helped to start the Negro Leagues, and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was born in Dallas.
22/3/06 8:46 PM
Since I believe that the primary attribute of a "hero" ought to be courage, I think that Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin and William B. Travis always have to be included in the short list of Texas heroes. To get to 6 that Michael Duty has asked for, I nominate Barbara Jordan and LBJ individually and Roy Benavidez (Medal of Honor winner-Vietnam) as representative of all the wartime heroes that Texas has produced.
scott chase
9/5/06 2:49 PM
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8/7/06 12:20 AM
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6/11/06 1:54 PM
Any list of Texas heroes must include Texas Ranger Col. John Coffee "Devil Jack" Hays. Sam Houston was his mentor, and he began his Texas Ranger service under Erastus "Deaf" Smith at urging of Houston. His father and uncle were relatives and war buddies of Andrew Jackson, mentor and surrogate father of Sam Houston. President Jackson saved Houston's life by sending him to Texas, and that legacy of faith and courage was passed on to Jack Hays by General Houston.
Yes, Jack Hays was born near Nashville, TN and died in the San Francisco Bay, CA area. He was related to President Jackson by blood and President Houston in spirit. He led the Texas Rangers that were responsible for winning the Mexican War, then he surveyed that 1,000,000 SQUARE MILES of territory for the US Government. He was also the first High Sheriff of San Francisco, and the founder of Oakland, CA.
Jack Hays also saved the Colt Fire Arms Co. when he saved the US Army in the Mexican War. And who else ever held off 100 Comanche single handed on Enchanted Rock? Lipan Chief Flacco said "Captain Jack not afraid to go through hell all by himself!"
Jack Hays arrived in Texas too late to fight in the Revolution, but did pariticate in the burial of the Heroes of Goliad. And when he died on 21 April 1883, 37 years after moving his family from Texas to California, what were his Final Words? "Today is San Jacinto Day!"
2/12/06 3:22 AM
I thought the "Hall of State" heroes were specifically Revolutionary. After all, the 1936 event did specifically celebrate the beginning of the Texas Revolution. Nevertheless I would be in favor of replacing Fannin, Rusk and Lamar on that list with Juan Seguin, Deaf Smith and one of the women, either Jane Long, Susannah Dickinson, Sarah Cockrell or maybe Nancy Nixon Tevis founder of Beaumont and early Texas business woman.
There are WAY too many later Texas Heroes to limit the list to six. I tried to come up with six categories instead but still don't have a list I am happy with. Here's the best I can do so far: Military, Political, Business, Agricultural/Ranching, Educator, Arts/Sports.
28/1/07 8:21 PM
I would submit to you these names, in no particular order: Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, Barbara Jordan, Juan Seguin, William B Travis and M B Lamar
2/4/07 11:20 AM
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24/7/08 6:54 AM
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Addiction Recovery Texas
24/7/08 7:01 AM
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