Daughters of the Republ ic of Texas Volume 21, Issue 2

117 th Annua l Convent ion in Ty ler

Jul y 2008

Daughters ’ Ref lect ions

The 117th State Convention of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas was held May 14-17, 2008, in Tyler. The theme of the convention was Gateway to Texas. The John Tilley Ed-wards Chapter of Longview registered over 700 delegates, guests and dignitaries at this year’s convention that was hosted by the twelve chapters of District IV. K. Jenschke served as Convention Chair and the Charles G. Davenport Chapter of Tyler served as the host chap-ter.

A mural painted by artist Ruth Andrews was unveiled prior to the formal opening ceremony on Thursday, May 15. The original art work depicts the migration of missionaries, empresarios and pioneers through the historic gateway trail, El Camino Real de los Tejas. Of particular interest was the presentation of historic flags of Texas by members of The Sons of the Republic of Texas, Knights of San Jacinto and Children of the Republic of Texas. Grace Community High School Choir provided a pro-gram of songs representing the six countries that have governed Texas.

A reception honoring the Presi-

dent General, Madge Roberts, was held following the cere-mony. The President General was presented a corsage of miniature yellow roses, noting Tyler’s rose heritage, and pro-vided by the John Bevil Chap-ter of Jasper. State Representa-tives Tommy Merritt, District 7 and Bryan Hughes, District 5 attended. Classical music was provided by the Jones String Trio.

The “Shopping Mall” organized by the Fort Houston Chapter of Palestine held a wide array of Texas items to entice DRT mem-bers.

The Pioneer Home Luncheon on Friday was hosted by Wil-liam Carroll Crawford Chapter of Center and the James Fre-derick Gomer Chapter of Hemphill. Weldon McDaniel, historian, presented the program See Convention P. 2

Johnnie McWilliams, President Charles G. Davenport Chapter, President General Madge Roberts, K. Jenschke, District V Rep. and Convention Chair

President General’s Message

This past year has been an exciting one for the President General as she traveled around the state. It has been a source of great pride to see the Daughters pursue the goals of our organiza-tion as they preserve their local history as well as that of our an-cestors. Among the enjoyable events were celebrations of chapter anniversaries, ceremo-nies honoring Alamo defenders and couriers in San Antonio and those at the battlefield at San Jacinto where our independence was won, the dedication of his-torical markers in Belton and on the La Bahia Trail in Anderson, and the CRT Convention. Every-where the spirit of DRT is alive.

For over one hundred years we have worked to promote the love of Texas history among our chil-dren. This past year has seen the “Teach a Trunk Program” encouraging our members to go into the classroom with a hands on history program for our chil-dren. We have accomplished much in the past year, and have plans for the future.

CONVENTION: Five of the Officers General used the word “resign” in giving their annual reports. The Convention Regis-tered Parliamentarian advised the President General that resig-nations must be put in writing. Only the Historian General and the Fourth Vice President did this. Later one officer changed her mind and two said they had not resigned from the BOM. The

President General then con-sulted another Registered Parlia-mentarian who gave the same opinion and stated that the four offices in question could not be declared vacant unless a written resignation was received. This situation has caused a lot of controversy among members with strong opinions, but we must put this behind us and

move on to unite the Daughters toward working for the goals of our organization. Later the Re-cording Secretary General also sent her resignation.

THE ALAMO CAPITAL CAM-PAIGN: Since convention we have been busy keeping the campaign going. The convention body made several changes which affected the campaign.

This has led to rumors that the campaign is over. It is not. In May we received a one million dollar grant for preservation and site expansion, the first install-ment of a $75,000 grant for preservation, and a $25,000 grant for operating expenses which allowed us to pay off the remainder of the DINI contract.

See P.G. Message P. 2

Page 2 Volume 21, Issue 2

Convention from P. 1

on Sabine County, Gateway to Texas.

Members and guests to the Memorial Service were blessed by the rich voice of Andy New-berry. The John Floyd Gilbert Chapter of Livingston provided a unique Republic of Texas Wreath. One of our deceased had been a member for 87 years.

The Historical Evening banquet was hosted by Halfway Inn Chapter of Cherino and Ezekiel Cullen Chapter of San Augustine. Many DRT dele-

gates came in period dress and paraded through the hall to the lively, foot-stomping music of The Robert E. Lee Texas Swing Fiddlers.

Awards went to fourth grade essay winner, Anna Kate Hrachovy spon-sored by Dilue Rose Har-ris Chapter of Columbus. Seventh grade essay winner was Joel Schlaudt sponsored by Mary Hall Mantooth Chapter of Lufkin. Outstanding 4th grade

teacher was Nina Corley sponsored by Sidney Sherman Chapter of Galveston. Out-standing 7th grade teacher was Brenda Beaven sponsored by Judge Nathan-iel Hart Davis Chapter of Mont-gomery. Winner of the June Franklin Naylor Award for Best Book for Chil-dren on Texas His-tory was Paul R. Walker and the

Mamie Wynn Cox Award for Historical Research went to

Mary Gail Cowan Leming of the William Barret Travis Chapter. The Clara Driscoll Fellowship Award for Research in Texas History went to Cristina Salinas.

The final event prior to the clos-ing of the business session on Saturday was the Awards Lunch-eon hosted by Mary Hall Man-tooth Chapter of Lufkin, Stone Fort Chapter of Nacogdoches and David Crockett Chapter of Crockett. The speaker was Mrs. Pat Baldwin and her subject was Texas Is a State of Mind. Chap-ter, Senior Member and Publicity Awards were presented. John Tilley Edwards Chapter placed first in publicity, James Bowie Chapter was second, and Caddel-Smith Chapter was third.

Louise Janica and Roberta Breeden from Texana Chapter are shown with the memorial service wreath

Joanna Wilson, Nina Corley, Laura Lanigan and District IX Rep. Patti Atkins of the Sidney

Sherman Chapter enjoy the historical dinner.

SIX STAR CHAPTERS

Dist. II, Charles C. McCoy, Ar-lington; Frances Cooke Van Zandt, Fort Worth; Cedar Moun-tains, Duncanville; Cross Tim-bers, Grand Prairie

Dist. III, George Washington Stell, Paris; Collin McKinney, Plano; Peter’s Colony, Denton; James Bowie, Texarkana

Dist. IV, George G. Davenport, Tyler; William Carroll Crawford, Center; John Tilley Edwards, Longview

Dist. V, Sam Houston, Belton; Ben Milam, Temple; Fort Boggy, Marquez

Dist. VI, Miss Ima Hogg, Hous-ton; Seth Huren Bates, King-wood; Judge Nathaniel Hard Davis, Montgomery

Dist. VII, Texana, Edna

Dist. VIII, Joshua D. Brown, Kerrville; William B. Travis, Aus-tin; Ferdinand Lindheimer, New Braunfels; Stephen F. Austin, Austin

Dist. X, Thomas William Ward, Monahans

P.G. Message from P. 1

We have received several contri-butions from children who raised money through their schools. DAR held a fundraiser for us and we will receive national wide publicity in an article going out to their membership.

Despite the fact that the Special Task Force was dissolved and our previous fundraiser removed, we now have even more mem-bers working towards our goals. We will be setting up a statewide committee, but in the meantime we are pulling in Daughters as needed for specific tasks. We have had members volunteer to help with grant writing and with calling on donors. Your Presi-dent General has contacted two

potential donors, revisited three previous contacts who had been given incorrect information on the campaign, and visited the city official in charge of the Houston Street closure. Each time another Daughter also went along. We will soon be meeting with the City Council Members. At convention I challenged every DRT chapter to come up with a fundraising activity or a contact for a donor or foundation grant. Chapter Presidents need to pick the brains of their members for ideas. If each chapter could bring $25,000 to the campaign this would be over two and one half million dollars that the Daughters raised!

BUSINESS PLAN: Months of efforts on the nearly completed

Business Plan by former mem-bers of the STF under Barbara Stevens are being withheld. Barbara has informed me that since the STF was dissolved, she does not want to turn over this plan and it is her proprietary work and cannot be used by the Daughters of the Republic or anyone else, either under their direction or independently.” This has slowed us down, but Alamo Committee members have stepped up and are re-interviewing the supervisors for input, and we are starting over to create a similar plan. The Library Committee is helping with design ideas for the new library building. The Master Plan has been cor-rected. Our priorities are ongoing preservation of the Shrine and

Long Barrack and renovation and redesign of the Gift Shop and Museum area. We currently have funds available for this. We will move on to other areas as funds become available.

I look forward to attending the District Workshops which run from August though November. I always enjoy meeting with our members and seeing their enthu-siasm as we work together to protect Texas History by plan-ning for the future.

Madge Roberts, President General

See Addendum to President General’s Message, P. 7

Daughters ’ Ref lec t ions Page 3

Relics, Old Trails and Historic Sites Committee

Library Committee

Republic of Texas History Complex Vision Team

DRT’s first permanent historic site marker was placed on the La Bahia Road in Anderson, Grimes County, Texas April 20, 2008. Zuber Hadley Chapter, Nava-sota, co-hosted the event along with the Relics, Old Trails and Historic Sites Committee. Anita Cooper chaired the event..

Brett Mize of Houston, who is restoring an early 1800’s house in Anderson, requested a DRT marker after researching the LaBahia Road. Wording was approved by two academic histo-rians. The plaque was made by Time Works, Ltd, Inc. in Bryan and paid for by a Native Texan License Plate (NTLP) grant.

DRT is seeking to mark the graves of Past Presidents Gen-eral and those of Real Daughters with a DRT medallion. Each

chapter has been asked to adopt a Real Daughter for the project. Searches are in progress at-tempting to locate all the graves.

The Trans Texas Corridor is planned in the path of historic cemeteries. District VII repre-sentative, Willa Peek said of San Patricio: “The toll road changes will go right through several cemeteries plus Empresario McGloin's home. One cemetery dates to 1872 (our new Ceme-tery), and the Old Cemetery dates to the Republic and be-fore. Empresario McGloin is buried there; Zachary Taylor's soldiers are there, many of the San Patricio settlers are there. The I-69 map would com-pletely wipe out this historic town.” For more :http://www.keeptexasmoving.com/; http://www.corridorwatch.org/ttc/i n d e x . h t m ; h t t p : / /w w w . t e x a s t o l l p a r t y . c o m /ttp_trans_texas.php President General Madge Roberts, former 4th VP Gen. and event chairman Anita

Cooper, San Jacinto Chapter; Nita Wilkinson, Miss Ima Hogg Chapter; Sandra Meier and CRT Registrar General Barbara Stevens, both Seth Hurin Bates Chapter

Treasurer General’s Report

At the DRT Convention 2008 in Tyler, members voted to in-crease the DRT annual dues to $35.00, and the initiation fee to $50.00 for each new member application. The members ap-proved a posthumous member-ship, which will cost a onetime fee of $150.00. Without the in-crease in dues, DRT would have been forced to make severe cuts in operations. With the increase in dues, DRT will be able to con-tinue to function without reducing any areas of service and/or sup-port.

The Native Texan License Plate Fund (NTLP) has provided mon-ies for preservation and mainte-nance of DRT’s historic sites, documents, and artifacts; funding educational programs that teach Texas history, providing mone-tary awards to student winners in the Texas history contest; erec-tion of historical markers and to purchase supplies used for his-toric purposes.

Alamo Hall was the site July 29 of a tea honoring the retiring Library Director Elaine Davis, who served as Director for the past ten years. The Library Committee established The Elaine Davis Research Award Fund in her honor. The purpose of the fund will be to draw re-searchers to San Antonio to use the library's collections.

The library will be closed on

Saturdays, effective July 5, for an indefinite period due to insuf-ficient staffing. The Library Committee will re-evaluate the situation upon the successful employment of a new director.

The eighth annual Family His-tory Seminar to be held in Alamo Hall on Saturday, September 20. Well known lecturer Lloyd Bock-struck will be the guest speaker and his four lectures are: Illegiti-

macy; Substitutes for Birth and Death Records; Pitfalls; and Onomatology: Surnames and Forenames and the Genealo-gist. Mr. Bockstruck currently serves as supervisor of the ge-nealogy department of the Dallas Public Library. Cost of the semi-nar is $35/person. The library's website has infor-mation for all upcoming events http://www.drtl.org.

The Team continues its mission to raise the $3 million needed for the proposed Republic of Texas History Center (RTH) property and building. Part of the funds needed for the RTH Center will come from the sale of the current Headquarters building.

An Advisory Board has been formed which, as of July 1, con-sists of eight members, all promi-nent individuals who are inter-

ested in supporting the Vision. Madge Roberts, DRT President General, and Vaughn Oliver, SRT President General are hon-orary members of the Advisory Board.

For information regarding the Vision, visit the DRT members’ website, and click The Republic of Texas History Complex.

Each chapter is being chal-lenged to show support for the

Vision with a significant contribu-tion and to seek at least one individual contribution of a simi-lar amount.

Corrections

Feb. 2008: The award presented by Miss Ima Hogg Chapter to Ellen McCaffrey should read “Barbara Harden Johnson Award.”

Roster: Anita Cooper’s phone number is 281-286-4433.

LaBahia Road Historic Site Marker

Marking of DRT Graves Cemeteries in Peril

The official San Jacinto Day Commemorative Ceremony was held on Monday, April 21. Ap-proximately 300 people attended to celebrate the 172nd anniver-sary of the most significant Bat-tle in the Western Hemisphere.

Sam Houston IV, Knight of San Jacinto, read the Battle Report from San Jacinto, writ-ten by his great grandfather, General Sam Houston. The Fife and Drum played “Will You Come to the Bower”. There was the laying of the Memorial Wreath and the Salute to the Texas Patriots was conducted by the Texas Army and SRT Texian Volunteers

In 1904, the San Jacinto Chapter was made the trustees of the Texas Veterans fund ($1501.20). These funds were later used to erect the Sundial that was built at the Texian Army

Camp to honor the nine men who had died in battle, giving their lives for Liberty and Inde-pendence. The original bank draft and bank book were in the San Jacinto Chapter archives and are being loaned to the San Jacinto Museum where they can be displayed in a safe, secure environment.

Larry Spasic, San Jacinto Mu-seum, gratefully acknowledged receipt of these documents and spoke about the contributions of the San Jacinto Chapter and DRT to the Battleground, saying that without their efforts the San Jacinto Battleground would not exist as it does today.

Daughters, Sons, San Jacinto Descendants, the Texian Army and many others celebrated this most significant of our Honor Days.

Following convention each year, fundraising efforts go into high gear at the French Legation. The Committee and staff will raise $62,000 this year to meet the FLM’s approved budget goals. Gayla Lawson, Stephen F. Aus-tin Chapter, and GayNell Wells, Josiah D. Brown Chapter, co-chaired the Silent Auction held during Alliance Francais de Aus-tin’s Bastille Day celebration on July 12. Proceeds from the auc-tion added $4,700 to the fund.

Pat Kopychak, William B. Travis Chapter, is preparing a grant application to Texas His-torical Commission’s Texas Preservation Trust Fund to study the house’s structural condition and needed repairs. A preserva-tion architect will be assisting in

this undertaking. The BOM ap-proved our $20,000 NTLP matching funds request for this important preservation project.

Camp Republic of Texas, held in June for 6 thru 12 year olds, gave a taste of life during the Republic of Texas era.

The gift shop now accepts credit cards. Chapters are en-couraged to purchase a copy of our new DVD Glorious Opportu-nity on the history of the French Legation. It would make a good chapter program for those un-able to visit.

Check the FLM web page at www.frenchlegationmuseum.org

Page 4 Volume 21, Issue 2

San Jacinto Battlefield Committee French Legation Committee

Campers interact with representatives from the Spinners and Weavers of Austin and the Texas Legacy Association on the front porch of the Museum

Chapters Celebrate Honors Days William Carroll Crawford Chapter, Center Members met at the San Jacinto Monument

for the 172nd anniversary commemorating the Battle of San Jacinto. After lunch at the Monument Inn, the group toured the library led by Lisa Strothers. David Pomeron led a tour of the battlefield encampment sites and the battlefield itself. His passion for the Battle of San Jacinto made the scene come alive for his audience.

Stephen F. Austin Chapter, Aus-tin celebrated San Jacinto Day and the chapter’s 75th birthday on April 21 with a luncheon at Green Pastures in Austin. The chapter was founded in Austin on San Jacinto Day in 1933 by

a group of students on UT campus. The celebration also honored Marguerite Walling Butler, a 50-year member of the chapter.

Marguerite’s daughters Becky Butler Scott, left, and Kay Butler Howell, right, join Marguerite Walling Butler and Kay Miller at the luncheon.

Gail Sholar, Lavonne Wood, Billie Dawson, Maggie Casto, Fay Harrison, Mary Ann Howard at San Jacinto

Page 5 Volume 21, Issue 2

John Tilley Edwards Chapter, Longview.

In 2007, the editor of the Long-view News Journal, Ana Walker, wrote an article challenging the people of Longview to celebrate Texas Independence Day. President Phyllis Bridges of the John Tilley Edwards Chapter accepted the “challenge.” Peggy Nader and Sue Vaughn began working on the program. Suzy Burt decorated the library cases with Texas books, pictures, chapter papers and articles used by early Texans. Members worked together on “sewing day” to make period costumes.

Publicity chairman Ruth Law-rence and Phyllis Bridges ap-proached local TV stations and were successful in landing an interview before the event on

Channel 19 with a group dressed in Texas bonnets, skirts and aprons. The Longview News Journal printed several front page articles. Lively Olds Deal-ership displayed details of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Celebration on the bill-board in front of their business.

When the moment came, March 1 at 2:00 PM, the crowd at the Longview Public Library had grown to standing room only with a few turned away. CRT members from the Mary Jane Lyday Chapter handed out programs and tickets for a drawing, and Ann Moore, Evelyn Banda, Sue Vaughn and Peggy Nader served as greet-

ers dressed in Texas bonnets, skirts and aprons they had made for the occasion. State Repre-sentative Tommy Merritt spoke on the Texas Declaration of In-dependence and refreshments were served to the gathered crowd.

Tyler Channel 7’s Bob Halmark covered the event as did the

News Journal. The celebration was an outstanding success with requests that it be held again next year.

This was not only the celebra-tion of Texas Independence Day, but the celebration of the spirit of Texas. We celebrated her courageous ancestors who gave so much for that Independ-ence, the Alamo, Goliad, and the victory at San Jacinto.

William Barret Travis Chap-ter, Austin celebrated Founders Day and Stephen F. Austin’s birthday at their annual luncheon at the Austin Women’s Club and heard Texas General Land Of-fice commissioner, Jerry Pater-son speak from his vast knowl-edge of Texas history.

Which Ancestors Produced The Most Members?

Senator Hutchison has been a member of DRT since 1979 when she joined the Stone Fort Chapter in Nacogdoches. Charles S. Taylor was her DRT ancestor and she is now a mem-ber of the Charles S. Taylor Chapter in Dallas.

Is there a member of your chapter who is a stand-out in politics, education, medicine, religion, business, agriculture, the arts or literature? If her influ-ence extends beyond your im-mediate area, share her accom-plishments with the rest of us. Send a story of approximately 300 words to the editor for future publication.

DRT records show that there are 12,547 Repub-lic of Texas residents who have been cited as ancestors by 19,449 applicants for membership. Some of those are famous for various reasons, but history may have forgotten many of them if their descendants had not researched and re-corded their lives.

A casual search of the records indicates that the following were the ancestors of more members of DRT than any others. We solicit stories from you if one of these men is your ancestor.

1. Zadock Woods, with eighty-one, was a mem-ber of Austin’s Old 300. He was born in Massa-chusetts in 1773 and resided in Fayette Co. He died in 1842 in Dawson’s Massacre at Salado.

2. Reuben Hornsby was born in 1793 in Georgia and died in 1879 at Hornsby Bend. He was a surveyor and Ranger and is ancestor to fifty-six members.

3. Collin McKinney, born in 1766 in New Jersey resided near Texarkana, signed the Texas Decla-ration of Independence and served in the Con-gress of the Republic. He died in 1861 and has forty-four descendants in DRT.

4. James George was born in VA and lived in DeWitt’s Colony at Gonzales until he died at the Alamo as one of the Immortal 32. He has forty-two descendants.

5. Louisiana native, Solomon Barrow, born in 1801, received a Spanish land grant and was a soldier residing in Liberty. He died in 1858 and counts thirty-eight DRT descendants.

6. Gordon C. Jennings, born about 1779 in Pennsylvania, died at the Alamo. He resided in Bastrop and is the ancestor of thirty-seven mem-bers.

7. John Smith, born 1792 in North Carolina, died 1845 in Washington on the Brazos. A Dewitt Colonist, he was the last messenger to leave the Alamo. He resided in and was mayor of San An-tonio. He has thirty-three descendant members.

8. James Walker, Sr., born ca. 1756 in Virginia, was a member of Austin’s Old 300. He died ca. 1837 in Washington County where he resided at New Years’ Creek. He has thirty-one descendant members.

9. John Tumlinson, born ca. 1776 in North Carolina was an Alcalde/Civil Judge and Ranger for Austin’s Colony. He lived in Colorado Co. and died in 1823 in Guadalupe Co. He is credited with twenty-nine members.

10. John Blanton was born in Tennessee. He was a soldier in Capt. Becknell’s Co. and resided and died in 1840 in Red River Co. There are twenty-eight who descend from him.

More Celebrations

Ruth Lawrence, Phyllis Bridges, Lolita Lloyd and Sue Vaughn

U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

Tell us About Your Chapter’s High Achievers

Frances Cooke Van Zandt Chapter, Fort Worth cele-brated Texas Independence Day with a luncheon at Mira Vista Country Club on Mar. 1.

TCU History Professor Dr. Greg Cantrell spoke on the Texas Legation Records (1836-1845) which are on loan to the Texas Christian Univer-sity Library. Dr. Cantrell and his team of graduate students tran-scribed and edited the body of most of the 272 age-worn docu-ments. According to Dr. Cantrell, the letters offer a fasci-nating glimpse into the early days of the Texas Republic and fall into four general topics: money, annexation, personal matters and inquiries into land

and employment opportunities in Texas.

The collection includes the original copies of specific gen-eral and private orders that were signed and sent by Secre-tary of State Stephen F. Austin to Texas Charge d’Affaires Wil-liam H. Wharton. Another ex-tremely significant document is a copy of the Treaty of Velasco signed three weeks after the defeat of the Mexican forces at the Battle of San Jacinto. Other documents deal with a variety of topics including boundary is-sues, Native Americans, rela-tions with Mexico, the Texas Navy and financial arrange-ments for loans and bonds.

Researchers are welcome to visit the Mary Couts Burnett Library Reading Room on the TCU Campus. TCU will house the papers for three more years, after which the Legation records will return to the State Archives. For more information about the collection, contact Mike Strom at 817-275-7595.

Sidney Sherman Chapter, Galveston celebrated with a Texas Heroes and Independ-ence Day Luncheon. The fea-tured speaker was author Jeff Modjelewski who reviewed his English translation of his book on Jean LaFitte in the early days of Galveston.

Ferdinand Lindheimer Chap-ter, New Braunfels, visited the re-enactment at the Presidio La Bahia at Goliad for Goliad He-roes Day

Page 6 Volume 21, Issue 2

More Honors Days Celebrations

Dr. Greg Cantrell with Chapter 2nd VP, Peggy Carr

Seated, Dianne Vogt and Dorothy Goff. Standing, daughter Diane Doty, Teddy St Ama, granddaughter Saralyn Cepak, Imogene Macias, Wanda Trott and Winona

Caddel-Smith Chapter, Uvalde

The Stephen F. Austin Heritage Oaks Pro-ject grew from an interest in Stephen F. Austin by a Houston businessman, Bill Price and his wife, Janie. The Prices purchased

property near West Columbia where Stephen F. Austin died on December 27, 1839. Still standing at the site was a giant live oak tree that had been standing before Austin’s death. Acorns were gathered from that giant oak and were propagated into

trees certified by the Texas Forestry Association as disease free and authentic. These heritage oak trees have been planted in every county in the state of Texas and at every public school that is named for Austin.

The Caddel-Smith Chapter had oak trees planted in Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Kinney, Real, Uvalde, and Zavala Counties. They have purchased markers for each of the trees. Kay Anderson and her husband, Bailey have been responsi-ble for setting the markers.

Ben Milam Chapter, Temple

Inez Roberts Lund, 92, a descendent of Governor Oran Milo Rob-erts, was the first recipi-ent of the new 50 year membership pin which was designed by Regis-trar General Carol Steak-ley and her husband Bob. Inez joined DRT in 1949 and attended every chapter meeting this year as well as the District V workshop.

Free Texas Death Certificates

LDS has now placed on-line FREE all Texas Death Certificates through 1976. Go to http://pilot.familysearch.org/. Drop down the page to VITAL RECORDS and click on TEXAS DEATHS, 1890-1976 and begin your search. You get the actual printable microfilm image of the original death certifi-cate.

The Stephen F. Austin Heritage Oaks Project

Dorothy Smollen Goff’s 100th Birthday

Bluebonnet Branch Chapter, Friendswood, celebrated with Dorothy Smollen Goff on her 100th birthday March 30th, with friends and family in League City. Dorothy proudly remains a member of DRT. Her great-great grandfather, David Cole, was one of the five men who captured Santa Anna after the Battle of San Jacinto.

The names and voices you hear on the phone when you call Headquar-ters may not have a face unless you live near Austin and make occa-sional stops in for assis-tance from the staff. One requirement for employment is that they may not be members of DRT, but they develop an “ownership” and a bond with the member-ship. Here is an introduc-tion to those ladies.

The Office Administrator is a position that was added a year and a half ago when Lana Bous-sidan was hired. She came to us from Florida where she was a financial specialist with a bank. Prior to that, she had managed private country clubs in Houston and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her responsibilities include manag-ing day-to-day operations of Headquarters and the Museum as well as keeping books for both. Lana is married and is mother of a son and a daughter and has two grandsons. She likes to read, walk and spend time outdoors.

Audrey Tyler has been with us longest. She’s a veteran of ten years and manages the gift shop as well as keeping up the inven-tory of the museum. She has responsibility for the member-ship database and is the person who books museum tours. Aud-rey and her husband of fifty-one years owned and operated Aus-tin Recording Studio for over thirty-five years. The couple has a son and a daughter and three grandchildren. Audrey also likes to read, go to movies, and en-joys going out to eat with friends.

Julia Brock is our business coordinator who keeps the re-cords and archives for DRT.

The library, which con-tains every application for membership since the beginning, is her responsibility. She is there to help members and prospective mem-bers research the ar-chives and to fill their orders for DRT sup-plies. She started in this job just over three and a half years ago. She previously worked

in advertising and marketing in print and broadcasting. When pressed, she admitted to holding a masters degree in Media and Communications. She is mother to two teenaged boys and enjoys her outings with a Swing Dance Group.

All three say that they learn history daily from the members who have stories to tell about their ancestors. Julia said, “We always like to have members and guests come for a visit. Come, stay, and volunteer. We have fun when others join in. Helping hands can do something simple like count or file, up to designing a display for a feature in the museum.”

Page 7 Volume 21, Issue 2

James Bowie Chapter of Texarkana traveled to Jefferson to at-tend the play, Texian Woman, depicting the life of legendary Texas pioneer woman, Harriette Potter Ames. It was written and per-formed by Jefferson actress Marcia Thomas, daughter of Dot Craver, a long time member of the James Bowie Chapter.

John Berry Chapter of Georgetown is fortunate to have a “history teacher we wish we’d had in school” as program chairman. Doro-thy Warner presented a four part Texas history series including: Texas!! What a Place; Texas Indians; Spanish Explorers and Set-tlement; and concluded with a field trip to San Antonio missions.

Chapter members and guests await the opening of the Texian Woman at the his-toric Jefferson Living room Theater. From left are Frances Fox, Dana Thompson, Sybil Thompson, Susan Oaks, MaryLu Stotts, Elizabeth Brown, Rebecca Epps, Susan McClain and Amy Stotts. Kneeling are Melda Payne and Mary Ann Davis.

Alamo guide, John Richardson, related the story of the Alamo as a mission rather than the story of the famous battle. Lunch for the sixteen participants at the historic Menger Hotel was followed by a visit to Mission San Jose. Retired history teacher, Dorothy Warner, is in red pants on the first row.

Meet the Headquarters Staff

Audrey Tyler, Lana Boussidan, Julia Brock

From P. 2

Addedendum to President General’s

Message

Friday, July 25, 2008

New BOM Officers are:

4th Vice President General, Carolyn Reed, 1476 Hueco Springs Loop Rd, New Braun-fels, TX 78132, 830-625-5323, creed@axs4u.net

Recording Secretary General, Peggy Townsend, 2103 Laurel Bend Ln, Houston, TX 77014, 281-893-8696, pegdrt@aol.com

Historian General, Sylvia Ken-nedy, P.O. Box 733, Scottsville, TX 75688, 903-938-6820, 4bark@shreve.net

The appointments of Connie Impelman as DRT Library Com-mittee Chairman and Jeanie Travis as Library Committee member were ratified.

Four members of the Nancy Tevis Chapter CRT, Beaumont live with their parents, William and Tracy Ewest, in Germany where he is stationed at Ram-stein US Air Base.

It was while flying with wounded soldiers back to Texas from Germany to visit their Grandparents, long time DRT member Peggy and Darwyn Ewest, that Lauren Ewest decided that she wanted to repre-sent her new Nancy Tevis Chapter CRT and do something for the wounded ser-vice personnel and to show the military personnel appreciation for their service.

She recruited her siblings, Cody, Joel and Madison Ewest, all members of the Chapter, and

her friends in Germany to help her with her “Cup of Love” pro-ject. The group assembled a hot and cold cup and filled it with Candy Canes, letters from chil-

dren in schools (Vogelweh Mid-dle School in Germany and Mar-tin Elementary School in Beau-mont), a package of Nestles Hot Chocolate, cookies and lots of M&M’s.

During the holidays, her group

passed out over a thousand “Cups of Love” to Landstuhl Re-gional Military Hospital and the Fisher House. The Military Chap-lain was so impressed with her

project, he asked her to meet the incoming wounded military personnel at the staging area before going to the hospital. They also gave “Cups of Love” at the USO Terminal where soldiers are being de-ployed to Iraq and/or Af-ghanistan.

The USO requested that Lauren and her group repeat their “Cups of Love” Project for Valentine’s Day when they as-sembled hundreds of the cups with valentines and chocolate candy donated by the Hershey Company for the service men and women.

Page 8 Volume 21, Issue 2

CRT Members in Germany

James Bowie Chapter mem-bers presented a living history reenactment at James Bowie High School in Simms, Texas, during the school’s James Bowie Week. Chapter member Sandra Parker assumed the persona of legendary Texas

beauty Ursula de Veramandi Bowie. Her husband, Larry Parker, donned period costume to present a first person account the life and times of Col. Bowie. Prior to the reenact-ment, historically attired Chap-ter members spoke to primary

and elementary school students about Texas history and screened the IMAX DVD, TEXAS: The Big Picture, an educational video acquired from the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.

Georgetown DRT Chapter’s name-sake, War of 1812 veteran John Berry, came to Texas in 1826. He was a blacksmith and gunsmith. In 1846 he moved his large family including his third wife to land northeast of Georgetown where he built a gristmill on Berry’s Creek. His great grandson, Audie Murphy, was the most decorated soldier of World War II.

Fredericksburg’s Dr. Wilhelm Keidel DRT Chapter was named for an immigrant from Germany who arrived in Ga lves ton in December 1845. After serving in the US Army during the Mexican War, he became a doctor in Fredericksburg. German immigrants erected the Vereins Kirche in 1846 in the center of the new colony of pioneers to serve as their community church.

CRT President General’s Project

This year is the 80th anniver-sary of the Children of the Re-public of Texas.

Aaron Noack, CRT President General, has announced that he has chosen as his CRT project for 2008-2009 to raise money for marking Real Daughters’ graves. There are approximately 148 Real Daughters and only a few of their graves have been marked with commemorative medallions.

A raffle to earn money for the project will award a Waterford Texas Shaped Paper Weight and a $400 VISA Card. Raffle chances are $5 each and three for $10. CRT members will be selling the tickets at District Workshops this fall and through-out the year.

The chapters that sell the most raffle tickets will receive mone-tary rewards. Each chapter and individual that participate will receive a special certificate at the 2009 CRT Convention.

Checks should be made pay-able to: Children of the Republic of Texas, Memo: PG Project..

District IX hosted the 48th Annual Children of the Republic of Texas Convention on June 20-21 in Houston. Patti Atkins, District Representa-tive served as chairman.

On Friday morning, the group toured the San Jacinto Monument and Battlefield. Lunch was served by members of the Descendants of San Jacinto. A swim and pizza party followed by a dance and a silent auction provided additional entertainment. Proceeds from the auction totaled $1,048.80 which will go to the Scholarship and

Leadership Fund.

Amber Horton, CRT President General presided. She and Kyle Roberts were awarded scholar-ships. Kyle was recipient of the James Milton Rash Trophy for his essay. Sarah Grace Phillips was awarded the Carolyn DeKeith Cook Roth Memorial Trophy as the year’s outstanding mem-ber, and her grandmother, Kathryn Peacock, was grandmother of the year. Sarah Turner Cottle Chapter won the Edward Philmore Haltom, Jr. Trophy for best chapter program.

Page 9 Volume 21, Issue 2

CRT Convention in Houston

CRT Board of Management 2008-2009 front l-r: Faye Chism, DRT 3rd VP General/CRT Director, Michelle Williams, 4th VP General, Melody Townsend, 2nd VP General, Aaron Noack, President General, Jesse Eddins, 1st VP General, Billy Horton, 3rd VP General, Kyle Cox, 5th VP General back l-r, Reed Denon, Chaplain General, Lauren Williamson, Corresponding Secretary General, Marilyn Bu-chanan, Recording Secretary General, Helen Williams, Parliamentarian General, Hunter Creasey, Treasurer General, Gavin Noack, Custodian General, Michala Noack, Historian General, Peyton Hall, Registrar General,

Ferdinand Lindheimer Chap-ter, New Braunfels, awarded FOUR $500 scholarships to graduating seniors, Devin Fel-ger, granddaughter of Jeanette Felger; Nathan Fiala, grandson of Rosemarie Gregory; Hannah Weissgarber and Mariad Cocke.

Texana Chapter of Edna awarded their first scholarship to Kacy Wisofsky who graduated from Ganado High School.

Frances Cooke Van Zandt Chapter of Fort Worth presented their 2008 scholarship to Sidney Moore, a graduate of Western Hills High School.

William Barret Travis Chap-ter sponsored Jared Opper-man’s 7th grade essay and James J. Krajicek ‘s 4th grade essay.

Villa de San Agustin de Laredo Chapter 4th grade win-ners were Ari Montemayor, 2nd place and Alexa Trevino, 1st place. 7th grade winner was Karla Cortez of United South Middle School.

Frances Cooke Van Zandt Chapter winner was Mary Mac-donald from Luella Merrett Ele-mentary. She was also named District II fourth grade winner.

Chapters Award Scholarships

Chapters Honor Essay Participants

Ari Montemayor, 2nd place and Alexa Trevino, 1st place. Principal of United Day School, Rita Peters, Chapter President Ana Flores, chapter member Gloria Guar-jardo and teacher Elva Puig.

4th Grade winner Mary McDonald and friends. Merrett Elementary teacher Raymond Hanson, Chapter Essay Chairman Penny Gault and Chapter President Nancy Stowe

Page 10 Volume 21, Issue 2

In Honor of Texas Independence Day, Peters Colony Chapter presented Dodd Intermediate School (left) with three library books from DRT and CRT.

At Krum Middle School, they presented Certificates of Recognition to CRT Board of Management Officers, Aaron Noack, 2nd VP General, Gavin Noack, Parliamentarian General, and Machala Noack, Historian General. They are children of Mike and Sonein Noack and grandchildren of Marti Pattinson, both Peters Colony members. They presented a Texas Flag, S. F. Austin’s Republic of Texas map, and two library books to the school. (below)

The Teach a Child History Trunk Created by the Alamo staff with the supervision of Dr. Bruce Winders, each district circulated one trunk among its chapters.

Students from St. Augustine Elementary in Laredo experi-enced pioneer life by wearing the authentic clothing of the period. Ana Flores, president of the Villa de San Augustin de Laredo Chapter, and Tita Cortez, school librarian pre-sented the lesson to fourth graders.

Drawings of Bowie Knives were District III winners for the K-5 division of the Republic of Texas Art Contest. CRT members, Leanna K. Epps, 1st place and Madison Epps, 2nd place, are granddaughters of Rebecca Epps, James Bowie Chapter.

John Berry Chapter member Amy Miller, a 4th grade teacher at Forest North Elementary in Round Rock, presented the trunk to six classes over the period of two days. They took notes on each item and discussed them after each child did close-up examinations.

Page 11 Volume 21, Issue 2

Joshua D. Brown Chapter introduces Six Star Pins, Six Star Bar and Stars. They also feature their Yellowstone Pin.

Fort Settlement Chapter, Sugar Land is proud to present our new “DRT” Initial Pin to be worn off the ribbon.

William Barret Travis intro-duces its Three Star pin repre-senting the chapter being the third chapter chartered, and the First Capitol Building in Austin pin.

Frances Cooke Van Zandt Chapter continues to sell single ribbon bars, double ribbon bars, “Where the West Begins” pins and Bluebonnet Hand Towels.

The Cradle of Texas Chapter is pleased to offer our Chapter pins honoring our history: Stephen F. Austin-Father of Texas, and the First Capitol of the Republic of Texas (the replica of which is located near its original site in West Columbia, Brazoria Price –County)

Chapter Sales Advertising

Are you aware that chapters can advertise their sales items on the Members’ Website free? Send a picture of the item(s) with a de-scription, size, and how to order, amount, where to send check, etc. Email in Word format with the photo attached to Julia Brock julia.brock@drtmuseum.org.

To order these items and many more, go to: Chapter Sales, DRT Members Only website http://www.drt-inc.org/members/ User name: Alamo , Password: 100YearS (both are case sensitive)

The purpose of the newsletter is to provide communication and to promote goodwill among members of DRT. A mix of news, reports and features is suggested. Furnishing timely information is of primary impor-tance. (MOP, p.61)

In this issue, every submis-sion was used with some editing. Many were blended into other stories. A review of previous issues reveals that many of the same chapters contribute some-thing each time, and many have never submitted. You are en-couraged to judge the interest value of this issue and let your favorite items guide you in future submissions. Consider which of the photos are more interesting and try to submit those that will compare.

Publishing a newsletter is ex-pensive. Our goal is to present newsworthy items that will be of interest to the nearly 6900 mem-ber recipients. Approximately half of the membership will re-ceive this and future issues online. The members’ website offers access to information in a timely manner between issues, and e-mail simplifies communi-cation between District Repre-sentatives and their chapters.

We choose not to use informa-tion suitable for the Annual Pro-ceedings such as officer listings, number of members, chapter calendars, etc. We don’t en-courage reports similar to those heard at district workshops or

convention. We prefer that members of the BOM send in-structions to chapter officers regarding their duties through chapter presidents or directly to the officers affected. Announce-ments of district workshops ap-pear in the members’ website and are sent to individual chap-ters to be distributed to their members, allowing room for news of interest to everyone to be in the newsletter.

With input from the member-ship, the following features are anticipated:

Stories of the ancestors named on page 5

Articles on high achievers, also on p. 5

A feature on members who are “super collectors” of chapter pins (submit your nominees)

A story on chapter scholarships, the number and total amount

Book reviews on favorite Texas books

Reviews of historical sites in your area

In Memoriam

Fillers—very brief information on your chapter’s name

If your chapter does something newsworthy, we certainly want to hear about it. This is your newsletter. Let’s make it great! Your suggestions are solicited.

The Stephen F. Austin Chapter has created bumper stickers that not only teach but promote Texas history. If your ancestor was a part of the Old 300, the Battle of San Jacinto, the Dawson Massa-cre, the Runaway Scrape, the Battle of Velasco or even at the Alamo, you can boast of it on your bumper. This is another way for DRT to promote Texas History. Also available are S.F. Austin pin, Associate Member pin, CRT pin. Contact Kay Miller, kaymil-ler@austin.rr.com or call 512-260-2277

Note from the Editor

E-mail all articles and photos (jpg) as attachments to: karlasmith@suddenlink.net

Or mail to: Karla Smith, 406 South Ridge Cir., Georgetown, TX 78628-8215, (512-863-5515).

Submissions should be in Microsoft Word and should be limited to 300 words if possible. Include your name, address, email and phone.

Deadline for the next issue is Feb. 1, 2009.