Sam Houston

 

 

Sam Houston, a towering figure in American history, was a man of many achievements and had an unwavering commitment to the principles of liberty and justice. Born on March 2, 1793, in Rockbridge County, Virginia, Houston's early life was marked by hardship and resilience. He experienced the loss of his father at a young age, which instilled in him a sense of self-reliance and determination. 

Houston's journey unfolded with remarkable twists and turns. From his service in the War of 1812 and the Creek War, where he distinguished himself as a military leader, to his pivotal role in the Texas Revolution, Houston exhibited bravery and strategic brilliance. As the Major General of the Texian forces, he led his troops to victory in the decisive Battle of San Jacinto, securing Texian independence from Mexico. Houston's leadership and tactical genius during the battle demonstrated his ability to inspire and unite disparate factions under a common cause. 

Beyond his military accomplishments, Sam Houston left an indelible mark on the political landscape. As the first president of the Republic of Texas, he navigated the challenges of nation-building and sought to establish a stable government. Houston's commitment to diplomacy and his efforts to secure recognition for the fledgling nation demonstrated his keen understanding of the importance of international relations. Moreover, his unwavering opposition to secession and his stance against the Confederacy during the Civil War showcased his dedication to preserving the Union and upholding the ideals of unity and freedom. 

Sam Houston's legacy extends far beyond his lifetime. His contributions to the Texas Revolution, his leadership during the formative years of the Republic of Texas, and his enduring commitment to the principles of democracy and justice make him an iconic figure in American history. Houston's name is synonymous with courage, resilience, and the spirit of independence. He serves as a testament to the power of an individual's determination to shape the destiny of a nation. 

 Sandra

The Wild Woman Sculptor of European Elite & Texas Heroes

By Jacqui Nelson

Life can take us down many paths. How does a German stone carver's daughter go from sculpting the European elite to sculpting Texas heroes? First came tenacity, then talent, then tuberculosis. 

Around the turn of the 19th century, the tuberculosis death rate worldwide was estimated at 7 million people a year, so tuberculosis definitely could be a life-changer. Even though Elisabet Ney never had tuberculosis, it resulted in her leaving her birthplace of Germany and eventually living in Texas sculpting Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston. 

Franzisca Bernadina Wilhelmina Elisabeth Ney
( born 1833 in Münster, Germany ) 

Elisabet (the spelling without the "h" seems to be the name most often used when referring to her by one name) grew up assisting her father in his stone-carving business. When her parents later opposed her becoming a sculptor, she went on a hunger strike. That's tenacity. 

King Ludwig II

In 1852, Elisabet became the first female sculpture student at the Munich Academy of Art under professor Max von Widnmann. 

In 1857, she set up her own studio in Berlin and sculpted portraits of philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, composer Richard Wagner, folklorist Jacob Grimm, Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, General Giuseppe Garibaldi, King George V of Hanover, and King Ludwig II of Bavaria. That seems like a dual talent: getting the job done and pleasing those elite figures.  

In 1853, Elisabet met Edmund Montgomery, a Scottish medical student, scientist, and philosopher. They kept in touch and, although she viewed the institution of marriage as a state of bondage for women, she married Edmund in 1863. 

Marriage did not change Elisabet's views on the role of women. She refused to take her husband's name, chose to wear trousers and a black artist frock coat, and rode horses astride. 

What changed Elisabet—at least as far as where she went next—was tuberculosis. The same year that she was married, her husband was diagnosed with the deadly disease. 

In 1871, Elisabet and Edmund immigrated to the United States to join a colony in Georgia that was promoted as a healing resort for those afflicted with tuberculosis. When that didn't work out, they searched for a new home. Elisabet traveled alone to Texas to see the Liendo Plantation in Waller County. When her husband was finally able to join her, they purchased the plantation. 

For the next ten years, Elisabet concentrated on running the plantation and raising a son while her husband focused on his research. Only in the early 1880s, did Elisabet restart her artistic career—after being invited to Austin by Governor Oran M. Roberts.

In 1891, the Chicago World's Fair Association's Board of Lady Managers commissioned Elisabet to create life-size marble figures of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin for the Woman's Building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition World's Fair. 

Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston

Despite the supplement of $32,000 from the Texas state legislature, Elisabet missed her deadline and the Houston and Austin sculptures couldn't be shown at the Exhibition. They can now be seen in the Texas State Capitol in Austin and in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

 

Elisabet kept sculpting and died in her Texas studio in 1907. 

Elisabet Ney in her Texas studio

 

Elisabet Ney traveled far and immersed herself in several careers, but she always came back to sculpting. Writing, I think, is like sculpting or painting or any creative endeavor. People start with a blank page or block of stone and shape something (after heading down a creative path) that other people will hopefully connect with. 

If you'd like to see where my creative endeavors have taken me, head to MY BOOK PAGE on my website where you'll find links to read excerpts from (and view picture inspiration boards for) all of my stories. 

~ * ~

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Springtime In The Old West by @JacquieRogers

Springtime in the Wild West

by Jacquie Rogers

Spring is here and we're tossing off our coats for sleeveless shirts.  It's a time for change, and all things look brighter.  So what were the folks doing in the Old West?  The farmers were planting, the ranchers were herding cattle to higher country, and these things:

April 1, 1877

In Arizona Territory, Edward Lawrence Schieffelin discovered a rich silver vein and named it Tombstone, which would eventually become the name of the lode, the hills, and the yet to be established town.

April 2, 1885

Spurred by hunger and mistreatment, the Cree, led by Wandering Spirit, killed nine Métis and white settlers at Frog Lake, Saskatchewan, in what is known as the Frog Lake Massacre.

April 3, 1860

The first Pony Express rider left St. Joseph, Missouri, headed to California.

April 4, 1858

Gold fever is discovered in the area between Hope and Lillooet on the banks of the Fraser River near current day Langley, British Columbia, marking the beginning of the Fraser River Gold Rush, which would attract 30,000 souls and change the culture of the area forever.

April 6, 1880

Charles Russell, takes a job as a cowhand at a ranch near Utica in Montana Territory.  Read a fictional account of this famous artist's cowboying days in Jackson Lowry's West of the Big River: The Artist.

April 7, 1898

Heck Thomas and Bill Tilghman shot and killed Richard "Little Dick" West while resisting arrest on this date at the Arnett Ranch in Oklahoma Territory.

April 9, 1867

The US Congress ratified the Alaska Purchase from Russia (called Russian America). It passed by one vote, and naysayers dubbed it "Seward's Folly" after its chief proponent, US Secretary of State William H. Seweard.

April 10, 1875

The North-West Mounted Police began construction on Fort Brisebois to protect the fur trade and defend against US whiskey traders.  It was later renamed Fort Calgary, and the city of Calgary, Saskatchewan, sprouted from it.

April 11, 1895
Anaheim, California became the latest city to receive electrical service.

April 13, 1860

Remember that rider who left St. Joseph, Missouri, on April 3rd?  The mail arrived in Sacramento, California--Tom Hamilton carried the packet.  The various riders traveled 1,966 miles in 10 days.

April 15, 1862
The Civil War made its way West to New Mexico Territory at the Battle of Peralta.  One Union soldier and four Confederate soldiers were killed.  A dust  storm ended the battle.

April 16, 1882

Cockeyed Frank Loving was killed in a shootout with John Allen in front of Hammond's Hardware Store in Trinidad, Colorado.  Allen was arrested but acquitted and became a street preacher.

April 18, 1878

In New Mexico Territory, a Lincoln County grand jury indicts William Bonney (Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty) and others for the deaths of Sheriff Brady and George Hindman.

April 19, 1875

Helena becomes the new capital of Montana Territory, taking the honor from Virginia City.

April 21, 1836

An army of Texans led by General Sam Houston defeated General Santa Anna's troops at the Battle of San Jacinto, and won Texas's independence from Mexico.

April 22, 1889

10,000 people raced to claim 160-acre parcels in the first Oklahoma Land Run.  Boomers followed the rules.  Those that didn't were called Sooners.

April 26, 1860

Abe Lee discovered a rich lode of gold in the California Gulch, which led to the creation of a boom town named Leadville.

April 27, 1865

The four boilers on the steamship Sultana exploded, killing over 1,500 people (many of whom were Union soldiers who'd been prisoners of war) and wounding many more.  The worst steamship disaster before or since had little coverage because the newsmen were preoccupied by another major news story--the assassination of President Lincoln.

April 28, 1880

Chiricahua Apache chief Victorio led a raid on Cooney, New Mexico Territory.

April 29, 1878- Texas- Sam Bass and his gang are found hiding at the home of Jim Murphy near Cove Hollow and a four-day running gunfight ensures.

Hearts of Owyhee series

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