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Texas History – What was the Fifty Cent Act?

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The Fifty Cent Act advocated by Governor O.M. Roberts was approved by the Texas Legislature July 14, 1879. It provided for selling Texas public land at fifty cents an acre, one half of the proceeds to be used for paying the public debt, and the other half to be used to establish a public school fund. The Act opened the settlement of about fifty-two West Texas counties, out of which 3,202,283 acres were sold for $1,600,645.55. The Act was repealed in January 1883. … [Read more...] about Texas History – What was the Fifty Cent Act?

Texas History – Where were the First Lightship & Lighthouse in Texas?

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The first lightship was moored at the entrance of Galveston Bay in 1849. It was discontinued from use in 1906. In 1852, the first two lighthouses operating were: (1) Matagorda Lighthouse on Matagorda Island at Pass Cavallo; and (2) Bolivar Point Lighthouse on Bolivar Peninsula at Galveston Bay. The Bolivar Point Lighthouse discontinued service in 1933. The Matagorda Lighthouse discontinued service in 1995. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Where were the First Lightship & Lighthouse in Texas?

Texas History – Who were the First Indians to Be Tried in a White Man’s Court of Law?

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Colonel Ronald S. Mackenzie arrested Satanta, Satank, and Big Tree, members of the Kiowa Tribe, for their leadership role in the massacre of the Warren wagon train crew en route from Weatherford to Fort Griffin. Mackenzie ordered them to be sent to Jacksboro to stand trial for murder in a Texas district court. Satank died in an escape attempt while being escorted from Fort Sill. At the trial, Satanta and Big Tree received sentences of death by hanging. While awaiting their execution at the Texas … [Read more...] about Texas History – Who were the First Indians to Be Tried in a White Man’s Court of Law?

Texas History – What were the “Black Codes?”

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In 1866, the Texas legislature passed laws to govern society through a series of harsh measures aimed at the freedmen. Under those rules, collectively referred to as the "Black Codes," former slaves were required to sign labor contracts by early January for the entire year, restrict their travel away from places of employment unless with written permission, show deference to white people, and refrain from voting. … [Read more...] about Texas History – What were the “Black Codes?”

Texas History – Who was the Last Surviving Soldier of the Civil War?

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When honorary General Walter Williams died in 1959 at the age of 117, one of America's most important periods in history came to an end. Williams was the last surviving soldier of the Civil War, having served in Hood's Texas Brigade during the final months of the war. When the last surviving Union soldier died in 1956, Dwight Eisenhower bestowed upon Williams the honorary rank of general. He was buried in a Confederate general's uniform. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Who was the Last Surviving Soldier of the Civil War?