John Warne "Bet-A-Million" Gates was a barbed wire tycoon from Texas who risked his fortune in the 1870s betting that barbed wire would change the course of the frontier. Gates gave a demonstration in front of the Hord Hotel in San Antonio to show the effectiveness of barbed wire. He made a corral with the wire and filled it with longhorn cattle. The barbed wire successfully contained the livestock and resulted in more orders for the wire than the factory could fill. The wire did, indeed, prove … [Read more...] about Texas History – What Texan “Bet-A-Million” on Barbed Wire Changing the Course of the Frontier?
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Doris Day (1922- ) - Actress, Singer & Animal Rights Activist Doris Day is an American actress, singer, and animal rights activist. Day began her career in 1939 as a big band singer. Her popularity began to rise after her first hit recording in 1945, "Sentimental Journey." After leaving Les Brown & His Band of Renown to try a solo career, she started her long-lasting partnership with Columbia Records, which would remain her only recording label. The contract lasted from 1947 to 1967, … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Terri Schiavo’s Brother
You probably remember the Terri Schiavo incident from a few years ago. If not, then here is a brief recap. Schiavo was comatose and on life support. Her doctors and her husband believed that there was no chance she would ever recover and that she would not want to remain on life support. Her other family members disagreed on both counts. The case got ugly and received national attention, especially after President George W. Bush attempted to intervene. Eventually, Schiavo's husband … [Read more...] about Terri Schiavo’s Brother
Texas History – Do You Know How Many Miss America Winners Were From Texas?
Texas has produced three Miss America winners: Jo-Carroll Dennison of Tyler in 1942; Phyllis Ann George of Denton in 1971; and Shirley Cothran of Fort Worth in 1975. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know How Many Miss America Winners Were From Texas?
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Robert H. Brooks (1937-2006) - Businessman Robert H. Brooks was an American businessman who, in 1967, founded Naturally Fresh Foods, a condiment and salad dressing manufacturer in the Atlanta area. But, he is most notably remembered for his other business venture, Hooters of America, Inc. In 1984, Brooks bought the expansion and franchise rights for Hooters from Lynn D. Stewart and his five minority partners. Brooks founded Hooters of America, Inc., along with a group of investors. He … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Thought for the Day:
It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
Do You Need More Than a Simple Will?
If you think the fact that you do not have a small fortune means that you do not need estate planning, then you are not alone. That is a common belief. The truth is that in some situations, people do not need anything other than a simple Will and advanced medical directives. However, other situations require extensive estate planning, even for people who are not wealthy. For example, parents of children with special needs should have an estate plan designed in such a way that they can leave the … [Read more...] about Do You Need More Than a Simple Will?
Texas History – Do You Know What Famous Lyricist Served as Defense Counsel for Sam Houston?
Francis Scott Key, who wrote the words to the "Star Spangled Banner," was employed as defense counsel for Sam Houston. In 1832, before coming to Texas, Houston was insulted by a U.S. Congressman while serving as an Indian Agent in Washington. Houston encountered the Congressman on the street and assaulted him with his ever-present hickory cane. The Congressman filed charges against Houston, and Houston hired Key to defend him. Houston was found guilty and reprimanded. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know What Famous Lyricist Served as Defense Counsel for Sam Houston?
Thought for the Day:
It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live. Mae Jemison … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
Reclaiming Copyrights
An Executor's duties consist in part of gathering all of the assets of an estate. Most of you probably know this. What you may not know is that part of doing that can consist of reclaiming copyrights that the deceased previously assigned to someone else. In 1976, Congress was concerned that artists were being taken advantage of and assigning the copyrights to their original works for far less than the copyrights were actually worth. In contrast to many things Congress does, there was actually … [Read more...] about Reclaiming Copyrights
