End of the School Year

"Lone Star Historian" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine.

Dr. Greg Powell

As the 2012-13 school year comes to a close, I want to blog about several end-of-the-semester items. On my last blog I mentioned  commencement exercises at Panola College, where I still have an office as State Historian. My office is in the Science Building, which was built in 1965. When I came to Panola as a history instructor in 1970, I was assigned an office in the "new" Science Building. More than four decades later the building still is handsomely maintained, but it no longer is a cutting edge home for modern science instruction. A new and updated science building has been proposed, along with other construction projects. Opened in 1948 in surplus World War II army buildings, Panola County Junior College erected two permanent brick structures with $400,000 in bonds. That initial bond issue, passed 65 years ago, is the only one in the history of the college. The student body has more than tripled since my arrival, and subsequent buildings have been financed through the general fund, grants, and donations. So this year a $35 million bond issue was passed and promoted tirelessly by President Gregory Powell. On May 11, Saturday, following the Friday night commencement exercises, the bond issue passed by a resounding 84 per cent of the vote. During the next five years construction projects will transform the campus. 

In December 2012 I was interviewed by Topher Paddie, a young student from Marshall. Topher's parents are Chris and Brooke Paddie (Chris is in his first term in the Texas House of Representatives). As part of his social studies project on the Texas Governor's Mansion, Topher interviewed the State Historian. Recently Topher learned that his excellent project had earned first place in statewide competition in the elementary division. At the awards banquet he was present a gold medal - a proud climax to his school year.

Another deserved award was presented to my niece, Katy Ashby of Lake Jackson. A fourth-grader at Bess Brannen Elementary, Katy won first place in the Enchanted Tree Essay Award competition. The "Enchanted Tree" is a big oak that was standing when Abner Jackson - for whom Lake Jackson was named - established a plantation. Each year Lake Jackson fourth- and seventh-graders are told about Abner Jackson, the Enchanted Tree, and related historical events. Students are then asked to write an essay from the perspective of the Enchanted Tree. Katy described the tree observing Civil War soldiers before the Jackson plantation was formed. Katy's tree saw Abner Jackson found his plantation, and later the tree viewed one of Abner's brothers kill another brother. The tree survived the ferocious hurricane of 1900. Katy's first-place essay earned her a sack of gold coins (mostly Sacajawea dollars), and it is on display at the Lake Jackson Historical Museum. Katy's fourth-grade year has climaxed on a high note.

For the final time this spring I presented a program on "Texas Cowboys." To the fourth-graders of Spring Hill Intermediate School, I showed sombreros and ten-gallon hats, spurs and branding irons, saddles and high-heeled boots. But a big difference in this program was the presence of my wife, Karon. She happily terms herself the "Chief of Staff" of the State Historian, and if not for Karon's technical expertise and efforts this blog would not exist. We have appeared together in period costume at programs and conferences throughout the West. Karon has accompanied me on State Historian weekend trips, but she teaches math at Panola College and has been unable to accompany me during the week. At Spring Hill Intermediate, Karon wore a fine cowgirl outfit, to the delight of the young ladies of the fourth grade. I look forward to the company of my Chief of Staff during the State Historian activities of the upcoming summer. 

Final Exam Week

"Lone Star Historian" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine.

For decades at Panola College I spent Final Exam Week grading Blue Book essays, averaging grades, and attending commencement exercises. This past week, while my wife Karon spent Monday through Friday with these activities in the math department, I left Carthage early Monday morning. By mid-day I was in Van Alstyne, where I unloaded a saddle and miscellaneous cowboy paraphernalia at the elementary school. Librarian Becky Seevers turned over her room to the fourth grade teachers and students, and in costume I presented a program on "Texas Cowboys." Each year the entire fourth grade is bused to Austin, where they tour the State Capitol, the Bob Bullock Museum, the Texas State Cemetery, and other historic sites. One day after my visit, the fourth graders were bused to the famous Mesquite Rodeo. The teacher who has long spearheaded these trips is Rajonia Carnley, and as State Historian it was my privilege to present her a Certificate of Achievement for outstanding service and  commitment to Texas History Education. The event was covered by the Van Alstyne Leader, and the youngsters were primed for their rodeo visit.

Presenting the certificate to Rajonia Carnley

The museum's schoolroom
is enhanced by a school-
marm painted by
Wynell Terry

I left Van Alstyne headed to West Texas. Along the way - and on the return journey to Carthage on Wednesday - I stopped at a variety of historical sites and gathered material for future blog topics. On Tuesday evening I was in Roby, seat of Fisher County, to deliver a program on the Johnson-Sims Feud, which was the last blood feud in Texas. This 1916-18 conflict occurred in the area and local citizens were involved. Years ago I was informed about this feud by Bob Terry, a native of Roby and a highly knowledgeable local historian. His ancestors, lawmen Nath and Frank Terry and Judge Cullen Higgins, were involved in the feud, and Bob was instrumental in my research efforts. I first wrote about these events in my 1998 biography of Pink Higgins, then in The Johnson-Sims Feud, published by the University of North Texas Press in 2011. I came to Roby at Bob's invitation, and the program was scheduled for the Fisher County Museum on the square. Roby is a small town, but the museum offers a rich collection of the community's pioneer past. At the museum I enjoyed renewing old acquaintances and meeting new friends. A large audience gathered to hear my account of the feud, and they purchased a great many books for personal inscriptions.

The museum crowd before the program; Bob Terry
is at center in hat and dark glasses,

I arrived back in Carthage on Wednesday afternoon, and the following evening, I drove to Longview to deliver a program to the History Club of East Texas. The members are dues-paying history buffs who attend monthly gatherings throughout the school year with the sole purpose of enjoying a program on a history topic. I am a longtime member, and I am asked to deliver the leadoff program each year in September. This spring a speaker was unable to make the May meeting, so it was my pleasure to provide another program for my fellow history enthusiasts.

Presenting to the History Club of
East Texas

The next day, Friday, my wife and I welcomed our daughter, Dr. Berri O'Neal Gormley, and her family to Carthage. Berri was a 1995 graduate of Panola College, where for two years she served as the school mascot, Fillis the Fillie; performed in the drama and music departments; was an officer of the student government and of Phi Theta Kappa; and generally had a rousing good time. Today she is the Director of the Universities Center of Dallas and the immediate past president of TACRAO (Texas Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers). Berri was invited to deliver the commencement address at her community college alma mater. Commencement exercises were held in the main gym. There was a packed house, with an overflow crowd that watched the ceremonies on closed-circuit TV from the next-door auditorium. Berri was excited and proud - and so was her father.

The Panola College speaker's podium was at
the far end of this aisle.

Hearne POW Camp

"Lone Star Historian" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine.

During World War II more than 425,000 Axis prisoners of war were incarcerated at over 650 POW camps across the United States. More than 50,000 of these POWs were housed in Texas at 22 base camps and 60 branch camps. About 48,000 Germans were held in Texas, along with 2,500 Italians and 1,000 Japanese prisoners. One of the most important POW installations in Texas was Camp Hearne.

I first examined the site of Camp Hearne in 2009 while working on a book for Arcadia Publishing, East Texas in World War II, which was published in 2010. A portion of this large site was under development as a museum, and when I returned last fall I found a reconstructed POW barracks open to the public. I was given a tour by a genial docent, Melissa Freeman, who informed me of other plans that were in progress. When my wife Karon and I passed through Hearne a few weeks ago, we drove to the camp site to find that, indeed, considerable progress had taken place. Melissa Freeman pointed out various artifacts that had been added to the barracks museum, while outside a "Victory Garden" was under cultivation. But the most striking addition was a reconstructed guard tower, one of nine which once had been manned throughout Camp Hearne.

Bill with Melissa Freeman

Camp Hearne was built on a 720-acre site just north of town. Construction of this POW base camp began in September 1942, and was completed within six months. There were three POW compounds, a hospital area, a recreation area, and an "American sector" for the force of 500 guards. A camp cemetery was located northeast of the buildings (about a dozen POWs died of illness or accidents, two committed suicide, one was murdered, and one was shot while trying to escape).

Over 4,800 Germans were incarcerated at Camp Hearne, which also acquired a few hundred Japanese POWs in mid-1945. Camp Hearne had the unique distinction of being the headquarters of the German Postal Unit in 1944 and 1945. The Camp Hearne Postal Unit received and distributed letters and parcels from Germany for German POWs anywhere in the United States. The volume often soared above 40,000 letters and parcels daily, and 22 buildings in Compound I were utilized by the postal unit, which organized three eight-hour shifts six days per week.

Melissa reading Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

Several fire hydrants,
stamped "1942," still stand.

Camp Hearne closed in January 1946. Like the structures at U.S. military facilities, POW buildings were sold as inexpensive surplus. Barracks, for example, often were purchased for as little as $100 - the cost of moving a building often exceeded the purchase price. Through the years, Germans traveling in the United States often visited Camp Hearne or their other places of incarceration. In Texas there are remains of POW camps at Princeton, Seagoville, Lufkin, and other sites. But the best site is the Camp Hearne Museum, and I intend to return periodically to watch the progress at this intriguing historical location.

Intricately carved German canteen

The water tower stands after 70 years.

Many Germans were fine stone masons
and woodcarvers.

Diorama of Camp Hearne

POWs converted a barracks to a theater.

Former members of the Afrika Korps

For more information: www.camphearne.com

South Texas Historical Association

"Lone Star Historian" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published over 40 books, almost half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine.

During my nine months as State Historian I have attended meetings of the Texas State Historical Association, the East Texas Historical Association, and the West Texas Historical Association. The fourth state or regional historical association is the South Texas Historical Association, and it was my pleasure to meet with this delightful group on Saturday, April 27. Pat Parsons, Vice President of the STHA, arranged a one-day meeting in a most special location. Pat knew that I wanted to attend an STHA meeting, and she asked that I speak to the group about the duties and activities of the State Historian of Texas.

The Saturday meeting was held west of Three Rivers at Mission Sin Caja, a remarkable conference and recreational center with a strong historical flavor. Kurt House, a native of Three Rivers, built Mission Sin Caja on the family ranch, a property he still owns, along with three other area ranches. Geographically the region is flat brush country, but 10 miles south of Kurt's ranch is a 1,500-foot-tall mesa that long was used by Spanish explorers and other early travelers. A rumored event, described by J. Frank Dobie in Coronado's Children, involved a massacre at the mountain by Lipan Apache warriors. The victims were buried where they fell "sin cajas" - without boxes or coffins - and the plateau is known as "Mesa Sin Caja."

Kurt House has degrees in archaeology and architecture, and he has performed extensive post-graduate and field work. He is a noted collector of antique firearms, as I learned several years ago when he engaged me to speak at an event he staged at San Antonio's Buckhorn Saloon. Later I learned that he is a serious collector of various other items, and he has filled Mission Sin Caja with hundreds of artifacts from his collection. Kurt began Mission Sin Caja in 2005 ("Est. 1755 +/- 250 Years) as a memorial to his parents, and it was opened to the public in 2012. The "mission" was built of authentic indigenous materials: mesquite doors, window frames, mantles, lintels, local stone, Spanish tiles. It is furnished throughout with 18th and 19th century Spanish and Mexican furniture.

Pat and Chuck Parsons, and my wife Karon and I, spent Friday night at Mission Sin Caja. We explored every nook and cranny of the complex, and we spent the evening enjoying a cool breeze on the patio and listening to the howls of coyotes. Early the next morning I had a splendid walk on the ranch roads, sighting various species of wildlife and getting the feel of the land. About 30 members of the STHA arrived at mid-morning. After a get-acquainted period, Pat Parsons welcomed the crowd and introduced me. I spoke about the office of State Historian. handing out my business cards, talking about my activities, and recommending my blog, all in an effort to let as many Texans as possible know that there is indeed a State Historian.

The program was turned over to Kurt House, who explained the origins and purposes of Mission Sin Caja. He emphasized that while it is a hunting lodge and family recreation retreat, he promotes it as a living history museum for school children and as an educational center for groups such as the South Texas Historical Association. Kurt then conducted a building by building tour of his mission, taking time to point out one artifact after another.We all were in Historian Heaven.

Bill with President Homero Vera

Finally, STHA President Homero Vera of Sarita conducted a business meeting, after which the group reluctantly departed Mission Sin Caja. For me, it was a remarkable introduction to the South Texas Historical Association.

Kurt House addresses the STHA

VP. Pat Parsons introduces Kurt House

For more information: www.missionsincaja.com

Kurt (upper right corner) guides a chapel tour.

I was thrilled when Kurt loaned me an authentic
Rurale sombrero, complete with  eagles on the crown.

Graham

"Lone Star Historian" is a blog about the travels and activities of the State Historian of Texas. Bill O'Neal was appointed to a two-year term by Gov. Rick Perry on August 22, 2012, at an impressive ceremony in the State Capitol. Bill is headquartered at Panola College (www.panola.edu) in Carthage, where he has taught since 1970. For more than 20 years Bill conducted the state's first Traveling Texas History class, a three-hour credit course which featured a 2,100-mile itinerary. In 2000 he was awarded a Piper Professorship, and in 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wild West Historical Association. Bill has published almost 40 books, half about Texas history subjects, and in 2007 he was named Best Living Non-Fiction Writer by True West Magazine.

My first teaching position was in Lampasas, as 8th-grade language arts instructor and coach of junior high football, basketball, and track. During my three years at LJHS, one of my finest student-athletes was Mark Bumpus. Mark was an excellent student and a standout basketball player, as well as a member of my Sunday School class at the First Baptist Church. Today Dr. Bumpus, a graduate of Baylor and the Southwestern Theological Seminary, is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Graham. He has a keen interest in history, and he is a member of the History Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Dr. Bumpus with Bill

Dr. Bumpus has been pastor at FBC Graham for less than a year. He had hoped to stage a men's night of fellowship and activity, and he asked me to present a Saturday evening program on "Gunfighterology." I pointed out to Mark that I've presented a version of this program for years, but never to a church audience! He laughed and told me he intended to focus on the theme of justice (in conversation he heard me emphasize that a gun is a tool, as good or as bad as the person who uses it). To illustrate the program I use replica pistols, along with different holsters, to demonstrate the evolution of revolvers and gun rigs. Of course, nothing is more dramatic than life and death conflict, and when that conflict takes place in a Western setting, a  strong appeal is generated. Mark and his staff had hoped to attract perhaps 30 men, but more than 80 attended. We enjoyed a superb steak dinner, and the men provided a responsive and enthusiastic audience. The next morning I thoroughly enjoyed the worship service, in part because I was greeted by many new friends.

At the evening service my daughter, Dr. Shellie O'Neal, performed her one-woman play about blind hymn composer Fannie J.Crosby. It was Shellie's 30th performance, and I was privileged to escort "Fannie" onto the pulpit/stage area. Shellie's play is a fine piece of musical biography, and her powerful performance moved the congregation.

1885 First Baptist Church

On previous trips to Graham I hardly had ventured away from downtown, but I had more time than usual on this pleasant weekend. I returned to the town square - actually a rectangle, a vast area that is touted as the largest town square in America. Gustavus Graham platted the townsite in 1872, a year after he and his brother Edwin settled in the area. A post office was approved in 1873, and the next year Graham was designated the seat of Young County. In 1879 Dr.  J.E. Ryus erected a masonry building on the west side of the square: he operated a drug store on the ground floor, while upstairs was the home of a federal court (until 1896, when the court was transferred to Abilene).

Museum on the square

Also on the west side of the square is the National Theater,  which has shown movies since 1919. A few doors to the north is the impressive facade of the 1921 Liberty Theater (no longer a theater, but a reminder of the post World War I era when movie theaters often were named "Victory" or "Liberty"). In the middle of the square an excellent museum is housed in the old post office.

Just west of the square is the site where, in 1877, cattlemen plagued by rustlers formed the organization now known as the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Elsewhere off the square are a number of fine Victorian homes. In 1917 oil was discovered nearby, and the subsequent boom produced fine examples of early 20th-century architecture. All in all, Graham proved to be a good subject for a blog, because on several levels my weekend there proved to be an enjoyable historical experience.