Did you know SamuelMorse offered to give the Republic of Texas exclusive rights to his Electro-Magnetic Telegraph in 1838? Ever wondered the backstory of some of history’s most infamous outlaws? Do you know how many hours were clocked during the longest recorded filibuster at the Texas Legislature?
Answers to these and other questions are found in the newest exhibit from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Archives à la Carte: Staff Picks, which runs through Aug. 31, features staff selections of favorite documents, images, artifacts and recordings that provide a fascinating glimpse into our state’s past.
The exhibit offers a look at how the Texan identity is captured and perpetuated through our historical records. From our love of travel and frontiers to our fascination with myth and music, the Texan experience is captured through some rarely seen historical records.
“Go to Texas!”
The Texas mystique of cowboys, land and opportunity is well-known across the globe today. However, that situation wasn’t always true. Understanding the essential need for a thriving population, state officials have a history of promoting Texas to draw people and enterprise to the state.
Among the items on display is a promotional broadside from 1871 exhorting foreigners (i.e., non-Texans) to “Go to Texas!” and buy land in Kaufman County. Other items include the passports of General Sam Houston (1839) and Emily D. West (1837) issued by the Department of State of the Republic of Texas. These rare materials show how travel, immigration and settlement are a fundamental component of building a thriving population — regardless of the time period. Featuring maps and descriptions of wildlife, exhibited items highlight that the Texas landscape is more than space — it’s a state of mind filled with frontier independence and a love of place.
Left General Sam Houston passport, 1839, issued by the Department of State, Republic of Texas. Passports were issued by the Republic of Texas to allow persons to freely leave and reenter. Right Advertisement declaring, “Go to Texas! Rapid Development of a Glorious Country, 1871.”
Infamous Texas
Stories of outlaws and colorful characters make for sensational headlines. However, in a letter dated Sept. 1, 1874, from David Holderman to the governor of Texas, Richard Coke, Holderman writes regarding the murder of his son, Thomas. Holderman asks for a bigger reward to be offered for one Brown Bowen, who “was broken out of jail by the John Wesley Hardin Party.” In a note on the back of the letter, Gov. Coke states that he can honor Gov. Davis’ $600 reward but not more. The effects of such lawlessness, while its perpetrators were often popularized, were severe economic and civic hardships for citizens throughout the state.
A convict record ledger from the records of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice docu- ments individuals who entered the state prison system. Clyde Barrow, one half of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde gang, was assigned convict number 63527. His entry details his appearance, his drinking habits and the nature of his crime — and indicates his ultimate demise while on the run. Beyond the crime sprees that dished up fodder for papers, Barrow was a criminal with a long record who spent much of his time in and out of prison.
Now about those questions…
As it turns out, Samuel Morse did offer Sam Houston the lucrative rights to his telegraph machine in 1838. However, Houston never responded and, in 1860, Morse rescinded the offer. You can see the original correspondence on exhibit in Austin.
The longest recorded legislative filibuster in Texas legislative history is Sen. Bill Meier’s 1977 stand to protect the Open Records Act. He objected to a proposal that would have prevented public inspection of the records of the Industrial Accident Board. At the end of his 43rd hour, Meier emphasized the importance of providing access to government records for the citizens of Texas. You can hear some of that filibuster at the exhibit and visit the Senate chamber just across the street at the Capitol in Austin.
Archives à la Carte: Staff Picks offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the State Archives and features surprising historical finds — including items for music lovers and nature buffs — that will spur some great travels across Texas.
