The Gonzales 32 the only ones that answered Travis's call.
I guess they figured they started it they better send some men to help out.
Posted on 01/26/2005 4:53:02 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
The icon of Texas independence as their backdrop, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas celebrated 100 years as custodians of the Alamo this afternoon.
Several hundred Daughters, dignitaries and tourists applauded the group's achievements since Jan. 26, 1905, when the Legislature handed over care-taking of the Shrine of Texas Liberty, which was then in a state of disrepair with private developers inching in.
“Your custodial work, your care of this building – you've done one heck of a job,” said Councilman Chip Haass. “Thank you for allowing San Antonio to be a shining star to the state and the nation.”
Under the aggressive leadership of Adina De ZavalaÖ and Clara Driscoll, the DRT, which was formed in 1891 by a group of women concerned with the legacy of their ancestors, took control of the Alamo complex.
Under their care, the buildings have been preserved and kept open to the public without an admission fee or the use of tax dollars.
Last year, 2.3 million visitors toured the Shrine, making it the state's top tourist draw.
Much praised was heaped upon De Zavala and Driscoll, who notoriously were at odds with each other and had spectacular fights. Though the two differed on how the Alamo should be preserved, they both are remembered as its saviors.
“If it weren't for the determination of two women, we wouldn't be here today in front of what has become an international shrine,” said Leonard Cloud, president general of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. “Thank you, ladies, for caring.”
Not long after they were granted custodianship, the job left the Daughters for a brief period of time.
History provides different accounts – some say the group offered the site back to the state ; others say Gov. Oscar Colquitt took it away because of bickering. In 1913, the Texas Supreme Court reinstated the DRT as caretakers.
Current leadership bristles at the theory that Colquitt wrangled power away from the Daughters. “At no time did the state remove control of the Alamo from the Daughters,” said Madge Roberts, chairwoman of the DRT's Alamo Committee, during a speech in today's ceremony.
Roberts pointed out that early Daughters took charge of the Alamo when few women worked outside of the home, yet they managed to convince city leaders to provide free utilities.
“The Daughters were ecstatic and rose to the challenge of restoring the Alamo. The ladies who took this role could not vote,” she said. “We still feel that as we go into our second century of custodianship, the Shrine of Texas Liberty is still in good hands.”
The outdoor ceremony, during which some sought shade under umbrellas because of unseasonably warm temperatures, lasted about an hour and included the reading of a greeting from the governor and a proclamation from the mayor.
The keynote speaker was Roger Williams, who recently was appointed Texas secretary of state.
It was Williams' first speech since accepting the position. He drew parallels between the men fighting for Texas independence and those fighting the current conflict in Iraq.
“We are caretakers of the legend of the Alamo,” he said. “The blood of heroes runs through our veins.”
As its gift to mark their century of caretaking, the Daughters are renovating the Long Barrack Museum, site of the battle's deadliest fighting.
Work will continue throughout the year, as museum exhibits are renovated and modernized. The building will be closed for a time, probably in September, during the intense period of renovation.
The project is due to be completed by Oct. 5, the date in 1905 when custodianship from the state to the DRT was finalized.
Money for the renovation is being raised privately by the Daughters – it is not coming from the Alamo's operating fund.
At the ceremony, a donation of $10,000 was announced from proceeds of the Texas Native specialty plate. Sold for $30 over the cost of regular registration, $22 goes to the Daughters to be used in various state projects.
Also today, two paintings commissioned by historical artist George Nelson were preveiled. Nelson is painting seven works that will replace windows in the Long Barrack.
They'll give visitors a perspective of Alamo Plaza through the years, from 1785 to 1860.
Larry Oaks, executive director of the Texas Historical Commission, commended the Daughters on a century of custodianship.
“It's great to have folks who will hang in and pursue preservation of a building,” he said. “It's the icon of Texas.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- adorsett@express-news.net
Am I wrong.
..however, mine returned to Tennessee.
I really do need to get the paperwork out and apply. I am a direct descendant of Andrew Kent who died at the Alamo on my Mom's side and a little less direct (more cousin kind of relationship I think) of Col. Fannin on my Dad's.
I know it's just luck of birth, but I'm very proud of my Texas heritage. So, what am I doing in Florida???
susie
You forgot the PS:
"P. S. The Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves."
I am surprised at your experience. There is supposed to be silence or very quiet discussion when one is in the Alamo. I hope this was an isolated experience and not what I can expect the next time I visit.
All the times I've been there, people have been very respectful. Give it another chance, you'll be glad you did.
Mine too,
but I've since come to revere all of the men who died there.
You cannot visit that place without coming away changed.
Counting my grandchildren, ther have been nine generations of my family in Texas. The Alamo is dear to us all.
When visiting temples in China in 1996, my guide/translator asked me if there were any temples in Texas. I said "Yes, a small one...called the Alamo." She was thrilled to hear about what happened there.
When my friends got married last year I gave them the Texas flag that flew over the Alamo on their wedding day. They cherish it.
Wasn't Clara Drsicoll honored by being named a "Hero of the Alamo" for her efforts to preserve this historic site?
Oh I haven't wrote off the ole' girl I was just frustrated because My girls are young and I was trying to make an impression on them of the magnitude of the place. I really want my children to carry the same respect for Texas and all that she holds dear the same as I.
You ARE wild!
My other favorite San Antonio historical site.......
http://www.historicmenger.com/
Great place to sit down for a cold drink and think of TR recruiting the rough riders.
The Menger Hotel was constructed in 1859 under the direction of owner William A. Menger and architect John Fries. The original two-story building (pictured) occupies a prominent location in downtown San Antonio, only 100 yards from the site of the Alamo. It is the Menger that has housed personalities such as Theodore Roosevelt (pictured), Sidney Lanier, Babe Ruth, Mae West, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Sarah Bernhardt, and Gutzon Borglum, just to name a few.
More than 130 years of refinements have created a masterpiece of traditional elegance and atmosphere at the Menger. The hotel now boasts five stories, 316 rooms, and unparalleled amenities. Guests not only get to experience the history and charm of a national landmark, but also to enjoy the comfort of a high-class hotel. Although much of the architecture, history, appointments, and artifacts found at the Menger Hotel certainly qualify as museum-quality, it remains a public hotel - as it has been since 23 years after the fall of the Alamo.
"There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism...The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin...would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities."
Teddy Roosevelt, Republican President (Speech, New York, 1915)
There's a yellow rose in Texas
That I am going to see,
Nobody else could miss her,
Just half as much as me.
She cried so when I left her,
It like to broke my heart,
And if I ever find her
We never more will part.
Chorus:
She's the sweetest rose of color
That Texas ever knew,
Her eyes are bright as diamonds,
They sparkle like the dew.
You can talk about your Clementine
And sing of Rosa Lee,
But the Yellow Rose of Texas
Is the only gal for me.
According to legend "The Yellow Rose of Texas" was "high yellow" Emily Morgan West, who was born a slave and captured by general Santa Anna during the Texas Revolution in 1836. The General tried to win her charms and failed, but Emily managed to smuggle Santa Anna's battle plans to Sam Houston who then defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.
I think it's a mistake to paint love of Texas as simply an Anglo thing. About a quarter of the Texas Cowboys were black. I don't see Texas turning into Mexico. The Mexicans who have come here are here for the freedom. They're not in Mexico and they don't want to turn Texas into Mexico.
I remember my sons asking me why did it feel like their shirts were shrinking when they entered the Alamo. Easiest answer I ever gave to them, "Pride".
You too? I made my first trip to the Alamo last October. Also went to the LBJ library in stinking leftist Austin and the great George Bush library in College Station.
bookmark
Love history!
Ping us if you can find it.
Thanks
:)
Well, I'm a native(and also descendant of one o' them "First Families" I mentioned in another post. I still don't understand the Texas thing but I know it's there. It's something internalized that's difficult to identify.....but it's there.
FGS
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