Texas History

William Barret time. Unable to pay, he was taken to Travis is perhaps court and found liable. By March, an one of the most order for his arrest was made for the memorable figures unpaid debts. Buried in debt and on the from the Texas run from the law, Travis left Alabama Revolution and the in disgrace. siege of the AlaKen Bridges mo. His name has He went to Texas to recover his forsince been honored tunes. He started a modest law firm at with the naming of TravisCounty, a Anahuac, near modern-day Houston. park in San Antonio, and numerous In 1832, he was arrested following a schools across the state. Like many legal dispute over three slaves who had heroic figures, his life was one fraught escaped from Louisiana. The incident with difficulty. touched off a violent encounter with the Mexican Army that left six dead. Travis was born in Saluda County, South Carolina, on August 1, 1809. He In 1834, Travis moved his law practice was the first of eleven children born to to San Felipe as relations between farmer Mark and Jemima Travis. He Mexico and Texas settlers deteriorated. came from a family of pioneers who By 1835, he was made a lieutenant had settled in Virginia as early as 1627. colonel in San Antonio and ordered to Eager for new opportunities, the fami- recruit volunteers for the defense of the ly headed westward and settled in city, but he found few people willing to southern Alabama in 1817. He briefly join him. In early 1836, troops began became a school teacher before gain- reinforcing the old mission at the Alaing his law license through an appren- mo, which at that time was just outside ticeship in 1828. San Antonio. By mid-February, Col. James Neill took a leave of absence to Everything in his life seemed to be attend to his family, leaving Travis in going in his direction at this point. He command of about 50 men. One hunwas ambitious, becoming steadily dred more soon joined, under the commore successful, and making himself mand of Jim Bowie. an important part of the community. In 1829, his new wife gave birth to their In spite of Gen. Sam Houston’s orders first child. In addition to his law prac- that the mission be abandoned, Travis tice, he started a newspaper, the and the other men decided to make Claiborne Herald. He joined the local their stand. He sent urgent appeals for Masonic lodge and also joined the Al- reinforcements. On Feb. 24, he sent an abama Militia. But in less than two open letter addressed “To the People of years, he lost it all. Texas and All the Americans in the World,” asking for troops “in the name His weekly newspaper turned into a of liberty, of patriotism, and everything disaster as his continual typesetting dear to the American character.” He mistakes, missed deadlines, and poor proclaimed, “I shall never surrender or decisions pushed the once-promising retreat.” publication into insolvency. He found himself unable to attract any signifi- By the time the final siege started, cant clients to his law firm. Of the few there were only 188 defenders at the clients he had, he was unable to collect Alamo, compared to the thousands of any legal fees or awards. The bills soldiers attacking the mission. On piled up, no money was coming in, March 6, the final attack started, and and he now faced the suspected infi- the men of the Alamo faced their destidelity of his wife. ny. Travis died at the Alamo on that fateful day. He lived a short 26 years, By early 1831, he owed $834 to vari- but in one fateful moment in history, ous creditors, an immense sum at the he became a legend.

Texas History Minute Chamber to partner with local businesses for a Thanksgiving Blessing Bag event

Those in need of Thanksgiving “fixings” can come to Summit Gardens on Monday, November 21 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm for a Thanksgiving Blessing Bags event. It will be free and is sponsored by The Llama Realty Group—Dana Thornhill, Fairway Mortgage The Wood Group—Lacey Tucker, and the Howe Area Chamber of Commerce. There will be the opportunity to take free fall family photos, games, crafts, light refreshments, and music. For more information, email info@howechamber.com.

"With a united effort we can make the place in which we live clean, wholesome, attractive. We can make the crowded city dweller homesick to come back to us and real living. We can bring new life, new business, new beauty, to the little towns." - Mame Roberts