Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-02-05
Valley Historical Outline

ny Judge Il.
NOTE-This history was pre-
pared by Judge T. +. Harwood Of
Gonzaies, president OF the Texas
Historical association, and read at
d Rio Gran6e Valley Federation
Of Women's clubs AT the December
meeting held in Edinburg. Due to
lack Of time, Judge Harwood was
unable 20 complete the reading of
d entire paper. but the interest
IN his subject was so great. that a
motion was made to have the paper
published in Valley papers.
The Texas Historical association
was born February Is, 1897, at an as
sembly whose committee on o~rganiza-
tion was composed Of the following
distinguished members: Ex-Govern-
ors O. NJ. Roberts and +. Z. Lubbock;
Ex-Cnited States Senators John II.
Reagan; DR.. George T. Winston,
president of the University of Texas;
Professor George p. Garrison, head
Of the department Of history of the
University OF Texas: Dudley G..
Wootea, then engaged IN editing and
writing, "A Comprehensive History
OF Texas" and A. J. Rose, an ar
dent Texas historian.
The association wss organized and
its constitution adopted March 2, fol-
lowing. G. ". Roberts was elected
the first president, DR.. George P.
Garrison, librarian. and Lester G..
BEgoce. secretary and treasurer.
The object of the association as
ssatsi ia Article ., OF the consti.u-
ticr, shall be in general, the pro-
,.ct.on OF historical studie.; ana IN
particular, the discovery. collection,
preservation ara publication OF his
tcrical material, especially snch IS
relates 10 Texas"
The first annual nesting OF the
association was held at the Ua;ver-
s.ty building in Austin on Thursday,
June ~, 1887. President Roberts read
his address, "The Proper Work Of
ina Association" followed by other
papers which compose Number /, Vol
rme !. o. tie Quarterly.
thirty yea-g have PASSED since this
organization declared is purpose and
outline &C IS work. It's fruit is per-
marensly preserved in thirty vol
umes, each containing four issues OF
The Quarterly.
The association was singulzrly for
tunate in the personnel of its first
officers, executive council, fellows
and honorary life members; such as
.Ex-Governors, o. NJ. Roberts, Frank
R Lubbock, Guy NJ. Bryan; Colonel
John S. Ford; DR.. Rufus C. Bur-
Lesson; Mrs. Arson Jones; Mrs. Julia
Lee Sinks; Mrs. A. j. Briscoe; NJ. NJ.
.Kenney; and w. P. Zuber; each of
whom in his or her way has been
conspicuous in making early Texas
history.
Their membership was not per-
functory. They attended its meet
jngs and devoted their declining
years TO the p~erpetuation OF a Tex
which inspired public confidence and
gave dignity to this association.
Our association was most FORUM
ate, however, in having been born in
the state university. itself a progeny
of the Republic of Texas. and in be-
ing sponsored by its professors Of
history-otherwise, il would prob
ably have languished and died with
the old Texans who fathered and
mothered il.
Prior to the organization Of the
Texas State Historical association
and its editorial supervision by
trained investigators. Texas history
has been treated as a romance, a
tragedy, an epic poem Of physical
beauty In spots and at times; a
desert and butt for ridicule in other
places and other times; a call TO the
Land hrn~~~ @~I @luartr~npa- fhn
Backgrounds Of rival nations; the
inspiration of political feuds; and
angry controversy between partisan
historians.
This was inevitable from the early
discovery Of Texas; the extent of
its disputed boundaries; its location
from sea to mountain and plain; OF
the border land between rival and
covetous sovereignties.
No other state or country ever in
herited such a thrilling history. Be-
ginning with the departure Of the
fleet from Cuba of Captain Pam
philo de Narvaez, February %, 1928,
and the story as told in the report OF
Cabeza de Vaca of his s~ojourn and
wandering in Texas, down 70 1875,
when our civil government was again
established after the war between
the States, Texas and its inhabitants
were making spectacular history.
The histories printed in English
prior TO Texas independence from
Mexico were few and simple.
"Texas," by Mary Austin Holly, in a
series Of letters printed in Balti-
more in 1888, contained only 16T
pages. "A Visit 10 Texas" publish
ed by Goodrich and Wiley in New
York. 1884, contained 264 pages.
"Guide 20 Texa. EnigrRnts," by
David Noodraan Jr., published. in
Boston, 1885. with map, contained
lsS RACES. The History of Texas"
by David r. Edwards, published in
Cineinnsti, 1856, and financed before
hostilities began, contains $50 pages.
These ere al descriptive Of Texas
and lis resources, with its form of
government as a Mexican state.
Facts are the foundation o. his
tory, snd in order to build on it, all
sources or Texas history had to be
assembled ard made avoilarle for
students. Official lccorde in mum
cirasitics and state -Tchives were
searched Professionally and records
published. Newspapers we're few in
~rolonial ard revolutionary periods.
but valuable in portraying popular
movements ard current events; in
fact, for a considerable time they
<ere the sole printed records. These
were secured. Official correspond
ence, old letters, pamphlets. and
diaries OF pioneers have been of in
teresting Importance in fixing dates
and giving atmosphere TO contem-
porary historical event
The Texas Almanac, published by
Richardson and company at Calves