Wise About Texas

By Ken Wise

Society & Culture Education History Places & Travel

What's Wise About Texas about?

The Texas History Podcast

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EP. 124: Texans You Should...

10.30.2023

Sarah Jane Newman grew up tough in a family that came with Austin's Old 300. She watched her mother fight off Indians and became an expert judge of horses. Known as Sally Skull, she could outride, outshoot and outtrade any ...

Wise About Texas episodes:

10.30.2023 EP. 124: Texans You Should Know- Sally Skull Sarah Jane Newman grew up tough in a family that came with Austin's Old 300. She watched her mother fight off Indians and became an expert judge of horses. Known as Sally Skull, she could outride, outshoot and outtrade any ...
08.20.2023 EP. 123: The Texas Rangers- Senior Captain Tony Leal (part 2) Antonio “Tony” Leal served as a Texas Ranger from 1994-2011, including several years as the Senior Captain. In part 2 of an interesting and wide-ranging interview, you will learn about the Ranger service, life as a Ranger and many other ...
08.07.2023 EP. 122: The Texas Rangers- Senior Captain Tony Leal (part 1) Antonio "Tony" Leal served as a Texas Ranger from 1994-2011, including several years as the Senior Captain. In this interesting and wide-ranging interview, you will learn about the Ranger service, life as a Ranger and many other interesting and informative ...
07.13.2023 Bonus Episode: The 72 oz Steak Challenge with James Webb The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo is world famous for its 72 oz. steak challenge. If you can eat a 72 oz steak (that's 4 1/2 pounds!), and all the sides, you get it for free and all the ...
07.03.2023 Ep. 121: A Dead Man’s Horse: The Case of Issac Desha Issac Desha had a checkered past. Though he was the son of a Governor, something just wasn't right. When he was spotted with a dead man's horse, things got "interesting." He ended up in San Felipe before the revolution but ...
05.18.2023 BONUS EPISODE: Celebrating The Texas Ranger Bicentennial 2023 marks the 200th anniversary of one of the most famous law enforcement organizations in the world--The Texas Rangers. In this bonus episode, I talk with Russell Molina and Lacy Finley about all the celebrations scheduled for the Texas Ranger ...
04.11.2023 Bonus Episode: A Bad Day at the Courthouse The September term of the Bexar County District Court was a bad time to be set for trial. Find out why in this bonus episode of Wise About Texas.
03.30.2023 EP. 120: Texas Rangers: “Old Paint” Caldwell Some people are just natural leaders. That was Matthew "Old Paint" Caldwell. He rallied men for several of the most important battles in Texas history. In between, he protected the young Republic of Texas from hostile Indians and hostile armies. ...
01.28.2023 EP. 119: The Texas Rangers: Origins Texas Ranger. Two words that strike fear in the heart of the lawbreaker and hope in the heart of the law abiding. Since before there was a Texas, there were Rangers. How this elite force officially began is the subject ...
01.02.2023 EP. 118: Texans You Should Know- Osjetea Briggs She grew up a poor Native American in rural Texas during the depression. But if you think she even noticed, you don't know Osjetea Briggs. She became a world-renowned photographer, portrait artist and newspaper publisher. Oh, and she was a ...
10.25.2022 EP. 117: A Murder in the Capitol There has been one, and only one, assassination of a Texas state official and it happened in 1903. It occurred in the State Capitol building, the same one you can visit today. Hear about a disgruntled employee, a letter, and ...
09.26.2022 EP 116: I Heard it on the X, Part 2 Dr. John Brinkley had figured out how to beat the system and built the most powerful radio station in the world. The entire United States could now hear what he was selling. Music was a big part of that and ...
08.21.2022 EP. 115: I Heard it on the X, Part 1 Dr. John Brinkley claimed to have the miracle operation for male "rejuvenation." Dr. John Brinkley was also a quack who bought his medical degree for $100. Nevertheless, he became one of the best-known doctors in the nation. Harnessing the new ...
07.09.2022 Ep. 114: Winging it in Big Bend In the 1920s, U.S. military aviation was in its early stages. New uses for air power were discovered frequently. The new flying machines would allow military and civilian authorities to patrol dangerous, remote areas more effectively. Few areas in the ...
06.13.2022 Ep. 113: The Travis County Dog Wars Shortly after the civil war, Appalachia came to Austin. Known as the cedar choppers, migrants from the mountains moved into the limestone hills of western Travis County. They kept to themselves, didn't like outsiders, and loved a good fight. But ...
05.10.2022 EP. 112: A Texas mother- Mary Christian Burleson What is it about Texas mothers? They are tough, smart, and resourceful. Nothing phases a Texas mom, they can do it all! That was certainly true of Mary Christian Burleson. Mary was a mom to 7 and stepmom to 12. ...
04.16.2022 EP. 111: The Easter Fires of Fredericksburg Every Easter Eve, the hill country around Fredericksburg comes alive with huge bonfires. Some say this tradition came from Germany, some say the Indians started it, and some say the Easter Bunny is doing some cooking. Hear about the Fredericksburg ...
04.05.2022 EP. 110: A Goliad Survivor? March 27, 1836 was Palm Sunday, a holy day. But the Mexican dictator Santa Anna didn't care, he was out for blood. He ordered hundreds of Texian prisoners executed in cold blood at the Presidio La Bahia at Goliad. The ...
03.03.2022 Ep 109: Alamo Defenders- Dr. Amos Pollard Dr. Amos Pollard was a Massachusetts yankee seeking a new start and prosperity in Texas. He dared the Mexican army to "come and take it," and served as an army doctor during the siege of Bexar. He would die defending ...
02.27.2022 Ep. 108: Alamo Defenders- Toribio Losoya The Alamo defenders were heroes, but not everyone gets top billing. Hear the stories of some of the defenders that you may not think of when you remember the Alamo. This episode is about Alamo hero Toribio Losoya.
01.25.2022 Ep. 107: Texans You Should Know- Anna Mebus Martin She arrived from Germany with very little, not even speaking English. She braved indian attacks, frontier outlaws and a civil war to become a cattle queen and a bank president. Learn about a great Texas entrepreneur in the latest episode ...
01.16.2022 Ep. 106: A Lea Family Tragedy The Lea family were patriots. Father Albert Lea was born in Tennessee and served in the Army after graduating West Point. He went on to serve in various capacities by appointment of several different presidents. His son attended the Naval ...
01.10.2022 Ep. 106: A Lea Family Tragedy The Lea family were patriots. Father Albert Lea was born in Tennessee and served in the Army after graduating West Point. He went on to serve in various capacities by appointment of several different presidents. His son attended the Naval ...
12.08.2021 EP. 105: The Indian Trial Part 3: The Trial The trial of the century would be held in the old sandstone courthouse in Jacksboro. Finally, justice would be served...or would it? Fiery arguments, quick verdicts, legal wrangling, and back room negotiations would end the raiding, or so some thought. ...
11.01.2021 BONUS EPISODE: Villa de Austin The Texas Historical Commission is creating the opportunity to step back in time and visit the capital of Austin's colony, San Felipe de Austin. Reproductions of some of the town buildings will now sit mere yards from their original locations. ...
10.24.2021 Ep. 105 The Indian Trial Part 2: The Raid General Sherman toured northern Texas to see just how bad the Indian raiding was. He had his doubts. What he didn't know was just how close he came to a first-hand encounter! The party crossing the Salt Creek Prairie right ...
10.05.2021 EP. 105: The Indian Trial Part 1: People, Places, and Policy The western frontier of Texas moved backwards during the Civil War. Indian raids pushed the settlers toward safer ground. After the war, the raiding had become so bad that something had to be done. The federal government thought leading with ...
09.09.2021 Ep. 104: The Great Pearl Rush Freshwater pearls have always been valuable finds, but one man found one in 1909 that was said to be worth a ton of money! All of a sudden, East Texas experienced a pearl boom. One person reported watching a thousand ...
08.03.2021 EP. 103: A Fair Likeness? In the early 1920's, the City of Houston was building what would come to be known as Hermann Park. Its centerpiece was to be a statue of Sam Houston. Enrico Cerracchio won the contract and his creation was lauded nationwide. ...
06.26.2021 BONUS EPISODE: The Juneteenth Legacy Project with Sam Collins III Galveston native Sam Collins III had a vision to bring Texas history and the Juneteenth story to its home in a grand way. Enlisting the help of a team of artists, technology experts, and the Galveston community, the Juneteenth Legacy ...
06.19.2021 Ep. 102: Juneteenth and the Celebration of Freedom On June 19, 1865, union general Gordon Granger landed in Galveston and issued some general orders. His General Order No. 3 informed the people of Texas that all the slaves in Texas were now free. Since then, "Juneteenth" has been ...
06.01.2021 Ep. 101: The San Jacinto Battle Flag The victorious Texians only carried one flag into the Battle of San Jacinto. It was a gift from the citizens of Newport, Kentucky to Sidney Sherman. After the revolution, the flag was sent back to Kentucky. But after several decades, ...
04.21.2021 EP. 100: The San Jacinto Monument(s) The San Jacinto monument stands 567 feet over a battleground upon which a ragtag army changed the trajectory of world history. A few hundred Texians surprised the President of Mexico and his army in an afternoon attack on April 21, ...
03.28.2021 Ep. 99: A Letter From Goliad On March 27, 1836, several hundred Texian soldiers were brutally murdered on the orders of Santa Anna. One of them, John C. Logan, left us two letters. The first was written at a time of optimism and victory. The second ...
03.02.2021 Ep. 98: Writing Texas History with James L. Haley James L. Haley is one of Texas' finest writers. He has written a preeminent biography of Sam Houston, an award winning narrative history of Texas called Passionate Nation as well as several works of fiction, also very highly regarded. But ...
02.24.2021 Ep. 97: Victory or Death-The Travis Letter From February 23, 1836 through its fall on March 6, the Mexican army lay siege to the Alamo. William Barrret Travis wrote several letters during the siege but one stands above all others. On February 24, 1836, Travis dispatched a ...
01.31.2021 EP. 96: The All-Woman Supreme Court In 1925, there were only a few women lawyers in Texas. But women still couldn't serve as jurors and nobody dreamed there would ever be a female judge. Then a real estate lawsuit came to the Texas Supreme Court involving ...
01.04.2021 EP. 95: Texas Towns: Welcome to Provident City! In the early 20th century, Texas had room to grow. Like the empresarios of the early 1800's, real estate drove efforts to settle new Texans. But not all developers were honest. Promises of historically productive land, railroads and pleasant temperatures ...
12.14.2020 EP. 94: The Texas Rangers–East Texas Troubles San Augustine had a crime problem in the 1930’s. A semi-organized gang was preying on the black community and something had to be done. The problem was compounded by a corrupt governor who had all but destroyed the Rangers. But ...
11.23.2020 Ep. 93: The Free State of Van Zandt Texans love their freedom. At the door of a hat, we'll declare independence and the fight is on! For years, folks have referred to Van Zandt County as the "free state of Van Zandt." How did this come about? Was ...
10.19.2020 Ep. 92: I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas Texas one of only 17 states that has a pledge of allegiance to its flag. But some would say Texas is the only state that deserves it. Hear a quick take on the Texas pledge of allegiance in this episode ...
09.07.2020 Ep. 91: The Secret Court of the Republic of Texas In April, 1836, Texas went to war with the United States by capturing an American ship in the service of Mexico. After the battle of San Jacinto, an international relations nightmare loomed. President David Burnet had to find some way ...
08.24.2020 EP. 90: Cozumel, Texas? During 1837, the Mexican government was still reeling from the successful Texas revolution. Bent on reconquering Texas, an army massed at Matamoros. The Secretary of the Texas Navy knew that Texas could keep Mexico at bay by attacking its ports ...
07.12.2020 Ep. 89: Texas Attacks Oklahoma! During World War II, Texas played an important role in training pilots and bomber crews. The city of Dalhart contributed to the war effort by building an airfield. Practice bombing missions took place over the panhandle by the famous B-17, ...
06.22.2020 EP. 88: Texas Pandemics The 2020 coronavirus pandemic has been a trying time for Texans. But we've been through much worse. The harsh climate, tropical ports, lack of medicine, etc. has resulted in Texans enduring several pandemics and epidemics through the years. From yellow ...
05.31.2020 Ep. 87- Texans You Should Know: Kenneth Threadgill Austin is famous for its music scene. Willie, Waylon, Jerry Jeff and so many others helped Austin become weird. But before any of them there was Kenneth Threadgill. A preacher's son, Threadgill loved music. He especially loved Jimmie Rogers and ...
05.03.2020 Ep. 86: Exploring the Texas Revolution- The San Jacinto Battleground In April, 1836, two armies converged at Peggy McCormick's ranch on the banks of the San Jacinto River. In just 18 minutes, the Texian Army routed Santa Anna and the portion of the Mexican Army he commanded. Texas was free! ...
04.24.2020 EP. 85: Exploring the Texas Revolution–Presidio La Bahia Originally established in 1721 along the banks of the Guadalupe river, Presidio La Bahia was moved to its present location along the banks of the San Antonio river in 1749. Since then it has been a critical location for worship, ...
04.18.2020 Ep. 84: Exploring the Texas Revolution–The Fannin Battleground James Fannin fancied himself an accomplished military commander. But in March of 1836 he had trouble deciding where and when to move. He finally headed for Victoria but decided to stop and feed his animals. Fannin didn't realize how close ...
04.14.2020 EP. 83: The Twin Sisters, Part 2–The Mystery The twin sisters were two cannons graciously manufactured and donated to the cause of Texas liberty from the people of Cincinnati. They served Texas well at the Battle of San Jacinto and played a key role in Texas independence. You ...

Older episodes

Wise About Texas

What's Wise About Texas about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Wise About Texas episodes:

EP. 124: Texans You Should Know- Sally Skull

EP. 123: The Texas Rangers- Senior Captain Tony Leal (part 2)

EP. 122: The Texas Rangers- Senior Captain Tony Leal (part 1)

Bonus Episode: The 72 oz Steak Challenge with James Webb

Ep. 121: A Dead Man’s Horse: The Case of Issac Desha

BONUS EPISODE: Celebrating The Texas Ranger Bicentennial

Bonus Episode: A Bad Day at the Courthouse

EP. 120: Texas Rangers: “Old Paint” Caldwell

EP. 119: The Texas Rangers: Origins

EP. 118: Texans You Should Know- Osjetea Briggs

EP. 117: A Murder in the Capitol

EP 116: I Heard it on the X, Part 2

EP. 115: I Heard it on the X, Part 1

Ep. 114: Winging it in Big Bend

Ep. 113: The Travis County Dog Wars

EP. 112: A Texas mother- Mary Christian Burleson

EP. 111: The Easter Fires of Fredericksburg

EP. 110: A Goliad Survivor?

Ep 109: Alamo Defenders- Dr. Amos Pollard

Ep. 108: Alamo Defenders- Toribio Losoya

Ep. 107: Texans You Should Know- Anna Mebus Martin

Ep. 106: A Lea Family Tragedy

Ep. 106: A Lea Family Tragedy

EP. 105: The Indian Trial Part 3: The Trial

BONUS EPISODE: Villa de Austin

Ep. 105 The Indian Trial Part 2: The Raid

EP. 105: The Indian Trial Part 1: People, Places, and Policy

Ep. 104: The Great Pearl Rush

EP. 103: A Fair Likeness?

BONUS EPISODE: The Juneteenth Legacy Project with Sam Collins III

Ep. 102: Juneteenth and the Celebration of Freedom

Ep. 101: The San Jacinto Battle Flag

EP. 100: The San Jacinto Monument(s)

Ep. 99: A Letter From Goliad

Ep. 98: Writing Texas History with James L. Haley

Ep. 97: Victory or Death-The Travis Letter

EP. 96: The All-Woman Supreme Court

EP. 95: Texas Towns: Welcome to Provident City!

EP. 94: The Texas Rangers–East Texas Troubles

Ep. 93: The Free State of Van Zandt

Ep. 92: I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas

Ep. 91: The Secret Court of the Republic of Texas

EP. 90: Cozumel, Texas?

Ep. 89: Texas Attacks Oklahoma!

EP. 88: Texas Pandemics

Ep. 87- Texans You Should Know: Kenneth Threadgill

Ep. 86: Exploring the Texas Revolution- The San Jacinto Battleground

EP. 85: Exploring the Texas Revolution–Presidio La Bahia

Ep. 84: Exploring the Texas Revolution–The Fannin Battleground

EP. 83: The Twin Sisters, Part 2–The Mystery