WISE ABOUT TEXAS

One of the darkest events in Texas history was the massacre of the Texians at Goliad. Learn stories of deceit, escape and even kindness in the midst of sorrow in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.

180 years ago, every Alamo defender lost his life.  But not everyone who was in the Alamo died.  Learn some stories of the folks who survived the battle and a little about the effect of the defeat on the government of the young Republic of Texas.

Angelina Dickinson, the “Babe of the Alamo”

Enrique Esparza was 8 years old at the time of the battle.

A drawing of Travis’ servant Joe identifying bodies for Santa Anna

Susanna Dickinson, perhaps the most famous Alamo survivor

180 years ago today, March 6, 1836 the final assault on the Alamo began. Wise About Texas pays tribute to the fallen in this bonus episode.

180 years ago, the Mexican army surrounded the Alamo.  For 13 days, the defenders worked on the fortifications, sheltered some townspeople, entreated their fledgling government for food and supplies, and plead for reinforcements.  Learn who took shelter in the Alamo and follow the course of the siege through the letters of the garrison commander William Barrett Travis, including one of the most stirring and inspirational letters in world history.

Texas was in a state of confusion in February, 1836 and Santa Anna was on the march to quash the rebellion.  The government was split and the military command was in disarray.  But time was running out.  Learn how things stood in Texas 180 years ago this month as events started to concentrate around San Antonio de Bexar–and the Alamo.

The Alamo in 1849, 13 years after the battle

William B. Travis, drawn 3 months before the battle of the Alamo

Alamo commander James C. Neill

James Bowie

David Crockett, of Tennessee

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, circa 1853

Texas elections are always exciting but not all of them result in an armed standoff in the capitol between two Governors. The election of 1873 did! The Texas Supreme Court used a semicolon to cause the conflict and, change Texas history and end reconstruction! Learn more in Episode 9 of Wise About Texas.

The Capitol building where the standoff occurred.

The same capitol building on fire in 1881

The infamous “Semicolon Court”

Governor Richard Coke

E.J. Davis in his union uniform.

Davis adversary Gov. Andrew J. Hamilton

In Episode 8, you learned how Bob Fitzsimmons won the heavyweight championship on a sandbar in the Rio Grande.  In this bonus episode, learn how Fitzsimmons’ next fight cost the legendary Wyatt Earp his gun…and his reputation!

Wyatt Earp in 1896, around the time of the fight

artist rendering of the Fitzsimmons-Maher fight

In 1896, the biggest sporting event in the nation was to be a fight for the heavyweight championship.  But its location was a secret!  Armed Soldiers from Mexico, Arizona, and the Texas Rangers had it stopped, until the “Law West of the Pecos,” Judge Roy Bean managed to take it international–sort of.  Learn about Texas ingenuity in Episode 8 of Wise About Texas.

Heavyweight champ Bob Fitzsimmons

Legendary lawman Bat Masterson….no match for a Texas Ranger

Texas Ranger Captain Bill McDonald…one riot, one ranger.

The old Sanderson depot where Bat Masterson learned to behave himself

Judge Roy Bean, the law west of the Pecos

The Fitzsimmons-Maher fight. On a sandbar in the Rio Grande.

170 years ago today, December 29, the United States admitted Texas as the 28th State. Learn about what Texas President Anson Jones called the “great drama” in this episode of Wise About Texas!

Anson Jones, the last President of the Republic of Texas

U.S. President James Polk

Site of the Texas legation in London

Another shot of the location of the Texas Embassy in London

In December, 1835, the Mexican army surrendered the major city of Bexar to the rebellious Texans.  Learn about the grass fight and the capture of the pots and pans!  You’ll also learn about the pivotal role BBQ played in the cause of Texas independence!

The Alamo in 1849. This is the oldest picture of the Alamo and probably the closest to an “1836” view we’ll ever get.

Gen. Edward Burleson who commanded the troops in the battle.

The flag of the New Orleans Greys. The Greys participated in the battle and one of them challenged Deaf Smith in the cannon bets. This flag was captured at the Battle of the Alamo and is on display in a Mexican museum.

Gen. Martin Perfecto de Cos, commander of the Mexican army at Bexar.

Ben Milam who rallied the Texans and was later killed by a Mexican sniper outside the Veramendi palace.