Among the illustrious speakers at the 1888 Republican National Convention was Frederick Douglass, an American social reformer that was known for his mesmerizing oratory. Douglass was formerly enslaved but had become a vocal advocate for equality and human rights until his death in 1895.      Part of Douglass’ Convention speech included these thoughts: “I believe that the Republican party will prove itself equally faithful to its friends, and those friends during the [Civil] w

If you stop in at Marlowe’s BBQ restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee, you will see a memorial to Elvis Presley, the late “King” of rock n’ roll. Since Graceland is nearby, he often dined at Marlowe’s and visited with the owner. Today, due to the Elvis connection, Marlowe’s has a standing tribute to the singer. A visit by the “king” made a difference.   On May 18, 1840, Abraham Lincoln visited Pontiac, Michigan, while fulfilling his first term in the Livingston County circuit cour

When Texas native Pearl Simmons died in India on December 18, 1912, few noticed. Born in 1884, Pearl lost her mother while still an infant, and her father died when she was a young teen. Suddenly on her own, Pearl struggled to survive in the foreboding city of Dallas. Regrettably, she found the financial income she needed in the red-light districts like Frogtown and Boggy Bayou. Over time, the toll of constant abuse left her in hopeless despair.   It was then that Pearl met R

When American frontiersman and posthumous Texas hero Davy Crockett left politics in Tennessee, he famously said that they may go to Hell, but he would go to Texas. But once Crockett arrived in Texas, he may have been a bit surprised at how similar the Lone Star state was to Hades. Not only was Texas hot and sultry, but a portion of the population consisted of violent criminals and other unsavory characters. Mercifully, God had a plan to bring the Gospel message to the un

William Carroll Crawford was the last surviving signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence when he died at the age of 92. Amazingly, Crawford was a relative of Charles Carroll of Maryland, the last surviving signer of the United States Declaration of Independence.    Born in North Carolina in 1804, Crawford was a tailor by trade. But as the Second Great Awakening sparked a mighty revival along the East Coast, Crawford relinquished his needle and thread to embrace the pul

Sippie Wallace was a Texas girl who became a nationally acclaimed blues singer. In the 1920s and '30s, Sippie was known as the Texas Nightingale, and performed with her husband Matt, and her brothers George and Hersal Thomas. Blues legends like Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and Perry Bradford recorded songs with Sippie, who was signed by OKeh Records in Chicago.    The first two recordings that Sippie released on the OKeh label were “Shorty George” and “Up Country Blues.” She

It was Bing Crosby who first recognized the elite songwriting skills of Cindy Walker. Then, other major artists like Roy Orbison, Bob Wills, Ray Charles and Jim Reeves began singing her songs, too. In all, Ms. Walker composed more than 500 songs, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Fort Worth Cowgirl Hall of Fame, and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.   Such country favorites as "You Don't Know Me," "Cherokee Maiden,” "Misty Moonlight,” and "Dusty Sk

Did you know that two Italian-born soldiers fought in the Texan War for Independence from Mexico? Born in Italy in 1794, Prospero Bernardi died from injuries he sustained in the Battle of San Jacinto. A commemorative bust of Bernardi, by Italian sculptor Pompeo Coppini, stands in front of the Hall of State, Fair Park, Dallas.   The other Italian to fight in the Texan Revolution was Mexican General Vicente Filisola. Understandably, no statues in his honor are found in Texas.  

Texas is known for lengthy droughts. In the journals of Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca, as he reconnoitered West Texas in the early 1500s, he reported that the Indians living near what is now Presidio were praying for rain! Even the first colony of Stephen F. Austin in 1822 lost its initial food crop due to a severe drought. The most devastating dry spell on record in Texas stretched for about seven years, finally ending in 1957. During that time, it is estimated that the

The stone ruins of the old Walzem Chapel stand erect on the firm foundation laid in the mid-1800’s. Over the entrance to the abandoned sanctuary the engraved keystone simply reads: 1870. The roof and windows have long since disappeared, but the expertly chiseled stones bear witness to a loving craftsman.   Johann Joseph and Anna Gertruda Walzem came to Texas from Prussia around 1851. They settled in what is now known as the Mission Hills Ranch subdivision of New Braunfels. Wi