The Lone Star State

Ol’ Jim Cathey Cowboy Poet

On The Back Porch

March 2nd is not only Texas Independence Day, but also Texas Flag Day as well as Sam Houston’s birthday. There is a slogan, “Texas Tough-Texas Strong, and that is the subject of this article. As time takes its toll, tomorrow’s old timers will look at a fresh crop of young’uns and with an almost mystical look as they tweak their chin whiskers and look off into space as they allow, “Why, I recollect that Texas blizzard of ’21 with -0 degrees, snowdrifts to the stirrups, and froze water. Yessir, we cooked and boiled coffee at the fireplace. It was hard, but we beat her into submission!” For the most part old timers are a bit windy and sometimes exaggerate because they will not let the truth get in the way of a good story. That’s the Texas way! You see, hard times seem to be the norm. For instance, the horrific dust storms of the 1930s earning the name, “The Dust Bowl.” Hard times for Texas and America, but the people were resilient and strong hearted. They had stay power and grit! Much of it came from their ancestors that often proved Texans had no fear and no quit! Because those Texas ancestors had endured more than their share of hardships. The early 1800s found Texas settlers coming into Mexican domain to eventually gain their independence as a Republic after the 13 day siege at the Alamo, the Runaway Scrape, and the capture of Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. The Declaration of Independence was signed on March 2, 1836. The ensuing years were hard years filled with conflict, but the fledgling Republic stood strong and became the 28th state of the United States of America December 29, 1845. But hard times weren’t over, as the Mexican-American War in 1846 settled a dispute over boundaries and then came the War of Northern Aggression and Texas seceded from the Union February 1, 1861 to fly the Con-federate Flag. After the war came Reconstruction which continued the hard times. Texans returned home to devastated homes and an abundance of cattle, thus began the era of the “Cattle Drives.” March 30, 1870, Texas was readmitted into the Union by the United States Congress. Texas Oil was discovered at Spindle Top January 10, 1901 opening another era in Texas history. World War I began July 28, 1914 and ended November 11, 1918. This included the Spanish Flu Epidemic in 1917. The stock market crashed on October 24, 1929, ushering in the Great Depression that brought hardship through March of 1933 which was the midpoint of the Dust Bowl era that would continue until 1938 as America prepared to join our allies in World War II. And tough times would continue to plague our nation and our state. Things like the the post war years, Polio epidemic, Korean War, the drought of the 1950s, Vietnam War, Nine eleven, the mid-east wars, and the China Virus, and culminating in the Blizzard of ’21. Yes, I know there were many other hardships that I have skipped over, but the purpose here was to show the true character and resilience of Texans who have earned the intent of that slogan, “Texas Tough-Texas Strong.” The name Texas comes from the Caddo Indian word “Tejas” that means “friend,” giving rise to the state motto, “Friendship.” This can’t be said better than in the words of a chorus to Pappy Lee O’Daniels song, “Beautiful, Beautiful Texas”

“To beautiful, beautiful Texas Where the beautiful bluebonnets grow We’re proud of our forefathers Who fought at the Alamo You can live on the plains or the mountains Or down where the sea breezes blow And you’re still in beautiful Texas The most beautiful place that I know.”

The Lone Star State Many times we read and hear of the Texas way,

An’ you wonder about how she got her start, Long ago, ‘bout 1500 or so I’d say

The Redman roamed, their way of life to impart.

But then, a sailin’ ship crashed upon her shore, Cabeza de Vaca brought the Spanish flag, Here on this wondrous land he began to explore, This land with Indian, buffalo, bear, and stag.

Then in 1685 LaSalle gave France its Texas claim, Only to be short lived as Spain made their return, 1821 Mexico wrests power from Spain, As American settlers become a concern.

Patriots stood tall as they raise liberty’s flag, The Alamo fell as Independence was declared, Then Santa Anna fell to Houston’s ragtag, At the Battle of San Jacinto, freedom flared! Soon, USA statehood became a reality,

But the War of Northern Aggression took that away, Brother against brother, a battle of morality, After the war, we came back to the USA.

Spain, France, Mexico, and Old Glory of the USA, the Confederate Flag, all flew o’er our state with zeal, The Republic of Texas counts six flags today, A checkered past, historical fact will reveal!

We owe a debt of thanks to those that came before, To ensure that God’s gift of freedom was not denied, From the plains to the forest, mountains to sea shore, The sons and daughters of our state swell with Texas pride!

© Ol’ Jim Cathey “Honor the Texas flag; I

pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.”

Our church family at First Baptist is a good Texas family, come on in and say “Howdy!” God Bless each of you and God Bless Texas!