Traces of Texas reader Tom Bomer kindly sent in this dynamite photo of his dad on his motorcycle in front of the Alamo back in 1947. A young man, a motorbike, and a Texas shrine ---- what's not to love here?
Thank you, Tom. Wunderbar!
@officialalamo
Llano Cattle Company cowboys in Clarendon, Texas, 1904. Left to right: Ben Wilkes, Samp Morrow, Tom Williams, John Doty, Andrew Coggins, Jim Weatherford, Ed Williams, Will Wilkes on the wagon, Hale Wilkes and Sam Wilkes. Courtesy the fine Borden County Museum in Gail, Texas.
Traces of Texas reader Chino Chapa thoughtfully sent in this great photo of Texas Jack, Jr. , whose story is rather incredible.
Not long after the American Civil War, while driving a herd of cattle to northern markets, a man named Texas Jack Omohundro found two small girls and a five-year-old boy who had been orphaned when their parents were attacked and killed by Comanches. Omohundro escorted the children to safety, and provided for their care in a Fort Worth Orphanage. The boy took to calling himself Texas Jack Jr.
Texas Jack Omohundro went on to become a famous frontier scout, actor, and cowboy, a legendary figure in the American Old West as a Western showman who performed dramas on the stage throughout the country and was immortalized in dime novels published around the world. His life story is quite an amazing one. Sadly, Texas Jack Omohundro caught pneumonia and died at the age of 33 in Leadville, Colorado, having led an action-packed life.
Anyway, Texas Jack, Jr., shown here, walked in his "father's" footsteps by becoming a sharpshooter and trick rider in shows around the world. By the early 1900s he created a production called Texas Jack’s Wild West Show & Circus," which toured America, Australia, Europe, and South Africa. It was in Ladysmith, South African that Texas Jack Jr. helped Will Rogers get a start as an entertainer by offering him a part in his traveling show in 1902. Will Rogers approached Jack hoping to get a job wrangling the horses or setting tents. When Jack asked him if he could do a rope trick, Rogers obliged and was hired as an entertainer on the spot.
Texas Jack, Jr. died in Kroonstad, South Africa, in 1905. He was survived by his common-law wife, Lyle (or Lil) Marr, who was also a sharpshooter in his show.
Thank you, Chino.
All these interesting little stories, you know? So many!
Traces of Texas reader Gary Wood kindly sent in this photo of a 1926 Chevy truck that is buried deep in the woods near Centerville. The truck is still in the same family that bought it new. The owner of the truck is the grandson of the original owner and said it was brought to the area in 1927. Talk about a genuine "trace" of Texas!
Thank you, Gary! Love to see this old truck, just abiding.
A scene at the beach in Galveston circa 1910. Fantastic swimwear!
That's probably Murdoch's bath house behind them. Murdoch's opened directly on the beach in 1896 but was destroyed in the 1900 hurricane. Owner George Murdoch rebuilt quickly, only to see the building taken out by a 1908 hurricane. Rebuilt again, a new and improved Murdoch's opened in 1911. This Murdoch's was blown away by the devastating 1915 hurricane. Undaunted, Murdoch's was rebuilt a 4th time in 1916, this time 10 feet above the seawall. This Murdoch's stood until Hurricane Carla came through in 1961. Refusing to die, Murdoch's was yet again rebuilt. This proved to be the longest-lived version yet, as it stood until Hurricane Ike visited in 2008. And yet, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, Murdoch's came back --- the 7th Murdoch's edifice. I hope it stands for a long, long time on account of Murdoch's has done had enough!
Good morning, Texas! And what a (relatively) nice morning it is, with temperatures and humidity a tad lower across a good portion of the Lone Star State.
Today's Beautiful Texas photo is a dandy shot that was sent in by Traces of Texas reader Britney Coody. This is her daughter in a cornfield in West, Texas --- the town north of Waco, not the geographic area west of the Pecos. That's some mighty nice looking corn. The family has been been farming in the area since the late 1880s, when Britney's great great grandfather showed up and set down roots.
Thank you, Britney. I love it!
If you have a photo you'd like to see in the beautiful Texas slot here at Traces, please send it to me via email with the subject line of "beautiful Texas." Thank you kindly.
Traces of Texas reader Wilson Stern was so kind as to share this bodacious photo of the Oasis filling station near Marfa, taken years ago. It was actually never a gas station but only a prop on the set of the movie Dancer, Texas. It's long gone. Spectacular setting!
Pelorus Jack was an incredible and loyal dolphin, guiding ships safely through the dangerous channel in New Zealand for 24 years. His dedication prevented shipwrecks and earned him protection under a law after a sailor's attempt to harm him. While his ultimate fate remains uncertain, it's believed that he likely passed away from old age around 1912 when he was 24 years old. His legacy as a guardian of ships is remarkable and remembered by many.
In the historical context of the 10th century, Kyivan Rus' was a medieval federation of East Slavic, Norse, and Baltic tribes located in what is now modern-day Ukraine, Belarus, and parts of Eastern Russia. The society was organized around a system of city-states, with Kyiv being the political and cultural center.
Olga, the wife of King Igor, ruled as a regent after his death, as their son Sviatoslav was too young to take the throne. During this time, the Drevlians, a neighboring tribe with complex relations with Kyivan Rus', saw an opportunity to expand their influence. They plotted to marry Olga to their Prince Mal, with the intention of gaining control over the Kyivan Rus' territories through this strategic alliance.
Olga, however, was not willing to submit to their plan. She decided to take matters into her own hands and seek revenge for her husband's brutal murder. The revenge she sought was not a simple act of retribution but a series of well-thought-out actions, intended to demonstrate her strength, cunning, and power.
When the Drevlian ambassadors came with their proposal, Olga initially feigned acceptance but insisted on honoring them the next day in the presence of her people. Little did they know that it was a setup. Olga's request to be carried in their boats was designed to humiliate them, as they were accustomed to riding on horses and walking as a symbol of their status.
When the ambassadors were dropped into a trench and buried alive, Olga sent another message to the Drevlians, asking them to send distinguished men to her in Kiev. Oblivious to the fate of the previous ambassadors, the Drevlians complied, and Olga trapped them in a bathhouse, burning them alive. Her revenge was both creative and ruthless, instilling fear in her enemies.
The siege of Korosten, the city where her husband was killed, was a significant part of Olga's revenge plan. It demonstrated her determination to avenge Igor's death and her strategic military prowess. The Drevlians, eventually succumbing to Olga's forces, agreed to pay tribute, hoping to end the conflict.
But Olga wasn't done yet. In her final act of vengeance, she asked for three pigeons and three sparrows from each Drevlian house, seemingly a simple request. However, she had her men attach sulfur and a flammable cloth to the birds before releasing them. As the birds returned to their nests in the city, the entire place went up in flames, burning the city to the ground.
@TracesofTexas The bucket brigade technique is an old and effective method used to pass buckets of water from one person to another to quickly transport and extinguish a fire.
It highlights the spirit of unity and solidarity among people during times of crisis.
@TracesofTexas Image is a captivating glimpse into the past, and it amazes me to think about how much Houston has evolved over the years since Sam Houston's time. The contrast between his era and the 1920s is astonishing, and it's a testament to the progress and growth the city has experienced.
@Tank_Archives By adapting the vehicle with improvised roofs, the front line troops demonstrated their resourcefulness and determination to overcome obstacles, even in the midst of a challenging and brutal conflict like World War II.
@TracesofTexas They were standing on the porch of Ossamus Methvin's house on Rock Hill, looking into the distance when they exclaimed, "What a long view!" This remark led to the naming of the new town, which was officially incorporated in June 1871 and became the county seat.
@TracesofTexas The eulogy is a touching tribute to a man who was not just a trailblazer and entrepreneur but also a true humanitarian. It reminds us of the importance of kindness, compassion, and helping others in our own lives, leaving a lasting impact on those around us.
@historyinmemes The discovery of Broomistega and Thrinaxodon's fossilized remains could shed light on the ecological dynamics and animal behavior during the Great Dying, allowing researchers to gain a deeper understanding of how life on Earth responded to such catastrophic events.
@historyinmemes The Great Molasses Flood remains a unique and tragic event in history, and it has since become a well-known case study in engineering and industrial safety, highlighting the importance of proper construction and maintenance practices to prevent such disasters.