This Day In Texas History - March 11

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1718 - Instructions issued on March 11, 1718, for Martín de Alarcón's expedition to reinforce Texas does, for the first time in an official document, refer to Texas as "Nuevas Filipinas, Nueva Extremadura." In his journal of the expedition Alarcón calls himself "Governor and Lieutenant Captain General of the Provinces of Coahuila, New Kingdom of the Philippines Province of the Texas."

1827 - The Constitution of Coahuila governing the area of North Mexico now Texas, was formally adopted on this date. Texas, though growing in population, will not be its own state as settlers had hoped, but a part of Coahuala, with only a promise that at some time in the future, Texas could become its own state. This arrangement was resented my many in Texas, and was a giant step toward the Texas Revolution a decade later.

1836 - General Sam Houston, recently given command of the Texas forces, arrived in Gonzales to begin organizing the Texas troops. The next day, Houston learned about the massacre at the Alamo. Without further delay, his troops are organized and trained to do battle against Santa Anna's army, expected to advance eastward toward Houston's position in Gonzales.

1878 - Eight young men enrolled in the short-lived Alta Vista Agricultural College, the first public black college in Texas. In 1876 the Fifteenth Texas Legislature had authorized an "Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Benefit of Colored Youth" as part of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). A three-man commission bought Alta Vista Plantation, near Hempstead in Waller County, from Helen Marr Kirby for some $15,000. In March 1878 the first students enrolled at a tuition of $130 for nine months of instruction, board, and one uniform. The school was rechartered as Prairie View Normal Institute the following year, and continues today as Prairie View A&M University.

1884- In the Vaudeville Variety Theater in San Antonio, King Fisher(rancher, outlaw, and lawman)and his companion, noted gunman Ben Thompson, were involved in a shootout brought on by a quarrel between Thompson and the theater's owners. Both Fisher and Thompson were killed in the melee.

1890 - Future Texas governor and U.S. senator W. Lee (Pappy) O'Daniel was born in Malta, Ohio. He came to Texas in 1925 as sales manager of the Burrus Mill and Elevator Company in Fort Worth, manufacturer of Light Crust Flour. He took over the company's radio advertising in 1928 and hired and named the Light Crust Doughboys, the influential western swing band that featured Bob Wills and Milton Brown. O'Daniel organized his own flour company in 1935 and filed for governor in 1938. Accompanied by his band, the Hillbilly Boys, he attracted huge audiences, especially in rural areas. He won the 1938 election and was reelected in 1940.

1926 - The Texas Railroad Commission allowed the Phillips Petroleum Company to construct a carbon black plant in the Panhandle. The facility was originally operated by the Western Carbon Company and later owned by the Columbian Carbon firm. Carbon black, produced from natural gas that has more than 1 ½ grains of hydrogen sulfide, became in demand in the early twentieth century, especially in the production of automobile tires. The first carbon black plant in Texas opened in 1923 in Stephens County. By the early 1930s, thirty-one plants in Texas produced 75 percent of the nation’s output. Most facilities were located in the Panhandle, and Texas became the largest producer of carbon black in the country.

1974 - John Denver appeared in his first television show in the United States. With a string of hits which include "Take Me Home, Country Road", "Rocky Mountain High" and Sunshine on My Shoulder", Denver had become immensely popular in an era when Rock and Roll was King, and Country Music had not yet hit the prime time. John Denver graduated Fort Worth's Arlington Heights High School in 1961 as Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr., before attending Texas Tech, and moving to California.

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Letters from Goliad; FANNIN to MEXIA

[Side Note: Gen. José Antonio Mexía was a Mexican military officer. While a senator from the state of Mexico in 1834, Mexía joined Federalist forces that rose in protest against Santa Anna's assumption of dictatorial powers. After a two-month campaign, Mexía surrendered in the state of Jalisco and was ordered into exile by Santa Anna. He traveled to New Orleans to serve out his exile. Mexia was in New Orleans when he received this letter from Fannin. ]

" Head Quarters Army of Texas, Ft. Defiance (Goliad) 11th March 18. Genl.Mexia Dr. Genl. I avail myself of the politeness of Capt. Guerra, (a soldier of 1824) who feels himself bound to retire from our services for reasons which will be appearant to you. I am pleased to say of him and his men, that since they have been under my my command, each and every one has done his duty---and owing to his and their peculiar situation, and political aspect of this newborn nation, so widely different from what it was when they entered its service; I have this day given them an Honorable discharge, with permission and passport to proceed to N. Orleans & c. We are in the midst of a Revolution the ending whereof, no one can foresee.

Sa. Anna with 5000 men are in Bejar, and have been since 23rd ult., but has not been able to take the Alamo defended by only 146 men. If he does not get it in four days, he never will, as the people en mass are on their march to the relief of their friends-and in all this month, we will not have less than from 4 to 5000 Texicans under arms.

If 216 could & did take Bejar, how many of Sa. Annas men will be left then, should this force encounter him?? I know not as yet what has been the action of our Convention - but do not entertain a doubt but a Declaration of Independence will follow and shortly. This my dear sir [will] not interfere with your favourite project. You can go ahead with more safely, and may calculate upon aid from Texas---and her Volunteers. I know not how long I may remain in the service---circumstances unexpected and over which I had no control, have placed me, where I cannot retreat, but in disgrace. This I am not disposed to suffer - rather preferring to encounter death in any shape. If I had men, over whom I could exercise reasonable authority, I should glory in the present opportunity as I should most certainly do myself some credit, and the country great service; and teach Genl. Sa. Anna a lesson, which he might remember, and the states of Mexico profit by. I hope I may aid in it, as it is---and that I may hear from you to the west, waging battle for your injured and oppressed countrymen.

Do write me occasionally, addressed to the care of our friends McKinney & Williams. In the meantime, believe me, Dr Genl. to be yr friend & obt servt J. W. Fannin, Jr."

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Letters from Goliad; HOUSTON to FANNIN.

"Head Quarters, Gonzales, March 11, 1836. To James W. Fannin Sir: upon my arrival here this afternoon, the following intelligence was received through a Mexican, supposed to be friendly, which, however, was contradicted, in some parts, by another who arrived with him. It is, therefore, only given to you as a rumor, though I fear a melancholy portion of it will be found too true.

He states that he left Fort San Antonio on Sunday, the 6th inst; that the Alamo (citidel) was attacked on that morning at the dawn of day, by about 2,500 men, and was carried a short time before sunrise with a loss of 520 men, Mexicans, killed and as many wounded. Col. Travis had only 150 effective men, out of his whole force of 187. After the fort was carried, seven men surrendered, and called for Gen Santa Anna and quarters. They were murdered by his order. Col. Bowie was sick in his bed, and was also murdered.

The enemy expect reinforcements of 1,500 men under Gen. Cordiles, and 1,500 reserve to follow them. He also informed us, that Ugartechea has arrived with two million of dollars, for the payment of the troops, &c.

The bodies of the Americans were burnt after the massacre, in alternate layers of wood and bodies. Lieutenant Dickinson, who had a wife and child in the fort, after having fought with desperate courage, tied his child to his back, leaped from the top of a two story building, and both were killed by the fall. I have but little doubt that the Alamo has fallen. Whether the above particulars are all true may be questionable. Sam Houston.

P.S. The wife of Lieut Dickinson is now in the possession of the officers of Santa Anna. The men, as you will perceive fought gallantly, and in corroberation of the truth of the fall of the Alamo, I have ascertained that Col. Travis intended firing signal guns at three different periods of each day, until. succor should arrive. The signal guns have not been fired since Sunday; and a scouting party have just returned, who approached within five or eight miles of the fort, and remained for eight hours. S. H. "

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Sam Houston's orders to Fannin to abandon Goliad

" ARMY ORDER Headquarters, Gonzales, March 11, 1836 To Col. J. W. Fannin, Commanding at Goliad Sir:

You will as soon as practicable on receipt of this order, fall back upon Guadalupe Victoria with your command and such artillery as can be brought with expedition. The remainder will be sunk in the river. You will take the necessary measures for the defense of Victoria, and forward one-third of your effective men to this point, and remain in command until further orders. Every facility is to be afforded to women and children who may be desirous of leaving that place. Previous to abandoning Goliad, you will take the necessary measures to blow up that fortress, and do so before leaving its vicinity. The immediated advance of the enemy may be constantly expected, as well as a rise of water. Prompt movements are therefore highly important. SAM HOUSTON Commander of the Army "

David Boyd Kent and Ben Highsmith remained in Goliad impatiently waiting for Fannin’s reply when finally Ben Highsmith point blank asked Fannin if he was going to answer.

Fannin said "No, tell him I will not give up Fort Defiance", and the two returned to Gonzales on 15 March.