Texas History

“Texas Jack” Omohundro – Wikipedia Photo

“Texas Jack” Omohundro – Wikipedia Photo

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The Old West Superstar You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Murray Montgomery
Thursday, August 6, 2026
By Murray MontgomeryI’ll have to admit that I’m more than just a little embarrassed that I’ve never heard of “Texas Jack.” Perhaps it’s because he’s not originally from Texas, but that’s really no excuse; he was a truly famous man back in the day.John Burwell (Texas Jack) Omohundro, Jr.
Noah Smithwick at age 91 – Wikipedia photo

Noah Smithwick at age 91 – Wikipedia photo

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Real Texas History is Better Than Fiction

Murray Montgomery
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Murray Montgomery  -  Staff WriterSometimes I think being a student of Texas history is a curse. Why? Because it makes it very hard for me to enjoy made-for-TV movies. This history "curse" is an extreme desire to see historical events portrayed with some accuracy, even within a fictional story.
Courtesy Texas State Historical Association

Courtesy Texas State Historical Association

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The Ghost Town Beneath the Bay

Murray Montgomery
Thursday, June 4, 2026
By Murray Montgomery  -  Staff WriterThe story of Indianola, Texas, is a sad one – from a prosperous port in 1875 to a ghost town today – its demise can be blamed on Mother Nature.Indianola’s history is indeed a colorful one, to say the least.
Texas Revolution style canon on display at the Alamo. For illustrative purposes only; the Lavaca River canon's style and type are unknown.

Texas Revolution style canon on display at the Alamo. For illustrative purposes only; the Lavaca River canon's style and type are unknown.

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The Lost Canon of Lavaca County

Murray Montgomery
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
By Murray Montgomery  -  Staff WriterNot long after I moved to Gonzales in 1984, I heard a story about an old canon that was located somewhere east of there and had been found by a group of kids while they were searching for a good swimming hole.
The statue of the Angel of Goliad seems to be watching over Presido la Bahia. This is where Texas soldiers were held before Gen. Santa Anna ordered them to be massacred on Palm Sunday, 1836. – Photo by Murray Montgomery

The statue of the Angel of Goliad seems to be watching over Presido la Bahia. This is where Texas soldiers were held before Gen. Santa Anna ordered them to be massacred on Palm Sunday, 1836. – Photo by Murray Montgomery

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The Angel of Goliad

Murray Montgomery
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
By Murray Montgomery
 - Staff WriterShe was known, by the Texans, as a "high-bred beauty" and the "Angel of Goliad." A tenderhearted Mexican lady who will forever be remembered for her many acts of kindness during those dismal days of the Texas Revolution.
Gleason’s Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion, 1854 (DRT Library at the Alamo, San Antonio, TX)

Gleason’s Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion, 1854 (DRT Library at the Alamo, San Antonio, TX)

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Famous men; ordinary soldiers shed their blood at the Alamo

Murray Montgomery
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
By Murray MontgomeryStaff WriterWhen Mexican troops stormed over the walls of the Alamo on the morning of March 6, 1836,they put to death a small band of heroes who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice forfreedom on that mesquite prairie near old San Antonio.
The blockade runner played an important part in the South’s War of Secession, as did our international border with Mexico. Our roads south paved the way for needed trade around the world and even a way out for the enslaved seeking freedom. It made the Gulf a prime battlefield for Texas.

The blockade runner played an important part in the South’s War of Secession, as did our international border with Mexico. Our roads south paved the way for needed trade around the world and even a way out for the enslaved seeking freedom. It made the Gulf a prime battlefield for Texas.

Historians host annual conference Oct. 14

News Staff
Friday, September 29, 2023
The Alton C. Allen Historical Conference will celebrate a milestone anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 14, when members of the Lavaca County Historical Commission fill the Kocian Building on the south side of the courthouse square in Hallettsville for their 20th annual gathering.
Photo courtesy of Texas Escapes

Photo courtesy of Texas Escapes

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The Crusty Old Baptist

Murray Montgomery
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
By Murray Montgomery Staff Writer There wasn't supposed to be but one religion in Texas, in 1835. But a crusty old Baptist by the name of Z.N. Morrell had plans to bring the Protestant religion to the settlers anyway, even though it went against Mexican law.
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