Wise About Texas

In 1914, San Antonio beer magnate Otto Koehler was killed by his mistress, Emma.  His former mistress, also named Emma, was present.  Was it self defense?  Was it planned?  Did she get him before he got her?  What became of his wife named, yes, Emma?  Some said it was murder, some said self defense.  Some said Otto attacked his killer, some said he would never have done that.  One Emma claimed Otto was desperately in love, another Emma advised he was just desperate.  What did the jury say?  Hear the strange story of the death of one of Texas' most prominent citizens in the latest episode of Wise About Texas. Gov. T.M. Campbell represented Emma 3 Sen. Carlos Bee represented Emma 2 Emma Koehler, CEO (Emma 1) Emma "Hedda" Bürgermeister (Emma 3) Otto Koehler

In 1818, one of Napoleon Bonaparte's top generals, and many of his former officers, tried to establish a French colony in Texas. They said it was for agriculture, but they brought a ship full of weapons and built a fort on the Trinity River. Were they going to incite revolution in Mexico, or did they have their sights set on Spanish Florida?  Why was the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte so eager to offer them help?  Somehow they were going to free Napoleon and use Texas to establish his empire!  Learn about the failed French colony of Champ D'Asile in this episode of Wise About Texas. Jean Lafitte (photo Rosenberg library, Galveston, Texas) Drawing of Champ D'Asile A scene from Champ D'Asile

Merry Christmas to all!  In this episode we take a light look at some of the traditions that make a Texas Christmas.  I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and Merry Texas Christmas!

Virginia Point was a transportation hub, civil war fort and cotton producing town on the shores of Galvesston Bay.  It was part of Austin's "coast colony" and was considered as an early port of the Republic.  The Confederate forces launched the attack that recaptured Galveston from Virginia Point.  Learn more about this Texas town in the latest episode in the Texas Towns series of Wise About Texas.   Headed for Virginia Point over Galveston Bay. The shores of old Virginia Point  

An 1818 map was used to negotiate a boundary treaty between the United States and Spain, then Mexico, then the Republic of Texas, then the State of Texas.  The only problem was, the map was wrong!  Learn about a boundary dispute between Texas and Oklahoma that made it to the U.S. Supreme Court and beyond!  

In honor of the one-year anniversary of Wise About Texas, I take the show professional.  I conducted an interview with professional historian Dr. Jody Edward Ginn, PhD.  Dr. Ginn discusses his varied career in museums, books and even movies.  His insights into why Texas history is important will educate and inspire your love of Texas history.  Pull up a chair and listen to a professional discuss how to preserve and promote Texas history.  

Happy 1 year anniversary to Wise About Texas!  This episode thanks you for listening and previews the next year(s).  Thanks for listening!

For over 50 years, Texans gathered at the Walls Unit in Huntsville Texas to watch the toughest convicts compete in the Texas Prison Rodeo.  The rodeo was a fixture of Texas Octobers until budgets and changing times brought an end to the roughest rodeo around.  In this episode, you'll relive those days and hear the story of the Texas Prison Rodeo.

The first man to fly a powered aircraft was a Texan named Jacob Brodbeck.  History credits the Wright brothers but it's time to correct the record!  Learn about German immigration, a fascinating Texan, and the first airplane flight in this episode of Wise About Texas. Painting of Jacob Brodbeck's 1865 flight (photo: Cibolo Nature Center)   Jacob Brodbeck, the first pilot. Jacob Bordbeck's grave Indianola, Texas street scene An aerial view of the Herff farm where Brodbeck flew (photo Cibolo Nature Center)

One hump or two? Camels came to Texas in the 1850's and the ships of the desert proved themselves great Texans! There might even be one or two still wandering around! Learn more about the great camel experiment in this episode of Wise About Texas.             Camel tied to the deck during bad weather Maj. Henry Wayne The spot where the camels came ashore in Indianola. (host photo) site of the courthouse in Indianola. (host photo)

When faced with the most destructive hurricane to date, the city of Galveston faced an unspeakable tragedy with extraordinary resilience. As the city struggled to recover, the citizens were already planning to rebuild. As it turns out, they would go farther than anyone ever they thought possible. Hear about the incredible spirit of Texas as expressed in the recovery from the Great Storm of 1900. After the storm (Texas State Library photo)

On September 8, 1900 a monster hurricane slammed into Galveston Island, resulting in the largest natural disaster in American history.  In this bonus episode, learn what it was like for the residents of the island as they struggled desperately to survive the storm. After the storm (Texas State Library photo)         Map showing the destruction from the 1900 Storm. (Houston Daily Post photo)

The worst natural disaster in American history occurred on September 8, 1900 when a massive hurricane hit Galveston, Texas.  At the time, Galveston was the largest city in Texas and one of the most prosperous in the country.  Weather forecasting was not keeping pace with prosperity, however, and the folks in Galveston had no way to know what was about to hit the island.  In part 1, you'll learn about victorian-era Galveston and the weathermen who thought they understood hurricanes.  This episode will take you through the morning of September 8, a day that changed Galveston, and Texas, forever. Galveston about 1881 The track of the Great Storm

In 1837, John James Audubon needed a trip to Texas to complete his legendary Bird of America.  He came to Galveston and collected many wonderful specimens.  But the story is about a lot more than birds.  We have rattlesnakes, sawfish, secret agents, soldier skulls and Sam Houston.  Hear about Audubon's visit in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.   John James Audubon Texan Secretary of the Navy Samuel R. Fisher Galveston in 1837 Houston in 1837 Audubon's Mockingbirds Audubon's Whooping Crane    

Meet Temple Lea Houston, youngest son of Texas hero Sam Houston and one of Texas's first great trial lawyers.  He was known for his quick mind, a silver tongue, fancy dress and a fast gun.  All of those were helpful in the early courtrooms of Texas.  He turned down the chance for high political office in exchange for the excitement of frontier justice.  He also delivered one of the greatest closing arguments in history.  Come to court in frontier Texas and get Wise About Texas. Temple Lea Houston   The Brigham monument at San Jacinto Dedication of the new state capitol building 1888 Happy hour in Tascosa, Texas back in the old days The old stone courthouse in Mobeetie Temple Houston about 1890

In the middle of a hot Texas summer, let's head for the beach!  San Jose Island is bordered by Matagorda to the north and Mustang to the south.  Texas barrier islands all have their unique stories and San Jose is no different.  It has seen explorers, ranchers, entrepreneurs and soldiers.  These islands together hold the last of an endangered species as well as the first private space flight.  Learn how San Jose island, and its neighbors, played an important role in U.S. political history. FDR tours San Jose Island FDR fishing near Port Aransas The presidential yacht USS Potomac LBJ meets FDR

Merry Christmas...that's Cowboy Christmas of course.  July 4 is called Cowboy Christmas because of all the great rodeos held around the 4th of July holiday.  In this episode we take a look at the history of rodeo going all the way back to the 16th century.  Learn how the modern sport of rodeo evolved from old Mexico to modern day Texas.  It all seemed to happen on and around July 4!  Saddle up and hang on for a great ride through Texas history and learn about the surprise 1843 rodeo that led to an indian peace treaty! Striking rodeo cowboys at Boston Garden Florear de la reata Jack Hays in 1844, when he organized the comanche rodeo in San Antonio Jaripeo gone very wrong! Prescott rodeo bronc ride Charro pulling a bull's tail    

In the first of a new series on Texas Towns we take a look at the town of Texana, once a booming Texas port city, now claimed by the water she once commanded. The monument in the Brackenridge family cemetery Augustus Allen cursed Texana after his purchase attempt failed The Brackenridge family The courthouse in Edna John S. Menefee grave The Texana Church Marker for old Texana

Two generals decided to fight a duel to decide who would command the Texas Army.  Find out what happened and whether a wound suffered in the duel eventually affected the outcome of the Civil War!   Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, CSA Gen. Felix Huston   Dueling pistols belonging to Mirabeau B. Lamar Ravine where Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston died at Shiloh

In the first episode of a periodic series on Texans you should know, learn about the interesting, active and controversial life of General Thomas Jefferson Chambers.  Lawyer, surveyor, judge, land baron.  Chambers had an entrepeneurial spirit and a nose for a deal.  Was he a smart business man or an unscrupulous dealer?  No matter what you conclude, he is certainly a Texan you should know! General Thomas Jefferson Chambers