This Date In Texas History - December 31

[joe817]

1792 - An official Spanish census recorded 247 male mulattoes, 167 female mulattoes, 15 male Negroes, and 19 female Negroes in a total population for Texas of 1,617 males and 1,375 females. Thus the black and mulatto population constituted 15 percent of the total population. Spanish law required free blacks to pay tribute, forbade them to carry firearms, and restricted their freedom of movement. In practice Spanish officials ignored such restrictions. After the Mexican War of Independence (1821), the Mexican government offered free blacks full rights of citizenship, but numerous free blacks fought for Texas independence--some fearing Anglo retribution if they did not serve, and others sharing Anglo beliefs about the Mexican government.

1835 - The steamboat Yellow Stone played a crucial role in the Texas Revolution. Manned by a crew from the United States and flying the United States flag, it cleared port on December 31, 1835 at Washington-on-the-Brazos, with its cargo largely ammunition and its passengers mostly volunteers for the Texas army, including forty-seven men of the Mobile Grays. The ship arrived at Quintana at the mouth of the Brazos in early January 1836. On the Brazos it operated under the control of the merchant firm of Thomas F. McKinney and Samuel M. Williams. On one trip, in February 1836, the vessel went up the Brazos River as far as San Felipe de Austin under the command of Capt. John E. Ross. (for more info and an interesting read: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/onli ... print.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )

1842 - The brief, bizarre Texas "Archives War" ended. In this bloodless clash, vigilantes from Austin prevented President Sam Houston from moving the Republic of Texas' official papers to Houston via Washington-on-the-Brazos.{Note: This was originally posted on 12/29 but the "war" ended today. For further info: http://blogs.chron.com/txpotomac/today_ ... s_history/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (This is truly an interesting read.)

1845 - Two days after annexation, Texas was made a collection district of the United States. During its nine years, the Republic of Texas had derived more than half of its total income-$1,273,280 out of $2,186,982-from customs fees originating from the importation of goods into the Republic.

1937 - The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established. The refuge was sited on more than 47,000 acres on Blackjack Peninsula, located midway between Rockport and Port Lavaca on the Gulf Coast, purchased by the federal government with money raised by selling stamps of migratory birds. Later purchases increased the area of the refuge to more than 54,000 acres on the peninsula and more than 56,000 acres on Matagorda Island. Historically, Karankawa, Tonkawa, and other native groups wandered the saltwater marshes and coastal grasslands of the region. Legends abound that the pirate Jean Laffite buried treasure there.

1947 - Roy Rogers and Dale Evens were wed at the Flying L Ranch in Oklahoma, where they had just finished filming Home to Oklahoma. Dale Evens was born in Uvalde, Texas on Oct. 12,1931. She worked as a singer at Dallas radio station WFAA's "Early Bird" program.

1980 - Armadillo World Headquarters held a final New Year's blowout before closing its doors to await demolition. The celebrated Austin music venue was a concert hall in a converted National Guard armory in downtown Austin. It opened its doors in August 1970 and quickly became the focus for much of the city's musical life. AWH reflected the emergence nationwide of countercultural forms of music typical of its time.

1985 - Ricky Nelson and six others died in an airplane crash near DeKalb, TX. A fire had broken out on the plane.

1987 - The last Bluebonnet Bowl game was played. This annual post-season football game was initiated in Houston in 1959 by a civic group appointed by the Houston Chamber of Commerce Athletics Committee. In short order, the group secured National Collegiate Athletic Association sanction, obtained Southwest Conference approval, and arranged for the use of Rice Stadium. The first game, on December 19, 1959, matched Clemson University against Texas Christian University.

[WildBill]

I remember when Rick Nelson died. He died too young, flying around to concerts in his dilapidated DC-3. Once, I got to see him perform in a small country western bar in California. As famous as he was, he seemed like a good guy. I still listen to his music.

[joe817]

I agree WildBill, way to young. I saw him perform at Will Rogers Auditorium in the late 50's. I love his music.

[seamusTX]

Musicians should never get into private planes. Or maybe pilots should refuse to fly them. The whole business seems jinxed.

During its nine years, the Republic of Texas had derived more than half of its total income-$1,273,280 out of $2,186,982-from customs fees

They ran the Republic on $2 million for nine years? Sheesh. The state government must spend that much an hour now.

- Jim