This Day In Texas History - March 17

[joe817]

1836 - The Convention of 1836 adjourned in haste as the Mexican army approached Washington-on-the-Brazos. The convention, which met on March 1, drafted the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, organized the ad interim government, and named Sam Houston commander-in-chief of the republic's military forces before the delegates evacuated Washington-on-the-Brazos. Their hurried departure was part of the so-called Runaway Scrape, in which Texans fled the advancing troops of Antonio López de Santa Anna. Houston's subsequent retreat toward the Sabine left all of the settlements between the Colorado and the Brazos unprotected.

1836 - Albert C. Horton's cavalry discovered Col. Juan Morales approaching Goliad with the Jiménez and San Luis battalions, 500 veterans of the battle of the Alamo whom Antonio López de Santa Anna had sent from Bexar to reinforce Urrea. Fannin finally learned of King and Ward's defeat in the battle of Refugio from Hugh McDonald Frazer on March 17, but he still did not order the retreat to Victoria until the next day. [The Battle of Goliad is quickly approaching ]

1836 - At 4:00 P.M. on March 17 Fannin(commander of Goliad forces) learned of the defenders of Rufugio's defeat and subsequent slaughter through Hugh McDonald Frazer of the Refugio militia, who had volunteered to investigate.

1836 - Sam Houston's retreating army crossed the Colorado River,near the site of present La Grange (Fayette County).

1855 - The first law school in Texas was established at Austin College. Austin College, an independent liberal arts college, was incorporated at Huntsville in 1849. Previously, all legal training in Texas had taken place by apprenticeship. The innovation was discontinued at Austin College after four students had completed the one-year course, and in 1876 the Texas Synod of the Presbyterian Church, United States, decided to move the college to Sherman.

1884 - Frank "Bring 'Em Back Alive" Buck, hunter, author, and film maker, was born in Gainesville, Texas. He traveled over the world trapping and transporting exotic animals to zoos and circuses. He wrote at least seven books and produced several motion pictures about animals and his adventures. Buck died in Houston on March 25, 1950.

1924 - The Zale Jewelry Company( began as a single store in Wichita Falls), opened today.

1938 - The panhandle town of Shamrock held it's first St Patrick's Day Celebration. Parades, Bands, Food and Fun were the start of a tradition that continues today. Shamrock, on historic Route 66, was named for good luck and courage. The name was first suggested by George Nickel, an Irish immigrant and sheep rancher. But the post office never opened until 6 miles south, the Rock Island railroad came through in 1902. Originally the town was named Wheeler, but with Nickel's store just up the road, the railroad named the rail stop "Shamrock", and that name was transferred to the post office in 1903.

1949 - Wildcatter, "Diamond Glenn" McCarthy opened his new Shamrock Hotel in Houston. 50,000 guests including 175 celebrities showed up for the million dollar party that followed. NBC radio broadcast live from the Shamrock's Emerald Room, until drunken revellers took over the stage from Dorothy Lamour and told off-color joke. NBC quickly cut to other programming, and Lamour left the stage is anger. The Shamrock Hotel has maintained a long reputation for extravagant luxury suites.

[joe817]

Letters From The Past: HOUSTON ARMY ORDERS

"Army Orders Head Quarters Colorado River March 17th, 1836. To Colonel J. W. Fannin Colonel J. W. Fannin, Jr., will take a position on the bay of Lavaca, or any other point best calculated for the protection of the provisions, ammunition, &c., at Coxe's point and Dimit's landing. The army now near Burnham^s, on the Colorado, will remain for a time, and, according to circumstances, fall down the river.

Colonel Fannin will therefore hold himself in constant readiness to join the commander-in-chief. The Redlanders are already in motion, and will join the army as soon as possible. Regulars and volunteers are also on the march to headquarters.

If Colonel Fannin can not maintain his position, he will fall back on the main army—the object of the movement now ordered being only for the protection of the arms, ammunition, &c. The present force on the Colorado numbers four hundred and twenty effective men.

Should a permanent fortification be necessary on the bay of Lavaca, or other point, for the protection of the stores, &c., Colonel Fannin will judge of the expedience (with the command under him) of erecting them. The commanding general, not having detailed report of his force, can only order that such measures shall be taken as will be best for the good of the service and the protection of the country. Stock of all descriptions will be driven to the east side of the Colorado.

Sam Houston Commander-in-chief of the Army

[joe817]

Letters From The Past: FANNIN to EDITORS.

[James W. Fannin, Goliad, to the Editors of the Telegraph, San Felipe, March 17, 1836, stating that the Mexicans are in sight about five miles away, that he is preparing to resist "to the utmost," and that, "for want of time," he had not effected his retreat from Goliad, as ordered.]

[joe817]

Letters From The Past: Sam Houston to James Collinsworth, March 17, 1836. [Copy.] Houston writes to the chairman of the military affairs committee of the Texan government [from a location near the Colorado River south of present-day La Grange] about his military situation vis-ý-vis the Mexican force marching eastward toward his army. Vows to fight

[as this letter is 3 pages long, here's a link to the letter. It's pretty neat. It gives,by page, the original letter then underneath the text version ]

http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/exhibits/pre ... 836_1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[budroux2w]

1924 - The Zale Jewelry Company( began as a single store in Wichita Falls), opened today.

I thought it was March 29th.

[cougartex]

I thought it was March 29th.

Correct according to The Zale Corporation Story:

http://www.zalecorp.com/history.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[budroux2w]

[joe817]

Don't shoot the messenger! I'm just repeating the story.

"ZALE JEWELRY CORPORATION. The Zale Jewelry Company, organized on March 17, 1924, began as a single store in Wichita Falls. Morris B. Zale, a Russian Jewish immigrant, founded the company and served as its first president. His brother William was vice president."

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/onli ... /dhz1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And thanks for taking the time to read this little blurb.

[budroux2w]

Don't shoot the messenger! I'm just repeating the story.

"ZALE JEWELRY CORPORATION. The Zale Jewelry Company, organized on March 17, 1924, began as a single store in Wichita Falls. Morris B. Zale, a Russian Jewish immigrant, founded the company and served as its first president. His brother William was vice president."

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/onli ... /dhz1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And thanks for taking the time to read this little blurb.

LOL. The only reason I mentioned it was because my wife works for the corporate office so I sent that to her today and she said that wasn't right haha. I can see where the difference comes about. The history site says the orginized today, but it sounds like the first store opened on the 29th. Both are huge events for one of the largest jewelery chains in the world.

I do want to thank you for the time you put into these threads. As a native Texan myself I learn something new everyday about our rich history in these threads and look forward to them every day. Please keep up the great work.

[joe817]

Thanks for the kind words budroux2w.

I learn something new everyday about our rich history in these threads

I do too!