Just Talkin' Texas

“Dragging cannons here and there over the Plains in pursuit of hostile Indians,” wrote U.S. Army scout, Billy Dixon, “was about as feasible as hitting a hummingbird with a brickbat.”

Just Talkin' Texas

A party of 10 surveyors rode west from Bastrop in 1838 to locate lands suitable for settlement. Within a day or two, one of them, an old man of the frontier, returned. He said he left the surveying party when the younger men refused to post guards around their camp at night.

Just Talkin' Texas

The Mark: In 1919, J. Frank Norfleet left his ranch near Hale Center, Texas, and came to Dallas to find a buyer for one of his farms. The money from the sale was to make him a debt-free man.

Just Talkin' Texas

When Texas belonged to Mexico, all American colonists technically had to adopt the Catholic faith to become citizens. Marriages were not considered legal without a priest. But in remote colonial Texas, settlers had no priest.

Just Talkin' Texas

San Antonio residents grew accustomed to seeing Texas Rangers in all varieties of dress by 1844. But when Rangers John Carolin and James Dun rode into town buck naked on bareback mounts, a few double takes resulted.

Just Talkin' Texas

When hide hunters annihilated the last of the great southern buffalo herd in the Texas Panhandle, they were thinking more of profits than of what their actions would mean to future generations.

Just Talkin' Texas

Witnesses saw the defendant draw first, kill the rancher and steal the horse. Even after a change of venue, known enemies of the accused cowboy sat in the jury box. The prosecution wanted a hanging.            Yet, there was hope for the defendant. His lawyer was Temple Houston.

Just Talkin' Texas

The Colorado River of Texas originates in the Panhandle near the town of Lamesa.  Some 860 miles later, it empties into Matagorda Bay near the town of Matagorda.

Just Talkin' Texas

Many valuable commodities have spurred violence throughout the course of southwestern history: livestock, timber, land, silver, gold, oil… but salt? Yes!

Just Talkin' Texas

Many students of Texas history know the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, girl captive of the Comanches, wife of Chief Peta Nacona and mother of Chief Quanah Parker.