Cleofus Dugosh & Family

The surname Długosz makes me think of Jan Długosz who lived about 600 years ago. Jan was a priest and the first Polish historian. He wrote the early history of the Kingdom of Poland.

I am going to write about quite a different man, though. The original spelling of his surname "Długosz" was changed in Texas to "Dugosh".

Cleofus Matthew Dugosh was the son of John Jacob Dugosh and Franciszka Kalka. He was born in Bandera, on 21 September 1896 (1). Cleofus and his siblings were the second generation born to the family of Johann Długosz and Franciszka Kasperczyk, who came to Texas from Polish Silesia.
Cleofus had 9 siblings, two of them died before 1910.

 

🏠 In that year, the family of John (age 54) and Frances Dugosh (age 50) were registered during the census. John owned a farm in Justice Precinct #1, Bandera County. Four of John and Frances' elder children had already left the family home. Annie (age 16), Cleofus (age 12), Florence (age 10), and Christina (age 8) still lived with their parents (2).

👉 In 1918, Cleofus was drafted into the Army. Interestingly, in the registration draft, the man stated that he was born on 20 September, not on 21st as it was given in the later records. The draft card also reads that Cleofus' eyes were blue and his hair was light (3).

He was enlisted on 4 September 1918 and served as Private with the 29th Company 165th Department Brigade until he was honorably discharged on 18 December 1918 (4, 5). Luckily, the man was enlisted late in the WW1 and he was not sent overseas. The soldier's name appears on the WW1 Rosters of Enlisted Men (St. Louis Military Records), his serial number was 3983993 (6).

 

 

On ⚭ 21 June 1922 (7), 25-year-old Cleofus married 18-year-old Miss Mary Ellsworth (born on 31 December 1903, in Bexar County), the daughter of Clarence Lamar Elsworth and his wife Marinda Pue.

On ♦ 17 July 1923, Charlie Le Roy was born in Bandera to Cleofus and Mary (8). About a year later, on 22 August 1924, their second son John Clarence came to this world (9).

👉 1930 - Cleofus, his wife, and sons lived in Justice Precinct #1, Bandera, TX. The man was a construction laborer (10). By 1940, he had rendered a farm/become a farmer (11).

 

 

👉 In 1942, Cleofus and his 18-year-old son Charlie went to Chicago where the boy was drafted into the Army. The two men were staying at 9824 S Peorias St. in Chicago. Their telephone number given in the draft was Cedar Crest 1385 (12).

Charlie was enlisted into the Air Corps in San Antonio, on 10 November 1942 (13). He was trained and became a technical sergeant. On 1 April 1944 Charlie's plane crashed over Arrace, France, and the man was taken to a POW camp in Austria (Stalag XVII-B). The soldier was liberated at the end of WW2 (14, 15). More about his WWII service here.

John Clarence, the younger son of Cleofus and Mary was a high student at the time of the WW@ drafting. He was recorded by the Army as well (16).

After the war, in ⚭ 1948 (17), 25-year-old Charlie married 8-year younger Miss Barbara Jean Stoughton (born on 12 October 1931), the daughter of Kenneth Allen Stoughton and Mary Alice Brandenburg. The young family settled in Kerrville.

Charlie became a mechanic and worked at the Kerrville airport. He served as the manager of the Kerrville Flying Service Inc. and later, the Louis Schreiner Field Airport.

In 1965, the man leased 4.1 acres at the S E of the airport and built a hangar there for the airport repair shop and a store (18).

Clippings source: Dietel, Norman J. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 53, No. 32, Ed. 1 Friday, August 8, 1969, newspaper, August 8, 1969; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1057779/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

I have not found much information, regarding John Clarence.
👉 In 1949, John C. visited San Francisco. He traveled on board the ship USAT General William O Darby from Oahu Hawaii (16 March 1949) and arrived in San Francisco on 21 March (19).

By 10 March 1950, John had been back at the home of his parents. He worked as a gas station attendant then (20). The man was married to Marie Collen I.

--

July 1976 - sad news

Clipping source: The Bandera Bulletin (Bandera, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, July 23, 1976, newspaper, July 23, 1976; Bandera, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1118994/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bandera Public Library.

♦ Cleofus Dugosh passed on 21 July 1976 (21).

Clipping source: The Bandera Bulletin (Bandera, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, July 30, 1976, newspaper, July 30, 1976; Bandera, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1118820/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bandera Public Library.

Clipping source: The Bandera Bulletin (Bandera, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 10, Ed. 1 Friday, August 6, 1976, newspaper, August 6, 1976; Bandera, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1119054/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bandera Public Library.

♦ John Clarence died on 5 March 1985 in Bay, Florida (22).

♦ Cleofus' wife Mary left this world on 9 August 1990 (23).

♦ Charlie Leroy died on 10 April 2015 (24).

PS

The original Polish spelling of Cleofus name is "Kleofas".

 

 

Sources:
1. "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J57M-3M4 : 10 January 2021), Cleofus Dugosh, Jul 1976; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
2. "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2MR-46Z : Sun Mar 10 17:21:55 UTC 2024), Entry for John J Dugosh and Fannie Dugosh, 1910.
3. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:76VJ-BR6Z : 26 June 2024), Cleofus Mathew Dugosh, 1917-1918.
4. "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPRC-B5Y4 : Sun Mar 10 14:33:08 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Mathew Dugosh, 18 December 1918.
5. "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-69GG : Sat Mar 09 11:06:34 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Mathew Dugosh, 04 Sep 1918.
6. "United States, Enlisted and Officer Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1916-1939", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4C5S-H4ZM : Fri Jul 05 19:54:42 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus M Dugosh, 31 Oct 1918.
7. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLZK-VQP : Sat Jul 20 20:48:07 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Dugosh and Mary Ellsworth, 21 Jun 1922.
8. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VD9P-C9V : 1 January 2015), Charlie Le Roy Dugosh, 17 Jul 1923; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
9. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VD57-GWS : 1 January 2015), John Clarence Dugosh, 22 Aug 1924; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
10. "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HPS9-CN2 : Sun Mar 10 19:54:02 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Dugosh and Mary Dugosh, 1930.
11. "United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWNJ-BJQ : Tue Jul 09 01:16:43 UTC 2024), Entry for C M Dugosh and Mary Dugosh, 1940.
12. "Illinois, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP7W-RZ6S : Sun Mar 10 09:57:28 UTC 2024), Entry for Charlie Leroy Dugosh and Unemployed, 26 June 1942.
13. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8GD-FTV : 5 December 2014), Charlie L Dugosh, enlisted 10 Nov 1942, San Antonio, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
14. findagrave.com
15. https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/person/charlie-leroy-dugosh
16. "Texas, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL3X-ZV4N : Sun Mar 31 04:22:05 UTC 2024), Entry for John Clarence Dugosh and C M Dugosh, 11 December 1942.
17. findagrave.com
18. Bethel, Ann; Snodgrass, Clarabelle & Sieker, Robert Edward. Oral History Interview with Robert Edward Sieker, August 3, 2000, Supplement, text, August 3, 2000; Kerrville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1542822/: accessed October 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Kerr County Historical Commission.
19. "California, San Francisco Passenger Lists, 1893-1953", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXHZ-N1Q : Fri Mar 08 19:20:13 UTC 2024), Entry for John C Dugosh, 1949.
20. "United States Census, 1950", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XP9-2YQX : Tue Mar 19 14:00:19 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Dugosh and Mary Dugosh, 10 April 1950.
21. "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZXG-5RL : 24 May 2014), Cleofus Dugosh, 21 Jul 1976; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number , Kerr, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin.
22. "Florida Death Index, 1877-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VVWH-9PN : 25 December 2014), John Clarence Dugosh, 05 Mar 1985; from "Florida Death Index, 1877-1998," index, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 2004); citing vol. , certificate number 23866, Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, Jacksonville.
23. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVVD-831 : 5 December 2014), Mary Lucetta Dugosh, Kerr, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.
24. "Find a Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK15-J637 : 17 August 2023), Charlie Leroy Dugosh, ; Burial, Kerrville, Kerr, Texas, United States of America, Garden of Memories Cemetery; citing record ID 145191659, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

Photos 14/16 August 2020

From Bandera, TX

Polish heritage items at the Frontier Times Museum in Bandera, TX. No wonder, there were many Polish pioneer families in that region of Texas.

 

The picture on display is the Holy Mother of Częstochowa, not sure what the wooden items are. Perhaps one of them is part of a butter dish (churn)?

 

I left a similar set of wooden Easter eggs in Poland. I also had one with yellow and one with red background.

 

When I was in kindergarten, before Easter, we decorated egg shells with straps of fabrics (glued on the shell). Both the egg yolk and white had been blown out prior to the decorating process.

 

Charles Montague Jr. & Family

From time to time, I write here about late persons of various family backgrounds. Despite many differences, they all have one thing in common: at some point in their lives, those people came to and lived in Texas.  One of them was Charles Montague, Jr.

Charles Montague was born in Cumberland County, North Carolina on 10 April 1845. His father, Charles Sr. (son of Hugh Montague and Rosa Lamb), was born in Ireland, County Tyrone, in 1800 and came to America in 1822. Sarah Ann Newton (of English and French descent) was Charles Jr.'s mother.

🏡1850 - the Census - 5-year-old Charles with his parents and siblings (Mary, Agnes, Francenia, and Ann) in Fayetteville, Cumberland, North Carolina. Charles. Sr. operated a store (1). 

 

 

Little Charlie had more brothers - James and William died young, John was born in 1851/ died in 1878, and Andrew Eugene (born in 1856/died in 1862).

👉 Charles Montague, Jr. received his education at Spring Hill College, Alabama. 

In 1859, the young man came to Bandera, where his father operated a ranch. 

 

Two years later, in July, Charles Montague Jr. joined Company C of the 2nd Regiment Texas Mounted Riflemen (2). He served with the Texas unit from 15 July 1861 (enlisted in Pedro Pinto) until 8 June 1862 (3). Later, he returned to North Carolina (via the Mississippi River near Vicksburg) and enlisted (4) in Company B, 6th South Carolina Cavalry (Aiken's Partisan Regiment). His afterward service included MC Butler's Brigade and Stuart's Cavalry (Hampton's division) of the Northern Virginia army. Charles never took a day off or a furlough during his five-year-long service. On 27 April 1865, the soldier/and his army division was surrendered by General JE Johnston in North Carolina.

 

After the war, Charles Montague worked in a mercantile business in Columbia, South Carolina for 18 months. Furthermore, he moved to New York, where (for about two years' time) he was a salesman with "Early & Lane". The company belonged to one of his cousins (by marriage). When Charles' health weakened, he came back to Bandera, TX.

On 30 August 1870, 25-yeard-old Charles Montague Jr. and his 69 father were registered during the Census. They both lived in Justice Precinct #1, Bandera, and both worked in a store run by Charles Sr (5).

Two years later, on ⚭ 25 September 1871 (6), in Medina County, TX, Charles Jr. married Miss Laura Lytle (born on 23 Sept. 1854 in Pennsylvania), daughter of Francis and Margaret Collins Lytle. 

Laura was also a sister of John Thomas Lytle, a cattle baron. In 1872, Charles became Bandera County and District clerk. Later, he was reelected a few times.

Soon, children were born to Charles and Laura:

• Rosa (born on 13 June 1873), 
• Margaret (b. 6 June 1876), 
• John Vincent (b. 5 April 1878), and
• Charles Leonidas (b. 15 May 1880).

🏡 26 June 1880, another Census took place - Charles (age 34), a district clerk, his wife Laura (age 25), their 4 kids, and Charles Montague, Sr. (and 80), a surveyor, were recorded in the same household by the Census clerk, Mr. A O Knight (7).

More children arrived in the family:

• Ellen (b. 7 November 1871/d. 1 July 1884), 
• Mary Victoria (b. 1 January 1886), and 
• Francis Mitchell (b. 21 July 1887).

Death took Charles Montague, Sr. on ♦ 14 June 1889. 

About a month later, on 17 July, another son, Eugene, was born to Charles, Jr. and his wife. Later, Brian, Joseph and Joseph Gardiner (8) joined the family (on 26 March 1892, 7 February 1894, and on 12 December 1895).

🏡 Census 1900 - Charles Jr. (age 54) appears in the record as a lawyer. He, Laura (age 45) + children lived in Precinct #1, Badera County (9).

 

🏡 Census 1910 - Margaret, Brian, Frank, Lawrence, Joseph S, and Rose were recorded at their parents' home (10). Rose had been married in 1901 to JE Gardiner (11).

Six years later, on ♦ 25 April, Charles Montague, Jr. passed. He had suffered from prostate disease and uremia which were the cause of his death (12). His body was buried at the Catholic cemetery in Bandera.

 

 

 

Clipping source: San Antonio Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 51, No. 117, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 26, 1916, newspaper, April 26, 1916; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth434157/: accessed January 21, 2022), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

 

Clipping source: San Antonio Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 51, No. 118, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 27, 1916, newspaper, April 27, 1916; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth434024/: accessed January 21, 2022), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

Sources:

"History and genealogy of Peter Montague of Nansemond and Lancaster Counties and his Descendants 1621-1894", George William Montague, Amherst, Mass., USA: Press of Carpenter and Morehouse, 1894.

Findagrave.com

1. "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4Y1-G73: 23 December 2020), Charles Montague in the household of Chas Montague, Fayetteville, Cumberland, North Carolina, United States; citing family, NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. National Park Service, Sailors and Soldiers: https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm...
3. "Veterans from Bandera County of All Wars." Mrs. Howard Graves, The Bandera Historical Society, Bandera Printing Company, Bandera, 1978.
4. National Park Service, Sailors and Soldiers: https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm...
5. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGJ-WWP: 29 May 2021), Charles Montague in the entry for Chl Montague, 1870.
6. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZY-F7QK: 22 July 2021), Charles Montague and Laura Lytte, 25 Sep 1871; citing Marriage, citing Medina, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 1,013,636.
7. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFFV-LPT: 15 January 2022), Charles Montague, Bandera, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district, sheet, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm.
8. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3D5-M8N: 20 February 2021), Joseph Gardiner Montague, 25 Jul 1970; citing certificate number 52331, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,218,857.
9. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3LK-PWR: accessed 19 January 2022), Chas Montague, Justice Precinct 1, Bandera, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 1, sheet 2B, family 36, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,608.
10. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2MR-DFB: accessed 19 January 2022), Chas Montague, Justice Precinct 1, Bandera, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 8, sheet 12B, family 225, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1528; FHL microfilm 1,375,541.
11. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLZK-S3X: 22 December 2016), J E Gardiner and Rose Montague, 11 Sep 1901; citing Bandera, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1,017,641.
12. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3WY-T2H : 20 February 2021), Charles Montagul, 25 Apr 1916; citing certificate number 8368, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,051,624.8. 3.

Photos from our walks on 8/10 August 2020

History of One Cradle

From photos to people's lives stories. History of one cradle made in Silesia.

Józefa Adamiec (Adamietz) nee Konieczko, born in Polish Silesia (Prussia then) in 1816, traveled with her husband Szymon (Simon) born in 1802, their two sons Jan Szymon (born in 1841), Albert (born in 1844), and other Silesian families. They went from Silesia to Bremen and then, on the bark Weser, from Bremen to Texas. 

On 3 December 1854, they reached Galveston. One of the items Józefa brought from Silesia was a cradle (she was a midwife). 

 

The Silesians settled in Bandera in 1855.  Five years later, Józefa, Simon, and their sons were registered in the Census. They lived in the town of Bandera. Simon was a farmer, John worked as a mail rider, Albert was a laborer (1).

Tax records from 1861 inform that Simon Adamietz had 40 acres of land (originally granted to William Keller) worth $100 then. The man owned a town lot no. 23.4, 2 horses and 9 head of cattle (2).

On 10 May 1866, John (Jan) married 20-year-old Miss Constantinetina (Konstantyna?) S Pyka (3), born on 31 August 1846 in Silesia. She was the daughter of Johann Pyka and his wife Franciszka.

John and Constantine had 11 children (4). During the Civil War, John served with 6th Field Artillery and Capt. Dege's Batallion (8th Field Artillery), Texas Light Artillery. Private was his rank (5).

Under the guidance of Józefa, her daughter-in-law learned the midwife skills. Eventually, Constantine inherited the crib that belonged to her mother-in-law. She passed it later to her daughter Mary Ann.

In 1978, the old cradle pieces were taken to a restoration shop in Hondo, and the crib was made (see the photo). Nowadays, you can watch the restored piece of furniture in the Frontier Times Museum in Bandera, TX.

The photo of the cradle was taken during our visit to the Frontier Times Museum in Bandera. 

🎕

Simon Adamietz passed on 24 November 1879, his wife Josepha on 12 December 1884.

Their son John died in 1911. Constantina live till 2 May 1931.

 
Source:
Findagrave.com
1. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFP-VMQ : 18 February 2021), Simon Adamicz, 1860. 

2. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBMC-LG5 : 20 February 2021), Simon Adamick, 1861.

3. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX39-F98 : 22 January 2020), Constantinetina S. Pyka in entry for John S Adamietz, 1866. 

4. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3LK-X2R : accessed 15 October 2021), John Adamitz, Justice Precinct 1, Bandera, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 1, sheet 1A, family 5, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,608. 

5. National Park Service

G for Goliad and Gonzales

 

In "My Texas Alphabet", the letter "G" is for Goliad and Gonzales. Both are connected with the early history of Texas State and its fights for independence.

In 1835, Texas was still part of Mexico, however, the Texas insurrection had already begun. The Goliad Campaign, which took place that year, was related to suppressing the Texas uprising by the Mexican government and their army.

I am not going to describe it all here, as experts in Texas history have done it already.
You can read about the Goliad Campaign here.

Gonzales was a crucial spot during the Campaign. On 2 October 1835, the battle of Gonzales took place. The attack of Texan troops made the Mexican army withdraw their forces from Gonzales to Bexar. A certain cannon played an important part in it all. Upon the request of the citizens of Gonzales who needed protection from the Indian attacks, the cannon had been provided by the Mexican army. There was one condition, though. The cannon was to be returned to the givers whenever they wanted it back. That time came during the Goliad Campaign in 1835, when the representatives of the Mexican army came to Gonzales to retrieve the gift. Nevertheless, the colonists, who were not willing to give the cannon back, arrested the soldiers. All in all, the conflict arose and led to the Battle of Gonzales. Before the battle, two women of Gonzales made a flag that became symbolic later. It contained the picture of the cannon and the slogan "Come and Take It". 

More about the Gonzales cannon and flag here.

 Recently, the flag and the slogan have become controversial, to say the least.

Well, I do not intend to provoke any political discussion here regarding the flag, the places mentioned or the people who were involved in the Campaign. According to philosophers, everything is subjective. That was what I have been taught during my philosophy studies. I would say, (history) facts are just facts. Yet, adding interpretation to those facts is a totally different matter.

--

"My Texas Alphabet" is quite a particular and personal summary of our hitherto life in Texas.

You can find more Alphabet entries Here

Photos from:

1. La Grange, TX.

2, 3. Bandera, TX

My Texas Alphabet: B for Bandera

In the second edition of "My Texas Alphabet", B is for Bandera.

Nowadays, Bandera is mostly known/advertised as "the cowboy capital of the world". Not many people have any idea about its origin and that some of the town's first inhabitants were 16 Polish families who came to Texas from Silesia.

 

Local cattle brands

The intended destination of those Silesians was originally the settlement of Panna Maria, where they arrived in 1855. Since the land in that area had already been taken, the immigrants tried to find land around Castroville. It was Charles de Montel, who persuaded those Silesian families to go to Bandera where they could find employment at de Montel's  (saw and shingle) mill.

 

Charles de Montel was born in Königsberg, Prussia. He was a lawyer, soldier, engineer, and commander of Texas Rangers company. The man supplied the Polish immigrants with ox-driven carts so that they could relocate their belongings to the designated place. 

 

Frontier Times Museum, Bandera, TX

In Bandera, the Polish men worked for Charles de Montel. They also obtained town lots and land that they systematically cleared. The women worked at the local gristmill, which belonged to the Mormons, and helped with the farmland cultivation.

 

St. Stanislaus Church, Bandera, TX

In 1858, the Poles constructed St. Stanislaus Church in Bandera (the second oldest Polish church in America) - I have already written about the church in one of the previous posts. At first, the church building was a log structure. Years later, a rock church replaced the original one. In 1874, the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception opened a Polish school there.

 

The building of the Polish parochial school in Bandera

 

We have visited Bandera a few times - enjoyed watching a parade and ProRodeo there. We also went to the Frontier Times Museum (among others). People seemed nice and friendly there. 

 

It could be also a good place to settle (depending on what you look for).

 

Source: 

"The Texians and the Texans. The Polish Texans" The University of Texas, Institute of Texan Cultures, 1972.

Our Facebook page posts:

From our visit to Bandera

St. Stanislaus Church - our photos

Our adventures at the ProRodeo in Badera

History notes:

More about Bandera here

More about Charles de Montel: here

 

In the previous edition of "My Texas Alphabet", B was for Beans