Dec 27, 2023 | From The Vault of Texas History
By Tracy Gupton Death claimed the life of Stephen Fuller Austin, the man known as “The Father of Texas,” on this date 187 years ago. Pneumonia was the villain. The same malady that took his father from him before Moses Austin could see his dream of colonizing the...
Dec 24, 2023 | From The Vault of Texas History
1599 – A Spanish expedition led by Juan de Oňates introduces First Nations to Christmas near El Paso.1693 – Spanish soldiers under Juan Domínguez de Mendoza cross the Rio del Norte, now called the Rio Grande, on Christmas Day and holds a Mass on Texas...
Nov 29, 2023 | From The Vault of Texas History
By Tracy Gupton Former West Columbia Mayor C.B. “Bubba” Gilbert was posthumously honored with induction into the Sons of the Republic of Texas at a recent meeting of the Stephen F. Austin Chapter 6 of the SRT. A Sons of the Republic of Texas medallion was...
Nov 22, 2023 | From The Vault of Texas History
By Tracy Gupton When I was going through a cabinet at my parents’ home following the death of my father in 2001, I came across several stacks of old newspapers that my mother had kept over the years. She preceded my Dad to “her reward,” as Granny...
Nov 11, 2023 | From The Vault of Texas History
By Thurman M. Gupton Editor’s Note: Former longtime district judge Thurman Morris Gupton of West Columbia was born on this day, November 11, 1911, 112 years ago in Iago near Boling, Texas. He was the son of Eula Meadows Gupton, a native of Alabama, and former...
Nov 2, 2023 | From The Vault of Texas History
By Tracy Gupton West Columbia treasure Beth Griggs was within two months of becoming a centenarian when she died on October 27, 2018. The 99-year-old historian was eulogized at her funeral five years ago at Columbia United Methodist Church by West Columbia Mayor...
