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Paper Moon Newsletter>
A Real Treasure of Texas History
November 26, 2008
Out of a small worn overnight case filled with mid to late nineteenth century documents from Goliad came a real treasure of Texas history. An envelope somewhat tattered lay between the folds of an old Occupation Tax Document dated 1876. Curiously I opened the envelope to find a vaguely familiar sight on a Cabinet Photo. Though faded with the passage of time I could see what appeared to be a monument surrounded by a group of well dressed men and on the steps sat and elderly bearded gentleman. My breathing became quite erratic when I turned to the back of the card and read the following: "Sitting on the step is judge W. L. Hunter one of the few survivors of the massacre". I knew then I held in my hand an original photo of the Dedication of the first Monument in Goliad "Erected in memory of J. W Fannin and his comrades in arms April A.D. 1885", by the Fannin Monument Association, formed by massacre survivor Judge William L. Hunter.
A SHORT HISTORY
March 27, 1836 Palm Sunday as the sun began it's assent Colonel Fannin's Men were told to gather together there belongings. They were all in a jovial mood singing and laughing thinking they were being taken to New Orleans by way of the Port of Copano. Little did they know that soon they would be called upon to play their part in the most infamous act of the Texas Revolution. The Texians were divided into three groups, each group marched to separate locations outside the Presidio la Bahia, where they had been held captive. The signal was given and the heavily armed Mexican Troops opened fire on the captives; those who survived were stabbed and beat to death. Twenty-seven of those brave Texians managed against all odds to escape ; leaving three hundred and thirty who suffered death on that Palm Sunday morning.
William Lockhart Hunter, among the few survivors of this horrific event, came to Texas in 1835 with the New Orleans Grays to help fight in the Texas Revolution.. He was said to have been shot down in the first volley of fire from the Mexican guns but not killed. He lay on the cold, damp ground as if he were dead only to be bayoneted. have his throat cut and beaten in the head with the butt of a rifle. When he regained his conciousness he found himself stripped of his clothing. Badly wounded he made his way to a Mexican Family who hid him and nursed his wounds. From there he was taken to Margaret Wright's house where he stayed until he was fully recovered. In later years he went on to become chief justice of Refugio County, representative from Goliad in the Republic of Texas House, and a Senator from the Goliad/Refugio/San Patricio District.
This, along with Historic Texas Documents from Goliad, Galveston Indianola, Victoria and many other locations, can all be viewed at the Paper Moon in Port Lavaca, Texas. When there you may also want to sit down with a complementary cup of gourmet coffee or specialty tea and browse through the 80,000+ vintage Postcard Collection.
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