Dorothy Brush "Random Thoughts" Published April 20, 2005

Tennessee has a rich history

Last week, an editorial in the Nashville paper lamented that Tennessee history is being short shifted in schools. It stated that the state's rich history has become an afterthought in public schools. Tennessee history books aren't readily available because there is such a poor market for them. Between 1996 and 2001 there were orders for 43,000 Tennessee history books, but over the past three years only 10,628 books have been sold.

In the public interest, I decided to devote this week's column to some state history. Did you, your kids or grandchildren know that last Sunday, April 17, marked the 100-year birthday of the Tennessee state flag? The General Assembly adopted the design on that date in 1905.

Two other designs had been submitted in the 1800s but failed to get approval. It was LeRoy Reeves, a Johnson City man, whose design got the nod of approval. An attorney and a captain in the Tennessee National Guard, he used three stars in a circle to represent the three divisions of the state. He described the concept as stars "bound together by the endless circle of the blue field, the symbol being three bound together in one - an indissoluble trinity."

The North American Vexillological Association, a group dedicated to knowing all you ever wanted to know about flags, did a survey which rated the Tennessee flag in the top ten of state flags. Because of its simple design and basic colors, one professional flagmaker described it as "a flagmaker's dream."

Tennesseans were an important part of the history of Texas. Down in that state tomorrow all good Texans will be celebrating San Jacinto Day. April 21 is the day in 1836 our Sam Houston led his men against Santa Anna and in no time defeated his army. During the short battle there were shouts of "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" Tennesseans remember the Alamo because one of their state heroes, Davy Crockett, died there.

Our state knew Sam Houston well before he left us for Texas. He represented the 9th district of Tennessee in congress for four years and then became governor of Tennessee. President Andrew Jackson sent him to the Texas territory in 1832 to negotiate treaties with the Indian tribes.

Houston liked what he saw there and soon was involved in the politics serving as a delegate to their constitutional convention. In 1835 the War for Texan Independence began and he was made commander in chief of the Texas army. He led his 743 raw troops against Santa Anna's 1600 Mexican veterans on the bank of the San Jacinto. Today it is the site of the city of Houston. With that victory over the Mexican army and taking Santa Anna prisoner, Houston became a hero in another state.

With their independence won, Houston was elected president of Texas in 1836 and served until 1844. In 1845 Texas was admitted as a state and Houston was elected as one of its two senators in the United States congress and served until 1859. That year he was elected governor of Texas, but because of his stand against joining the Confederacy in 1861 he was declared deposed.

Texas beckoned many Tennesseans to move. It is told that a number of folks just picked up all they owned and left a note on the door "Gone to Texas." There must be families living in Tennessee today whose ancestors were among that group. Because of the close ties our states have had San Jacinto Day is a footnote in our state's history.

· · ·
Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday.