Estevanico

"The first known person born in North Africa to have arrived
in the present-day continental United States."

Also known as Esteban, Stephen the Moor, and other variants, Estevanico was one of four survivors of the Spanish Narvaez expedition led by Cabeza de Vaca which landed in Florida in 1528 and then sailed westward only to be shipwrecked near Galveston Bay. They made their way to the interior of Texas through present-day San Antonio and Pecos. Coming across a Spanish slaving expedition, the groups joined forces and headed northward in search of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold. Estevanico, serving as a scout, went ahead of the party, and was killed upon attempting to enter the village of Hawikuh near Zuni Pueblo in northwestern New Mexico.

Blind Willie Johnson

Making himself a cigar box guitar at the age of 5, Johnson spent his life singing gospel music and preaching on street corners for tips. He was born in 1897 near Brenham and was blinded by lye thrown in his face when he was 7. Discovered by Columbia records, he recorded 30 songs in the late 1920's. His work has been covered by many artists, including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, the Grateful Dead and the Staple Singers. He died in Beaumont in 1945 where, after a house fire, he lived in the remains of his home, contracting malaria.

Dr. Lawrence A Nixon

Making early challenges to the white primaries introduced in 1923,  Dr. Nixon twice won favorable decisions before the U. S. Supreme Court which were circumvented by the state Democratic party making procedural changes to deny African Americans the vote. It was not until 1944 in Smith v. Allwright, brought to the Supreme Court by Thurgood Marshall, that the white primaries were overturned.

Dr. Nixon, a Marshall native and graduate of Wiley College and Meharry Medical College, was a founding member of the El Paso NAACP, the first chapter in the state. In 1955 he was the first African American admitted to the Texas State Medical Society.

June 2, 2011 Meeting

Here are some of the highlights from last night's meeting:

• Patsy Williams of the Site Location Committee reported on locations at 121 East Booth (current site) and at the corner of Fitzhugh & MLK. The committee will have follow-up meetings with representatives from each site. All members are urged to submit questions and comments. The committee consists of Joan Mathis (Chair), Rev. Bob Bush, Yulanda Robins, and Patsy Williams.

• The Juneteenth Celebration theme is "Stop the Violence and Bullying". There will be a softball tournament, art exhibit, car and motorcycle show, talent show, and special awards on Sunday (Father's Day) for fathers and organizations in our community.

• Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church is hosting the Life Changing Youth Summit  summer outreach program for children and youth ages 7 to 14. It will run from June 6 through August 20, with hours from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Cost is $5 per day, which includes 3 meals. For more information, visit the website or contact the church office.

Leaving you with a song and a poem by Gil Scott-Heron, who passed away last Friday at the age of 62. Be thankful that the soul of this gifted prophet has found peace at last. Read Greg Tate's moving tribute here.


~~ Rexi Stamper, Unit Secretary

Bass Reeves

One of the first African American Deputy U. S. Marshals west of the Mississippi, Reeves served in Indian Territory for 32 years. During this time he killed 14 outlaws and served warrants on over 3000, including his own son who was wanted for murder. After Oklahoma statehood in 1907, Reeves worked as a patrolman for the police department in Muskogee, where "reportedly no crimes were committed on his beat."

Reeves lived in Grayson County as a boy before escaping to Indian Territory in 1864. He was assigned to the East Texas Federal Court in Paris in 1893. There is a statue honoring him in the Lamar County Courthouse in Paris.

To learn more, visit Encyclopedia of Arkansas,  Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Texas State Historical Association, and 10 Facts About Bass Reeves

Gatemouth Brown

Raised in Orange, Grammy winner Brown is among the many noted Texas bluesmen. He began his career in San Antonio and later moved to Nashville where he appeared on Hee-Haw. During the 1970's he toured in Europe and Africa, including tours sponsored by the U. S. State Department. He retired to Louisiana where his home in Slidell was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, resulting in a return to Orange where he passed away on September 10, 2005. His grave is noted with a Texas Historical Commission marker.

Bessie Coleman

"Despite her relatively short career, Bessie Coleman strongly challenged early 20th century stereotypes about white supremacy and the inabilities of women. By becoming the first licensed African American female pilot, and performing throughout the country, Coleman proved that people did not have to be shackled by their gender or the color of their skin to succeed and realize their dreams."

In honor of Juneteenth we are starting a series of posts about Black Texas History. Once past Buffalo Soldiers, Barbara Jordan and Herman Sweatt, items can be hard to find. Most of the ones I've come across over the years have been by chance, such as this one I found after being curious about a mention of Bessie Coleman Drive in Chicago near O'Hare Airport.

Coleman was born in Atlanta, Texas, on January 26, 1892, and was raised in Waxahachie. She moved to Chicago in 1915 and worked as a manicurist. Her brother John served in France during World War I, and his tales of French women flying airplanes inspired her to pursue a pilot's license. Unable to attend flight schools in America, she studied in France and was licensed in 1921. She flew in air shows around the country, lecturing and giving lessons, until her untimely death in 1926.

--Rexi Stamper

Links

American Hopes -- Bessie Coleman website

U. S. Centennial Flight Commission

Waxahachie Historical Information