Episode 49: Jane Wilson’s Incredible Journey

01/29/18 • 26 min

In early 1853, Jane Wilson and her new husband James set out with 62 others to strike it rich in California. They never made it. After two months of traveling they reached El Paso where successful thieves ruined their dreams of fortune. They decided to return to East Texas but what seemed like the end of a dream was just the beginning of a new nightmare. Hear tales of murder, torture at the hands of Indian captors, rescues by comancheros and friendly Indian tribes, starvation, thirst, and ultimately survival. Join Jane Wilson on her incredible journey and learn what tough really means in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.

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Ep 48: Texans You Should Know-Crazy Ben Dolliver the Pirate

Crazy Ben Dolliver was said to be touched. Sporting a 6 inch scar from an old sword fight, Crazy Ben circulated around Galveston in the 19th century barefoot, shirtless, and mostly drunk. He camped on the beach and fished for his sustenance. But Crazy Ben always paid for his drinks with Spanish Doubloons. Every now and then he'd sail away from the island and return with more Spanish gold. Where did the gold come from? Everyone knew Crazy Ben had served as one of Jean Lafitte's crew as a pirate. Did he know the location of some treasure? Nobody figured it out, though they tried and tried. Then one day a ship arrived from New Orleans and Ben left....with some cargo. Hear a true pirate tale in this latest episode of Wise About Texas

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Episode 50: The Texas Rangers–The Beginning.

Texas Ranger. Two words that strike fear in the heart of the lawbreaker and hope in the heart of the law abiding. Since before there was a Texas, there were Rangers. How this elite force officially began is the subject of some controversy. There is no doubt that Stephen F. Austin realized the need to take the fight to the hostile Indians he encountered in his new colony. In this episode, you hear Austin's own words describe his ideas to defend his new colony and his personal funding of a group of rangers. I also discuss the various rangers that are often considered the first and why such men were even necessary. I also cover the first battle between Texas Rangers and comanches, beginning a war that would last decades. Hear about the origins of the most famous law enforcement organization in history--the legendary Texas Rangers.