On the evening of October 20th at 6:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium, James P. Bevill will tell the little-known story of financing the Texas Revolution and the sovereign nation of Texas (1835-1845). A gifted storyteller, Bevill’s powerful 50-minute visual presentation relays the history of Texas from an economic point of view rather than a political one. In the forward to The Paper Republic, Dr. Richard Bruce Winders, Historian and Curator at the Alamo poses the following questions: “How did a credit system based on a man’s word operate? Where did the funds come from to finance the Texas Revolution? What role did Texas’ lack of solvency play in her ultimate annexation to the United States?” Bevill expertly answers these questions and many others as he presents the history of money and finance in Texas—a history that is in some ways eerily similar to the current U.S. debt crisis.

James Bevill is a 1983 Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He works in the financial industry as First Vice President for Investments in the River Oaks office of UBS Financial Services. Bevill is married and lives in Houston with his wife, Jodie.

The Paper Republic was named the 2009 winner of the Summerfield G. Roberts Literary Award by the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and the Best Specialized Book on U.S. Paper Money by the Numismatic Literary Guild at the ANA’s World’s Fair of Money in Boston, August 2010.

Bevill is active in numerous numismatic associations and clubs in Houston and Texas. In addition, he is a frequent guest lecturer on financing the Texas Revolution and Civil War currency.

Come hear James Bevill tell the captivating tale of economic struggle in the Texas Revolution; ask questions at the end of his talk. Meet the author at a book signing and reception at The Texas Collection following the lecture. This program is free and open to the public.

Author of the nationally-acclaimed book The Paper Republic: The Struggle for Money, Credit and Independence in the Republic of Texas, James Bevill brings his expertise in finance and numismatics to Baylor this fall where he will reveal much of Texas’ rich financial history both before and after the Texas Revolution.

THE TEXAS COLLECTION

Exploring CollectionsRare materials open new aspects of Texas history

Come to Texas!New exhibit draws visitors to Texas Collection

Researching Texas Wardlaw Fellow explores the Brazos

Pro TexanaSupport The Texas Collection

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http://www.youtube.com/texascollection

Visit The Texas Collection onlinehttp://www.baylor.edu/lib/texas/

Upcoming Events& Exhibits

THE TEXAS COLLECTION

One Bear Place #97142Waco, Texas 76798-7142

Thank you for supporting The Texas Collection with your gifts to the Pro Texana Society. This summer, your gifts have upgraded the iconic Guy B. Harrison, Jr. Reading Room. Phase I of the renovation has just been completed in time for the start of the fall semester. First, the reading room was rearranged, permitting a better flow of people and allowing at least three feet between tables and shelving. Next, the study tables, all donated by the class of 1929, were beautifully refinished. The table tops remain a honey-colored maple, while the table legs are now a consistent dark mahogany. Electrical outlets were added to the floor and to the legs of every study table to allow researchers to plug

The Pro Texana SocietyAn Annual Fund to Support The Texas Collection

in and recharge their laptop or iPad. Finally, brass table lamps were added to the center of each table,

providing a soft glow for students and researchers working in the reading room.

Please support Phase II of the renovation project. The reading room will be repainted, the ceiling reconfigured with new light fixtures, soft seating areas will be added, and seat cushions placed on the reading room chairs. Thank you for your help and support. Come by at Homecoming and take a look!

If you are interested in joining the Pro Texana Society, contact John Wilson at 254.710.3457 or email John_Wilson@baylor.edu.

Visit The Texas Collection onlinehttp://www.baylor.edu/lib/texas/

The Paper Republic:The Struggle for Money, Credit and Independence in the Republic of TexasA presentation featuring author James P. Bevill on October 20, 2011 at6:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium in the Draper Academic Building. Book signing and reception to follow in The Texas Collection

“Come to Texas”An exhibit featuring early Texas promotional materials is on display in The Texas Collection through October

Homecoming ExhibitA nostalgic exhibit in celebration of Baylor University’s 102nd homecoming

A Celebration of Texas Take in numerous facets of Texas culture during this 5-week event in Spring 2012 that will feature speakers, live performances and exhibitions of music, literature and film that celebrate Texas’ rich identity.

Patrons often inquire about the magnificent clock that stands prominently near our circulation desk. The clock belonged to Albert Sidney Burleson, who was the Postmaster General of the United States under President Woodrow Wilson, and was donated to Baylor by Burleson’s family. The clock is truly something to behold, but it has not kept time in many years. We need $3,500 to restore the clock to working order. We appeal to our patrons to help us with the repair cost so that this historic clock may be restored to its former glory.

Catch the shows on Mondays at 8:30 p.m. with repeats on Sundays at 3:30 p.m. on KWBU/NPR. This season’s programs include:

•Burlesons of Waco• TexasHighSchoolFootball• TexasCookeryandCookbooks• BeyondtheBeginningsofWesternSwing• TexasandtheCivilWar:WilliamP.Rogers• TexasArchitecture• FrancesC.PoageMapCollection• TexasPoetry• TexasPulpFiction• JackHightower•TheImmortalTen•Dr.A.J.Armstrong• SamuelPalmerBrooks• TexasandtheFirstWorldWar•DorothyScarborough

James P. Bevill Discusses: The Paper RepublicDid You Know... “Treasures of

The Texas Collection” season two

is under way!

We are now on YouTube!

Check out our channel and see some video highlights of our

collection. Find us atwww.youtube.com/texascollection

On Thursday, October 20, I hope you will join us for an entertaining evening with noted Texas author James P. Bevill of Houston. This lively, insightful, and thoughtful program will reveal how Texas spent Santa Anna’s silver pesos right after his capture, and the precarious financing of both the Texas Revolution and the new sovereign nation of Texas—a new nation larger than the country of France.

After the program, we’ll walk over to The Texas Collection for a reception and a book signing by James Bevill. As you wait for your book to be signed, look over a small exhibit of early Texas paper money and see if you can locate Texas “Redback” notes. You’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy highlights of our early Texas Promotionals collection.

While you are visiting The Texas Collection, I hope you will pay particular attention to the recent upgrades to the Guy B. Harrison, Jr. Reading Room and the new additions to the Frances C. Poage Map Room. Both of these improvements to our physical spaces increase the functionality and beauty of The Texas Collection.

Finally, if you can’t stop by for a visit, take a look online at our new “Texas Trailers” (www.youtube.com/texascollection). These informative little video teasers provide you with great visuals and insights into our vast holdings. Also, listen for a new 15 program season on KWBU/NPR of “Treasures of The Texas Collection.”

From the Director Finding Fish Pond Researcher Seeks Photos

and Stories of theWaco Boating and

Fishing Club

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“Come to Texas” Exhibit Open to Public

This summer The Texas Collection opened a new exhibit featuring historic “promotional” brochures unique to our state. “Come to Texas” proudly displays our holdings of these special pieces of Texas history, pieces that certainly played a big part in making Texans out of Americans.

Between 1880 and the Great Depression, the population of Texas grew by 700 percent. This staggering number is in a large part related to the use of promotional brochures and the enticing pictures these publications painted of the Lone Star State, including its year-round growing seasons in the south, ample space for farms in the west, and beautiful areas for tourism all over. The promotionals were created by various groups and individuals all

intent on the same goal: bringing people to live in Texas. Railroad companies looking to lay their tracks further west were in need of passengers as well as produce to ship to city markets and tailored their promotionals to farmers and their families. Fledgling Texas towns hoping to become more established sang the praises of their region and the unique activities available to those looking to settle or just visit.

Be sure to see the accompanying exhibits displayed at the entrance to the reading room, which take a closer look at Waco promotionals and ghost towns. “Come to Texas” will run until Baylor Homecoming this November, when another exhibit featuring The Texas Collection’s Homecoming memorabilia will be featured. Kenna Lang Archer, lecturer in the Department of

History at Texas Tech University, is a 2011 recipient of the Wardlaw Fellowship Fund for Texas Studies. Archer is using the resources available in The Texas Collection to develop her dissertation research. Her work explores the history and development of the Brazos River, and examines its impact on populations who reside near the river. We are pleased to have Archer as one of our Wardlaw Fellows this year.

2011 Wardlaw Fellow Commences Research

Dr. Nathaniel Alexander “Alex” Morgan enlisted with the 19th Louisiana Infantry of the Confederate States Army on November 17, 1861. Though he enlisted for a one-year term, Morgan would not see his wife and children again for almost four years. Morgan’s descendants recently donated 26 of his letters written to his wife, Fanny. These letters, written between 1862-1865, are gripping, poignant, and often humorous. This fall, selected letters will be published serially on our blog. Follow the conversation at homepages.baylor.edu/texascollection/.

The Farmers Improvement Society of Texas was a statewide group in the early 1900s that helped African-American farmers in Texas by providing life insurance, teaching new farming techniques, and educating farmers’ children. Robert L. Smith, leader of the Farmers Improvement Society, was a member of the Texas legislature and was known for his educational efforts throughout the state. The Texas Collection has two collections on the society and its founder. The photographs in these two collections are especially rare and important records of local African-American history in the early 1900s.

The [Waco] Branch Davidians: Joe Robert Collection provides unique insight into the Branch Davidian movement, the power struggle among its various leaders, and, of course, the highly publicized raid in 1993 that captured the national spotlight. Joe Robert, an eyewitness of the tragedy, wrote Beyond the Flames and afterwards donated much of his research to The Texas Collection.

From Our Collection...

In September of 1851, William Peleg Rogers resigned his post as United States Consul to Veracruz, Mexico, and joined his wife and family in Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas. He became a successful defense attorney and served as one of the first three professors in Baylor University’s law department.

Rogers was asked to speak on female education at the June 1852 graduation exercises of the university. In his lengthy discourse, Rogers asserts that in their hearts and minds, women are far superior to men. Women possess excellencies which men can never hope to reach. It is not part of his nature to rival woman in the higher, nobler attributes of heart and soul. Rogers laments that women’s education is considered complete if they are taught to read and write, learn a little grammar, geography and algebra,

paint a few pictures, or sing a few songs. Rogers believed that the answer was to show as much interest in the education of daughters as sons. The necessity of offering women courses that would develop their mental character would enable them to fulfill their destiny. Rogers saw this destiny as being the wives and mothers influencing future generations for good or evil.

William P. Rogers’ address on female education may be viewed online at contentdm.baylor.edu or in person at The Texas Collection. For an in-depth look at William P. Rogers and his family and their contributions to Baylor University, tune in to “Treasures of The Texas Collection” on KWBU/NPR later this fall.

In June, Waco businessman Hack Branch approached Texas Collection Director, John Wilson, about the possibility of putting together a history of the Fish Pond, a former social club in Waco that operated from 1890 to 1988. Over the years, Branch accumulated a number of historical records and photographs documenting Fish Pond’s history. Wilson showed Branch a copy of William Cameron Park: A Centennial History, a project that I undertook as my master’s thesis and was published in May 2010. Branch agreed that it was the type of book he wanted. Coincidentally, I visited The Texas Collection the same day as Branch. Wilson told me about Branch’s offer to fund the project, and I eagerly accepted the opportunity to research and write another book about social life in Waco.

To gauge the interest in such an endeavor, we asked Waco Tribune Herald columnist Terri Jo Ryan to write an article about the Fish Pond. Much like the book on Cameron Park, a history of Fish Pond can only go as far as the people are willing to take it. A project such as this—public history at its best—feeds on the energy generated by the community and relies on the people to spread the word about the project. We were floored by the enthusiasm and feedback we received from Ryan’s article. Nearly twenty people from as far away as California offered to share their memories and photographs of Fish Pond.

Citizens’ efforts to marshal and offer sources such as photographs, minute books, and newsletters will be critical to the success of the book. Rummage through your scrapbooks, attics and trunks for photos. Refresh your memories and recall your stories of Fish Pond dances, fireworks shows, and adventures on the lakes and in the pool. To add your story to this history contact me at markefirmin@gmail.com. I’m eager to hear from you!

The Branch Davidians Farmers Improvement Society

Blog Series to feature Civil War Letters

The society ran a boarding school in North Texas for boys and girls up through high school. Students learned the latest farming techniques, as well as the usual subjects taught in 6th-12th grades.

For 50 days, the Branch Davidians’ compound was besieged by government agents who were acting on rumors of polygamy, violence, and arms trafficking. On April 19, 1993, Mount Carmel Center burned, killing most inside.

By Mark Firmin

Prior to the infamous siege of 1993, Branch Davidians were known for their radical ideas concerning the apocalypse.

As many as 12,000 members were a part of the society in 1911. Despite the best efforts of the society, the Great Depression ended most of the society’s work.

Early Law Professor’s View of Female Education Ahead of Its Time

Left: This Waco brochure published during World War I showcases city landmarks such as the Cotton Palace and Camp MacArthur. Above: To encourage train travel, brochures published by railroad companies promote regional highlights.

We Need YourAssistance!

Do you have any images ofWilliam Milton Tryon? Tyron was instrumental in the formation of

Baylor University and served as the first president of the Baylor University

Board of Trustees. If you have any images, please contact us at

txcoll@baylor.edu.