Once upon a time in Texas by Mable Cash 7-4-08
About 30 years after Columbus arrived in the Americas, European explorers and adventurers from more than 25 countries were leaving Europe to seek their fortune in the “New World.” Spain was among the first to arrive on Texas shores. Spain and France both settled parts of Texas territory. But the largest migration of Europeans to Texas occurred in the mid-1800s, after Texas had become a part of the United States. Many came from crowded cities and set sail for the “land of opportunity,” bringing with them their cultural habits and customs. Immigrants from Germany, Poland, France, Norway, Greece, Italy and Belgium spoke a variety of languages. Each group favored different foods and their own way of doing things.
After arriving on the Texas coast, they gathered their belongings and many walked hundreds of miles to find land on which to settle. Only the hardy survived the weather, sickness and battles with Indians who were upset over claims on their territory.
Meanwhile, as the Europeans arrived by sea, Anglo-Americans were arriving in Texas by horse, stagecoach, covered wagon and even by foot. Their journeys were filled with adventure and pain. They were coming from Tennessee, Alabama and other southern states, some searching for a better life, some running from the law or from unpaid debts. No matter the reason they came, they set out to claim a plot of property in Texas! Most of these settlers were Americans of English, Scottish or Irish ancestry. Their arrival set off more land disputes with the Native American Texans and battles were fought over this issue. Sam Houston befriended both the Anglo-American Texans and the Native-American Texans and created peace treaties to prevent more bloodshed. But the United States Government would not allow Houston to honor every treaty.
The Anglo American settlers built several styles of houses, most of the structures were built of natural resources, like logs and stones. The most popular design used by the settlers in early Texas was the “dog-trot” style. An open space separated the two rooms of the structure, all covered by a single roof. This design allowed breezes to flow through the cabin during the hot Texas summers.
(This space often served as sleeping quarters for guests and or the family dogs.)
“Ahmo” is a Texanese word meaning a notice of intent, as “Ahmo hit you upside the head if you don’t quit that!”
A Texas grandpa explains courtesy to his young grandson…”Never ask a man if he’s from Texas. If he is, he’ll tell you. If he ain’t, no need to embarrass him.”
Did you know that the land area of Texas is 267,339 square miles, which is 7.4% of the land area in the United States?
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