Minutes of the meeting December 5, 2009

Emphraim M. Daggett Chapter
Fort Worth #36
Sons of the Republic of Texas

The meeting of the Ephraim M. Daggett Chapter of The SRT was called to order by the president, David Wells.  He called upon our Chaplain Virgil Ellis to offer the Invocation.

Our Vice-President, Jerry Spencer, led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Stars and Stripes, as well as the Texas Flag:

“Honor the Texas Flag. I pledge allegiance to Thee, Texas, One state under God, one and indivisible.”

Membership news included a new member, Guy Minton, who lives in Fort Worth at 6313 Wakeland Court (76133-3523). Our Membership Chair, Russell Leavens, indicated that there are more applications in the process.

President Wells initiated the Ancestor Roll Call, and once again, there were wonderful stories to hear of those Texans whom we remember and honor. It was interesting that many of us live in this same area of their first settling here. Jerry Spencer took us through a very detailed history of the Scotch-Irish ancestry of the family for which Jack County Texas was named. He told of the grand daughters of William Houston Jack, Halley Bryan and Betty Ballinger, first cousins who founded the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in 1891. William Houston Jack's parents are Harriett Spencer and Patrick Jack. Wow! What a great example of ancestral description.

Don Goodman, our Treasurer, led the applause for Ray Farmer, who has survived his illness, and now is “on the green side of the ground.” We all welcome Ray back, and thanked God for his health. The Treasurers report was approved and then Don made his promotion for SRT Fort Worth Chapter coffee cup and Texas historic music CD sales.

The minutes of October 3 were voted for approval as posted on the website.

President Wells mentioned several deceased members including our own, Mr. Jean Baker, a Fort Worth Chapter Charter Member and father-in-law of President General Vaughn Oliver; Mrs. Evelyn McDavid Willis, widow of the late Senator Doyle Willis, a former Fort Worth Chapter SRT member and a Fort Worth Chapter Charter member; and Captain Joshus Meadows of Elgin, Texas and SRT Chapter 12, killed recently in action in Afghanistan.

There being no Old Business, the New Business included a motion to share the cost of the locker at the club with the Sons of the American Revolution Fort Worth Chapter, which also meets in our location, and pay the $100 annual rent every other year. This passed. Our Chaplain also suggested that we all send a Christmas card to President Obama to reinforce that this is still a Christian nation under God!

The last bit of New Business was in regards to new officers for service in the calendar year 2010, and they are as follows:

President David Wells

Vice-President Jerry Spencer

Secretary Chris Hull

Treasurer Donald Goodman

Historian Russell Leavens

Chaplain Virgil Wiley Ellis

Program Chair Roger Tate

Webmaster D. A. Sharpe

Sgt-at-Arms Ben Milam

Membership Gerald (Gerry) Gieger

Executive Committeeman J. Duane Blair

These officers were presented by the Nominating Committee ( Duane Blair, John Williams, Ben Milam and Russell Leavens), and elected by unanimous vote. Albert DeLeon gave the new officers the oath of office.

The program speaker, Mr. Richard Linnartz, was introduced by Secretary Chris Hull. Mr. Linnartz’s ancestors came to Texas in the 1850’s with a Livery stable, and the family has worked horses ever since. Born in Corsicana, Texas, he is an Eagle scout, a Texas Tech University graduate who served there in the ROTC. He was stationed in Japan during the Viet Nam War. Having lived in Lubbock, he moved next to Fort Worth, and for 17 years, has operated a fine Texas experience Bed &Breakfast, the Azalea Plantation, (www.azaleaplantation.com) at 1400 Robinwood Drive in Fort Worth (76111). Mr. Linnartz was the Publicity Chair of Cowtown Opry and started his work on promoting recognizing the historical significance of the Chisolm Trail in 2007.

Mr. Linnartz described the life of a cowboy on the trail in 1867, and the fact that all the world identifies this history with the tenacity of the Texas Spirit. It took hree to four months on the trail of the Chisolm to the Kansas railhead, and eight months to Canada on the Western Trail. The long trip required a good cook, always. One trail story told was of the trail boss that suggested that all the hands go to Mexico where Cookie had been thrown in jail. Apparently, he was such a good cook that the effort was worth the risk, as the food was the most important benefit of the ride. The food was important, at least until they arrived in Fort Worth for some time in Hell’s Half Acre. Mr. Linnartz gave us many interesting facts.

The second part of the presentation was a description of the current status of the Congressional proposal to recognize the Chisolm Trail’s historic designation , having been accepted by Congress las March, and the plans to establish a celebration of immense proportion that would include the longest parade in Texas and the world. Mr. Linnartz indicated that Senator Kay Bailey Hutcheson was instrumental in getting the approval in the U.S. Senate. Many other groups have been involved including the DRT and SAR. He will work with us to get information on how we can become involved. The presentation was enjoyed by all, and it stirred a lot of discussion, especially from Virgil Ellis, who has had so much experience along this line. A book, a certificate and a coveted Fort Worth Chapter coffee cup was presented to Mr. Linnartz by President Wells.

Announcements for 2010 meeting were explained as Feb 6, Apr 3, June 5, Aug 7, Oct 2, and Dec 4^th. Don Goodman also made a declaration of a “SALE” on cups and CDs. Chaplain Ellis gave the closing prayer, and the meeting adjourned.

Submitted in the tradition,

Christopher K. Hull, D.O. ,”Hat Doc”