Wise About Texas

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Ep. 57: A BAT-ty idea to win WWII Aug 19, 2018

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Dr. Lytle Adams had bats in his belfry. He had visited Carlsbad cavern right before Pearl Harbor was attacked. He came up with a great idea for weapon(s) of mass destruction hat would burn up the paper and wood cities of Japan. All he would need was a one ounce incendiary bomb, a breakaway bomb case, and millions of bats. So the Marines set up guards at several Texas caves containing millions of 3-inch winged warriors on their way to the Pacific. Testing sacrificed thousands of these brave flyers but the concept worked...until one worked better. Hear the wild story of the World War II Bat Bomb in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.

Ep 56: Texans You Should Know: Pamelia Mann Jul 31, 2018

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What is it about Texas women? Independent, smart, strong, spirited, they can do it all! Ask any Texas man and he'll tell you, the ladies run the show! But this is nothing new. Back before the Texas revolution, the women of Texas formed the spirit of Texas. Some were because their husbands moved the family to this new land of opportunity. These women did their best to build a household in the harsh Texas frontier, and they did it well. But some came on their own, and brought their spirit with them. That was Pamelia Mann. She was a Houston entrepreneur, hotelier, rancher, businesswoman, forger, possibly a thief, and willing to be a killer. She was even sentenced to death...but slipped the noose. During the Texas revolution she handed Sam Houston himself the only defeat he would suffer in command of the Texas Army. Celebrate the spirit of Texas women in this latest episode of Wise About Texas.

Ep. 55: A Surly Bartender Jul 09, 2018

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Fredericksburg Texas has a very interesting history. Created during the massive German immigration to Texas in the middle 1800's, Fredericksburg was not intended to be the city it soon became. A treaty with the Comanche Indians and the California gold rush made Fredericksburg a prosperous place to set up a store. John Hunter did just that. Hunter supplied his patrons with everything they need, including whiskey. He was also the county clerk. But Hunter's temper got the better of him, his store, and the entire early history of Fredericksburg. Learn more in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.

Ep. 54: They’re Robbing the Treasury! Jun 24, 2018

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In June of 1865, Texas was in chaos. Robert E. Lee had just surrendered the Army of Northern of Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War. But without a government or functioning economy, it was every man for himself. Many former Confederates were heading for Mexico, while others tried to bring order to chaos. A few dozen men decided they'd get their money the old fashioned way--they'd steal it. But they weren't satisfied with small potatoes, they were going big. The were going to rob the Texas treasury.., Learn more about the coldest case in Texas in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.

Ep. 53: Texas Takes the Triple Crown Jun 04, 2018

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Bob Kleberg, Jr. had an eye for good horses. When he did something, he did it big. He also managed one of the largest and most storied ranches in Texas, founded by his grandfather Richard King. When Kleberg decided that the King Ranch would race thoroughbreds, he bought and bred the best. In 1943, a chestnut colt was born on the King Ranch in far South Texas. The scampering colt stepped on an old surveyor stake and it went right through his hoof. Not a good situation for a racehorse. Instead of putting him down, an enterprising veterinarian fixed the foot and he went on to race. As a 3 year-old, the horse had a chance to bring the coveted triple crown home to Texas. Hear the unlikely story of Assault, the Club-Footed Comet, in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.

Ep. 52: Basil Muse Hatfield, The First Admiral of the Trinity May 04, 2018

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The Trinity River flows from roughly Fort Worth to Trinity Bay in Chambers County. For several years boats navigated the river but never all the way. Several attempts were made to promote the Trinity River as a commercial asset but none were more enthusiastic than the 2-year, 9000 mile, yes 9000 mile, journey of Basil Muse Hatfield. The grandson of a San Jacinto veteran and steamboat man, Hatfield boasted a family that not only had many "Basil Muse's" but also one of the most famous "Devil's" in American history. He fought wars in South Africa, South America and China, hunted ivory and mined diamonds in Africa, mined silver in Mexico and even studied with Tibetan Lamas. Or so he claimed. He did find oil in Texas. One of the great characters of Texas, meet Basil Muse Hatfield, the First Admiral of the Trinity, in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.

EP. 51: The Schooner Flash, a Revolutionary Ship. Apr 01, 2018

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The Flash was a schooner built in Connecticut for a new enterprise in Texas. She came to Texas in possession of James Morgan to support his new endeavor, a town and community called New Washington. But as war clouds gathered, Morgan mounted an 18 pounder on her foredeck and commissioned her Captain into the Texas Navy. From commerce to combat, rescuing refugees to carrying cannon, the Flash did it all during the Texas revolution. Her noble service ended quickly after her Captain was replaced with someone who apparently couldn't find the largest harbor in Texas. The Flash carried some of the most important cargo in Texas history, presidents, cannon, even important groceries. Hear the story of the schooner Flash in this latest episode of Wise About Texas.

Episode 50: The Texas Rangers–The Beginning. Mar 11, 2018

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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.

Episode 49: Jane Wilson’s Incredible Journey Jan 29, 2018

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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.

Ep 48: Texans You Should Know-Crazy Ben Dolliver the Pirate Jan 16, 2018

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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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