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Letter to the Editor:

Re: "Name That School"

Sometimes the most obvious choice is never considered. In my opinion, the new school's name should reflect someone or something that has or had a major impact on the area. In that light, the new name should be Albert Clinton Horton Elementary.

As Wharton County's historian, I am baffled as to how little history those living in Wharton County and our county seat know or remember, so I will give a brief insight to the man, A.C. Horton.

Before coming to Texas in 1832, he was elected as a Representative in the state of Alabama (1829-1834). He purchased large tracts of land along the Colorado River, which included his Sycamore Grove Plantation on which the new elementary school is located. There he built a large two story home and a sugar mill to process the sugar cane grown on the plantation.

When Texans decided to become independent from Mexico, Horton organized a militia called "Mobile Grays" with men he recruited from Alabama in 1835; paying all expenses for the uniforms, guns, travel, etc. A.C. Horton then organized a group of local area men to join Col. J.W. Fannin, Jr. March, 1836.

Under orders from Fannin, Horton and a small group of men were sent to find a route to continue northeast to join Sam Houston. This patrol saved Horton's life during the Goliad Massacre.

With the new Republic of Texas in place, A.C. Horton was elected to the 1st and 2nd Congress. He was chosen to head the committee to select a site for the capital of Texas.

When Texas joined the United States, A.C. Horton was elected Texas' first Lieutenant Governor under J.P. Henderson. Henderson chose to lead the Texas forces during the conflict with Mexico; Horton served as the Governor pro tem of Texas until his return.

A.C. Horton was a charter trustee of Baylor University and a lifelong Baptist. The home Horton built on the bank of Caney Creek remained until it was torn down in 1960. Many of his descendants still live in Wharton and Wharton County.

The textbooks have ignored events and persons of this area, let us not do the same. "All things must change to something new, to something strange," wrote Longfellow. "History is something that never happened, written by a man who wasn't there," Anonymous.

During my years attending WISD schools, the elementary was named Stephen F. Austin, the high school was named Sam Houston. The school colors, prior to the 1940s, were black/gold, changed to red/blue with the mailing of 100 penny postcards.

I hope that "the powers that be" choose a name for the elementary that reflects the site's history. Buildings are subject to being a non-permanent fixture but perpetuity can be had in our history books and our recognition of persons, places and events that embody our todays.

Merle R. Hudgins

Hungerford

Letter to the Editor:

First Baptist Church of Boling spent Monday evening delivering 40 Thanksgiving baskets to local families. We would like to thank BISD Student Council, Methodist Church of Boling, Lions Club, H-E-B of Wharton, Maxim Egg Farm, Wal-Mart of Wharton, Wal-Mart of El Campo, and the First Baptist Church members. We would also like extend a warm thank you to the community for their food and monetary donations. We couldn't have it without all of you. Thank you again.

We are so blessed with the kindness of everyone willing to help others have a Happy Thanksgiving. As we all know, Christmas will be upon us in a few weeks.

We are now taking donations for the Christmas baskets. Please call Pastor Valmon Meade at 281-705-8296 or 657-0429. Have a blessed Holiday Season!

Brandi Hough

Wharton