The Fourth of July, Texas Style: First Hand Accounts of Independence Day Celebrations in 19th Century Texas
As we get ready to celebrate America’s independence, take a look back at how July Fourth was commemorated in nineteenth century Texas. Even before Texas became part of the United States, some of its citizens marked the day in much the same manner as we do today.
I hope you spent the 4th of July pleasantly with your friends who feel some reverence for the day. As to myself, I can not say I enjoyed it. I got a bottle of vino muscale and drank to the Federal Constitution in all parts of America. I had no countrymen to join me or perhaps I should have done better.
SOURCE: July 5, 1835 Letter from Benjamin Milam to Francis W. Johnson in John H. Jenkins, ed., Papers of the Texas Revolution. (10 vols.; Austin: Presidial Press, 1973), 1:206.
The Fourth of July was a fine day. The barbecue was near Mr. Dyer’s house, and the quilting and ball were at the house. The ladies spent the day in conversation and work, the young people dancing in the yard, the children playing under the trees, and the men talking politics. There was no political speaking, as the Mexicans were present. The politicians and lawyers from San Felipe and Harrisburg were there, but they had little to say. The people were very anxious about Stephen F. Austin, as he was in Mexico, a prisoner. Three of the Mexicans ate dinner and were very sociable. One of them danced a Virginia reel, but the others could not dance anything but waltzes, and our young ladies did not waltz.
Well, it was a grand affair for the times. The young people thought it magnificent. The music was two fiddles, played turn about by three negro men. One negro man got an iron pin and clevis, used at the end of a cart tongue or plough beam, and beat time with the fiddles. Another man beat a tin pan. Well, the young people danced to that music from three o’clock in the evening till next morning.
Mother went home with her family before day. Everybody else stayed all night. We ate barbecued meat, all sorts of vegetables, coffee, fowls, potatoes, honey and corn bread, but no cakes, as there was no flour in the country. The whiskey gave out early in the evening, and there was no fuss or quarreling. Everybody went home in a good humor, none more so than the negro musicians, as they were paid for playing the fiddles and beating the clevis and tin pan.
This was the second time we attended a Fourth of July celebration in Texas. The first time was in Harrisburg. I remembered the Fourth of July celebrations in St. Louis. I had seen the militia parade, drums beating, flags flying, cannon firing, but the glory was not to be compared with that of the Fourth of July in the year 1834, near Stafford’s Point on the Brazos, about fifteen miles from Harrisburg.
Source: Dilue Harris, “The Reminiscences of Mrs. Dilue Harris I,” The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association Vol. 4, No. 2 (Oct., 1990), pp. 110–111.
CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY — Preparation was made for some days prior to the 4th, to celebrate that glorious anniversary with becoming spirit. On the night of the third, a pole was raised upon the public square, and when our citizens raised on the morning of the fourth, they saw waving proudly aloft, the stars and stripes of our Native land, which had been run up during the previous night amid various evidences of individual rejoicing; such as the burning of tar barrels, firing of guns, shouts, huzzas, etc.
In one corner of the azure field, upon which the National Galaxy of the Union is displayed, is represented a single star, larger than the others, seemingly drawing nigh to those that occupy the centre.
The sun shone out clearly and beautifully, the first half of the day, but there was an excessive sultriness during the whole forenoon. The preparation for a general barbecue went on, and a large assemblage of ladies and gentleman had got together at the festal ground to hear the Oration which was to have been delivered by B.P. Smith, Esq. Just as the Orator was about to rise, a sudden gust of wind came up, bringing with it dark clouds indicative of immediate rain. The assemblage immediately betook themselves to the residence of John A. Bagby, Esq., and had hardly done so when the rain came on, and a merry and plentifall [sic] shower it was; thrice welcome to the parched earth and twisting corn, but like an uninvited guest to the dinner, to the hilarity of which it proved a perfect damper; lasting so long and coming down so heavily as to prevent the completion of the cooking of meats, and causing failure of the barbeque.
The ball announced for the night went on at the hotel of Dr. Ward, who had prepared a most sumptuous supper. It was well attended and the beauty and grace of Bowie vied with that of our own county, in rendering it fascinating.
SOURCE: De Morse, Charles, editor. The Northern Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 27, Ed. 1, Saturday, July 5, 1845, Newspaper, July 5, 1845; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80563/ : accessed June 29, 2015), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, Austin, Texas.
The 4th of July, the great national festival celebrated in commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the year 1776, was also celebrated here. A large American flag was hoisted on the Verein’s building and a formal banquet was given to which the officers of the Verein and a number of dignitaries of the city were invited. The heat had increased considerably during the first days of July and at noon the thermometer registered between 79F. and 86F. However, I must confess that it never became oppressive and disagreeable to me. Of course, I refrained from leaving the house during the hottest hours of the day. I was also fortunate in that the house was on a hill, where throughout the day the south wind blew strong enough continually to carry off paper and other light articles through the open door.
SOURCE: Dr. Ferdinand Roemer, Romer’s Texas, 1845–1847. Oswald Mueller [trans.] (San Antonio: Standard Printing Company, 1935; reprint edition, Austin: Eakin Press, 1995), 178.
Although Austin County had only a few settlers in 1846, the Fourth of July was marked with a celebration at a site where Bellville is now located. Apparently the celebration, including a big barbecue, took place at this beautiful location in order to promote it as a town site and county seat. Mr. Jack Bell, a tall man with dark curly hair, was in charge of the affair. Although we could see the houses in the vicinity of Bellville from our farm, which was located fairly high on a hill, we had to travel for miles to reach the place. We had to detour through the impenetrably dark “Millcreek Bottom” and the over prairies of thick grass, with a kind of wide-bladed grass reaching the chests of the horses. A path had to be hewn in order that the animals could get through. Then, after going over some open hilly land we finally reached our destination.
The grounds where the celebration took place swarmed with black and white people. The wealthy slaveholders with their black servants presented a unique sight for the Germans, I was just a child at the time, so I must have been all the more impressed by the strangeness of it. The official speaker was General Portis. His wife, a lady of considerable stature, like most of the other ladies wore a muslin dress with large flowers printed upon it and fanned herself with an enormous fan made of the tail feathers from a turkey. Incidentally, there were no domestic turkeys at that time, but there were many wild turkeys about. Sometimes when the eggs were found in the wilderness, they were brought home to be hatched out by chickens, and then one had tame turkeys.
At the Bellville celebration we also saw for the first time large quantities of meat being roasted over open pits and then spread out on long tables where everyone could help themselves as desired. Later we attended other celebrations of this kind and became less aware of the uniqueness of this custom. Seeing young and old armed with huge chunks of meet that disappeared into the mouth without ever having been cut a first created considerable astonishment among us. Best I do not describe how the little ones coped with it. It must have been quite a sight.
SOURCE: Ottilie Fuchs Goethe. Memoirs of a Texas Pioneer Grandmother, Translated and Edited by Irma Goeth Guenther. (Burnet, TX: Eakin Press, 1982).
But do not think that we do nothing here but work and that we fail to enjoy life. For some time now life has become very congenial here and gay; much more so than I ever expected it to be. I wrote you that we formed a club out here. The club house has been finished; it is across the road from my mill, to the north of my house. We celebrated the 4th of July in grand style. At 7:00 in the morning we all assembled on horseback at the club house. One man carried a flag which had been embroidered and decorated by the local ladies, at which work the ladies Lungwitz and Petri distinguished themselves. We all rode leisurely towards Fredericksburg, and the procession grew steadily in size. Just before entering the town we got into accurate formation and rode to the Market Place where members of the City Club, which is called The Reform Club, were waiting for us. We were received with music and loud Hurrahs! After about ten minutes the people from the Northern settlement came carrying a beautiful Texas flag. This had a large five pointed star on top and the words “Club of the Backwoodsmen”. The flagbearer was dressed in a blue denim shirt and trousers; he was an excellent representative for the backwoodsmen, The procession was much longer than yours at home when the Shooting Club meets, for as everyone was mounted and others followed in wagons, we made a huge parade. The parade moved through the town to music with the presidents of the various clubs leading the way to the “Vereins Haus” (club). After we had passed through Fredericksburg, the formation broke up; otherwise we would have made too much dust. In full gallop we made the three miles to the “Verins Haus”, around which we rode in stately formation. A lot of people had assembled here. Now we formed a “Caree” and someone read the “Declaration of Independence” first in English and then in German. After that everyone unsaddled and we set up more than 30 private tents. In these each family served refreshments to its members and their friends. After that we had target-shooting, the target being a beautifully painted Indian in life size. Then the young people danced. At off times there were shooting matches, foot races and jumping matches. The winner had to pay for the wine, which all enjoyed very much.
At 4:00 o’clock there were speeches and after that they danced the Polonaise. The gay life lasted until 6:00 the next morning — July 5th, when everybody had a cup of coffee. The celebration was not stiff nor was it rough or unrestrained. It was most congenial.
SOURCE: July 14, 1853 Letter from Carl Hilmar Guenther. Translation of Diary and Letters of Carl Hilmar Guenther. Edited and Translated by Regina Blackman Hurst. (San Antonio: The Clegg Co., 1952).
CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH — The birthday of American Independence was duly celebrated in San Antonio yesterday. The day was ushered in by a discharge of artillery in the Military plaza, the stores were all closed, and the National Flag was hoisted in different points in the city. [illegible text]…
…the members of the [illegible text] Rifles and the Fire company, formed into procession on the Military Plaza, and accompanied by a band of music, marched to the Alamo Plaza. Sheriff Dobbin, Deputy Sheriff Stevens and other gentlemen acted as marshalls. The Turners Association , formed into the procession order at place of rendezvous on Solidad street, and marched into the main plaza as the other companies were leaving it. They did not, however, join the main body. Why they did not, we cannot say, although we heard that a dispute had taken place in regard to precedence. Following the main body we went to Alamo Plaza. Here we found that preparations had been made at two places for the public speaking. Stands were erected in front of the Menger House, and the Alamo Chapel. Both were properly decorated, the latter, which we thought had been fixed upon for the speaking, had a profusion of flags. The Menger House stand was taken possession of, and in the consequence the speakers labored under the disadvantage of having the full glare of the sun in their faces. It was probably owing to this circumstance that only a few persons took places on the stand.
Asa Mitchell, Esq., having been called to the chair, said that it was unnecessary to state what was the objective of the meeting, — everybody knew it. He then introduced A. E. Cotton Esq., who, after a few words of preface, read the declaration of Independence. The reading was well done, the enunciation clear and distinct, and the proper emphasis given at the proper time and place. The ordeal was a trying one, but the speaker supported it bravely. We admired his nerve and self possession.
M.G. Anderson, Esq., the orator of the day was then introduced, and made a short but excellent address. It was of course impossible to refrain entirely from the allusions common to the occasion, but the speaker showed his good taste in avoiding the usual highfalutin strain. Several good hits were made, and politics kept in the back ground. The speech appeared to delight everybody who heard it.
The meeting was not by any means so numerously attended as we anticipated. From the published programme, it was expected that the authorities, civil and military, would have taken part in the proceedings, but we were disappointed.
BARBECUE AT THE OLMUS — We learn the fourth was celebrated in excellent style at Mr. Storey’s Rancho on the Olmas, about six miles from town. We regret much that we were unable to take advantage of the invitation so kindly extended to us.
A gentleman who was present, informed us that the whole affair was one of the best things of the kind he had ever witnessed. The hospitality, kindness and attention of the excellent host and his lady were unbounded. Many more would have been present; but were prevented by want of conveyance; neither horse nor vehicle could be obtained in San Antonio for love or money.
The Declaration of Independence was read by James E. Gardner Esq., and an address was delivered by Hon. Jno. A. Danean. Both gentlemen are candidates for the office of Chief Justice of this county at the ensuing election, and both are said to have acquitted themselves admirably.
SOURCE: Taylor, A. N. and A. E. MacLeod, editors. The Daily Ledger and Texan (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 156, Ed. 1, Thursday, July 5, 1860, Newspaper, July 5, 1860; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth78572/ : accessed June 29, 2015), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, Austin, Texas.
