This morning my first thought was that I need to tackle the final draft of the chapter about the 1900 Storm for my upcoming book, History of Galveston’s Tremont House. And no, it actually didn’t occur to me until a couple of hours into work that today is the anniversary of that terrible hurricane.
About 1,000 people crowded into the Tremont to find shelter during the storm, and luckily all survived. Thousands of other people were not so lucky.
The Thomas Edison film (isn’t it amazing that there is footage?!) entitled ‘Panoramic View of Tremont Hotel Galveston’ was taken in the aftermath, and shows the large structure still standing amid surrounding devastation. It’s the tall white building with narrow windows at the end of this clip. (Click below to view)
I’m looking forward to sharing this and other amazing tales in the History of Galveston’s Tremont House when the book releases in the first part of 2024.
“Every ranch pickup ought to have at least one cow dog in the back,
barking at every passing truck.” – Hank the Cowdog, Ranch Life Book No. 1
I had to smile when I read that this Friday is National Dog Appreciation Day . . . because in my world, every day is dog appreciation day!
And as a Texan, what better dog to send some appreciation to than the star of the humorous mystery novel series Hank the Cow Dog.
If you aren’t familiar with Hank, you’re in for a treat. This hysterical cow dog, or “Head of Ranch Security” as he prefers to be called, has a slew of doggone fun adventures among other characters that include Pete the Barn Cat, Slim Chance and Sally May – all created by Texas Literary Hall of Fame inductee John R. Erickson.
The books have sold over 9 million worldwide! Pretty darn good for an old dog! My daughter and I read dozens of them when she was little, and I’ve lost count of how many I’ve gifted to other kids.
Do you have to be a kid or a Texan to get a kick out of Hank’s stories? Nope! People as far away as Taiwan are fans. But as long as you’re reading one, why not read it aloud to the nearest child? That will brighten both your days!
Erickson, whose hometown is Perryton, grew up in the Panhandle so his description of characters and written version of a Texas twang ring true. He got his literary start with San Angelo’s Livestock Weekly in the 1980s, mentored by another Texas writer named Elmer Kelton.
Being a long time fan of these books, if you think I made it a point to stop on a recent trip to San Angelo just to see an ode to Hank . . . well, you’d be right. A bronze statue of the Lone Star State’s beloved canine sits on a ledge in Heritage Park at the corner of West Twohig and Oakes Streets. Sculpted by San Antonio artist Raul Ruiz in 2018, he looks right at home with the other features of the pocket park displayed to honor the ranching and agricultural heritage of the state.
There’s a sculpture of a rancher and his trusty horse, native plants, a vintage cistern system and plenty of space to sit for a spell in the shade of a leaf-shaped overhang that provides an escape from the Texas sun. The park is open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you want to make a quick visit to one more spot in town honoring Lone Star literature, swing by the mural by Stylie Read of Elmer Stephen Kelton – Erickson’s mentor – author of over 50 western novels. It’s at 118 South Chadbourne Street.
Now that school’s back in session, if your child is looking to add to their library list, they might just want to check out one of the over 70 stories about this scruffy, scrappy hound. The Texas tails…um, tales… are worth howling about.
Many people assume that the majority of Galveston hauntings stem from the 1900 Storm. While it’s true that the overwhelming loss of life during that hurricane contributed to the population of restless spirits of the island, entities were experienced long before the waves of 1900 washed across the city.
Pier 33 in 1910
In January of 1894, Galvestonians were talking about the wraith of a woman seen on the West End. She was said to be the spirit of a woman who had drowned in the neighborhood years before.
Appearing at midnight and clad in a calico gown, she clutched a shawl that was drawn around her shoulders and beneath her chin. Moving slowly and deliberately she moved from the east end of Pier 33 to the west end, then going over the edge.
There were different theories at the time as to whether she had fallen or jumped, but no sounds of footsteps or a splash was ever heard. If witnesses rushed to the end of the pier to look, there was no sign of her in the water.
Was she distraught from the loss of a child during a Yellow Fever epidemic, or a husband lost at sea? Was she a victim of the harsh life experienced by many during the rough, early years of the city? It seems her identity and story will remain a mystery.
In 1894 that area, home of the newly constructed Moody Cotton Compress, was bustling with business and waterfront workers, but as 12 o’clock neared…no one ventured toward Pier 33, at one time called Western Wharf.
The sad spirit became such a regular occurrence, that even those who lived nearby avoided the area around the midnight hour.
Today grand cruise ships past the spot of the ghost’s appearance on their way to dock at the cruise terminal. I wonder if she even notices.
Read more tales of Galveston’s spirited past in ‘Ghosts of Galveston’ from The History Press.
Here is an interview I did with Al Roker about his new book, “The Storm of the Century.” It deals with the devastating 1900 hurricane in Galveston, which still stands as this nation’s worst national disaster.
Mr. Roker utilized the services of a professional researcher for this project.
As someone well-versed with Galveston history, there are some things in the book that grate on my nerves, such as mislabeling the Bishop’s Palace (one of the island’s most loved architectural treasures) as Ashton Villa (another historic home), and stating that Indianola (which was completely obliterated by a hurricane) was in Mississippi (it was in Texas). I would dearly have hoped that a professional researcher or publisher fact-checker would have caught things like this.
Aside from that, Roker and his team have gathered some heart-wrenching stories about those who did and didn’t survive the storm, and the book makes a quick and interesting read.
If you read “The Storm of the Century,” let me know what you think!
This morning my first thought was that I need to tackle the final draft of the chapter about the 1900 Storm for my upcoming book, History of Galveston’s Tremont House. And no, it actually didn’t occur to me until a couple of hours into work that today is the anniversary of that terrible hurricane.
About 1,000 people crowded into the Tremont to find shelter during the storm, and luckily all survived. Thousands of other people were not so lucky.
Read more tales of Galveston’s spirited past in ‘Ghosts of Galveston’ from The History Press.
