Sarah E. Putman Mitchell, Former Captive

Sarah Elizabeth Putman Mitchell was one of the four children of Mitchell A. Putman (1794 – 1887) and Rebecca Hall Putman (1802 – 1846) who were taken captive by the Comanche on December 9, 1838 along with Matilda Lockhart. Sarah was born to the couple in May, 1832 while they were living in Benton, Alabama.

Continue reading Sarah E. Putman Mitchell, Former Captive

Mobeetie, Texas

Mobeetie is generally considered to be the first town to arise and also remain in the Panhandle of Texas. It now is located in Wheeler County. Its origin dates back to the mid 1870s when trading in buffalo hides was economically profitable. Trails were established where traders from northern states including Kansas would interact with buffalo hunters. The settlement that sprang up became known as Hide Town or Hidetown.

Continue reading Mobeetie, Texas

Impeachment of Mirabeau B. Lamar

The list below shows the elected presidents and vice presidents of the Republic of Texas during its existence:

PresidentVice President
David G. Burnet (Interim)
Mar. 16, 1836 – Oct. 22, 1836
Lorenzo de Zavala
Mar. 16, 1836 – Oct. 17, 1836
Sam Houston
Oct. 22, 1836 – Dec. 10, 1838
Mirabeau B. Lamar
Oct. 22, 1836 – Dec. 10, 1838
Mirabeau B. Lamar
Dec. 10, 1838 – Dec. 13, 1841
David G. Burnet
Dec. 10, 1838 – Dec. 13, 1841
Sam Houston
Dec. 13, 1841 – Dec. 9, 1844
Edward Burleson
Dec. 13, 1841 – Dec. 9, 1844
Anson Jones
Dec. 9, 1844 – Feb. 19, 1846
Kenneth Anderson
Dec. 9, 1844 – July 3, 1845
Source: Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Continue reading Impeachment of Mirabeau B. Lamar

John Birch

Some people may erroneously assume that John Birch was the founder of the society that bears his name, but he was not. Birch was born in 1918 in India to Presbyterian missionaries. His father had contracted malaria in India when John was two years old and the family returned to the United States. Young Birch attended high school in Georgia and a Baptist college there named Mercer.

Continue reading John Birch