On August 5th, 2023, we take a look back at the events that shaped Texas history on this day. From conflicts with Native Americans to significant moments in modern times, Texas has a rich and diverse history worth exploring.
In 1840, a large band of Comanches began wreaking havoc across Central Texas near Hallettsville. Engaging in killing and looting, they were seeking revenge for the Council House Fight that occurred earlier that year. However, their reign of terror was short-lived, as Texas Rangers and a volunteer army successfully defeated the Comanches on August 11th at Plum Creek near Lockhart.
Jumping ahead to 1870, the International Railroad was chartered with the ambitious goal of building a railway that would connect the Red River near Fulton, Arkansas, to Laredo, passing through Austin, Texas. This railroad would play a crucial role in facilitating transportation and commerce across the state.
In 1883, Samuel D. Parr arrived at Point Bolivar and staked his claim on a league of land. He became the first permanent settler in the area, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s development.
Moving into the 20th century, on this day in 1932, infamous criminal Clyde Barrow and his accomplice Raymond Hamilton opened fire on Sheriff C.G. Maxwell and his deputy Eugene C. Moore. Sheriff Maxwell was seriously wounded, while Deputy Moore tragically lost his life. This event marked the first time Barrow was directly involved in the killing of a law enforcement officer.
Fast forward to the year 2013, where we see both sports and politics making headlines in Texas. Nelson Cruz, a player for the Texas Rangers, accepted a 50-game suspension for violating MLB drug policies. Meanwhile, former U.S. President George W. Bush underwent heart surgery at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas after a blockage was discovered during his annual exam.