KEN BRIDGES
James Pinckney Henderson may not have been one of the most famous of early Texas figures, but his actions were perhaps some of the most important. As a lawyer, diplomat, and the state’s first governor, he helped build strong foundations for the future of Texas.
Henderson was born in North Carolina in 1808. By the age of 21, he had graduated from the University of North Carolina Law School and earned admission to the state bar. He became known for his voracious study habits during his years in school, poring over law books up to eighteen hours per day.
Some heroes of the Texas Revolution were enslavers, a neglected piece of history that has helped stall a badly needed overhaul of the revered battle site.
True West Magazine
The 1832 battle set the stage for the Texas Revolution.
The names are spoken with reverence in Texas: The Alamo. Goliad. San Jacinto. The great battles of the Texas Revolution, a conflict that lasted just under seven months. But the seeds of the war were planted years before that; the first real bloodshed came in June 1832.
Mexico was in the middle of one of its myriad civil wars. That made military officials in the northern provinces, specifically Texas, very nervous. They feared the Texians would take advantage of the disorder to seek independence for the region. To head things off, the officials arrested a number of potential revolutionaries, including William Barret Travis, who would later command The Alamo.
True West Magazine
This photo of Billy the Kid sold at Brian Lebel’s Old West Show & Auction in 2011 for $2.3 million.
True West Archives
Brian Lebel’s Old West Show & Auction
June 25-27, 2021, Santa Fe, NM: A weekend dealer show and sale, along with an exciting, live/online Saturday night auction, the event showcases the best authentic cowboy, Indian and Western art, antiques and artifacts available for sale.
480-779-9378 • OldWestEvents.com
American Plains Artists Special Show
San Angelo, TX, June 24-August 1: An 1867 fort along the Concho River showcases nearly 100 Western paintings and a dozen sculptures.
325-481-2646 • FortConcho.com