Wise About Texas

You can’t go anywhere in Texas without running into “the devil’s rope”–barbed wire. It keeps livestock in AND out. It protects property and discourages trespassers. But barbed wire hasn’t been around all that long. When it came, it changed the face of Texas and the West. It also made some people very, very wealthy. Learn how “bob wire” took over Texa...

You think our elections are divisive today? Well, Texas is just continuing a long tradition of candidates running hard and stirring the pot. In the Republic of Texas the presidential term was only two years, so the elections came frequently. They were contentious to say the least. Old enemies became worse enemies, and the name-calling was classic. Here about an early Texas presidential election in...

In the early part of the Civil War, a group of German Freethinkers got together to design and manufacture a revolver for use by the Confederate forces. These Germans were intellectuals, engineers, farmers and…unionists! Nevertheless they designed a new revolver, making 6 total. The gun proved impractical, however, so they ceased production. Only one of these guns is known to survive. But thi...

Governor Rick Perry is the longest serving Governor in Texas history. From his humble beginnings in Paint Creek, to the cockpit of an Air Force C-130, to the Governor’s Mansion and on to Washington D.C. Governor Perry has an unmatched career in public service. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss what Texas and Texas history means to a man who made a lot of it.

Governor Rick Perry is the longest serving Governor in Texas history. From his humble beginnings in Paint Creek, to the cockpit of an Air Force C-130, to the Governor’s Mansion and on to Washington D.C. Governor Perry has an unmatched career in public service. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss what Texas and Texas history means to a man who made a lot of it.

The American Buffalo, or Bison, is an iconic image of America. At one point, millions of these huge animals roamed the continent. But settlement and commercial hunting rendered the bison all but extinct. Thanks to the forward thinking of a few cattlemen, the species was saved. But the early twentieth century was a sporting time, and certain questions needed answers. To a few folks from Texas, Mexi...

As the winter of 1835 approached, the Texian army lay siege to San Antonio de Bexar. When rumors started that a pack train was approaching the town carrying silver for the troops, the Texians saw opportunity. Riding out to meet the enemy, the Texians were successful…sort of. Learn about this skirmish in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.

Milton H. West had a most interesting career. While investigating the assault of his brother on the Mexican border, he decided to sign up with the Texas Rangers. That got him interested in the law, which got him interested in politics. Every step of the way he was watching out for the people of South Texas. When his career was over, he had changed the face (and the economy) of the Rio Grande Valle...

Sarah Jane Newman grew up tough in a family that came with Austin’s Old 300. She watched her mother fight off Indians and became an expert judge of horses. Known as Sally Skull, she could outride, outshoot and outtrade any man. But she also lived at the intersection of history and legend, in a time when most folks would prefer the legend. Hear about the fascinating life of a very interesting...

Antonio “Tony” Leal served as a Texas Ranger from 1994-2011, including several years as the Senior Captain. In part 2 of an interesting and wide-ranging interview, you will learn about the Ranger service, life as a Ranger and many other interesting and informative things about the modern Ranger service. Senior Captain Leal’s ranching roots go back to an 18th century Spanish land grant on the Rio G...

Antonio “Tony” Leal served as a Texas Ranger from 1994-2011, including several years as the Senior Captain. In this interesting and wide-ranging interview, you will learn about the Ranger service, life as a Ranger and many other interesting and informative things about the modern Ranger service. Senior Captain Leal’s ranching roots go back to an 18th century Spanish land grant on...

The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo is world famous for its 72 oz. steak challenge. If you can eat a 72 oz steak (that’s 4 1/2 pounds!), and all the sides, you get it for free and all the accolades that accompany such a tremendous accomplishment. Many have tried, but only a few have done it. However, Wise About Texas was lucky to be in attendance when an Australian competitive eater named...

Issac Desha had a checkered past. Though he was the son of a Governor, something just wasn’t right. When he was spotted with a dead man’s horse, things got “interesting.” He ended up in San Felipe before the revolution but his prospects didn’t improve much. Hear about a murder in early Texas in this latest episode of Wise About Texas.

2023 marks the 200th anniversary of one of the most famous law enforcement organizations in the world–The Texas Rangers. In this bonus episode, I talk with Russell Molina and Lacy Finley about all the celebrations scheduled for the Texas Ranger bicentennial. You can find a list of the events at TexasRanger2023.org.

The September term of the Bexar County District Court was a bad time to be set for trial. Find out why in this bonus episode of Wise About Texas.

Some people are just natural leaders. That was Matthew “Old Paint” Caldwell. He rallied men for several of the most important battles in Texas history. In between, he protected the young Republic of Texas from hostile Indians and hostile armies. Not even smallpox could bring him down! Hear about one of the early Texas Rangers and great Texas patriot Matthew Caldwell in the latest episo...

Texas Ranger.  Two words that strike fear in the heart of the lawbreaker and hope in the heart of the law abiding. Since before there was a Texas, there were Rangers.  How this elite force officially began is the subject of some controversy.  But 2023 marks the official bicentennial of this unique and important organization. There is no doubt that Stephen F. Austin realized the need to take the fi...

She grew up a poor Native American in rural Texas during the depression. But if you think she even noticed, you don’t know Osjetea Briggs. She became a world-renowned photographer, portrait artist and newspaper publisher. Oh, and she was a columnist and politico too. Full of wisdom, she demonstrates the best of Texas grit and determination. Learn about an interesting Texan in this episode of...

There has been one, and only one, assassination of a Texas state official and it happened in 1903. It occurred in the State Capitol building, the same one you can visit today. Hear about a disgruntled employee, a letter, and a gun in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.

Dr. John Brinkley had figured out how to beat the system and built the most powerful radio station in the world. The entire United States could now hear what he was selling. Music was a big part of that and Border Blaster XERA introduced Americans to gospel, the blues, Tejano…and provided the first nationwide exposure to a family band that would change American music forever. Hear what was o...

Dr. John Brinkley claimed to have the miracle operation for male “rejuvenation.” Dr. John Brinkley was also a quack who bought his medical degree for $100. Nevertheless, he became one of the best-known doctors in the nation. Harnessing the new power of radio, Dr. Brinkley drew thousands to his small clinic in Kansas. But the American Medical Association caught up with him and he had to...

In the 1920s, U.S. military aviation was in its early stages. New uses for air power were discovered frequently. The new flying machines would allow military and civilian authorities to patrol dangerous, remote areas more effectively. Few areas in the U.S. were more remote, or more dangerous, than the Mexican border in far west Texas. Revolution, banditry and violence were commonplace. The militar...

Shortly after the civil war, Appalachia came to Austin.  Known as the cedar choppers, migrants from the mountains moved into the limestone hills of western Travis County.  They kept to themselves, didn’t like outsiders, and loved a good fight.  But the city dwellers loved to hunt in the hills.  Hunting their game and shooting guns in their hills didn’t sit well with the cedar choppers....

What is it about Texas mothers? They are tough, smart, and resourceful. Nothing phases a Texas mom, they can do it all! That was certainly true of Mary Christian Burleson. Mary was a mom to 7 and stepmom to 12. She was a pioneer, a farmer and a stock raiser. She faced hostile Indians and the tragedy of widowhood. She lost a child but raised, educated and inspired even more. She was a businesswoman...

Every Easter Eve, the hill country around Fredericksburg comes alive with huge bonfires. Some say this tradition came from Germany, some say the Indians started it, and some say the Easter Bunny is doing some cooking. Hear about the Fredericksburg Easter fires in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.