Happy Juneteenth (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

Today is the 150th anniversary of what some regards as the end of slavery in the United States for it was on June 19, 1865 that the following proclamation was read when Union forces arrived in Galveston:

"Headquarters, District of Texas
Galveston, Texas, June 19, 1865

General Orders, No. 3

The people are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property, between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired labor. The Freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes, and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.

By order of
Major-General Granger
F. W. Emery, Maj. & A.A.G."

This is the date seen by many as the end of slavery because Texas was the last state to surrender.

In addition, many have called for this date to be recognized as a holiday or a day to be commemorated.

 

[jazzeum]

See here for more information.

Here's a copy of the Order:

 

[mikemiller1955]

that is interesting...I did not know this...

 

[jazzeum]

The author of the article, Andy Hall, lives in Galveston and is an expert on Civil War matters, especially naval ships that operated in and around Galveston during the Civil War.

 

[jazzeum]

Here is a further article on Juneteenth.

The author notes that "The people from Texas took Juneteenth Day to Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, and other places they went. Even now, with barbecues and red soda pop, they celebrate June 19, 1865.”

He also notes that the day "has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. Spurred by a revival of pride in African-American traditions long denied or suppressed, Juneteenth has gained official recognition — although not necessarily full legal holiday status — in a number of states, starting, appropriately, with Texas, which made Juneteenth a paid holiday for state employees in 1980."

 

[mikemiller1955]

Brad...

that was a fascinating article...

I never knew this...

it's amazing that the white slave holders in Texas...
could conceal the news of the Emancipation Proclamation for 2 1/2 years...
keeping their slaves working for them...
much less that there was no attempt to enforce it for 2 months after Lee surrendered...

I grew up in Galveston always hearing stories of the slave trade on Strand Street...
it's from a totally different generation...
so you kind of disregard any association to it as it's a part of history...
not a part of your personal life...

but still...
it's amazing that it took so much longer for Texas (Galveston)...
to conform after the war...

the Klan...
they had strong roots here...
but are either vanishing or being more secretly guarded...
rarely ever seen...
only once in my lifetime...

we had a *** oriented hotel open on the Seawall about 15-20 years ago...

the community churches and some small minority of citizens held a protest rally in front of it the day of their much publicized opening...

some Klansman attended...
they were dressed in their pristine white robes and hoods...
they had large red and gold embroidered crosses on the front a back of the robes...
they all appeared very tall...big men...

extremely ominous in presence...
they gave me chills...
they scared the hell out of me...

 

[mikemiller1955]

Brad...

you might enjoy this read...

Galveston: A History of the Island (Chisholm Trail Series) Paperback – August 1, 1998
by Gary Cartwright

Galveston—a small, flat island off the Texas Gulf coast—has seen some of the state's most amazing history and fascinating people. First settled by the Karankawa Indians, long suspected of cannibalism, it was where the stranded Cabeza de Vaca came ashore in the 16th century. Pirate Jean Lafitte used it as a hideout in the early 1800s and both General Sam Houston and General James Long (with his wife, Jane, the “Mother of Texas”) stayed on its shores. More modern notable names on the island include Robert Kleberg and the Moody, Sealy and Kempner families who dominated commerce and society well into the twentieth century.

Captured by both sides during the Civil War and the scene of a devastating sea battle, the city flourished during Reconstruction and became a leading port, an exporter of grain and cotton, a terminal for two major railroads, and site of fabulous Victorian buildings—homes, hotels, the Grand Opera House, the Galveston Pavilion (first building in Texas to have electric lights). It was, writes Cartwright, “the largest, bawdiest, and most important city between New Orleans and San Francisco.”

This country's worst natural disaster—the Galveston hurricane of 1900—left the city in shambles, with one sixth of its population dead. But Galveston recovered. During Prohibition rum-running and bootlegging flourished; after the repeal, a variety of shady activities earned the city the nickname “The Free State of Galveston.”

In recent years Galveston has focused on civic reform and restoration of its valuable architectural and cultural heritage. Over 500 buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and an annual "Dickens on the Strand" festival brings thousands of tourists to the island city each December. Yet Galveston still witnesses colorful incidents and tells stories of descendants of the ruling families, as Cartwright demonstrates with wry humor in a new epilogue written specially for this edition of Galveston. First published in 1991 by Atheneum.

 

[Martin Tabony]

Interesting, I have to be honest I only know of Galviston because of the Glen Campbell song! Why the word "Juneteenth" ?

Martin

 

[jazzeum]

It's a contraction of the words June Nineteenth

 

[Martin Tabony]

It's a contraction of the words June Nineteenth

I didn't want to assume, one can never be sure!

Martin

 

[mikemiller1955]

Brad...

that book is especially interesting to me because on the last 2 pages...
it chronicles the story of my father being shot by an old remnant of the Galveston Mafia...

Vic Maceo...was 90 years old when he shot my father...

the story made national news...Wall Street Journal...

here is a condensed version from the Texas Monthly...

the article was titled...

"One Last Shot"...

it's a good read if you have time...

http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/one-last-shot

 

[mikemiller1955]

here's a photo of it...

 

[lancer]

Mike, now that's what I call a family story worthy of the name. Fascinating. -- Al

 

[mikemiller1955]

Al...

his secretaries called me at the restaurant that morning...
and when I got on the phone...
the first thing they said was...

"Mike...don't worry...your Dad is okay...........but he has been shot"

it's just a hard statement to process...

one of those weird stories you read about in the newspaper that always happens to someone else...

it turned out okay...

he blamed his lousy golf game on the fact that he could no longer straighten his left arm...
but the truth was...
he never did before...^&grin

he got a huge settlement from Maceo's property insurance...
which is why the case was really weird...
I still don't understand how his property insurance had to pay off the bill...
he was shot at my father's office...

anyway...

he gave the money to me and my sister...^&grin

and it was a substantial settlement...

 

[lancer]

Mike, it's been my experience that nothing good ever starts with the words "Don't worry...", so I would say your story is the exception. It is a story that would be hard to make up and is all the more fascinating because it is true. Thanks for posting it. -- Al