Origin of Alsace Slogan
Andrew Boze mentions in his article that Castroville in eastern Medina County is known as “The Little Alsace of Texas” [“Darting Around Texas,” July 2014].
The purpose of this letter is to shed light on the origin of this slogan. In 1948, L.J. Haby, a friend of mine, was written up in the Castroville newspaper for coining the phrase, “Castroville, Little Alsace of Texas.” He had entered a slogan contest and won first place out of 93 entrants. With his $30 prize money, he bought a .22-caliber rifle.
Walter Meller | Abilene
Educational Resource
After retiring from education—I was a high school English department chair—I wanted to say thank you for providing such a great magazine.
I’ve used my copy for years as an additional reading resource and cross-curricular activity. My students always enjoyed the two features Texas History and Hit the Road. I tried using the articles back in 2002 when looking for new resources, and my students really welcomed them. I continued using Texas Co-op Power as a resource until I retired.
Tom Hill | Midlothian
HILCO EC
Lightbulb Humor
I enjoyed your lightbulb jokes [“Speaking of Jokes,” August 2014]. However, you missed the best of all:
How many Aggies does it take to change a lightbulb?
It takes five—one to hold the light bulb, four to turn the ladder.
(By the way, our granddaughter attends Texas A&M University.)
David Preuss | Etoile
Deep East Texas EC
Editor’s note: Sorry, Aggies. We don’t mean to pick on you. Lightbulb jokes target just about every group of people. What are some publishable lightbulb jokes that Aggies tell? Enlighten us on our Facebook page.
Fort Stockton Cemetery
The Hit the Road story “Fort Stockton” [July 2014] said that the soldiers buried at the Historic Fort Stockton Cemetery had been reinterred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in 1888. I believe that they are at the San Antonio National Cemetery.
San Antonio National Cemetery was established in 1867, with the city of San Antonio deeding part of the city cemetery to the federal government. This small cemetery on the east side of San Antonio is very interesting.
Della Savage | San Antonio
Professional Tour Guide Association of San Antonio
Editor’s note: The reader is correct. The story misstated where soldiers from the Historic Fort Stockton Cemetery were reinterred in 1888.
Fredericksburg and Native Americans
Based on the book “The Boy Captives: Life Among the Indians,” Clinton L. and Jefferson D. Smith were captured by the Comanche and Lipan warriors on March 3, 1869, about 25 miles from San Antonio. To elude pursuit by the family members, friends and the Texas Rangers, they headed into the cedar breaks and went westward toward the Fredericksburg area, crossing the Llano and later the San Saba river [“The Unbroken Peace Treaty,” July 2014].
My grandfather purchased a copy of the paperback book [originally published in 1927], and it was signed by Clinton L. Smith. The book is in sad shape, but it is more than 80 years old.
Harold Lieck | Del Valle
Bluebonnet EC
