"The people of Texas 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 rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly 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." — General Order No. 3, read by Union general Gordon Granger at Galveston.
HOME REMEDY: DROPSY
From Household Remedies, 1894: “Consume 8-10 cups of water each day . . . elevate feet for an hour in morning and after noon.”
RECIPE: ROASTED TRAIL CORN
Gig Baldwin, a fourth-generation Austinite, offers this recipe that’s been s summer favorite in her family for generations: “My grandfather cooked this corn on campouts and used to tell us stories about how they did the same thing on the Chisholm Trail in the 1800s.”
Makes: 4
Ingredients
· 4 ears of fresh corn
· 2 sticks of butter
· Watkins salt and black pepper
Directions
Clean silk and husks from corn ears, wash thoroughly. Place them on a grille over an open fire, turning every minute or so to prevent from burning When ears appear cooked, remove and liberally butter each. Dust with salt and pepper. Serve hot with a meal.
IN THIS MONTH: 1865
On May 13, 1865, more than a month after the surrender of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, the last land action of the Civil War took place at Palmito Ranch near Brownsville. The battle lasted four hours. Confederate casualties were a few dozen wounded. Federal troops lost 111 men and four officers captured, and thirty men wounded or killed. Four days earlier, former Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured by federal troops near Abbeville, Ga., with former Texas governor Francis R. Lubbock and Confederate postmaster and temporary treasurer John H. Reagan after Davis fled the captured capital of Richmond., Va., on April 2.
WORDS TO LIVE BY: 1866
From Household Medicinals & Remedies, 1898: “Apply onion juice to the scalp twice a day for a month, for 15 minutes each time, then rinse.”
HOME REMEDY: HAIR LOSS
From Household Medicinals & Remedies, 1898: “Apply onion juice to the scalp twice a day for a month, for 15 minutes each time, then rinse.”
RECIPE: CHISHOLM TRAIL BISCUITS
Kip Furman, a native Austinite who recently retired back home, sends along this recipe with the following note: “My grandmother made these biscuits that she said came from a recipe her father used as a cook on the Chisholm Trail. This is a slightly updated version we recently saw of that recipe. It uses margarine or Crisco instead of lard.”
Makes: About 12 servings
Ingredients
• 3 cups flour
• 2 ½ tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp salt
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup lard (can use margarine or Crisco instead)
• 1 cup buttermilk
Directions
Place all dry ingredients into a large bowl. Cut in the lard, until mixture looks like meal. Stir in buttermilk. If dough is not pliable, add just enough buttermilk to make a soft, puffy dough that is easy to roll out.
Knead dough on lightly floured board about one to two minutes or 25 to 30 times. Roll out dough to about 3/4 inch thick. Cut with floured biscuit cutter, or use a glass of the right size. Place on greased baking sheet.
Bake in a 450 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Serve hot with butter or gravy.
IN THIS MONTH: 1836, 1793 & 1861
On March 2, 1836, the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico was signed during the Convention of 1836 at Washington on the Brazos, leading to the formation of the Republic of Texas . . . On the same day in 1793, iconic Texas General Sam Houston was born in Virginia . . . and on the same day in 1861, Texas joined the Confederacy . . .
WORDS TO LIVE BY: 1836
“We now occupy the proud attitude of a sovereign and independent Republic, which will impose upon us the obligation of evincing to the world that we are worthy to be free. This will only be accomplished by wise legislation, the maintenance of our integrity, and the faithful and just redemption of our plighted faith wherever it has been pledged.” — Texas General Sam Houston, first president of the Republic of Texas, after independence was won in April 1836.
HOME REMEDY: HEADACHES
From Household Medicinals, 1893: “Apply a drop of peppermint or lavender oil to the temples of the afflicted person, once every two hours until the condition eases.”
RECIPE: PIONEER TATER SALAD
Third-generation Austin resident Edie Sansom submitted this recipe that her grandmother made. “She called it her Pioneer Tater Salad because was in the family for ages.”
Makes: 8 servings
Ingredients
• 5 lb. Russet Potatoes (about 8)
• 4 whole hard-boiled eggs
• 4 slices of bacon, fried and crumbled
• 1 ½ c. mayonnaise
• 4 tbsp. mustard
• 1 c. garden-fresh peas
• 5 whole green onions, sliced
• 8 whole small sweet pickles
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. Paprika
• 1/2 tsp. Black pepper
Directions
Cut potatoes in halves or thirds, and boil until fork tender. Drain. Mash potatoes. Fold potatoes together with mayonnaise, mustard, green onions, peas, salt and pepper. Add and mix in pickles, eggs, and bacon. Add more salt, mustard or mayo as needed.
IN THIS MONTH: 1874
On Feb. 20, 1874, after considering a challenge from his Democratic opponents, the Texas Senate confirmed the election of Walter Moses Burton as the third Freedman elected to the upper legislative chamber and the first since 1869. Burton was brought to Texas as a slave from North Carolina in 1850 at age 21. He belonged to a Fort Bend planter who taught him how to read and write. After the Civil War, Burton was elected as Fort Bend County sheriff — the first black sheriff in the United States. In 1873 Burton won a seat in the Texas Senate, where he served for seven years, from 1874 to 1875 and from 1876 to 1882. There, he championed the education of blacks and passed a bill to establish Prairie View Normal School (now Prairie View A&M University). He was the last black Texas state senator until the election of Barbara Jordan in 1966. . .
WORDS TO LIVE BY: 1874
“Once you learn to read, you will be build strong children than to repair broken men.” — Frederick Douglass, abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman.
HOME REMEDY: MINOR SCRAPES
From Household Remedies, 1887: “Use a tablespoon of honey diluted slightly with warm water to cover the wound. Repeat every two hours.”
RECIPE: CHOCOLATE YUMMIES
Austinite Rae Simon submitted this recipe for chocolate strawberries that her grandmother made at Valentine’s. “She used strawberries, blackberries, pecans and other nuts from time to time. I used to eat pounds of them as a kid.”
Makes: 25 servings
Ingredients
• 1 pt. strawberries
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil
Directions
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse strawberries and pat dry with paper towels.
In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted. Dip strawberries in chocolate and place on prepared baking sheet.
Refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes. Chocolate-covered strawberries can be drizzled with white icing (prepackaged, softened in microwave) for a special touch.
IN THIS MONTH: 1874
On Jan. 15, 1874, Democrat Richard Coke was inaugurated as governor of Texas, even while Republican governor Edmund J. Davis refused to vacate the office and barricaded himself in the Capitol for several days. Coke overwhelmingly won the gubernatorial election in 1873. But the election was tainted by irregularities on both sides, and Davis-appointed state Supreme Court had voided the election. Davis called in the Travis Rifles, but these troops supported Coke when they got to the Capitol. Davis then appealed for federal troops to President Grant, who telegraphed a refusal. Coke took over when Davis resigned on January 19. James Bell delivered the refusal telegram to Davis, who then left town. Henry Orsay was outside with the Travis Rifles. The restored homes of both Bell and Orsay houses are at Pioneer Farms . . .
WORDS TO LIVE BY: 1874
“Would it not be prudent, as well as right, to yield to the verdict of the people as expressed by their ballots?” — President Ulysses Grant, responding to Texas Gov. Edmund Davis’ request to keep him in office.
HOME REMEDY: FROSTBITE
From Household Remedies, 1887: “Soak in a warm bath or compresses for 30 minutes until the affected skin is soft and red.”
RECIPE; MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE
Austinite Meria Benavides shares this recipe for delicious hot chocolate from her grandmother for “those cold nights in January.”
Makes: 2 servings
Ingredients
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon Watkins vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate
Directions
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add milk, cocoa powder, sugar, cinna-mon, vanilla extract and chili powder.
Mix together with a whisk, add the bittersweet chocolate and heat until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture is hot, but not boiling. Divide hot chocolate into 2 mugs and serve with marshmallows, chocolate shavings and a cinnamon stick.
IN THIS MONTH: 1886
On Dec. 20, 1886, the Driskill Hotel opened in Austin. Touted as the grandest in Texas, the hotel quickly became a social hub of Austin, and was the site of inaugural balls, political events and elaborate banquets. Cattleman Jesse Lincoln Driskill had Austin architects Jasper N. Preston and Sons design the Romanesque Revival edifice.