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First this week, Ruby Tuesday, then below...Heads or Tails---




RUBY TUESDAY:


This sign, the likes of which are found on many beaches around our islands,... this one in particular is on White Cap Beach. It's a cautionary measure for the protected species of Kemp [Kemp Ridley] Sea Turtles. Our Padre Island's National Seashore has a program during the year, working to protect and help save the turtle's dwindling population...releasing hatchlings during the many months of incubation!! I still have yet to go out and witness the release of the baby turtles, but plan on doing it sometime in the near future!!






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Heads or Tails prompt this week is: YELLOW


This rose bush in our back yard is Yellow. I've been tempted many times to find the special TEXAS rose bush called Harrison's Yellow [link to photo should open in new window]. Why? It's supposedly THE Yellow Rose of Texas. Being a resident of Texas, the first two things I thought of was Amarillo, Texas. In Spanish, Amarillo means yellow. [Some Texans pronounce it Am a ril lo but the Spanish pronunciation is Am a REE oh] Then, there is the song and legend of the Yellow Rose of Texas. According to state's lore, the first recorded copy of the "Yellow Rose of Texas" was handwritten on a piece of plain paper circa 1836. Historical records indicate this copy was most probably transcribed either shortly before or just after General Sam Houston lead his brigade of Texas loyalists against the army of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. And so, the legend begins.... There really WAS a 'yellow Rose'!! It begins with a man...a man by the name of James Morgan who was a slave owner. Circa 1830s. Yet, at that time Texas [then, a Mexican colony] prohibited slavery. So Morgan contracted his 16 slaves to a 99 year conversion: from slaves to "indentured servants". He, as others, profited with this set up. In the mid 1830s Morgan returned to New York and bought more slaves...one in particular, a very intelligent and quite sophisticated, Miss Emily West. She was a mulatto. [back in that era, "Yellow" was used in terms of mixed blood....mulatto] During the war of Texas Independence, Morgan 'donated' land to Houston's men...called to this day Morgan's Point. Stationed at Galveston, Morgan left Ms. West to guard Morgan's Point. Santa Ana, Mexico's leading General of the Mexican Army, attacked nearby and became infatuated by Emily's beauty!! By April 21st, the final battle of Texas's Independence, General Santa Ana was reported found, literally, with his pants down. Morgan, being so impressed with Ms. West's heroism and survival of the battle, gave her her freedom. She returned to the East. Not much is known of her from then on. But we do know that Morgan made sure everyone knew of her fortitude and courage. Records of Morgan's regaling the story was kept by William Bollaert. So we're asked: "Is there really a Yellow Rose of Texas"? We say, yes, but it's not a 'what'...it's a WHO!! ....

Comparing the lyrics and the rose [Emily]? Perhaps a real long stretch, but to connect the brilliant yellow blossom with the lyrics "Her eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew"? Can we compare the fruity scent of the blossom to "She's the sweetest rose of color...."? Should we dare associate the charming but ever-so-prickly canes of this rose to deeds performed on behalf of the fight for Texas' independence by Ms. West? There is absolutely no certainty of anything, but if this rose was so nicknamed by travelers in search of long-sought goals - goals commemorated in a wonderful folksong about a Texas heroine - then indeed Emily may well be the "Yellow Rose of Texas." Ms. Emily "Yellow Rose of Texas" West. [Some books and records have her erroneously with taking his surname, Morgan, but she did not have the name Morgan, she was under contract as an indentured servant, not slave.]


There are OTHER legends of the Yellow Rose of Texas and 'who' she really is. But I'd prefer this one [#1]; since in the lyrics of the poem/song, there are many references to soldiers. We have three possibilities: 1. A woman of color, Emily D. West of New York/some records show Connecticut as her birthplace. 2. Emily De Zavala [related to a survivor of the Alamo], and number 3. There was no real Yellow Rose of Texas. The Yellow Rose of Texas legend and mystic in regard to a critical distraction of General Santa Anna in his tent on the field of San Jacinto is simply a great story precipitated by the imagination of Texans on the battlefield of San Jacinto and was strongly enforced by a person of stature as General Houston to an observer of 1842 Texas, and was continuously embellished and will continue to be as one of the greatest Texas myths to explain and trivialize the decisive victory of Texans over the imperial Mexican Army at San Jacinto.

[There have been those who think the two women referred to in this legend of the 'rose', [#s 1 and 2 above] is the very same woman...being they are both 'Emily' ---what do you think? ** ]


Read more @ Texas Online Handbook
Copy of Emily West's passport application c:1836-7
Yellow Rose of Texas Remains "Unsolved"
Texas Lore: Yellow Rose
** My understanding is: It's been proven that the two females in question are not the same.
but then...
This Book proves otherwise!!
Two references have the name "Emily Wells" associated with the Battle of San Jacinto [that's pronounced in Spanish- ha CEEN toe --while Texans pronounce it Ja SIN toe] Here and here.






POSTED: Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
12:07 A.M.