Shows / Wise About Texas
Wise About Texas
If you think you know Texas history, think again. This is the podcast that goes beyond the textbooks — rigorously researched, compellingly written, and delivered with a relaxed storytelling style that makes even the most serious history feel like sitting around a campfire. Your host is Justice Ken Wise: a scholar with a gift for narrative and a knack for finding the stories that surprise you. Texas history, Texas legends, Texas characters — all told the way they deserve to be told. Subscribe…
Episodes
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 104: The Great Pearl Rush
Freshwater pearls have always been valuable finds, but one man found one in 1909 that was said to be worth a ton of money! All of a sudden, East Texas…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 103: A Fair Likeness?
In the early 1920's, the City of Houston was building what would come to be known as Hermann Park. Its centerpiece was to be a statue of Sam Houston. Enrico…
- Wise About Texas
BONUS EPISODE: The Juneteenth Legacy Project with Sam Collins III
Galveston native Sam Collins III had a vision to bring Texas history and the Juneteenth story to its home in a grand way. Enlisting the help of a team of…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 102: Juneteenth and the Celebration of Freedom
On June 19, 1865, union general Gordon Granger landed in Galveston and issued some general orders. His General Order No. 3 informed the people of Texas that…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 101: The San Jacinto Battle Flag
The victorious Texians only carried one flag into the Battle of San Jacinto. It was a gift from the citizens of Newport, Kentucky to Sidney Sherman. After the…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 100: The San Jacinto Monument(s)
The San Jacinto monument stands 567 feet over a battleground upon which a ragtag army changed the trajectory of world history. A few hundred Texians surprised…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 99: A Letter From Goliad
On March 27, 1836, several hundred Texian soldiers were brutally murdered on the orders of Santa Anna. One of them, John C. Logan, left us two letters. The…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 98: Writing Texas History with James L. Haley
James L. Haley is one of Texas' finest writers. He has written a preeminent biography of Sam Houston, an award winning narrative history of Texas called…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 97: Victory or Death-The Travis Letter
From February 23, 1836 through its fall on March 6, the Mexican army lay siege to the Alamo. William Barrret Travis wrote several letters during the siege but…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 96: The All-Woman Supreme Court
In 1925, there were only a few women lawyers in Texas. But women still couldn't serve as jurors and nobody dreamed there would ever be a female judge. Then a…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 95: Texas Towns: Welcome to Provident City!
In the early 20th century, Texas had room to grow. Like the empresarios of the early 1800's, real estate drove efforts to settle new Texans. But not all…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 94: The Texas Rangers–East Texas Troubles
San Augustine had a crime problem in the 1930’s. A semi-organized gang was preying on the black community and something had to be done. The problem was…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 93: The Free State of Van Zandt
Texans love their freedom. At the door of a hat, we'll declare independence and the fight is on! For years, folks have referred to Van Zandt County as the…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 92: I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas
Texas one of only 17 states that has a pledge of allegiance to its flag. But some would say Texas is the only state that deserves it. Hear a quick take on the…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 91: The Secret Court of the Republic of Texas
In April, 1836, Texas went to war with the United States by capturing an American ship in the service of Mexico. After the battle of San Jacinto, an…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 90: Cozumel, Texas?
During 1837, the Mexican government was still reeling from the successful Texas revolution. Bent on reconquering Texas, an army massed at Matamoros. The…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 89: Texas Attacks Oklahoma!
During World War II, Texas played an important role in training pilots and bomber crews. The city of Dalhart contributed to the war effort by building an…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 88: Texas Pandemics
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic has been a trying time for Texans. But we've been through much worse. The harsh climate, tropical ports, lack of medicine, etc…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 87- Texans You Should Know: Kenneth Threadgill
Austin is famous for its music scene. Willie, Waylon, Jerry Jeff and so many others helped Austin become weird. But before any of them there was Kenneth…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 86: Exploring the Texas Revolution- The San Jacinto Battleground
In April, 1836, two armies converged at Peggy McCormick's ranch on the banks of the San Jacinto River. In just 18 minutes, the Texian Army routed Santa Anna…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 85: Exploring the Texas Revolution–Presidio La Bahia
Originally established in 1721 along the banks of the Guadalupe river, Presidio La Bahia was moved to its present location along the banks of the San Antonio…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 84: Exploring the Texas Revolution–The Fannin Battleground
James Fannin fancied himself an accomplished military commander. But in March of 1836 he had trouble deciding where and when to move. He finally headed for…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 83: The Twin Sisters, Part 2–The Mystery
The twin sisters were two cannons graciously manufactured and donated to the cause of Texas liberty from the people of Cincinnati. They served Texas well at…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 82: Exploring the Texas Revolution: Old Washington
Old Washington, better known as Washington on the Brazos, began with a ferry crossing on the Brazos River along the La Bahia road. The convention of 1836 would…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 81: Exploring the Texas Revolution in San Felipe de Austin
Stephen F. Austin chose to set up the capitol of his colony on the banks of the Brazos River where the El Camino Real crossed the river. He envisioned a major…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 80: The Twin Sisters, Part 1
144 years ago, the Texas Army was long on spirit, but short on guns. Artillery, that is. How would they take on Santa Anna without some "hollow ware?" Enter…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 79: Dorie Miller–A Texas War Hero
On December 7, 1941, Mess Attendant Doris "Dorie" Miller was doing laundry, one of the few jobs available to African American sailors in the U.S. Navy at the…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 78: The Lady in Blue
In 1629 a group of Jumano Indians suddenly appeared at a New Mexico mission, eager to learn more about Christianity. The excited and grateful Franciscan…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 77: A bull branded MURDER
In 1891, one cowboy murdered another over the ownership of a brindle bull. Other cowboys branded the bull so that all would remember the crime. Some say the…
- Wise About Texas
BONUS EPISODE: More Writing Texas History-An Interview with Brian Kilmeade
Brian Kilmeade, best known as a host of Fox & Friends and the Brian Kilmeade show, is also a lover of history. In his latest book, Sam Houston and the Alamo…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 76: The Texas Cattle Queen
Right after the civil war, women weren't really expected (or even thought capable) to be in business. But of course, Texas women proved them wrong. Lizzie…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 75: Writing Texas History- An Interview with Author Stephen Harrigan
Award-winning author Stephen Harrigan visits Wise About Texas to discuss his new book--a history of Texas titled Big Wonderful Thing. Mr. Harrigan talks about…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 74: The Vaudeville Mule
What could be better than a good vaudeville show? A runaway mule, of course! One day in Nacogdoches, it's said that a runaway mule changed the course of comedy…
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EP. 73: Train Robbery at Baxter’s Curve
Ben Kilpatrick was an outlaw. He rode with Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and the Wild Bunch into western infamy. The law caught up with him and he went to…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 72: Death of a Trailblazer, Oliver Loving
Oliver Loving was a trailblazer...literally. He drove cattle to Illinois, Louisiana, and Colorado. With Charles Goodnight he blazed a new western trail…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 71: The First Declaration of Independence
When Texans talk about the Declaration of Independence, they usually mean the one signed at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836. Occasionally, we refer…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 70: Lost Counties of Texas
Texas has 254 wonderful counties. But we might have 284, or maybe we did but are down some. Or are we? What??? Learn about counties of Texas that were created…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 69 Texans You Should Know: Bessie Coleman, Pilot & Pioneer
Born into poverty and raised in north central Texas, Bessie Coleman wanted to fly. But in the early 20th century, nobody in the United States would teach a…
- Wise About Texas
Bonus Episode: Wise About Texas goes to the movies with The Highwaymen
This bonus episode features an interview with Dr. Jody Edward Ginn, Ph.D., who was a consulting historian on the new Netflix movie The Highwaymen. The movie…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 68: Bonnie & Clyde, Part 2: The Chase
Bonnie & Clyde were on the run for two years. They committed small time thefts but big time murders. They were killers, pure and simple. They drove fast and…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 67: Bonnie & Clyde Part 1: The Outlaws
The great depression was hard on everyone everywhere, and Texas was no exception. People couldn't work, could barely eat and just needed a break. The people…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 66: The Tories of the Texas Revolution
The account of the Texas revolution makes for glorious telling, retelling and reading. It seemed that every man, woman and child in early Texas just couldn't…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 65: Welcome to Progress City! (It’s around here somewhere…)
The late 19th century saw Texas industry expanding west. The railroads were laid and towns were springing up everywhere. That quintessential Texas opportunity…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 64: Texas and the Great War Part 3: Service to Country, Service to Texas
Over 5000 Texans served in World War One. Many returned to Texas and continued their service to their home State. Here are just a few stories of men who…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 63: Santa Claus is Coming to Town…and Robbing the Bank!
December 23, 1927 was a typical day in Cisco, Texas. People going about their Christmas shopping, ready for holiday time with family and friends. The kids even…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 62: Texas and the Great War, Part 2–Training Our Finest
Before they can fight, our soldiers must be trained. General Sherman decided that the dwindling U.S. Army would be consolidated into two garrisons, one being…
- Wise About Texas
BONUS EPISODE: A Tribute to President George H.W. Bush
A Tribute to our 41st President...a Texan.
- Wise About Texas
EP. 61: Texas and the Great War, Part 1-Unrest on the Border
The early 20th century brought chaos to the Texas/Mexico border. The Mexican revolution(s) created opportunities for raiders, bandits and criminals to run…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 60: Japanese Texas
In the early 20th century Japan sought to extend its relations around the world. Texas made imminent sense. A Japanese professor saw the Alamo as a perfect…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 59: The Texas Rangers-The First of Many Battles
In the first days of 1836 revolution was brewing in Texas. The battle of Gonzales had spawned the Texian conquest of La Bahia and Bexar. The Texians were sure…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 58: Burying the Hatchet in San Antonio
San Antonio was founded 300 years ago in 1718. From day one, the residents, priests and soldiers faced a constant and menacing threat from the Apache Indians…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 57: A BAT-ty idea to win WWII
Dr. Lytle Adams had bats in his belfry. He had visited Carlsbad cavern right before Pearl Harbor was attacked. He came up with a great idea for weapon(s) of…
- Wise About Texas
Ep 56: Texans You Should Know: Pamelia Mann
What is it about Texas women? Independent, smart, strong, spirited, they can do it all! Ask any Texas man and he'll tell you, the ladies run the show! But this…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 55: A Surly Bartender
Fredericksburg Texas has a very interesting history. Created during the massive German immigration to Texas in the middle 1800's, Fredericksburg was not…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 54: They’re Robbing the Treasury!
In June of 1865, Texas was in chaos. Robert E. Lee had just surrendered the Army of Northern of Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War. But without a…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 53: Texas Takes the Triple Crown
Bob Kleberg, Jr. had an eye for good horses. When he did something, he did it big. He also managed one of the largest and most storied ranches in Texas…
- Wise About Texas
Ep. 52: Basil Muse Hatfield, The First Admiral of the Trinity
The Trinity River flows from roughly Fort Worth to Trinity Bay in Chambers County. For several years boats navigated the river but never all the way. Several…
- Wise About Texas
EP. 51: The Schooner Flash, a Revolutionary Ship.
The Flash was a schooner built in Connecticut for a new enterprise in Texas. She came to Texas in possession of James Morgan to support his new endeavor, a…
- Wise About Texas
Episode 50: The Texas Rangers–The Beginning.
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…
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Episode 49: Jane Wilson’s Incredible Journey
In early 1853, Jane Wilson and her new husband James set out with 62 others to strike it rich in California. They never made it. After two months of traveling…