Columns
Beauford Jester only governer to die in office
Beauford Jester boarded the night train for Houston half an hour before midnight on Jul. 10, 1949. Before climbing into his Pullman berth, the governor left a wake-up call for 7:30 the next morning.
A punctual porter tried to wake the 56-year-old chief executive at the requested time without success. He delegated the delicate task to the conductor, whose more aggressive efforts had no effect on the apparent heavy sleeper. Not wanting to manhandle such a distinguished passenger, the ticket-taker...