Of Cabbages and Kings
by BOB BARTON
My admiration for Marilyn Beals and her stewardship of the Claiborne Kyle Log House’s operation over the past 20 years knows no bounds. She and earlier members of the Hays County Historical Commission have guided and supervised its many activities since a group of us purchased the property on the Blanco River at the edge of Kyle back in the 1970s and wisely worked out a deal to deed the unique cabin to the county if they would appoint the County Historical group as its caretakers.
The late Emmett McCoy stepped in and took on the cost of extensive – and expensive – repairs and upkeeps and made it into an authentic historical attraction. We wisely insisted that a cooperative arrangement be worked out between San Marcos and Kyle area preservations. Marilyn, and, of course, her helpmate Duane, have been the latest of the wonderful leadership team who has been exhibited by a whole host of folks who are no longer with us.
It is a fine example of countywide leadership and the county Commissioners Court then and now has honored that arrangement to the betterment of our entire populace. It’s a success story that probably needs to be emulated in other joint cooperative endeavors between area communities.
•••
Kudos to our Hays Free Press staff for the extensive, fair and detailed survey of attitudes regarding the recent controversy involving the history of Hays High School’s identity with the Civil War battle flag used by some Confederate troops.
Many newcomers don’t realize that this was the rebirth of a controversy that has been at the forefront on a number of past occasions. Prior controversies resulted in the correct removal of the Civil War flag from uniforms and the barring of its display at school events.
After all, Jack Hays never fought for the Confederacy. He was a brave and daring member of the elite Texas Rangers when they won acclaim for fighting for the United States in the Mexican War. During the Civil War, Hays was in California and the only uniform he wore there was of the U.S. Army.
My family roots in this part of the county are deep and like many, then and now, are conflicted.
Gilbreath Barton, my youngest son’s namesake, was blown to bits by Union cannon fire in a senseless charge against Union gunboats in the Red River campaign. The general who led the charge had his head blown off and was buried in the state cemetery in Austin with great pomp and ceremony. My relative’s body, a Cavalry private, washed downstream.
On the other hand, my Onion Creek great-grandfather refused to serve the Confederacy and was one of a thousand or so Texans who went to Mexico and there joined the Union Cavalry. He fought for the country that he, like Sam Houston and many old Texicans, owed his loyalty.
I think the Hays CISD school officials were right back when they banned the display of the Rebel flag at school events. It had nothing to do with Jack Hays and was never used by Texas troops in the Civil War. It became the badge displayed by some of the worst racists in our country, even though its earlier history was honorable.
If some folks are attached to the old Virginia battle flag and want to attach it to their clothing or vehicles, it is okay with me. But I don’t want it as a school symbol.
When it comes to the playing of “Dixie” as a fight song, it passes my personal muster. Abe Lincoln looked on it as a unifier and not as a divider when he asked the White House band to play it the night the Civil War was over. Its words are antiquated, but as relevant as many that blanket the current electronic media.
The racist actions of a few foolish students should be dealt with firmly and resolutely and not tolerated under any circumstances, but we don’t need to throw the baby out with the bath water.
