Dan Moody

Timeline

January 17, 1927 -
January 20, 1931

Born: June 1, 1893 Taylor, Williamson County, Texas

Early Career: Moody attended the University of Texas from 1910 to 1914, although he did not graduate. Moody passed the bar and began practicing law in Taylor prior to World War I. He joined the Texas National Guard during the war. After being elected Williamson County attorney in 1920, Moody became district attorney two years later. He worked against the Ku Klux Klan, becoming known statewide, and was elected attorney general in 1924 at the age of thirty-one. In 1926 Moody ran for governor, blaming Governor Miriam Ferguson and her husband for the corruption and inefficiency in state government.

Accomplishments: Moody became the youngest governor and the first to hold an outdoor inaugural ceremony when he took office in January 1927. During his terms in office he sought reform of the judiciary, taxation, and the prison system; improvements in the highway system and education; and development of a uniform accounting system and creation of a state civil service system. The legislature passed only about half of Moody's proposals: funding for education was increased, taxes were reduced, the highway system was expanded, and the administration of the prison system was changed superficially.

Later years: After retiring from the governor's office, Moody practiced law in Austin. He ran for the Senate in 1942, but was defeated. Moody died on May 22, 1966 and was buried in the state cemetery in Austin.

Handbook of Texas article

First talking pictures

Charles Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic

Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin

Jun 26-29 1928
Democratic National Convention held in Houston; first party convention held in the South since 1860

Walt Disney introduces Mickey Mouse

Babe Ruth hits 60 home runs

Feb 17 1929
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) founded in Corpus Christi

Average annual income less than $2000

Over 15 million Model Ts on the road

Oct 15 1929
Ruby Red grapefruit developed

Wall Street crash

May 6 1930
At least 29 tornadoes hit Texas, killing 82

Sep 5 1930
Discovery of huge oil field in East Texas

Bobby Jones wins "Grand Slam" of golf

1300 bank failures in 1930

More images

Letter on Moody's "dry" stance at the 1928 Democratic Convention

Statement from famed Texas Ranger Frank Hamer on the Sherman Riot

Ross S. Sterling

Timeline

January 20, 1931 -
January 17, 1933

Born: February 11, 1875 in Anahuac, Chambers County, Texas

Early Career: Sterling grew up on a farm and, after little formal education, began working as a clerk at the age of twelve. At the age of 21 he started his own merchandising business, and in 1911 he organized the Humble Oil Company. In addition to oil, Sterling was also involved in a railroad, a newspaper, banking, and real estate in the Houston area, and was an active member of the Houston Port Commission. He served as chair of the Highway Commission under Governor Dan Moody.

Accomplishments: Sterling defeated former governor Miriam Ferguson and several other candidates in the 1930 race for governor. When Sterling took office, the worst effects of the Depression were beginning to appear in the state. Appropriations exceeded revenues, and Sterling had to veto funding for education and other programs. During Sterling's term in office, the East Texas oil fields experienced rapid and uncontrolled development. The Railroad Commission attempted proration, but the courts struck the plan down. Because of the chaotic situation, Sterling declared martial law in four counties for six months. National Guard troops were sent to the oil fields to limit waste and control production. This action was later declared unwarranted by the federal district court and the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Railroad Commission's plan for proration was accepted. Cotton prices also suffered during Sterling's term in office.

Later years: Governor Sterling was defeated by Miriam Ferguson in his attempt at reelection in 1932. He was a very successful oil man and philanthropist. Ross Sterling died on March 25, 1949.

Handbook of Texas article

4 to 5 million unemployed

Carmichael's "Georgia on My Mind"

"Scottsboro Boys" case becomes cause celebre

Jun 23 1931
Wiley Post begins flight around the world

Marx Brothers' Monkey Business

July 1931
Oklahoma sends National Guard troops to Texas border in dispute over a bridge on the Red River

Japanese occupy Manchuria

Comic strip "Dick Tracy" debuts

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia founded

Oct 25 1931
First Texas prison rodeo

Dec 13 1931
Huge Conroe oil and gas field discovered

350,000 unemployed in Texas

"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime"

Lindbergh baby kidnapped

Amelia Earhart becomes first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic

5000 banks fail

13 million Americans unemployed; wages down by 60 percent

Photo of Governor Sterling

Telegram from Huey Long on the cotton crisis

Telegram on East Texas oil crisis

Miriam A. Ferguson

Timeline

January 17, 1933 -
January 15, 1935

Miriam Amanda Ferguson had previously served one term as governor. She ran for governor twice in the interim; in 1926 she was defeated in the primary by Dan Moody, and in 1930 she was defeated in the run-off primary by Ross Sterling.

In 1932, promising to reduce taxes, Ferguson defeated Governor Ross Sterling in the run-off primary and the Republican candidate in the general election. Her proposal for a corporate income tax failed in the legislature, but her practice of granting liberal pardons continued.

Later years: Ferguson remained in political semi-retirement until 1940 when she attempted to unseat Governor Lee O'Daniel. She was widowed in 1944, and died in 1961.

Handbook of Texas article

Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany

Franklin Roosevelt introduces New Deal

Jul 28 1933
Cotton acreage reduction program begins

2000 rural schools do not open for fall semester; 2.3 million children not in school

NRA Blue Eagle: "We Do Our Part"

Dust storms begin

Benny Goodman organizes orchestra, becomes "King of Swing"

Shirley Temple sings "On the Good Ship Lollipop"

May 24 1934
Bonnie and Clyde killed by lawmen

Offer from a citizen to help track down
Bonnie and Clyde

Letter from Harry Hopkins on
New Deal federal relief