Texas Characters
Texas has had its share of colorful characters. Click the links below
to learn about:
W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel
Pappy O'Daniel began his career as a flour salesman and host of a country-music
radio show before his popularity catapulted him to the Texas governorship
and the U.S. Senate in the 1930s and 1940s.
Emily West
Emily West was a free African-American servant who was kidnapped by Santa
Anna's army on April 16, 1836, and forced to accompany the Mexican army
to the Battle of San Jacinto. After the Mexican defeat, stories began
to circulate that Emily helped the Texan cause by keeping General Santa
Anna occupied in his tent while the Texans attacked. Though the story
has no basis in historical fact, it became a popular Texas myth and Emily
West eventually became known as "The Yellow Rose of Texas."
It is thought that she returned to her home in New York in 1837.
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