DRT chapter toasts Texas independence with sweet tea

Members of Gonzales Chapter Daughters of the Republic of Texas served sweet tea for a toast to Texas independence at Texas Heroes Square on Sunday, March 2, Texas Independence Day.

As this is the bicentennial year of the founding of DeWitt’s Colony, a brief history was given of the role DeWitt colonists played in the events leading up to the convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos that declared “that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, Sovereign, and independent republic….”

From the first settlers arriving in 1825 to the “Come & Take It” challenge to participation in the Battle of Gonzales and the Siege of Bexar, local men cast their lot with freedom.

The ultimate price was paid by the Immortal 32 and the other nine men from Gonzales who died in the Alamo. Matthew Caldwell and John Fisher from Gonzales and Elijah Stapp from Jackson signed the Texas Declaration of Texas Independence, making the final break from Mexico.

After the toast, families were invited to celebrate on the grounds playing games that would have been enjoyed during the Republic years: sack races, jump rope, games of grace, shut the box, marbles, spinning tops, Jacob’s ladder, jacks, and cup and ball.

Gonzales chapter members Kristi Coale, Kathleen Ehrig, Gloria Elder, Marge Kacir, Jan Lindemann, Mary Ann Menning, Melanie Petru, Lynette Schlenker, and Amy Schoenfeldt were assisted by Amy’s children and granddaughter with the games. Mark Ainsworth, Gonzales Chapter #29 Sons of the Republic of Texas, read the final stirring words of the declaration.

The City of Gonzales has held this celebration for several years. Mayor Steve Sucher and Chamber tourism coordinator Lexi Kridler were instrumental in its planning and implementation. TexitCoin, a new member of the Chamber of Commerce, sponsored a large Texas flag made of balloons.