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Full-Text Articles in History

The 1930s: The Decade That Changed Tyler., Vicki Betts Mar 2022

The 1930s: The Decade That Changed Tyler., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

A photographic look at Tyler and the changes brought about by the East Texas Oil Boom.


Photos From Our Past: James R. Adams, Vicki Betts Jan 2021

Photos From Our Past: James R. Adams, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Photo, advertisement, and history of the James R. Adams Hardware Store on West Erwin, Tyler, Texas. Published inChronicles of Smith County, Texas (2021).


Programme Of The Second Annual Commencement, Tyler Colored High School, Tyler, Texas, May 31, 1895, Vicki Betts Jan 2021

Programme Of The Second Annual Commencement, Tyler Colored High School, Tyler, Texas, May 31, 1895, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Image of the programme of the Second Annual Commencement, Tyler Colored High School, May 31, 1895 with a brief history of early public African-American schools and Black life in Tyler in 1895. In the Chronicles of Smith County, TX, edited by Vicki Betts.


100 Years Ago In The Tyler Daily Courier-Times, Vicki Betts Jan 2021

100 Years Ago In The Tyler Daily Courier-Times, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Chronology of significant events appearing in the Tyler Daily Courier-Times in 1921, in the Chronicles of Smith County, Texas (2021)


Personal Experiences Of Lindsey Zollars During The Civil War, Vicki Betts Jan 2021

Personal Experiences Of Lindsey Zollars During The Civil War, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Reminiscences of Lindsey Zollars,106th Illinois Cavalry, of his capture at Marks’ Mills, Arkansas and imprisonment at Camp Ford near Tyler, Texas during the Civil War. Chronicles of Smith County (2021), edited by Vicki Betts and Randal B. Gilbert.


1861 Minutes Of The Commissioners Court, Vicki Betts Jan 2021

1861 Minutes Of The Commissioners Court, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Transcription of the minutes of the 1861 Smith County Commissioners Court, including lists of jurors, road crews, slave patrols, and the appointment of men to take a firearms census in Smith County. In Chronicles of Smith County, Texas (2021), edited by Vicki Betts.


For The Citizens Of East Texas: The Desegregation Of Tyler State Park, Vicki Betts Jan 2021

For The Citizens Of East Texas: The Desegregation Of Tyler State Park, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

When Tyler State Park was established in 1934, it was for Whites only. After years of protest including a court case, Register v. Sandifer (1949), only one side of the lake was provided for African-Americans. It took the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to open all of the park to all visitors.


Escape From Camp Ford!, Vicki Betts Sep 2020

Escape From Camp Ford!, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Accounts by federal prisoners of war who tried to escape from Camp Ford, Texas, 1863-1865.


Benjamin Goss And Universe Community, Vicki Betts Jan 2020

Benjamin Goss And Universe Community, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Biography of Benjamin Goss, the leader of an African American freedom colony east of Tyler, Texas.


Smith County Colored Teachers’ Institute, 1920, Vicki Betts Jan 2020

Smith County Colored Teachers’ Institute, 1920, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

A look at early schools for African Americans in Smith County, Texas, with a reprint of the minutes and roster of the 1920 Smith County Colored Teachers’ Institute.


Universe Cemetery, Vicki Betts Jan 2020

Universe Cemetery, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

History of Universe Cemetery, an African American site in Smith County, Texas, and the research that lead to its Texas Historic Cemetery designation.


Women Suffragists Of Smith County, Vicki Betts Jan 2019

Women Suffragists Of Smith County, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

History of the woman’s suffrage movement in Smith County including the contributions of Mary Louise McKellar Herndon, Elizabeth Herndon Potter, and Birdie Robertson Johnson.


"To 'Spill Their Hearts Blood In The Good Cause Of Releasing The Yankees': The Plot To Free The Prisoners At Camp Ford." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 46 (2015): 12-18., Vicki Betts Jan 2015

"To 'Spill Their Hearts Blood In The Good Cause Of Releasing The Yankees': The Plot To Free The Prisoners At Camp Ford." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 46 (2015): 12-18., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

In November, 1863, Northern deserter Joseph K. Davisson discovered a plot to free the federal prisoners at Camp Ford near Tyler, Texas. The plot was headed by former Texas state representative George W. Whitmore and his family, to be assisted by a loosely organized network of East Texas Unionists. Prison commander Col. R. T. P. Allen sent two undercover operatives to the Whitmore home in southeast Smith County where they confirmed the plan and then tricked the men into falling into a Confederate trap where they were captured.


“’So Far From All We Love’: Letters From The Lobdell Family, Civil War Refugees From West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.” Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 46 (2015): 37-45., Vicki Betts Jan 2015

“’So Far From All We Love’: Letters From The Lobdell Family, Civil War Refugees From West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.” Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 46 (2015): 37-45., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Five letters from the John Little Lobdell family, who had refugeed with their slaves first to the Natchitoches, Louisiana, area and finally to Canton (Omen) in southeast Smith County, Texas, in very late 1863. These letters describe the area and property, the sale of slave families, visitors, the end of the war, and negotiations with the freedpeople over labor contracts and transportation back to Louisiana.


"Smith County Socialists, 1900-1918." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 45 (2014): 1-18., Vicki Betts Jan 2014

"Smith County Socialists, 1900-1918." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 45 (2014): 1-18., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

A study of socialists in Smith County, Texas, between 1900 and 1918.


"Civilian Reaction To The Red River Campaign, 1864, Natchitoches To Mansfield, Louisiana." Military History Of The West 34 (2004): 29-50., Vicki Betts Jan 2004

"Civilian Reaction To The Red River Campaign, 1864, Natchitoches To Mansfield, Louisiana." Military History Of The West 34 (2004): 29-50., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

This articles examines the impact of the Red River Campaign on civilians between Natchitoches and Mansfield, Louisiana, during the spring of 1864.


"'Dear Husband': The Civil War Letters Of Sophronia Joiner Chipman, Kankakee County, Illinois, 1863-1865." Military History Of The West 29 No. 2 (Fall 1999): 149-199., Vicki Betts Oct 1999

"'Dear Husband': The Civil War Letters Of Sophronia Joiner Chipman, Kankakee County, Illinois, 1863-1865." Military History Of The West 29 No. 2 (Fall 1999): 149-199., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

The letters of Sophronia Chipman to her husband in the 76th Illinois Infantry describe her life in rural Kankakee County during the second half of the Civil War. In them she discusses her concerns for her husband's health, the care of her family, neighbors, the draft, and the near loss of the family farm.


"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: The Texas Methodist Newspapers, 1874-1877.", Vicki Betts Jul 1999

"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: The Texas Methodist Newspapers, 1874-1877.", Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Articles gleaned from the Texas Christian Advocate, a Methodist newspaper, which deal with Tyler and Smith County, Texas, 1874-1877.


"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: The Texas Methodist Newspapers, 1878-1879." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 38 No. 2 (Winter 1999): 19-29., Vicki Betts Jan 1999

"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: The Texas Methodist Newspapers, 1878-1879." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 38 No. 2 (Winter 1999): 19-29., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Articles from the Texas Christian Advocate, a Methodist newspaper, 1878-1879, concerning Tyler and Smith County, Texas.


"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: The Texas Methodist Newspapers, 1872-1873." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 37 No. 2 (Winter 1998): 16-25., Vicki Betts Jan 1998

"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: The Texas Methodist Newspapers, 1872-1873." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 37 No. 2 (Winter 1998): 16-25., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Articles from the Texas Christian Advocate, a Methodist newspaper, 1872-1873, concerning Tyler and Smith County, Texas.


"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: The Texas Methodist Newspapers, 1851-1859." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 36 No. 1 (Summer 1997): 16-25., Vicki Betts Jul 1997

"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: The Texas Methodist Newspapers, 1851-1859." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 36 No. 1 (Summer 1997): 16-25., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Articles from the Texas Wesleyan Banner and Texas Christian Advocate, both Methodist newspapers, from the years 1851-1859, that deal with Tyler and Smith County, Texas.


"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Judiciary, Government." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 35 No. 1 (Summer 1996): 9-14., Vicki Betts Jul 1996

"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Judiciary, Government." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 35 No. 1 (Summer 1996): 9-14., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

No abstract provided.


"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Miscellaneous." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 35 No. 2 (Winter 1996): 18-24, Vicki Betts Jan 1996

"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Miscellaneous." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 35 No. 2 (Winter 1996): 18-24, Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Newspaper articles about miscellaneous activities in Tyler and Smith County, Texas, during the Civil War and Reconstruction, gleaned from regional papers.


"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Military Reconstruction." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 34 No. 1 (Summer 1995): 31-37., Vicki Betts Jul 1995

"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Military Reconstruction." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 34 No. 1 (Summer 1995): 31-37., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

No abstract provided.


"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Civil War Military." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 34 No. 2 (Winter 1995): 9-20., Vicki Betts Jan 1995

"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Civil War Military." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 34 No. 2 (Winter 1995): 9-20., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

No abstract provided.


"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Business & Communications; Marriages & Deaths." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 32 No. 1 (Summer 1993): 24-36., Vicki Betts Jul 1993

"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Business & Communications; Marriages & Deaths." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 32 No. 1 (Summer 1993): 24-36., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Articles gleaned from regional newspapers concerning businesses, communications, marriages, and deaths in Tyler and Smith County, Texas, 1860-1875.


"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Newspapers." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 31 No. 1 (Summer 1992): 36-44., Vicki Betts Jul 1992

"Newspaper Notes, A Continuation: Newspapers." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 31 No. 1 (Summer 1992): 36-44., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Articles gleaned from regional newspapers concerning newspapers in Tyler and Smith County, Texas, 1860-1875.


"Early Lindale Businesses." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 31 No. 1 (Summer 1992): 25, 31, 35., Vicki Betts Jul 1992

"Early Lindale Businesses." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 31 No. 1 (Summer 1992): 25, 31, 35., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

A listing of businesses in Lindale, Texas, as rated by the Mercantile Agency Reference Book, 1880-1897.


"Marvin United Methodist Church, 1846-1900." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 31 No. 2 (Winter 1992): 1-15., Vicki Betts Jan 1992

"Marvin United Methodist Church, 1846-1900." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 31 No. 2 (Winter 1992): 1-15., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

A history of Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas, from its founding to 1900.


"The Horace Chilton Memoirs, Part I." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 30 No. 1 (Summer 1991): 1-19., Vicki Betts Jul 1991

"The Horace Chilton Memoirs, Part I." Chronicles Of Smith County, Texas 30 No. 1 (Summer 1991): 1-19., Vicki Betts

Presentations and Publications

Senator Horace Chilton's memoirs of growing up in Tyler, Texas, during secession, Civil War and Reconstruction, including an account of the emancipation of the family's slaves. His father, George Chilton, belonged to the Knights of the Golden Circle, was a delegate to the Secession Convention, and served in the Third Texas Cavalry, then as ordnance officer under Gen. Bee. He was elected to Congress after the war but was denied his seat.