H.R. No. 908
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, On May 2, 2009, current and former residents of the
Doans community in Wilbarger County are gathering for the 126th
annual Doan's May Day Picnic in Vernon; and
WHEREAS, Considered the oldest ongoing historical
celebration in Texas, the event traces its history back to a simple
picnic on May 1, 1884, which was enjoyed by a half-dozen people in a
grove of trees near the Red River; and
WHEREAS, Starting a tradition that continues today, a queen
was crowned at the 1911 festivities, which included carnivals,
rodeos, airplane rides, barbecues, storytelling by early settlers,
and political speeches; stores closed so that employees could
attend, and later it became a two-day affair with Sunday morning
services; more than a century later, the highlight of this event
remains the coronation of a king and queen, and selected for this
honor in 2009 are King Jayton Gray, from the House of Stringer, and
Queen Morgan Ashley, from the House of Garrard; and
WHEREAS, The first settlers in Wilbarger County were members
of the Doan family who arrived in 1878 and established a trading
post known as Doan's Store at a Red River crossing on the Great
Western Trail; the original adobe building, owned by Corwin Doan,
was renovated by the Wilbarger Historical Commission and is the
oldest structure in the county; and
WHEREAS, Nicknamed "the jumping off place" by trail drivers,
Doan's Crossing thrived as the last chance to buy supplies before
travelers entered Indian territory; the modest settlement grew to
include supply stores, a post office, a two-story hotel, a saloon, a
drug store, a wagon yard, a blacksmith, a restaurant, a school, a
chapel, and several homes; and
WHEREAS, Jonathan and Corwin Doan and their families were
Quakers who enhanced community relations by befriending local
Indians, learning their language, and establishing lifelong
friendships; Corwin Doan was appointed Indian agent and hosted
visits by Quanah Parker and other famous chiefs and their tribes;
and
WHEREAS, The Indians would trade only with the Doan family,
who also counted among their regular customers the trail drivers
who herded six million cattle past the trading post during the last
two decades of the century; in 1931, a granite monument was placed
near Doan's Store in honor of those courageous trail drivers; and
WHEREAS, The people of Doans take justifiable pride in their
community and the immeasurable contributions its citizens have made
to the rich history and culture of the Lone Star State, and it is
indeed fitting that they be acknowledged at this time; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 126th Doan's May Day Picnic and
extend to all celebrants best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable
event.
Hardcastle
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 908 was adopted by the House on March
26, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House