84R26331 BPG-D
By: Cyrier H.R. No. 2420
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Gonzales County Historical Commission is
celebrating the dedication of an Official Texas Historical Marker
honoring notable 19th-century quarter horse breeder William
B. Fleming on May 9, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Born in Lumpkin County, Georgia, in 1830, Billy
Fleming arrived in Texas before he turned 20; he enlisted in the
Texas Ranger Mounted Volunteers and served on the frontier with
Company C before joining the Confederate Army; during the Civil
War, he was wounded a number of times and lost the full use of his
right arm and hand; and
WHEREAS, After the war ended, Mr. Fleming settled in Gonzales
County, and in 1871 he purchased land on the south bank of the
Guadalupe River in partnership with Charles Erasmus Littlefield; a
fine judge of horses, he bought a stallion that was in terrible
condition, having long been kept chained to a tree, and restored it
to health; he called him Old Billy, and the steed established a line
of quarter horses known as Billys, which were particularly popular
with cowboys, rodeo performers, and racing enthusiasts; and
WHEREAS, For decades, Mr. Fleming lived on his small ranch
between Seguin and Gonzales, where the vestiges of his log cabin can
still be seen; his skill as a breeder led to South Texas becoming
known as "land of the Billys"; when he finally grew too old to care
for his beloved horses, he sold them to a friend who lived near
Seguin and then moved to stay close to them until his passing on
April 30, 1911; and
WHEREAS, Today, Old Billy is regarded as a foundation sire of
the quarter horse, and the placement of a historical marker in
tribute to William Fleming will remind future generations of the
important role that this Gonzales County pioneer played in the
development of that legendary breed; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of the Official Texas
Historical Marker honoring William B. Fleming and extend sincere
appreciation to all those involved in the effort to secure this
award; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Gonzales County Historical Commission as an
expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.