2006 04 00 Southwestern Historical Quarterly - Vol 109 No 3 - Kessell

Magazine Overview

This document is a review section from The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 109, Issue 3, published in January 2006 by the Texas State Historical Association. The reviews cover several historical and biographical works.

Book Reviews

Yellow Dogs and Republicans

This review, authored by L. Patrick Hughes, discusses a book that details the Democratic party apparatus and its use of various means to push a pro-business conservative agenda. The review highlights how blood feuds with liberals like Ralph Yarborough escalated ideological rifts within state ranks, leading to an irreconcilable breach. It also touches upon class changes in Texas, influenced by the New Deal and Fair Deal, which sped up political change at mid-century. As unionists, minorities, and the poor gained political influence, the Democratic party became less dominated by elitist conservatives, creating an opportunity for the Republican party. The review notes that while "presidential Republicanism" was the extent of partisan change during the Shivers era, his actions and the growth of an urban middle class accelerated the defection of traditional leaders to the Republican party in later years, aligning with figures like Eisenhower, Goldwater, and Reagan. The book is described as a worthy successor to previous works on Allan Shivers, offering a more complete picture of his role in the rise of Republican viability and dominance in Texas. The only disappointment noted is the limited coverage of Shivers's post-gubernatorial political activities.

UFOs over Galisteo and Other Stories of New Mexico's History

This review, by John L. Kessell, discusses Robert J. Tórrez's collection of thirty-seven brief essays. The book is divided into five parts: "Glimpses of Daily Life," "Indian Relations," "Crime and Punishment," "Territorial Topics," and "Biography." Tórrez aims to bring together "Voices From the Past," drawing from columns written since 1992 for the Santa Fe New Mexican. The review highlights Tórrez's predecessor as New Mexico State Historian, Dr. Myra Ellen Jenkins, who referred to Tórrez as "that young punk." The review notes that amidst the attention given to Billy the Kid, the many other people affected by the court term that convened on March 28, 1881, have been forgotten. Among the criminal indictments for murder, Territory vs. William Bonney (alias "Kid," alias William Antrim) was one of seven, demoting him to just another accused drifter. The book's bibliographic notes direct readers to sources in the Spanish, Mexican, and Territorial Archives of New Mexico, as well as newspapers and other materials. An appended "Glossary of Spanish Terms" is also mentioned. The review touches upon the ambivalent feelings New Mexicans have toward Texans today, contrasting it with Mexican Gov. Manuel Armijo's actions in 1841 when he had the Texas incursion members collared and marched to Mexico City. A sidelight mentioned is that the Mexican government struck medals to honor Armijo and his officers for their defense, but none of these medals are known today, leading Tórrez to question if families might still retain them unknowingly. The review acknowledges that much detail is missing from historical accounts, and Tórrez admits that some important details, final verdicts, maps, or subsequent chapters are fragmentary. A reported UFO in The Weekly New Mexican of March 29, 1880, described as a fish-shaped balloon, monstrous in size and rumored to be Chinese, is suggested to have been a hoax. Tórrez concludes that "documentary voices do not tell us everything."

S. Seymour Thomas, 1868-1956: A Texas Genius Rediscovered

This review, by John L. Kessell, focuses on Cecilia Steinfeldt's biography of painter Stephen Seymour Thomas. Steinfeldt, an art historian, has a distinguished career in discovering and rediscovering important art and artists associated with Texas. The biography is described as a valuable addition to scholarship and an essential study for American art historians and Texas art enthusiasts. The review highlights that Thomas's story contributes to American art history of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by detailing how this Texas-born artist built a substantial career and achieved international recognition. Steinfeldt's work, based on primary materials, presents a seamless story of a successful artist and a sensitive, industrious man. The author also incorporates the early cultural history of Texas, describing the limited opportunities and challenges faced by aspiring artists of that era. Although Thomas spent his adult life in Europe and California, his work is seen as a significant contribution.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The reviewed works collectively focus on Texas and New Mexico history, politics, and art. The reviews highlight the importance of detailed historical research and the ongoing effort to uncover and present a more complete picture of past events and individuals. The editorial stance, as reflected in the selection of these reviews, appears to be one that values scholarly contributions to understanding regional history and culture, including both well-known figures and lesser-known aspects of the past. There is an acknowledgment of the fragmented nature of historical records and the ongoing process of interpretation and discovery.