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October 31, 2009

STRINGER: An unsung Texas hero

By Dr. Tommy Stringer

An examination of the list of Texas heroes normally brings to mind names like Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, Jim Bowie, and William B. Travis. One man who is not normally included on the list is Thomas William Ward. Born in Ireland in 1807, Ward came to the United States in the late 1820s, settling in New Orleans. He arrived in Texas with a group of volunteers called the New Orleans Grays to help the Texans in their fight for independence from Mexico. In 1835 he was part of the siege of Bexar (San Antonio) under the command of Ben Milam. During the battle, Milam was killed and Ward lost his leg when hit by a cannonball. Legend has it that his leg was buried in the same grave as Milam’s body. For his service to Texas, Ward received land grants totaling 2,240 acres.

Following Texas independence, Ward settled in Houston where he was involved in the construction of a capitol building when that city was designated as the seat of government of the new Republic of Texas. However, Ward relocated to Austin when the capital was moved to that city in 1839. He served as chief clerk of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the Republic of Texas before being elected mayor of Austin in 1840.

The following year Ward was appointed commissioner of the General Land Office, a position he held for seven years. In that role Ward faced numerous challenges including conflicting survey claims, ambiguous land laws, fraud, and unscrupulous land speculators. But there was another calamity for Ward while in that capacity. During a celebration of San Jacinto Day in 1841, a cannon which he was loading misfired, taking off Ward’s right arm. He had literally given an arm and a leg to Texas.

Despite his physical handicaps, Ward continued his public life. In 1853 he was once again elected mayor of Austin but resigned early in his term to accept an appointment by United States President Franklin Pierce as consul to Panama. He returned to the United States four years later and was actively involved in the presidential election of 1860 as a strong opponent of Texas secession. His last public position was as customs collector in Corpus Christi from 1865 to 1869.

Despite his illustrious career, Ward’s life was marked by conflict. He displayed behavior that is often related to that experience by war veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. His short temper and tendency for impulsive violent behavior resulted in his wife leaving him, charging him with verbal, psychological, and physical abuse. Ward died in 1872 and is buried in the State Cemetery in Austin. Ward County in west Texas whose county seat is Monahans is named in his honor.

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Dr. Tommy Stringer is executive director of the Navarro College Foundation. His column appears on Sundays.

Click here to e-mail Dr. Tommy Stringer.

Click here to Soundoff on this column.

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