Beaumont to Honor Big Bopper with Historical Marker

Memorializing Chantilly Lace at Forest Lawn

BEAUMONT - Nearly 48 years after his death in rock 'n' roll's first major tragedy, pop star J.P. Richardson - known better as The Big Bopper - will have something more than a headstone to mark his place in Beaumont's history.

Next week, the day before a Port Arthur concert pays tribute to the Beaumont radio deejay who struck gold with the 1959 hit, "Chantilly Lace," a historical marker will be installed at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

But the plaque won't be at Richardson's grave. It will be erected nearby at a specially chosen site where the remains of The Bopper (and possibly his widow Teetsie) will be moved later.

Richardson was only 28 on the snowy night in Clear Lake, Iowa, when a small plane carrying The Bopper, and rockers Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens crashed minutes after take-off. The Feb. 3, 1959, tragedy was later immortalized by singer Don McLean as "the day the music died" in his pop dirge "American Pie."

Read full story in the Beaumont Enterprise

Texas Ranger James Elijah Keese Honored in Bandera

Remembering an Early Texas Ranger: James Elijah Keese 1832-1896

Although his body has been buried for nine decades, the memory of James Elijah Keese was resurrected last week. More than 200 descendants and friends gathered for a dedication ceremony honoring his duties as a Texas Ranger.

Born in 1832 in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Keese was one of six children to Thomas Jefferson and Eleanor Campbell Keese. The family found its way to the Republic of Texas in 1842.

Keese joined the Texas Rangers in 1851, at the age of 18. He was stationed at Fort Merrill in Nueces County. In 1864, he and two brothers, Oliver H.P. and Thomas Harrison, joined the 2nd Frontier District of Brown County as Confederate soldiers. Their company's duties entailed protecting the settlements from Indians and Union forces.

With his wife, Eleanor Lavina Lewis, Keese moved to Bandera County in December of 1871. Together, they raised 10 children - some of whom remained in the county
to raise their own families.

Read full article from the Bandera Bulletin

Sam Houston: Three Wives and a Mistress Called Texas

Sam Houston's Personal Life Lives up to the Tall Texan

Who was the most intriguing person in Texas history? No one can discount Sam Houston's positions of great power and prestige, but one might argue that even with all of Houston's political success and drama, his personal life is the most intriguing.

After all, Houston didn't have just one wife or two, but three wives.

His first marriage, to a gorgeous blonde half his age, ended quickly and mysteriously. While people from that day to the present have speculated on what happened, it will probably always remain an enigma.

After the disastrous first marriage, Houston escaped the questions by fleeing to Indian country. Here, he took a second wife, Diana Rogers, but she could not hold the Tall Texan, when that most alluring of all mistresses, Texas, began to call his name.

Read full story in the Beaumont Journal, May 31, 2006