Texas Is Preserved

For a while it appeared as though the old engine would go to the scrap heap. In 1907, a campaign began that was to save the Texas. On August 3, 1907, the Atlanta Georgian ran a story on the front page under a bold headline that read: "Shall This Be The Fate of the Gallant Old Texas?" The writer put it bluntly when he wrote: "It was the Texas that ran down the General and the Texas was manned by good Georgians too! Conductor William A. Fuller, who died in Atlanta two years ago, was in charge that day, and Anthony Murphy, Peter Bracken, Henry Haney, Fleming Cox, and Alonzo Martin were the men who stood by him. Should the vanquished be crowned with laurels while the victor is torn to pieces and cast aside? Place her upon a stone base in some prominent spot. The Capitol ground would be perhaps the best place, for the engine means something to all Georgians."

With this article, the Georgian began a campaign to raise funds by individual subscription from its readers for the purpose of buying the Texas and arranging for her display. Subsequently, then President John W. Thomas of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway, indicated that he would be willing to present the Texas to the State of Georgia. Three more years lapsed, and the Texas continued to deteriorate in the Western & Atlantic RR yards in Atlanta.

Atlanta, Georgia, 1909

In August, 1910, the Western & Atlantic Railroad Committee of the House of Representative of the Georgia General Assembly became interested and initiated some action. A Resolution in "relation to the preservation of the State's engine Texas" was passed by both houses of the General Assembly. Note here that the General Assembly felt that the Texas was then owned by the State of Georgia. The Resolution was approved by Governor Joseph M. Brown on August 9, 1910. (Joseph M. Brown was a son of Joseph E. Brown. Governor of Georgia during the Civil War period and who had sent the Texas north to Virginia in 1863.) It was resolved, by the Senate and the House of Representatives, "that the Governor of the State take such steps as may be necessary to preserve the Texas and have such repairs made as will prevent its decay." A joint committee was also appointed to report to the next General Assembly "A proper place for keeping on exhibition of both the Texas and the General and for the preservation of the same."

In spite of this action by the General Assembly, nothing was done immediately. This was a period when a sort of unfriendly attitude existed between the State government and the railroads. Neither was willing to take the lead and do something about the Texas. Again, the Atlanta newspapers came to the rescue. Wilbur G. Kurtz wrote several articles for the Atlanta Constitution advocating preservation of the Texas. In the spring of 1911, the city of Atlanta, through its mayor, Courtland S. Winn, let it be known that the city was interested in preserving the Texas, at least until the State could take final action. Governor Joseph M. Brown confirmed this action in a letter to Mayor Winn on April 12, 1911. The Governor ordered "that the engine known as Texas be turned over to the authorities of the said City of Atlanta to be by them temporarily protected and housed until final disposition is made of the same by the General Assembly." By letter dated May 13, 1911, Mayor Winn acknowledged this order and took charge of the Texas and gave his official receipt for same.