H.R. No. 582
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Wise County in North Central Texas has long been
    1-2  recognized as one of the state's most historic and scenic counties;
    1-3  and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Created from Cooke County in 1856, it was organized
    1-5  with Taylorsville, later renamed Decatur, as its county seat and
    1-6  was named for the Virginia statesman and U.S. Senator, Henry A.
    1-7  Wise, who favored the annexation of Texas; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Early settlers were faced with many hardships,
    1-9  including frequent Indian raids; perhaps the most famous incident
   1-10  involved Dot and Bianca Babb, who were captured by Indians after
   1-11  their mother was killed and kept captive for two years before being
   1-12  reunited with their father; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, A county with a colorful history, it is rumored to
   1-14  have been the site of the hideout of Frank and Jesse James, Cole
   1-15  Younger, and Belle Starr; notorious gangster Machine Gun Kelly also
   1-16  hid out in Wise County near Paradise; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, The Chisholm Trail passed through Wise County, as
   1-18  did the Butterfield Overland Mail Route, which extended from
   1-19  St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, across the country to
   1-20  San Francisco in what was probably the longest route of any system
   1-21  using horse-drawn conveyances in the history of the United States;
   1-22  and
   1-23        WHEREAS, Wise County's many historical landmarks attract
   1-24  thousands of visitors each year; popular attractions include the
    2-1  Waggoner Mansion, the Wise County Courthouse built in 1895, and the
    2-2  Wise County Heritage Museum, formerly the site of Decatur Junior
    2-3  College; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, The Old Settlers Reunion is a tradition started by
    2-5  Confederate veterans, old settlers, and Wise County pioneers in
    2-6  1881 that remains a popular annual event in Wise County today; and
    2-7        WHEREAS, Other popular events include Chisholm Trail Days in
    2-8  June, the Sheriff's Posse Rodeo, and the Butterfield Stage Days
    2-9  celebration; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, A leading dairy county, its agribusiness potential
   2-11  is based on the raising of cattle, poultry, horses, and sheep, and
   2-12  an abundance of crops; and
   2-13        WHEREAS, In addition, the county is a prime location for
   2-14  outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hunting, fishing, and water sports on
   2-15  Lake Bridgeport and Eagle Mountain Lake; and
   2-16        WHEREAS, It is indeed appropriate that Wise County and its
   2-17  fine citizens receive special recognition for their many
   2-18  contributions and accomplishments; now, therefore, be it
   2-19        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-20  Legislature hereby recognize April 12, 1995, as Wise County Day;
   2-21  and, be it further
   2-22        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-23  prepared for the fine people of Wise County in commemoration of
   2-24  this special occasion.