By Williamson H.R. No. 582 74R10485 NBM-F 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.