By Chisum H.R. No. 622 75R11864 JHS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to 1-2 welcome the descendants of Charles B. and John V. Farwell as they 1-3 visit the Capitol Complex on April 16, 1997, to view the XIT Ranch 1-4 exhibit; and 1-5 WHEREAS, This significant display chronicles one of the more 1-6 intriguing stories in the history of the Lone Star State, the 1882 1-7 transfer of three million acres of state land holdings to an 1-8 investment firm headed by Chicago's Farwell brothers in exchange 1-9 for the construction of a new Capitol building; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The seeds of this agreement, which set aside the 1-11 huge expanse of untamed Panhandle territory for sale or trade, were 1-12 planted in the Texas Constitution of 1875; when the former Capitol 1-13 was destroyed by fire on November 9, 1881, an offer was extended to 1-14 a number of investment firms across the country and was eventually 1-15 accepted by the Farwells' syndicate in 1882; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The Capitol was completed on April 20, 1888, and the 1-17 result was a monument truly worthy of the citizens of the Union's 1-18 largest state; during the six years of construction, the investment 1-19 group introduced cattle to its newly fenced property and, in the 1-20 process, created the largest fenced cattle ranch in the world, 1-21 christened the "XIT Ranch"; and 1-22 WHEREAS, This transaction resulted in the construction of one 1-23 of the world's most striking buildings and also helped bring law 1-24 and order to the Texas Panhandle; in 1963, the last of the XIT 2-1 lands were sold, ending nearly 80 years of ownership by the 2-2 "Capitol Syndicate"; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Among the descendants of these gentlemen in 2-4 attendance today are Reginald de Koven Hudson and his wife, Joan 2-5 Hudson, Lucia Winston Heyworth, Vaughan C. Spalding, and Kathleen 2-6 Spalding; other relations who have already visited the exhibit 2-7 include William Montague Ferry, Nancy Ferry Hinds, and Deborah 2-8 Smith Haight and her husband, John McV. Haight, Jr.; and 2-9 WHEREAS, By helping to commemorate the XIT Ranch exhibit, the 2-10 descendants of Charles B. and John V. Farwell have further 2-11 preserved the legacy of both their forebears and the Lone Star 2-12 State, and this act of historical recognition adds yet another 2-13 interesting chapter to the saga of this land we call Texas; now, 2-14 therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-16 Legislature hereby welcome the descendants of Charles B. and John 2-17 V. Farwell to the State Capitol and extend to them warmest best 2-18 wishes for continued happiness in the future; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-20 prepared for these individuals as an expression of high regard by 2-21 the Texas House of Representatives.