1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 517 1-3 WHEREAS, The Texas Senate is proud to welcome the descendants 1-4 of Charles B. and John V. Farwell as they visit the Capitol Complex 1-5 on April 16, 1997, to view the XIT Ranch exhibit; and 1-6 WHEREAS, This significant display chronicles one of the 1-7 more intriguing stories in the history of the Lone Star State, 1-8 the 1882 transfer of three million acres of state land holdings 1-9 to an investment firm headed by Chicago's Farwell brothers in 1-10 exchange for the construction of a new Capitol building; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The seeds of this agreement, which set aside the 1-12 huge expanse of untamed Panhandle territory for sale or trade, 1-13 were planted in the Texas Constitution of 1875; when the former 1-14 Capitol was destroyed by fire on November 9, 1881, an offer was 1-15 extended to a number of investment firms across the country and 1-16 was eventually accepted by the Farwells' syndicate in 1882; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The Capitol was completed on April 20, 1888, and the 1-18 result was a monument truly worthy of the citizens of the Union's 1-19 largest state; during the six years of construction, the investment 1-20 group introduced cattle to its newly fenced property and, in the 1-21 process, created the largest fenced cattle ranch in the world, 1-22 christened the "XIT Ranch"; and 1-23 WHEREAS, This transaction resulted in the construction of 2-1 one of the world's most striking buildings and also helped bring 2-2 law and order to the Texas Panhandle; in 1963, the last of the XIT 2-3 lands were sold, ending nearly 80 years of ownership by the 2-4 "Capitol Syndicate"; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Among the descendants of these gentlemen in 2-6 attendance today are Reginald de Koven Hudson and his wife, 2-7 Joan Hudson, Lucia Winston Heyworth, Vaughan C. Spalding, and 2-8 Kathleen Spalding; other relations who have already visited the 2-9 exhibit include William Montague Ferry, Nancy Ferry Hinds, and 2-10 Deborah Smith Haight and her husband, John McV. Haight, Jr.; and 2-11 WHEREAS, By helping to commemorate the XIT Ranch exhibit, 2-12 the descendants of Charles B. and John V. Farwell have further 2-13 preserved the legacy of both their forebears and the Lone Star 2-14 State, and this act of historical recognition adds yet another 2-15 interesting chapter to the saga of this land we call Texas; now, 2-16 therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-18 75th Legislature, hereby welcome the descendants of Charles B. 2-19 and John V. Farwell to the State Capitol and extend to them 2-20 warmest best wishes for continued happiness in the future; and, 2-21 be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared 2-23 for these individuals as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-24 Senate. 2-25 Bivins 3-1 ______________________________________ 3-2 President of the Senate 3-3 I hereby certify that the above 3-4 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-5 on April 16, 1997. 3-6 ______________________________________ 3-7 Secretary of the Senate 3-8 ______________________________________ 3-9 Member, Texas Senate