R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On May 5, 2001, current and former residents of the
 1-2     Doans community in Wilbarger County will gather for the 118th
 1-3     annual Doans May Day Picnic in Vernon; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Considered the oldest ongoing historical celebration
 1-5     in Texas, the event traces its history back to a simple picnic on
 1-6     May 1, 1884, which was enjoyed by a half-dozen people in a grove of
 1-7     trees near the Red River; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Starting a tradition that continues today, a queen
 1-9     was crowned at the 1911 festivities, which included carnivals,
1-10     rodeos, airplane rides, barbecues,  storytelling by early settlers,
1-11     and political speeches; stores closed so that employees could
1-12     attend, and later it became a two-day affair with Sunday morning
1-13     services; more than a century later, the highlight of this event
1-14     remains the coronation of a king and queen, followed by a barbecue
1-15     dinner; and
1-16           WHEREAS, The first settlers in Wilbarger County were members
1-17     of the Doan family who arrived in 1878 and established a trading
1-18     post known as Doan's Store at a Red River crossing on the Chisholm
1-19     Trail; the original adobe building, owned by Corwin Doan, was
1-20     renovated by the Wilbarger Historical Commission and is the oldest
1-21     structure in the county; and
1-22           WHEREAS, Nicknamed "the jumping off place" by trail drivers,
1-23     Doan's Crossing thrived as the last chance to buy supplies before
1-24     travelers entered Indian territory; the modest settlement grew to
 2-1     include supply stores, a post office, a two-story hotel, a saloon,
 2-2     a drug store, a wagon yard, a blacksmith, a restaurant, a school, a
 2-3     chapel, and several homes; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Jonathan and Corwin Doan and their families were
 2-5     Quakers who enhanced community relations by befriending local
 2-6     Indians, learning their language, and establishing lifelong
 2-7     friendships; Corwin Doan was appointed Indian agent and hosted
 2-8     visits by Quanah Parker and other famous chiefs and their tribes;
 2-9     and
2-10           WHEREAS, The Indians would trade only with the Doan family,
2-11     who also counted among their regular customers the trail drivers
2-12     that herded six million cattle past the trading post during the
2-13     last two decades of the century; in 1931, a granite monument was
2-14     placed near Doan's Store in honor of those courageous trail
2-15     drivers; and
2-16           WHEREAS, The people of Doans take justifiable pride in their
2-17     community and the immeasurable contributions its citizens have made
2-18     to the rich history and culture of the Lone Star State, and it is
2-19     indeed fitting that they be acknowledged at this time; now,
2-20     therefore, be it
2-21           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-22     Legislature hereby commemorate the 118th Doans May Day Picnic and
2-23     extend to all celebrants best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable
2-24     event.
                                                                  Hardcastle
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 869 was adopted by the House on April
         25, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House