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79S30298 MDM-D

By:  Hardcastle                                                   H.R. No. 60 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, On May 6, 2006, current and former residents of the 
Doans community in Wilbarger County are gathering for the 123rd 
annual Doans May Day Picnic in Vernon; and
	WHEREAS, Considered the oldest ongoing historical 
celebration in Texas, the event traces its history back to a simple 
picnic on May 1, 1884, which was enjoyed by a half-dozen people in a 
grove of trees near the Red River; and
	WHEREAS, Starting a tradition that continues today, a queen 
was crowned at the 1911 festivities, which included carnivals, 
rodeos, airplane rides, barbecues, storytelling by early settlers, 
and political speeches; stores closed so that employees could 
attend, and later it became a two-day affair with Sunday morning 
services; more than a century later, the highlight of this event 
remains the coronation of a king and queen, and selected for this 
honor in 2006 are King Parker Thomas, from the House of Johnson, and 
Queen Brittany Michelle, from the House of Dockery; and
	WHEREAS, The first settlers in Wilbarger County were members 
of the Doan family who arrived in 1878 and established a trading 
post known as Doan's Store at a Red River crossing on the Chisholm 
Trail; the original adobe building, owned by Corwin Doan, was 
renovated by the Wilbarger Historical Commission and is the oldest 
structure in the county; and
	WHEREAS, Nicknamed "the jumping off place" by trail drivers, 
Doan's Crossing thrived as the last chance to buy supplies before 
travelers entered Indian territory; the modest settlement grew to 
include supply stores, a post office, a two-story hotel, a saloon, a 
drug store, a wagon yard, a blacksmith, a restaurant, a school, a 
chapel, and several homes; and
	WHEREAS, Jonathan and Corwin Doan and their families were 
Quakers who enhanced community relations by befriending local 
Indians, learning their language, and establishing lifelong 
friendships; Corwin Doan was appointed Indian agent and hosted 
visits by Quanah Parker and other famous chiefs and their tribes; 
and
	WHEREAS, The Indians would trade only with the Doan family, 
who also counted among their regular customers the trail drivers 
that herded six million cattle past the trading post during the last 
two decades of the century; in 1931, a granite monument was placed 
near Doan's Store in honor of those courageous trail drivers; and
	WHEREAS, The people of Doans take justifiable pride in their 
community and the immeasurable contributions its citizens have made  
to the rich history and culture of the Lone Star State, and it is 
indeed fitting that they be acknowledged at this time; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the 123rd Doans 
May Day Picnic and extend to all celebrants best wishes for an 
enjoyable and memorable event.