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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Mason County, an area noted for its |
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colorful history and scenic beauty, celebrated the 150th |
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anniversary of the establishment of their county in 2008; and |
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WHEREAS, This pastoral corner of the Texas Hill Country was |
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originally a hunting ground for the Lipan Apache and Comanche |
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peoples; in the 1840s, German colonists from Fredericksburg and New |
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Braunfels began to settle the region; and |
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WHEREAS, Fort Mason was established in 1851 to protect the |
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new settlers from Indian attacks; on the eve of the Civil War, |
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Robert E. Lee, then a colonel commanding the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, |
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made his headquarters at Fort Mason; it was his last command under |
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the United States flag before he resigned to join the Confederate |
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Army; and |
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WHEREAS, Mason County was created by the Texas Legislature on |
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January 22, 1858, and three years later the town of Mason, adjacent |
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to the fort, was chosen as the county seat; cattle ranching quickly |
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became the foundation of the county's economy; disputes over |
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rustling, as well as ethnic tensions, led to a feud known as the |
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Mason County War that lasted from 1875 to 1877; and |
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WHEREAS, While ranching continues to thrive in Mason County, |
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the area's popularity as a hunting and fishing destination has |
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added another dimension to the local economy; visitors can also |
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witness the flight of millions of Mexican free-tailed bats from the |
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Eckert James River Cave on summer evenings or explore the charming |
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county seat; in addition to its architecture, shops, galleries, and |
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restaurants, the town of Mason boasts a prominent literary |
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association as the home of Fred Gipson, who wrote the book Old |
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Yeller; and |
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WHEREAS, The citizens of Mason County are justifiably proud |
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of their rich heritage, and it is a privilege to recognize this |
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significant milestone in the history of this unique area of the Lone |
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Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of the |
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founding of Mason County. |