Richmond is the county seat of Fort Bend county. Known throughout
the country as a Republican stronghold (Tom DeLay is the House
Representative), Republican’s weren’t always in power. In fact, the
first time they “ran the county” was during Reconstruction
following the Civil War. Their leadership and the Democrat
resistance against it gave us THE JAYBIRD-WOODPECKER WAR. It was
short but violent.
White Democrats opposed to the Reconstruction-imposed government
— identified themselves as Jaybirds. The ruling faction was known
as the Woodpeckers. This group, too, was composed of Democrats, but
they represented the Republican Reconstruction government and were
elected largely by black voters.
During 1888-1889, racial, social and political lines were drawn
in an attempt to restrict the “colored” vote. Through a series of
assassinations and assassination attempts, mob rule and threats of
lynching to an old fashioned gunfight on the courthouse steps, the
Jaybirds and Woodpeckers caused so much fear and death that the
Governor had to call in the state militia and the Texas
Rangers.
When it was all over, there were several deaths and dozens
wounded. For more information visit
www.texfiles.com/texashistory/woodpecker.htm . Although much too
complex to outline all of the details on this cache page, it did
leave a legacy…and I have left a cache.
The coordinates will take you to the ugliest building in
downtown Richmond (the City Hall). Next to this yellowish brick
building is a gray stone obelisk with a bird on top. This is a
monument was requested by one of the “heros” of the war before his
death.
While parked to grab the cache, take the time to walk area
around the city hall, there are a couple of historical markers
regarding the town square and the cattle trough. Across the street
and to the north of the monument is a marker regarding Jane Long
the Mother of Texas. Also take advantage of the shops and
restaurants on Historic Morton Street.
***Note this is only .5 miles from my home so I use it as a
"virtual Travelbug drop"...there are NO TB in the cache!!!
This cache placed by a
Member
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