Carole Sikes Artist / Writer in Austin, Texas

During Prohibition, Governor Pat Neff worked with a more punitive state law than the Federal Volstead Act. Neither laws had deterred the Glen Rose cotton farmers from their very lucrative Moonshine business. The farmlands and hills were awash with distilleries. Bootleggers, whiskey haulers and even prominent citizens were in on the take from thirsty folks in “dry” north Texas. One of the “bootleggers” was former policeman Tom Darnaby and the County Attorney’s son Bryan Roark. Another distillery owner was cotton farmer Jim West and his two sons. Twenty five year old Dick Watson and his boyhood friend, Pruitt Merrill hauled moonshine in glass jars to dealers and speakeasies in Dallas and Ft. Worth. Respected Dr. William B. Pruitt, a licensed physician, organized all of the operators into a syndicate of distillers and haulers. He then bribed the local law officers so the illegal organization would not be bothered, while taking his cut of the considerable profits. Governor Neff sent Te...

June 2020 WHAT DO YOU KNOW about Texas Rangers previously published in the Westminster Banner. Some had trouble getting into my June blog and the essay about Texas Rangers, if you did, try this: Get to your browser by clicking the big "e" symbol (or however you bring up your browser). Next type in my name, Carole Sikes. That should bring several options. Select carolesikes.blogspot.com. Or carolesikes artist.com or carolesikes texas blog.com It was reported that when using the fastest way by typing the above into the band at the top of the screen htts://www.carolesikes.blogspot.comthere would be a message that my blog was not safe. Not true, I blogged my paintings for years. Hope you enjoy essays about things TEXAS. There will be trivia, legend and a little history thrown in. I'm encouraged by the comments. Thanks and keep them coming.

    WHAT DO YOU KNOW about the Texas Rangers?   In 1886, the state legislature officially recognized the Texas Rangers but their revered reputation was established earlier. Many young men drawn to danger and adventure came to Texas. They were Indian fighters and fought Mexico for Independence with Sam Houston in the Battle of San Jacinto and later they fought alongside the U.S. Army in central Texas.(1) They participated in the last great Indian Battle of Palo Duro Canyon when Comanche Chief Quanah surrendered. Rangers, training with Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders in San Antonio, went with him to Cuba for the Spanish American War.(2) As early as 1835, Indian fighters called a “Corp of Rangers” provided security for the early colonies. They were paid by the provisional governments. Extra money was earned by trading horses and plunder. They rode with no baggage, no tents and they ate what they shot. They were skillful and resourceful but rough and undisciplined. ...

 After a life changing move and retirement from painting, I'm writing. I've spent a my life living in Texas. In the past I wrote a column for the weekly Lake Travis View entitled IN HUDSON BEND. Upon moving back into Austin I wrote a book published by The History Press of South Carolina, HUDSON BEND AND THE BIRTH OF LAKE TRAVIS, available on Amazon. Currently I contribute to and serve on the Editorial Board of the Westminster Writers Journal. Also I write short essays, under the heading WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT TEXAS, for the monthly newsletter called the Banner. It is my intent to create a new blog, but this time it will NOT be about paintings. Please join me for comments and fun facts and some astonishing history of Texas in a random order. My hope is to attract natives as well as newcomers and wantabe Texans. Your comments will be welcome. www.carolesikes.blogspot.com  for my WHAT DO YOU KNOW about Texas series. Thanks!