The Port Arthur News from Port Arthur, Texas • Page 5

Banquet TUt NEWS. Pert Altkv, Bicentennial fete set By RONDAH IRVING Of TIM News staff The American Revolution is very much a part of Texas history and, according to members of the Atascosita Historical Society, many of the veterans of the War of Independence settled in the ten-county region, including Liberty, Jefferson, Chambers, Orange, Hardin, Polk, San Jacinto, Tyler, Jasper and Newton. That's one of the reasons the Society will sponsor a Regional Bicentennial Banquet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Red Carpet Inn in Beaumont. Tickets for the event are 125 per person.

There's another special reason for all the interest in the old Mexican Atascosita district-the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, which happens to be the Liberty campus of Lamar University. The under-construction Center will serve as the official historical records depository of the 10 counties of the Atascosita district in 1836 (later known in 1831 as the Liberty district When Lamar agreed to sponsor the center in 1973, plans were made to offer field centered courses on both graduate and undergraduate levels, with particular emphasis on studies in library and archival sciences and Texas history The selection of Liberty Is an appropriate one the location of a Southeast Texas regional center. Liberty was the site of the 1756 Spanish outpost of Atascosito. A marker at the site explains that a Spanish settlement was established in 1757 to prevent French trade with the Indians. Pour and half miles west of the marker the road crossed the Trinity River where Alonso DC Leon, Spanish explorer, crossed In The road from Gollad to Opelousas, known as the Lower Road and extensively traveled from 1750 to 1850, also crossed there.

The Atascosito region has played an important part in the history of Texas and some relics of that role will be on display at the banquet. The Journal of Jean Lafitte; a letter from General Andrew Jackson to President Thomas Jefferson introducing Congressman Sam Houston; large portraits of General Houston and Governor Wood; pictures of the six Texas Governors who lived in or came from the region; and the pen with which President Eisenhower signed the "Tidelands" bUl will be displayed, and according to Mrs. Murray Ezxell, member of the Center Building Committee, this will be the first public view for many of the objects. Williams' descendants to gather for reunion By RONDAH IRVING Of The News Staff The American Revolution Bicentennial will be very much in the hearts and minds of a special group of persons Sunday--the descendants of Stephen Williams, a North Carolina native. Louisiana pioneer, one of the first residents of the Atascosito-Llberty area--and a veteran of the American Revolutionary Army The reunion of Williams' descendants, scheduled for the Large Rescue Unit of the Toledo Bend Project of the Sabine River Authority of Texas, 15 mites north of Burkevilk on Hwy in Newton County: will begin at 10:30 a m.

with an inter-denominational worship service led by Ted Campbell of Beaumont, a ttudeat minister and a fifth great grandson of Williams. Following a basket lunch, the commemorative service, with Bill Martin. District Attorney of Newton County, as guest speaker, will be held. Martin is a third great grandson of Williams on both his mother's and his father's lines of descent. Mrs Violette Newton, past State Poet Laureate of Texas, will read an original poem written for the occasion.

Lt. Col. Thorman G. Smith, chairman of the Jasper County Historical Commission, also descended from Williams on both the maternal and paternal sides, will reeogotae descendants. BUI Gee, a third great grandson of Williams, who is presently engaged in compiling a book of the family, will be master of ceremonies According to information provided by Gee.

Williams, born in North Carolina in ITU. Joined the North Carolina service in 1771 when the British were in the process of taking Georgia. During his enlistment, be served under Charles Allen, of Halifax Dtst. N. C.

and par- ticipated in the Battle of Briar Creek, Georgia, in which the British repulsed an American force under Gen. John Ashe attempting to recapture Augusta, a The British then besieged the Revolutionary forces in Charleston, S. and forced them to surrender in May, 1780, leaving South Carolina at mercy of the British. One month later Williams entered service under a Cant. Alford.

They set out for South Carolina in the small army commanded by Genera) Horatio Gates who had captured Burgoyne in 1777. But Gates' army was practically annihilated at Camden in 1780. Stephen Williams was again in service in April of 1781, this time as a sergeant under Capt. Edward Yarbrough and again on his way to South Carolina. Williams apparently left the service after the Battle of Eutaw Springs, in 1781, which drove the British from the interior of South Carolina.

By 1806, Williams was In Louisiana with his wife Delilah Rhodes and their children. In that year he claimed by settlement about 364 acres of land in St. Helena Parish. His sons Richard and William (Buck) aad daughter Mary PREPARATION FOR FLAG DAY PROGRAM captain Debbie Udder, Byars and Mrs. Andrus look over nag.

LU twirler camp signup set BEAUMONT-Flnal registration for Lamar University's Twirler and Drum Major camps will be held from 2 until 5 p.m. today. Both camps begin tonight and run through June 17 and Director Dr. C.A. Pate Wiley promises four full group and individual drills and training.

Bill Woods, director of the Seagram High School Band, will be the twirling camp instructor and faculty teachers Include Karen Lee, choregrapher with the Lamar Front Line and Cardinal Silks. Drum major camp, which will be held concurrently with the twirling camp, will be directed by Don Stockton. All students six to 18-years-old are elgrble to attend but six to 10-year-olds must be accompanied by an- older student. Tuition for both camps is $33 and dorm facilities are available for an additional $32, which includes room and board. (Polly) YoungMood settled nearby, and another daughter Ponekpe Allen lived somewhat farther away.

His youngest daughter Elisabeth continued to live at home after her marriage to StePheMichae! Dally. While he lived in Louisiana, Williams fought in the war of 1812. serving in the Militia at the Navy Yard near MadisonvUle. la 1830 Williams and the Daily's moved to Jasper County, Texas, The majority of his children and grandchildren followed his move to Texas in the pert 10 years. tt styles doses AN colors and NOCONA BOOTS tewing machim with SEWMGSURMCE WPMIMLU Jutt flip panel for innani free arm wwing of euf h.

stewci. hard-to-reach ajear coiwemencet Carrying cm or cabinet STA-PRMT tt Roy's Saddle Shop stein looks that really work SUNDAY JUNE 20 DAD'S DAY Straws Dross and cowboy styles. Mostly sand and natural colors. All sizes, all brim widths. f.

MR" I I- SAVI ItO ON A OfttAT ZIQ-2AQ AND CAglNtT COMftNATlONI mtrhiiw with built-in and Hfftic Mitteh-fliteH. cornbtntd with decorator cabinet for WACHINI AlONII 81H $189 Qimnf entor osbtrvt citra. SINGER 3701 Twin City Hwy. Vo TMorialaal MOST ALL Mitt IN ALL COMff IN rms WlfK. Ift i A MAfttOWT Flag Day Special program planned A special Flag Day program, sponsored by the Port Arthur Bicentennial Commission, will be presented in the council chambers of the Port Arthur City Hall at 9 a.m Monday.

Featuring the Stephen F. Austin High School Drill Team, the Flag Day presentation will mark the 199th anniversary of the adoption of a flag by the United States. Twenty Austinaires 17 carrying a and dressed as "Minutepersons" will perform the historical flag presentation which they have presented some 30 times this year. Marching to the music of drum and fife and to a narration done by Austin principal George Byars, the girls will present 17 flags, dating from the banner carried at the Battle of Concord in 1775 to the current 50-star standard. The drill team, directed by Mrs.

Mary Andrus, is slated to present the flag display at the state convention of the American Legion in Houston during late July. -Austin insight The News Capitol Staff REPUBLICAN STATE Chairman Ray Hutchison is recommending selection of a permanent chairman for the June 19th Republican State Convention from the state leadership of the Reagan for President campaign. Hutchison based his recommendation on the result of the May 1 primary and "the decisive victory of Gov. Reagan" in Texas. The GOP Fort Worth convention will select four at large delegates and 100J alternates to the National Convention to be held in Kansas City August 16-19.

The May Republican primary elected 96 national convention delegates committed to Reagan. DALLAS REP. Paul Ragsdale says he will try once again, refiling complaints of discriminatory hiring and promotion practices against state agencies. His previous complaints against 31 state agencies filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission were dismissed. Ragsdale's crnujlaiats list as aggrieved Invitation to that event followed a performance at the recent American Legion district convention in Port Arthur A.

A DeLee, chairman of the Bicentennial Commission, will emcee the Flag Day program and Jerry Jones, commission member and minister of music at Central Baptist Church, will provide special music for the event. Byars is vice-chairman of the com- A special presentation will be made by DeLee to each of the Port councilmen during the program, will begin Monday's regular council meeting. The public is urged to attend. It was first hoped the Revellatiori Resurrection Bicentennial Gospel Chofr would be performing at this council meeting, but since many of the choir members work during these hours, the performance has been cancelled. parties individuals who were either applicants for state agency positions employees of agencies, as required by federal law.

Complaints against six state agencies have already been refiled. .1 A select House committee studying procedures for ouster of wayward judges will hold its first meetings here June 24-25 committee will seek to determine whether changes are needed in the" impeachment process, whether the; Judicial Qualifications Commission is organized and operating properly and- whether changes are needed in standards of judicial conduct. TEXAS PARKS and Wildlife' Department reports strikes by workers in Ohio are delaying con- struction of artificial fishing reefs at sites, including Sabine Lake. Plans to construct the reefs from old tires have been delayed by strikes at a major robber plant in Ohio which was loan toe state a tire baler for the project. Workers have refuted to cross picket JUNE BRIDE GIFT SPECIALS The love chest It's the most personal, cherished of furniture the ever own.

A gft steeped in centuries of romance and legend, a tradition tkat grows in its charm every year. Can you think of a more imaginative way "Ibveyou?" Still a good stock or Lane chest for late out tuyere, some priced ca is srnis.