Collin Chronicles, Volume 23, Number 2, 2002/2003 Page: 4 of 30
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Collin Chronicles, Records of Collin County, Texas and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Collin County Genealogical Society.
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COLLIN CHRONICLES Vol 23 No 2:2002-2003 PAGE 31
Undoubtedly, the Wetsels came to Texas after seeing a need, willing to take their chances after realizing
that the pioneers would have to buy furniture from local craftsmen.
Contact Shawn Floyd at 972-543-2230 or at floyds@dfwcn.com.
Plano Star Courier 11/17/2002
COLLIN COUNTY AUTHOR HAS UNUSUAL APPROACH TO THE HISTORY
OF TEXAS
By JEANNA CUNY, Staff writer
Joe Blevins' family tradition has turned into a historical adventure for readers. Blevins, a Farmersville
resident, said his ancestors were members of the Peters Colony
some of the earliest North Texas
settlers. His fictional book, "Texas Republic," is based on true stories gathered from family members
and other local residents.
"In my grandfather's family, they pass down the history of our family to the youngest member and I'm
the youngest," Blevins said. "My grandfather's mother was a Cherokee woman and its a tradition
passed down from there."
The author is joining the Collin County History Museum to share and preserve local history. He is
scheduled to sign copies of his book from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the museum at 105 Chestnut
Street in McKinney.
"The book's diary format allows (Blevins) to weave in a tremendous amount of detail," museum
Curator Don Hoke said. c(s an unusua( approach to history ' e no ts e k e s tory of tfe settlement
of early Texas from Native American and black settlers' perspectives, according to Trafford Publishing.
The story is told by Andrew, a freed black man from Baton Rouge. By copying the alphabet
from an old Bible, he learns to read and write and begins keeping a journal of his
adventures. Bible verses related to the story are scattered throughout the book.
"In those days there weren't many schools so many people were self-taught," Blevins
said, explaining why he chose to include the religious document. "If anyone had a book of
any kind, usually it was the Bible.
"Texas Republic" was printed in July and is available at bookstores for $39.95.
However, copies will be available for $25 at the museum, with $10 from every purchase
benefiting the Collin County History Museum.
The funds will be used to fulfill a contract with the Collin County Commissioners' Court.
Commissioners' Court members awarded the museum and historical society a $20,000
challenge grant in early September. "We're extraordinarily excited about it," Hoke said.
"It's going to help us build our membership. Your membership provides funding to operate
the museum on a daily basis."
Members provide volunteer corps to staff the library and provide school tours. They
also carry the museum's message to community residents. "They tell them about the
museum and what we do," he said. "You're talking to your neighbor who's cleaning out
grandma's attic and finds a box of papers that really belongs here instead of in the trash."
Because this is a matched-fund grant, Hoke said museum officials have no choice but
to raise the $20,000 and uphold their part of the deal. Although commissioners did not
offer a specific deadline, Hoke said he's hoping to generate the funds by the end of the
year.
Contact Jeanna Cuny at 972-543-2238 or at cunyj@dfwcn.com.
Plano Star Courier 9/20/2002
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Collin County Genealogical Society. Collin Chronicles, Volume 23, Number 2, 2002/2003, periodical, 2003; Plano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth10750/m1/4/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Collin County Genealogical Society.