Was Made by Georgia Girl.
San Antonio Express newspaper, Sept. 12, 1934, Sunday.
On a recent visit to Georgia Mrs. Ida Schwepps of San Antonio found a brief though interesting article describing the origin of the Lone Star or Texas flag. This article from the pen of Stiles A. Martin was published in the Atlanta Journal Sept. 20, 1931, and tells how the flag made by Johanna Troutman was presented to the Georgia Volunteers who came to Colonel Fannin's aid at Goliad. Mrs. Schwepp's excerpt from the article follows:
It was early in November, 1835, that the news reached Georgia that the province of Texas was chafing under the tyranny of Santa Anna, the Mexican leader. A public meeting was held in Macon, Ga., on Nov. 12, at which more than $3,000 in money was raised and plans were made to organize a company of soldiers to go to Texas and help her in the fight for freedom.
As plans were being made for the march to Texas by the Georgian soldiers a 17-year old girl realized that the company would need a flag, so this thoughtful and patriotic citizen, Johanna Troutman, at Knoxville, which was on the coast line 25 miles west of Macon, took one of her silk skirts, designed and made with her own hands the Lone Star Flag.
One each side of the flag, in the center, was placed a large azure star of five points. Above the star on one side was the inscription, "Liberty or Death," and on the other the Latin motto "Ubi Libertas Habitat Ibi Patria Est." "Where Liberty dwells, there is my country."
When the Georgian Volunteers began their march to Texas from Macon, their first stop was at Knoxville, and it was here and upon the steps of the Troutman Inn that Miss Troutman herself presented the flag to Col. William Ward, who was in command, and who was to deliver it to Lieut. Hugh McLeod, who had gone ahead to organize a company there.
The following is a copy of the letter acknowledging the receipt of the flag:
"Columbia, Ga., Nov. 23, 1835.With this flag as their standard 150 Georgians proceeded from this state to Texas, arriving there in January 2 1836. The volunteers were under leadership of William Ward as Colonel and Hugh MeLeod as Lieutenant."Miss Troutman: Col. Ward brought your handsome appropriate flag as a present to the Georgia Volunteers in the cause of "Texas and Liberty." I was fearful from the shortness of time that you would not be able to finish it as tastefully as you would wish but I assure you, without emotion of flattery, that it is beautiful and with us its value is enchanced by the recollection of the donor.
"I thank you for the honor of being made the medium of presentation to the company, and if they are what every true Georgian ought to be your flag shall wave over fields of victory in defiance of despotism. I hope that proud day will soon arrive, and, while your star presides, none can doubt our success.
"Very respectfully,
Your friend, Hugh McLeod.
The flag was first raised on Texas soil at Velasco on Jan. 8, 1836 and proved by floated to the breeze from the "Texas Pole" in front of the American Hotel.
See Also:
First 'Lone Star'
Flag Sewn by Georgia Teen
Joanna Troutman--The
Betsy Ross of Texas
