Big Thicket Reporter, Number 30, November-December 1997 Page: 4 of 6
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JACKSON DAY / WEEK REPRISE
R. E. Jackson Week, Oct. 5-11 exceeded all
expectations of sponsors. Sept. 22, the Hardin
County Commissioners Court and the Silsbee
Chamber of Commerce proclaimed Jackson
"Father of the Big Thicket" and the Hardin County
Historical Commission hosted a reception that
attracted a large crowd who enjoyed refreshments
lingered at the historical exhibit put together by
the Hardy Family. [You can still visit exhibits in
the Courthouse lobby and Silsbee Public Library.]
The Ghost Road field trip on October 5 was hosted
by Hardin County Tourist Bureau and Hardin
County Beautiful / Clean. Interpreters included
James Elmo Rosier (BTA), Mary C. Johnston
HCB/C), Jerry Rashall and Buddy Hollis (Village
Creek State Park) and Leslie DuBey (Big Thicket
National Preserve). The final stop at "Jackson
Camp" on the Bragg railroad, was staffed by
Jackson's grandchildren.
The standout event of the week was the University
Lecture Series, co-sponsored by Lamar University
- Beaumont and the Big Thicket National
Preserve. The dinner attracted 95, and others
came just for the lecture. Dr. Pete Gunter gave his
usual superb performance delivering a lecture,
"R.E. Jackson and Early Big Thicket
Conservation: Setting the Stage." BTA printed
the lecture and copies are available.
Late in the week, a proclamation arrived from
Governor George Bush, proclaiming October 11 as
R. E. Jackson Day in Texas, making the BTA
annual meeting a doubly special occasion. As part
of the program, Thomas and Geoge Hardy shared
with us some family reminiscences.
The Kountze Middle School students performed
Mary Catherine Johnston's play, "Famous
Feminists of the Big Thicket," directed by the
author and Kim Wood. The play highlighted
determined pioneer women, and some of the
message survived. But under the direction of
Wood and Johnston, the students transformed the
drama into a delightful hoot! How about that
football player, Trey Peters, who was cast as Old
Maxine! And was Mary Ellen Walker really as
rugged as portrayed by Brady Middlebrook? ALL
the students were great - and special thanks go to
the Honor Society for serving as hosts.Looking back over the week, we're quietly proud.
Together Hardin County etal paid our respects to
an outstanding pioneer leader and his legacy.
Jackson Descendants
It was a privilege to have so many of Richard
Elmer and Velma Jackson descendants with us.
Among these were Joanna Fleming and Judy
Cobb, daughters of Richard Ernest Jackson
(deceased); Nina Black, daughter of Nina Jackson
Griffin; the Hardy family: Richard and wife
Barbie, Thomas and wife LaNell, George and wife
Lynn, sons of Elizabeth Jackson Hardy. Among
the great grand children were Kate, Kris, Tom
(with wife Michelle), and Charlie Hardy;
Elizabeth, Matthew and Andrew Fleming; and
Kimberly Cobb. Great grandson Zachary Cobb,
the youngest Jackson heir present, seemed pleased
with the whole proceedings.
Health problems prevented attendance of
daughters Nina Griffin of Vian, Oklahoma and
Elizabeth Hardy of Silsbee. Also missing were
great granddaughters Becky Kim and Celia
Haynes.
BURRIS TRIBUTE
Roland Burris, Silsbee Chamber of Commerce
president, gave a tribute to R.E. Jackson that must
be shared:
"The Philosopher Heinrich Zimmer often said
'the best things can't be told.' That is to say you
can't talk about that which lies beyond the reach
of words.
"So I suggest that if you would like to know
who R.E. Jackson really was, do this. On a calm
cool autumn day go into the woods alone. Sit on a
fallen tree and listen to the cool north breeze glide
through the trees. Watch the leaves float to the
ground. Be aware of the plants that surround you
and listen for small animals scurrying through the
underbrush. Think of all the natural beauty and
how it evolved over the last hundred thousand
years. Let your mind relax and wander.
"If you do, you will experience the spirit and
soul of R. E. Jackson. You will know who he was
and what he was all about. But don't attempt to
tell others. Any words you can say will seem
inadequate."Big Thicket Reporter, No. 30, Page 4
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Big Thicket Association. Big Thicket Reporter, Number 30, November-December 1997, periodical, November 1997; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1654842/m1/4/?q=%221997-12%22: accessed August 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Lamar University.