Post by Stan Bacon on May 16, 2018 21:32:47 GMT -5
In 1964 the State Legislature directed the Texas State Historical Survey Committee to erect 5,000 historical markers throughout the state in five years, an average of four markers per working day, with the 5,000th marker approved on October 27, 1969.(1) The historical marker at Mount Bonnell was approved on May 15th, 1969.(2)
The supporting documentation for the marker, Job 2755 designating George W. Bonnell as the peak’s namesake, comprises two pages citing three pieces of hearsay from two secondary references written over 100 years after the fact.(3) The author of one of those was Mary Starr Barkley, Chair, Travis County Survey Committee at the time.(4) She appeared to have been acting on a letter from the Texas State Historical Survey Committee regarding a marker for Mount Bonnell. It strongly suggests a predetermined decision by the latter that the peak was named for: "MOUNT BONNELL (NAMED FOR INDIAN AGENT-AUTHOR-SOLDIER GEO. BONNELL)."(5) In support of that decision is the fact that George was Austin’s only resident by the name of Bonnell.
If anyone is able to find any evidence supporting George Bonnell as the peak's namesake, please contact the Texas Historical Commission, successor to the Texas State Historical Survey Committee. They have thus far been unable to find any such evidence and will greatly appreciate your help.
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1 tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/mdt17
2 May 15, 1969, Job No. 2755, Price: $400, Funds taken from County marker credit, Approved: Truett Latimer, by Bob Watson, Travis County Historical Survey, Mrs. Fred C. Barkley, Chair J.M. Owens prepared History.
3 www.west-point.org/joseph_bonnell/sites/default/files/Job%202755.pdf
4 Mary Starr Barkley, History of Travis County and Austin 1839-1899 (Austin Printing Company; 3rd. ed edition, 1981).
5 Letter of March 25, 1969 from the Texas State Historical Survey Committee to Mary Starr Barkley, Chair, Travis County Survey Committee.
The supporting documentation for the marker, Job 2755 designating George W. Bonnell as the peak’s namesake, comprises two pages citing three pieces of hearsay from two secondary references written over 100 years after the fact.(3) The author of one of those was Mary Starr Barkley, Chair, Travis County Survey Committee at the time.(4) She appeared to have been acting on a letter from the Texas State Historical Survey Committee regarding a marker for Mount Bonnell. It strongly suggests a predetermined decision by the latter that the peak was named for: "MOUNT BONNELL (NAMED FOR INDIAN AGENT-AUTHOR-SOLDIER GEO. BONNELL)."(5) In support of that decision is the fact that George was Austin’s only resident by the name of Bonnell.
If anyone is able to find any evidence supporting George Bonnell as the peak's namesake, please contact the Texas Historical Commission, successor to the Texas State Historical Survey Committee. They have thus far been unable to find any such evidence and will greatly appreciate your help.
_____________________________________________________
1 tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/mdt17
2 May 15, 1969, Job No. 2755, Price: $400, Funds taken from County marker credit, Approved: Truett Latimer, by Bob Watson, Travis County Historical Survey, Mrs. Fred C. Barkley, Chair J.M. Owens prepared History.
3 www.west-point.org/joseph_bonnell/sites/default/files/Job%202755.pdf
4 Mary Starr Barkley, History of Travis County and Austin 1839-1899 (Austin Printing Company; 3rd. ed edition, 1981).
5 Letter of March 25, 1969 from the Texas State Historical Survey Committee to Mary Starr Barkley, Chair, Travis County Survey Committee.