Trails West III: The Republic of Texas & Beyond

About the Book

An old man on his deathbed tells his true life story to his children and grandchildren who have gathered around him. The dying man was James Bell Stephenson. He was born in the wilds of Florida in 1820 and made the long journey to Texas in 1826 to become a member of Stephen F. Austin’s Colony. At sixteen, he joined the Texas army, becoming one of its earliest Texas Rangers. He witnessed Santa Anna’s capture at San Jacinto. At age18 Stephenson was pinned down in a ravine with a handful of Texas Rangers who were surrounded by a horde of angry Comanche Indians. As Captain of the 20th Texas Infantry during the Civil War, he defended the port of Galveston and help provide supplies to the Confederate army. Stephenson was a founding father of Waller County, Texas and one of its first commissioners. The life he led was truly inspirational and definitely worthy of a place in Texas history.

About the Author

Betty Smith Meischen was born and raised in Bellville, Austin County, Texas which was founded by her ancestor James Bell and his brother Thomas Bell. She graduated from Bellville High School as did her husband Del and their three children Jeffrey Layne, Michael Scott and Rebecca Lynn Meischen. Betty is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She has been researching Texas history for thirty five years. She and her husband Del currently live in Washington County, Texas at their fifteen acre Trails West Retreat.