91
General Interest / Re: What muzzleloader stuff did you do today?
« Last post by Salty on January 26, 2026, 03:55:57 PM »Haha I can?t claim to be a gentleman so I guess that leaves me on the ground.
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Recent Posts
92
General Interest / Re: What muzzleloader stuff did you do today?
« Last post by Bigsmoke on January 26, 2026, 11:15:58 AM »Salty, Yes, that could be considered period correct.
BUT
Then the question would arise of correct for where and when.
If you are trying to emulate a Rocky Mountain fur trapper, the answer would be not no, but hell no.
If you are trying to emulate a Lewis and Clark exploration team member or maybe a Canadian voyageur, the answer would be no.
If your persona is an east coast farmer, the answer could be well, yes, maybe. Your story could be temporary lodging, just waiting to get your cabin built.
In short, if your person is involved in exploration or someone who was constantly on the move, it would be no. How the heck are you supposed to carry all that stuff.
If you are a military officer or the factor of a trading company, probably so. After all, you are a gentleman and who would expect a gentleman to sleep on the ground.
Or you could just be a modern enthusiast who is just plain getting too darn old to be sleeping on the ground.
The possibilities are endless. Pick one and don't apologize for it.
John
BUT
Then the question would arise of correct for where and when.
If you are trying to emulate a Rocky Mountain fur trapper, the answer would be not no, but hell no.
If you are trying to emulate a Lewis and Clark exploration team member or maybe a Canadian voyageur, the answer would be no.
If your persona is an east coast farmer, the answer could be well, yes, maybe. Your story could be temporary lodging, just waiting to get your cabin built.
In short, if your person is involved in exploration or someone who was constantly on the move, it would be no. How the heck are you supposed to carry all that stuff.
If you are a military officer or the factor of a trading company, probably so. After all, you are a gentleman and who would expect a gentleman to sleep on the ground.
Or you could just be a modern enthusiast who is just plain getting too darn old to be sleeping on the ground.
The possibilities are endless. Pick one and don't apologize for it.
John
93
People of the Times / 01/26/2026 A Two Fer!
« Last post by Craig Tx on January 26, 2026, 09:42:37 AM »1/26/1839: Republic passes homestead law, sets aside land for education
On this day in 1839, the Congress of the Republic of Texas passed two important pieces of legislation: a homestead act and an act setting aside land for public schools and two universities.
The homestead act, patterned somewhat after legislation of Coahuila and Texas, was designed to encourage home ownership. It guaranteed every citizen or head of family in the republic "fifty acres of land or one town lot, including his or her homestead, and improvements not exceeding five hundred dollars in value." The education act was inspired by President Mirabeau Lamar's determination to establish a system of education endowed by public lands but failed to produce the desired results immediately because land prices were too low for this endowment to provide revenue. There was also some popular indifference on the county level to the establishment of schools, as evidenced by the fact that by 1855 thirty-eight counties had made no effort even to survey their school land. Nevertheless, Lamar's advocacy of the program earned for him the nickname "Father of Texas Education."
1/26/1839: Republic of Texas charters Houston and Brazos Railroad
On this day in 1839, the Republic of Texas chartered the Houston and Brazos Railroad, one of four lines chartered by the Republic.
The company was granted the right to build railroads and turnpikes from Houston to the Brazos River. Michel B. Menard, Augustus C. Allen, James Love, Moseley Baker, and William A. Pettus were among the company's directors. The ceremony marking the beginning of construction was set to coincide with the fourth anniversary observance of the Odd Fellows in Texas. On the morning of July 25, 1840, the celebration began at the Presbyterian church in Houston with an address commemorating the Odd Fellows anniversary. From the church a procession of volunteer companies, members of the bar, medical faculty, army and naval officers, citizens, county officers, mayor and aldermen, Odd Fellows, Masons, the president and directors of the railroad company, the committee of arrangements, orator, and officiating clergyman formed and marched to the terminus of the railroad. Mayor Charles Bigelow broke ground with a spade, Holland Lodge No. 1 laid "a neat slab with fitting inscriptions," and the Milam Guards fired a salute. The procession then proceeded to Corri's Theater for more speeches. Despite these beginnings, however, the company was unable to construct its railroad and soon lost its charter privileges.
On this day in 1839, the Congress of the Republic of Texas passed two important pieces of legislation: a homestead act and an act setting aside land for public schools and two universities.
The homestead act, patterned somewhat after legislation of Coahuila and Texas, was designed to encourage home ownership. It guaranteed every citizen or head of family in the republic "fifty acres of land or one town lot, including his or her homestead, and improvements not exceeding five hundred dollars in value." The education act was inspired by President Mirabeau Lamar's determination to establish a system of education endowed by public lands but failed to produce the desired results immediately because land prices were too low for this endowment to provide revenue. There was also some popular indifference on the county level to the establishment of schools, as evidenced by the fact that by 1855 thirty-eight counties had made no effort even to survey their school land. Nevertheless, Lamar's advocacy of the program earned for him the nickname "Father of Texas Education."
1/26/1839: Republic of Texas charters Houston and Brazos Railroad
On this day in 1839, the Republic of Texas chartered the Houston and Brazos Railroad, one of four lines chartered by the Republic.
The company was granted the right to build railroads and turnpikes from Houston to the Brazos River. Michel B. Menard, Augustus C. Allen, James Love, Moseley Baker, and William A. Pettus were among the company's directors. The ceremony marking the beginning of construction was set to coincide with the fourth anniversary observance of the Odd Fellows in Texas. On the morning of July 25, 1840, the celebration began at the Presbyterian church in Houston with an address commemorating the Odd Fellows anniversary. From the church a procession of volunteer companies, members of the bar, medical faculty, army and naval officers, citizens, county officers, mayor and aldermen, Odd Fellows, Masons, the president and directors of the railroad company, the committee of arrangements, orator, and officiating clergyman formed and marched to the terminus of the railroad. Mayor Charles Bigelow broke ground with a spade, Holland Lodge No. 1 laid "a neat slab with fitting inscriptions," and the Milam Guards fired a salute. The procession then proceeded to Corri's Theater for more speeches. Despite these beginnings, however, the company was unable to construct its railroad and soon lost its charter privileges.
94
People of the Times / Re: 1/25/1839: Lone Star heraldry
« Last post by Craig Tx on January 26, 2026, 09:38:23 AM »Actually, I have a good source. All these are excerpts from the Texas State Historical Association's Today in Texas History. I just cut and paste... ;-)
95
General Interest / Re: What muzzleloader stuff did you do today?
« Last post by Salty on January 26, 2026, 06:58:41 AM »Wow KDubs that a really nice setup. I could be comfortable with that. Didn?t realize that was period correct
96
General Interest / Re: What muzzleloader stuff did you do today?
« Last post by No Powder on January 25, 2026, 05:57:55 PM »I could sleep in that bed with no problems. And that shirt could be considered camo under certain conditions. Always wondered what type of print was period correct during that time period.
97
Making the Holy Black Powder / Re: Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by KDubs on January 25, 2026, 02:13:40 PM »a quick question. How well does your homemade powder work with smaller calibers? .32, .36, .40?
Not sure but imagine would work just as well
Kevin
98
General Interest / Re: What muzzleloader stuff did you do today?
« Last post by KDubs on January 25, 2026, 02:11:31 PM » [ Invalid Attachment ]
My ugly dress or awesome shirt depends how you look at it.
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Some " injun" scalps
Kevin
My ugly dress or awesome shirt depends how you look at it.
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Some " injun" scalps
Kevin
99
General Interest / Re: What muzzleloader stuff did you do today?
« Last post by KDubs on January 25, 2026, 02:07:46 PM » [ Invalid Attachment ]
Not much sleeping on the ground that I saw.
Kevin
Not much sleeping on the ground that I saw.
Kevin
100
Making the Holy Black Powder / Re: Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by RobD on January 25, 2026, 01:35:18 PM »a quick question. How well does your homemade powder work with smaller calibers? .32, .36, .40?
I don't know, I've only used it with .54 and .62 bore sizes, rifle and smoothbore.