Фрэнсис Ричард Лаббок: Техас губернаторы және тарихы

Governor of Texas from 1861 to 1863

Francis Richard Lubbock (October 16, 1815June 22, 1905) was a businessman, slaveholder, and politician from the American South who played a significant role in Texas history. A South Carolina native, he was a key player in Texas politics, serving as Lieutenant Governor and later the 9th Governor of Texas during the Civil War. As Governor, Lubbock was a fervent supporter of the Confederacy and instrumental in Texas' secession from the Union. After the war, he continued in public service as the Texas State Treasurer. He was the brother of Thomas Saltus Lubbock, for whom both Lubbock County and the city of Lubbock are named.

Francis Richard Lubbock, born in Beaufort, South Carolina, on October 16, 1815, was the son of Dr. Henry Thomas Willis and Susan Ann (Saltus) Lubbock. His paternal grandfather, Capt. Richard Lubbock, settled in Georgia and was a distinguished member of the masonic fraternity. His maternal grandfather, Capt. Francis Saltus, was a wealthy cotton planter and shipowner in Charleston. Lubbock's early education involved various schools and tutors, including an Irish schoolmaster, Patrick Brett, in Beaufort and Edgefield, South Carolina. As a young boy, Lubbock had the opportunity to witness the visit of General Lafayette to the United States in 1824. His father, commanding the steamboat Henry Schultze, transported Lafayette from Charleston to Augusta. Lubbock's participation in the celebrations, including carrying candles in a procession and being presented to General Lafayette, left a lasting impression on him. During this time, Lubbock participated in Texas's defensive strategies against Mexican forces. He played a key role in a war meeting at the Texas capitol in December 1837, serving as secretary. This meeting, responding to reports of a Mexican advance, aimed to organize defense and support those at the frontline. He was actively involved in forming resolutions and committees for vigilance and correspondence. When Indians were attacking frontier settlements in 1838, Lubbock requested a leave of absence from the President and joined Major George W. Bonnell's battalion as adjutant, embarking on a challenging campaign to protect Texas's frontier against Indian threats. Despite the difficulties, the battalion's efforts contributed to the security of the frontier, with Lubbock highlighting their role in preventing Indian attacks and protecting settlers. Following the end of Sam Houston's term and the onset of Mirabeau Lamar's presidency, Lubbock, being aligned with the Houston party, faced political displacement. He was advised to resign from his position as Comptroller, which he did when his successor was appointed. After leaving his position as Comptroller of the Republic, Lubbock engaged in different ventures and remained active in the political scene. This is when Lubbock ventured into farming, which was marked by various challenges and experiences, including a failed attempt to transport his farm produce by boat, which ended in a loss of his crops in Galveston Bay. In Houston, Lubbock partnered with James W. Scott to run a commission business, becoming the only auction and commission merchants in the city at the time. Their enterprise was diverse, dealing in a wide range of products such as French wines, hardware, groceries, footwear, lumber, sugar, salt, cigars, and coffee. They also engaged in real estate transactions, selling lots and blocks. Lubbock personally took on the role of auctioneer, handling the sale of various items, from small household goods to potentially larger assets like steamboats. Scott was responsible for the financial management, including bookkeeping and fiscal responsibilities. This venture demanded adaptability to meet the diverse needs of their clientele and reinforced Lubbock and Scott's engagement with the local community, blending their roles as businessmen with their public prominence, particularly in Lubbock's case due to his political activities. Despite the hard work and challenges, Lubbock looked for better opportunities while maintaining an active interest in public affairs. Lubbock reentered politics as a candidate for the office of District Clerk in Harris County in 1840 41. He utilized a strategic approach, joining William K. Wilson on a tax assessing tour to meet voters, and campaigning vigorously. His efforts paid off, and he was elected as District Clerk, a position he held for over 16 years, thanks to his popularity and effective campaigning. Lubbock also actively participated in the political scene beyond his direct candidacies. He was involved in supporting presidential candidates, notably General Sam Houston, in 1841. Lubbock was appointed as the secretary in a large meeting of Houston's supporters, where he was part of a committee that drafted resolutions to promote Henry Smith as a candidate for Vice President to align with Houston's political aims. When Smith declined, they supported General Edward Burleson, who eventually won the vice presidency. During his tenure as the district clerk of Harris County, Lubbock was dedicated to serving with integrity and fairness. He established a principle of not engaging in speculation related to his office and made a conscious effort to treat the public generously. Lubbock was known for his love of horses, which he financed with his own money, without compromising his official duties. His venture into ranching began in 1841, and it came about due to the scarcity of money and the abundance of livestock used as payment for legal fees. He acquired about 400 acres of land at 75 cents per acre on the south side of Simms' Bayou, near Houston. Despite initial reservations about the respectability of cattle ranching, Lubbock was determined to give the business respectability and began stocking his ranch with cattle and horses. By 1847, Lubbock moved permanently to his ranch, investing in the improvement of his property with good buildings, fencing, barns, and pastures. The ranch, located near Harrisburg, became a hub of activity and was frequented by neighbors and friends. Lubbock found the ranch life enjoyable, balancing his duties as a clerk and his responsibilities on the ranch. Lubbock's ranching activities included round ups, where cattle were gathered, branded, and sorted. The marketing of cattle during Lubbock's ranching years was challenging due to limited transportation options. Initially, cattle were driven overland to markets like Galveston and Houston, and later shipped to New Orleans via sailboats and steamers. Lubbock, along with his business partner S. W. Allen, was heavily involved in cattle shipping, adapting to the changing transportation methods over time. Francis R. Lubbock's career in the Texas Republic was marked by significant political and administrative roles. He served as the Comptroller of Texas, a position that underscored his involvement in the financial management of the Republic. However, Lubbock chose to resign from this post to retain his role as the Clerk of the District Court of Harris County, an office he preferred due to its proximity to his home and its higher financial rewards. Lubbock was actively involved in the political landscape of the Texas Republic, particularly during Sam Houston's presidency. He was appointed as an aide to President Houston and served on his staff as a colonel of cavalry throughout Houston's term. This appointment placed Lubbock in a key position within Houston's administration, where he witnessed and contributed to various significant events and decisions. As a political figure, Lubbock participated in events that celebrated and supported prominent leaders like President elect Sam Houston. He played a crucial role in organizing a meeting in Houston where Houston was formally offered the freedom of the city. This involvement illustrates Lubbock's active participation in the Republic's political affairs and his support for its leadership. Throughout his career, Lubbock was exposed to the challenges faced by the Texas Republic, including financial instability and external threats from Mexico. His tenure as Comptroller and his proximity to Houston's administration provided him with insights into the Republic's strategies to address these challenges, including fiscal austerity measures and responses to military threats from neighboring Mexico. In 1857, Lubbock was elected lieutenant governor of Texas as a Democrat, but failed in his re election bid in 1859. Following the Confederate secession in 1861, Lubbock won the governorship of Texas. During his tenure, he supported Confederate conscription, working to draft all able bodied men, including resident aliens, into the Confederate States Army. He was known to praise the Great Hanging at Gainesville, where in October 1862, some 42 suspected Unionists were murdered, convicted and killed by hanging through sentences by a "Citizens Court" organized by Texas state troops, but not recognized under state law, with some 14 lynched without benefit even of a show trial. It was part of an outbreak of violence, often caused by Confederate or state troops, in North Texas in the early years of the war. When Lubbock's term ended in 1863, he joined the Confederate Army. He was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel, serving under Major General John B. Magruder. By 1864, Lubbock was promoted to aide de camp for Jefferson Davis. Following the Confederacy's military collapse, Lubbock fled from Richmond, Virginia, with Davis. They were soon caught by Union troops in Georgia. He was imprisoned at Fort Delaware with John Reagan and Jefferson Davis for eight months before being paroled. On his return to Texas, Lubbock continued to pursue business interests in Houston and Galveston. From 1878 to 1891, he served as Texas State Treasurer.

Lubbock died in Austin on June 22, 1905, at the age of 89, making him the last Confederate Governor to die. He is buried at Texas State Cemetery in Austin.