DALLAS (Nov. 30, 2007) -- The Dallas Historical Society (DHS) is seeking information leading to the return of 21 items from its permanent collection that were removed from the Hall of State in Fair Park recently. DHS officials are cooperating with a Dallas Police Department investigation.

The items include historic photographs, documents and artifacts relating to the very earliest days of the Texas Republic and the history of Dallas. They include a pair of spurs confiscated from the tent of Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna and later presented by Gen. Sam Houston to a friend after the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto near Houston where Texas won its independence from Mexico.

The society is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the collection’s return. Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers at 1-877-373-TIPS (8477) or any police department.

DHS Executive Director Michael Duty said, “Our primary and overriding concern is the safe return of these objects.  They are extremely significant to the history of Texas and Dallas. Many are literally unique items and are irreplaceable.  We consider these items to be essential to the fulfillment of our mission, and we are doing all we can to assure their safe return.  We are contacting a wide range of galleries, museums, auction houses, antique and antiquity dealers, and private collectors with detailed information and photographs of the missing objects.”

A review of collection records and a search of storage areas as well as the entire Hall of State have not turned up any other missing items. Missing are:

 

• Spurs -- Mexican President Santa Anna's brass dress spurs recovered after the Battle of San Jacinto, gifted by Gen. Sam Houston to his friend H. L. Garland. Very good condition. Engraved "H. L. Garland From his Friend Sam Houston.”

 

• Paperweight -- Santa Anna's desk paperweight recovered after the Battle of San Jacinto. Brass, patinated, a reposed fawn on a rectangular block.

 

• Candlestick holder -- Tin, handheld.  Tin has rusted. Santa Anna's candlestick holder recovered after the Battle of San Jacinto.

 

• Mexican Medal of Honor -- Silver, 1836. Sometimes called the Santa Anna Cross, consisting of an eagle holding cross, with six red enamel radiants, reads on the back "Al Valor Acreditado en Texas,” on the front "Al Merito 1836.”

 

• Beeman family bible -- The Beeman family was among the original settlers in Dallas; Sarah Beeman wed John Neely Bryan, founder of the city of Dallas. Bible is covered in brown leather. Family history is located on center pages. Entries date from the early to mid-19^th century. It was treated for preservation by a conservator in 2006.

 

• Nimitz insignia -- Pair of five-star collar insignia for Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz pinned to a card inscribed "Insignia worn by Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz during surrender ceremonies aboard USS Missouri at Tokyo Bay, 2 September 1945." Signed “C.W. Nimitz.”

 

• Opera ticket -- Stamped on back “10/15/1912”and on the front is “Dallas Opera House, Geo. Axxx Manager, Admit One, Gallery 50 Cents.”

 

• Todd Milling Company stock certificate – Certificate Number 65 for one share, possibly dated May 20, 1891. Body of certificate reads, “incorporated under the laws of Texas. Todd Milling Company, Dallas, Texas. This is to certify that … is entitled to one shares of one hundred dollars each in the capitol stock of the Todd Milling Company transferable only on the books of the company in person or by attorney, on surrender of this certificate. In testimony where the president and secretary have hereunto subscribed their names this _ day of _ AD 18__ Dallas Texas. Dallas Lith Co. Capitol Stock $200,000.” The back of the certificate is stamped, “Maps and Papers from Sarah Horton Cockrell Item No. _.”

 

• Dallas Shakespeare Club photo – Picture taken on the steps of the Dallas Country Club in 1911 marking an observance of William Shakespeare's birthday. Shows about 34 women wearing dresses and hats with flowers. Rear of photo may be stamped with “Coulter & Gouffe The Commercial Photographer of Dallas Telephone Main 6078.”

 

• Program -- Cover reads “Dallas Shakespeare Club, March 5, 1909,” and depicts U.S., French and Texas flags.

 

• Envelope -- P. P. Martinez Cigar Co. item. Left-hand corner has Mexican national flag logo of the eagle and snake under which are two crossed cigars. Above the logo reads, “On the Market since 1885, Mexican Commerce,” and below it reads, “Cigar, Sold for 6 cents.” The center of the envelope reads, “If not delivered in five days return to P.P. Martinez Dallas, TX.” Handwritten across the front is “122 Old Spanish Dog license.” The back depicts three brands of tobacco. Handwritten along the left margin is “A.xx.xx- Fldr: Misc. Items.”

 

• Cabinet card – Photo depicts an African-American male wearing a dark suit and hat, and very young girl in a light dress standing on a wicker chair. Photo marked by studio: “Wisdom.”

 

• Cabinet card – Photo depicts an African-American male with moustache wearing a dark suit and hat. Photo marked by studio: “Wisdom.”

 

• Knights of Pythias personal finance book – Inscribed, “Pride West Lodge No. 12, Knights of Pythias, Financial Book, Five Years, Jordan Moore (ink signed) Pride West Lodge No. 12 Dallas, Texas.” Book belonged to Dallas lodge member Jordan Moore.

 

• Dallas Opera two-piece invitation – Inscribed, “First Appearance Mystic Revellers, Dallas, Texas, Fields Opera House & Lively Hal1, 1876.”

 

• Dallas 150,000 Club pin – Inscribed, “Dallas, Texas 150,000 Nineteen Ten; Dallas The Market Place.” Club promoted Dallas with a goal to grow the population to 150,000 people.

 

• Dallas 150,000 Club letter – Typewritten, dated “March _, 19__,”and signed in ink at the bottom.

 

• Dallas 150,000 Club program – Has details on Dallas and its potential, cover depicts the club logo and reads, “You Need To Know This.”

 

• Fireman’s Relief Association item – Inscribed, “First Annual Ball, Fireman’s Relief Association,” circa 1875-1890.

 

• Fireman’s megaphone -- Straight horn with no curves or curls. Base has belled top and soldered mouthpiece; there are two rings, one near each end for attaching a cord or strap for carrying. Item is plated or tinned to give a “silvered” hue.

 

• Cabinet card – B&W photo of the boat “Harvey” on the Trinity River near Dallas. Photographer’s studio name is in the left margin. Printed in a portrait format but intended for landscape viewing.

 

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The Dallas Historical Society collects, preserves and exhibits material – especially about the city and county of Dallas and North Texas – to educate visitors about Texas history. Founded in 1922, the institution occupies and manages the magnificent Hall of State, one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in America, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places on the campus of Fair Park in Dallas.

 

Note to Editors – High-resolution photos of the missing items are available for download here: https://promotesuccesspr.sharedwork.com/sr/QP9cGdWdkT18ibYhTNqt0auNnTZhFavYVPwZycoRWP1ZyM2IzMx0Ta