Ross, Lawrence Sullivan

Early years

Lawrence Sullivan Ross was born September 27, 1838 in Bentonsport, Iowa . He was the fourth child and the second in a row in the Shapley Prince Ross family and Catherine Fulkerson, daughter of Isaac Fulkerson. Shortly after Ross was born, his parents sold the house in Iowa and returned to Missouri , and in 1839 the family moved to the Republic of Texas and settled in the Robertson colony in the lower reaches of the Brazos River ^{[1] [2]} . Two years later, they joined seven families led by Captain Daniel Monroe and settled near the modern city of Cameron ^[2] , where they received 640 acres (260 hectares) of land along the river ^[1] . Their lands adjoined the Comanche territory and were repeatedly attacked by the Indians ^{[1] [3]} .

In order for Lawrence and his older brothers and sisters to attend school, the family decided to move to Austin in 1845 ^[4] . Four years later, they moved again. By this time, Shapley Ross had become a famous colonist, and in order to persuade him to settle in the newly formed Waco community, the family was given four plots of land, exclusive rights to operate the ferry across the Brazos River, and the right to purchase 80 acres (32 hectares) of agricultural land at the price one dollar per acre ^{[5] [6]} . In March 1849, the Ross family built the first house in Waco - a log cabin on a cliff overlooking the springs, in this house was born the sister of Lawrence Kate ^[6] .

To continue his education, Ross entered the preparatory department at the Baylor University in 1856, despite the fact that he was several years older than most other students. In one year, he completed a two-year course ^{[7] [8]} , after which he entered Wesleyan University in Florence , Alabama ^{[3] [9]} . At first, Ross was reluctant to accept, because they thought that he knew mathematics too little, however, after a university professor agreed to give him private lessons, the university changed his mind ^[9] . At the university, students did not live in a dormitory, but in families of famous citizens ^[8] , in order to be able to learn good manners daily ^[10] . Ross lived in the family of his teacher ^[10] .

Battle near the Wichita tribe village

In the summer of 1858, Ross came to Texas for a vacation and went to Brazos Indian Reservation, where his father served as an agent for Indian affairs. The reserve Indians were called up to help the Wichita Expedition of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The expedition was looking for a Comanche leader named , who led raids on Texan settlements, which resulted in the death of their inhabitants. Fearing that Shapley Ross would not be able to command the expedition for health reasons, the Indians chose Sullivan Ross as their new commander. With the approval of his father, Ross Jr., at the head of a detachment of 135 soldiers, joined the detachment of Major Earl Van Dorn , numbering 225 soldiers ^{[11] [12] [13]} .

Indian scouts discovered a detachment of 500 Comanches, among whom was the Humpback Buffalo, located outside the village of the Wichita tribe in Indian territory . At the beginning of the battle, Ross and his men broke up Indian horses, thereby giving a strategic advantage to equestrian soldiers of the US Army. When the Comanches attempted to escape from the battlefield, Ross, together with the scout of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Cornelius Van Kamp and one of his soldiers, began to pursue a group of peaceful Indians who had a white child ^[14] . By order of Ross, the soldiers grabbed the child, and at that time they were confronted with a squad of twenty-five Comanches ^{[15] [16]} . Van Kamp and the soldiers were killed by arrows, and Ross was wounded in the shoulder. One of the Comanches raised a shotgun of a killed soldier ^[14] and fired a .58 (14.7 mm) bullet into Ross's chest ^{[15] [17]} . Shooting an Indian, Mohi, Ross has known since childhood. When Mohi approached the unconscious Ross to scalp him, he was shot dead by Lieutenant James Majes ^{[14] [15]} .

After a five-hour battle, the American army broke down Comanche resistance ^{[18] [19]} . The Humpback Bison fled, but 70 Comanches were killed or mortally wounded, and only two of them were civilians ^{[14] [18]} . Ross's wounds were severe, he could not be transported, and he lay under a tree on the battlefield for five days ^{[17] [19]} . His wounds were infected, and Ross requested that he be shot to save him from suffering. After some time, Ross fully recovered, but until the end of the year he continued to suffer severe pain ^[17] .

In his report, Van Dorn praised the actions of Ross. On October 10, the report was published in the Dallas Herald newspaper , other newspapers also noted Ross's courage. General Winfield Scott found out about the role of Ross in battle and invited him to enlist for military service. Wanting to finish his education, Ross rejected Scott’s offer and returned to the University of Alabama ^{[19] [20]} .

The following year, Ross graduated from Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and returned to Texas. Arriving there, he found that no one could find the family of the white girl he had saved during the battle near the village of the Wichita tribe. He adopted her and gave her the name Lizzy, in honor of his bride, Lizzy Tinsley ^{[21] [22]} .

Texas Rangers

Enrollment in the ranger squad

At the beginning of 1860, Ross was enrolled in a Texas Ranger squad, commanded by Captain J.M. Smith, created to fight American Indians. Smith appointed Ross the second lieutenant . When Smith went up, the squad unanimously voted for Ross to become the new captain. Together with other ranger squads, he led his people against the Kikapu tribe, which killed two white families. The tribe was alerted to the rangers' approach and set fire to the prairies . Faced with a fire, the Rangers were forced to turn back ^[23] .

In early September 1860, Smith disbanded the Ross squad, and a week later, Governor Sam Houston allowed him to recruit a new squad of 60 cavalry volunteers to protect the settlements near Belknap from Indian attacks. On October 17, Ross and his people arrived at , but the local people, whom they swore to protect, met them with a resolution in which they asked Ross to resign and leave. They thought that the Indians were making raids from reservations, and were afraid that Ross would not be able to protect them because of their friendly relations ^[24] .

Battle of the River Pease

In late October and November 1860, Comanche led by Peta Nokona repeatedly attacked settlers, one of which ended in the brutal murder of a pregnant woman. Learning of this, Houston sent several detachments of 25 people to help Ross. One of the units tracked down the raiders in their winter camp, located on the banks of the River . The detachment had to return to recruit more fighters. Ross asked for help from the US Army, stationed at Camp Cooper, and he was assigned 21 soldiers ^[25] .

On December 11, as soon as the soldiers arrived, 39 Rangers headed by Ross set off for the Comanche camp. On December 13, when the militia joined them, the detachment was 69 people. A few days later, the militia made a halt to rest the horses, and the Rangers and soldiers continued on their way. When they approached the settlement, Ross personally conducted intelligence. Under the cover of a dust storm, Ross was able to approach the settlement at a distance of about two hundred meters and saw that the Indians were preparing to move to another place. Realizing that his own horses were also tired after a long transition, Ross decided to attack immediately, without waiting for the militia. Ross and the rangers struck the camp, while the soldiers took up position behind the ridge of sand dunes in the north-west, cutting off the Comanche retreat ^{[26] [27]} .

After a fierce battle, the Comanche fled. Ross chased the leader and another Indian with several rangers. As the rangers approached, the Indian slowed down and lifted the child over her head. The soldiers did not shoot and surrounded the Indian woman. Ross continued to pursue the leader and fired three shots. Even falling from a horse, the leader refused to surrender. Ross's cook Anton Martinez, who was captured by Peta Nokon , identified the latter as the leader. With Ross’s permission, Martinez shot him. ^[28] Most of the Nocone squad was exterminated, 13 women were also killed. Ross's people did not suffer. ^[29]

The militia arrived on the battlefield when the battle was over. Although they first congratulated Ross on their victory, some later complained that Ross had moved forward so as not to share fame and trophies ^[30] .

When Ross returned to the campground, he noticed that the captured woman had blue eyes ^[30] . The woman did not speak English and did not remember her name and the details of her life before getting into the Comanches. After much questioning, she was able to tell some details of her captivity when she was a child. The details corresponded to what Ross knew about 1836, so he summoned Colonel Isaac Parker to identify the woman. When Parker noted that his abducted niece was Cynthia Ann Parker , the woman thumped herself in the chest and said: “I am Sinti Ann” ^[31] . Subsequently, Cynthia Parker did not return to the Comanches, but did not consider herself happy while living in a new place ^[32] .

A nine-year-old Indian boy, who was hiding in the tall grass, was also found during the attack. Ross took him to himself and gave him the name Pease. Although he was later allowed to return to the Comanches, Pease decided to stay and was raised by Ross ^[33] .

cemented the glory of Ross. However, after his death, the son of Nocona, Kuan Parker , claimed that his father did not take part in the battle and died three or four years later. Kuana said that instead of his father, Mexican prisoner Ho Nocon, who was a servant of Cynthia Parker, was shot dead ^[34] .

Resignation

When Ross returned home, Sam Houston asked him to disband the squad and form a new one of 83 people, promising to give a written order in the near future. While Ross was involved in this reorganization, Houston appointed Captain William Dalrymple as his new adjutant. Not knowing the verbal instructions of Houston, Dalrymple sharply criticized the actions of Ross. Ross completed the reorganization of the squad, after which he returned to Waco and resigned. Houston offered Ross the position of adjutant with the rank of colonel, but he refused ^[35] .

Civil War

Military service

In early 1861, after Texas voted to secede from the United States and join the Confederation , Ross's brother, Peter, began recruiting men into the new squad ^[36] . Soon after Ross was enlisted as a private in his brother’s detachment, Governor Edward Clark asked him to immediately go to Indian territory , hold talks with five civilized tribes and persuade them not to help the Union army . A week after his wedding with Lizzy Tinsley, which took place on May 28, Ross went to Indian territory ^[36] . Arriving at the Washita Reservation, he found that the representatives of the Confederation had already signed a preliminary agreement with the tribes ^{[37] [38]} .

Ross returned home a few months later. In mid-August, he left with his squadron in Missouri , leaving his wife with her parents. On October 7, his detachment was renamed the company “G” company of the Stone Regiment, later known as the 6th Texas Cavalry Regiment, and Ross was promoted to Major ^{[39] [38]} . In November 1861, General , with whom he served in the Texas Rangers, sent Ross twice to scout for enemy forces in the area of Springfield . Both times, Ross successfully passed through parts of the federal army, collected information and returned back. After completing the assignments, he was granted a 60-day vacation, and Ross returned home to visit his wife ^{[40] [41]} .

Active Military Service

In early 1862, Ross returned to his duties, and at the end of February he led a detachment of 500 people who attacked the Union army. They went 110 km to the rear of the enemy, where they collected information, destroyed several baggage carriers, captured 60 horses and mules, and captured 11 people ^{[40] [41]} . The following month, the regiment was led by Major General Earl Van Dorn , with whom Ross served during the battle of the village of the Wichita tribe . The regiment commanded by Van Dorn was defeated in the battle of Pee Ridge . Ross blamed the general for this defeat, as he sent tired and hungry soldiers into battle and failed to properly coordinate the plan of attack ^[42] . In April, the squad was sent to De Ark , Arkansas. Due to the lack of feed, Ross ordered him to dismount and send the horses back to Texas. The squad, now on foot, traveled to Memphis , Tennessee , arriving there two weeks after the battle of Shiloh ^[43] . Soon Ross had a bad cold, the disease was accompanied by a prolonged fever. He had been sick for eight weeks and by the time he recovered, he weighed only 57 kg ^[44] .

In 1862, despite the protests of Ross, the soldiers elected him colonel of the 6th Cavalry Regiment. He did not want to take responsibility and did not want to upset his friend, who also wanted to command the regiment. The brigade commander, General Charles Fayfer, was often absent, leaving Ross as his deputy. Ross’s actions impressed other officers, and in the summer of 1862 he was repeatedly promoted to a brigadier general . Although he was not made general at that time, his unit was one of 8-10 dismounted cavalry units in the region that were promised to return horses ^[45] .

Still not receiving horses, his regiment took part in the battle of Corinth . The Texans, under the command of Ross, twice captured the Robinett battery. However, due to the lack of reinforcements, each time they were forced to retreat. During the fight, Ross, who bought a horse, was knocked out of the saddle. His people were convinced that he was killed, but Ross was still alive and did not even get injured ^{[46] [47]} . The Confederation army retreated from the battlefield and faced superior forces of the Union during the . 700 shooters under the command of Ross for three hours restrained 6500 enemy soldiers, repelling three attacks ^[48] .

The horses of the 6th Cavalry Regiment arrived shortly after the battle, and the regiment was transferred to the cavalry brigade of Colonel . In November 1862, Ross was allowed to leave the service for several weeks to visit his wife, and he returned to his regiment in mid-January 1863 ^[49] . A few months later, his unit took part in the ^[50] . In July, Major General 6 combined the 6th Texas Cavalry Regiment and the 1st Mississippian Cavalry Regiment, Colonel R. Pinson, and appointed Ross as commander of the new brigade. At the same time, Ross received news of the death of his first child, who may have been stillborn ^[51] .

Ross fell ill again in September 1863. From September 27 to March 1864, he had bouts of fever and chills every three days, which were symptoms of three-day malaria ^{[17] [52]} . Despite his illness, Ross did not miss a single day of service, and in early 1864 he was promoted to brigadier general, becoming one of the youngest generals in the Confederate army ^{[17] [53]} . After raising Ross, the morale of his squad improved, and all of his soldiers remained for long service ^{[54] [55]} .

In March 1864, near , Mississippi , Ross's brigade fought for the first time against black soldiers. As a result of a fierce battle, the Confederates won. During the surrender talks, an officer of the Union accused the Texans of killing several captured black soldiers, to which Ross replied that two of his men were also killed after the surrender of Union troops ^[56] .

Since May, the team has withstood 112 days of continuous clashes with the enemy. Although most of the clashes were small, by the end of the period of injury and desertion reduced the number of the regiment by 25% ^{[54] [56]} . At the end of July in the Ross was captured, but he was beaten off thanks to the successful counterattack of the Confederate cavalry ^[56] .

Their last major military campaign was the in November and December 1864. From early November to December 27, Ross’s people captured 550 prisoners, several hundred horses, as well as plenty of warm clothes and blankets to survive the cold winter. Only 12 Ross soldiers were killed, 70 injured and 5 captured ^[57] .

Capitulation

March 13, 1865 Ross was given a 90-day vacation. By that time, he had taken part in 135 battles, a horse was killed five times under him, but he avoided serious injuries ^[58] . Ross hurried home to Texas to visit his wife, whom he had not seen for two years. When he was at home, the CSA army capitulated. Ross did not join his regiment when he surrendered in Jackson , Mississippi, on May 14, 1865 ^[59] . Since he was not present during the surrender, Ross did not receive a parole certificate that would protect him from arrest. As an officer in the Army of the United States in the rank above Colonel, Ross also did not fall under the proclamation of an amnesty for President Andrew Johnson of May 29, 1865. To prevent his arrest and confiscation of property, Ross August 4, 1865 asked for forgiveness for his treason against the United States. Johnson personally satisfied Ross’s request on October 22, 1866, but it officially entered into force only in July 1867 ^[60] .

Farming and the beginning of public service

By the end of the civil war, Ross was only 26 years old. He owned 160 acres (65 hectares) of agricultural land along the River west of Waco and 5.41 acres (2.19 hectares) in the city center. The first time he and his wife were able to build their own house. Over the next 17 years, they had eight children ^[61] :

Despite the pardon, the First Law on Reconstruction of March 2, 1867, Ross was forbidden to vote and act as a juror. This law and the Supplementary Law on Reconstruction, adopted three weeks later, deprived those who held public office until the Confederation’s support was granted civil rights.

The reconstruction did not damage the state of Ross, and thanks to hard work, he soon succeeded. After the war, Ross bought from his parents for $ 1,500 20 acres (8.1 hectares) of land in Waco. In May 1869, he bought another 40 acres (16 hectares) of agricultural land for $ 400, and the following year his wife inherited 186 acres (75 hectares) of agricultural land owned by her father. Ross continued to buy land, and by the end of 1875 he owned more than 1000 acres (400 hectares) of agricultural land ^[63] . In addition to agriculture, Ross and her brother, Peter, were breeding short horned cattle. Soon, Ross earned enough money to build a house in Waco and send the children to a private school ^[64] .

In 1873, Reconstruction in Texas came to an end ^[65] . In December, Ross was elected sheriff of the district of McLennan "without an election campaign or other petitions" ^[66] . Ross immediately appointed his brother Peter as sheriff's assistant, and in two years they arrested more than 700 criminals ^[66] . In 1874, Ross helped create the Texas Sheriffs Association. In August 1874, after many state newspapers published the news of the meeting, sheriffs of 65 Texas districts ^[67] gathered in the Corsican . Sullivan was one of three commissioners who prepared the final resolution. The congress adopted a resolution in which delegates asked under certain circumstances to increase the sheriff’s salary, condemned mob law and suggested changing the legislation so that when arrested the sheriffs could, if necessary, use force “to force criminals to obey the law” ^[68] .

Ross resigned as a sheriff in 1875 and was soon elected a delegate to the Texas Constitutional Convention. He was a member of several committees, including the revenue and taxation committee, the ad hoc committee on border issues, the education committee and the standing committee on legislative power. For 68 days, during which the convention was held, Ross took part in 63 meetings, voted 343 times and missed or abstained from voting only 66 times ^[69] .

After the convention ended, Ross returned home and worked in agriculture for four years ^[70] . In 1880, he accidentally became a candidate for the Texas Senate from the 22nd district. The nomination meeting has come to a standstill, since neither of the two candidates could have won two thirds of the votes. As a compromise, one of the delegates proposed nominating Ross as a candidate. Although no one asked Ross if he wanted to run, the delegates elected him as their candidate. Ross agreed with the nomination of his candidacy so as not to create problems and not to convene a repeated meeting ^[71] .

Ross won the election with a big advantage ^[71] . Shortly after Ross arrived in Austin, his youngest son died. He had to return home for a week to attend the funeral and help care for his other son, who was seriously ill. Upon returning to the state capital, Ross was appointed to the committees on education, internal development, finance, penitentiary institutions, military affairs (where he was chairman), public affairs, unforeseen expenses, animal husbandry, agricultural affairs and laws ready for signing ^[72] . On behalf of the 500 citizens of McLennan County, he made a proposal that the next vote should include the question of the introduction of “ Prohibition ”. The legislature agreed with this proposal ^[73] .

In November 1881, a fire destroyed the Capitol building, and Ross called a special session in April 1882, at which it was decided to build a new building ^[74] . Towards the end of the special session, the Senate passed a law on redistribution, which reduced the four-year senate to two years. Ross refused to run for another term ^{[75] [76]} .

Governor

Elections

In early 1884, Ross's friends, including Victor M. Rose, editor of the newspaper in Victoria , called on Ross to run for governor. He refused and asked his friend George Clark to attend the State Democratic Party convention to prevent Ross from being nominated as governor. Clark presented Ross's letter, in which he asked for another nominee ^[77] . At the end of 1885, Ross changed his mind and on February 25, 1886, announced that he would run for governor ^[78] . During the election campaign, he was repeatedly accused of having links with parties of greenbacks , republicans and freemasons ^[79] . Ross spent money on travel expenses only, but still easily won the nomination as a candidate from the Democratic Party ^[80] . In the general election, he won 228,776 votes, the candidate from the Republicans - 65,236 votes, and the candidate from - 19,186 votes ^{[81] [82]} . Ross received the greatest support from veterans of the confederation ^[82] .

Ross became the 19th governor of Texas ^[83] . His inauguration took place in the newly opened Driskill Hotel , which became a tradition for subsequent Texas governors ^[82] . According to the Texas constitution of 1876, which Ross helped write, the governor became commander-in-chief, received the right to convene a legislative assembly, direct trade with other states, pardon criminals, and veto bills ^[83] . Ross’s election campaign focused on land reform, as there was a lot of disagreement at the time about the use of public land, especially between farmers and ranchers in matters related to water rights and livestock grazing. At the insistence of Ross, the legislature passed laws that restored the power of the head of the land administration and ensured punishment for those who illegally used state lands, and a catalog of public lands was compiled ^[84] .

Second term

In May 1888, Ross chaired the opening of the new Texas Capitol ^[85] . In the same year, he was practically nominated for a second gubernatorial term practically without alternative ^[86] . His election program included the abolition of the system of national banks, the regulation of monopolies, the reduction of tariffs, and the resolution of self-regulation of railways through competition ^[79] . No one from the Democrats put forward his candidacy at the party congress, the Republicans also did not elect a candidate because they were satisfied with Ross’s work. Ross’s only rival in the election was a representative of the Prohibition Party, which he bypassed by 151,000 votes ^[86] .

During his second term as governor, Ross was forced to intervene in the conflict in Fort Bend County , known as the " war of jays and woodpeckers ." Sheriff Jim Garvey was afraid that an armed confrontation would begin between the two factions of the Democratic Party — the white racists (“jays”) and known as “woodpeckers”, who retained political power in the district, despite the end of Reconstruction , a block of African Americans and white opponents of segregation , many of whom in the previous era of Reconstruction were members of the Republican Party. At the request of Garvey, Ross sent two militia detachments that were able to establish a truce for four months.

In August 1889, Russia sent four Texas Ranger, one of whom was Sergeant . Four people were killed and six were injured, including one ranger, during the suppression of the unrest. Aten turned to Ross for help. Houston Light Guard arrived the next morning. , и было введено военное положение. Вечером того же дня приехал Росс с помощником Генерального прокурора штата и ещё одним отрядом милиции. Он уволил всех местных чиновников и призвал представителей обеих враждующих фракций вместе выбрать нового шерифа, который заменил бы убитого в перестрелке Гарви. После того, как враждующие стороны не смогли договориться, Росс предложил кандидатуру Атена. В конце концов обе фракции согласились, и конфликт был прекращён. Благодаря тому, что на праймериз Демократической партии было разрешено голосовать только белым, «дятлы» утратили власть в округе ^{[87] [88]} .

В марте 1890 года генеральный прокурор США подал против Техаса иск в Верховный суд , чтобы определить право собственности на спорный земельный участок в округе площадью 1,5 млн акров (6100 км²) ^[89] . Преисполненный решимости лично встретиться с генеральным прокурором, Росс вместе с женой отправился в Вашингтон , где они посетили президента Бенджамина Гаррисона в Белом доме . Затем они поехали в Нью-Йорк , где встретились с бывшим президентом Гровером Кливлендом . Во время пребывания в Нью-Йорке Росс был очень популярен у журналистов. Он дал интервью нескольким крупным газетам, которые подробно осветили многие из его подвигов. По словам его биографа Джудит Бреннер, поездка и освещение жизни Росса «возбудили среди жителей восточных регионов интерес к Техасу, что в итоге привело к увеличению инвестиций, туризма и иммиграции» ^[90] .

Росс отказался стать первым губернатором Техаса, баллотировавшимся на третий срок, и 20 января 1891 года ушёл с должности ^[91] . За четыре года пребывания на посту губернатора он наложил вето только на десять законопроектов и помиловал 861 человека ^[92] . По сравнению с другими губернаторами Техаса, это небольшое количество: губернатор Мириам Фергюсон всего за два года помиловала 1161 человека ^[93] .

Законодательная деятельность

Во время пребывания в должности Росс предложил реформировать налоговое законодательство, чтобы обеспечить более точную оценку имущества — в то время разрешалось оценивать свою собственность при отсутствии внешнего контроля. Законодательное собрание штата приняло его рекомендации ^[94] , а также одобрило его план по ужесточению контроля за школьными средствами и введению местного налога для поддержки государственных школ ^[95] . Росс также призвал законодательную власть принять антимонопольные законы. Они были приняты 30 марта 1889 года, за год до утверждения федеральным правительством антимонопольного закона Шермана ^[96] .

Во время губернаторства Росса легислатура разрешила гражданам проголосовать по поводу поправки к конституции штата о запрете алкоголя. Росс был категорически против этого, утверждая, что «ни одному правительству никогда не удавалось изменить моральные убеждения своих граждан путём применения силы» ^[97] . Поправка была отклонена с перевесом в 90 000 голосов ^[97] .

До того, как Росс стал губернатором, в штате было всего четыре благотворительных заведения: две психиатрические лечебницы, общество слепых и общество глухонемых. К тому времени, как он покинул свой пост, были открыты сиротский приют, общество слепых и глухонемых чернокожих детей и приют для душевнобольных ^[95] . Росс также убедил законодательное собрание выделить 696 акров (282 га) земли около Гейтсвилла для организации исправительного учреждения в виде фермы для несовершеннолетних правонарушителей ^[98] .

Росс стал первым губернатором, выделившим отдельный день для улучшения городов, объявив третью пятницу января Днём посадки деревьев ^{[99] [100]} . Он также поддержал усилия законодательного собрания по приобретению картинной галереи , коллекции портретов губернаторов штата. Эти картины до сих пор экспонируются в ротонде Капитолия Техаса ^[100] .

Президент колледжа

Assignment

В конце 1880-х годов было много слухов о «неудовлетворительном управлении, недовольстве студентов и профессоров, отсутствии единства в преподавательском составе, проблемах с дисциплиной и скандалах на территории» в Сельскохозяйственном и механическом колледже Техаса (ныне Техасский университет A&M ) ^[101] . Общественность скептически относилась к идее научного подхода в сельском хозяйстве ^[102] , и законодательное собрание отказалась выделять средства на улучшения , так как не доверяла администрации колледжа.

Совет директоров решил, что колледжу нужен независимый руководитель, и 1 июля 1890 года единогласно поддержал идею предложить эту работу Россу, который в то время был действующим губернатором, и попросил его немедленно подать в отставку ^{[102] [103]} . Росс согласился рассмотреть это предложение, а также некоторые другие, которые к нему поступили. В это же время несколько газет получили анонимное сообщение о том, что Россу предложили стать президентом A&M, после чего они напечатали статьи, в которых указывали, что он идеально подходит на эту должность, так как колледж был основан для обучения сельскохозяйственным и военным наукам, а Росс продемонстрировал отличные качества и военного, и фермера. Кроме того, на губернаторской службе он отточил управленческие навыки, а также всегда проявлял интерес к образованию ^{[102] [104]} .

Росс был обеспокоен возникновением конфликта интересов, так как он назначил многих членов совета директоров, которые, в свою очередь, голосовали за его избрание. Однако, несмотря на это, он объявил, что принимает предложение ^{[105] [106]} . Как только новость о его назначении распространилась по всему штату, в колледж начали съезжаться абитуриенты. Многие мужчины, служившие во время Гражданской войны под началом Росса, хотели, чтобы их сыновья учились у их бывшего командира. В 1890 году в колледж пытались поступить 500 человек, и только 316 из них были приняты, хотя колледж был рассчитан на 250 студентов. Когда Росс официально возглавил школу 2 февраля ^[107] , он столкнулся с отсутствием водопровода, нехваткой жилья, недовольством преподавательского состава и распоясавшимися студентами ^[108] .

Улучшения

Совет директоров назначил Росса казначеем колледжа, и ему было выделено 20 000 долларов «для честного исполнения своего долга» ^[109] . Во время каникул им было инициировано несколько изменений. Когда в 1891 году студенты вернулись к началу нового учебного года, они обнаружили новое трёхэтажное общежитие на 41 комнату (оно получило название «Хол Росса» ), также было начато строительство нового дома президента колледжа и нового здания для механической мастерской и кузницы. Минимальный возраст для абитуриентов был снижен с 16 до 15 лет, и Росс стал лично проводить собеседование с поступающими. Плата за обучение возросла на 10 долларов за учебный триместр, также было увеличено количество учебных часов, необходимых для окончания колледжа, в том числе по английской грамматике, естественным наукам, математике и истории. Кроме того, Росс стал лично назначать офицеров , а название роты лучших в строевой подготовке кадетов было изменено с «Добровольцы Скотта» на «Добровольцы Росса» . Наконец, Росс официально запретил дедовщину, пообещав выгнать любого студента, признанного виновным в её применении ^[110] . Хотя Росс делал вид, что получает удовольствие от своей новой должности, он писал нескольким людям, что управление колледжем «быстро заставило его поседеть» ^[110] .

Количество абитуриентов продолжало расти, и к концу своего пребывания в должности Росс попросил родителей перед отправкой сыновей в колледж сначала обращаться в его офис ^[111] . Увеличение количества студентов потребовало улучшения инфраструктуры, и с конца 1891 года по сентябрь 1898 года колледж потратил более 97 000 долларов на модернизацию существующих и постройку новых зданий: столовой на 500 человек, лазарета, в котором были первые внутренние туалеты на территории кампуса, артезианской скважины, крытого плавательного бассейна, зданий четырёх факультетов, электроосветительной установки, прачечной, холодильной кладовой, скотобойни, гимнастического зала, товарного склада и артиллерийского депо ^{[112] [113]} . Несмотря на увеличение расходов на строительство, в 1893 и 1894 годах бюджет колледжа был профицитным. В финансовом отчёте за 1894 год избыток средств был приписан грамотному руководству Росса, и он оставшиеся деньги вернул студентам в виде снижения платы за учёбу ^{[112] [113]} .

Росс и студенты

Росс был доступен для студентов и по мере возможностей принимал участие в школьных мероприятиях. Окружавшие его люди не могли вспомнить, чтобы он грубил или был рассержен ^[114] . Росс ежемесячно готовил на каждого студента листы с оценками, а неуспевающих учеников приглашал к себе в офис, чтобы вместе обсудить их проблемы ^{[113] [115]} . Во время его руководства особое значение было придано военному аспекту колледжа. Тем не менее, он устранил многие порядки, которые считал ненужными, в том числе передвижение строевым шагом на занятия. Росс также сократил время несения караула и количество занятий строевой подготовкой ^[116] .

Хотя в колледж принимали только юношей, Росс поддерживал совместное обучение, так как считал, что на кадетов «хорошие девочки могут оказать облагораживающее влияние» ^[117] . Первой девушкой, начавшей посещавшей занятия и помогать редактировать ежегодник, стала в 1893 году дочь профессора колледжа Этель Хадсон. В 1895 году она стала почётным членом класса. Несколько лет спустя, в 1903 году, почётными членами стали её сёстры-близнецы, и постепенно другим дочерям профессоров было позволено посещать занятия ^{[118] [119]} .

За 7,5 лет пребывания Росса в должности президента в колледже сформировались многие традиции, которые продолжают существовать по сей день. К ним относят «Кольцо агрария» , которое носят студенты и выпускники университета A&M, и — официальный оркестр университета A&M, крупнейший военный оркестр в мире ^[120] , состоящий из более чем 300 юношей и девушек ^[121] . Также во времена Росса был проведён первый межуниверситетский футбольный матч против команды Техасского университета в Остине ^[108] . В этот период времени были созданы многие студенческие организации, в том числе «Клуб толстяков» , «Клуб кривоногих» , «Клуб хористов» (ныне известный как ), «Клуб велосипедистов» и «Театральный клуб колледжа» . В 1893 году студенты начали издавать ежемесячную газету , а два года спустя — ежегодник The Olio ^{[113] [122]} .

Последние годы и смерть

Росс продолжал принимать активное участие в деятельности ветеранских организаций и в 1893 году стал первым командиром техасского подразделения . Он несколько раз переизбирался президентом и один срок служил главнокомандующим всей организации. В течение этого времени филиал организации в Брайане носил название LS Ross Chapter ^{[123] [124]} .

В 1894 году Россу предложили войти в состав . Пока он размышлял, уйти ли в отставку и принять предложение, в его офис пришло много писем и петиций с просьбами остаться в колледже. Росс отказался от назначения и остался президентом колледжа ^{[124] [125]} .

Росс всегда был заядлым охотником и во время рождественских каникул в 1897 году вместе с сыном Невиллом и несколькими друзьями семьи отправился на охоту к реке Навасота. Во время охоты у Росса начались острое расстройство желудка и сильный озноб, из-за чего он решил вернуться домой, в то время как другие продолжили охотиться. 30 декабря он прибыл в Колледж-Стейшен и обратился к врачу. Боли продолжались в течение нескольких дней, и вечером 3 января 1898 года Росс умер в возрасте 59 лет и 3 месяцев ^{[113] [126]} . Вероятной причиной смерти был назван сердечный приступ ^[113] . Тело Росса в сопровождении студентов колледжа было перевезено в Уэйко, где его встретил почётный караул из ветеранов конфедерации в серых мундирах. Росс был похоронен на . На его похоронах присутствовало несколько тысяч человек ^{[113] [127]} . Чтобы увековечить его память, студенты решили провести в колледже церемонию Silver Taps , которая стала почётной традицией и проводится, когда умирает студент или выпускник университета ^[128] .

Heritage

На следующее утро после смерти Росса в газете The Dallas Morning News вышла статья, которую цитируют его биографы ^{[129] [130]} :

Лишь немногие смогли быть настолько полезными Техасу, как Сал Росс… В течение его жизни он был тесно связан с благосостоянием народа… и выполнял все порученные ему обязанности с усердием, умением, честностью и патриотизмом. … Он не был ни выдающимся вожаком в своей области, ни искусным политиком, но, что ещё лучше, он был уравновешенным, всесторонне образованным человеком с любой точки зрения. В своей общественной деятельности он проявлял подлинный здравый смысл, высокий патриотизм, несгибаемую честность, и в то же время его характер был настолько благороден, что он неизменно обладал не только доверием, но и любовью людей. … Его имя будут с уважением вспоминать, пока благородство, преданность своему долгу и незапятнанная честность будут стандартами нашей цивилизации и примером, который должен вдохновлять всех молодых жителей Техаса, стремящихся к достойной уважения общественно-полезной карьере.

Original Text (Eng.)

It has been the lot of few men to be of such great service to Texas as Sul Ross. ... Throughout his life he has been closely connected with the public welfare and ... discharged every duty imposed upon him with diligence, ability, honesty and patriotism. ... He was not a brilliant chieftain in the field, nor was he masterful in the art of politics, but, better than either, he was a well-balanced, well-rounded man from whatever standpoint one might estimate him. In his public relations he exhibited sterling common sense, lofty patriotism, inflexible honesty and withal a character so exalted that he commanded at all times not only the confidence but the affection of the people. ... He leaves a name that will be honored as long as chivalry, devotion to duty and spotless integrity are standards of our civilization and an example which ought to be an inspiration to all young men of Texas who aspire to careers of public usefulness and honorable renown.

Через несколько недель бывшие кадеты колледжа начали собирать средства на памятник. В 1917 году штат выделил 10 000 долларов, и спустя два года 10-футовая (3 м) статуя Росса работы скульптора была открыта в центре кампуса A&M ^{[130] [131]} . В последние годы в университете появилась новая традиция: студенты на удачу перед экзаменами начали оставлять у подножия статуи монеты. Университетская легенда гласит, что Росс часто давал частные уроки, а в качестве оплаты символически брал один цент. Во время экзаменов его статуя часто завалена мелочью ^[132] .

Выделив деньги на памятник, законодательное собрание штата также приняла решение основать Педагогический колледж Сала Росса (ныне ) в Алпайне ^[131] , который начал работу в июне 1920 года ^{[130] [133]} .

• Judith Ann Benner. Sul Ross, Soldier, Statesman, Educator. - College Station, Texas: Texas A & M University Press, 1983. - ISBN 0-89096-142-5 .
• Joe Tom Davis. Legendary Texians. - Austin, Texas: Eakin Press, 1989. - Vol . 4. - ISBN 0-89015-669-7 .
• William Warren Sterling. Trails and Trials of a Texas Ranger. - Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1959. - ISBN 0-8061-1574-2 .
• Mildred P. Mayhall. The Kiowas: Civilization of the American Indian Series; 63. - 2 ed .. - Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1971. - ISBN 0-8061-0987-4 .
• Robert M. Utley. Frontiersmen in Blue: The United States Army and the Indian, 1848-1865. - University of Nebraska Press, 1967. - ISBN 978-0-8032-9550-6 .
• Kenneth E. Hendrickson, Jr. The Austrian to John B. Connally, Jr.. - College Station, Texas: Texas A & M University Press, 1995. - ISBN 0-89096-641-9 .
• Ralph A. Wooster. Lone Star Generals in Gray. - Austin, Texas: Eakin Press, 2000. - ISBN 1-57168-325-9 .

• Governor Lawrence Sullivan Ross (Neopr.) (HTML). Governors of Texas, 1846 — present . Legislative Reference Library of Texas - www.lrl.state.tx.us. The date of circulation is December 8, 2012. Archived January 17, 2013.
• Judith Ann Benner. Ross, Lawrence Sullivan (Neopr.) (HTML). Handbook of Texas Online . Texas State Historical Association. The date of circulation is December 8, 2012. Archived January 17, 2013.
• Texas Governor Lawrence Sullivan Ross (English) . National Governors Association. The date of circulation is December 8, 2012. Archived January 17, 2013.
• Historic photographs of Lawrence Sullivan Ross (eng.) . Portal to Texas History. The appeal date is December 8, 2012. Archived January 17, 2013