The Big Bang Theory by D.E. Barker

D. E. Barker, Historical Interpreter

Black powder and flintlocks, the old percussion rifles, cannons, muzzle loaders, cap and ball pistols, mention them in conjunction with the word “Texas” and you’re bound to be regaled with family stories from someone’s past and even a few stories from the present.  One can’t discuss Texas, the west, and this country’s heritage without making note of the role firearms have played.  Historians, reenactors, and even some hunters will tell you of their importance in shaping our country and our state.  As interpreters at the Museum we have an opportunity to touch on this subject in different ways with many of our visitors.

Our school groups often ask for the “Black Powder Demonstration” as one of the rotations.  It continues to be one of the most popular stops on the tour.  The kids have usually heard about the firing of a replica 50 caliber Hawkins percussion rifle, their fingers in their ears as soon as we start to pick up a muzzle loader.  Before the firing, they have to endure a little lecture first on tools that pioneers used to eke out a living in the wilderness.  We try to explain to them that these guns were tools as were the broad axe and steel wheeled push plow.  Once we’ve established that they had shelter, firewood, and a few veggies to eat we delve into the guns and their part in a settler’s life.  Defense in the wilderness and meat on the table are brought up. The differences between a black powder, smooth bore, muzzle loading flintlock gun and a black powder muzzle loading percussion rifle are pointed out.  That’s about the time you hear “fire in the hole,” and the Hawkins replica is fired. Once the kids settle back down, we gain their attention and a brief lecture on the danger of firearms is presented before they head for the next stop.

In our Rotunda building one can find flintlock pistols and muskets.  Percussion rifles and pistols are on display in many of the museum wings.  A brace of flintlock dueling pistols that were presented to General Sam Houston in 1836 and one of Sam’s powder horns reside in the same wing as a reconstructed skull from the battle of San Jacinto and artifacts belonging to Santa Anna. Two of Sam’s Navy Colts are on display near his “leopard” skin vest.  All are documented as to their place in Texas history and Sam’s life.

 And there are the big guns, the cannons.  Just mention the “Twin Sisters” or the phrase “Come and Take It” and stories start flying.  Is it the mystery of what happened to the Twin Sisters?  Are they really buried near San Jacinto?  How did they get their name?  Were they melted down as scrap?  How important were they to the battle of San Jacinto?  Do you know the whole story behind “Come and Take It,” and the little cannon at the battle of Gonzales?  The Museum has two working cannons.  When asked, “What caliber?” the joke is often that they are 35 mm.  Are you old enough to remember the old 35 mm film canisters?  That’s about the diameter of the charge loaded into our cannons.  It’s been asked if either are copies of the Twin Sisters.  Most research indicates that there were no drawings or specifications kept on the Sisters so one can only speculate.  The larger of the museum’s two cannons is brought out during the General Sam Houston Folk Festival to be fired.  It is often accompanied by a visiting cannon crewed by members of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, Lone Star Chapter.  The basso profundo of both “Rolling Thunder” and our own, as yet unnamed cannon echoes across Lake Oolooteka on the hour every hour during the festival.

As conservators and demonstrators, we remind ourselves and those watching and listening of the importance of firearms, their history, and their inherent dangers.  Just recently historical interpreters and reenactors attended a cannon school in Seabrook, Texas.  It was a thrill to experience close to ten different cannon and crews firing volley after volley across the narrow inlet.  The major impetus for the gathering was not only to understand the place of the cannon in Texas History, but to develop a standard operating procedure for the safety of the cannon crews, reenactors, and the viewing public. Make no mistake; we love the flash bang of the guns, the thunder of the cannon.  It could be the odor of spent black powder or the smoke as it roils the surrounding air.  It may be that it’s the vibration you feel in your chest when the gun goes off, the ground shaking beneath your feet from the cannons recoil. There is a realization of the power you have unleashed and an inkling of what the founding fathers might have felt as they pulled the trigger or touched burning slow match to the fuse on cannon. But, the safety of our employees and visitors is paramount.  So you might be able to witness the black powder demo if you follow a school group on the grounds. Come to the Folk Festival and one can witness muskets, percussion rifles, and cannon all in one day.  Come and hear the thunder.