| Vol 8, No 356 | December 21, 1980 | Sunday Evening |
(1821) 
On this date in 1821, Mary James Long was born at Bolivar Peninsula, and was long believed to be the first Anglo baby born in Texas. Her mother Jane was left at Fort Las Casas with a few other families while her husband traveled to La Bahia near the Matagorda Bay. He was later killed, and Jane was left all alone for the birth of her baby. Jane claimed to be the "Mother of Texas" for giving birth to the first Anglo baby in Texas, but generations later, census record would show that other Anglo babies were born in other settlements.
(1980)
On this date the Houston Oilers behind running back Earl Campbell, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 20-16. In the game, Campbell rushed for 203 yards, accumulating 1,934 yards for the season, just 69 short of the NFL record held by OJ Simpson. Campbell set an NFL season record for most games with 200 yards or more. By the time he retired after the 1985 season (then with New Orleans), Earl Campbell would have racked up a total of 9,407 career rushing yards.
(1865)
On this date in 1865, Lyne Barret and four others formed the Melrose Petroleum Company. In 1866 at Oil Springs, Barret brought in the state's first oil well at the depth of only 106 feet. The well produced ten barrels of oil per day.
(1859)
On this date in 1859, Sam Houston is inaugurated as Governor of Texas. He has served as Governor and US Congressman from Tennessee, President of the Republic of Texas, US Senator of the State of Texas. Texas now has a population of 600,000.
