| Vol 8, No 19 | January 19, 1981 | Monday Evening |
(1929)
On January 19, 1929, Old Rip, famed horned toad that survived 30 years entombed in the Cornerstone of the Eastland County Courthouse, passed away at Eastland Texas. An autopsy was performed that showed that Old Rip had fluid in his tiny lungs and pneumonia was list as the official cause of death. He was then embalmed and placed in a red velvet-lined box in the courthouse lobby for all to see. In his day he had traveled the nation, at one point being introduced to the President.
Janis Lyn Joplin was born on this date in 1943 at Port Arthur. She was the lead singer for Big Brother and the Holding Company, and recorded several smash hits on her own as well, such as "Take Another Little Piece of My Heart", "Cry Me", and "Lord Won't You Buy Me a Mercedes Benz". She died tragically on Oct 4, 1970, just 3 months before her biggest hit, "Me and Bobby McGee" hit number one.
(1840)
On this date in 1840, the town of Waterloo is selected to be the State Capitol of Texas. Town is renamed Austin for the father of Texas, Stephen F Austin.
