“Soldier Mangled by I. and G.N. Train,” Houston Post, 13 February 1917, p. 7, col. 1.
“[I]t will be beyond the skies when Jesse W. Steele, private, company G, Third Texas Infantry, kisses the lips of that ‘mother o’ mine,’ for Monday Morning at 11 o’clock he got his summons to appear before the Great General in the final court marshal.”[1]
The newspaper article from the 13 February 1917 Houston Post describes how Jesse Steele, traveling home on a ten day furlough from the army, tried to hop on an International and Great Northern freight train. In the stead he fell underneath the wheels and was killed.[2]
Several years ago I asked My Lovely Bride what part of history she liked. She stated she did not like history (GASP!), of course this was while our relationship was still in its infancy. I then asked her, if she did want to learn more about something in history, what would it be?
In 1770, John Adams stated as part of the legal defense of British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre:
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence: nor is the law less stable than the fact.”[1]
Facts are indeed stubborn things. They exist whether or not we wish them to, and no matter what we do, or how we attempt to hide them, the facts will always lurk below the surface, waiting to strike against those who wish to keep them submerged.
