Little Oscar, Texas Governor Series LbNA #63642

Oscar Branch Colquitt (1861-1940) was the 25th governor of Texas. Known as "The Napoleon of Texas Politics" and "Little Oscar" because of his short stature, Colquitt was a strong and independent chief executive. His stump speeches were among the most effective of his times. A descendant of American Revolution and Civil War fighters, Colquitt was born in Camilla, Georgia. He attended public schools there and in Daingerfield, Texas, as well as the Daingerfield Academy. Having learned the printing trade, he founded the Pittsburg, Texas Gazette and published the Terrell, Texas Times-Star. He also played a role in establishing the first cotton seed mill in Texas, and he founded the First National Bank of Terrell. He was a member of the Texas Senate from 1895 to 1897, a Texas State Revenue Agent in 1898, and Texas Railroad Commissioner from 1903 to 1911. In addition, he was admitted to the Bar in 1900. He ran unsuccessfully for the governor in 1906 but won the office four years later as a supporter of prohibition. Achievements during his two terms in office included completion of state prison system reform, increased appropriations for the state's educational institutions, and labor protections. At the same time, Colquitt locked horns with the legislature over the issue of prohibition. Although the legislature favored prohibition, a popular referendum had rejected it by a thin margin, and Colquitt declined to resubmit the question to the legislature. In 1916, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate, after which he became involved in the petroleum industry in Dallas. In 1928 he headed "Hoover Democrats of Texas" and from 1929 to 1933 served on the U.S. Board of Mediation. From 1935 until his death in 1940, Colquitt was a field representative for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. He was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.

Directions: I usually place my governors in a relevant place, such as the cemetery where they are buried or their hometown. I already have governor boxes in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin and couldn’t find a suitable place in Terrell, so Little Oscar is enjoying a little fishing at Lake Tawakoni State Park, not too far from his home in Terrell. The park is located approximately 50 miles east of Dallas and 25 miles south of Greenville. From Interstate 20, take State Highway 47 north through Wills Point to FM 2475 and continue for about 4 miles.

To the box: As you enter the park, follow the signs to the boat ramp/swimming area. After you pass the rest rooms on your left, pull into the first parking lot on the right. Look for the NATURE TRAIL sign a few yards on the other side of the WHEEL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE parking spaces. At the NATURE TRAIL sign, follow the trail to the right. As you follow the trail through the woods, you will pass a large clearing with group picnic tables and barbecue pit. Follow the trail to the left around this area.

You will come to a hiker sign post with an orange triangle pointing foward. Continue on the main trail, ignoring side trails and keeping the lake on your left. When you get to the beach area with a great view of the lake, keep right as the trail takes a hairpin turn around two evergreen trees and heads away from the lake. Shortly, you’ll come to a weeded clearing where you encounter another hairpin turn, this time to the left. Immediately look left into the woods for a large double-trunk oak tree. Make your way to it and you’ll find Little Oscar in a hollow between the trunks about 3-4 feet above the ground, held in place by a rock. This box was placed in late November, but in the summer, there’s bound to be weeds and thorny vines, so be careful. Please place the box back and carefully place the rock to keep the box safe. Thanks.