EP. 137:  The First Chief Justice (sort of)

EP. 137: The First Chief Justice (sort of)

Author: Ken Wise July 29, 2025 Duration: 20:19

The Republic of Texas Congress formed the first state Supreme Court in 1836. However, the Court really didn’t meet in any significant way until 1840 under the leadership of Chief Justice John Hemphill. Being Chief Justice was a little different then. It meant fighting Indians, mastering Spanish law, and even leading an expedition to invade Mexico! Chief Justice John Hemphill did it all. Learn more about one of Texas’ greatest jurists in this episode of Wise About Texas.


There’s a particular feeling you get standing on a wide stretch of prairie or walking through a quiet courthouse square that seems to hold a century of stories. Wise About Texas is about uncovering those stories, layer by layer, with the kind of depth and context that makes the past feel immediate. Hosted by Ken Wise, each episode goes beyond the well-trodden tales of the Alamo and cowboy legends to explore the people, places, and pivotal moments that truly shaped this unique state. You’ll hear about forgotten communities, surprising cultural intersections, and the everyday lives that built Texas from the ground up. This isn’t just a dry recitation of dates; it’s a thoughtful exploration that connects history to the landscape you can visit today. Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a curious newcomer, or someone planning a trip with a desire to understand what you’re seeing, this podcast serves as an engaging guide. Tune in for narratives that are meticulously researched yet told with a conversational ease, making each chapter of Texas history accessible and genuinely compelling. The aim is to leave you not just better informed, but with a richer sense of the spirit and complexity that defines the Lone Star State.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 163

Wise About Texas
Podcast Episodes
Ep 35 Remember Tampico!  A forgotten battle of the Texas revolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:48
When discussing the Texas revolution, the battle of the Alamo, the Goliad massacre and the great victory at San Jacinto get most of the airtime. But there were several other military events in the time period leading up…
Ep. 34: Revolutionary Texas Government(s)-Organizing Chaos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:48
In the late 1820’s, the Mexican government assessed the conditions in Texas and decided to clamp down on anglo immigration and try to prevent too much revolutionary fervor. The American immigrants “traveled with their co…
EP. 33-  Beer, Love and Murder:  A Tale of 3 Emmas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:52
In 1914, San Antonio beer magnate Otto Koehler was killed by his mistress, Emma. His former mistress, also named Emma, was present. Was it self defense? Was it planned? Did she get him before he got her? What became of h…
Ep 31 A Texas Christmas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:58
Merry Christmas to all! In this episode we take a light look at some of the traditions that make a Texas Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and Merry Texas Christmas!
Ep. 30: Texas Towns:  Virginia Point [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:29
Virginia Point was a transportation hub, civil war fort and cotton producing town on the shores of Galvesston Bay. It was part of Austin’s “coast colony” and was considered as an early port of the Republic. The Confedera…
Ep. 29:  The Greer County Land Grab(?) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:17
An 1818 map was used to negotiate a boundary treaty between the United States and Spain, then Mexico, then the Republic of Texas, then the State of Texas. The only problem was, the map was wrong! Learn about a boundary d…
EP 28:  Professional Texas History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:07
In honor of the one-year anniversary of Wise About Texas, I take the show professional. I conducted an interview with professional historian Dr. Jody Edward Ginn, PhD. Dr. Ginn discusses his varied career in museums, boo…
Bonus Episode:  Happy 1 Year Anniversary! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:53
Happy 1 year anniversary to Wise About Texas! This episode thanks you for listening and previews the next year(s). Thanks for listening!
Ep 27:  The Texas Prison Rodeo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:14
For over 50 years, Texans gathered at the Walls Unit in Huntsville Texas to watch the toughest convicts compete in the Texas Prison Rodeo. The rodeo was a fixture of Texas Octobers until budgets and changing times brough…