Ep. 78:  The Lady in Blue

Ep. 78: The Lady in Blue

Author: Ken Wise January 11, 2020 Duration: 19:30
 In 1629 a group of Jumano Indians suddenly appeared at a New Mexico mission, eager to learn more about Christianity.  The excited and grateful Franciscan priests wondered what motivated this sudden interest.  The tale the Indians told seemed unbelievable.  A “lady in blue” had appeared to them instructing them to seek out the priests and teaching the Indians the sign of the cross.  That sounded incredible enough but what really stunned the priests was that they had just received a letter from Spain relating the story of a nun telling the exact same tale…half a world away.  Is the Lady in Blue a myth…or a miracle?  You decide in the latest 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: en-us Episodes: 100

Wise About Texas
Podcast Episodes
Bonus Episode: A Bad Day at the Courthouse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:32
The September term of the Bexar County District Court was a bad time to be set for trial. Find out why in this bonus episode of Wise About Texas.
EP. 120:  Texas Rangers:  “Old Paint” Caldwell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:27
Some people are just natural leaders. That was Matthew “Old Paint” Caldwell. He rallied men for several of the most important battles in Texas history. In between, he protected the young Republic of Texas from hostile In…
EP. 119:  The Texas Rangers: Origins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:00
Texas Ranger. Two words that strike fear in the heart of the lawbreaker and hope in the heart of the law abiding. Since before there was a Texas, there were Rangers. How this elite force officially began is the subject o…
EP. 118: Texans You Should Know- Osjetea Briggs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:40
She grew up a poor Native American in rural Texas during the depression. But if you think she even noticed, you don’t know Osjetea Briggs. She became a world-renowned photographer, portrait artist and newspaper publisher…
EP. 117: A Murder in the Capitol [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:26
There has been one, and only one, assassination of a Texas state official and it happened in 1903. It occurred in the State Capitol building, the same one you can visit today. Hear about a disgruntled employee, a letter,…
EP 116: I Heard it on the X, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:53
Dr. John Brinkley had figured out how to beat the system and built the most powerful radio station in the world. The entire United States could now hear what he was selling. Music was a big part of that and Border Blaste…
EP. 115: I Heard it on the X, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:49
Dr. John Brinkley claimed to have the miracle operation for male “rejuvenation.” Dr. John Brinkley was also a quack who bought his medical degree for $100. Nevertheless, he became one of the best-known doctors in the nat…
Ep. 114: Winging it in Big Bend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:22
In the 1920s, U.S. military aviation was in its early stages. New uses for air power were discovered frequently. The new flying machines would allow military and civilian authorities to patrol dangerous, remote areas mor…
Ep. 113: The Travis County Dog Wars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:00
Shortly after the civil war, Appalachia came to Austin. Known as the cedar choppers, migrants from the mountains moved into the limestone hills of western Travis County. They kept to themselves, didn’t like outsiders, an…
EP. 112:  A Texas mother- Mary Christian Burleson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:15
What is it about Texas mothers? They are tough, smart, and resourceful. Nothing phases a Texas mom, they can do it all! That was certainly true of Mary Christian Burleson. Mary was a mom to 7 and stepmom to 12. She was a…