Texans settle their differences with duels

Mortally wounded in a Christmas Eve duel at Gonzales, Virginian Reuben Ross survived the Battle of San Jacinto only to die on Christmas Day 1839.The deadly dispute began two months earlier, when Ross challenged Henry McCulloch, brother of the famous Ben, to a duel on behalf of an offended friend.

Mysterious death of a comic genius

Ted Healy, the comic genius behind “The Three Stooges,” kissed his wife and three-day old baby goodnight on Dec. 20, 1937 and headed for his favorite Hollywood haunts to celebrate the birth of his first child.

That’s real leather

I own a black leather jacket. Nothing fancy. It doesn’t have a lot of pockets or silver-plated zippers. It’s just an old-school, old man’s classic jacket that I’ve owned for almost 20 years. I bought it from Goodwill and wore it whenever I rode my motorcycle — winter, summer, fall, spring.

Can you still “max out” your IRA?

The year is nearly over, but you still have time to make some beneficial financial moves — such as “maxing out” on your IRA.Actually, you have until April 15, 2025, as the deadline to contribute to your IRA for the 2024 tax year.

Where hope is found

In preparation for the holidays, our family regularly contributes to Angel Tree’s, food boxes for the less fortunate, as well as supplying needs for homeless shelters. There is no shortage of needs to be met, and more people than ever need hope.

Rich old coot with heart of gold

Hugh Roy Cullen gave a luncheon at his Houston mansion on Dec. 7, 1949 for Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. Taking the war hero aside, the Texas oilman echoed the sentiments of most Americans by urging Ike to run for president in 1952.

Consider these year-end financial moves

As we enter the holiday season, your life may well become busier. Still, you might want to take the time to consider some financial moves before we turn the calendar to 2025.Here are a few suggestions:• Review your investment portfolio.

All I want for Christmas

Contributing WriterAll I want for Christmas is for the City of Mt.Pleasant to turn the intersection of HWY 271Sand 49intoatrafficcircle.Nothing fancy. Just a simple modern roundabout. It doesn’t even have to be perfectly round. Oblong would do.

Deportation vow alarms construction industry

The state’s construc tion industry is voicing concern that President-elect Trump’s vow to deport millions of undocumented immigrants would cause major labor shortfalls, according to the Texas Standard.

Jimmy Dean more than a sausage salesman

“Big Bad John,” a talking ballad written and recited by a tall drink of water from the Texas Panhandle, stayed at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 40 for the week of Dec. 4, 1961.Jimmy Ray Dean was born in Plainview the summer before the stock market crashed.