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From: "Janice Walker" <>
Subject: [FOLKLORE-L] Texas Fun Facts
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 23:29:38 -0500

Mr. P. Newton of Gainesville, Texas was the first man
to swim the Mississippi River lengthwise. For almost
six months during the depression year of 1930, Mr.
Newton swam some 1,828 miles. He left Minneapolis
with less than $10.00 and consequently, spent a lot
of time along the way painting signs to finance the next
leg of the journey.

Johnny Mathis, the famous American vocalist, was born
in the Vinegar Hill Subdivision of Gilmer, Texas.

Perhaps the most enduring soldier of the Civil War was
Private George B. Zimpleman of Harris County who was
a member of the 8th Texas Calvary Regiment. A fine
fighting unit that fought in the west in the army of Tennessee.
He furnished his own arms and equipment and enlisted for
the duration of the conflict as a private. He fought in most
of this unit's battles and skirmishes starting with the battle
of Woodsonville (Ky) and ending with the last battle of
the Army of Tennessee, i.e., Bentonville (NC) April 1865/
He had more horses and mules shot from under him than
any other soldier. He was wounded only twice but one
marked him for life.

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