Texan Edge
 The Texan EdgeTexas has never been short on stories.Some belong to famous names. Others belong to people you've probably never heard of. Some changed Texas forever, while others simply tell us something about the people who lived here and the place Texas became.I'm Tweed Scott, and on The Texan Edge, I tell those stories.We'll wander through Texas history, meet remarkable people, uncover stories that have been overlooked, and occasionally stop for something that's just plain fun.But history isn't really the destination. It's the vehicle.Because somewhere inside these old Texas stories, there's usually something worth carrying w...
Who Do I Work For Today?
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Who Do I Work For Today?Â
Imagine showing up for work Thursday morning and discovering that somebody else owns the place—because your boss had been playing poker Wednesday night.Â
That's the old story longtime Southside Market employee Bud Frazier told about the early days of the legendary Elgin barbecue business.Â
But the poker game is only half the story. Bud spent most of his life at Southside, carrying with him something almost as valuable as the business itself...
Staying Put
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When Enid Justin's brothers moved the family boot company from Nocona to Fort Worth in 1925, Enid made a different decision.
She stayed.
With $5,000 in borrowed money, no established customer base, and plenty of people who doubted a woman belonged in the cowboy boot business, Miss Enid started the Nocona Boot Company.
She became its first traveling salesman, did whatever job needed doing, and kept the doors open long enough for opportunity to find her.
This is the story o...
Well, THAT Didn't Work
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Before Gail Borden became the name behind condensed milk, he failed.
And failed again.
There was a wagon designed to travel on both land and water. Then came a meat biscuit that won international recognition but nearly broke him. Even his first two attempts at producing condensed milk ended in failure.
But Borden kept asking one question: HOW?
In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott tells the story of a man who discovered that failure isn't necessarily the e...
Texas Being Texas
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Just when you think you've got Texas figured out, she has a way of tapping you on the shoulder and saying, “Not so fast.”
This time, Tweed wanders through a collection of strange-but-true pieces of Texas history: a Texas Navy captain planting the Lone Star on islands off Yucatán, a Lone Star coin that predates the Republic, blue ribbons cut from a little girl's brand-new dress at the Pecos rodeo, World War II pilots searching for the mysterious Marfa Lights, and a Texas lake t...
Texas Before Texas
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Long before the Alamo, Sam Houston, Spanish missions—or even a place called Texas—people were building communities in East Texas.Â
Near Alto, three ancient Caddo mounds still stand as evidence of a sophisticated world of farming, ceremony, leadership, and trade that reached hundreds of miles across North America.Â
Tweed Scott takes us back more than 1,200 years to a chapter of Texas history he admits he knew almost nothing about—until his late wife introduced him to it.Â
And the story leads...
White Gloves On The Oil Rig
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Edith Whatley McKanna wasn't particularly interested in watching airplanes. She wanted to fly one.
She became a pioneering Texas aviator, served her country during World War II, and then came home to West Texas and built a successful career in the oil business.
And when Edith showed up at her drilling sites, she reportedly wore a white hat and white gloves.
Meet a remarkable woman who was both a Texas character—and a Texan with character.Â
Show Note...
Did A President Name A Texas Town?
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Did Theodore Roosevelt really name Burkburnett, Texas?
That story has been repeated for years—but the truth is a little more complicated. It involves legendary cattleman Samuel Burk Burnett, a presidential wolf hunt, a new railroad town, a problem with the U.S. Post Office, and apparently a little help from Teddy Roosevelt himself.
The legend may not be quite true. The real story may be better.Â
Show NotesÂ
For years, Burkburnett, Texas, has carried an unusu...
Was Then "Come and Take It" Flag A Wedding Dress?
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Was the famous Come and Take It flag really made from a young woman's wedding dress?
It's one of the best-known stories surrounding the opening days of the Texas Revolution. According to tradition, Naomi DeWitt had been married only weeks before the confrontation at Gonzales, and her white silk wedding dress was cut up to create the famous flag.
There's just one problem.
An eyewitness remembered the flag being made of cotton.
And that's not the only mystery...
Dana X Bible--The Coach Texas and Texas A&M Shared
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Texas Longhorns and Texas Aggies don't agree on much when it comes to football. But once upon a time, they shared the same remarkable head coach.
Dana X. Bible built undefeated Texas A&M teams that went two entire seasons without allowing a single point. He helped create the circumstances behind A&M's legendary 12th Man tradition, won championships at Nebraska, and later took on the job of rebuilding the University of Texas football program.
But Bible's story is about more than w...
Harriet Arnold: What DID Freedom Mean?
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Harriet Arnold may have been born free in Texas. But years later, her father accepted $750 and indentured her to another man for five years.
Why?
Was he exploiting his own daughter? Was he trying to protect her from laws that made life increasingly difficult for free Black Texans? Or was something else happening entirely?
The historical record doesn't tell us.
In this episode of The Texan Edge, we follow Harriet through changing Texas laws, an indenture agreement, a cholera epidemic...
The Scout Texas Almost Forgot
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Hendrick Arnold helped Texas win its independence. Then the new Republic began passing laws that questioned whether a free Black man like him could remain in the country he had helped create.
Arnold served the Texian cause as a scout and guide during the Siege of BĂ©xar and the Texas Revolution, working alongside men whose names are far better remembered today. He earned land for his service, settled along the Medina River, and built a life in Texas.
But his story di...
Charles Goodnight Had A Problem
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Charles Goodnight had 1,800 cattle, 18 hungry cowboys, and a long trail ahead of him.Â
His solution was simple: take an old Army wagon and turn it into a kitchen that could travel with the herd. What began as a practical answer to an everyday problem became the chuck wagon—one of the enduring symbols of the Texas cattle-drive era.Â
In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott tells the story of Goodnight's mobile trail kitchen and the very Texas idea behind it: someti...
Old Rip
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Old Rip: The Horned Toad That Just Wouldn’t DieÂ
In 1928, workers opened the cornerstone of an old courthouse in Eastland, Texas. Inside were items placed there 31 years earlier—and a horned toad that appeared to be dead.Â
Then, according to the story, he opened his eyes.Â
They called him Old Rip, and before long this little Texas horned lizard was a national celebrity. He traveled the country, met President Calvin Coolidge, and became part of one of the stran...
The Second Battle of the Alamo
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Seventy-two years after the Battle of the Alamo, someone barricaded herself inside it again. This time there was no Mexican army outside—there was a determined Texas schoolteacher inside.Â
In 1908, Adina De Zavala locked herself inside the Alamo’s Long Barrack for three days, convinced that an important piece of Texas history was in danger of being destroyed. Her fight put her at odds with fellow preservationist Clara Driscoll and helped ignite what has sometimes been called the “Second Battle of the Alamo.”Â
It’s a rem...
Texas Tried Camels
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Texas tried camels. Seriously.
In the 1850s, the U.S. Army had a problem: how do you supply remote forts across the dry, unforgiving country of the Southwest? Secretary of War Jefferson Davis thought he had an answer—camels.
And the surprising part is, they worked.
In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott tells the strange but true story of the U.S. Army Camel Corps, the camels that arrived on the Texas coast, their trials at...
Sam Houston and the Fights He Wouldn't Fight
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Sam Houston was no stranger to a fight. He had been badly wounded in battle, led the Texas Army at San Jacinto, and spent much of his political career battling some of the biggest personalities in Texas.Â
But when men challenged him to settle their differences with pistols, Houston repeatedly refused.Â
In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott looks at the dueling culture of the Republic of Texas, some of the men who challenged Houston, and the difference between being afrai...
The Porch Light Is Back On
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The porch light is back on.
After taking a summer hiatus, Tweed Scott returns with Season Two of The Texan Edge—and a renewed sense of what the show ought to be.
In this episode, Tweed talks about why he stepped away, what he discovered while the podcast was quiet, and what will be a little different this season. The stories will come quicker, the road will wander a little farther, and Texas history will remain at the heart of it all—not as the destination, but as th...
Season 2 Trailer
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This isn't just a podcast, it's a Texas state of mind.
Neighbors First
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In Texas, independence doesn’t mean standing alone—it means showing up when it matters most.
In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott shares a story from ranch country where a long-standing dispute between neighbors is put to the test when a powerful storm rolls in. Fences, pride, and old disagreements are quickly forgotten as one call for help brings both sides together in the mud, wind, and rain.
Because in Texas, you can argue with your neigh...
Battle of the Neches
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July 15, 1839 marks a defining and complicated moment in Texas history—the Battle of the Neches. In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott explores the clash between the Republic of Texas and the Cherokee Nation, set against the backdrop of a young republic still shaping its identity. This is not a simple story of victory or defeat, but one of competing visions, difficult decisions, and lasting consequences. It’s a reminder that Texas wasn’t just built on bold action, but also on the...
Summer Heat
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When the Texas heat rolls in, it does more than raise the temperature—it reveals character. In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott shares a story of a small-town feed store facing hard times and the quiet, powerful way a community steps up to keep it alive. No headlines, no fanfare—just grit, sweat, and neighbors refusing to let one of their own fall. Because in Texas, toughness isn’t about standing alone—it’s about showing up together.
S...
Front Porch Leadership
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When most people hear “leadership,” they picture big stages, spotlights, and titles. In Texas, we know better. Some of the most important leadership in this state has happened on front porches, with nobody watching but the fireflies.
In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott takes you to that quiet, powerful space—where a granddad, an old coach, a neighbor, or a mama with backbone offers the kind of straight‑shooting, kind‑hearted truth that can change a life. This is “front p...
Satan’s Storm
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On a quiet June night in 1960, the small Texas town of Kopperl was jolted awake by something that felt more like judgment day than weather. In a matter of minutes, calm air turned into a roaring blast of superheated wind—hot enough to scorch crops, kill livestock, and leave residents gasping for breath. Some called it “Satan’s Storm.”
In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott takes you inside one of the strangest weather events in Texas history—a rare “heat...
The Texan Handshake
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A handshake may seem like a small gesture, but in Texas, it carries weight. In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott explores how a simple greeting reflects presence, respect, and honesty—values rooted deep in Texas history. From frontier days to a modern-day café in Round Rock, the “Texan handshake” still serves as a quiet test of character. This episode challenges you to rethink how you show up in those first few seconds—because in Texas, a handshake is more than hello, it’...
My Love Letter to America
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My Love Letter to America
On the eve of Independence Day, I wanted to do something different.
This isn't a history lesson or a discussion about current events. It's simply a heartfelt thank-you to the country that has given me a remarkable life.
From growing up in New Hampshire, where the American Revolution still feels alive, to serving in the U.S. Navy, to finding my true home beneath the wide-open skies of Texas, this is the story of one American's journey.
...
How Americans Celebrate Freedom: Texas Style
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Tomorrow is America's birthday, but the celebration starts today. In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott looks at how Americans have celebrated Independence Day since 1777—and how Texans have added their own unmistakable flavor to the tradition.
From Main Street parades and fireworks to brisket, small-town festivals, church gatherings, and pickups pulling barbecue pits, the Fourth of July in Texas is the American story wearing cowboy boots. More than just a day off, Independence Day is a reminder of the freedoms we e...
A Nation of Symbols
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How does a nation tell its story without saying a word? In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott explores how America speaks through its symbols—from bald eagles and Liberty Bells to bluebonnets and pecan trees. Along the way, he connects national icons to Texas state symbols, showing how each one quietly reminds us who we are, where we’ve come from, and what kind of people we’re called to be as America approaches its 250th birthday.
Sho...
Life, Liberty and the Lone Star Flag
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As Independence Day approaches, The Texan Edge takes a look at the meaning behind two powerful symbols: Old Glory and the Lone Star Flag. While America’s story begins in 1776, Texas adds its own chapter—one rooted in loyalty, bravery, and a deep belief in liberty.
In this episode, Tweed Scott connects the founding ideals of the United States to the colors and meaning behind the Texas flag, reminding us that both flags tell a shared story of sacrifice, independence, and endur...
Cynthia Ann, Between Two Worlds
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What happens when the place you came from is no longer the place you belong?
In this final chapter of our series on Texas captives, The Texan Edge returns to the remarkable story of Cynthia Ann Parker. Captured during the Fort Parker raid of 1836, Cynthia Ann spent nearly a quarter century living among the Comanches, building a life, raising a family, and becoming part of a world far different from the one she left behind.
When Texas Rangers finally identified and recovered h...
Herman Lehmann, Captive
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What happens when a captive no longer feels like a captive?Â
In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott introduces listeners to the remarkable story of Herman Lehmann, a young Texas boy captured on the frontier in 1870. Unlike many captives whose stories were lost to history, Herman lived long enough to tell his own tale—a story that challenges many of our assumptions about frontier life.Â
Taken from his German immigrant family at age eleven, Herman spent years living among Apache and Comanche tribes...
Cynthia Ann Parker
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Cynthia Ann Parker: The Girl Who Vanished
In May of 1836, Texas was a brand-new republic struggling to find its footing. While leaders debated the future of the young nation, families on the frontier were focused on something more immediate: survival.
One of those families lived at Fort Parker, a fortified settlement on the edge of a dangerous and uncertain frontier. There, a nine-year-old girl named Cynthia Ann Parker was growing up in a world where opportunity and danger walked hand in h...
Vanished
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When Someone Disappeared
For families living on the Texas frontier, few fears were greater than waking up one morning and watching riders appear on the horizon.
In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott explores the reality of captivity in early Texas—a subject that is often simplified but rarely understood. Captivity was not unique to Texas, nor was it limited to one group of people. It was a harsh reality of frontier life that affected Native tribes, settlers, soldiers, and...
The Map Kept Moving
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The Map Kept MovingÂ
The Texas we know today looks fixed and familiar on a map. Counties stay put. State lines don't move. But the Texas frontier was never that simple.Â
In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott continues his exploration of Native Texas by examining the forces that constantly reshaped the landscape long before statehood. Disease, migration, horses, warfare, trade, and survival all played a role in creating a frontier that was in perpetual motion.Â
Along the way, you'll learn how...
Let's Talk Indians
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Before There Was TexasÂ
When most people picture early Texas, they imagine an empty frontier waiting to be settled. But the truth is far more interesting.Â
Long before the arrival of Stephen F. Austin's colonists, Texas was already home to dozens of distinct Native peoples, each with their own cultures, languages, territories, alliances, and histories. In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott begins a new series exploring the Native world of Texas before statehood and before the Republic.Â
Fro...
Opal Lee,The Grandmother of Juneteenth
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From a hot June day in Galveston Bay in 1865 to a “little old lady in tennis shoes” standing in the White House in 2021, this episode of The Texan Edge follows the long road of Juneteenth through the life and grit of Opal Lee. Tweed Scott walks you from General Order No. 3 to a national holiday, tracing how one determined Texas woman turned memory into motion—2.5 miles at a time. This is Tex-A-Tude: freedom, responsibility, and the quiet courage to keep walking until the tru...
Tex-A-Tude Freedom, Memory, and Responsibility
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On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, the word “freedom” finally reached people who had waited far too long to hear it. It didn’t fix everything in a day, but it lit a fire that still burns every Juneteenth. In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott unpacks what happened in Galveston, why the delay matters, and how Juneteenth calls us to remember, reflect, and live our freedom with responsibility. This is Texitude: honoring those who paid the cost for liberty by becomin...
Beaumont 1943 When Fear Took Over
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In June 1943, the East Texas shipyard town of Beaumont was booming with wartime work—and simmering with tension. Segregation, overcrowding, and fear set the stage for one of the darkest weeks in the city’s history. In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott walks you through how rumor and prejudice lit the fuse, how violence spiraled out of control, and why martial law had to be declared to restore order. More importantly, we explore what this story still has to teach...
Texas Style Patience
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Texans know something about waiting—and doing it right. In this episode of The Texan Edge, Tweed Scott explores a quiet but powerful trait: Texas-style patience. It’s not about pretending frustration doesn’t exist; it’s about refusing to let it take the wheel. From Buc-ee’s lines to I-45 traffic jams, this kind of patience keeps your peace intact while the world moves at its own pace. If life has you stuck in a delay, this episode will help you stand your ground...
Front Porch Fridays
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As the Texas sun eases down and the air finally stops feeling like a hair dryer, join host Tweed Scott for a loving tribute to Friday evenings in the Lone Star State. This episode celebrates the special rhythm of Texas summer nights—from front porch swings and lightning bugs to courthouse squares and ballfield lights. Tweed explores how these evening gatherings shaped Texas communities long before air conditioning and social media, creating real connections through handshakes, conversations, and neighborly care. With gentle encouragement to...
The Texas Cattle Drive
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Saddle up for a journey back to the great Texas cattle drives that transformed our state from a wild frontier into an economic powerhouse. In this episode, host Tweed Scott takes you onto the trail with the diverse crews of cowboys—seasoned trail bosses, Black cowboys, Mexican vaqueros, and young ranch hands—who pushed thousands of longhorn cattle hundreds of miles north along routes like the Chisholm Trail. Through vivid storytelling, you'll experience the dust, danger, river crossings, and starlit nights that defined this...
