Joe received the approval of Lonesome Dove Church, and its pastor, Dr. Coy Quesenbury and his congregation to write this book. The encouragement of the Boy Scouts of America president: Mr. Milton H. Ward. Dr. Ken Steigman, curator of the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, Incorporated, of McKinney, Texas. Also Dr. Donald Dewitt, curator of the University of Oklahoma's Historical Archives. (The Sam Houston Letter). Backed by the Sam Houston Museum of Huntsville, Texas, Dr. Patrick B. Nolan and Sam Houston IV. Joe's family took pride in their heritage. They passed down stories of the early days of Texas when they came here to farm as Peters' Colonists in the 1840's. Their family came from Hopkinsville, Kentucky to the newly opened Red River Settlements. The first real organized settlement, and organized church was the Lonesome Dove Church close to Dove Branch in late 1845. This was called the Cross Timbers of the Trinity River, some of the best land for farming. My close family prized these stories. I was very fortunate to hear these stories and pass them down to others who love Texas, and True Stories of early Texas. Enjoy the journey!