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Title
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Miriam Ferguson, Marker
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Biographical Text
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Black historic marker with white border and image of the state of Texas at the top. Describes the life and legacy of Ferguson as the first female governor of Texas.
The plaque is located near the Texas State Capitol, where Ferguson served as governor.
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Text
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TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
TEXAS
GOVERNOR JAMES EDWARD FERGUSON
(AUGUST 31, 1871 - SEPTEMBER 21, 1944)
GOVERNOR MIRIAM A. FERGUSON
(JUNE 13, 1875 - JUNE 25, 1961)
JAMES FERGUSON, SON OF A METHODIST PREACHER, AND
MIRIAM WALLACE, DAUGHTER OF A WEALTHY FARMER, WERE
BELL COUNTY NATIVES. THEY MARRIED IN 1899 AND LATER
SETTLED WITH THEIR TWO DAUGHTERS IN TEMPLE. JAMES
RUNNING AS “FARMER JIM”, WON THE GOVERNORSHIP IN 1914.
HIS FIRST TERM SAW IMPROVEMENT OF RURAL SCHOOLS
AND THE PRISON SYSTEM, AND RELIEF FOR TENANT FARMERS.
IN 1917 HE BEGAN A SECOND TERM, BUT WITHIN MONTHS HE
WAS IMPEACHED ON CHARGES THAT INCLUDED MISHANDLING
OF STATE FUNDS; CONVICTED BY A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE
35TH LEGISLATURE; AND REMOVED FROM OFFICE. IN 1924 THE
TEXAS SUPREME COURT UPHELD A LAW BARRING HIM FROM
STATE OFFICE, SO MIRIAM RAN FOR GOVERNOR IN HIS PLACE.
CALLED “MA” BY THE PRESS, MIRIAM CAMPAIGNED UNDER
THE SLOGAN “TWO GOVERNORS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE.” SHE
BEAT THE KU KLUX KLAN CANDIDATE AND IN HER FIRST TERM
(1925-27) SUPPORTED AN ANTI-MASK BILL THAT BROKE KLAN
POWER. CRITICS ATTACKED HER LIBERAL PARDONING POLICY.
SHE DEFEATED GOV. ROSS S. STERLING TO WIN HER SECOND
TERM (1933-35), IN THE MIDST OF THE DEPRESSION. AFTER
LOSING THE 1940 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, THE FERGUSONS
RETIRED FROM LONG AND COLORFUL POLITICAL CAREERS.
(1977)
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Date Created
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1977
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Type
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English
Signage
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Project Researcher
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Bysterbusch, Hailey
