The Boots of the Father of Texas

With the fiery controversy over illegal immigration being a prominent American political issue, it's easy to overlook the fact that Mexico once had a significant problem with immigrants from the United States. Back in the 1820s, 300 immigrant families from the U.S. (known as colonists at the time) arrived in Mexico to legally settle land granted by the government. They were led by Stephen F. Austin and they became known as the "Old 300." Ultimately, thousands more arrived and fought a war for independence from Mexico to become the Republic of Texas.

From The Facts:

ANGLETON -- Like Humpty Dumpty after his legendary fall, pieces of a statue await workers and equipment to assemble the 72-foot-tall cement likeness of the Father of Texas, which will soon watch over drivers along Highway 288.

An 18-wheeler carrying six statue pieces -- representing the boots and legs of Stephen F. Austin-- arrived at the statue site, south of Highway 35 off Highway 288, about 11:15 a.m. Tuesday. Once assembled, the pieces will stand about 23 feet tall, said Sehon Warneke, president of the Stephen F. Austin 500.

Nine more pieces of the statue will be on their way to Angleton soon, he said.

To reiterate for emphasis, Stephen F. Austin was a legal immigrant in Mexico.