Dr. Pat Wagner and the 'Come & Take It' Cannon. (original) (raw)

Wagner found proof of Smithwick's work and later when the cannon was x-rayed, there was little doubt that the old gun was the "Come and Take It" cannon.

Dr. Pat wasn't alone in his quest to find out the truth about the cannon. He received help from Allen Ondrusek and Douglas Kubicek of Lavaca County. They helped greatly in the research.

Also, according to the Texas Highways' article, Eugene Key of Dewville and Lowell R. Cooper of Nixon provided beneficial information.

The efforts of Dr. Pat and his colleagues paid off. A report from the Smithsonian Institution ruled out the possibility of a fraud or hoax. The little cannon was authenticated.

In later years, there were those who questioned if Wagner�s cannon was indeed the weapon used by Texans to start a revolution with Mexico in 1835. However, until they prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that it isn�t authentic, I imagine most folks in these parts will continue to believe Dr. Pat�s little artillery piece is the real deal.

It should also be noted that the old cannon wasn�t Wagner�s only project. An article by Henry Wolff, Jr. in the Victoria Advocate tells of Dr. Pat's involvement with another historical project located in Lavaca County.

According to Wolff, Dr. Pat worked to purchase and preserve the old George West home at Sweet Home. Henry Wolff wrote that this was, "... the first home of the legendary South Texas cattlemen which West built for his bride, Kittie Searcy." Wolff noted that Wagner was involved in the placing of a historical marker at the site several years ago.

The Come and Take It cannon and the George West home are two of Dr. Pat Wagner's projects. I wouldn't be a bit surprised of there were many more.

I don't pretend to know how Dr. Pat would have wanted to be remembered. Unfortunately, I can't even say that we were close friends. But I do recollect from the few times that we were together; there was no doubt that he took phenomenal pride in the history of the Lone Star State.

�

Murray Montgomery October 16, 2012 column
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