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In Texas, a Modern-Day Fight for the Alamo

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 20, 2009 1:54 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Alamo is once again at the center of a pitched battle, the Wall Street Journal reports—only this time the combatants aren’t soldiers but the gentle ladies of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The 7,000-member group has run the historical site, which is badly in need of repair, since 1905. They all agree that tens of millions must be raised to preserve the building, but a splinter faction of the group thinks more than bake sales are in order.

Erin Bowman was appointed in 2007 to lead a $60 million fundraising drive—and booted a year later by the tight-knit group after bringing in an outside consultant and setting up meetings without telling the president-general, who says "I think she lost track of the fact that she was not above the rules." Bowman, who formed the splinter group and continues to raise money for the Alamo, says, “They are very nice people. They just don't understand how to do business.” Case in point: The new fundraising committee plans to start collecting small change at area schools.

Visitors are seen at the Alamo in San Antonio.
Visitors are seen at the Alamo in San Antonio.   (AP Photo)
Staff clean the interior of the Alamo in San Antonio.
Staff clean the interior of the Alamo in San Antonio.   (AP Photo)
History interpreter Sherri Driscoll cleans the nooks and crannies of the limestone walls inside the Alamo.
History interpreter Sherri Driscoll cleans the "nooks and crannies" of the limestone walls inside the Alamo.   (AP Photo)
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It would be sheer idiocy for the DRT to tolerate members who seek to torpedo the DRT's legitimate fund-raising efforts. - DRT letter to Erin Bowman

She's very attractive. Very personable. I think she lost track of the fact that she was not above the rules. - Former DRT president-general Madge Roberts, on Bowman

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
AdaptAndOvercome
Aug 21, 2009 12:55 PM CDT
Please, I'm a Texan and everytime we had family come to visit....we took them to the freakin' Alamo..then my kids got school trips every year and I chaparoned. That place is very interesting, but those old bitties that run the place are just that. They are cut throat premadona's. There have been several articles in the paper about these ladies and their inner fighting. They need to get a life and a reality check, because that buildings going to colapse if they don't figure out a way to fix it. Loose change isn't gonna get it done.
riffran
Aug 21, 2009 8:44 AM CDT
you OBVIOUSLY don't know Texans, or ARIZ. for that matter. Come on down let us teach you a lesson
Cat-Lover
Aug 21, 2009 1:23 AM CDT
Knowing Texans, I'm sure the author meant "Gentile" ladies. Jews aren't permitted to do anything in Texas (or Arizona, for that matter).

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