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Governor Miriam A. Ferguson historical marker display Historical Site marker sign attraction education information landmark Place of Interest Texas Tourist Destination Travel Destination Governor James Edward Ferguson historic marker historic site James Ferguson Ku Klux Klan Miriam Wallace Ross S. Sterling signage Travis County attractive destination educating info tourist attraction United States history no people text appealing tourism travel United States of America historic nobody word attract daytime displays historical markers markers signs South color image historical landmarks outdoor vertical appeal day educate historic markers historic sites Jason O. Watson / historical-markers.org colour image destinations outside tourist attractions day time TX day-time US words color images daylight outdoors USA verticals colour images natural light outsides U.S. U.S.A. sign with text |
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GOVERNOR JAMES EDWARD FERGUSON
GOVERNOR MIRIAM A. FERGUSON
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 ÒFarmer JimÓ, 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 ÒMaÓ by the press, Miriam campaigned under the slogan Òtwo Governors for the price of oneÓ. 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. |