Germans in Texas

The Opinion page column "The Engine of Emigration," Jan. 8, gives an excellent review of the book "News from the Land of Freedom: German Immigrants Write Home." It brings up the particular situation of German immigrants to Texas.

As I point out in my book "The Golden Free Land," the Indian threat in Texas forced the Germans to settle not as individuals or families, but in organized colonies.

These immigrants comprised three groups, each separated by time and locale of settlement: the intellectuals, the artisan-farmers, and the revolutionaries. Although they differed, all left their special mark on Texas history. Crystal Ragsdale, New Braunfels, Texas

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