Secretary Mable Hill Scott wrote a lovely, long poem describing just how the chartering went, leaving out few details. Excerpts for her beginning paragraph include: "We cared not for the weather, whether it be rainy, cold or hot...with the Daughters we would cast our lot...To organize a chapter of the D.R.T. was the purpose and intent...By telegraph, by phone, by letters the invitations had been sent...Only eight ladies eligible for the order accepted...with authentic records of their ancestor's daring deeds, no one was rejected…. …Someone handed me a pencil and paper without deception, this is how the Chapter had its inception." 

1936 JBB Centennial Luncheon at the Ford Exposition Building at the Texas State Fair (Seated L to R: Mamie Adamson, Annie Hord Sprau, Mary Baker Boone, Mabel Agnes Hill Scott, Ouida Bradfield, Mynnie Williams Schenkenburg, Cora Talbot Behrendes, Willie Graves White. Standing L to R: Mrs. Johnson, Lillie Allen Thomas, Rachel Buchanan Landers, Ida Blake, Margaret Boone). From the collections of the Texas/Dallas History and Archives Division, Dallas Public Library

The James Butler Bonham chapter has been involved in many projects over the years that are woven into the tapestry of Dallas, Texas including: 

• The perpetual guardianship of the replica of the Alamo located on the grounds of the State Fair of Texas on April 21, 1931. 

• In 1936, during the Texas Centennial, JBB members participated in the opening day parade and attended the luncheon honoring First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and dinner for Vice President and Mrs. John Nance Garner during the dedication of the Hall of State.

• In 1949 and 1950, the Chapter Committee for Preservation of Historic Spots located and listed pioneer graves in Dallas County cemeteries and filed the records in the Hall of State. 

• During WWII, the chapter sold War Bonds and stamps; served as hostesses and donated furniture and needed articles to the USO; served in Civilian Defense and Red Cross programs; and staffed recruitment booths for the Sarah Dodson Unit of Waves and Spars Reserves.

• The Chapter assisted in the preservation, restoration, and custodianship of the John Neely Bryan Cabin, the first home in Dallas County. During the U. S. Bicentennial Celebration, Chapter members served as hostesses for the cabin. 

For their January meeting and 95th birthday celebration, the JBB chapter was pleased to host Dr. Andrew Torget, Professor at UNT who spoke on “The Rise and Destruction of Nineteenth Century Galveston.”  The chapter has over 200 members and meets the second Friday of each month September through May in Dallas, Texas. 

2025-2027 JBB Board (Seated L to R: Kara Giangiulio, Rebecca Quam, Ashley Schick, Roxann Garcia, Pepsi Windland, Standing L to R: Jennifer Marin, Carolyn Raney, Anne Wiesner. Not pictured: Sarah Gunderson, Betty Robbins and Susan Stephens)

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) is a nonprofit organization of over 7,000 women descended from citizens of the Republic of Texas - a sovereign nation from 1836 to 1846.  Organized in 1891, DRT continues to grow and through its committed members and more than 100 chapters to perpetuate the spirit of Texas independence; encourage historical research; and aid in the preservation of documents and historically significant properties.  For more information about DRT, visit www.drtinfo.org.