John William Smith, 'El Colorado'

John William Smith, 'El Colorado'. Virginia-born John William Smith gained fame for the role he played in early Texas history. Smith, nicknamed "El Colorado" for his red hair, arrived in Texas in 1827 and settled in San Antonio de Béxar. He became fluent in Spanish, moving easily among the diverse cultures in the town. , Smith's best-known achievements came during the Texas Revolution. In December 1835, Smith helped guide the Texans through the streets during the Battle of Béxar. On February 23, Smith left the Alamo carrying William B. Travis' plea for help, returning on March 1 with 32 men from Gonzales. He left again on March 3, this time with a letter from Travis to the convention meeting at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Smith was with the Texan Army at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. , Smith held several public offices during the Republic of Texas. He served as Mayor of San Antonio in 1837-1838 and in 1840-1844. He also held the offices of Postmaster, Indian Commissioner, Alderman, Tax Assessor, Board of Land Commissioners' Clerk, Probate Court Clerk and County Treasurer. He died of pneumonia in 1845 while serving as Senator in the Texas Congress. , Artist: Chris Navarro , Donors: , The Marshall T. Steves Sr. Family . The Tobin Endowment . Robert and Anne Tucker . Mollie and Bartell Zachry, The Heirs of Josephine Bell and William M. Fordtran . In Memory of Zelime Vance Gillespie by Claire G. Inglish with James Inglish, Mary Claire Inglish and Patricia Sinclair; Zelime and John K. Matthews with Wilbur and Catherine Matthews and Zelime and Matt Gizzi: Elizabeth Tobin Gillespie . In Memory of Julia Spencer Tucker Rasmussen by Elizabeth Lea Rasmussen and Nicholas Spencer Rasmussen . In Memory of John Burton Barnes Ill by Libba McClelland Barnes with Bracken West Barnes and John Burton Barnes IV , L'Aiglon Foundation: H. Julia Jitkoff . Trustee Jessie and Richard Kardys with Chris and Sarah Kardys and Clark and Alex Kardys . In Memory of William C. Clegg fr. by Cynthia and Steven Ling . The A. Kirk McClelland Family . The Dan Peavy Family . In Memory of Josephine Tucker Robertson by her Sons Catharine G. "Tinka" Rote Toby and John Tate Bill West . George Mitchell West . Jim and Martha West . In Loving Memory of Milton Vance West Jr. "Daddy" . Cuatro paisanas Ranch, Inc. , George and Janna Tacker . John Edgar Tobin Cothren and Macon Tobin Cothren . Vancie and Cal Bohls . Ann and Wesley Ingram with Carissa, James and Casen Deats and William, Cameron and Brianne Ingram . DeWitt and Shelly Rote Hugh P. Roe and Family , Josephine and Jeff Cook . John and Stacey Fergun with Lillian, John and Everest Ferguson . In Memory of Charles K. Fraser by Carl Fraser . In Memory af Herbemont Shaw Fraser by Karen Fraser and Kay Fraser . Agnes Barnes Harwood and Family . John Ingram . In Memory of Ellen Clare Todd Long by Jim Long and Elisabeth T. Long . Mr. and Mrs. Tobin Parker . The Porter, Bates and Etienne Family . Julie Steers Powers . M. Spencer Rigney . Chris and Carey Rote . Betty Davis Russell . Alice Hall Strunk, Agnes Bell Fordtran Kendrick with Steven and Janna Barnhart, Sam and Elizabeth Barnhart, Meagan and Sam Orilling, Mackenzie and Richard Schoolman . Frances Chandler . Marshall Trish Clegg . The Family of Cynthia Rote Campbell by Cynthia C. Murray . Mrs Gerard Tubin Rote Jr. . Walter and Cary Bain . Josephine and Paul Fauerso . William Newton . Maria Vance Tucker . E.C. Parker II . The Robert Peavy Family . Bebe and Virgil Rosser with Steves and Brook Rosser, Virgil and Pam Rosser, Annie and Ted Snider . Kaki Steves . Les Tucker . Susie Dittmar Williams