The Grit of The German Belt

The horrific floods of this past July in the Texas Hill Country has stunned and touched every heart throughout the nation. Along with everyone else, I remain fixated on the videos, updates and photographs from first responders and emergency personnel on the ground. The endless sacrifice of these SAR crews will not long be forgotten. TEXSAR posted: What’s happening on the ground is more than community.

“Your strength inspires us. Your resilience reminds us why we serve. And your kindness, generosity and encouragement has kept us going.”

TEXAS GAME WARDENS, Facebook Page #TeamTexas #TexasStrong

The strength and determination we’ve witnessed in the Texas Hill Country over the past month is nothing new. I was not surprised at the actions of the locals involved. I have been researching this part of Texas since last fall for my next book, A NEW FATHERLAND. I’m working with co-author Manuela Schneider. The same grit was also reflected in archival letters and journals that described the hardships of the German families who settled here. The area became known as The German Belt, a region in Central Texas that stretches from the Coastal Plains northward and through what is known today as the Hill Country.

Another social media update from July read: “The loss is real. But so is the determination.”

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Department reported: More than 1,000 local, state, and federal responders with an additional 1,000+ local volunteers.

Also from Kerr County posted via Facebook: Amazing acts of kindness and charity are happening from our neighbors, from complete strangers, and from charities all over the state.

By July 9th, only five days after the flood, there were an estimated 2,100 professional staff and countless volunteers at work, according to KERR County Rescue. I was particularly touched by one post made by Operation BBQ Relief out of Kansas City: This was our 15th deployment in Texas. It reminded us what makes this state so special: grit, heart, and a community that never quits.

Over and over I read about that clear purpose, resilience, determination, strong sense of community, desire for personal independence, and taking action to take care of their own. The people of the Texas Hill Country exhibit a remarkable strength in character and work ethic. They can’t help it — it’s in their DNA.

A New Fatherland

The comments relating to that strength as they face such a horrible sense of loss over the past month is very telling as to the lineage that came before, all emotional words that befits the history of the Hill Country. I’ve seen similar sentiments echoed in the countless letters, journals, and newspaper articles from the mid-1800s while researching A NEW FATHERLAND, in collaboration with German author Manuela Schneider. I can’t begin to detail all of the hardships these European settlers faced.

Pray as though no work can help and work as though no prayer can help.

German Proverb

In their own words, descriptions of the two to three month ocean voyage are horrific, and then they had to start over in a “perfect wilderness.” Fleeing an oppressive rule of King Frederick William III in the early 17th century, the settlers that arrived to the Ports of Indianola, Galveston or Harrisburg were mostly educated, multi-lingual, and of noble birth. The ruling King of Prussia declared new decrees for these rebellious nobles. Religious prosecution, famine and poverty coupled with the limitations on holdings that would pass to the next generations, the abundant lands of America showed promise for personal freedom and prosperity.

These city dwellers gave up everything to start over in Texas. Carpenters, cabinet makers, lawyers, professors, and blacksmiths along with many other skilled workers left their undeniable mark on Texas. As the saying goes, “as soon as two Germans settle in a new place, they form a society”.

• Societies were an important part of community: oil painting, cooking, singing, shooting, beer making, writing, agriculture, to name a few.
• The ONLY group of settlers who successfully formed a treaty with the Comanche, living in peace for several generations, was the German community of Fredericksburg led by John O. Meusebach.
• The Texas Germans were the first to introduce public education. Kindergarten is a German word meaning garden of children.
• Bringing the evergreen tree inside and decorating it with fruit, candles, and other handmade ornaments is a German tradition.
• One early 1800s journal entry described popular tunes of the day in Texas as “barbarous,” thus the popularity of polka music can still be heard throughout The Hill Country today.
• Brauts, German sausage, are now a staple of Texas BBQ.

“Oh how splendid, Oh how lovely it is to go to school.”

The Call to School – New Braunfels, 1845

Check back for more about my co-author Manuela and our collaboration, a book cover reveal, book tour dates, and more blog posts about the incredible history and perseverance of the people who settled The German Belt in Texas. A NEW FATHERLAND will be available this fall!

On to Texas, On to Texas, Where the Lone Star in its Glory Prophesies a world of freedom, beckons to each heart resounding to call for Truth and Justice. There alone my heart would be.

A poem by August Heinrich Huffmann von Fallersleben, German poet and author of the national anthem of Germany. His poem about Texas was inspired by the travels of his friend, Gustav Dresel. von Fallersleben never made it to Texas.

My award winning co-author on this project, Manuela Schneider, is an author, screenwriter, director and movie producer.

Natalie Cline Bright is a blogger, speaker, and author of twenty books for kids and adults. She holds a BBA in business/marketing, enjoys talking about writing and the history behind her work.