The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 50, July 1946 - April, 1947 Page: 239
582 p. : ill. (some col.), maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Thel Czechs in Texas
farmers or artisans. Their feeling of independence-growing
out of landownership-their inherent love of the soil and any-
thing associated with the working of it, and their love and pride
in being farmers account for the orderliness, neatness, and even
luxury of the Czech farm settlements. Their greatest contribu-
tion has been in the line of agricultural pursuits, and praises of
their skill and application are often heard from' officials and
inspectors of state departments of agriculture.
The rate of illiteracy among the Czechs is consistently low.
They became, for the most part, successful artisans and home-
owners in communities notable for their preservation of the
best of the old country's culture and their high plane of group
intelligence. They were wholesome and industrious. If they
clung together, it was because their mother tongue had almost
no affinity with the English, German, French, and Spanish of
their neighbors. A large percentage of Czech immigrants today,
however, are city dwellers, and the language is taught in a
number of public schools. Czech was introduced into the cur-
riculum of the University of Texas in 1915.
The first impulse of the early Czech families or groups was
to build a church. A schoolhouse followed; soon a reading club
or fraternal or benevolent organization was formed to coSrdi-
nate the common effort. The growth, influence, and compre-
hension of these organizations among the Texas Czechs, begin-
ning with a deep respect for inherent spiritual and educational
needs, and functioning now as a movement that touches every
phase of cultural, economic, and physical activity, might almost
be called a Czech design for living. Much of this culture is a
concept of the organization of the Sokols. Literally the word
Sokol means falcon and symbolizes the organization's lofty
ideals as does its motto, "A sound mind in a sound body." They
believe that men who learn to play and play fair will never
quarrel or kill. One of the most precious heritages of this deeply
devout people is a valedictory expression, s Panem Bohem-
"God is with you now and with you on your way."
No immigrants ever brought more books to a new land than
did the Czechs. True, they brought religious books, Bibles and
,prayer books, but these avid readers, once here, published news-
papers and periodicals. Today they include: Texan, Svoboda,
Novy Domov, Nasinec, Czechoslovak, Vestnik, Texasky Rolnik,
Braterske Listy, and Husita.
Practically every Texas Czech is affiliated with some religious239
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 50, July 1946 - April, 1947, periodical, 1947; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101117/m1/284/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.