Stevenson, Coke R., Texas Statesman

Stevenson lost only one race, for the U.S. Senate in 1948. After he appeared to have won, an amended return from Precinct 13 in Jim Wells County, a stronghold of George B. Parr, gave Lyndon B. Johnson 201 votes to Stevenson's 2, and Johnson won the state by eighty-seven votes, 494,191 to 494,104. Stevenson charged fraud there and in Duval County. The dispute reached the Supreme Court, but after the Box 13 lists were lost or stolen and the Duval returns burned, a federal court ruled it lacked jurisdiction. Embittered, he later voted Republican for president.

What the plaque says

Stevenson, Coke R., Texas Statesman First Texas governor to serve more than two terms (1941-1947). First speaker of the house to succeed himself (1935-1937). Lieutenant Governor, 1939-1941. Was first to hold the three highest state offices. As governor, placed state on a cash basis without curtailment of services to the people and without a tax increase. Changed a $34,000,000 deficit to a $35,000,000 surplus. Lifetime resident, Kimble County. Son of pioneer settlers, R. M. and Virginia Hurley Stevenson. Born March 20, 1888. In school only 22 months; studied throughout his life. At 10 got a ranch job; at 16 owned and operated Junction-Brady Freight Line; at 18, entered banking as a janitor, advancing to president. Studied law and was licensed in 1913. County attorney, county judge; legislator, 1929-1939. While he was speaker, State House of Representatives, landmark legislation included first driver's license law; municipal indebtedness reporting Law; creation of state auditor's office; Lower Colorado River Authority; Highway Department pay-as-you-go plan. Over 50 years a Methodist, lawyer, Mason, rancher. Married in 1912, Fay Wright (deceased 1942); in 1954, Mrs. Marguerite King Heap. Children; Coke, Jr. and Jane. (1966)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Kimble County Historical Museum — 1.0 mi
  A free county museum in Junction, the town at the meeting of the North and South Llano, with the papers, photographs and tools of a ranching county.
• Eckert James River Bat Cave Preserve — 26 mi
  A limestone cave on the James River where about four million Mexican free-tailed bats raise their young each summer, kept open to visitors by a family's gift.
• Fort McKavett State Historic Site — 31 mi
  The post Sherman called the prettiest in Texas, home to soldiers of all four Buffalo Soldier regiments and then to a town that lived in its buildings until 1973.

More markers nearby

• John Sterling Durst Pioneer Minister — steps away
• Colonel John Griffith — steps away
• Fight of Sheriff's Posse with Cattle Rustlers — steps away
• Early History of Kimble County — steps away