In Texas, a Modern-Day Fight for the Alamo

The Alamo is once again at the center of a pitched battle, the Wall Street Journal reports—only this time the combatants aren’t soldiers but the gentle ladies of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The 7,000-member group has run the historical site, which is badly in need of repair, since 1905. They all agree that tens of millions must be raised to preserve the building, but a splinter faction of the group thinks more than bake sales are in order.

Erin Bowman was appointed in 2007 to lead a $60 million fundraising drive—and booted a year later by the tight-knit group after bringing in an outside consultant and setting up meetings without telling the president-general, who says "I think she lost track of the fact that she was not above the rules." Bowman, who formed the splinter group and continues to raise money for the Alamo, says, “They are very nice people. They just don't understand how to do business.” Case in point: The new fundraising committee plans to start collecting small change at area schools.
(More Daughters of the Republic of Texas stories.)