| Dick Dowling |
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Dowling was born in Tuam , County Galway , Ireland in 1838 and migrated with his parents to the United States in 1846. Orphaned as a teenager, Dowling settled in Houston where he established a successful chain of Saloons starting in 1857. Dowling was described as a likable red-headed Irishman and wore a large mustache. In 1857 he married Elizabeth Ann Odlum, daughter of Benjamin Digby Odlum . Dowling's most successful saloon was named the Bank of Bacchus and was located on Courthouse Square in downtown Houston. "The Bank" as it was known locally became Houston's most popular social gathering place in the 1860's and was renowned for its hospitality. At the outbreak of the Civil War Dowling enlisted in a Texas unit composed primarily of Irish dockworkers and known as the Jefferson Davis Guards . He participated in the Battle Of Galveston and in 1863 now-Lieutenant Dowling was assigned with a company of 44 men to an earthen artillery post on the Sabine River named Fort Griffin . Known for his skilled artillery work, Dowling spent his time at the remote outpost instructing his men in artillery targeting drills across the Sabine River's two channels, which the fort guarded. On September 8 , 1863 a union navy flotilla of 5,000 men attempted to enter the channel. Dowling's artillery drills paid off as the Confederates scored several direct hits on the flotilla, forcing its retreat and leading to the capture of 350 prisoners. After the battle of Sabine Pass Dowling was elevated to hero status in his hometown of Houston. He subsequently served as a recruiter for the Confederacy and was personally commended for his action at the battle by Jefferson Davis . After the war Dowling returned to his saloon business in Houston and quickly became one of the city's leading businessmen. Dowling's promising future was cut short by a Yellow Fever epidemic and he died on September 23 , 1867 . The city of Houston erected a statue of Dowling on the grounds of its city hall. When the city hall was moved to a newer building in the early 20th century the statue was relocated to Hermann Park near the monument to Sam Houston where it remains today. Considering his Confederate ties, Dowling has a local legacy in Houston as the namesake of Dowling Street, a major artery of the city's predominantly African-American Third Ward and Dowling Middle School, a middle school that serves the city's predominantly African-American south side. |
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