Bonham -- Good news travels fast.

Historians in Saluda, South Carolina are already aware that the statue of James Butler Bonham, one of their hometown boys who grew up to be one of the heroes of the Battle of the Alamo, has been restored to its original condition.

In 1843, the Congress of the Republic of Texas decided that a town that dates back to 1837 and was originally known as Bois d'Arc should be renamed Bonham in honor of the defender and hero of the Alamo.

The Fannin County Historical Society mounted a months-long fundraising drive needed to raise more than $20,000 needed to restore the historical statue of James Butler Bonham sculpted by regional artist Allie Tennant.

The fine folks in Saluda have a penchant for historical restorations, as well. Of all the heroes of the Alamo, only one has his birthplace preserved -- The birthplace of James Butler Bonham, often referred to as "the bonham home," but officially known on the National Register of Historic Places as Flat Grove. Saluda County Historical Society raised the money needed to restore Flat Grove.

Saluda County residents take great pride in their noteworthy contribution to the indepencence of Texas; James Butler Bonham, as well as and one of the commanders of the Alamo, Lt. Col. William B. Travis, were second cousins from the area now known as Saluda County.

"I would venture to say Saluda County has more Alamo-related items that any other museum outside the state of Texas," states Ralph Shealy, an avid historian, as well as publisher-editor of the Saluda Standard-Sentinel. "On Memorial Day, Texas and South Carolina flags fly at the Alamo monument to Travis and Bonham on the Courthouse lawn."

Ralph Shealy, publisher-editor of the Saluda Standard-Sentinel, holds up a copy last week's newspaper, while pointing to the Bonham photo.

This is a collage made by Shealy after "Bonham and Travis day" on Aug. 18, 1989, when a monument near Travis' birthplace was dedicated. The day featured an historical drama and a special Post Office cancellation.

This  is a photo of a painting of Bonham and Travis by Jon Smith, a native of Saluda, who now resides in Florida. It hangs in the Saluda County Museum.

 This is a photo of the miniature Alamo diorama in the Saluda County Museum.

photos courtesy of Ralph Shealy