ssociation. Fifty-two
names were enrolled; Mrs. Hayes was made president, Dr. Lawson Dabbs
corresponding secretary, and Margaret L. Watrous, recording
secretary.[438] Mrs. Sarah S. Trumbull was elected State organizer and
auxiliary associations were formed in various towns. Mrs. Hayes
traveled 9,000 miles in the interest of this cause during the next two
years, but as Texas has 360 counties and a scattered and widely
separated population, organized work is very difficult.

In 1896 Mrs. Elizabeth Good Houston became president. Mrs. Alice
McAnulty served a number of years most efficiently as corresponding
secretary. Dr. Grace Danforth also did effective work. Mrs. L. A.
Craig presented the question to the Democratic State Convention of
1894, but without any practical result. Mrs. McAnulty and Mrs.
Elizabeth Fry attended the Populist State Convention the same year,
but no action was taken.

Since 1887 the State W. C. T. U. has been pledged to woman suffrage.
The president, Mrs. S. C. Acheson, under whose management it was
adopted, was an enthusiast upon the subject. Mrs. Fry was the first
State superintendent of franchise, and, through both the W. C. T. U.
and the W. S. A., has rendered valuable service. Later, Mrs. Mary E.
Prendergast filled this position, distributing much literature and
speaking in many cities. Judge Davis McGee Prendergast became a
convert before his wife and convinced her of the righteousness of
woman suffrage. These two ladies are southern-born and life-long
Texans.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION AND LAWS: In 1891, through the efforts of the W. C.
T. U., the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 12
years. In 1895 it was raised to 15 years. The penalty is death or
imprisonment in the penitentiary from not less than five years to
life.

No attempt ever has been made to secure the franchise, but at this
time (1895) the women learned that thirty of the legislators believed
in woman suffrage, one of them declaring: "If some of these seats were
occupied by women, we men would do better work."

Neither dower nor curtesy obtains. If there are any lineal descendants
a surviving husband or wife is entitled to a life interest in
one-third of the real estate and to one-third of the personal estate
absolutely; if none, to all the personal property and a life interest
in one-half the real estate. If there are neither father, mother,
brothers, sisters nor their descendants, the surviving husband or wife