A writer from Texas asked me to illustrate for her upcoming book. This is about an oak tree approximately 500 years old. According to legend, this live oak stood as a witness to a treaty between Indians and the Anglo settlers. The man representing the settlers was reputed to be none other than the "Father of Texas" Stephen F. Austin himself. There has been no hard evidence that any such treaty took place - but it makes a good story - and it may have helped save the tree. The tree had been one of many that were collectively known as "The Council Oaks". A imaginary line then ran through the cluster was supposed to be a boundary-line between Indians and settlers. In 1927 it was proclaimed to be "The most perfect specimen of a North American tree" and was inducted into the American Forestry Association's Hall of Fame in Washington-on-the-Potomac.