The original Juneteenth General Order No. 3 has come to Dallas, reported Fox4. It is the only known remaining original document that marked the end of slavery in Texas and the United States.
According to the Dallas Historical Society, its founder, Galveston newspaperman G.B. Dealey, brought the original copy of General Order No. 3 to Dallas when he moved from Galveston to launch the Dallas Morning News. Dealey’s family donated the document to the society in the 60s.
“They came to Texas with a stack of bills passing them out. The only one that kept them was a newspaper in Galveston,” said Chiao. “When we went through it, we realized we had one of the original hand bills that had been passed out to let slaves know they were free in Texas,” said executive director Karl Chiao.
Juneteenth General Order No. 3
Marvin Dulaney, deputy director of the African-American museum, said that the order is one of the significant pieces in American history.
“It means a lot to me that we have this here in Dallas, of all places. Signifies Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 took another 2.5 years before it got to Texas, but when it got to Texas it was conclusive for ending slavery in this country,” he said.
Dallas, like many Southern cities, has a long and complex racial history that includes periods of discrimination and systemic inequality. From restrictive housing covenants and segregated schools to violent clashes during the civil rights era, the city hasn’t always been at the forefront of progress. Even as it has grown into a dynamic urban hub, past injustices and racial divisions have left lasting marks on the community, underscoring the need for continued efforts toward inclusivity and education.
Levi Davis, the first African-American assistant city manager in Dallas, noted that change in Dallas took a long time.
“Dallas was a different place. I became in charge of the police department and I called the police chief who reported to me. But he wouldn’t answer the phone because I was black, although I was his boss,” said Davis.
The document will be on exhibit through the end of the State Fair of Texas. The exhibit is open to the public and will begin on June 19 with a panel discussion at 6:30 p.m.
The exhibit is free, but a reservation is required.
