Moving from the South to Albert Lea in the summer of 1967, I became an employee of Albert Lea Abstract Co., working for Enid Schmidt. Knowing the history of our town, in a conversation she mentioned that Col. Albert Lea was a Confederate soldier with the Texas Cavalry during the Civil War. With all the fallout regarding the Confederate flag, I decided to do some research. 

Lea was a member of the Texas Cavalry during the Civil War, graduating from West Point in 1831. Google shows an entry by Mrs. G. H. Scholle, published in the “Navarro County Scroll Vol. XX1 1981.”

However, an entry is also available, which was published a few days ago, entitled, “Early Settlement of Albert Lea.” The article shows a photo of Lt. Albert M. Lea and gives data that he came through Freeborn County as a topographer. The information is enlightening, however, nothing is mentioned that he was with the Confederate Army.

With all the killings in Charleston and the flack surrounding the Confederate flag, which, by the way, has nothing to do with the murderous acts of a madman, the news media decided to make an issue of the Confederate flag. Is Albert Lea attempting to erase historical evidence?

 

Carol Bybee

Albert Lea