Teddy Roosevelt recruited Texans for his Roughriders at the Menger Hotel, not more than a block down from the Alamo. While I can't find any references for it, I clearly remember seeing a picture of Roosevelt riding his horse into the bar intent on making a scene just to get things going. Either my memory is faulty, or the fact that we had a real Cowboy for a President at one point in time is seriously being downplayed.
EDIT: Google turns up conflicting results - it was either Teddy or General Robert E. Lee... (both maybe?) Either way, though, here's something from a book: Texas Aggies Go to War: In Service to Their Country
It's not much, but it does say that he did indeed ride his horse into the lobby.
EDIT: Google turns up conflicting results - it was either Teddy or General Robert E. Lee... (both maybe?) Either way, though, here's something from a book: Texas Aggies Go to War: In Service to Their Country
It's not much, but it does say that he did indeed ride his horse into the lobby.