As a one-time Texan (and still one at heart, I suppose), I have to take issue, Mark, with any quicky version of the revolution, whether freedom fighters or slavery perpetuators. There were many and varied motivations (many of which were very questionable and dubious) which collectively contributed to it, but I don't remember ever hearing that Mexico abolished slavery. A good, very thoroughly researched reference of Texas history is T. R. Fehrenbach's LONE STAR: A History of Texas and the Texans, 1968. Probably far more info than anyone really wants on the topic.

Crockett, Travis, et al, were drawn there largely because it was still "frontier" after Tennessee had become too civilized for their taste. They did see Texas as needing to become Americanized.

I too remember the coonskin craze of the mid-50's. My youngest brother was the one of the age to be mesmerized by it all. Actually, he had a little book (probably Golden) that showed Crockett standing in a cannon-blown gap on top of the Alamo, swinging his rifle butt by the barrel at Mexicans coming up the ladders. He asked, "Why is Davy Crockett knocking down the Alamo?" I guess he didn't know about cannons yet! I also remember my junior high band teacher playing "Davy Crockett" on the tuba at a teacher's talent show.