Texans turned out in record numbers on Sept. 9, 1844 to pick a president for the fourth and final time. With independence about to be traded for statehood, voters took comfort in the fact that the winner would soon be out of a job.

The year before the Lone Star Republic’s last election, Texans never imagined they would be forced to chose between Anson Jones and Edward Burleson. Even though each had held important positions, both were political small fry clearly not cut out to be in charge. ...