Haden Edwards

Haden Edwards (August 12, 1771 – August 14, 1849) was an American born Texas settler and land speculator. In 1825, Edwards received a land grant from the Mexican government, allowing him to settle families in East Texas. His grant included the city of Nacogdoches. However, Edwards soon angered many of the previous settlers when he began ordering the residents to provide proof of the validity of pre-existing land deeds. He was both racist and classist, and wanted to remove non-whites and poor people so he could give their land to wealthy American landowners. In response, the Mexican government revoked his contract in June 1826, although word didn't reach Edwards until November. On December 16, Edwards declared the colony to be the Republic of Fredonia. However, he was not able to insure the support of the local Cherokee, nor the aid of other Americans; Stephen F. Austin also sided with the Mexican government, and the rebellion was put down. Haden was forced to flee to Louisiana, and did not return until the 1830s. He participated in the Battle of Nacogdoches in 1932, one of the precursor events that led to the Texas Revolution in 1835. During the Revolution proper, Edwards was sent back to the U.S. to raise money for the revolutionaries. After the war, he remained in Nacogdoches until his death in 1849.

Haden Edwards in "Hail! Hail!"
On December 16, 1826, Haden Edwards and his followers seized the Old Stone Fort in Nacogdoches after a short gun battle. Not long after, Edwards met with Adolphus Sterne. With him, Sterne brought the Marx Brothers. Sterne explained that the four brothers were from the year 1934, and that they could provide aid to the Republic of Fredonia. The brothers' nominal leader, Julius Marx, promised to help Fredonia as much as possible, and told Edwards what happened to the rebellion in the world they hailed from. Edwards accepted the Marx Brothers' offer of help, promising them that they'd never want for anything if they did, and promising to murder them if they failed.