The County Line - October 2011, v4i53 by MyCounty-Line.com

www.MyCounty-Line.com --- October 2011

Volume 4 Issue 53

w w w. M y C o u n t y - L i n e . c o m

FREE!!

Speak up, join the discussion, take part!

Take One!

The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

Monthly Issue

OCTOBER , In This Issue: Presidential Papers by Ronald Reagan

Growing Up Small Town by Mike W. Norris

Texas Conservative by Chuck Norris

@Ranger Library

by Diana McCullough

Good Neighbors by Clint Coffee

Upcoming Events

by Various Contributors

Star Pride

by Ginger Tobin

Tumbleweed Smith by Bob Lewis

Love Lessons

by Vicki Stiefer

Treasure Hunters by Jerry Eckhart

The Breckenridge Wall Local Advertisers

Out of the Box

by Joellen Hodge

Rising Star Bulletin Board Local Advertisers

Ol’ Doc’s Homespun Yarns by Luther Gohlke

This Week In Texas History by Bartee Haile

From the Backside

by Henry J. Clevicepin

2011

Please Visit Our Website

www.MyCounty-Line.com

vol.4 Issue 53

A Time for Choosing I have spent most of my life as a Democrat. I recently have seen fit to follow another course. I believe that the issues confronting us cross party lines. Now, one side in this campaign has been telling us that the issues of this election are the maintenance of peace and prosperity. The line has been used, “We’ve never had it so good.” But I have an uncomfortable feeling that this prosperity isn’t something on which we can base our hopes for the future. No nation in history has ever survived a tax burden that reached a third of its national income. Today, 37 cents out of every dollar earned in this country is the tax collector’s share, and yet our government continues to spend 17 million dollars a day more than the government takes in. We haven’t balanced our budget 28 out of the last 34 years. We’ve raised our debt limit three times in the last twelve months, and now our national debt is one and a half times bigger than all the combined debts of all the nations of the world. We have 15 billion dollars in gold in our treasury; we don’t own an ounce. Foreign dollar claims are 27.3 billion dollars. And we’ve just had announced that the dollar of 1939 will now purchase 45 cents in its total value. As for the peace that we would preserve, I wonder who among us would like to approach the wife or mother whose husband or son has died in South Vietnam and ask them if they think this is a peace that should be maintained indefinitely. Do they mean peace, or do they mean we just want to be left in peace? There can be no real peace while one American is dying some place in the world for the rest of us. We’re at war with the most dangerous enemy that has ever faced mankind in his long climb from the swamp to the stars, and it’s been said if we lose that war, and in so doing lose this way of freedom of ours, history will record with the greatest astonishment that those who had the most to lose did the least to prevent its happening. Well I think it’s time we ask ourselves if we still know the freedoms that were intended for us by the Founding Fathers. Not too long ago, two friends of mine were talking to a Cuban refugee, a businessman who had escaped from Castro, and in the midst of his story one of my friends turned to the other and said, “We don’t know how lucky we are.” And the Cuban stopped and said, “How lucky you are? I had someplace to escape to.” And in that sentence he told us the entire story. If we lose freedom here, there’s no place to escape to. This is the last stand on earth. And this idea that government is beholden to the people, that it has no other source of power except the sovereign people, is still the newest and the most unique idea in all the long history of man’s relation to man. This is the issue of this election: whether we believe in our capacity for self-government or whether we abandon the American revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a fardistant capitol can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them ourselves. You and I are told increasingly we have to choose between a left or right. Well I’d like to suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There’s only an up or down: Up? Man’s old -- old-aged dream, the ultimate in individual freedom consistent with law and order, or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism. And regardless of their sincerity, their humanitarian motives, those who would trade our freedom for security have embarked on this downward course. In this vote-harvesting time, they use terms like the “Great Society,” or as we were told a few days ago by the President, we must accept a greater government activity in the affairs of the people.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.

“The profit motive has become outmoded. It must be replaced by the incentives of the welfare state.” Or, “Our traditional system of individual freedom is incapable of solving the complex problems of the 20th century.” Senator Fulbright has said at Stanford University that the Constitution is outmoded. He referred to the President as “our moral teacher and our leader,” and he says he is “hobbled in his task by the restrictions of power

The County Line Published by Wolverine Design Mike Norris - Owner

P.O. Box 1156 Eastland, Tx 76448 Phone: (254) 433-2693 mike@mycounty-line.com

Visit Our Website:

www.mycounty-line.com Advertising inquiries, article submissions, news releases, comments, please email: info@mycounty-line.com

Thanks to our readers in:

Abilene Albany Baird Breckenridge Brownwood Carbon Cisco Comanche Cross Plains DeLeon Desdemona Dublin Eastland El Paso Gordon Gorman Irving Olden Lingleville Lubbock Ranger Rising Star Stephenville Strawn Thurber Weatherford Texas, New Mexico & Georgia

We appreciate your support! Mike &rris Ruth No

(Continued on Page 8)

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

3Growing Up Small Town

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

■

, Mike W. Norris

Ruthie Makes a Trip Back In The Hospital Ruthie’s double-organ transplant story took a wrong turn over the last few weeks as a light fever led the way for her to learn that her donor organs were fighting rejection and we found out that the treatment process is no quick fix.

Hello everyone. First of all, Ruthie and I want to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes. It really means a lot to us to know that so many folks out there are keeping her in their thoughts and in their hearts. Thank you, thank you, thank you! About three weeks ago, Ruthie started running a fever at night. It was a mild fever, around 100, and it just made her feel puny and yucky. She went to bed a little bit earlier than usual there a couple nights in a row because of it. While the cold snap was going on, she would get chills and we thought it was just the weather at first. But when she checked her temp on the second night, we thought maybe the weather change had caught her. She is allowed to take Tylenol for fever so on the second night she did so. During the day, the fever would be gone. It only seemed to come over her at night...which was really odd. On the third night, I insisted that she call her doctor in Abilene. She reminded me that she had a regular appointment scheduled for that Thursday, so the timing was perfect. I went with her to Abilene and she met with her doctor. Her bloodwork still showed everything to be within normal ranges so he assumed that she just had a mild case of the flu. He told her that if she ran fever again that night to call him back the next day and he would prescribe her something. That was Thursday, Sept. 29. Thursday night, she ran a fever once again, took Tylenol, fever went away, no major problem. But when she woke up Friday morning, she was nauseated and kept gagging as if she had to throwup but couldn’t. This was the same symptoms she had before the transplant...almost every morning, for nearly two years. Like a morning sickness that would pass after an hour or so. Friday morning, she went to work, as usual. She had a short day so it shouldn’t be a problem. We called her doctor in Abilene to report she had run a fever again the night before and he called in an antibiotic. After work, Ruthie went by and picked up her medication from the pharmacy. We went to the Eastland--Godley game Friday night. By the end of the game, Ruthie was shivering due to the temperature drop and another mild fever coming on. When we walked back out to the truck after the game, Ruthie was having a hard time just walking and she got nauseated by the time we got to the truck. When we got home, she again had a mild fever and she went straight to bed. Over the weekend, it was more of the same. On Monday she was throwing-up but it passed and she went on to work. Tuesday she woke up and couldn’t go to work. We called DTI (Dallas Transplant Institute) Tuesday morning and they wanted to see her as soon as possible. We drove to Dallas. Tuesday afternoon, DTI scheduled her for a series of tests on Wednesday that started at 9:40am. They booked us for an overnight stay Wednesday night so that we could be back at DTI first thing Thursday morning. Since we had not prepared for an overnight stay, we decided to drive back home Tuesday evening and planned to drive back to Dallas first thing Wednesday morning. 6am Wednesday morning, we were headed back to Dallas. We got out of town a bit late, but I dropped Ruthie off at the DTI clinic at 9:47am. I spent the rest of the day across the street at the park working on our tax info for the business. Just as I was saving the

final changes Wednesday afternoon, Ruthie called and asked me to come pick her up. We drove over to the Twice-Blessed apartments and checked in for the evening. We crashed in the living room floor and on the couch in the apartment. We didn’t move again till nearly 7pm which is when we started trying to figure out what we wanted to eat for supper. We settled on KFC and Ruthie wanted some popcorn chicken. Ruthie slept on the couch Wednesday night and I made a pallet in the floor. The two-bed bedroom went unused as we were just too tired to mess with it. Thursday morning we got rallied up bright and early. Ruthie was nausiated again, but not nearly as bad as over the weekend, and we got to the clinic in short order. After checking her blood again and going over her vitals as usual, one of Ruthie’s transplant doctors informed us that she was “in rejection” and that they were going to admit her to Baylor and that we could expect to be there for the next 10 to 14 days! She told us that there is a possibility that Ruthie could get out as early as next Tuesday, but if her bloodwork and critical numbers were not showing positive results very quickly, and she wasn’t responding very positively to their treatment, she should expect to spend the full 10 days in the hospital. At the end of which, she may be back on

Texas

It’s Like a Whole Other Country.

daily insulin shots and she may be back on dialysis if they can’t save the kidney. We left DTI and checked out of the apartment. We drove over to Admissions and shortly after lunch time, Ruthie was in her hospital room. Over the course of the next few hours, we mostly napped and made phone calls to friends and family. Ruthie notified Goodwill that she was back in the hospital and she talked to her boss about being out the next few days. Ruthie was admitted on Thursday, Oct. 6th and she is still there. Today is day #8 and as far as we know she is expected to be in the hospital through Oct. 21st even if everything goes according to plan. Please keep Ruthie in your thoughts and mention her in your prayers. She’s doing fine and improving, but she’s going stir crazy. Her treatment requires her to be hooked up to an IV for several hours each evening, but for the rest of the day she is able to get out and walk around. She sent me home to publish the paper this month so she’s been lonely the last few days with not many family or friends dropping by to visit. If you know her, you know she is a people person and being out of touch is not an easy thing for her. Please send her a message on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/sherriesmom

Send Comments to: smalltown@mycounty-line.com

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

4Texas Conservative ■

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

, Chuck Norris - The Man

Guns, Guitars and Government Raids By Chuck Norris

In God We Trust United We Stand

It’s enough to make all tree-hugging, EPA-loving, spotted owl seekers weep. In August, armed federal agents raided the offices and factories of the feds’ onslaught of overzealous the legendary Gibson Guitar Corp. in Nashville and Memphis. It was overreaches and over-regulations the second time the feds had ransacked the renowned Tennessee guitar- on Main Street businesses across the maker since President Barack Obama took office. And what were they country, because this administration going after? Dirty laundering monies? Gun smugglers? Cocaine cargo thinks it’s high time to further that could make cartels quiver? cripple American business by No. The federal search and seizure sought to capture ... ready? Wood. pulling the strings and picking on To be exact, rosewood and ebony from India, which the U.S. Fish and a staple of the music industry and entrepreneurial spirit. Juszkiewicz Wildlife Service had declared to be illegal to import. Yes, your tax dollars were again hard at work as federal agents sought recently tweeted the real question to bust another pillar of American business by rounding up alleged tree that needs to be addressed: “Why contraband based upon a century-old law. It is called the Lacey Act, is big government spending our which was signed by President William McKinley all the way back money to harm ordinary citizens on May 25, 1900. Initially, the act was adopted to prevent big-game and small businesses?” poachers from killing endangered birds in Africa, particularly to regulate And how pertinent should an trade in feathered hats. It was later expanded and amended to include ever-expanding and archaic Lacey endangered plants and illegalize the importing of all forms of fauna and Act be when it forces Americans flora, including wood, which was added to the act just three years ago. to be obliged to follow every other So what was Gibson Guitar’s specific crime? The feds say Gibson nation’s trade laws? If we must shipped rosewood and ebony that were in an “unfinished” state (i.e., not bow to other countries’ legalities, cut into thin strips or veneer, which is perfectly legal in India). However, where are American sovereignty Gibson Guitar CEO Henry Juszkiewicz says he possesses a letter from and individual rights? And how the government of India that declares the legality of the wood as a long will it be until Interpol oversteps all the boundaries to “finished” product for fretboards on the necks of the guitars. Last week, Fox News further elaborated that Vinod Srivastava, India’s enforce a universalistic United deputy director-general of foreign trade, stipulated in a letter dated Sept. Nations trade code? At the very 16, “Fingerboard is a finished product and not wood in primary form. least, such federal actions as those The foreign trade policy of the government of India allows free export taken against Gibson Guitar are reminiscent of those of Lavrenti of such finished products of wood.” Beria, the head of Josef Stalin’s Of course, there could be far more up the feds’ sleeves regarding secret police, who boasted, “Show these searches of Gibson Guitar, but we’ll never know. The Associated me the man and I’ll find you the Press reported this past week, “Specifics of the investigation by the crime.” Environmental Crimes Section of the Justice Department have been filed under seal.” It probably is filed under the heading “Eric Holder’s According to The Heritage Foundation, the feds have used Fast and Furious holdouts, etc.”! the Lacey Act to prosecute orchid But forget about the feds’ “Fast and Furious” gun smuggling crimes growers and spiny lobster importers, and Attorney General Eric Holder’s acts of perjury via denial of facts too. Now it’s guitar manufacturers’ before Congress. Forget about Washington’s $528 million debacle with turn? And what about tomorrow? Solyndra. Might as well let go of the billions of dollars that Washington What about other companies and has given to bail out Wall Street over the past few years. And never mind guitar-makers, such as Fender,

Martin, Taylor, Paul Reed Smith, Ribbecke, Collings and Breedlove, to name a few? What about Gibson retailers and individuals who resell guitars on eBay? What about the purchasers of Gibson guitars -- those who possess the wood contraband inlayed in their stringed instruments? There go the likes of B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen and millions of others. Buyer beware! Armed federal agents could be coming to a music store, sound studio or house near you. Please email or call the White House today (at http://www. whitehouse.gov/contact or 202456-1111) and tell the feds to get their eyes off guitars and back on the guns they handed over to Mexican cartels. Then call Gibson Guitar and tell the people there you’re joining me in standing with them (http://www.gibson.com/enus/support or 800-4GIBSON). Rock on, Gibson Guitar! Or should I say, “Rosewood on, Gibson Guitar!”? Follow Chuck Norris through his official social media sites, on Twitter @chucknorris and Facebook’s “Official Chuck Norris Page.” He blogs at http:// chucknorrisnews.blogspot.com.

Send Comments to: chuck@mycounty-line.com

To find out more about Chuck Norris and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2011 CHUCK NORRIS - DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM - Reprinted under license by Mike Norris for The County Line. Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

7@The Ranger Library

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

■

, Diana McCullough

2011 Roaring Ranger Day By Diana McCullough

How do you define perfect weather? Tonight there’s a lightning show in the northwest dark heavens, I think along a cold front that will lower our temperatures, at least temporarily. We have a nice chance of rain and by the time you read these words, perhaps we’ll be boasting of our rain gauge totals. Can’t promise. Just hope, and pray. My biggest prayer lately has been for our Roaring Ranger Day, hosted by our Ranger Citizens Task Force this past Saturday. I was not alone in my prayers, and I felt comfort in that fact. Number One Importance was SAFETY, and Number Two was PERFECT WEATHER! Lots of people had arrived at Bargsley Park by 7 AM. The skies were grayish, the air cool, and excitement EVERYWHERE! The 5K Run was starting at 8 AM and over 260 runners registered to run in this event—and lots of them had friends and family! It was exciting to see so many people on Commerce and Walnut Streets so early in the morning, and surprising to see how quickly most of these runners can run three miles. And of course there’s a lesson here: Traffic Flow. Runners vs. Vendors. All’s good! The weather was perfect. Next year we know to turn the race AROUND! Traffic flow is adjustable. The RHS Spirit of Ranger Band provided our first musical entertainment, and those familiar cadences did comfort my soul—to some degree! Missy Hill and Maxine Kendricks chauffeured our 2011 Roaring Ranger Day Queen, Mrs. Camilla Adams, to Bargsley Park, and Bobby Daskevich escorted our sweet, dynamic Queen to her very large throne. Former Mayor Steve Gerdes gave a short speech honoring our very own wounded warrior and American hero, Joshua Yarbrough, and our Ranger Citizens Task Force AND the Eastland County Sheriff’s Department presented Josh with plaques. I was brave. I did not cry. That was one fear I had anticipated, and not exactly conquered, but… kept in check. As you surely know by now, our Task Force had live entertainment scheduled throughout the day, and NO ONE let us down. We had nearly 57 vendors, three big bounce houses, a dunking booth (thanks band!) and a high and a children’s Striker. (I tried it the night before, I am officially a “Sick Duck”, I got timid pretty fast!) I also jumped in one of the Bounce Houses and it was FUN! The rains came around 3:00. The band shut down and the vendors started packing. A large crowd congregated under the big tent that was provided by the Ranger Historical Preservation Society and children DANCED in the rain—it was a sight to behold! Couldn’t help but laugh and enjoy their delight—even if the rain DID dampen our party! So…the rain (and lightning) pretty much put an end to our Roaring Ranger Day. But we needed rain! By the next morning, we measured an even inch at our house, and some folks are bragging on 1.8

inches. And maybe there’s MORE coming! We can only pray. The overall Horseshoe Team Winners were Owen Stewart and Carrol Braddock. Our Ranger Citizens Task Force really appreciates Stan Harper for organizing the Horseshoe Tournament. We also appreciate Will Dennis for taking on the Washer Contest, and Becky Dempsey for braving Bocce Ball. There is absolutely NO WAY I can even TRY to name everyone that helped with this 2011 community festival. We had a LOT of people working together! Next year…a Roaring Ranger Day PARADE is planned and we want the Lions Club to host a Cowboy Breakfast… LOTS of ideas for next year! Last week, while I was so distracted, a nice lady, I believe the daughter or daughter-in-law of Lucille Clark of Texas City brought in a nice green bag filled with books. I THOUGHT at first glance that these would go mostly on the Quarter Shelves in the foyer. Oh my goodness! They are like-new, pristine editions of Larry McMurtry books! Another nice stack around my desk, but an opportunity to update our LM collection! I was delighted to pull

the books out, one by one, and also remorseful that I gave Mrs. Clark’s relation the wrong impression. I’ve got them all! Some of them WILL probably go to the Quarter Shelves, so be watching! (Or more likely, our OLDER editions.) Lethal by Sandra Brown and The Affair by Lee Child have arrived! In closing, I want to thank our good Lord for our personal safety and our PERFECT WEATHER on Roaring Ranger Day! Please take care, and as always…ENJOY READING!

Send Comments to: rangerlibrary@mycounty-line.com

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

8Presidential Papers ■

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

, Continued from Page 2

imposed on him by this antiquated document.” He must “be freed,” so that he “can do for us” what he knows “is best.” And Senator Clark of Pennsylvania, another articulate spokesman, defines liberalism as “meeting the material needs of the masses through the full power of centralized government.” Well, I, for one, resent it when a representative of the people refers to you and me, the free men and women of this country, as “the masses.” This is a term we haven’t applied to ourselves in America. But beyond that, “the full power of centralized government” -- this was the very thing the Founding Fathers sought to minimize. They knew that governments don’t control things. A government can’t control the economy without controlling people. And they know when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose. They also knew, those Founding Fathers, that outside of its legitimate functions, government does nothing as well or as economically as the private sector of the economy. Now, we have no better example of this than government’s involvement in the farm economy over the last 30 years. Since 1955, the cost of this program has nearly doubled. One-fourth of farming in America is responsible for 85% of the farm surplus. Three-fourths of farming is out on the free market and has known a 21% increase in the per capita consumption of all its produce. You see, that one-fourth of farming -- that’s regulated and controlled by the federal government.

In the last three years we’ve spent 43 dollars in the feed grain program for every dollar bushel of corn we don’t grow.

in the Aid to Dependent Children Program. She got the idea from two women in her neighborhood who’d already done that very thing.

Every responsible farmer and farm organization has repeatedly asked the government to free the farm economy, but how -- who are farmers to know what’s best for them? The wheat farmers voted against a wheat program. The government passed it anyway. Now the price of bread goes up; the price of wheat to the farmer goes down.

Yet anytime you and I question the schemes of the do-gooders, we’re denounced as being against their humanitarian goals. They say we’re always “against” things -- we’re never “for” anything.

Meanwhile, back in the city, under urban renewal the assault on freedom carries on. Private property rights are so diluted that public interest is almost anything a few government planners decide it should be. In a program that takes from the needy and gives to the greedy, we see such spectacles as in Cleveland, Ohio, a million-and-a-half-dollar building completed only three years ago must be destroyed to make way for what government officials call a “more compatible use of the land.” But seriously, what are we doing to those we seek to help? Not too long ago, a judge called me here in Los Angeles. He told me of a young woman who’d come before him for a divorce. She had six children, was pregnant with her seventh. Under his questioning, she revealed her husband was a laborer earning 250 dollars a month. She wanted a divorce to get an 80 dollar raise. She’s eligible for 330 dollars a month

■ Good

Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so. No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. So, governments’ programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth. You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We’ll preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we’ll sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness.

These excerpts from Ronald Reagan’s televised address to the nation on October 27th, 1964, was made 47 years ago and yet could be repeated today without many changes! ~mwnorris

Neighbors, Clint Coffee CLU ChFC State Farm Insurance® Agent

Are your records organized for an emergency? If you were incapacitated, would anyone be able to find your important records and take care of your family’s financial or business matters? Having important papers organized and accessible in advance can be very important in an emergency or crisis situation. Consider the following for organizing your important records. Location: Options for storage might include a home safe, fire-security box or off-site location such as a safety deposit box. The storage container should be securable and fire resistant. Shoe boxes or cardboard boxes in the closet or under the bed are not appropriate. Who knows? Does someone in addition to your spouse know where these papers are kept? Consider making a list of such papers and records, and on the list state where these documents can be found. Then advise a trusted third party – an attorney, CPA, relative, or family friend – where this list is kept. The general idea is that someone not living in your residence knows about this list and how to access it. This decision requires

a certain comfort level, and you alone are able to make that determination. Which papers? Regardless of who knows what, organized records are always a plus. The following items might be part of your “important documents” list: • • • • • • • •

safety deposit box key life insurance policies deeds, contracts, leases, titles, mortgage(s), loan notes banking, savings, investment and retirement account(s) records will burial arrangements all other insurance policies (health, auto, home, etc.) birth certificates

Beyond however you decide to store your personal records, and whatever you decide to include, one fact is clear. If important legal, business and personal documents are organized and accessible, the handling of a crisis situation is made much easier. Send Comments to: neighbors@mycounty-line.com

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

10Upcoming Events ■

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

, Submitted by Jerry Eckart

Leon Boles Third Annual Gun Show to be held November 5 & 6

Leon Boles probably never thought his name would be memorialized on an annual basis, however that is just what happened. It came about because Leon was a gun collector and had gathered a number of every day, usine guns, as well as some highly collectible arms. His family wanted to share these things with others and also contribute to their community. That is why when Leon Boles passed away, the Cisco Chamber of Commerce, which had been planning an annual gun show, decided to honor Mr. Boles by naming it after him. The first show was held at the Hilton Center in 2009. It took place in conjunction with the Hunter Appreciation festivities during deer season in November. Guns, knives and coins were displayed for the first time in the Cisco area. This first effort was a small exhibition, with only a few booths, but the function took root and began to grow. At the close of the first show, the committee immediately began plans for the Second Annual Event. They chose the new Myrtle Wilks Community Center as the site for their next event. It had room to expand and more vendors immediately signed up. Tension was high as the show date drew near, because they weren’t too certain how the public

■ Upcoming

would respond. Their concerns proved unnecessary, because more than 600 people attended the two day event. Families wandered the aisles between the booths, admiring the guns, unusual knives and rare collectible coins. There was even a display of old artifacts that had been found with metal detectors. Now that committee is at it again, making plans, and considering new ways to present the fun of firearms and hunting to the general public. While most gun shows are simply that, a place to set out a table and sell guns, The Third Annual Leon Boles Memorial Gun Show hopes to be more than that. Their show is planned to have something to appeal to everyone. This year’s show already has a number of gun exhibitors interested in displaying their wares, as well as coins and knives. For the first time, several free seminars will be held for the general public. There could be a class on beginning coin collecting, one on youth hunting safety, and a short seminar on knife sharpening. The show committee feels strongly that every young person should know basic gun safety, whether he ever becomes a hunter or not. Every housewife will appreciate learning how to sharpen a knife, and coins hold a fascination for everyone. While these classes have not been firmed up yet, it looks as if they will become a reality. Not only will there be seminars, but entertainment

is planned. They are exploring the possibility of bringing a black powder shooting group, a tomahawk throwing club, or a wild west shoot out, to the event. Lots of planning is needed to bring these ideas into reality, but rest assured, when the show committee puts its collective minds to the task, something exciting will come about. The show is scheduled for November 5 and 6 at the Myrtle Wilks Community Center. The cost will remain the same as previously, $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 12 and under. For exhibit information, go to the Chamber of Commerce web site, ciscochamber.com.

Events, Submitted by Jim Kennedy

Eastland County Fire Fest

http://www.eastlandcountyfirefest.com

On Sunday, September 4, Texas Firefighters responded to 6 new fires that burned 32, 936 acres, including 22 new large fires. This brought the year-to-date total to 18,719 fires that have consumed over 3 and a half million acres, creating the worst fire season in state history. Coupled with the stress of failing water supplies, these men and women are exhausted and, at times, pushed to their limits. Add to that the financial burden of sustaining these local (mostly volunteer) fire departments and the entire situation becomes desperate. After learning about successful fundraising efforts which have raised several hundreds of thousands dollars in Ellenboro, West Virginia for their local fire department, a group from LF Ranch in Desdemona, Kennedy Financial Services, and Main Street Resources decided to develop a similar event benefitting each fire department within Eastland County: Carbon, Cisco, Desdemona, Eastland, Gorman, Olden, Ranger, and Rising Star.

Fire Fest 2011 will be held Saturday, October exciting way to support our local fire services, 29th at Lone Cedar Country Club, beginning at but it will take a lot of volunteers to make it a success. Following are ways you can sign on: 5:00pm. The event will include: Barbecue Dinner Live entertainment, including Rodney Hayden and Charla Corn Dancing – including the “Fire Bug Dance,” featuring Christina Campfield, Miss Dallas USA, & Whitney Windham, Miss Callahan County USA Door Prizes

Buy a Burn Ban Table Sponsor (1-Alarm, 2-Alarm, 3-Alarm, 4-Alarm, 5-Alarm) Donate a Doorprize Become a “Boots on the Ground” Volunteer (selling raffle tickets & event tickets, set up, clean up, etc)

The $50.00 event tickets will also go on sale September 15th and will be available at any of A Polaris Ranger XP 800, donated by Polaris the Eastland County Fire Departments. and Ken’s Motorcycle Shop, will also be raffled at the event, though the Winner need Visit our website www.eastlandcountyfirefest. not be present to win. You must be 18 years of age to purchase a ticket and possess a valid com for more information or email us at social security number. The Winner will also FirefFest2011@yahoo.com if you are interested be required to pay all tax, title, and license in volunteering. fees upon award of the Polaris Ranger, as per Texas State statutes. The $100.00 tickets for Fire Fest Event & Raffle conducted by: Main the drawing may be purchased at your local fire Street Resources—Eastland, Inc., a 501(c)3 department beginning September 15th. organization / P.O. Box 324 / Eastland, TX 76448 / Thank You to our Early Bird Sponsors and Supporters! We believe this will be a fun and

Your gifts and donations are tax-deductible.

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

11Star Pride ■

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

, by Ginger Tobin & Laura Quinn October & November

Star Pride is a group of local and area citizens who are committed to volunteering and working to improve Rising Star and make it a more beautiful and pleasant town in which to live. The wonderful support which local citizens have given Star Pride in its mission is greatly appreciated by members. Anyone who wishes to become a member is welcome to attend meetings which are usually held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Rising Star Library at 4:00 p.m. By Ginger Tobin & Laura Quinn

Honor Yards Once again the difficult decision of selections for the Honor Yards has been made. The yards selected for September are ( in no particular order) : Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, 1010 N Main, Rising Star, TX. This residence has a lovely half circle drive cutting through the front lawn, bordered by shrubs and other vegetation. Multiple trees, which provide shade most of the day, also enhance the overall appearance of this property. The neatly trimed grass adds to the pleasing vision. The Alford residence at 209 S. Clark, Rising Star, TX. Approch this property from any direction and the first thing to catch the eye is the green grass lawn. The yard does not have flowers or other decorations, but the simplicity of vast area of green is very appealing. Well kept lawns such as this are an inspiration for everyone, and enhance the neighborhood. Jennifer Jones, 400 S. Main, Rising Star, TX. A corner lot provides views from just about every direction of this home. Widely spaced mature trees provide a shady vision, as well as the well kept lawn. The overall appearance is very inviting and pleasing to the eye. These properties are just a sample of the effort the residents of Rising Star have been making to show pride in one’s homeplace. Drought conditions, high cost of maintenance (such as watering, mowing, fertilizing, planting) all are factors in keeping a well -maintained property. A HUGH

“Thank You” goes to all the residents and property owners who regularly do what it takes to keep vegetation alive, as well as the obviously time consuming task of upkeep and yardwork. Remember that entries for “MOST IMPROVED PROPERTY” are still available if a resident wants to be considered for this award. Before and after photos must be furnished. Please contact Barbara Medley at 254-634-1977; or Nancy Bostick at “Nancy’s Antique Mall” 325203-0311, if you know someone who is interested. West Texas Fair September 10th, 2011 was the deadline for entries in the Agriculture/Horiculture area for the West Texas Fair held in Abilene this year. Several entries were made by Rising Star residents Willie Ezzell, his brother R.T. Ezzell, cousin Jim Walker, and Laura Quinn. There were peanuts, watermelons (both giant and regular size), blackeye peas (both green and dried), peppers, cantalope, okra, and a “harvest basket”, as well as other entries from many “farmers”. All entries were fresh when brought into the Fair. The ooohs and aaahs could be heard all around when the large watermelons were brought in. There were a total of 7 “giant” melons entered this year, 3 from DeLeon, and 4 from Rising Star. Willie Ezzell was awarded the Blue Ribbon first place for his 128lb monster, followed by 2nd, 3rd, and 4th to the DeLeon melons grown by the Hodges all weighing Send Comments to: starpride@mycounty-line.com

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

12Star Pride ■

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

, Continued...

over 100 lbs. The group from Rising Star scored several other first’s: cantalope, the harvest basket, black-eye peas (both green and dry) okra, peppers, as well as two different species of watermelon. Next year’s fair will be attended again---hopefully with as good results. The Fair is an opportunity to share and educate, as well as compete. All are encouraged to watch for and prepare for next year. The catagories would surprise many people as to what may be shown. Just about anything handmade, homemade, or grown will be considered, and if there is no catagory for what one brings---one will be opened. Maybe this could be a project for an organization (hint-- hint, quilting--scrapbooking--), or even the kids at school to consider entering? Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

13Tumbleweed Smith ■

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

, Bob Lewis

A WEEKEND ON THE LAKE By Bob Lewis

I haven’t spent much time doing lake stuff. When we took vacations with our kids we always went to the mountains or seashore. But after a long weekend on Lake Amistad, I’m ready to catch a fish, take a boat ride, paddle a kayak, look at the stars and sleep on a houseboat. On the way down to Del Rio we stopped at the Seminole Canyon State Park west of Comstock and visited with superintendent Randy Rosales. The park does an amazing job of depicting the life of early residents in the area. The nearby canyons were once home to people who produced primitive art on the walls and ceilings of caves and rock ledges. Visitors can take a mile long hike to explore the paintings up close. When we were there, a busload of students all the way from Corpus Christi were touring the park’s museum. Mr. Rosales says he gets visitors from all over the world who are interested in the drawings. One of the areas called Panther Cave is accessible only by boat. We are interested in rock art and wanted to go there, but didn’t have time. When we got to Del Rio we met up with three other couples, close friends of ours, who were out to have some fun on the water. We all belong to a dinner club that meets once a month in someone’s home for a nice meal. Two of the couples had been going fishing and boating on the lake since it was completed in 1969. The surface area of the lake is Texas-size, 65,000 acres, and shares a common border with Mexico. A string of buoys marks the boundary between the two countries. We rented an air-conditioned houseboat that had four bedrooms, an upstairs covered deck, a living room, two bathrooms and complete kitchen. One of the couples acted as hosts and provided all the food and most of the drinks for the weekend. I was surprised to find out the people renting the houseboat had to pilot it. It’s 59 feet long and when I got behind the wheel, it seemed like I was steering a big cruise ship. The two couples familiar with the lake had been going to a secluded area surrounded by hills about three hours from the marina. We had two boats and three kayaks and made good use of all of them. We caught fish, swam in the perfect water (the houseboat had a slide on it) and enjoyed sitting on the top deck in the cool breeze that lasted all the time we were there. We looked at

the stars through a telescope. Satellite radio provided music for dancing. Pretty hard to beat. The host couple prepared gourmet meals and special cocktails in the late afternoons. We took several fishing expeditions and caught a few fish. We shared a medium size bass for dinner one night. It was special to be out the water, riding in a boat with the wind in our faces. Susan and I were thrilled when the hosts decided to boat over to Panther Cave. We spent some time there looking at the rock art, some of which is extremely well preserved. The weekend was one of the most totally relaxing times I’ve ever had. We all enjoyed it so much we’re planning to do it again. CHRISTMAS TROOPS

FOR

OUR

In 2004, Scott Davis of Midland saw a military acquaintance of his leave for a tour of duty in Iraq. Scott decided to do something to let the troops know that the folks back home supported them. He formed an organization called CHRISTMAS FOR OUR TROOPS. He and a few friends got the names and military addresses of five military personnel from the area serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and sent them a box of stuff for Christmas. The contents included a pocket knife, gun cleaning supplies, two books, a magazine, instant hot chocolate, chap stick, candy and other items to make their lives more comfortable. The box also contained original Christmas cards created by children. On top of the items was a crisp two-dollar bill for good luck. The following year, twenty-one boxes were sent to soldiers, sailors and marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The word spread and by 2006, 248 boxes were sent. The next year the number doubled. Last year the group sent 2,556 boxes. “People really do want to do something good for the troops,” says Scott, who ended up in the oil and gas business after studying architecture at the University of Texas. “The organization is all volunteer, with no paid employees. Everything we do is done out of the goodness of people’s hearts. We

have boxes in several cities where people can put it items. The list of things we send is on our website, christmasforourtroops.org.” This year the group plans to send at least 2,500 boxes to troops. The items are packed into a Priority Mail box one-foot square and five inches deep. “Each box costs about eighty dollars to send, including twelve dollars for postage. This year we’ll pay the post office $31,250. I don’t like asking people for money but we have to do it to make it work. Contributions come in from all over the US. We may be in West Texas, but to us that means everything from Maine to Hawaii and from Florida to Alaska. One volunteer near Waco knitted more than 2,500 miniature Christmas stockings. A pack of cotton swabs in the box contains a message from the kids: Keep your ears cleaned out so you can hear the bad guys coming.” Scott says the boxes are not mailed to just any soldier, sailor or marine. “We’re looking for any military personnel from the US serving in Iraq or Afghanistan at Christmas. We need their APO address. These go to specific individuals. The easiest way to submit names is to do it by emailing our website, Christmasforourtroops. org. If anyone knows a squad leader, send us his name and address and the names of everyone in his squad and we’ll send them all a box.” The boxes will be packed this year on December 7th at various places in different cities. “We start at noon and we’re through by 6 PM. The troops will get them some ten days later. We have about five hundred people who come and help pack. They pick up an empty box and by the time they get to the end of the line, everything is in the boxes. Then we slap the customs labels on them, tape them up and stack them for the post office to pick up. We have a pretty significant assembly line. Henry Ford would be proud of us. We have people from all ages and walks of life helping us.” Send Comments to: tumbleweed@mycounty-line.com

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

14Love Lessons Learned So Far

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

■

, Vicki Stiefer

The Elephant Man Dates By Vicki Stiefer

I had a request from someone who named himself “Ugly Man”. He asked me how he, as an Ugly Man, could get dates with smoking hot women even though he looked nothing like the All-American Guy. I’ve got good news for the Ugly Man! There are not a whole lot of super perfect guys out there. Matter of fact, not one single man comes to mind as the all perfect all knowing… wait…nope, he’s not of this world. So, no my friend, no man is the perfect All-American. I will pass on to you some advice one of my literature teachers gave me. Ms. McBride taught me as much about life as she did literature and I am forever grateful! I can still quote “If” by Rudyard Kipling to this day. Her simple advice was this, “If you are asked out by someone and going out with them does not go against any religious or family values, there is no reason why you should not go.” I did not have any idea the magnitude of what she said until I reached my early 20’s and made it to college. I went out on plenty of first dates. Some I watched the clock tick by. Others I offered to pay the tab and hit the door. Some I was honest with and said I felt no connection, and most I just made lasting friendships with. So I took the risk to see just what each guy had to offer. I never expected a spark with all of them. Certainly not most of them since some of them I had no feeling for before I went, but life is too short not to see what is out there. I quickly learned that in the dating world there is a lot of wading through to do and if you only look with your eyes, you see nothing. Newsflash! You have to look with your ears. If your eyes are the only thing you use to seek a mate then you will be disappointed more times that you want to count. The Ugly Man might not seem so ugly once he starts talking and you get to know him. Ever wonder why you see good looking women with not so handsome men? You say to yourself, “How did he get her?” She looked with her ears and found a prince under the scruffy layers. Use the first and last of Rudyard Kipling’s “If” as inspiration:

Or being hated don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And---which is more---you’ll be a Man, my son!

by its cover. Of course there is always something to be said for someone being out of your league, but I think that has more to do with your state of mind. Think about the queens who have abdicated their throne for the commoner. Keep your eyes open single folks and look twice at the ugly person. There might be a prince charming or a sweet swan song underneath the exterior that does not catch your eye at first. Send Comments to: lovelessons@mycounty-line.com

I guess the moral of the story for guys and gals is the same one your Mom told you back in the day, don’t judge a book

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

15Treasure Hunters ■

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

, Jerry Eckhart

‘X’ Marks the Spot By Jerry Eckhart To see more of Jerry’s treasure finds, search Facebook for “Jerry Eckhart”

Last Month, we talked about how great it is to have old photos to look at, and how valuable they are for researching old sites. From those photos, we can determine how people lived, where they lived, and what they might tell us about the possibility of treasure in a location. This month, I would like to go to the other end of the spectrum and look at old treasure maps. It seems that everyone has seen or heard of an old treasure map, although how many are actually a real map, or just the product of someone’s imagination is a big question. Many historical treasures have a map associated with them. We saw them in the movies, “National Treasure, Sahara, and the Treasure of the Sierra Madre.” Those are just three I can think of off the top of my head. Many maps are carved into stone, and often feature symbols taken from Spanish legends or pirate tales. Many of these still remain right here within a few miles of Eastland County. There are even a few carved stone maps on display at the Lela Latch Lloyd Museum. We have even drawn copies of maps we have seen from time to time or seen in lost treasure books. Visitors to the monthly meetings of the Southwestern Searchers sometimes tell of maps they have seen and are all convinced that their map will lead to X marks the spot. If their maps have ever led them to a treasure, they are not telling. These map collectors won’t even tell you what a certain symbol on any map means because they are afraid the deciphering of symbols could lead you to their treasure. That is not unexpected or even selfish, because they do want to protect their locations from others, just in case something is there. On occasion, one treasure hunter has gotten miffed at another because they will not share their information. Phony maps also abound in the treasure hunting community. When one tries to convince another that a map is a fake, it brings on a pretty big argument. About 15 years ago, I was reading a lost treasure story about the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma in Lost Treasure Magazine. This particular story was written by an editor of the magazine who thought what he was writing was the gospel truth. It was an interesting story about a cave which supposedly held thousands of dollars in gold bars. This cave was marked by a large cross carved above the entrance. I grew up about five miles south of this location and was well informed about this particular story. The editor stated that a particular treasure hunter had found the cave with the cross marked above it, but the cave was empty. The treasure hunter speculated that someone else had found the treasure and removed it. I couldn’t help but laugh. You see, back during the 1950’s, several of us high school boys went through that particular area of the mountains and whenever we found an empty cave, (there were many such) would carve a cross above it, or near it, rub dirt into the carving to make it look old, then sit back and laugh when another empty cave was found. I ‘fessed up to the deed, and almost lost my writing contract over it. Fortunately, the editor-in-chief realized the value of good research and saved me. Treasure maps have been faked since pirate days, and most of them discovered. It was quite common for western prospectors to dummy up a map to a claim where they supposedly found a rich vein of gold. People bought them until the con man ran out. Once they began to follow the clues, they soon met up with others with the same map. Often treasure stories are made up just so the writer can sell a story. Several years ago, I did an expose of lost treasure stories for my book, “Practical Treasure Hunting,” and made up one of my own to illustrate the point. I called it “The Lost Bean Pot Mine.” I put in bunches of interesting clues, including a bean pot hung on a cactus, marks carved into barrel cactus and into boulders. I left out one troublesome clue, the state location. At the end of the story, I added this, “Now that I have your blood boiling, this treasure should be simple to find, except, I MADE IT UP. There is no Lost Bean Pot Mine.” Know what? People didn’t believe me. They thought I was hiding the rest of the information so I could go find it myself. I received several letters from dowsers saying they had located it on maps and if I would pay their expenses they would go find it for me. Remember, there ain’t no lost bean pot mine. If you want to pay my expenses, I will take you out to the area and prove it is false.

Although there are many, many false lost treasures, a few do ring true. The problem lies in being able to interpret the signs or symbols associated with it in order to find it. Back in 1983, I drew up a treasure map for a treasure hunting club so they could have a little fun. I made the map as simple as I could, and was positive someone would find the treasure. That treasure was no slouch either. I took a cigar box, filled it with some dollar bills, wheat pennies and some silver coins. All together, it was worth about 50 dollars. To offset my cost, I sold 25 maps for $2.00 each. Everyone was certain they would find the treasure within the 30 day deadline. They didn’t. Each one made the clues more complicated than they actually were. Just before the next club meeting, I dug up the box, took it to the meeting and showed it to them. I felt bad for taking their money so I returned it to each one who had bought a map. I’ll bet those old prospectors with their phony maps never did that! If you have a map, study it, make sure it is real, and don’t make it more complicated than it actually is. Good hunting. Jerry Eckhart Hazelville, TX ~ The Man In Blue

A friend of mine who loves to search old locations with his metal detector told me of his experience with the man in blue. It isn’t a fancy story, but has some interesting aspects. John had located a small, long-gone hamlet by the name of Hazelville, somewhere south of Comanche, Texas. At one time, there were stores, homes and businesses. It was all gone by the turn of the century, but John found the place, secured permission to search with his metal detector. Only the empty shell of a country school remained. He knew there would be only a slim chance of finding many coins, but did think he might turn up a relic of the times.. He searched for quite sometime, but only found a few small items. As he searched, he felt as if someone were watching him.

To a treasure hunter, or anyone else who spends time alone in rural or deserted area, this isn’t unusual. We treasure hunters develop a sixth sense about another’s presence. John turned, expecting to see the landowner or perhaps a neighbor. Instead, standing in the doorway of the old school, he saw an old man, dressed in navy blue. The man wore a dark blue cap, much like those worn in the Civil War. As John watched, the man faded from view. Thinking it was his imagination, John continued metal detecting. Again, the sense of another’s presence overwhelmed him and he again turned toward the school. There in the doorway was the same man, and again he faded from view. At that point, John turned off his detector and returned to his car. As he was loading his equipment, the landlord drove up. “There are some strange things going on out here,” John told the owner. The landowner laughed and said, “So you saw him, did you? Everyone who comes out here sees him.” Who was the man in blue? No one knows, although every description is almost identical. He is always dressed in dark blue. The cut of his clothing is similar to a military uniform and he always has on the blue cap. He is readily visible for a few seconds, then fades from view. This part of Comanche County, Texas saw a dark and bloody past with killings and lynchings being quite common. Indian raids were commonplace, as were those from outlaws. Comanche County is the home of John Wesley Hardin, reputed to be the fastest gun in Texas at that time. Perhaps this was one of his victims as Hardin was known to have been an unreconstructed rebel and had no hesitation about shoot those who disagreed with his ideas. The old man could have been a victim of an Indian raid. No one knows for sure, but one thing is certain. The old Man in Blue stands guard over the ghosts of Hazelville. Send Comments to: treasure@mycounty-line.com

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

If you do business in Breckenridge, contact The County Line to advertise here for an unbeatable low, monthly cost!

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

Rising Star Trade Days April through October 4th Weekend each month Call 254-643-1611 for details

For Sale

Got something you need to sell? Got a service you want to promote? Looking for something you need? Having a hard time finding the right place to spread your message? The County Line is distributed to communities in Eastland County and the surrounding counties of Shackleford, Stephens, Palo Pinto, Erath, Commanche, Brown, Coleman, and Callahan. One ad reaches thousands of County Line readers, both in print and online and is still one of the most affordable advertising opportunities available. Call us - 254.433.2693 or visit our website for our advertiser information package www.mycounty-line.com

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

18Out of the Box ■

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine , Joellen Hodge

Dumb Butt Disease By Joellen Hodge Originally printed in the 2010 October Issue. It still applies! ~Editor

I like to drive. Scooters, motorcycles, cars, pick up trucks and school buses are just a small list of the vehicles once piloted by the same hand that write this column. I don’t just drive to get somewhere… sometimes it is for the sheer pleasure of the forward movement. That said, I gotta tell you this; The American Driver is suffering from a serious case of Dumb Butt. This rant does not cover the Crazed Angry Driver, or even those poor people who endure Parking Lot Wanderingitis. (Really, there is such a thing…maybe). I am covering the Dumb Butt who seems surprised and dismayed there is anyone else out on the road. My first example of this malady is the car/pick up that pulls right up behind your bumper as you drive down a two-lane highway with no passing zone. This person wants you to move your car over to the shoulder and let them fly past you in a spray of impatience. He/she cannot understand why you, unimportant insect in their world of I AM A V-I-P IN MY OWN MIND WORLD, are impeding their journey. You have no right to be on their road, driving the speed limit and for that matter, breathing the same air! You are supposed to pull over so they can get to the DQ before the Blizzard sale is over. Now, moving over is ok…in a perfect world. What this person is really asking you to do is this; risk your vehicle and maybe your life on the shoulder of the road. Lets face it…there is a lot of junk on the shoulder of the road. I see tire tread from big trucks, broken bottles, wire, rocks, deer and occasionally, pedestrians. So, you are expected to take on all the hazards of the road because they are in a hurry. Never mind that you are on time, or that they can pass you in about 45 seconds when a passing lane pops up at the bottom of the next hill. Let me think about that…uh… NO! I am not tearing up my tires or under carriage just to please some stranger. Your case of Dumb Butt is not going to be my problem anymore. I am staying in my lane at the correct speed, and if you don’t like it, go around me, reroute or start earlier. Be responsible for your own driving and leave me alone. Another symptom of terminal Dumb Butt Disease is the creeper. That’s the person who gets behind you at the light, busy traffic or just as you are trying to leave the parking lot of Wal-Mart. They creep up slowly on you like a cartoon mugger trying to get to your wallet. I am never sure if they think they can just shove your entire car out of their way, or if they are just trying to invade your personal space enough to make you want to move. Come on…if Stephen Hawkins hasn’t figured out that whole space/time travel thing yet, do you really think riding my bumper is going to help you transmit your car over me to the next stop sign?

Please! Finally, maybe the worst sign of Dumb Butt is the blocker. You know that one driver on your block who stops in the middle of the street to talk to people. They just slam on the brakes and roll down a window. I used to think this was confined to teens, but lately have seen signs of it in all age groups. There is a simple way to stop this: if you are the other driver, DON’T STOP! Instead, make that stupid “call me” sign at them and keep going. I know you have a cell phone in

the car because it hasn’t left your hand or ear since you bought it. Besides, what conversation is so important that we all have to stop our lives to interact with you? It’s not like you really understood the last episode of Lost and are about to share the secret of the whole thing. Move the car! Go away! Let me go home to my life, or onto work. Enough ranting. See you on the streets, in the meantime, yall go be nice to each other! Send Comments to: outofthebox@mycounty-line.com

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

20Ol’ Doc’s Homespun Yarns

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

■

, Luther & Pat Gohlke

A Stiff Situation By Luther Gohlke

My wife Pat and I and our children moved to Ranger, Texas July 4, 1960. We had two babies and one on the way. Pat was a stay at home mom and to say the least, a very busy one. I had just finished a one year rotating internship at the John Peter Smith City/County Hospital in Fort Worth and was entering my career goal of being a family practice country doctor. I was soon exposed to some terms that I was not too familiar with. One such term was cedar hacker or cedar chopper. I knew what a cedar tree was. The country here had plenty of them and I knew what a cedar fence post was, but cedar staves was another new term. Back in the 60s and many years before that, farmers and ranchers used cedar fence posts and cedar staves to build fences. Now a few of these farmers and ranchers cut their own posts and staves, but this was trying, hard labor under adverse conditions. It was cold as all get out in winter and hot as blazes in summer plus an occasional rattler or two and it always seemed to be that the best cedar trees were in deep ravines or sides of hills where rattlers liked to hide.. After a body had cut a few of these, he would rapidly conclude there must be an easier way. So cedar hackers and post yards came into being. The hacker would cut the trees for post and staves and sell them to a post yard for almost a nothing fee. The cedar tree, actually called a juniper cedar for the variety in this area, was a resilient, plentiful cuss. At this time in history, metal fence posts and chain saws were yet to come or maybe in their infancy, but the hacker had their method of cutting. They used a double headed axe, sharp as a razor. I believe one could actually shave with one of these axes. Every hack and every swing struck its goal head on, no wasted blows, swings or cuts. Couldn’t be, the work was too hard and the pay poor so accuracy with a sharp axe meant more posts and staves for the post yard. Farmers and ranchers were more than delighted to buy their supply at the post yard. Building a cedar post fence was hard enough and even more stressful if you also had to cut your own material. One Saturday afternoon I was on call at the Ranger General Hospital when the phone rang and I heard a frantic voice say, “Es steef” and I said. “What?” Again he repeated, “Es steef! El hospital?” Well, I knew that word and said, “Yes”, but I wondered what was “Es steef” – some disease? An injury? Four

years of medical school and one year of internship and this was a new one for me. The man calling was obviously Mexican. In those days many hackers were Hispanic. He spoke little or no English and for sure I spoke little or no Spanish. I was waiting back of the old Ranger General Hospital on hospital hill when they arrived. Their vehicle was an older model dilapidated chevy pickup that had seen better days. Three men got out and let down the tail gate. Lo and behold, there was a 4th man lying on his back in the bed of that old truck – just bare wood and metal bed. He was shaking like in a spasm, couldn’t talk, but breathing okay. He seemed to be in no pain. To my surprise one man grabbed his feet and pulled him out while another got his shoulders. “Es steef” hit me like a bolt of lighting. He was stiff- in fact stiff as a board. The two men carried him into the emergency area by feet and shoulders. He could not walk or bend. Tetany! That’s what he had! Cause? Tetanus? He would have been a good candidate for tetanus. Sign of a good doctor – always take a history, I did. Seems that this fellow with his buddies were cutting cedar posts when they took a lunch break and a rest. It was mid summer and very hot. After they had eaten, the patient went to relieve himself (the call of nature). In the process a scorpion stung him on his back side. How I got this information out of those guys, I will never know. He was having a violent, tetanic reaction to a scorpion sting. Good history, easy diagnosis and quick treatment. I drew up 50 cc of 50% calcium gluconate and gave it slowly into a vein. Seemed like a miracle. In a few seconds he was sitting up laughing and talking as if nothing had ever happened. His friends were amazed. In fact, I was too! Was God’s hand in all this? I think so! A heavy dose of intramuscular steroid and observation for about another 30 minutes and they were on their way

back to work. I can’t remember if the patient rode back in the bed of that old rough truck. Maybe not! It may have been one of the others turn. I know one thing my reputation went out across the Hispanic community as a miraculous healer. Now, as time went on, I myself became a farmer/rancher, had a little land and a few cows. Guess who became a cedar hacker? Not with a double headed axe for sure, but with a chain saw. I still watch out for rattlers and scorpions. Send Comments to: outofthepast@mycounty-line.com

Donations may be made to:

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Ruth Norris Benefit Fund 930 East Main Eastland, TX 76448 (254) 629-3282

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

21This Week In Texas History

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

■

, by Bartee Haile

Cordova Conspiracy Threatens Survival of New Republic By Bartee Haile

The very future of the Lone Star Republic was at stake on Oct. 16, 1838, when a volunteer militia fought Mexican conspirators and their Indian allies on a battlefield in East Texas. Vicente Cordova was a respected citizen of Nacogdoches in the early 1830’s held in high esteem by Mexicans and Anglos alike. Although elected to several important public posts over the years, the popular figure hid his hatred of American immigrants and his burning desire to hasten the day of reckoning with the gringos. After the first shot of the Texas Revolution was fired in the fall of 1835, Cordova went to work. Exploiting his prestige in the Nacogdoches area, he organized an underground Mexican militia to attack the Texans marching on Bexar. But before he could act, the government general at San Antonio surrendered. Cordova was not deterred by the sudden capitulation and looked for other ways to help the cause. He sent word to Mexican officials in March 1836 that he had solicited sufficient support from the Cherokees to surprise the retreating rebel army from the rear. Once again events moved faster than Cordova, and Santa Anna was defeated at San Jacinto before he could stage his ambush. Over the next two years, the victorious Texans failed to detect the true sentiments and continuing conspiracy of the clever spy. In the spring of 1838, Gen. Vicente Filisola commissioned Cordova to recruit East Texas Indians as “auxiliaries to the Mexican army” and put him in contact with Manuel Flores, a special agent with the same assignment. Together the two snakes in the grass planned the overthrow of the Republic and the restoration of Mexican rule in the liberated province. The alliance with the Cherokees was renewed that summer, and Cordova set up his headquarters on an island in the Angelina River. After assembling an impressive force of Mexicans and Indians, he decided the time had come to strike. Cordova dispatched a strange letter to President Sam Houston that August. He formally unveiled his revolt and informed Houston that the Texans’ wives and children would be spared if his own men’s families were likewise left alone.

What in the world was Cordova thinking? His premature announcement robbed the rebels of the element of surprise and ensured their disastrous downfall. Houston quickly called out the militia, and volunteers by the hundreds hurried to the defense of the imperiled Republic. The Texans led by Thomas Rusk, a future U.S. Senator, fought a pitched battle on the afternoon of Oct. 16 with Cordova’s 900 Mexicans and Indians, the majority of them Kickapoos. After an hour of furious combat and severe losses, Cordova and his key supporters slipped through the Texans’ lines and made a mad dash for the Rio Grande. Cordova returned to Texas the next winter with a small band of 75 followers and prowled the prairies along the upper reaches of the Trinity River. He resolved in March 1839 to sneak past the frontier patrols of Texas Rangers and seek out his compatriots holding up in Matamoros. The Rangers spotted Cordova on the outskirts of Austin and chased him for two days to the present site of Seguin. The Mexican turned and fought losing 25 men before heading south. A company of Rangers from Gonzales under the command of Capt. Matthew Caldwell doggedly pursued Cordova to the border, but the most wanted man in Texas once again evaded capture. Though forever condemned as a two-faced turncoat north of the river, Vicente Cordova was

considered a courageous patriot in Mexico. He likely would have lived out his life in safety south of the border had he not decided to accompany a Mexican invasion that briefly occupied San Antonio in September 1842. This time Cordova did not make it back to Mexico but finally got what was coming to him at the Battle of Salado Creek. Fellow conspirator Manuel Flores already had come to the same end. While Cordova was outrunning the Rangers on his final flight in 1839, Flores was scouring the Lone Star countryside in a futile hunt for his accomplice. He lingered long enough to be cornered and killed by Rangers on May 18, 1839. Found on Flores’ body were dozens of letters, which not only contained the details of the complicated scheme to incite insurrection but also implicated the Cherokees in the sinister plot. In exchange for their participation in a war against the Texans, the Indians were promised permanent possession of their tribal territory in the eastern part of the Republic. What the Mexicans evidently had in mind was a red buffer zone against future encroachment from the United States. The Flores letters sealed the Cherokees’ fate. Despite the impassioned defense of the Civilized Tribe by their lifelong friend Sam Houston, the Cherokees were violently evicted from the Texas Republic two months after Manuel Flores’ death. Send Comments to: texashistory@mycounty-line.com

Bartee Haile lives in Friendswood, TX and is the author of one of the most long established Texas History newspaper columns in the state. Column collections available at twith.com or request list from Bartee Haile, P.O. Box 152, Friendswood, TX 7754

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

23From The Backside ■

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ October 2011 v4.53 ~ www.facebook.com/MyCountyLine , Henry J. Clevicepin

Suckin’ Mud!!! By Henry J. Clevicepin Collaborated by Nellie Frecklebelly and Agnes & Ophilia Fudpucker

Well, this ol weather shore ain’t change much except maybe just a hair cooler some days. It’s still so dry that me and ol Estee K. Bibbles, my mulebarn partner, got some ducks nearly a year old that still don’t know how to swim. Ol Estee K. said when it come the big flood and Noah was in the ark, that he thought Buzzard’s Roost just got about ¼ of an inch. And Estee K.’s grandson, little Johnny K. Bibbles, gets in trouble at school sometimes, but you can bet he always has an answer for the teacher. Now, the other day the teacher was gettin on Little Johnny K. and was tellin him that he never got anything right, so what kind of a job did he think he was gonna be able to get when he grew up and got out of school. Well, Little Johnny shot right back and said he could always be a “T V Weatherman”. Speaking of jobs, which there ain’t any in this country and ain’t gonna be if Obama and them gal-darn politicians don’t get their head out of their rear ends up in Washington. But Estee K. was telling me about an ol gal that applied for a job picking lemons down in a Florida lemon grove. The foreman looked at her resume and saw she had a Master’s Degree, had been a social worker and a teacher. The foreman kinda frowned and asks her, have you ever had any actual experience picking lemons. The ol gal, said as a matter of fact I have …..she said she had been divorced three times, had bought 2 Chrysler cars and had voted for Obama….she got the job !!!!!! And speaking of lemons, we got a whole load up in Congress. Here we are again, with them sapsuckers trying to pass a temporary budget or they are gonna have to shut the government down again. They are about to cry wolf one too many times over that…..me and ol Estee K. are tired of hearing it…let’em shut the sucker down, they are spending money faster than it is coming in and that’s kinda like a water pump ….sooner or later it is gonna start breaking suction !!!! It’s kinda like ol Buzzard’s Roost Bubba and his buddy Leroy. Now, Bubba ain’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. In fact, here awhile back Bubba was getting a divorce and at the final hearing the judge told Bubba he was gonna give his wife $250 a week in alimony. Well, ol Bubba said, “judge, that is shore nice of you to do that….and when I get a little extra beer money ever now & then, I’ll try to send her a few bucks myself” !!!! Anyway, Bubba & Leroy had an ol horse that wouldn’t drink so they decided to take the ol nag down to the lake and Leroy was gonna hold his head down in the water and ol Bubba was gonna get on the other end and raise his tail and start sucking and see if he could suck some water into that ol horse. Well, about the time ol Bubba got to sucking that ol horse took a crap and ol Bubba came out of there spitting and gaggin and hollering “ Leroy, pull his head up, I think he’s sucking mud !!!!!” And I think them dadblasted politicians have about got our pump sucking mud !!!!!!!!!!! And what does Obama wanna do???? Raise taxes on the wealthy. And he is gonna call it the Buffet rule cause ol Warren Buffet, the second richest guy in the USA says it be ok for him to have to pay more. Now, that shore seems a little hypocritical, since this is the same Warren Buffet that has fought the IRS over his company, Berkshire Hathaway, paying over 1 billion in taxes they have owed for 10 years. Why don’t he just write a little check for that 1 billion and just add a few more zeros on it if that is what he really thinks. In fact why don’t all of them sapsuckers like Bill Gates and that ol boy that just happen to be in the audience the other day when Obama was making a speech and got up said he wanted his taxes raised cause he had made billions off of Google. Ol Estee K. said he shore didn’t see anyone holden’em back from just whipping out that checkbook and writing a check for just ever how big they

wanted to and sending it to the IRS. Now, as for me and ol Estee K., we don’t want to give them thieving morons any more than we have to. All they are going to do is steal it or blow it on something this country don’t need. Now, they been on Rick Perry for calling Social Security a ponzi scheme. Me and ol Estee K. figured out, it is only a ponzi scheme if me or you do it….if the government does it, then it’s ok. If you think about it, you not only contributed to Social Security but so did your employer and it totaled 15% of your income. Me and ol Estee K. saw a little ditty the other day that showed if you made only $30,000 per year for your working life and paid $4500 per year into Social Security and it was put into something that only made 5% you would have almost $900,000 when you retired. And if you took out only 3% per year you would get almost $27,000 per year until you are 95. Or if you had put that money into an annuity making 4% and annuitized it at retirement you would have a lifetime income of nearly $3000 per month. And if something happens to you, your family gets the money you have put in. Now, let’s look at the way it is now, since they stole all of our money out of the fund and spent it. Now, you get maybe anywhere from about $1000 to $1500 per month if you live to be 65…. if you die before reaching 65 your family gets what the owl left on the limb !!!!! So, this is by far a bigger ponzi scheme that Bernie Madoff ever pulled off … and look where he is…in prison for the rest of his life !!!! And our illustrious government keeps calling Social Security an entitlement……”entitlement my ass…..we paid cash into that fund and they stole it “. Our country is broke and can’t help the Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless, but we can send billions of dollars to Haiti, Chile, Turkey, Pakistan and everywhere else in the cornbread world to people that hate us and want to kill us. And what about all of these big fancy churches taking in all

of this tax free money. Yeah, they send some money or missionaries all over the world to one of them pore countries…. well, they better wake up….America is now one of them pore countries…people need help here around Buzzard’s Roost and all over America. I see’em building them new fancy church buildings and I see these cowboy churches building them big roping arenas, but I don’t ever see’em building a soup kitchen or some place where an ol drunk loss soul can get in out of the weather and get a hot meal. How many times have you ever seen a helpless homeless person team roping ????? When are our good church going people going to wake up and start helping people around home and when are we going to quit sending them same thieving suckers to Washington that want to blow all of our money???? I’m afraid it ain’t gonna be anytime soon !!!!!! Well, if ol Estee K. will help me down off of this applebox, we’re gonna go down to the Buzzard’s Roost Bar & Grill and watch the weatherman and decide if we want to send the IRS any extra money….I bet we can make that decision on the first beer!!! Words of Wisdom from Henry J : If you are in the woods hunting with your buddy and run upon a bear….don’t worry about outrunning the bear…..just worry about outrunning your buddy !!!!!! You can email ol Henry J. at : henryjclevicepin@aol.com Send Comments to: backside@mycounty-line.com From the Backside Sponsor

Joe Bond Construction Fencing, Metal Buildings, Dirt Hauling Motorgrading Roads

Call: 254-631-2658 From the Backside Sponsor

Life Settlement Investments Average return for 18yrs = 14.07% $50,000 minimum investment Low, Low Risk

Call: 817-228-7745

Published by Mike W. Norris d.b.a. Wolverine Design ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

Hello everyone!! I am finally home and I am back at work. That is a wonderful feeling. It is really good to be back at work. My coworkers did a great job while I was gone. A big Thank You to Carrie, Donna Leigh, Eddie, Marvin and Ms. Carolyn! If you haven’t been by Goodwill lately, you need to come by. It has totally changed. I think for the best, but that’s just my opinion. Come by and see me and my team. There are so many people to thank. First, and foremost, is Michael for being so supportive during my 2-1/2 months in Dallas. My in-laws for taking care of Sherrie and to Sherrie for not being too much trouble for Nana and Pa. My neighbor for checking our mail and taking care of our dogs, Saxon and Drover (even in the snow!) All the friends that came to see me in the hospital and everyone that called and checked on me. Thanks for all the cards that were sent and for all the donations that were given in such generosity. Everything was very much appreciated! I have to tell you, these last 14 weeks have been wonderful, well except for the first 6 weeks when I was so sick. I no longer have to take shots and with my new pancreas, I am no longer diabetic. I don’t have to do dialysis anymore at night and no more tubes in my stomach. And

best of all, I can eat anything I want! Having these new organs, I am leading a normal and new life, which is wonderful! If you are not an organ donor, please think of how my life has been changed and consider how you might help someone else experience a wonderful life as well. Don’t let that go to waste! I would like to thank everyone for purchasing a t-shirt! (see them down below) I still have plenty more so please contact me if you are interested in buying one. I also wanted to let everyone know that on May 14th, from 5:30 to 8:00pm, there will be a Benefit Supper and Auction held for me and my family at the Carbon Community Center. There will be plenty to eat - brisket, beans, potato salad and desserts. Please come out and enjoy a good meal and good company. Thank you all again for the thoughts and prayers. My family and I are truly blessed by our wonderful community and it is greatly appreciated.

~Ruthie

Follow Ruthie’s Progress online:

www.facebook.com/sherriesmom

Follow Mike, The County Line & Community Announcements:

www.facebook.com/mycountyline

Donations may be made to:

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Ruth Norris Benefit Fund 930 East Main Eastland, TX 76448 (254) 629-3282