This Issue....
Texas History Continues - Santa Anna Marches On Bexar!
Business & Community Journal
Mid-Month Feb, 2010
Volume 3 Issue 30
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The Two Towers
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...their watch comes to an end
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The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
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February, 2010 Mid-Month
vol.3 Issue 30
On The Cover:
The two Park Hill Water Towers have been an iconic symbol of “home” for a generation of Eastland County residents. Photo by mwnorris
In This Issue:
Texas History Continues! Daily Devotional Carbon - Then & Now Donkey Basketball Tumbleweed Smith Ranger Library EMH Volunteer News Award-Winning Sculptor Out of the Past Rising Star Library Notes Tech-Tips Life Planning Issues Informed Voter Eastland Chamber Out of the Box From the Backside Footnotes Hit the Target
More on the Web...
Contents Lincoln’s Birthday - Feb. 12 Valentine’s Day - Feb. 14 President’s Day - Feb. 15 Washington’s Birthday - Feb. 22
When I was a kid growing up in Carbon, before video games, desktop computers and the Internet even existed, I happened one day to come upon a book in the Carbon High School Library. It was just like many other books in the school library, well worn, with cloth covers and faded embossed decorations on its cover. I was just learning to use the library card catalog at the time, and I found the book in my favorite section, Science Fiction. I never cared a whole lot about the card catalog because I liked to browse up and down the book shelves and actually pull books out and read a page or two. I didn’t select books by authors, in fact I couldn’t tell you the authors of 99% of the books I have ever read...but I know a good book when I see one. Yea, right. What’s that old saying? “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” So anyway, I happened across this book one afternoon. You may have heard of it. It was named “The Two Towers” by J.R.R. Tolkien. I had never heard of this book before, nor had I ever heard of the author. But for some reason, the title, “The Two Towers”, and the uniqueness of the author’s name, “J.R.R. Tolkien”, “J.R.R” - I like that, these two things caught my attention and I just couldn’t put it down. For the next several years, my imagination was engulfed with wizards and warriors, clashing swords, thundering armies and dark creatures and dragons. And for years I was interested in elves and elven languages and lore. To a great extent, I am the person I am today because of this one book. It was the spark of inspiration which guided my creativity, my desire to expand my horizons, my sense of determination and willingness to use my imagination, and to dream of things
unbound by reality for the passed 25 to 30 years. And believe it or not, even to this day, every time I come over the hill, wether I’m coming in from the south by way of Carbon, the east from Stephenville or Ranger, the north from Breckenridge, or the west from Cisco, the moment I crest the hills surrounding Eastland, my eyes are drawn to those two white towers standing on Park Hill, and I am home. But as you may have heard, the Two Towers of Park Hill are no more. After standing watch over the citizens of Eastland for so many years, their time has come to an end. The “Maverick” Tower has already fallen, beseiged by the torches of industry. Removed plate by plate, piece by piece, and lowered, heaped upon the ground to be taken away to become raw material for some other construction, in some far off domain. In its place shall soon rise a new tower, a greater tower. So for a time the “Eastland” Tower shall have a new companion, until its time also dwindles from years to days, unto the hour in which it, too must fall. Does this loss cause pain to your heart as well as mine? Perhaps, or perhaps not. It is odd how the changes in our world effect each of us in so different a way. Where one sees progress, another may see loss and sadness. I, for one, see the fall of the Two Towers with a personal interest. Not so much a loss as it is an opportunity to remember a symbol of my own childhood imagination. But one thing I have realized is that even if those water towers must be taken down to make way for newer and better things, even if they are gone, I’ll still be looking to Park Hill and the place where they once stood every time I come over a hilltop on my way back into Eastland. And I’ll remember. In honor of the “Maverick” Water Tower: “Eastern tower, from the hill be watchful.”
The County Line Published by Mike Norris Wolverine Design
P.O. Box 1156 Eastland, Tx 76448 Phone: (254)631-8407 Fax: (866)633-8715 (toll free)
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The County Line is published monthly and distributed in the following cities: Abilene Albany Baird Breckenridge Brownwood Carbon Cisco Cross Plains DeLeon Desdemona Eastland Gordon Gorman Olden Ranger Rising Star Stephenville Strawn Thurber Weatherford
Thank you for reading The County Line! Mike &rris Ruth No
The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
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■ Texas
County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
History Continues - Part 3, Mike Norris
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Santa Anna Marches on Bexar While Texas Delegates Declare Independence
The Consultation of 1835 San Felipe de Austin Stephen F. Austin’s Anglo-American Texas colony was based from a small settlement of some 20 to 30 cabins situated on the banks of the Brazos River. The settlement had become the unofficial capital of the region by 1828. As friction with the Mexican government increased, Austin’s headquarters was the site of the Conventions of 1832 and 1833. In the fall of 1835, San Felipe de Austin was again the meeting place of troubled Anglo-American settlers. The Consultation of 1835 was intended to take place in October. But before delegates from each of the Texas provinces could assemble in San Felipe de Austin, the Texas Revolution unwittingly began with the October 2nd Battle of Gonzales. Upon hearing of the fight over the Gonzales cannon, many of the Texas delegates arrived there to lend encouragement. Many, including Stephen F. Austin, went on to participate in the engagement with the Mexican forces during the Siege of Bexar as the Texas revolutionaries drove the last remaining Mexican forces out of Texas and eventually took possession of the Alamo Spanish Mission on December 11th. The Consultation of 1835 was postponed from October until November. Sam Houston had arrived in Texas in time to attend the Convention of 1833 as the representative for Nacogdoches and arrived in San Felipe de Austin for the 1835 meeting. However, finding most of the delegates absent, Houston took it upon himself to travel to San Antonio de Bexar to make contact with the delegates who were participating in the siege. Houston persuaded James Bowie to accompany him while Austin, William B. Travis, and others remained behind. Austin sent a letter with Houston and Bowie to convey his thoughts and counsel to the Consultation delegates. In his letter, Austin pressed for the delegates to follow the Mexican Constitution of 1824 and refrain from declaring independence. On November 3, 1835, a quorum of delegates was formed in San Felipe and Branch Tanner Archer of Brazoria was elected to preside over the gathering. The delegates’ opinions formed into two parties. Those who wished to declare independence from Mexico formed the War,
or Independence Party while those who wished to remain under Mexican authority as provided by the Constitution of 1824 were known as the Peace Party. Of major concern was how to move forward without alienating other Mexican federalist supporters throughout the Mexican territories, but still gain favor with American supporters. On November 7th, the delegates reached a compromise resolution in which they declared that “The people of Texas, availing themselves of their natural rights, solemnly declare that they have taken up arms in defense of their rights and liberties which were threatened by the encroachments of military despots and in defense of Republican principles of the federal constitution of Mexico of 1824.” The resolution also stated that the Texas people reserved the right to self government while the articles of the Constitution of 1824 were not enforced. The delegates passed the resolution in a vote of 33 to 14. Henry Smith, appointed chief and alcalde of Brazoria, was elected as Governor and James Robinson was elected as lieutenant governor. The remaining delegates formed the General Council. On November 13th, the council established a Provisional Army of Texas and appointed Sam Houston as General. Houston was ordered to form a new army of 2,500 men who would enlist for a 2-year term in exchange for land grants for their service. By the middle of November, the fledgling Texas government was organized and determined, with the goal to reinstate the Mexican Constitution of 1824 or seek independence if the Mexican government failed to alter course. But December brought turmoil to the Texian’s efforts. Governor Smith and the General Council decided to expand the forces of the Texian army through the formation of a volunteer division with a shorter enlistment period.
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History, continued
This conflicted with Houston’s efforts to raise the Provisional Army and caused disorder in the chain of command. In addition to organizational issues within the army, the General Council determined that military action against Mexican forces at Matamoros, Mexico might spark support from other federalist Mexicans and bring more pressure to the Mexican government to reinstate the Constitution of 1824. However, Governor Smith and the General Council could not agree on a single course of action and orders were issued to multiple field commanders to lead a Matamoros Expedition. The disorganized Matamoros Expedition drew men and supplies from the Alamo Mission in San Antonio de Bexar and the Alamo commander, James Neill, made an urgent request of General Houston for reinforcements and supplies. Houston forwarded Neill’s request to Governor Smith along with his concern that the Matamoros Expedition would be considered an illegal action due to failure to follow the chain of command and for the lack of a quorum of the General Council providing legitimacy to the action. Smith relented and denounced the expedition. He then disbanded the General Council until March 1st unless they agreed to recant their authorization for the expedition as well. The council determined that Smith had no authority to dismiss them and they voted to impeach Governor Smith and replace him with Lt. Governor Robinson. Smith claimed that the council could not impeach him without the presence of a quorum and throughout January and February of 1836, the provisional Texas government was in disarray. The Convention of 1836 Washington-on-the-Brazos
a fierce American spirit. The convention was convened on March 1st with Richard Ellis as presiding officer. The delegates wasted no time in appointing George Childress to lead a five member committee to draft a Declaration of Independence from Mexico. The committee consisted of George Childress, Edward Conrad, James Gaines, Bailey Hardeman and Collin McKinney. The Childress committee submitted their draft the following day based largely on the writings of Thomas Jefferson and John Locke. It is suspected that Childress had written most of the document before the convention. The document reads:
The Unanimous Declaration of Independence made by the Delegates of the People of Texas in General Convention at the Town of Washington on the 2nd day of March 1836 When a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty and property of the
people, from whom its legitimate powers are derived, and for the advancement of whose happiness it was instituted, and so far from being a guarantee for the enjoyment of those inestimable and inalienable rights, becomes an instrument in the hands of evil rulers for their oppression.
When the Federal Republican Constitution of their country, which they have sworn to support, no longer has a substantial existence, and the whole nature of their government has been forcibly changed, without their consent, from a restricted federative republic, composed of sovereign states, to a consolidated central military despotism, in which every interest is disregarded but that of the army and the priesthood, both the eternal enemies of civil liberty, the everready minions of power, and the usual instruments of tyrants.
On February 1st, 1836, elections were held to appoint new delegates to the struggling Provisional Texas government. The governorship was in question. The army was disorganized and had no central control. The only fortification positioned between Mexico and the provisional government was the Alamo Spanish Mission in San Antonio de Bexar. With its forces drastically reduced , the commander of the Alamo Mission was begging for supplies and reinforcements. When, long after the spirit of the constitution has departed, moderation is at length As the new delegation prepared to meet at Washington-on-the-Brazos for the Convention of 1836, Mexican President General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was so far lost by those in power, that even the semblance of freedom is removed, and the forms themselves of the constitution discontinued, and so far from their petitions and leading a force of 2,400 men into Texas to quell the revolution. remonstrances being regarded, the agents who bear them are thrown into dungeons, On February 12, 1836, the Mexican army crossed the Rio Grande River into Texas. On February 21, the Mexican army was within 25 miles of San Antonio de Bexar and and mercenary armies sent forth to force a new government upon them at the point of the bayonet. on February 23, Mexican forces began to arrive on the outskirts of the town. By late afternoon, more that 1,500 Mexican troops occupied San Antonio de Bexar. When, in consequence of such acts of malfeasance and abdication on the part of the As the Mexican forces began taking positions, the Mexican signal corps raised a solid government, anarchy prevails, and civil society is dissolved into its original elements. red flag, indicating that no quarter would be given. Colonel William B. Travis responded by firing the Alamo’s largest single 18-pound In such a crisis, the first law of nature, the right of self-preservation, the inherent and inalienable rights of the people to appeal to first principles, and take their political cannon. James Bowie, co-commander of the Alamo garrison, sent Green B. Jameson to meet affairs into their own hands in extreme cases, enjoins it as a right towards themselves, with two Mexican representatives, Juan Almonte and Jose Bartres. Travis was angered and a sacred obligation to their posterity, to abolish such government, and create another in its stead, calculated to rescue them from impending dangers, and to secure by Bowie’s action and sent his own representative to witness the negotiations. The Texaians requested honorable surrender but the Mexican officers insisted that their future welfare and happiness. the surrender must be unconditional. Nations, as well as individuals, are amenable for their acts to the public opinion of When the revolutionary emissaries returned with the news, Bowie and Travis agreed mankind. A statement of a part of our grievances is therefore submitted to an impartial to fire the 18-pounder a second time as their only response. world, in justification of the hazardous but unavoidable step now taken, of severing our And with that, the stage was set. Five days later, on February 28, a total of forty-one delegates were present at political connection with the Mexican people, and assuming an independent attitude Washington-on-the-Brazos to attend the Convention of 1836. The new delegates were among the nations of the earth. mostly comprised of newcomers to the Mexican Texas territory and brought with them The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
History, continued
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The Mexican government, by its colonization laws, invited and induced the AngloAmerican population of Texas to colonize its wilderness under the pledged faith of a written constitution, that they should continue to enjoy that constitutional liberty and republican government to which they had been habituated in the land of their birth, the United States of America.
the rightful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments.
In this expectation they have been cruelly disappointed, inasmuch as the Mexican nation has acquiesced in the late changes made in the government by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who having overturned the constitution of his country, now offers us the cruel alternative, either to abandon our homes, acquired by so many privations, or submit to the most intolerable of all tyranny, the combined despotism of the sword and the priesthood.
It has, through its emissaries, incited the merciless savage, with the tomahawk and scalping knife, to massacre the inhabitants of our defenseless frontiers.
It has sacrificed our welfare to the state of Coahuila, by which our interests have been continually depressed through a jealous and partial course of legislation, carried on at a far distant seat of government, by a hostile majority, in an unknown tongue, and this too, notwithstanding we have petitioned in the humblest terms for the establishment of a separate state government, and have, in accordance with the provisions of the national constitution, presented to the general Congress a republican constitution, which was, without just cause, contemptuously rejected.
These, and other grievances, were patiently borne by the people of Texas, until they reached that point at which forbearance ceases to be a virtue. We then took up arms in defense of the national constitution. We appealed to our Mexican brethren for assistance. Our appeal has been made in vain. Though months have elapsed, no sympathetic response has yet been heard from the Interior.
It incarcerated in a dungeon, for a long time, one of our citizens, for no other cause but a zealous endeavor to procure the acceptance of our constitution, and the establishment of a state government. It has failed and refused to secure, on a firm basis, the right of trial by jury, that palladium of civil liberty, and only safe guarantee for the life, liberty, and property of the citizen. It has failed to establish any public system of education, although possessed of almost boundless resources, (the public domain,) and although it is an axiom in political science, that unless a people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self government.
It has invaded our country both by sea and by land, with intent to lay waste our territory, and drive us from our homes; and has now a large mercenary army advancing, to carry on against us a war of extermination.
It hath been, during the whole time of our connection with it, the contemptible sport and victim of successive military revolutions, and hath continually exhibited every characteristic of a weak, corrupt, and tyrannical government.
We are, therefore, forced to the melancholy conclusion, that the Mexican people have acquiesced in the destruction of their liberty, and the substitution therefor of a military government; that they are unfit to be free, and incapable of self government. The necessity of self-preservation, therefore, now decrees our eternal political separation. We, therefore, the delegates with plenary powers of the people of Texas, in solemn convention assembled, appealing to a candid world for the necessities of our condition, do hereby resolve and declare, that our political connection with the Mexican nation has forever ended, and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, Sovereign, and independent republic, and are fully invested with all the rights and attributes which
It has suffered the military commandants, stationed among us, to exercise arbitrary acts of oppression and tyranny, thus trampling upon the most sacred rights of the citizens, and rendering the military superior to the civil power. It has dissolved, by force of arms, the state Congress of Coahuila and Texas, and obliged our representatives to fly for their lives from the seat of government, thus depriving us of the fundamental political right of representation. It has demanded the surrender of a number of our citizens, and ordered military detachments to seize and carry them into the Interior for trial, in contempt of the civil authorities, and in defiance of the laws and the constitution. It has made piratical attacks upon our commerce, by commissioning foreign desperadoes, and authorizing them to seize our vessels, and convey the property of our citizens to far distant ports for confiscation. It denies us the right of worshipping the Almighty according to the dictates of our own conscience, by the support of a national religion, calculated to promote the temporal interest of its human functionaries, rather than the glory of the true and living God. It has demanded us to deliver up our arms, which are essential to our defense,
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History, continued
properly belong to independent nations; and, conscious of the rectitude of our intentions, we fearlessly and confidently commit the issue to the decision of the Supreme arbiter of the destinies of nations. Without any debate, the document was approved on March 2nd, 1836 and was signed by the following:
With these pen strokes, the Republic of Texas was given life. And as the convention delegates continued to define the framework of the new nation, her citizens were already giving their blood in her defense. On the day of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the 260 Alamo defenders had already been under siege from the 2,400 strong Mexican army for seven days. Riders and couriers were driving their horses across the Texas hill country in search for reinforcements and one of the most famous letters written by Colonel Travis of the Alamo defense was about to arrive in the hands of the convention attendees. “Victor or Death”...to be continued next issue... The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
Devotional, Wanda Lee Beck Skinner
Childhood Life of Country Pioneer Luckily Recorded {Author’s Note: The following story was written by the late Martha Elena Garrett (18-7-1954) it concerns the story of her pioneer childhood. Mrs. Garrett was the aunt of Clyde Garrett and Virgil Love and the sister of Mrs. Minnie Love.}
This is January 1940. Next March 27, I will be seventy years old. Today I am remembering so many things. Reminiscing, you see, is a privilege we have at this age. In December, 1875, my family moved from near Dallas to the new west. We were father, mother, three little girls and tow baby boys. Mother drove the two horse wagon with the children, bedding and trunks of clothing. Father drove the two yoke of oxen wagon, loaded with our furniture, plow, tools, and grocery supplies bought in Fort Worth; enough to last us at least six months. I remember a 100 pound sack of salt. Two young men, who were friends, drove our herd of cows. There were about twenty head and we were on the road ten days. The weather was cold but it was wonderfully interesting. I have loved camping ever since. The camp fires glowing and smoking, the men chopping wood, our mother baking and our appetites growing bigger and bigger. The children were noisy and happy. We would drag a bunch of brush and build a ring around the fire to keep the children back. Mother and the children slept in the covered wagon (but, today one wants a bed all to themselves.) Exciting times were when we reached a river and there was no bridge. The bank would be deep and very sandy. The ox wagon would be heavily loaded and it would stall. The men would unload such heavy things as turning plows. I still have a picture in my mind of father carrying the 100 pound sack of salt on his back up a steep bank. The oxen would get down on their knees to pull. Their names were Buck, Bully, Ned and Sam. I am sorry that I have forgotten the names of the horses. A Tarrant County neighbor had moved west the year before and had built a picket house. The next year he built a log house nearby and it was here we moved in. It was made of split oak logs driven upright in the hard red soil, and then daubed with red mud, smoothed into every crack. The roof was hand split oak boards. These boards were split form green slabs of oak about three feet long. A broad ax and a maul and wedge were the only tools we had. The maul was a short length of green oak timber, with a handle. The whole thing resembled a croquet mallet. An iron wedge was driving into the timber with the maul and boards were the result. The broad ax blade was about seven or eight inches wide and made like a hatchet. Our roof boards had a nice smooth surface. Our picket house had two rooms, facing south. The doors were on the south side. The fireplace was five or six and plenty deep for Santa to come down. I know, for Santa was to come in five days after we took possession and he left a foot print in the red clay back, and I was the first to notice it. We had a big hearth rock and a hard red dirt floor. Mother cooked on the hearth rock before the fire. She had a black iron kettle, a skillet and oven of black iron, and an iron pot for boiling food. The skittle had three legs about three inches long
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and a black handle. The oven was deeper than the skittle and was used for baking meats, potatoes, cooking hominy or mush. They both had heavy lids with a catch in the middle to hook the poker and lift the lids off. My mother had a fine art in using these vessels. She would pull bright, glowing coals onto the hearth, set the skillet over them, lay the lid on the fire, then when the skillet was very hot and greases, she would pour in the bread dough, make of home ground corn, mixed with cold water, patting it on rather thick. On went the hot lid and embers were piled on top with a shovel. Soon it was a crusty brown and we ate it with fresh butter or crumbled it in sweet milk. I confess that I got awfully hungry for “flour” bread for we had to raise a wheat crop before we could have biscuits. Early spring of 1876, when I was six years old, Mother had a garden growing from seed she had brought west. My father was a good hunter and game was plentiful. He often brought a deer home behind his saddle. I never got over the thrill of seeing him ride in with a beautiful spotted deer, his muzzle loader shot gun and followed by the hunting hounds. Many times I helped him melt the lead or mold our bullets-or though I was helping. Sometimes I caused him to spill the melted lead. He had a powder horn that I thought was fine, and I could fill it for him. He also had a horn specially used to call the hounds. Mother would blow this horn for him to come to dinner. There were wild turkeys, prairie chickens, rabbits, and possum to eat. How my mother hated to cook the prairie chickens, though she did not seem to mind the ‘possums. Some places were dotted with the bleached skulls of the buffalo. We children would build a fence around our playhouse with these skulls, placing them so the hours would stick up like palings. The men would go buffalo hunting for about two days traveling in wagons. How eagerly we waited for the return of the hunters. They would be gone perhaps a week or two. We knew they would bring back meat and robes. When the robes were properly cured they were smooth and soft on one side and warm and wooly on the other. So nice and warm for the crawling babies. The buffalo meat was good. Fresh steaks and roasts. The hams were hung and cured without salt. The outside would get hard and dry and very dark. The inside was moist and fine grained, a dark rich color and fine for steaks. We children would shave off thin slices and eat it raw. When a beef was killed a part of it was put in salt to pickle, The lean was cut in narrow strips an hung on a frame of green wood, built three or four feet high. A green wood smoke kept going until the meat was cured. Good for stew or soups, and also good to chew on when we could snitch some. One pretty morning while Mother was preparing breakfast, I was in bed where I could see the garden spot. I called, “Mother, there is a calf in the garden.” It was gone before she got to the door, and a short time later some men came by with hounds and guns saying a mountain lion had just killed a calf. They found and killed this lion. Now I was indeed crowing for hadn’t I been first to see Santa’s track and now the lion? That year of 1876 was a happy year. A year of discovery. When the first crop was planted, father began cutting and hewing the logs for our new house. We had planed twenty acres of new ground. The site chosen for the new house was the most beautiful in the neighborhood. It still is a beautiful house and the original house still stands in 1940. Oak trees, large beautifully shaped and a pretty grassy glade in front of the house. Our one room house was ready before cold weather and how proud we were of the “puncheon” floor, made of split logs hewn smoothly. Some years later they were replaced with rough pine flooring. That’s the only time I ever lived on hard wood floors. On our one hundred sixty acres was a spring of cold clear water and a rocky branch ran through the whole tract. A beautiful stream, a large pool, and
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a smaller one with a rocky crossing were on the farm. It was wooded on one side and a wonderful place for wading and craw-fishing all through the summers, and for skating in the winters. We did not go to school until we were eight years old. My father had to go to Fort Worth for supplies two or three times a year. That was a great time for the whole family. Mother needed clothes, which she made with her fingers. She was an excellent seamstress, and our calico was beautifully made up. Ruffled, beautifully hemmed and such tiny gathers. We went to Sunday School bare footed. Our school term was in the winter time so we had shoes then. I want to tell you about our first school house. The men of the community went down the Leon River, about fifteen miles, not far from where the little town of Gorman now is. They cut large elm logs, and after they were hewn and the ends sawed smoothly, they were notched and fitted at the corners. We had two doors in the west end, and four 12 pane glass windows in the north and south sides. Teacher sat on a raised platform in the east end, facing the door. Our seats were split logs, with large peg for legs. Our “copies” for writing were set by the teacher and we practiced on a slab, placed on two big pegs driven in auger holes, in the walls. I remember one copy which seemed to be a favorite with one teacher, “Man wants but little here below.” I often wondered where he found those words and if he believed them. Mr. Reid was my first teacher. We had no such thing as a graded school. I had a McGuffy forth reader and read it through several times. Every trip father made to Fort Worth, he brought back a book. Starting with the first, second, third, and fourth readers. We had a blue-back speller. My sister Lula, two years older than I, studied the same book as I. Father bought us a slate apiece and two long slate pencils. I’ve never since seen such slates. Each of the four corners had a small hard rubber ball, which saved them from being broken if dropped. Right now I can’t think of the name of our arithmetic, though I think it was Davies. I do know it was so very hard. I’ve been dumb in “figgers” all my days. I loved geography, and since I’ve never traveled, I’ve been able to locate countries, inhabitants, products, and many other things which is a help to me. History, which was only U. S., was just too mixed with dates and I would not study it. I wish we might have had a history more simple. After grammar, we had composition. It is now called English, I understand. I loved spelling. That was the extent of my literary studies. Our scholastic age was from 8-16. We had four or five month terms. I didn’t like my first teacher, Mr. Reid, but I loved my pretty creek that ran near the school. {There is a portion of this missing. The next sentence begins} few minutes to go there to wash our milk bottles after dinner. One day I got so interested in how far I could walk in the creek, stepping from one stone to another, that “Books” was called while I was in mid-stream. I found the going house. We were only allowed a back not quite so easy as going forward, and I wonder if it ever is. While hesitating, the teacher came. He lifted me out and gave me three, only three, licks. Can’t say that any of my body was hurt, but what it did was hurt my pride. . I did not go to school after I was 16. While I was still in school we had a new school house. It was a frame, painted white, with slatted green blinds. Since we now had two teachers, the house was built long enough for all, with no partition. A big drum stove was the dividing line. Our drinking water was brought two buckets at a time, from a spring about two hundred yards away. It was a treat to go after water. We’d go up each aisle with and bucket and tin dipper, serving one hundred pupils if they were not too thirsty, and if they were, another trip had to be made. Such fun! Yes, I remember how wonderful I thought my father was when he managed to persuade his fellow trustee that we should have two chandeliers, for lighting. The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
Devotional, continued...
{Once again there is something missing.} The school house. Preaching services, school exhibition, singing, and our young folks Temperance Council met at the school house every Sunday, Wednesday and many other nights. Such gorgeous things we’d never seen as those swinging lights. Glittering glass and brass, and how the boys would struggle to lower and fill the bowls with kerosene. My, they were marvelous. I wonder whatever became of them. The house burned long ago and consolidation quite ruined the community gatherings. Our family was indeed “pioneers.” We settled in the Jewel community, Eastland County with perhaps fifteen or twenty other families. Sipe Springs, in Comanche County, is fifteen miles south, Breckenridge, in Stephens County, perhaps thirty eight miles north. A pony rider carried the mail once a week from Breckenridge to Sipe Springs and back the next day or two. Jewel was the only Post Office between these two towns. The Post Office was kept by Uncle Jack Jones in his one room log house where he, his wife and four children lived. A goods box nailed on the corner wall with pigeon hole compartments, with printed letter on each served as our Post Office box. Later a general store was built and operated by Col. Hill. The Post Office was moved to his place. He carried a fairly complete stock of early day necessities: groceries, dry goods, plow parts or points, and many other things including whiskey. I think I was about ten or twelve when a party of surveyors came through going west. Soon we learned that a railroad was to be built starting from the east. I don’t remember how long it was before it was completed. Cisco was started at this time and our home town of Carbon had a depot and a store waiting for the first train. This was the original “Texas and {more missing word} as the TC but is now the Katy. The city of Eastland, near the county line, north of us, was building on the Texas Pacific railroad that line joining the Texas Central at Cisco. Soon the county seat was moved to Eastland from a little community ten or fifteen miles east of the new town of Eastland. I think pioneering is fun for children. The pioneer fathers and mothers were courageous and cheerful I well remember our first cook store, a “Bucks Brilliant,” and it was shining with polish and glowing with heat, the name was indeed fitting Bucks Brilliant. Our next purchase was a Singer sewing machine, and that too was correctly named. For every child hung around mother, or stood on the back of her chair, to see the wonder of its work and hear its singing. Neighbor women walked, some of than a distance of four or five miles, bringing their sewing and their brood of children to spend the day and use the machine. Fortunately, my parents were pioneers in hospitality and mother learned to make the “Scratch Back, “ A crusty corn bread, and served gravy with collard or turnip greens and “pot likker.” The sewing machine sang merrily and the children were congenial and the women were having a good visit. Magazines and newspapers were unknown in the early eighties. Father took the weekly “Galveston News,” the only newspaper which came to our Post office. The next big thing which followed the cook stove and sewing machine was a wonderful shiny new wagon. Two of our neighbors had new “La Belle” wagons, but we thought our father had a much more refined taste when he bought a Moline. Its gorgeous red wheels, bright green bed, with the name in yellow and red on the side. No one riding in their softly cushioned automobiles now could feel the sense of excitement and co. {more missing} in our new wagon. A spring seat for our parents and two while hickory chairs, with raw hide bottoms for the oldest children and a quilt spread on the wagon floor for the little ones. Sometimes there was a big box of eats if it was an “all day meeting and dinner on the grounds” affair. Mother’s main dish for these
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occasions was chicken pie. I learned to make one like them. That reminds me- when Lula and I were little tots, Mother decided that we should cook breakfast while she busied herself dressing the smaller ones. How my father ever had patience to wait for those breakfasts, I often wondered. I hated to slice bacon__ still do__ so I planned our work. Lula cooked bacon and set the table and I made biscuits and coffee. Soon I was able to make excellent biscuits and, as father was particular about coffee, I made special effort to please him, making it strong and clear. (I still make good coffee.) Later Mother decided Lula and I should do the family wash, which was done at the spring. I would gather the dry wood along the branch while Lula filled the wash pots. I found so many things in the woods and along the branch to take up my time, that it was late when we got out washing started. Lula was quite slow and very methodical and I would get my tub of clothes boiling first. I would not help her with her tub, for nearby was a bed of red, yellow and blue clay, lovely to mold into bowls, pitchers, vases or figures. Right now, I still love to put a pretty wash on the line. My sisters, Lula and Minnie, who is two years younger that I, were dependable. Lula liked to cut scraps into tiny pieces just to sew then together again. She was quite industrious and knitted lace from a No. 70 spool of thread. I couldn’t see that her industry amounted to much but “she was a lady” Mother said. Minnie was Mother’s nurse maid. The children were safe in her care. I sometimes thoroughly disliked Minnie. Lula was a brunette, but Minnie had blue eyes, and the loveliest shiny curls. She, too, was a lady. I was in between Lula and Minnie in many things besides years. I had a pug nose and still have it. I did not mind work it is was something I wanted to do. I loved horseback riding, bare back, man’s saddle or side saddle. I liked to drive the cows, milk them and tend the claves. I hated churning butter and still do. I was Father’s “boy” helping with tie grain into bundles and shock them; haul and stack them for threshing; strip cane for syrup; but, how I hated to feed the grinding mill for hours at a time. I like to drop corn, following the freshly turned furrow behind Father. I still love (more missing word) of freshly turned earth. I could space the distance between hills as accurately as a machine, dropping two grains in each hill. When it was time for Father to cover the furrows, I was free to go to the house, but I preferred to ply in the live oak grove nearby, and then ride a horse to the house. I question Darwin’s theory about ancestors but I do know it was fun to climb the highest trees and tocks, jump from the tallest stumps, or wade the deepest water, of all my playmates. Just let it thunder and shower, and I’d be walking the top rail of a worn fence, never using a guide pose. Mother had a spinning wheel and cards. She carded piles of smooth, snowy white rolls to spin her sewing thread. She knitted stockings for the whole family. Two pair apiece for the winter season. She decided Lula and I should knit our own, after school. One evening when we got in she told us she had started them for us, having the rib knitted. Now we must go ahead with the plain knitting. We took our work and sat on the back doorstep. The fall season is so lovely and I wanted to be outside seeing things. While Lula was patiently picking up and laying off stitches, I merely slipped one stitch after another off my needles, not making a stitch. The next evening, Mother started us off again. I do not remember how long she kept this up, bur Lula’s stocking was slowly lengthening while mine hadn’t grown a stitch—Mother never saying anything, and I inwardly resolving “never, never, will I knit”— and I never have. Finally Mother made me gather the night wood, ignoring the knitting, and I brought water from the spring. Carrying one bucket in each hand was a job, so I put one bucket on my head and held on with one hand, while carrying the other bucket with the other hand. Soon my head was so flat; I could go one hundred steps without touching the top bucket. The result
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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30
■ Daily
Mid-Month Issue
Devotional, continued...
was a strong straight back. At this spring, a short time before (more missing words) grounds. We wound and strung many strands of variously colored beds. I don’t’ believe I ever quite got over a queer sensation; I had to go to the spring about dusk. We children love to watch Mother melt tallow and mold the candles. They were so pretty after unmolding. That was our early lighting system. The newspapers were carefully save and a flour paste was used in pasting layer upon layer of the strips, and after they were thoroughly dry, Mother would cut then into narrow strips for our “split” bonnets. I was quite a worry to Mother—often wearing a new bonnet to play and I would hang it on a limb and the cows would eat it up. Recently, someone has started the saying, “life begins at forty” and that does not interest me in the least. I am the only one who can live my life and mine began at the age of five. Too many things to enumerate have come to pass in the sixty-five years that I am writing of, but I’m glad I didn’t wait to be forty before beginning to live. This is a day of luxury. I’ve seen the old give place to new and better things. The double shovel plow had given way to the tractor, a machine to wash clothes has replace the rub board, electric lights are used instead of candles, automobiles take the place of oxen, readymade clothes, silk hose, electric ice boxes, raison, airplanes, brick school houses even in the country, colleges, books, magazines, daily papers, telephones, carpets, rugs, picture shows, gas heat in the homes, canned and packaged foods, bread from the sort; oh, what a land of luxury. And yet, are people any happier, or better…. Or, are people any move tolerant or kinder at heart? I do not long for what you might call “the good old days.” I still have the good old days in my memory. This is a positively true story of my childhood life, and not half has been told. All honor to our parents who worked hard through these pioneer days and remained sweet and wonderful to their children. Written this 22nd day of January 1940 by the hand of Martha Elena Garrett Stubblefield, who says, “I’m a lady too.”
The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
Mid-Month Issue
■ Carbon
County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
- Then and Now, Linda Neeley
■ Announcement, Eastland, Texas
Crime Victim Assistance Center Announces Donkey Basketball Fundraiser
Dear Carbon High Submitted by Linda Neeley, Chair, 2010 Carbon School Reunion
In 1949, a decision was made by the Carbon School Board and Administration to have a contest among the students to see who could write the words for a school song. The School Board consisted of H. M. Gilbert, R. Holloway, E. H. Cook, R. H. Reed, C. P. Hastings and J. B. Caudle. The Superintendent was T. E. Robertson, and the Principal was Charlie Garrett. The winner of the contest was Lois (Loisteen) Wyatt, and for her winning efforts she received a free school annual. In addition to her award winning writing skills, Lois was active in various school activities during her senior year. She served as editor-inchief of the Sandstorm, was secretary-treasurer of the senior class, acted in the senior class play “Curse of the Incas,” cheered the efforts of CHS athletes as a member of the pep squad, played on the girls basketball team, was voted the most popular girl in school and was selected as the sweetheart of sports. After graduating from Carbon High, she moved to Midland, Texas, where she resides today. These are her words that we still sing proudly at school gatherings: •
Dear Carbon High, we pledge to thee, Our loyalty through years to be; The lessons learned within thy walls, Will bring us strength where duty calls.
•
So, now we give our heart’est praise, For values true of by-gone days; For truths here taught we’ll always stand, no better school in all the land.
•
The Crime Victim Assistance Center, a program of the Eastland County Crisis Center, Inc. today announced the 5th Annual Donkey Basketball Fundraiser. This years’annual Donkey Basketball fundraiser event for the Crime Victim Assistance Center is going to be on March 13, 2010 at 7 p.m. at the Eastland Middle School Gymnasium. As many of you already know, this event fills up the gymnasium with spectators waiting to see our “celebrity” donkey riders. Our theme this year is “Arriba, Arriba, Andale, Andale, Burro!” Advance tickets this year are $6.00. Tickets at the gate are $8.00. Sponsorship cost is $300 for a “Gold Sponsor” and $125.00 for general sponsorship. “Our sponsors make this event a huge success,” says Glenn Stockard, Executive Director, “and we look forward to bringing this event to the community each year, giving everyone the opportunity to have an evening of fun while making a positive impact in our community.”
For four years, this event has been profitable due to the generosity of sponsors. We want to make this year the best yet, those who are interested in being a sponsor the cost is $125. Sponsors are listed on the team shirts and are also put in our advertising in the local newspaper and radio station. Each sponsor receives four tickets to the event. If a sponsor chooses not to use their tickets, they can be donated back at the sponsor’s request and will be given away on KTXS radio and the sponsor will be identified on the air. Donkey Basketball involves six teams of four to eight players. The players ride burros while attempting to move down the court and shoot baskets. Entry fee is $10.00 per team member. Teams are forming quickly, and anyone interested in having a team is encouraged to call the CVAC as soon as possible at 254-629-3223 or 254-559-4000. Funds raised by this event provide support and assistance for victims of
For her we’ll always win the fight, Defend our colors, Blue and White; And, Wolverines of Carbon High, Our pride in you will never die.
Chorus: •
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We pledge our faith to Carbon High, and sing her praises to the sky; To her we always will be true, Stand for our colors, White and Blue. Photo provided by Linda Neeley
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(Continued on page 25)
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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30
■ Tumbleweed
Mid-Month Issue
Smith, Big Spring
The Auntie Mame of Nocona
Some folks in Nocona called the other day and said they wanted a copy of an interview I did with Enid Justin back in 1979. I went to my archives and listened to the complete 42-minute interview. I had forgotten what a fascinating lady she was. Her daddy started the Justin Boot Company in 1879 at Spanish Fort, where cowboys crossed the Red River while driving cattle to northern markets. He came to Texas from Indiana because he didn’t like the business his father was in: cigar making. When the railroad got to Nocona, he moved the boot shop there. In 1925 his two sons moved the Justin Boot Company to Fort Worth. Enid didn’t want to leave Nocona so she borrowed $5,000 and started the Nocona Boot Company. The half dozen employees turned out about 5 or 6 pairs of boots a week. Enid made sales trips to neighboring cities in her Model T. Eventually her company grew into one of the top 4 boot-making companies in the country, with 450 employees turning out 1,350 pairs of boots a day. Enid was a character. She once staged a Pony Express Ride from Nocona to San Francisco and organized a Texas Week on the French Riviera. Celebrities wore her boots. When George Burns and Gracie Allen came to Texas, they invited her to their suite. On a trip to Europe, some Vatican guards showed up at her hotel and told her the Pope wanted to see her. She told me he was very nice. For years she was known as the only woman boot maker and received writeups in magazines and newspapers. She was often interviewed on radio and TV. Once she was in a TV studio and just as she was about to start a live interview a goat started chewing on her skirt. The goat owner pulled it away. Enid told the owner, “You should have let it go. It would have made great TV. I would have told the goat I was going to use its hide for a pair of boots.” She once heard about a boy with amnesia in Oregon who was wearing a pair of Nocona boots. She called the chief of police in the city where the victim was and through the serial number in the boot was able to get the boy back to his parents. Enid loved to dance. Her daddy often had dances in the home. On her brother’s 21st birthday there was a big dance in the Justin home. When 12-year old Enid went to school the next day she was suspended from school for 3 weeks for dancing. She never went back to school. Instead, she helped her father in the boot business. Enid started Singsongs on Saturday nights for her employees. Soon people from town started coming. Loud speakers were installed all over town. Sometimes people traveling through would pull off the highway and join in. The first lady of boot making died in 1990 at the age of 97 and the Nocona boot company moved to El Paso in 1999. Cavender’s Larry Mahan brand of boots is still made by hand in Nocona.
military installation in the country in 1874. San Angelo’s Fort Concho is called the best preserved western fort in the United States. Other forts on the trail are in Mason, Bronte, Albany and Graham. A Spanish Presidio south of Menard, built to protect a mission, dates back to 1757 and was the first place that Europeans in Texas came into conflict with Comanche Indians. The Comanches were fierce warriors and forced the Spanish to withdraw from Texas, leading to the establishment of a new line of defense along the Rio Grande. Margaret Hoostra of Abilene is regional coordinator of the forts trail and says it is one of a series of historic trails set up back in the late sixties when San Antonio was gearing up for Hemisfair, an event which drew large numbers of crowds to the Alamo city. “Governor John Connally wanted to give people coming to San Antonio the opportunity to visit other parts of Texas,” says Margaret. “He got with the highway department and developed a series of ten trails around the state: Forts, Brazos, Forest, Lakes, Hill Country, Independence, Mountain, Pecos, Plains and Tropical.” The trails were highly successful for a while, then nothing happened for several years until George Bush became governor. Margaret says he was interested in preservation and rural economic development. “He was concerned that too many historic theaters, court houses and hotels were being demolished. He thought those places define who we are. He pulled together various agencies to consider the situation. The Texas Historical Commission took a look at those old driving trails and made them into heritage tourism regions. The Forts Trail was the pilot project. In the late nineties we proved to be a very successful program. We increased tourism and awareness of history. Now all the trails are up and active. Each one of us is an independent, non-profit organization. We get an annual grant from the Texas Historical Commission and our job is to promote our part of Texas, including the cities that don’t have a fort. We help them tell their stories. We don’t mix mortar but we promote and encourage preservation of the forts so we don’t lose them. We make people aware of the forts, their importance and relevance and encourage visitation to them. Every fort has a personality and a unique story to tell.”
THE TEXAS FORTS TRAIL As you travel along highways in central and west Texas you’ve probably seen those blue and white signs with crossed sabers indicating you’re on the Texas Forts Trail. It stretches from Jacksboro to Aspermont on the north to Eldorado and Mason on the south. It’s a 650-mile loop containing eight historic military forts and one Spanish Presidio. If you choose to drive it, plan to spend at least three days, preferably five. Along the way you’ll see monuments to the Texas pioneer spirit and learn about unique events like the goat cook-off in Brady or the world’s largest amateur rodeo in Stamford. You’ll see the stone chimneys at Fort Phantom Hill near Abilene, the only things left standing after a fire. Just out of Menard is Fort McKavett, which had more than 35 buildings in the 1870’s. Fort Richardson at Jacksboro was the biggest The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
■ @The
Mid-Month Issue
County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
Ranger Library, Diana McCullough The Lucky Library!
“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted,” is one of many adages that I did NOT highlight in our library book titled, “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. Randy was a professor of Computer Science, Human Computer Interaction, and Design at Carnegie Mellon University and I first “met” Randy when his “last lecture” videoclipped on Good Morning America. He also taught at the University of Virginia. And he’s STILL teaching, despite his youthful (48 is young!) death of pancreatic cancer. Our library purchased this small book back in April, 2009, and I was only the third one to ever check it out. THAT’S got to change. This is one of the most outstanding, profound, and inspiring books on LIVING that I’ve read in a long, long time. Now I’ve checked out a lighter read, practically a comedy— judging how I’ve been laughing, rather...uproariously. My library book is “Twenties Girl” by Sophie Kinsella, an author recommended by our daughter Keri who said that this author, “cracks her up”...well Sophie cracks me up, too! This author lives in England and there IS a difference in language use, which is a little disconcerting, but a reader WILL adjust. And while this book is not for everyone, it’s easy to see why this author has made a name for herself. One of her earlier books of the “Shopaholic” fame is being made into a movie. Another new book has arrived. “Not My Daughter” by
Barbara Delinsky SHOULD be checked out by the time you read this. Our library was closed on Tuesday as I attended the Big Country Library System’s Meeting and afternoon workshop entitled “Exploring Underserved Populations andTheir Programming Needs”. I could say a lot, you know I could, but I’ll refrain! I did bring home a couple of Valentine books to read to Head Start (who expected that the Ranger schools would be closed for two days this week due to snow?) and the DVD (on clearance at Best Buy--$4.99) “27 Dresses”. Last Thursday was an interesting day at our library—as are most days when the doors are unlocked! Dollar General hosted their “Mass Hire” from 10 AM – 3 PM. (I called City Hall and asked, “What about the Lions’ Club?!” And for the first time in my knowledge— they met at our Fire Station. It all worked out. Bobby Adams even STILL brought me lunch. A delicious lunch!) As you may know, Dollar General
is moving their downtown store out to Loop 254, near Ranger College. And as you might guess, moving is not easy. They will hire about 19 extra employees for the 7 to 10 day adventure of moving the store. When I arrived at the library, shortly before 10 AM, I counted 15 cars. I was later told that AT LEAST 45 people had applied for this temporary employment. This tells me something: People around here are WILLING to work, and NEED to! (I take this to heart. Just so you know.) I wouldn’t think to mention this a week later, but it’s written in legible ink: Adam Needham, Dollar General manager, said that, “They lucked out,” having their Mass Hire in a Meeting Room
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that adjoined a library with Public Access Computers. Dollar General applications, like with so many other job opportunities, must now be completed on-line. I LOVE it when people tell me that “they are lucky!” because of our library. (I was even called an “Angel” lately, but that’s a different story!) Talk about REAL angels... IGA’s Tabitha bought and brought a big sack of perfect red and green apples—do you have any idea how popular food is around here? And Donald Edwards, the Kiwanis’ President, left a box of delicious cookies. Oh my. The secret to my success may stray from Internet Access and bestselling fiction.
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(continued on page 25)
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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30
■ Eastland
Mid-Month Issue
Memorial Hospital, Kelly Davidson
New Volunteer Officer for 2010
Photo provided by Kelly Davidson
Pictured above are the volunteer officers that will guide us through 2010. We are happy to present: President- Leisha Hodges, 1st Vice President- Trish Garrett, 2nd Vice President- Princess Krantz. Continuing in their offices are: Treasurer- Martha Pigeon, Secretary- Cindy Vernon, Scrapbook- Janice Winge and PhotographerTelitha Bush. Not pictured is Princess Krantz. The color in the SunShine Gift Shoppe for the month of February is red. This color highlights heart health. Please take care of your heart. We have many wonderful ideas in the gift shop for Valentine’s Day. Stop by the SunShine Gift Shoppe and see what you can get for your sweetheart. Valentine merchandise has been discounted by 40% as well as other selected items
discounted 75%. Business hours are Monday-Friday from 9:30-5:30. The store is located downstairs beside the Earl & Billye Bradley Rehab and Wellness Center. Next in store for everyone in our community is a one day fund raiser coming up on Thursday, April 1st, from 7:00am until 6:00pm. It will be a return visit from the Scrub Depot. The scrub sale will take place downstairs in the new conference room beside the SunShine Gift Shoppe.
The volunteers are well underway with their plans for the one day golf tournament on Saturday, June 5th, at Lakeside Golf Course. Money sponsors, raffle item sponsors and door prize sponsors will be visited again this May by our volunteers asking for your support with this exciting community event. WE SO APPRECIATE YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT. Golfers, set aside this June 5th Saturday on your calendars!
The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
Mid-Month Issue
■ Rising
Star News, mwnorris
Rising Star Sculptor Has Art Show Success Rising Star, Texas Artist/ sculptor Sleepy Gomez won the Don C. Martin Memorial sculpture award at the 12th Annual Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit. This $500 award was presented to Mr. Gomez for his mesquite wood figure entitled “Runaway Slave”. This work is a figure walking away from the viewer yet looking back over his shoulder with apprehension. There is a copper shackle on one ankle with a broken chain link. Sleepy Gomez works with mesquite wood to make life sized statuary from local area mesquite trees. He works out of his shop at 515 S. Main in Rising Star. “You take what the tree gives you.” he says, “These
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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
works are crafted as the tree grew, no joints no glue. This award was indeed an honor.” The Stars of Texas Exhibit is held at the Depot Civic and Cultural Center, 600 Depot St. in Brownwood, Texas. This exhibit is sponsored by the Arts Council of Brownwood. This year’s show featured an entry list of 151 artists from 53 cities. Juror John Hartley
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selected 119 pieces for the show. The exhibit will run through February 7, 2010 to February 19, 2010. Mr. Gomez, among others, will be demonstrating his work and how it is crafted on February 15, from 9 am to 3 pm at the show. The Stars of Texas Exhibit and the demonstrations are free and open to the public.
Photo provided by Sleepy Gomez
“Runaway Slave” by Rising Star Sculptor, Sleepy Gomez
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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30
Mid-Month Issue
of the Past, Luther Gohlke My First Job
I love to write short stories and have done so for a long time. My stories are all true and relate from events of my childhood days in Denison, Texas to college , medical school, internship and actual family practice in Ranger, Texas. Our family moved to Denison in 1937. Our dad, Arnold Gohlke, was a carpenter and our mom, Carrie, was a full time stay at home mom. Our family had strong religious values and a driving work ethic. Their idea was that idle hands were the devil’s workshop. So they kept us boys busy. I can relate more to my brother Gene, because he was 15 months younger then me. My brother Duane was 11 years younger then me. Our parents also pushed and encouraged their three sons to get an education, which all three of us did. Gene and I as young boys mowed yards the old push mower way, collected scrap iron an old news papers to sell. I guess we were probably 7 or 8 years old when we really got serious about summer jobs. The first summer of yard moving netted Gene and me $27.00 and some cents which we split. If we were not busy with yard moving, scrap iron or newspapers our dad always had roofing jobs or clean up jobs or even helping with our garden and chickens. Our mother, when she saw us idle would make us help her wash clothes or dishes or wax floors or just clean out flower beds. We did find time to go to school. Peabody grade school was one block from our house. We also had occasion to enjoy fishing and hunting with our dad, or picking black berries or visiting mother’s kin folks at Pottsboro. One day our dad came home and said “Son, I have a part time job for you at C. B. Sullenburger Planing Mill. It was a Saturday morning clean up job for 5 hours at .50 cents per hour. This was in 1946 as I started 8th grade. This was my first paying job out side the home. I loved wood working as our dad was a carpenter. He had all sorts of hand tools, a table saw and joiner which I still have. They are
Craftsman brand and he bought them new in 1948. Every chance I had, I would help my dad and he taught me to be a wood worker and carpenter. However, my job at Sullenburgers was part time and involved a broom, hands, back and time to clean up the mill workers weekly mess. My part time job turned into a full time job with time. I worked there all through 8th grade, high school and Austin College. I worked full time summers and as many hours as I could while in school and sports. During my college years I worked about 30 hours a week and went to college full time. When I quit working there the late summer of 1955 I was married to my wife Pat and was making top dollar as a top mill man at $2.75 per hour. I was headed for medical school the fall of 1955 at the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston. My wife Pat was my best supporter. We, at the writing of this story, have been married 54 years. After 8th grade, I went into Denison High School and took one year of shop. My shop teacher was Concy Woods. At first I didn’t care for him, but he became the Yannigan football coach as well as wood shop instructor. He and I became the best of friends and one of my best high school teachers. I’ll write a story about that later. Our first project in shop class was to square up a small board. I thought this would be a snap. A month later, I was the first to square mine up. When I say
square, I mean square from every side to top, bottom and ends. He would hold that piece of wood up to a light with a square, if it wasn’t perfect, back to the scraper, plane etc., all hand tools, no machines. When the board was perfectly square by Coach Woods requirements then I could go on to my first semester project. It was a three shelved end table. Second semester was record cabinet. We still have and use both made in 1947-48. I continued to work at Sullenbergers regularly. A job I really enjoyed. My boss from beginning to end was Cecil Honea. He became my super hero. He was married, but he and his wife had no children. I would describe him as easy going. No foul language, no alcohol, church goer, some joking around, but very business minded. He wore a khaki cap, shirt and pants, was tall and of stout build. He was a very intelligent mill man and person. He taught me a lot about, work, how to use various machines and about life. I think he was partial to me. I was young and eager to learn. He was a good instructor. In the 40s and early 50s there was no such thing as aluminum windows or doors. Formica was never heard of. Routers, never heard of. I learned to build windows, doors, cabinets of all shapes and sizes. We had every power tool you could think of - cut off saws, 24” planers, 6” and 12” joiners, high RPM shapers, large sanders, lathes, band saws, mortise and tenon machines.
If it could be made from wood, we built it. Never any blue prints, maybe a picture out of sears catalog. We built, window screens, screen doors, cabinets, windows for every builder for miles around. We also made fancy hand made doors and chandeliers. These were my specialties. There were other workers there besides me. Mr. Malone, Rex, and Mac McCleskey. Mr. Malone and Cecil worked there when Mr. Sullenberger was living. As I remember, he started the mill. After his death, his wife along with Cecil Honea took over the mill records and operation. I never knew Mr.Sullenberger, but I knew his wife because she came in each week day at 8:30 a.m. and stayed a few hours. She and Cecil would go over the books etc. Then she would leave. She was an attractive older lady, well dressed and very courteous. She knew all of us by name and would chat briefly and leave. That mill was a dusty, dirty place, also noisy. Not a place for a woman to stay long, of course, she had a small office to the right of the main door. The mill itself was 50-60 foot wide and 150 foot long. Wood floor at main entry that went back about 30 foot. The front area had a wood heater, paint supplies, sanders and a 6” joiner. The back 2/3 of the building had dirt floors and small bathroom back left and a large wood bin back right. There was an upstairs over the front 1/3 of the building. We did spray painting and screen wire jobs up there. The building was corrugated tin with large tin doors that opened out. The upstairs was hot as blazes. There was a steady breeze down stairs, but I was always so gung-ho to build things that I didn’t pay much attention to the heat or cold. You wore a coat in winter and sweated in summer. Mr. Malone was older and weak due to poor health. He apparently had been a cancer victim. First time I ever heard of a colostomy with bag, because he had one. He always wore blue overalls and a railroad cap. One day he set up the shaper for a run of window stiles.
The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
(Continued on page 25)
Mid-Month Issue
■ Rising
County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
Star Library Notes, Ginger Johnson Tobin
MORE FREEZING WEATHER; SNOW?
What’s this rumor about more freezing precip and even SNOW? Sounds like an opportunity to me! After the pets are taken care of, the faucets dripping for safety, and the pipes are wrapped, THEN is the time to check out some of the RISING STAR LIBRARY great selection of books and cuddle up in some warm place and READ, READ. READ! After all, what else can you do? LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS LEARN SO THEY CAN SERVE PATRONS BETTER
Two of your library volunteers (one was the Librarian) traveled to Abilene this week to learn more so they can serve YOU better. Yes, we are now the proud recipients of SPECIAL CERTIFICATES of a workshop entitled “Exploring Underserved Populations and Their Programming Needs” given by Janet Bailey, Technical Services Manager of Abilene Public Library. We learned a lot and have some “food for thought” of ways to make our library BETTER! Stay tuned! BOOK REVIEW- OUTLIERS BY MALCOLM GLADWELL
I’ve found a new book…one pointed out by our Librarian…and am reading it in short spurts when time permits. So far, it’s keeping my interest well. The first point the author makes is that persons born in January, February and March many
times have a huge advantage in life, just because of their birth month. But I don’t want to ruin this book for you, so will let you discover it for yourself…whether you love it or not…and will also include a couple of other reviews for your attention. Christian Science Monitor: Thought-provoking, entertaining, and irresistibly debatable, “Outliers” offers lively stories about an unexpected range of exceptional people – Korean airline pilots, New York litigators, immigrant garment workers, Asian math whizzes, low-achievers with high IQs, and, for good measure, Gladwell’s Jamaican grandmother. Overall, it’s another winner from this agile social observer. My Take on Malcolm Gladwell’s New Book “Outliers.” By Anthony Bradley
A member of the Gartner Blog Network Malcolm Gladwell is one of my favorite business book authors. He has a fantastic way of making me look at things differently or gain deeper insight into what I naturally took for granted. The beauty in the latter is that I often learn things that I can apply in many situations. In some instances when reading his books I have actually said aloud, “I wish I knew that 5 years ago.” Outliers is no different. It is a very entertaining (in an epiphany sort of way) look at success. We all know that success is a combination of talent, hard work, and opportunity (some might call it luck). This isn’t news. His main assertions, in my words, is that talent is less important than hard work and opportunity. His
research unveiled a 10 year-10,000 hour prerequisite to true outlier success. This means that to achieve true outlier expertise you must practice (i.e., do something with the express purpose of getting better at it) for an accumulated 10,000 hours within a span of 10 years. I found this fascinating and it puts some real metrics around one of my favorite sayings, “If you want what most people will never have then you must do what most people will never do.” My Dad always told me that hard work pays off but I wish he had given me the 10 year-10,000 hour rule. But Gladwell spends most of the book deeply exploring the “opportunity” side of the equation and he squeezes the luck right out of it. Culture, timing, and upbringing, he argues, are the primary determinants of opportunity. His stories are compelling. Although I didn’t walk away with as many applicable “lessons” from
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Outliers as I did from “The Tipping Point” (which should be mandatory reading for those interested in social applications) it was a very interesting and enlightening book. I definitely recommend it. If you want to read this book, the call number is 302 GLA at RISING STAR LIBRARY. STARS OF TEXAS ART EXHIBIT - SLEEPY GOMEZ
LOCAL SCULPTURER, SLEEPY GOMEZ, WON THE $500 DON C. MARTIN SCULPTURE AWARD AT THE 12TH ANNUAL STARS OF TEXAS JURIED ART EXHIBIT BEING HELD FEBRUARY 7-19, 2010 AT THE DEPOT CIVIC AND CULTURAL CENTER IN BROWNWOOD, TEXAS. SLEEPY’S WINNING ENTRY IS ENTITLED “RUNAWAY SLAVE”; HIS SECOND ENTRY IS ENTITLED PROSTHETIC ATHLETE. THE ARTISTS WILL BE DEMONSTRATING THEIR ART DURING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 15-19, 2010 FROM 9 A. M. TO 3 P. M.
Visit our website for more articles, photos, and news about the things that interest you -- http://www.mycounty-line.com
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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30
■ Tech
Mid-Month Issue
- Tips, Cameron Buck, Bryan’s Computers
“Hostage Ware” Don’t come any closer, or the mouse gets it!
Lately at Bryans Computers, I have had literally one or two dozen computers in the past week with the same virus. This is a new form of rogue software called hostage-ware because once it gets deeply enough into your system it will not let you open your files because it claims that they are infected with virus’ and until you pay for the “so-called” anti-virus scam you are locked out. Because this is a new attack it is bypassing many current anti-virus scans and even disabling your antivirus all-together. First let me describe the attack and the symptoms. Then I will try to help you with solutions. You are on the internet looking up something when a page pops up that looks like a security warning that is not just a normal webpage. It will report that something has been detected in your computer and to click ok to delete the file or cancel to ignore. (Notice that while this looks like a warning box it still has the x in the very top right corner.) You click either ok or cancel and “bam” another window pops up to deal with.
Each will be more alarming than the previous and the user is unwittingly installing the software with each mouse click and bypassing all security measures on their computer. Suddenly the computer gets more congested to the point where it shuts down, locks up, or you simply turn it off. Restarting the PC seems to be ok until now you are confronted with security software that is new reporting that your system is infected and you now have to pay to activate this new program in order to clean it off. Just about everything you try will be blocked and now it is time to take it to a professional. What is happening behind the scenes is way more complicated, but let’s suffice to say that the little bugger has gone from an annoying itch on your arm to a full blown under the skin with friends watching his back; infection, and a once it is dirty you can’t clean it up without access to a clean computer.
EASTLAND
DISCONNECT THE COMPUTER FROM THE INTERNET. If you have a router or cable modem or dsl modem. Go unplug that. It will be off the internet for good until you plug it back in. Now you can at least be sure that your computer isn’t getting more nasties when you are dealing with this one. The x in the top right hand corner is the only thing that will close that page. If that x button doesn’t work, simply save whatever files that you have open and restart your computer. Upon restarting your computer you can reconnect to the internet and open up a new webpage without a problem. If you already have some of these symptoms of this type of infection you might benefit from an online scan of your computer from all of the major antivirus companies. They all will let you go to their website and check if your computer is infected free of charge.
First things first when you see this type of warning message/pop-up window. I hope that this has been helpful for STOP whatever you are doing. It is you and anything beyond the scope not going away or going to fix itself. of this article please refer to your favorite Computer Professional.
COUNTY CLERK ANNOUNCES NEW SERVICE
The new service is called Eagle Web. It allows the public to view index information and images from the comfort of their home or office. Documents are uploaded to the Eagle Web on a nightly basis after they have been scanned, indexed and verified. This usually occurs within two business days. You must be a registered user but there is no charge to register and search the index. Images may be purchased in one of two ways. 1. Images may be purchased at the cost of $1.00 per page 2. A monthly subscription may be purchased for $250.00 per month, which allows unlimited access to document images. To take advantage of this new technology go to: https://www. countygovernmentrecords. com For questions or assistance contact: Cathy Jentho, County Clerk at 254.629.1583
The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
■ Life
Mid-Month Issue
County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
Planning Issues, Jim Kennedy Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance—If I never use it, I don’t get anything back. Yes, that is absolutely true of basic long-term care insurance. I say basic because hybrid plans exist that comingles LTC insurance with life insurance or annuities—but that’s a different subject for a different day. Today I would like to share a story with you:
Several years ago a very successful couple, who worked hard in life, built a solid nest egg for their golden years and had a plan to pass on their legacy to their children, grandchildren and church, decided not to purchase longterm care (LTC) insurance. The wife had seen her mother pay for years toward this type of coverage and had never used it, and they did not like the “use it or lose it” aspect of LTC insurance. A few years later her husband had a stroke and became paralyzed, unable to speak and violent. She was forced to place him in a facility that could care for him and was forced to spend down their nest egg over ensuing years. The legacy they had worked for and dreamt about leaving behind was now a distant
memory. Now, at the age of 73, she is living with her oldest son and working part-time in a local clothing store. It’s better to say I’m glad I did than I wish I had. Some people claim LTC insurance is like betting against yourself and being hopeful you lose. In that case, it’s like any other insurance - auto, home, life, etc. You pay premiums, but you certainly would rather not have a claim, right? Read this carefully: The average cost of a non-private room at a nursing home in Texas is currently estimated at $43,800 per year.1. Moreover, recent studies indicate 40% of Americans over the age of 65 will need nursing home care at some point in their lives. 2. These figures don’t include the other 90% of long-term care services that are used—assisted living, skilled nursing care, home health care, respite care, etc. Stop to consider that if or when something happens that requires you to need long-term care, what is your plan? Can you afford to self-insure? Do you
know for sure? It would be logical to set hundreds of thousands of dollars aside solely for this. If you had a stroke next week, what would you do? How would you feel if you were to lose your independence and have to rely on one of your children? So what is the cost of a long-term care policy? The actual premium you pay depends on several factors such as your current age and health, amount of benefit, waiting-period before the benefit begins, length of benefit riders, etc. And, of course, every insurance carrier is different. I strongly recommend working with a planner who can obtain quotes from several carriers. There is one last critical question I feel is essential to address today. When should I buy a policy? Ultimately, it is your decision. Just think of it as health insurance, though. The younger you are and the healthier you are, the lower your premium will be and the greater chance you have to be accepted. And in general, premiums will stay the same each year. Historically when they do increase, it will be for a whole class of policyholders due to actuarial
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assumptions, not just for you. Here are just a few stats to enlighten you on this critical note: Between age 45 and 65, the cost of long-term care insurance doubles. 3 Between age 50 and 80, the individuals refused for coverage increases from approximately 15% to over 50%. 3 I urge you to consider long-term care planning as a chapter in your estate plan. Yes, long-term care insurance is lousy, but it may be the only option. Would be worth giving up ½ of 1% of the return on your estate to protect your estate? Just remember plan for it when you don’t need it, because when you do need it; it will be too late. 1.The Cost of Care Throughout the U.S. 2010. www.ltcq.net/cltc.html 2.About Long-Term Care Insurance. 2010. www.fox19.com 3.American Association for LTCi, 2009 Sourcebook Securities & Advisory Services offered through VSR Financial Services, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser and Member FINRA/SIPC. Kennedy Financial Services is independent of VSR Financial Services, Inc. VSR does not provide tax or legal advice.
Visit our website for more articles, photos, and news about the things that interest you -- http://www.mycounty-line.com
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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30
Mid-Month Issue
Cathy Jentho Seeks Re-Election as County Clerk
The Clerk files misdemeanor cases and keeps the cases updated until the case is closed. I purchased a new filing system for quick retrieval and better use of the limited space available for the ever increasing number of files. Last year over 500 misdemeanor cases were filed in the Clerks office.
My name is Cathy Jentho and I would like to thank the citizens of Eastland County for the honor of allowing me to serve as their County Clerk since 1998. I am again asking for your vote and the privilege of serving you for another term. The Office of County Clerk is very complex and is ever changing. One of the duties is the recording and filing of instruments. I have implemented the computerization of real property records. The documents are now indexed, imaged, archived and protected. The images are quickly available on seven public terminals in the County Clerk’s office. I have just recently put the land records online and they can be purchased through the website. In 2002 I supervised the much needed repair of many of our books. I have redesigned the index books into a simpler format. I am currently in the process of making electronic recording available.
to the taxpayers. I have worked with the party chairs in an effort to conduct joint primaries. You will still have your choice of which primary you wish to vote in, but at a substantial savings to the taxpayer.
The County Clerk is responsible for many vital statistics such as marriage licenses, birth and death The Clerk is responsible for records. We have processed, filing, recording and maintaining archived and permanently probate records. protected approximately 88,000 plus marriage, military discharge, The County Clerk is the clerk birth and death records. The of the Commissioners Court and County Clerk’s office keeps other is responsible for posting notices, records such as deeds, brand taking and recording the minutes records, plats, military discharges and indexing those minutes. and assumed name certificates. I have imaged all of the military The County Clerk conducts discharge records and currently countywide and general we are imaging the old marriage elections. I have worked with licenses. I have plans to begin local, state and federal agencies electronic filing of death and in the implementation of HAVA birth records through the Texas (Help America Vote Act). Bureau of Vital Statistics Texas Through this act we have been Electronic Registrar. awarded a grant for $153,101.00 which has been used in the I have outlined some but not purchase and training on new all of the duties of my office voting equipment for the election and how I have tried to make process. I contract and work it more efficient, cost effective closely with the local Republican and consumer friendly for the and Democratic chairs, Cities, Citizens of Eastland County. I School Districts, Hospital, Water began my service to the citizens Districts, and College Districts to of Eastland County as a part-time conduct their elections. Monies employee in the County Clerks from those contracts have Office in 1985. I became a full gone to purchase more voting time employee in 1986 and then equipment, which makes results Chief Deputy Clerk in 1989. available faster and cuts the cost In 1998 I was elected Eastland
County Clerk and re-elected in 2002 and again in 2006. I have proven myself over the years as a Deputy Clerk, Chief Deputy Clerk and as your County Clerk. I have attended continuing training at the V. G. Young Institute at Texas A & M, The Annual County and District Clerks training conference, Texas Secretary of State election conferences, Bureau of Vital Statistics training, Texas Association of Counties post legislative conference, and training at U. T. School of Law Program, I have served on the County and District Clerk’s Association’s Legislative Committee for five years and I currently serve on the Association’s Education Committee, just to name a few. Every year the duties and responsibilities of this office change. Sometimes the changes are minor, sometimes more involved, depending on the Legislature and the Courts. I have worked hard to keep up to date on the changes, save the taxpayer money and make recording and retrieving records as easy as possible while still carrying on the duties of this office. I have the proven experience you have come to know and trust as your County Clerk and I would appreciate your vote in the Republican Primary on March 2nd.
Paid political advertising by Cathy Jentho, PO Box 44, Olden, TX 76466 The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
Mid-Month Issue
County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
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Cecil Funderburgh for County Clerk
Hi! My name is Cecil Funderburgh, and I am running for election to the office of County Clerk of Eastland County. I’d like to take just a few moments of your time to tell you about myself and why I want to be your County Clerk. I was born in 1940 at the old Blackwell Hospital in Gorman. My Father and my Grandfather both worked for Texas Electric Service Company in De Leon and Eastland, and I guess I inherited some of their love for electricity, because for many years, I owned and operated my own radio and television repair shop in Gorman. I served four years in the United States Air Force working with electronic navigation systems. I am very happily married to the former Patty Pryor Shannon, and I feel so blessed that God sent her my way! Together, we have six children and ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren! Needless to say, family is a very high priority in my life! I love working with people! When I retire from the City, I want to continue my career of public service, and what better way than to serve as County Clerk of Eastland County, where I will come into contact with people every minute of every day, working closely with the County Court. Those of you who know me know that I am dedicated to
service. Those of you that don’t know me, I want the opportunity to show you my level of devotion. I consider myself a person of very high integrity, morals, and character. I’ve always had a desire to work in an occupation where I could help others, so I entered the field of law enforcement in 1979 as a patrol officer for the City of Gorman. I served the citizens of Gorman for eleven years, ten as their Chief of Police, before I moved to Eastland and was appointed Chief of Police for Eastland Police Department in 1990. I taught traffic law, DWI, and accident investigation at the Regional Law Enforcement Academy from 1983 until 2004. I also serve as Emergency Management Coordinator and Floodplain Administrator for the City of Eastland. I am currently in my 20th year of service to the citizens of Eastland, and I am looking forward to many more years of service to Eastland County. I have served on the Eastland County Child Welfare Board, the Board of Directors of Eastland County Crisis Center, Eastland County Crime Stoppers, the Eastland County Dispatch Advisory Board, and the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee and Homeland Security Committee for West Central Texas Council of Governments. I served as president of the Eastland County Law Enforcement Association,
vice-president of the Eastland County Peace Officers Association, and served for several years on the Gorman Volunteer Fire Department. In 1984, I was honored as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Eastland County Newspapers, received the Community Service Award from the City of Gorman in 1990, and Eastland Kiwanis Club Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 1993. Also in 1993, I received the Employee of the Year award from the City of Eastland. I was honored as Rotarian of the Year in 1995, received the Community Service Award from the City of Eastland in 2000, and received the Public Safety Excellence Award from the Eastland Chamber of Commerce in 2004. In 1994, I applied for and was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services division to help start the Eastland County Crisis Center to provide services to victims of family violence. That organization has grown and evolved into the Crime Victims Assistance Center and the Child Advocacy Center in Eastland, providing services to children and victims of sexual assault and family violence. I started the “Light Up
Our Kids” program in 1991, the Bicycle Safety Program in 1994, and the Eastland Citizens Police Academy in 1995. I mention these accomplishments to illustrate my passion for innovation and positive change. Our world is a great place, and with just a little effort, we can make it better. I think that my background in public service as administrator of two law enforcement agencies and my record of professional integrity make me well-suited and qualified to serve as your County Clerk. During my 30+ years of service to the public, I have never forgotten that I work for YOU... the taxpayers. My record of fairness and impartiality will be continued in my new capacity as your County Clerk, if I am elected. I expect the County Clerk’s office, under my guidance, to be a professional, efficient, and customer-friendly place. I firmly believe that an elected official should be much more than just an employee, and I would expect no less from my staff! I am asking for your vote, your influence, and your support in the Republican primary election on March 2, 2010. Thank you! Cecil Funderburgh
Paid political advertising by Cecil Funderburgh, 413 E. Foch St., Eastland, TX 76448 Visit our website for more articles, photos, and news about the things that interest you -- http://www.mycounty-line.com
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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30
■ Eastland
Mid-Month Issue
Chamber of Commerce News, Nellie Chalmers News and Announcments
CHANGES: The Eastland Chamber of Commerce has been in a period of change over the past year. In January, 2009, I was hired as the Chamber Manager and the Board selected Cristal Rose, who has a business degree, as the point of contact for all things related to business membership. We adopted new By-Laws, held our annual 2009 Banquet, Ripfest, and smaller seasonal events. We worked to improve communications with our Chamber members and the Eastland community as a whole. We set in place or changed procedures and processes to make the Chamber more efficient, effective, and transparent. We teamed up with other organizations that resulted in “win-win” benefits, and have more planned for 2010. Just before the end of 2009, we elected new board members who are looking at more exciting changes to come. Accounting: One change we want our members to know about is that our day-to-day accounting process has been transferred to our Chamber office. Our CPA is still involved in the Chamber’s payroll and taxes, and monitors our day-to-day accounting on a regular basis.
Billing: An additional change affects the way we bill for membership dues. All invoices will be sent out one time a year with a due date of September 1st. If in the past you have been invoiced monthly, quarterly, or bi-annually, you will no longer receive more than one invoice per year. This change will eliminate
the costs associated with multiple mailings for labor, postage, printing, and envelopes. We are also looking into email billing. This cost effective process will begin the middle of February, 2010, when you receive a prorated bill for only the number of months that will make you current until the next billing date for membership year 2011. The Chamber is a non-profit business association (501(c)6 with a fiscal year that begins on October 1st. Following this schedule will allow us to create a more accurate budget for the next fiscal year.
Table Decorations: This year, in keeping with our theme, all tables will be decorated by the Historic Preservation group, not the businesses who bought to tables. That relieves the businesses from the last minute decorating and expense involved. If we have not expressed our appreciation lately, thanks to all the businesses who did the tables and made our banquet more beautiful. And thanks this year to the Preservation group for volunteering to do our tables this year.
several tables full of really nice things at great prices. Thanks to those who have donated for 2010 with “uniques and antiques”. This year we are requesting donations of antiques, collectibles, and any other item of interest with a bit of history. As some of you know, I am addicted to collecting, from one-of-akind bronzed baby shoes (on display in the County Museum) to well-used quilts of every pattern imaginable (also on display in the County Museum). I have a collection of vintage linens at home (from which I will probably select a few pieces for the auction), a collection of small pieces of cranberry glass on clear glass that are prized by some collectors for the messages that are etched on them, where they came from, or the point in time relating to historical events. I also collect old lampshade frames in every different configuration that I could find. Someday I will cover them. For all you lovers of anything old, get ready to donate or buy a few Silent Auction Items at the Banquet. If you want to see the items before the Banquet, they will be on display in the foyer before you get into the serving line. Have someone save your place and go look at what we are offering. The items will be on display throughout the banquet. Place your bids early and often. The bidding will be closed with an announcement by our MC before the end of the Banquet. If possible, please be prepared to pay for your purchases with a check.
Silent Auction: Attention collectors of things with history! Once again, we are including our annual Silent Auction. Last year’s auction was well attended, and buyers got
Park Hill Treasures: One item that may be of interest to those of you who, like me, grew up in Eastland and have a lot of pleasant memories of Park Hill. In addition to picking up trash
BANQUET: Things are progressing well with this year’s Banquet. From all indications, it should be a very interesting event. This year’s theme is “Preserving the Past for the Future”. If you have not purchased your tickets, please do so as soon as possible.
(you always leave a place cleaner than you found it), my 6 year old grandson and I like to visit the Park and pick up “treasures”. I have collected a jar full of bits of glass and pottery of all ages from the Park Hill. Every time there is a heavy rain, we find even more pieces that have been exposed. The bits come in many colors and patterns that are no longer made. They probably survived because they are about 3 times thicker than glass is today. This will be a unique item that should be purchased by a grandparent to show to their grandchildren. There are many stories you could tell about each piece. When you check out the Auction Items, look for the one labeled “Park Hill Treasures”. SUGGESTION BOX: I have a suggestion that has been tossed around with some members. How about retrying the traditional Chamber luncheon meetings (possibly quarterly) that highlight new members and other business interests? If you think it is a good idea give me a call. THANK YOU: To our faithful members, thank you for all the support and encouragement you have given us over the past year during our renewal of growth and improvement. And, thank you for being what makes Eastland a great place to live. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about how we can enhance our performance as a business association, please contact Nellie Chalmers, 629-2332 or ecofc@txol.net.
The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
Mid-Month Issue
■ Out
County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
of the Box, Joellen Hodge Iced Tea and Haystacks
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My best friend, Del, tells me that I make the greatest ice tea in the world. That is a high compliment from the woman who once sent a hamburger back to the kitchen claiming it had a thumb print on the bun. The recipe for the tea is this: Tetley Tea Bags, water and ice. That pretty well covers it. I think the trick is you boil the water, add the tea bags and let it sit for ten minutes or so to get all the tea flavor. Dump it in a container and instead of adding more water, fill with ice. No sugar or lemon, just add your own when you get your glass.
out of the dryer that you can wrap up in and know your life has meaning. Everyday good tells us we must have done some things right or these rewards would not exist. I live for everyday good, because those moments are the most real, the most dependable. It doesn’t matter if I am not going to be rich or famous, win gold medals or wear a crown. My niece will run the entire length of the store to jump into my arms, and my daughter will take me to lunch in Abilene. And these are the good times. The good comes from being with family and friends just breathing and living and loving my life away.
Anyway, what this boils down to, (really bad pun, eh?), is that the simplest things seem to make the best impressions. Maybe it is just me, but an afternoon sitting with Del, drinking tea and eating those haystack cookie/candy things she makes is about as good as life can get. Now, I am not talking about good like your wedding day, or winning the lottery kind of good. This is the kind of good where you get up in the morning and find that the kids ate all the cereal for breakfast and rinsed the bowls out before they got on the bus. And put the milk back in the fridge.
Sometimes, we need to take stock of the good times that come our way. Seems we spend a lot of time ignoring those wonderful moments in life when no matter how crazy it gets, we manage to come up with a solution quickly and without having to write a check. We need to take stock of the perfection of ice tea, haystacks and the conversation of friends. Those ingredients may just be the perfect recipe for a good life. Stir well and serve with laughter.
There are the high points of your life. Babies, graduations, promotions and touchdowns all rank 10+ in the scale of my life. When I stack those huge milestones next to the good days, they actually begin to lose their weight. The good days are what make our lives, you know. Eating dinner on the floor in front of the fireplace because the storm took out the lights for the night is a good time. Repairing the Vega on the way to 6 Flags with nothing but a screwdriver and six little kids holding up the hood is a good time. Ice cream at the DQ with my husband is good. Better if we just sit in the truck and watch cars go by while we eat the ice cream.
Check out the website…I had added Nascar, Olympic News, Weather, World News, Food Channel Recipes and so much more! Y’all…go be nice to each other…
Good times slip in and out without introduction. You have to realize that the feeling inside of you is simple enjoyment of the moment. And that will tell you this is one of those everyday chances to hold something dear to your heart forever. Sitting up all night and talking about everything in the world with your new step-daughter doesn’t start off as some grand memory. It becomes good because you learn that good time was about sowing a seed of love you never expected. Nothing can compare with holding your children or saying “I Do”, winning the race or buying a new house. Those events come into your life so rarely, they shine and dazzle. Everyday good doesn’t shine, it comforts. Everyday good feels like a great big quilt straight Visit our website for more articles, photos, and news about the things that interest you -- http://www.mycounty-line.com
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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30
■ From
Mid-Month Issue
The Backside, Henry J. Clevicepin Global Warming, Politicians and Ketchup... By Henry J. Clevicepin and Collaborated by Nellie Frecklebelly and Agnes & Ophilia Fudpucker
Well, the ground is white with snow again here in Buzzard’s Roost. After the Christmas spell and the week of 20 degree weather we had a few weeks back and now this , I’ve had about all of Al Gore’s global warming BS I can stand. And from what I hear Obama is going to blame this on George Bush too. The snow in Washington, so they say, is costing the taxpayers over 100 million a day and keeping Congress from being in session. Now the way I see it, if Congress was in session they would be spending a lot more than 100 million a day, so I hope it keeps snowing until Al Gore hollars “calfrope”. And speaking of BS, that’s my mule barn partner & beer drinking buddy, Estee K. Bibbles , favorite cuss word. Now ol Estee K. told me the other day he had decided he was going to quit cussing and he was thinking up a new word to use instead of BullS***. He said the only word he could come up with was “Pelosi” . He said it stinks to high heaven and if you step in it, it’s hard to get off of your boots just like BS. And while we are on that subject, we had a friend that was keeping their little 3 yr old grandson and he had been in the bathroom for quite a spell, so his wife went to check on him. When she cracked the door open and peeped in he was setting on the potty banging his self on the head. When she ask why he was banging himself on top of the head he replied….”well, it works on ketchup”. Maybe that’s what we need to do to all of them Congressmen to get
all of that BS out of them.
And one thing that really takes the cake with us old geezers is that congress got their $5000 or $6000 a year raise, but they cut out the cost of living adjustment for retired people and are going to raise the Medicare insurance cost….I’m tellin you, we got to do something about this “Pelosi”…I almost used that bad word. And we got primary elections coming up soon and the big election in November so I think we should let them know, we don’t like it and send them all home and run a new batch in there. You know this little Texas governor’s race is kinda heating up. Ol Perry and Hutchinson are just having a knock down drag out badmouthing each other while that Deborah Medina is creeping up on both of them. If they don’t watch out there might be another Brown deal like happened in Massachusetts. And you know that ol Medina gal has got some pretty good ideas….we all might better check her out. And be sure you check out Proposition # 4 on the ballot dealing with using the word God in public….they just keep trying to take God out of our lives…..I’m kinda thinking we need to vote to keep God out there in private and public before they take Him completely away from us. I’ve noticed Obama is sure being a lot nicer to the Republicans now since he ain’t got that little 60 vote majority he had. He ain’t quite as cocky as he was before that little butt kickin up in Massachusetts and I’m gonna bet he will be doing some Republican butt”kissin” after the elections in November if things don’t change. This danged economy is so bad
that me & Estee K. was down at one them big discount stores getting some groceries the other day and was standin in line at the checkout when a lady ask the man in front of her holding a bag of dog food, if he had a dog….well, duh !!!!! The ol boy without missing a beat said”no ma’am, I’m getting back on this dog food diet. I was off of it while I was in intensive care for 30 days. The lady said, oh my…did the dog food poison you???? The ol boy said, naw, but after I was on it awhile, I got acting strange and I walked out in the street one day to sniff an Irish Setter’s butt and a car hit both of us !!!!
to vote for, if you are on a diet… remember LIGHT food and if you’re an old fat boy remember LIGHT beer or as Estee K. said “turn on the LIGHT with Wendell LIGHT”. Now is Estee K. a political genius or what? I’m surprised that Medina for governor’s bunch hadn’t already called him !!! Words of Wisdom from Henry J : As the great Ronald Reagan said”Socialism only works in two places….Heaven where they don’t need it and hell where they already have it”. You can email ol Henry J at: henryjclevicepin@aol.com
Like Engvall says “here’s your sign”. Major Political Endorsement: Now as you’ll all know me and ol Estee K. don’t usually get involved in politics, but our Ol buddy Wendall Light over at Eastland is running for Justice Of the Peace Pct 1. Ol Wendell has been a deputy sheriff for about 14 years solid, now that’s a long time on one job, so we know he is dependable, but we also know he is honest & smart….now them words don’t usually come in the same sentence with politicians.
Attention Merchants !!!!!
In fact, Estee K. ask Wendell…. now if me and Henry J. give you this big endorsement, could we get a little preferential treatment if we come speedin thru your neck of the woods. Wendell said absolutely not…so we knew he was honest…. then he said to Estee K….”you idiots from Buzzard’s Roost only ride mules and there ain’t no speed limit on mules in Eastland County… so now we know he is smart.
To offer to your customers, Email Henry J. or give us a call at 254-433-1928
So when you go to the poll here in a couple of weeks remember LIGHT. Now the way you remember who
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The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
Mid-Month Issue
■
County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
Crime Victim’s Assistance Center, Continued...
domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse in Eastland and Stephens Counties. Some of the services and assistance that we provide are not provided for by the state and federal grants we receive. All services to victims are provided at no cost to the victim. About the Eastland County Crisis Center – The Eastland County Crisis Center, Inc. has been providing services to domestic violence and sexual assault victims since 1994 as the Crime Victim Assistance Center (CVAC). The CVAC’s mission is to provide services that are designed to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of domestic violence and sexual assault victims by providing immediate, short, and long-term assistance. The CVAC has two offices being maintained in Eastland and Stephens County. This past year the Eastland County Crisis Center, Inc added a new program, the Eastland County Children’s Advocacy Center to help children who have been abused or witnessed abuse and is provides services to children of Eastland County.
■ @The
Ranger Library, Continued...
Our library patron and supporter, John Ward, bought and brought a big sack of Dollar General “green” shopping bags to share with our patrons to tote library books. (“Why didn’t I do this?” I ask myself. Let’s talk about Win/Wins just for a paragraph. The Kiwanis are planning their next Fish Fry on Saturday, March 20th, from 4:00 to 7:00, here in our Community Room. Our Ranger Citizens Task Force is planning OUR next fundraiser as a Quilt Raffle (a beautiful quilt made by one of our most avid cheerleaders, Mary Crenshaw) and the quilt will be displayed at First Financial Bank, here in Ranger. We plan to team up, and draw that winning raffle ticket during the Kiwanis Fish Fry. The Kiwanis were sweetly agreeable with that. Now for your information, the Kiwanis still own several keepsake quality Ranger “throws”, and they may be willing to part with another. Don’t miss a chance to own one of these! (Remember...the CAUSE is GOOD!) Here’s a line I stole from somewhere: “Life is too short for drama and petty things—so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly, and forgive quickly.” Happy Valentine’s Day, and as always...ENJOY READING!
■ Supporting
■ Out
of the Past, Continued...
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He worked all morning on the machine which had to be precision set with two large shaper blades. It was run by a 5 hp motor, as were most of the machines in the shop. The shaper made 5000 RPM. When he turned it on, the blades flew out and were like bullets ricocheting inside that old metal building. We all hit the dirt. Next time Cecil made sure the machine was properly set and blades tightly in place. Rex chewed cotton bowl twist tobacco. Pretty stout stuff. You might ask him a question and get an answer on hour later after he went outside to spit. He was a good mill man. Mac was not as sharp as the rest of the crew about building thinks. He was a good man. Full of jokes and always needed help with his project. Some of the happiest days of my life were spent at that mill. I would rather build and make things out of wood than eat. I really liked my boss, Cecil Honea, he was a good role model for me. He called me “Lukeson”. After I had completed my medical school training at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, preceptorship in Gatesville and internship at John Peter Smith Hospital in Ft. Worth, Pat and I and our two children with another one on the way moved to Ranger, Texas for what was to be 42 years of family practice. About 10 years into my practice, my receptionist came back to my office and said, “There is a man here who wants to see you!”. I said, “Who is he?” “Cecil Honea, your old boss.” she replied. I immediately said. “Send him on back here now.” Just for him to stop by to see me was a thrill I shall never forget. He was my super hero. We talked and talked about current events and old times. He left and I’ve never seen nor heard from him since, but I think of him often. He was one of those individuals who happen along and who really unknowingly play a key roll in your life. Thank God for such people.
Our Local Schools, by Mike Norris
Subscribe to The County Line and have your copy mailed directly to your home! A portion of every subscription fee goes to help our local schools! Please visit TEAM-WOLVERINE.COM to learn more. Thank you!
Visit our website for more articles, photos, and news about the things that interest you -- http://www.mycounty-line.com
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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30
Mid-Month Issue
Advertise Online and In Print With
The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com
Mid-Month Issue
County Line Business & Community Journal ~ February, 2010 v3.30•
■ Footnotes, Announcements and Parting Thoughts EASTLAND COUNTY 9/12 PROJECT MARCH MEETING DATE:
Thursday, March 11th TIME:
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM LOCATION
Myrtle Wilks Community Center Chapel
Tickets for the 5th Annual Celebrity Donkey Basketball Available at these locations: Eastland Telegram Eastland Brookshire’s Cisco Police Department Eastland Police Department Tacos Coahuilla in Breckenridge Jana Pittman Family Advocate Crime Victim Assistance Center (254) 629-3223 www.victim-services.net
Weather Continues To Slow King Kong’s Rampage
Feb. 4, 2010 Update After shivering for several days in freezing temperatures topped off with much needed moisture, King Kong seems to continue losing speed in his bid to wreck havoc around town due to the weather. Rains, settling in this past week, have again slowed the progress of the major water and sewer project, dubbed King Kong. Crews continued with their progress along South Daugherty Street in front of Eastland Memorial Hospital and, despite the muddy conditions, should have crossed Plummer Street on Friday. Work will travel on south to Valley Street where the crews will turn west and head to Dixie. In other areas work continues on North College, aka Hwy. 3101, with complete tie-ins and disinfection expected in the next few days. Along South Seaman new lines have been pulled and crews will be performing tie-ins, followed by disinfection with a planned completion in about three weeks. BIG news will be the start Monday of the dismantling of the small standpipe (water tower) located atop Park Hill. This work will lead to the installation of a new, taller tower with completion sometime in early 2011 followed by the removal of the remaining large standpipe. Please remember when travelling in these ‘construction’ areas to be on the alert and watch for crew members as well as heavy equipment. Residents and businesses in the areas are also reminded water service interruptions may be necessary at times during the work.
Announce Kountry Kitchen Kafe Has Moved! To the Texas Cattle Exchange Location 9003 I-20 Eastland Olden Exit Buffet Every Day Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner See Our Ad On Page 11!
RISING STAR
Saturday Night BINGO Every Saturday Night Doors Open 5:30pm Play Starts 7:00pm Concessions Available American Legion 205 S Main Kenny Rutledge
(325)642-2983
Angel Food Ministries
February Cut-Off Date Wednesday February 17th Distribution Saturday February 27th Call Ilene (254)442-1969 www.angelfoodministries.com
March 2, 2010 Kong Working Up Valley, Takes Down Water Tower
Lee & Joni Bozarth
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Feb. 11, 2010 Update King Kong seems to have warmed up this past week and may be closing in on his original schedule. Crews continued with their progress along South Daugherty Street and have arrived at the Valley Street intersection where they have made the turn west and are heading towards Dixie. Boring crews will be working this week at the Valley and Conner Street intersection. Work also continues on North College, aka Hwy. 3101, with completion of tie-ins and disinfection expected in the next few days. Crews have completed the tearing down of the small standpipe (water tower) located atop Park Hill this past week. This work will lead to the installation of a new, taller tower with completion sometime in early 2011 followed by the removal of the remaining large standpipe. Please remember when travelling in these ‘construction’ areas to be on the alert and watch for crew members as well as heavy equipment. Residents and businesses in the areas are also reminded water service interruptions may be necessary at times during the work. For questions or comments please contact Eastland City Hall at 629-3349.
Primary Election Information Voters may begin calling Cathy Jentho, County Clerk, now to see if they are eligible to vote by the mail procedure. 254-629-1583. February 1, 2010 is the last day to register to vote Early Voting Period February 16-26, 2010 County Courthouse 8:00 AM-5:00 PM February 20, 2010 7:00 AM-3:00 PM Saturday extended voting hours at County Courthouse
Visit our website for more articles, photos, and news about the things that interest you -- http://www.mycounty-line.com
•County Line Business & Community Journal
The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com