The County Line - March 2010, v3i31

This Issue....

Texas Declares Independence!

Texas Parks & Wildlife Fishing Updates!

Business & Community Journal

March First Edition, 2010

Volume 3 Issue 31

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NEW WEBSITE ► www.mycounty-line.com

Local Happenings!

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

March, 2010 First Edition

vol.3 Issue 31

On The Cover: The Battle of

Contents

March Second Edition Deadline -- 03/12/2010 April First Edition Deadline -- 03/26/2010

SanJacinto

In 1836, Mexican President General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, marched into Texas leading a force of Mexican troops determined to put down the rebel efforts of Anglo-American settlers and Mexican citizens displeased with the Mexican government and its decline into military despotism.

The San Jacinto Monument Site of the last battle for Texas Independence.

Photo used under license

In This Issue: Growing Up Small Town Ranger Library Carbon - Then and Now Tumble Weed Smith Toyota ShareLunkers Clint Coffee Texas Independence: Battle of the Alamo!

Out of the Past Rising Star Library Life Planning Issues TPWD Fishing Report Outdoors Game Warden Out of the Box From the Backside

Footnotes

More on the Web...

General Santa Anna defeated the Texian forces at San Antonio de Bexar on March 6 and continued to pursue the remaining Texians led by General Sam Houston as they retreated from the advancing Mexican army.

Meanwhile, a second division of Santa Anna’s troops encountered approximately 350 volunteer rebels in the Texas settlement of Goliad. The Mexicans defeated the rebels and took them as prisoners. Upon hearing the news, General Santa Anna ordered the foreign pirates to be executed. General Jose de Urrea carried out the order and the prisoners were shot and bayoneted on March 27, Palm Sunday.

As Houston’s forces continued to withdraw, thousands of Texian settlers evacuated their homes in what became the “Runaway Scrape.”

Santa Anna finally caught up with Houston at the San Jacinto River on April 19, 1836.

In the afternoon of April 21, 1836, Texian forces surprised the Mexican army by charging into the Mexican lines shouting “Remember the Alamo!

Remember Goliad!”

The battle lasted only 18 minutes and was claimed to be frightfull to behold.

Over 700 Mexican troops were killed and 208 were left injured. 730 Mexican troops were taken captive by the Texans who suffered only 30 injuries and 9 casualties.

It was the final battle of the Texas Revolution. The next day, General Santa Anna was located trying to elude capture by wearing a common Mexican troop uniform.

On May 14, 1836, Santa Anna signed the Treaties of Valasco, ending the confrontation.

100 years later, the San Jacinto Monument was errected on the site of the battle. Construction began in 1936 and continued until 1939. At 570 feet tall, the San Jacinto Monument is 15 feet taller than the Washington Monument.

The base is 125 feet square, with panels highlighting significant events of the Texas Revolution. The shaft is octagonal, 48 feet across at its base, 30 feet across at the observation level and 19 feet square at the base of its crowning jewel -- a 220-ton concrete star.

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

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31• ■ Growing

Up Small Town, Mike Norris

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Healthcare Thoughts and Comments Several things going on the last couple of weeks.

I watched our honored leaders sit around the table and discuss the nation’s healthcare system -- err, wait, no they didn’t really discuss our nation’s healthcare system, they actually discussed their ideals for healthcare reform legislation. But in their minds, that’s the same thing, right?

No, I have to disagree.

All this time, we have been told that the need for healthcare reform has been because our system is broken...that people are forced out of the healthcare system and refused treatment due to lack of insurance coverage. Is that really true?

If you call 911 for a medical emergency, do they ask for your proof of insurance before they dispatch EMT’s?

No? If you show up at the emergency room with a broken leg from an unfortunate “hold my beer and watch this” moment, do they refuse to set the fracture if you don’t have insurance?

No? You see...even though the lack of insurance is not a real barrier to receiving healthcare, it still causes some problems.

Out here in the rural areas of Texas, we may not have huge lines and emergency rooms full of uninsured healthcare consumers, but apparently in the larger cities, their hospital emergency rooms are filled wall-to-wall with people who have minor medical needs and are taking

advantage of the system by going to the emergency room with no intention of paying for the care they receive.

They are using the emergency room as their primary care provider.

Obviously, this hurts the medical community because these people are clogging up the ER’s and preventing staff from attending to truer emergencies.

But I fail to see that as a national healthcare emergency.

Actually, if I were a doctor, I might see that as an opportunity. Obviously there is some need there for more medical services or these people wouldn’t be clogging up the ER. Seems to me like if the local government (city councils, mayors, etc) recognized such a need, they could approach their state legislatures to try to secure funding for more medical services. A group of doctors might could partner and apply for startup loans to open low-cost, walk-in clinics to compete with the hospital ER. Seems to me that if the federal government wanted to help in that situation, they could increase funding through the Small Business Administration to offer incentives for medical professionals to open up new practices and facilities.

Seems to me that a startup walk-in clinic could benefit from some limited non-profit status during its first two or three years in order to get established.

Is the better answer really to require

all Americans to purchase medical insurance? What about “undocumented aliens”? How do you require them to purchase insurance?

I dunno, really doesn’t make sense to me, to require Americans to submit to new laws and regulations while illegal immigrants are not required to even hold up their hand and say “I’m here!”

And speaking of submitting to questionable new laws...isn’t that a form of infringement upon our freedoms and liberties?

The federal government lawmakers would like to have us believe that healthcare is a right, granted by our creator? I’m sorry, can the federal government now grant us the ability to be born free from birth defects? You mean all this time, the federal government could have stopped our children from being born with physical deformities?

I was born with a deformity in my right kidney...it took 17 years for it to catch up with me. Did the government infringe upon my god-given rights as an American by allowing me to be born with such a deformity?

No. The government cannot guarantee our health. The government cannot guarantee that all illness is curable. The government cannot guarantee that all illness is treatable. The government

cannot even guarantee that all illness is identifiable.

Even God doesn’t offer us such guarantees.

How is it that an assembly of men and women, our own equals, can somehow write down on paper how they can give a guarantee that is even denied unto them?

Healthcare is not a right. It is not ordained by God that all who are born shall live free of disease or illness. It is not within our power to guarantee that which God denies us and it is an insult to any educated, God-fearing man or woman to tell us that government can enact a law with the purpose to do so.

If the argument then is to enact a law which guarantees “ACCESS” to healthcare service...then that law is also just as foolhardy.

911 first responders are themselves only human. And even though I might call 911 at the first sign of a heart attack, or if I become choked on a morsel of food...government cannot guarantee that those responders will arrive in time to save my life.

Again, such things are in God’s hands and not within the domain or control of mankind.

A president or congress or assembly of men and women who think such a thing is beyond arrogant. ~mwnorris

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 ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31

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Ranger Library, Diana McCullough Roaring Ranger

So many books...so little time! And I dare to repeat myself sometimes. I carried all six of our new Penworthy children’s books into Head Start this morning—a day late due to yesterday’s Snow Day (this Texas weather, it’s been an unusual winter, hasn’t it?)--and showed the little darlings all six books, then read three of them: We Love School (Nos Encanta La Escuela!) a bilingual book, The Bears We Know (which seemed a little funnier when I read it to Anna), and Time to Say Goodnight (but it wasn’t even close to nap time). The other three we’ll read another time.

When the Leaf Blew In and How Do You Get A Mouse to Smile? are good for beginner readers. Starlight Sailor is beautifully illustrated in nautical, fanciful themes, and starts with...”Star light, star bright, First star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight.” (Turn the page.) “I wish I had a little boat! Far away I drift and float, Where the great blue whales leap, And pirate ships lie sunken deep.” I don’t possess the vocabulary to describe the illustrations, but Anna’s mama cinched the sale last week, standing over our shoulders, she said, “I want you to buy THIS one.” So we did.

We’ve also ordered the new Texas Bluebonnet collection of 20 books for school-age children. These will cost nearly $300 ($297.62) and as I often repeat, it’s thanks to our Texas taxpayers who finance the bottom line of our Texas Loan Star Grant, so... “Thank you, Texas taxpayers!” (Ranger taxpayers pay for our heat, lights, water, insurance, my paycheck, maintenance and more, what I call THE CAKE; our Loan Star grant is the ICING on top—the sweet extras.) And by the way, just so you know...those anticipated state-wide cuts will effect Texas libraries too, we just don’t know yet to what extent.

One of the librarians at our last Big Country Library Systems Meeting told Chris Jaworski from the Texas State Library that “our Loan Star Grants were EVERYTHING to us,” and she wasn’t greatly exaggerating.

Filtering Chaos: from Information to Knowledge is the theme of this year’s Texas Library Association Conference in San Antonio, from April 14 – 17. And yes, I am registered! See what I mean about “sweet extras”? Thank

you, Texas taxpayers! It will be a great! The Tocker Foundation paid my way for my first two TLA conferences, and I always thank Darryl Tocker, every year (and once even in Minneapolis!) for opening up a whole different world of opportunities for me--and for our community.

Do we make nice friends or what?! Library Journal has sent us Advanced Reading Copies (and one uncorrected proof) of the following books that you can NOT buy until later: Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann; The Red Thread by Ann Hood, the best-selling author of The Knitting Circle; The Passage by Justin Cronin (available 6/8/10); Red Hook Road

by Ayelet Waldman; Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel, the author of Life of Pi; and Flight of Shadows by Sigmund Brouwer. I was happy when I lifted this box at City Hall, and MAYBE SLIGHTLY dramatic, but I did admit, “Feels a lot like...Work.” It’s worth it! I shall email my thanks. (And try to keep ‘em coming, my friends!)

Have you been to our new Dollar General yet??? My dad said that someone told him that “Ranger has their own Wal-Mart, now!” It’s a big, beautiful, brand-new store! I am so pleased. (And yes, they will be terribly missed downtown.) Please, Rangerites, keep your dollars in Ranger ONE more time if you can. People here need jobs. People here need goods. People here need services. People, we need EACH OTHER. This week, as I was talking about Ranger turning around (and right now, this is actually a national issue), a friend told me “the bigger the ship, the more time it takes to turn it--patience and vision are the key.” Another friend once told me... “Patience is overrated!”

And here’s a Japanese proverb: “Vision without action is a daydream; action without vision is a nightmare.” And HERE’s my perfect opportunity to invite you to our Ranger Citizens Task Force meetings. Please go to www.StartBoom.com or call our library for details. We are planning our next “Git ‘Er Done Day” and YOU are needed! Take care everybody, and as always...

ENJOY READING!

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

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31• ■ Daily

Devotional, Wanda Lee Beck Skinner

Over the past few weeks I’ve heard the voice of God. A family walked through troubling times. They walked by faith, not by sight.

I heard the voices of doctors and nurses giving guarded words of hope.

To my listening ears it sounded like God’s messengers.

I heard the voices of concern and comfort from friends and it sounded like the voice of God’s love.

I heard cars coming to the house bringing gifts of food and it sounded like angel wings straight from Heaven.

I heard quiet footsteps as they dropped by to see if there were things they could do to help.

It sounded like whispers from God above.

I heard the trembling voice of loved ones as they sang songs of assurance of God’s presence.

That must have been the Heavenly chorus.

I heard the strain of police cars, fire trucks and emergency vehicles as they escorted their fallen co-worker and family to the cemetery. It sounded like the power of God. I heard the prayers of the preacher as he asked God to bless this family.

It seemed like he was sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Then came the final call from the 911 Emergency Crew, no answer, For she had heard God’s final call a few days before.

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 ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31

■ Carbon

- Then and Now, Linda Neeley Faculty of 1936, submitted by Linda Neeley

Striking Gold -- 1936 Sandstorm

Eureka!!!

I feel like one of those early prospectors finding his first nugget of gold. Mary Elizabeth Been Ragland , Class of 1962, has provided me a copy of the 1936 Sandstorm, the first issue of the book. The annual belonged to her mother, Arduth Black (Been), Class of 1936. Thank you for sharing this treasure, Mary Elizabeth, and now I want to share some of its contents with you. A copy of the publication will be on display at the July 10 reunion.

First – a photo of the Seniors of 1936.

The names are included in the annual but not in order of the individuals as photographed. To complicate things further, five of the seniors were not present when the photo was taken so there are 25 students in the photo and 30 names on the senior roster. Eight of the individuals have been identified as follows: Standing back row: first from left, Leland Jackson; second from left, J. L. McDaniel. Standing second row: first from the left, Mrs. Payne; fourth from the left, Arduth Black; next to last, Mr. Wood. First row seated: second from left, Mae Vines, third from right J. T. Weaver. Bottom row seated: second from right, Letha Jordan, first from left, B. W. Robertson.

Now for your help – here are the remaining names and if you can put a name with a student and let me know, I would really appreciate it: Aubrey Holliday, Bonnie Robertson, Bill Ramsey, Woodrow Wilson, Elzo Harbin, Le Roy Wright, Cleatus Hyatt, Obie Duncan, Blanton Garrett, Lemuel Scott, Calloway Vines, Bewel McGaha, Nell Collins, Dene Reynolds, Wilma Skinner, Jimmie Reeves, Rebecca Cox, Vesthia Greer, Juanita McGaha, Dorene Martin, Delma Cook, Ruby Lee Wood, Charlotte Clement, Jessie Sims.

The officers of the class were J. T.Weaver, Jr. President; Bonnie Robertson, Vice President, Letha Jordan, Secretary-Treasurer; Reporter, Arduth Black; Sponsor, Mrs. Betty Payne. Class colors were green and white and the class emblem was the Wolverine. “Pick out your own peak and climb” was the class motto.

Economics and Occupations, Loften Bragg, Social Studies and Science.

The Elementary School faculty was composed of Elbert W. Thurman, Seventh Grade; Bess Thurman, Sixth Grade; Pauline Braddock, Fifth Grade; Audrey Peveto, Fourth Grade; Nettie Berry, Third Grade; Mamie Townsend, Second Grade and Reba Ransone, Primary.

The seniors were involved in many activities among which were Senior Day and Kid Day, and these two events are recorded in the annual:

Administration of 1936, submitted by Linda Neeley

H. D. Thomason was Superintendent, F. M. Wood was High School Principal and Elbert W. Thurman was Principal of Elementary School.

The High School faculty consisted of H. T. Thomason, Public Speaking and Arithmetic; F. M. Wood, Mathematics; Betty V. Payne, English; Virginia Champion, Spanish, Music and History; Audrey Carey, Home

SENIOR DAY On May 1, 1936 the Seniors arose very early and were off for an eventful day in their young lives. After a brisk drive in the early morning air, a “Sunrise Breakfast” was cooked and served in the Eastland Park. After breakfast was eaten and the park was well explored, the group motored to Lake Cisco.

When the party arrived at the lake, they were scattered all over the entire park in a very short time. None dared visit the zoo for fear he might be captured. Several “took a dip,” but it seemed that the Dam held a special attraction for most of the party.

About eleven o’clock preparations were begun for lunch. Ice cream and lemonade were made and a small group was employed frying chicken.

When the ice cream was frozen and the chicken cooked, the meal was served.

Besides fried chicken and ice cream, pickles, gravy, sandwiches, fruit and cookies were served.

The tables were cleared and the group returned to patronize the bathing pool and “Nickeloden.” The remainder of the day was spent bathing, boating, walking, dancing, but eating proved to be the most popular sport.

Lake Cisco proved to be an ideal spot for a Senior Day. Everyone returned home tired but happy. Letha Jordan

Carbon High School Class of 1936, submitted by Linda Neeley

KID DAY The Senior Class observed April 1st as Kid Day. Dignity was forgotten and all were dressed like kids. The girls wore short dresses and hair ribbons, and the boys seemed to have climbed too far into their pants. Suckers and chewing gum seemed to go well with the games that were played.

The pictures of the girls with their babies and the boys with their toys will long be remembrances of the day.

As in today’s schools, sports played a big part in the life of the high school students in 1936.

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

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31• ■ Carbon

- Then and Now, continued

There were boys and girls basketball, volleyball, playground ball, tennis and track teams.

The boy’s basketball team consisted of Woodrow Wilson, J. R. Weather, J. L. McDaniel, LeRoy Wright, Harry C. Hall, Elzo Harbin, Hayden Greer, Bewel McGaha, Frank Clement, R. L. Williams, Wesley Norris and David Strickland. The squad was very fortunate in not losing a game in Eastland County during the entire 1936 season.

Stricklan, LeRoy Wright and R. L. Williams. Inadequate equipment kept the boys from training s much as they should, and as a result, they won only three places in the county meet. J. T. tied for first in high jump, Bewel won second in the 80 yard run and J. L. won third in pole vault. David Strickland ran the quarter mile or a part of it.

Photos of the Volleyball Team and Playground Ball teams are not available. Those who played the volley ball team were Dene Reynolds, Eunice Harris, Johnnie Foster, Billie Eldridge, Juanita McGaha, and Vesthia Greer.

The playground ball team consisted of Lavelle Craighead, Neta Allen, Jerry Lovell, Clarice Sims, Joyedene Greer, Anna Faye Snodgrass, Jenoise Lovell, Juanita Mangum, Letha Jordan, and Youtha Dale Milford.

Carbon High School was fortunate to have CHS Girls Basketball 1936, submitted by Linda Neeley Mr. Loften Bragg, former The girl’s basketball team consisted Howard Payne star, to direct boy’s of Juanita McGaha, Frankie Knox, athletic activities and Miss Audrey (not in picture), Vesta Lee McMillan, Carey of C. I. A. to coach the girls.

Delma Cook, Bernice Tucker, Jimmie This is a short overview of the 1936 Reeves, Eunice Harris, Vesthia Greer, Sandstorm but I hope it whets your and Neta Allen. During the season appetite to see more and you will come the team played in several invitation to the Reunion on July 10 to see the tournaments, but did not win a place entire contents of the issue. If you can except at home. help me identify all the 1936 seniors, I The girl’s tennis teams won 25 points would be most grateful. I also noticed for the school in the Interscholastic that some of the track stars were not League. The Team was: Junior identified so take a look at that photo Doubles – Letha Jordan and Joyedene when you come by as well.

Greer – first place in county; Senior Singles – Bernico Tucker; and Senior You may contact me at Doubles – Juanita Carey and Vesthia P. O. Box 8992 Greer – second place in county.

Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657 The boys were not as fortunate as the girls for none of them placed in the email: lneeley47@yahoo.com county tournament. Their teams were: Senior Singles – Elzo Harbin; Junior Online: Singles – Bobbie Belmont; Senior www.carbonhighschoolreunion.org Doubles – J. L. McDaniel and Hayden Greer.

The track team was composed of Bewel McGaha, J. L. McDaniel, David 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 ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31

■ Tumbleweed

Smith, Big Spring

A New Home For Sale - At Cost

Two days after Christmas in 2005, a fire destroyed some eighty homes in Cross Plains. One person died. David Estes, president of the Texas Heritage Bank in Cross Plains says the spirit of the people was high after the fire. “The attitude was to jump in and get everything cleaned up and offer help where needed to rebuild so they could maintain the lifestyle they’ve always enjoyed. Very people moved out of town.

They stayed and started putting their lives back together.”

Pat Stephens, Executive Director of the Cross Plains Area Housing Initiative, says the fire was scary. “You didn’t know what was happening. There was no rhyme or reason as to what house it hit. The wind changed directions several times.”

There is a heightened sense of awareness in Cross Plains now. When there is a even a small grass fire and the fire trucks start running with sirens, people pay attention. Pat says if you smell smoke in the air, it brings it all back to you. “It’s something you won’t ever forget.” David says the things fire victims miss most are their personal effects, like family photos.

The First Methodist Church was destroyed in the fire. It has since been rebuilt.

The charred cross from the original building is part of a dramatic display on a wall in the new fellowship hall. “They took the remains of that cross and put a silhouette of a cross behind it,” says Pat. “Then there are pictures of the church before the fire, pictures of people fighting the fire, then they have pictures of the rebuilding of the church.”

The fire created a demand for houses, since 90 families were displaced. Four houses across the street from the school burned. A group was formed to buy the four lots with the idea of building new homes on them. The first one is ready now and an open house for it is slated for March 20. The three bedroom, two-bath brick house is being sold at cost. The asking price is $125,000. The 1,500 square feet home has custom cabinets throughout, a privacy fence and a sprinkling system in the yard. “It is a very nice home,” says David.

There are some attractive incentives for the buyer. The bank is offering a low down payment, lower interest rate and long term fixed rate financing in house.

“If someone wants the house, we want to help them get it,” says David. In addition, the Housing Initiative is putting up money for closing costs.

Local contractors built the home and appliances and building materials were all bought through the local Higginbotham Lumber Company. The open house March 20 will feature barbecue and live entertainment. “We want people to see the fruits of our labors,” says David. “When this one sells, we plan to build others.”

This first home took about nine months to build. They plan to build the others in six or seven months for each one. David says the whole idea behind building the new homes is to help alleviate the housing shortage that developed from the fire.

he got older, he moved into town.

He never sought publicity and never expected any. I interviewed Pinky in 1980 just weeks before he died. I inquired about the meaning of the opening lines to his famous song, “hullabaloo, kaneck, kaneck.” He said thousands of people had asked him that and he never told them what they meant.

Pinky is buried in the Post Mountain Cemetery in Burnet. The funeral director who was in charge of the service is Bill Wilcox, a tenacious man who could sell snow to Laplanders. Bill always has a story or joke to tell and has a laugh that can be heard for miles. He said every time he would pass Pinky’s grave and modest headstone he felt that the writer of the Aggie fight song deserved some type of recognition. He has spent the last dozen or so years working toward that goal.

Bill Wilcox doesn’t know the meaning of the word NO. It never fazes him.

Bill spent a ton of money having a bronze statue made of Pinky in his World War One uniform. Some effort was made to have it erected somewhere on the A & M campus. The answer was a resounding NO. But today the statue stands in front of the Corps of Cadets Center on the A & M campus. It was placed there on October 11, 2008. Former President George H. W. Bush and the King of West Texas Aggies Clayton Williams have helped on the project. So have dozens of other people.

Bill Wilcox gets people to do things. He is like Tom Sawyer getting other people to paint his fence. Bill is the Pied Piper of Burnet. People follow him anywhere and everywhere. He is amazing. He’s the type of fellow most folks like to be around.

He has some things to show for his years trying to get Pinky some recognition.

A novel about Pinky has been written by David Metcalf, a former funeral director in Conroe who moved to California to write. A screenplay about Pinky has been written by award winning screenwriter Joe Tidwell. That script is now in the hands of Clint Eastwood. A cenotaph (monument to someone whose remains lie elsewhere) to honor Pinky has been erected in the state cemetery in Austin.

An audio CD (titled Hullabaloo) about Pinky’s life and the song will be out this summer sometime. Bill gets things done.

Burnet’s Hullabaloo Hero The largest and deadliest battle of World War One occurred during the fall of 1918 in the Argonne Forest in northeastern France. It was the battle that weakened the German forces to the point of surrender. It was a bloody, muddy battle. Men fought in foxholes and food was scarce. Survival was uncertain. In the midst of flying bullets and mortar shells a young marine from central Texas, James Vernon “Pinky” Wilson took out an envelope that contained a letter from home and scribbled down a few words. Those words became the Aggie War Hymn, the most famous college fight song in the world.

Wilson grew up in the community of Florence, north of Georgetown. He was a junior at A & M in 1917 when he volunteered for the Marine Corps and was soon on the front lines. After the war, he returned to A & M and graduated with the class of 1920.

Pinky was a quiet man who lived a simple life on a farm near Burnet. When The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31• ■ Toyota

ShareLunkers Program, TPWD Website Toyota ShareLunkers: No. 479 from Amistad; No. 480 from Livingston ATHENS — Fish lightning struck twice Sunday, 10 minutes and 500 miles apart.

Fishing on Lake Amistad, Robert Robles of Del Rio caught Toyota ShareLunker 479, a 13.5-pound bass.

At almost the same time, Robert Laird, Sr., of Livingston set the hook on a 13.19-pound fish that is now Toyota ShareLunker 480.

Robles was fishing in about 30 feet of water in Evans Creek using an Amistad Tackle Flutter Spoon. His fish was weighed and held for pickup at Angler’s Lodge, an official Toyota ShareLunker Weigh and Holding Station certified

by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists to care for big bass.

Laird was fishing in six to eight feet of water beside the U.S. 190 bridge across Lake Livingston. He was using a Bagley crankbait. His fish was held for pickup in a minnow tank at Kickapoo Bait and Tackle in Onalaska.

Laird’s fish is the first ShareLunker entered from Lake Livingston and is the new lake record. The fish also was the big fish in the Polk County Bass Club tournament Laird was fishing in and helped him win. The fish bested the previous record of 12.45 pounds caught Feb. 16, 1987.

Lake Livingston is not known as a big bass lake, and some of Laird’s friends doubted him when he said he had a fish over 10 pounds to weigh in. “They didn’t want to believe me on Lake Livingston,” he said. “When I pulled her out of the bag, all their eyes flew open.”

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at (903) 681-0550 or paging him at (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year’s season, see http://tamus.pr-optout. com/Url.aspx?513992x701695x-1008907. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available.

Information and updates on the Toyota ShareLunker program can also be found on Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Texas-Parksand-Wildlife-ShareLunker-Program/301838055900 and searching for Texas Parks and Wildlife-ShareLunker Program.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.

Visit our website for more articles, photos, and news about the things that interest you -- http://www.mycounty-line.com

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

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31• ■ Clint

Coffee CLU ChFC, State Farm Insurance® Agent Life Insurance: It’s for the people who live

Life insurance is a practical way to protect your family’s financial hopes and dreams. The death of a family member can be devastating to survivors both emotionally and financially. Life insurance can provide cash to help with your family’s immediate and long-term needs.

Immediate needs include funeral expenses, unpaid medical bills and taxes.

Long-term needs include care for a disabled child or elderly parent expenses and, in general, the chance for members of your family to continue to live the life to which they are accustomed.

Life insurance is not for the people who die, but for people who live.

You know you need life insurance.

In fact, you probably already know your agent.

Call me and I’ll help you get the right life insurance for you and your family.

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It’s wise to explore options while you are still healthy; health problems can make life insurance expensive or unavailable. Three forms of life insurance are most common today Term life insurance - this is temporary life insurance for a specific time period (one, five, 10 or more years). It can provide short-term coverage on a limited budget. Term insurance, however, costs more to buy as you get older.

There are two common types of term life insurance: Level term: the amount of protection remains the same during the coverage period.

Decreasing term: the amount of protection gradually declines during the coverage period.

Whole life insurance - premiums are generally level with cash value growth throughout the life of the policy.

Cash values can be borrowed (with interest charged) during the insured person’s lifetime to help meet temporary or emergency needs.

Funds borrowed reduce the death benefit and cash surrender value.

Universal life insurance - this offers many traditional advantages of whole life insurance (such as protection for life), but also offers flexibility. Coverage amounts and premium payments are flexible to help meet changing needs during an insured person’s lifetime (subject to certain conditions).

When you buy life insurance, you buy a promise of protection against financial loss caused by death. The promise is only as good as the company that stands behind it. In today’s marketplace, life insurance buyers should be concerned about:

Clint Coffee, Agent 959 E Main St Eastland, TX 76448 Bus: 254-629-1222 clint@clintcoffee.com

The financial strength of the insurer.

Customer service.

Contact an insurance professional for information about life insurance.

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statefarm.com® State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY and WI), State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company P062048 2/07 (Licensed in NY or WI) - Bloomington, IL

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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31

■ Texas

History - Texas Declares Independence!, Mike Norris Texas Declares Independence From Mexico

If you have been following this series, then I have no doubt that you have a deep seated love for this great state we call Texas. Since January, I have been writing and collecting snippets of history having to do with the months leading up to one of the greatest and most celebrated events in our state’s history -- in fact, one of the most celebrated historic events in our nation’s history! The Battle for Texas Independence.

As many people know, Texas is known as the “Lone Star State.”

The reason for this is quite simple. In 1836, the Mexican territory known as Tejas, declared independence from Mexican rule. And for the next several years, in fact up until 1845, a total of nine years, Texas was an independent republic. A nation unto itself.

When my family and I moved to Georgia back in 1989, I wasn’t really prepared for the homesickness I felt for Texas. It seemed that no matter where we went, where we drove or visited, with every new experience I had in Georgia, I recognized something that I had missed about my home state of Texas. And as quickly as I could, I packed up my wife and daughter, a UHaul truck full of belongings, and we moved back to Texas in the fall of 2000.

I am proud that my daughter is growing up here in Texas. And I am even more proud that my wife has come to call it home as well.

And with the nation having a little bit of trouble placing its feet on solid ground, I am truely blessed to call Texas my home.

A friend of mine, who just recently suffered a loss in his family, once spoke to me about

how he tried to convince his employer every year about this time to take March 2nd as a company holiday. I asked him why?

That was when he informed me that March 2nd is Texas’ Independence Day, and he just didn’t understand why companies based in Texas didn’t honor that day by observing Texas Independence and scheduling it as a non-working holiday. That got me to thinking, and over the years I have come to agree with him.

So this year, in honor of Texas Indepence, I started this series of articles to chronicle the events as they took place in the winter of 1835~1836. With each issue of The County Line, I have recorded the events that were taking place during those same weeks when our “Founding Fathers” were taking up arms and speaking out against a tyranical government. Each month, I have tried to convey the heartfelt devotion that these frontiersmen felt in the cause of Liberty and Freedom. And with each sitting, I have found myself with teary eyes and a Texas-sized lump in my throat as I have tried to keep on track.

This has been an exercise in appreciation for our history and for those who faced the ultimate hardships in the pursuit of Life, Liberty and the Freedoms that we so much take for granted.

So this will be my last installment in honor of Texas Independence. I hope you enjoy it and I promise there are more historical articles to come.

After all, July is just around the corner.

The Morning of February 24th, 1836 San Antonio de Bexar Colonel William Barret Travis has just composed an open letter to the people of Texas, and those of the neighboring United States, requesting aid and reinforcements for his command of the Alamo Mission on the outskirts of the Mexican-Tejano settlement of San Antonio de Bexar.

Travis gave the letter to Albert Martin, who rode 70 miles on the night of the 24th to reach the nearest town of Gonzales. In Gonzales, Martin turned the letter over to Launcelot Smithers. Smithers was a courier that Travis had dispatched to Gonzales on the 23rd.

Smithers carried Travis’ letter to San Felipe de Austin, the soon to be gathering place for the Texas delegates to the Convention of 1836. It took less than three days for the letter to reach the delegation. Upon receiving the letter, a meeting of the town’s leaders resulted in the letter being handed over to the local newspaper printer who initially printed 200 copies. That was later followed by an additional 500 copies to be distributed throughout the Texas territory. Eventually, the letter was reprinted and distributed throughout the United States and Europe.

After sending the letter with Martin, Travis soon found himself in sole command of the Alamo garrison. Colonel James Bowie had fallen ill and was no longer able to share command with Travis.

Late in the afternoon, the first casualty of the Battle of the Alamo fell as a Mexican scout was taken down by garrison defenders.

The following morning, another 200 to 300 Mexican soldiers arrived and took cover in some abandoned structures near the Alamo walls. The Texians ventured out to burn the structures and a small skirmish ensued. Two more The County Line Business & Community Journal ● P.O. Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31• ■ Texas

History - Texas Declares Independence!, continued

Mexican troops were killed and four others were wounded. The Alamo defenders had yet to suffer any losses.

As the day of February 25th wore on, the weather took a sudden turn for the worse and the temperature dropped to 39 °F. It is believed that the first Alamo casualty may have fallen while the Texians were trying to gather wood and but other structures on February 26th.

As the Mexican forces grew, Travis dispatched several couriers with additional requests for aid. A group of some 320 men and 4 cannon, led

by Colonel James Fannin, attempted to march from Gonzales to Bexar but returned after making only a few of the 90 miles distance between the two towns.

On the night of February 27th, a group of Gonzales men from Fannin’s force reached the Alamo and was attacked by a Mexican patrol. In the darkness, the skirmish came under fire from the Alamo defenders and in the confusion, some of the Gonzales men were injured. They were soon allowed to enter the Alamo gates.

13 ..

February 28, 1836 Washington-on-the-Brazos Fourty-one Texas delegates gathered for the Convention of 1836.

The assembly was convened on March 1st.

Within 24 hours, a special committee produced a draft declaration to the delegation which was unanimously approved and signed on March 2nd, 1836. The declaration officially established the Independent Republic of Texas.

On March 6th, the Convention received a letter dated March 3rd from Travis in command of the Alamo garrison. Travis again requested aid and supplies and expressed the dire need of the situation at the Alamo.

March 3, 1836 The Alamo Garrison Travis’ men watched as an additional 1,000 Mexican troops arrived to reinforce the 1,400 already encamped in Bexar and around the Alamo garrison. The arrival of additional Mexican troops led Travis to send out three scouts. A group of men were discovered beyond the Mexican lines and just before daylight on March 4th, they were able to break through the Mexican troops and join the Alamo defenders.

On March 5th, Travis assembled the Alamo defenders and gave a stirring call to arms, asking his men to cross a line in the sand if they were willing to die for Texas Independence.

During the night, Santa Anna ceased fire on the Alamo defenders who had endured several days of ceasless artillery bombardment. The Texian defenders slept from exhaustion and just after midnight, the Mexican forces began moving into their positions for the final assault on the Alamo.

March 6, 1836 The Final Battle of the Alamo At 5:30am, Mexican troops advanced on the northwest wall of the garrison. Three defenders were killed in their sleep before the silence was broken by Mexican buglers and cries of “Viva Santa Anna!” (continued on page 18)

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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31

THE SPECIALISTS TO SEE FOR COMPREHENSIVE EYE CARE

Dr. Teague and Dr. Strickland have opened a satellite office at the Eastland Memorial Hospital Outpatient Clinic to offer the following services: ♦ Comprehensive Eye Exams ♦ Cataract Diagnosis Board Certified in Ophthalmology

♦ No-Shot/ No-Stitch/ No-Patch Cataract Surgery at EMH

CLIPPER STRICKLAND, O.D.

♦ Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment

BRETT J. TEAGUE, M.D.

♦ Diabetic Eye Exams

People You Know Caring For People You Love 304 S. Daugherty Eastland, Texas 76448

Medicare ♦ BlueCross/BlueShield ♦ FirstCare and most other insurance plans accepted.

Please call 800-592-4743 or 325-673-0900 to schedule an appointment.

Se Habla Español.

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

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31•

advertising@mycounty-line.com

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15 ..

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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31

of the Past, Luther Gohlke That Old Red Hen

As a young boy, I was very impressed by the Bible story of David and Goliath. David, a young lad, going to face in battle the well armed Philistine warrior and giant - one could say an uneven match. A sling and a few round, smooth stones in reality were no match for a well armed seasoned soldier with sword and armor, but God had a hand in this unusual match up. He fortified David’s courage and certainly guided that stone to its mark as David cut loose with that sling.

It was my intent to make a sling and model myself after my young hero, David. But what was a sling? How could I make one? I had made many sling shots from an orange crate or apple box. (For you younger readers, in the 30’s and 40’s apples and oranges were delivered to the grocery stores in wooden crates, the ends of which were soft pine wood and perfect for wood working) Also sling shots could be made from a perfect “Y” shaped tree fork. With proper knowledge, a piece of shoe leather, some pieces of good string and special cut rubber strips from an old innertube, made for an excellent weapon - the sling shot.

Smooth round, marble shaped stones were perfect ammo. One could get quite proficient with one of these weapons and consistently hit most any target, mostly tin cans, telephone or fence posts, and an occasional bird.

But a sling - I thought and studied and experimented. Finally it all came to me. A sling had to have a large piece of old shoe leather to hold the stone and two long and stout strings about two foot long. A loop had to be in the end of one string. If this apparatus were swirled about ones side or over head, and one released the loop from ones finger while holding the other string bound to ones hand, that large 1” to 1 1/2” stone could fly out with power.

I made one. I tried it. First shot hit the barn about twenty feet away. I had it down. An expert sling maker. David junior - slingsman. I felt pride, ego for this ingenious idea and resultant weapon - the sling. Just like David my hero. However, there were no giants around at least no mean ones.

Just an old barn. Since the first shot was so good, I let a second shot go off just directing it into an open pasture.

Boy, that big rock went wailing what seemed forever out across that field.

My ego and prideful sense of success grew even greater.

The acid test - I would try to hit a large tree in my grandma’s barnyard where all of this military ingenuity was taking place. I twirled that sling by my side let the loop go and that missile was on its way, but instead of being air born it was ground born hopping violently across granny’s chicken yard. Unfortunately, it struck one of her prize red hens right in the head and cold cocked her. She fell over on the ground dead! I was on the verge of some deep trouble. I ran to the large hen, who was not dead, but now up walking in circles and making peculiar squawking sounds.

My first thought was to get rid of the evidence. But how? That old hen was too large to have its neck wrung.

Choking, that’s it, choking. In sheer panic I held my hands around that

chicken’s neck what I thought was forever. Thinking all the time that I would be banished, kicked out by my grandma for this evil deed. At the point of panic when one cannot and does not use good judgment, it never occurred to me until after the fact, that my second evil deed of trying to choke that old hen to death was by far worse than accidentally hitting her in the head with the rock. I turned loose my choke hold, she fell over, but immediately jumped up, cackled and ran off unharmed. Scared me to death.

My eyes big as silver dollars. No one around, just other chickens. Must have been a concussion, I reasoned. Whew what an experience.

Just as God was with David as he guided that stone to Goliath’s forehead, He must have been with the recipient of that stone from my sling. Namely that old red hen. As the old western movies would have portrayed just a flesh wound!

After 3 shots from that sling inspired by my ten year old mind, I decided to destroy the goods. Trashed it and never fired another shot. By the way, I think God was not only watching out for that chicken on that fateful day, but for me as well.

SECOND VISIONARIES IN PRESERVATION MEETING NEXT WEEK

EASTLAND, Texas –– The Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Visionaries in Preservation program (VIP) is coming to Eastland. VIP is the community planning program of the THC. VIP asks residents how they want their community to look and feel and provides the necessary tools to help Eastland retain its identity and sense of place as it changes and grows.

Eastland’s VIP program will meet once a month for eight months, starting in February and ending in September.

At the end of the program, Eastland will have a preservation action plan that will make historic buildings and other assets fundamental parts of continued economic and cultural growth.

Your participation is essential! Please join us for the VIP Town Meeting on Thursday, March 4, 2010, 6 P.M. at the Daugherty Street Church of Christ Fellowship Hall. At the meeting, the VIP process will be discussed and you will have the opportunity to define the issues and challenges the VIP preservation action plan will ultimately address. You will also be able to sign up for a task force to work on the issues of your choice throughout the process. Even if you could not make it last month, you can still sign up for a task force and help define the issues that will be addressed by this important group.

WHO: Eastland’s Visionaries in Preservation WHAT: Community Open House WHEN: 6 P.M. THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2010 WHERE: Daugherty Street Church of Christ Fellowship Hall WHY: To plan for economic and community development through historic preservation If you have any questions, contact your VIP chair or VIP staff at the THC: Dean Vernon VIP Chair 254-629-3349 The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. The agency administers a variety of programs to preserve the archeological, historical and cultural resources of Texas.

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

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31• ■ Rising

Star Library Notes, Ginger Johnson Tobin

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SNOW!

Hello Rising Star residents and those living in the area! This is being written early (well, not too early) on Tuesday morning, February 23; IT IS SNOWING! Looks like a WINTER WONDERLAND to me as I sit looking out my office window.

By the looks of it, I COULD be thinking that NO ONE would be out today…but I just saw a neighbor go by with no apparent problem with his pickup truck, so I guess people can get out IF they want to! Sorry, I don’t want to…not now, but maybe later in the day when CABIN FEVER strikes. It doesn’t take long for that ailment to hit me!

Just looked up the weather on AOL weather: 29 degrees and SNOW! I could have told them that! Ha. Ha. However, I couldn’t tell anyone the Dew Point (28); the Visibility (.30 miles); or the Wind Speed (N 11 mph). Today, the forecast is cold with periods of snow. Two to four inches of snow expected. The high will be 37 and the low 25.

However, look at the rest of the week! Wednesday and Thursday are “mostly” sunny and temps will be from 43 all the way up to 57! Not bad, Rising Star.

Don’t worry, Spring will be here…it always comes (if only for a moment) and then SUMMER arrives and we’ll be longing for “cooler” weather.

Just so you know, all the above weather info can be obtained at the local RISING STAR LIBRARY where an Internet computer is available for your use anytime the library is open, which is 5 days per week.

COOKBOOKS “A Library of Recipes” is still available for sale at the RISING STAR LIBRARY as well as several places around town. The Saturday Club tells me they have decided to order an additional 200 copies as the first printing has been so popular! Several local residents have recently purchased a copy for gifts and even for “late” Christmas gifts! You could say that this resident is shopping “early” for next Christmas!

The cookbooks are only $10 and contain many local recipes and some from days gone by contributed by residents who are now deceased…but their memory and wonderful and tasty recipes live on in the cookbook.

LIBRARY DOINGS Monday was a busy day at the library; our librarian, Gwen Eberhart was there to finish up the new catalog. Thanks so much, Gwen, for your efforts on this.

Several volunteers helped with the needed research on this catalog, including Carolyn Finney and Ginger Tobin. The library will be processing books again soon, now that this huge project is done. As has been said in the past, even in a small library, the amount of work required to get a book on the shelf is enormous.

Our volunteers make all this possible; and we are so thankful for them. Our weekly volunteers are Carolyn, Charlene, Mary, Ginger and of late, Barbara.

We are so thrilled that Barbara has volunteered to work Fridays; her help is so appreciated. From time to time, our needs for volunteers change, so if YOU would like to be associated with the RISING STAR LIBRARY as a volunteer, please come by to talk with the on duty volunteer. YOU would be welcome.

She will keep your name on file for possible assistance later.

We are so appreciative of Mary Browning’s work on the library entrance doors (those inside the front door). She noticed that the panes of glass needed “scraping” to remove paint or stain from years gone by; and she slowly and patiently scraped it off all those

window panes. The result is remarkable-a very clean and pristine look for the entrance. Thanks, Mary.

We also have had volunteers, Eula Grisham, Noreen Pittman and Maria Jones show up to help with whatever needs to be done. They are so dependable; and their interest is so appreciated. THANKS! BOOK REVIEW This is my FIRST Elmer Kelton book! Sorry to say that, but I just had not gotten around to this author personally, although I have discussed him and his talent for writing as evidenced by the awards he has garnered, in previous columns. HARD TRAIL TO FOLLOW does keep my interest; it is set in Texas, in the West and Central parts of the state…does that sound familiar? The story begins with a former Texas Ranger named Andy Pickard who is farming in West Texas on property owned by his fiancée, Bethel Brackett. Unfortunately, her brother, Farley, also resides on the farm; Farley has nothing good or positive to say about Andy.

Here’s what Si Dunn of the Dallas Morning News had to say about this book: Picture a Texas Ranger who is not a good tracker suddenly having to chase down an outlaw who knows every possible way to cover his trail.

The Ranger, of course, is being driven by a strict code of honor. He wants to bring a good friend’s killer to justice. But the outlaw he is seeking also has a code, and it goes beyond greed and fear.

Hard Trail to Follow, the seventh novel in Elmer Kelton’s acclaimed Texas Ranger series, likely will delight many fans right up to the final pages. The end, however, may leave some readers dissatisfied at how neatly and quickly the plot and subplots get wrapped up, almost like an old-fashioned Western movie.

In the book’s opening, ex-Ranger Andy Pickard turns down an offer to be a deputy for an old friend, Sheriff Tom Blessing. Andy now is a farmer, and he has a fiancée. But he does agree to help the short-handed sheriff keep an overnight watch on Luther Cordell, a bank robber with a jailbreak history. The next morning, while Andy is across the street having breakfast, two men free Cordell. In the melee, the sheriff is killed, and Andy wounds one of the escaping riders.

Cordell is angry at the man who has sprung him and killed the sheriff. Cordell argues that he could have broken out on his own, without getting set up for the hangman’s noose. But Milt Hayward’s only concern is for his share of some hidden bank loot. Meanwhile, their young cohort, Buster, is in bad shape. Andy’s rifle bullet barely missed his heart.

When the loot can’t be found and Andy and a posse start closing in, Hayward wants to leave Buster behind. But Cordell sticks to his sense of honor. “You don’t quit a partner,” he declares. Hayward rides away, leaving Cordell and Buster to fend for themselves.

Using every diversionary skill he can muster, Cordell tries to get help for Buster while keeping them one step ahead of Andy, who has put on a Texas Ranger’s badge again.

Hard Trail to Follow is an engrossing, entertaining chase played out through two intriguing main characters. Mr. Kelton’s attention to detail and his well-crafted minor characters bring additional richness to the book’s sense of place and reality. This new novel likely will further enhance Elmer Kelton’s hard-earned reputation as one of America’s premier Western writers.

COLUMNIST’S NOTE: This book was published in 2007, about two years before Elmer Kelton’s death. It is available at RISING STAR LIBRARY.

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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31

■ Texas

History - Texas Declares Independence!, continued

As the Mexican troops attacked the Alamo walls, they found themselves at a disadvantage. Their columns were poorly formed and made for easy targets by the Texian artillery. As the Mexican troops attempted to scale the garrison walls with ladders, the defenders easily repelled them. But as the the attackers massed along the walls, some defenders fell prey to enemy fire as they had to lean over the walls to fire on the Mexicans.

The Mexican soldiers withdrew from their first assault and regrouped.

Their second attack also met with stern opposition. But in a third advance, two colums of attackers moved on the northern walls. As Santa Anna saw the events unfolding, he sent reinforcements to the northern side of the garrison.

As Mexican troops began to enter into the complex from the north, the southern defenders turned their fire inward to defend against the invaders.

The southern walls were less defended and Mexican troops found their way into the garrison from the south, taking the southern gunnery positions in the process.

The east wall was scaled and Mexican troops began pouring into the central grounds from multiple directions.

Some of the defenders attempted to flee on foot but were taken down by Mexican cavalry. Others retreated from the outer walls and attempted to fall back into the barracks and the chapel.

The last group left fighting in the open grounds was led by Davy Crocket with his Tennessee volunteers. They were defending the low wall in front of the church and were forced to use their rifles as clubs once they were unable to reload fast enough to repel the encroaching troops. As they were cut down by Mexican rifle shot, the few remaining men scrambled back into the church.

20 minutes inspecting the bodies and bayoneting any Texian defenders who still lived. Some fired their weapons into the dead even after Mexican buglers called for them to stand down.

In the aftermath of the battle, Santa Anna claimed that 600 defenders had fallen and Mexican casualties were light with only 70 troops killed and about 300 wounded. However, most records indicate that between 180 and 250 Texians lost their lives to Santa Anna’s forces, while the Mexican losses numbered between 400 and 600.

Santa Anna referred to the battle as “but a small affair”, yet one of his Mexican officers is quoted as having remarked “with another such victory, we will go to the devil.”

Today...

The deaths of the Alamo Defenders have come to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty world wide. Their names are legendary.

Their actions, unforgetable. Their Honor, unquestionable.

As Texans, and even greater as Americans, we can hold in our hearts, three words just as important as those three words so symbolic of our nation’s Constitution. In all, six words that express all there needs to be said about being an American. About being free to live in this great land.

“We, The People” and “Remember The Alamo”

As the Mexican troops took over the grounds, they attempted to lower the Texian flag from the roof of one of the buildings. Four soldiers were killed before they were able to lower the Texian flag and raise the flag of Mexico.

By 6:30am, the fighting was over. The Mexican soldiers spent the next Advertise Online and In Print With

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

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31• ■ Life

Planning Issues, Jim Kennedy Is Retirement Really About a Dollar Amount?

The first thought that comes to your mind is most likely “Sure it is.” We need X amount of dollars to live off of for the rest of our lives. And we want to fund our grandchildren’s education.

And we want to give back to our community. All of that involves a dollar amount.

And you are right: money is the tool that allows you to achieve your retirement goals. Yet you’re only partially right: retirement is about your vision and achieving your most meaningful life pursuits, as well as deepening the values you hold dear for both you and future generations of your family.

Listen to Anna’s story and see if any of it sounds familiar.

Anna visited her advisor, who works in a Life Planning firm. Her goal for the visit was to open, and begin contributing to, a college savings investment vehicle for her 11 year-old granddaughter, Marie. Hence, Anna linked a specific dollar amount with a goal. Nevertheless, her advisor walked her through a series of “Life Goal” questions that focused on her underlying values and motivations.

Anna discovered that her true intention was not just for Marie to be well-educated, but for her to develop a desire for learning.

By focusing on her actual wishes for her granddaughter’s future, Anna and her advisor utilized the Life Planning process as a guide to brainstorm additional strategies that could have a lasting impact on developing Marie’s desire for learning. At the end of the visit, Anna concluded that she could divert some of Marie’s college funds toward a summer computer design camp—a camp which she believes will fit Marie’s interests and which could further her desire to learn.

19 ..

However, a “Legacy” goes far beyond a dollar amount. Anna’s story is just one needle in a huge haystack of Life Planning stories. Life Planning is about “Living Life on purpose”—no matter if it relates to your grandchildren or other family members, a charity, or even visions you hold about your own future.

So what are your values? What is your vision?

Is your retirement plan a financial plan or a Life Plan?

There is a simple Latin phrase you have heard before, but can never be heard too many times: Carpe diem!

Jim Kennedy is a Registered Representative with VSR Financial Services, Inc. Kennedy Financial is independent of VSR Financial Services, Inc. Securities & Advisory Services offered through VSR Financial Services, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser & Member FINRA/SIPC. 1.Financial Advisor Magazine. 2010. Retirees Give Nod to “Life Goals” Rather Than “The Numbers”. Merrill Lynch Insights Quarterly Survey.

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.

51% of retirees stated that if they had the chance to do it over, they would have focused more on “Life goals” and less on a specific nest egg dollar amount in retirement planning. Moreover, 38% of this group stated that they would have spent more time on how they wanted to live in retirement.1 The word “Legacy” is often used to refer to the wealth you leave behind.

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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31

■ Daily

Devotional, Wanda Lee Beck Skinner

Harmony Baptist Church

There’s a church in Morton Valley called Harmony, From Eastland, it’s up the dirt road to the north.

It has stood tall and proud for many a year.

Through the storms of life, the flood and the drought.

The gentle rains have fallen and the sun has shined.

Leaving a pretty white building fresh and clean The pews have been packed with sinners who have come.

Many have been redeemed by Jesus’ precious blood.

Others are hearing God’s Word for the very first time.

Good people pray for cleansing by his flood.

Many tine babies have been welcomed at their birth.

How quickly they’ve grown and walked down the aisle.

To become man and wife and once again it begins.

This process seems to take such a short while.

The fellowship hall is very often filled with food.

As the country women bring goodies from their garden.

Aroma and tastes of delight fill this precious place.

The mistakes of others, one and all will pardon.

The church in Morton Valley, Harmony is a sight to see.

Its influence reaches out for miles and for years.

The witness it gives is of Christ who desires to set men free.

■ Gorman

Love Is The Vital Ingredient “Beloved, let us love one another : for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” I John 4:7 Consider planting a seed or two of love on the pathway that is hard and stony. Life is filled with so many rocks and hard places that we often forget that a brother is traveling the road of life. We often expect others to know and care just what is going on our lives. I am here to urge you to look at another person in their time of difficulties and see if you can plant some seeds that will soften the soil of their heart and take some of the boulders that lie before them and remove them from their pathway.

Try to make someone’s path a little easier to travel.

I.S.D, Jonathon Flores

Happenings at GISD

By Jonathon Flores Hello Eastland County. My mission in this article is to inform you about events and happenings taking place at Gorman High School.

Hopefully I can get you up to speed with some of the things that have taken place as of late in this article.

Recently, GISD had the pleasure of hosting a man by the name of L.D. Cox. Mr. Cox was a survivor of the U.S.S. Indianapolis shipwreck.

It was one of the worst casualties in the history of the United States Navy. Mr. Cox shared his life story and described the harrowing ordeals he survived on the U.S.S. Indianapolis. He also described what it was like when the ship had been sunk and what it was like being stranded out at sea for five days. The story was very interesting.

This week should be a very busy one at GISD. There is a softball tournament and a junior high and high school track meet. All of this considering the weather is not too unpleasant. So come out and support the Cubs, Lady Cubs, Lady Panthers and Panthers in their respective sports.

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County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31•

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Brownwood

Water stained; 50 degrees; 6.72’

low. Black bass to 4 pounds are good on craw and black/blue Bass Hogg jigs, Persuader crankbaits, and GrandeBass 4” Trickster worms along docks, between rocks, and over brush piles in 1 – 5 feet. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass to 1.5 pounds are fair on Li’l Fishies, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits off lighted docks. Crappie are fair on Li’l Fishies and minnows over brush piles in 10 – 18 feet, and near the Hwy. 279 Bridge. Channel catfish are fair on cut bait

For March, from Texas Parks & Wildlife

and nightcrawlers over baited holes in 8 – 10 feet. Yellow catfish are slow.

Proctor Granbury

Possum Kingdom

Water clear; 0.46’ low. Black bass

are fair on watermelon and pumpkinseed soft plastics, and on chartreuse Rat–L–Traps.

Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow.

Crappie are fair on minnows and green tube jigs. Catfish are good on frozen shrimp, liver, and stinkbait.

Water murky; 50 degrees; 3.09’

low. Black bass are fair on deep running

Water stained; 501 degrees; 5.16’

low. Black bass are fair on pumpkin soft plastics, black/blue jigs, and shad–colored crankbaits off points in the Long Hollow and Caddo areas. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on silver

crankbaits and worms off points. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows near the dam and over brush piles in 10 – 15 feet. Channel and blue catfish are good on live shad and goldfish in 22 – 25 feet. Yellow catfish are slow.

jigging spoons and live bait. Stripers are good on silver spoons and shad–colored crankbaits along southern lake points. Catfish are good on live bait.

Are the fish biting where you’re at? If so, send us your catch of the day and we’ll feature it here!

Hubbard Creek

Water lightly stained; 52 degrees;

7.21’ low. Black bass are fair on live bait and black/blue jigs worked slow along grass lines and timber. Crappie are fair on jigs and

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minnows. White bass are fair on live bait.

Catfish are fair on live bait.

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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31

■ Outdoors

With The Game Warden, Zach Havens The Barbershop

Last month I talked about my adventure in the beauty shop and shared a few observations about what women talk about.

I was out of my element but I did learn a lot about fashion and the cost of beauty. This month it struck me that I should share a glimpse into some of the talk that goes on in the barbershop.

I feel much more at ease in the barbershop. First of all I can locate one by the spinning striped barber pole. Usually when a barber pole is displayed you can expect to find the barber using the tools of his trade such as straight razors, hot shaving cream, hair tonic, clippers with a vacuum hose attached, and a plain cape for keeping hair off the clients.

If you see zebra striped, leopard print or bright flowers on the cape run!

Secondly, you can just walk in the door and take a seat. You do not have to call ahead and get your name written in the black book that locks you into a time slot and commits your appearance. Who knows the fish may be biting on that day and the hair cut can wait.

Most barbershops I have been in have items displayed on the walls that reflect what is going on in the local community. Most shops have a schedule posted of the local high school sports team. A few even display game winning footballs from great teams of the past. Because of my job, I really like the shops that when you walk in the door you see a large bulletin board covered in pictures of big bucks, bobcats, turkey, feral hogs, and monster fish. A few shops have a deer mount on the wall or the tanned skin of a rattlesnake that looks like it is the size of a 2’X8’ board.

for each of the three illegal fish then $1500 would be due the court. A measuring board is much cheaper.

The hunting talk at the shop this week was about exotic species that can be hunted year round. Recently, several individuals have traveled and hunted species such as Axis deer, Blackbuck antelope, elk, and Nilgai antelope. A few local groups have bow hunts planned for javelina and exotic rams.

I usually get asked a Fish and Game Law question at the barber shop.

One question commonly mentioned involves the man caught dynamiting fish. The game warden is standing on a huge pile of fish in the violator’s boat having a stern talk with the illegal fisherman. The fisherman calmly lights a stick of dynamite and hands it to the game warden. The fisherman then asks the warden, “Are you going to stand there or fish?”

Be safe. See you in the woods and on the water.

I made a trip to the barbershop this past week and was able to get up to date on politics, religion, sports, weather, gardening, hunting and fishing.

Talk about hunting and fishing usually comes up at the barbershop. This time around the talk was about the crappie biting on area lakes. Remember to measure the crappie. Crappie shorter than ten inches should be thrown back into the lake. I have found several fishermen that chose to throw them into a bucket. The fine for keeping an undersize crappie can range from $25 to $500 per fish. Potentially, if a fisherman has 18 crappie in his possession and the game warden locates 3 fish that are undersize then the fisherman is left with 15 fish. In the event the judge set the fine at $500

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

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31• ■ Out

of the Box, Joellen Hodge YEAH! I LOVE SNOW!!!

23 ..

My idyllic perception of snow includes the look and smell of it. Those lovely and unique flakes spiraling in the wind as they fall one on top of the other…making a pristine white blanket across the fields around my house. Then there is that icy cold smell that is crisp and clean like nothing else in the world. Yea…I love snow.

something about it, other than keep your motorcycle boots nearby.

Weather is going to happen. Winter is cold, summer is hot…it doesn’t take much experience to know that if it is going to rain, you should roll up the windows on the car. A cheap weather radio that gives off an alarm to let you know flood, hurricane, tornado or tsunami is on the way saves a lot of time and worry.

This dream holds up until Tuesday morning at 7am, when I have to go outside and drag the trash can back into the yard. It is about 28 degrees outside. Normally, I would be sitting in front of my computer at that time, sipping hot tea and reading my online newspapers. However, my dog has some notion that the trashcan belongs to her and when the trash truck shows up…she becomes manic. She is quite sure it is HER can and her mission in life to alert me of a trashcan thief now on the property. Nothing is more insane that a ten pound dachshund trying to crawl through a window to take on a three ton trash truck. So, I have to rush out, and haul the nasty smelling thing, (there goes that crisp and clean fantasy!) to the back door where she can once again claim ownership of a green container that is twice her size. Yeah…I love snow.

All this brings me back to the idea of snow. I like the thought of snow, but in reality…it is just so darned cold. I am going back to bed now…in my bathrobe and hat. Talk to me again in summer… lovely summer when the sun is warm and toasty and the birds are singing. Summer smells like lemons and coconut oil…Yeab…I love summer even more than I love snow!

Check out the website…I had added Nascar, Olympic News, Weather, World News, Food Channel Recipes and so much more!

Write me a note: johodge@bboxlady.com It would be great to hear from you!

Y’all…go be nice to each other…

Standing in the middle of the road, looking at the “pristine white blanket”, I can see it is now a mushy and muddy pit from two blocks down the street to my front door and on my boots. Pulling that empty, disgusting green plastic box on wheels back into the yrad, I manage to track the “pristine white blanket” inside my kitchen… because it is way too cold to pull of my boots on the back porch.

Yeah…I love snow.

Another thing about snow and cold weather in general…I want to dress for it. You know, huge coat with flipped up collar and one of those Russian hats that make you elegant. I always picture Goldie Hawn in her shaggy coat with huge sunglasses. No matter what the mirror tells me, I want to feel I look like that. Do you want to know what I wore outside to bring in the trashcan? I threw on my 3 year old fleece bathrobe with the leopard spots over my jammies, pulled a sheepskin cap over my ears and to complete this lovely outfit, what could be better than a pair of motorcycle knee boots?

We all know motorcycle boots go so well with a full length fleece bathrobe…(maybe those spots are supposed to be Dalmatian spots, I have never been sure). I looked like a fat/crazed Cruella De Vil from 101 dalmations come to life. Yeah…I love snow.

More than anything, I hate talking about the weather . Years and years of working in radio and television, you look back and realize how much time you spent on weather. As if you could do

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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31

■ From

The Backside, Henry J. Clevicepin Political Spin

By Henry J. Clevicepin Collaborated by Nellie Frecklebelly and Agnes & Ophilia Fudpucker

Well we got about 4 or 5 more inches of that Al Gore’s global warming a day or two ago. I wish he would change his story and come up with global freezing, then maybe it would warm up some. Things kinda warmed up in Washington this week with the Democrats & the Republicans all in a little huddle with the Prez.

As best I can tell it sounded kinda like two cats with their tails tied together and hung over a clothesline. Same ol thing that always goes on up there, they don’t do nothing but argue back and forth and nothing gets done. I kinda think that was just a little dog & pony show the other day.

Obama and the Democrats are going to go ahead and cram that healthcare bill down our throats with that little procedure they call “reconciliation” or as Estee K. Bibbles, my mulebarn partner, calls it “a suppository”.

It is amazing how they can come up with different ways they see things.

You take ol Harry Reid for instance. An ol gal out in California who is a genealogist discovered that Harry had a great-great uncle, Remus Reid, who escaped from prison and was caught by Pinkerton agents and hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. She even found a picture of ol Remus standing on the gallows about to be hanged. So she decided to write Harry Reid for more information on his kinfolk and believe it or not, just to show how a politician can turn things around here is what he wrote back: “Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in Montana Territory. His business empire grew to include acquisitions of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad.

He devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking a leave to resume his dealings with the railroad.

In 1887 he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Agency.

In 1889 Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed”.

Now folks, that is a politician, ain’t it. And Harry is still spinning them stories up in Washington. Why can’t they just tell it like it is, kinda like the little 9 year old boy here in Buzzard’s Roost when a neighbor knocked on his door and he opened it.

“Is your Dad home?”

The ol neighbor stood there for a minute shuffling his feet.

The little boy said, “can I help you with something. I know where all of the tools are if you need to borrow one.”

Well, the neighbor said uncomfortably, “I really need to talk to your Dad. It is about your older brother Joe getting my daughter pregnant.”

The little boy thought for a minute and then said “you would sure have to talk to Dad about that. All I know is he gets $500 for the bull and $50 for the boar hog, but I don’t have any idea how much he charges for Joe.”

Words of Wisdom from Henry J. -The nearest thing to eternal life that we will ever see on this earth is a government program!!!!

You can email ol Henry J. at the following -henryjclevicepin@aol.com

New “From the Backside” sponsor

BUY IT NOW

Attention Merchants !!!!!

If you need a 90 day $1500 credit plan with NO CREDIT CHECK To offer to your customers, Email Henry J. or give us a call at 254-4331928 Great for auto repair shops, tire dealers, doctors & dentists!

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“No sir, he went to town.”

“Is your Mom home?”

“No sir, she went with dad.”

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

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31• ■ Texas

Parks & Wildlife, www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Women’s Outdoor Events Schedule

What’s going on?

In an effort to promote women’s events across the state, we provide a list below of events, sponsored by our partner organizations as well as Becoming an Outdoors-Woman. Information and materials are available approximately 4-5 weeks before the date of the workshop.

Which classes are offered at any given BOW Workshop?

Every workshop includes a core curriculum of classes which include the shooting sports, camping, backpacking, outdoor cooking, archery, plant i.d., birdwatching, introduction to firearms and hunting, map & compass, outdoor survival, orienteering, flytying and outdoor first-aid. Dependent upon the workshop location we can offer additional classes like horseback riding, sailing, kayaking, boat handling, fishing, and falconry. If you are interested in a particular class and want to know where it is offered, please give us a call or drop us an email.

Date April 30 - May 2, 2010

Event BOW Workshop

Location Stoney Creek Ranch El Campo, TX

Contact or Sponsoring Organization Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Tami Moore (512) 389-4938 BAOW@tpwd.state.tx.us ■ Supporting

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!

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•County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31

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

County Line Business & Community Journal ~ March First Edition, 2010 v3.31• ■ Footnotes, Announcements and Parting Thoughts

CISCO AARP Chapter 2447 4th Friday Night Musical March 26, 2010 Hillside Village Wheatley Community Center 1007 Humble Ave Good Country & Gospel Music Doors Open 4:30pm Start Serving at 5:00pm Chicken & Dumplings, Salad, Cornbread, Sandwiches & Deserts Coffee, Tea, Coke, Dr.Pepper & Bottled Water We hope to see you there!

We are a smoke free, alcphol free, and druge free establishment.

RISING STAR

CISCO AARP Chapter 2447 Next Regular Meeting Thursday, March 18, 2010 Hillside Village Wheatley Community Center 1006 Humble Ave Join us for a potluck supper.

Drinks, paper plates, and cutlery are furnished by the Chapter.

We eat at 6:00pm Followed by a brief business meeting.

Come join us for Fun, Food & Fellowship.

We hope to see you there.

King Kong Update Even though the unpredictable Texas weather has caused King Kong’s progress to slow somewhat, the beastly project continues moving ahead.

Slow progress is being made on West Valley towards Dixie Street with reports of the work only slightly behind schedule due to the wet, cold weather. The crews are taking advantage of the nice warmer weather periods between the sleet, snow and freezing temperatures, buy working extra hours when possible.

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

Cut-Off Date Wednesday March 17th Distribution Saturday March 27th Call Ilene (254)442-1969 You can now order online from our website: www.angelfoodministries.com

Something to Sell?

Looking to Buy? The County Line offers Classified ads!

Ad Space this size: $10.00 per month

City of Ranger City of Ranger is requesting sealed bids on either of the two following City vehicles: 1990 Ford Pro-Med Emergency Vehicle (1 ton – Not Operational) ½ ton Pick-up Bed 1 ton Pick-up Bed 2 Shredder Decks Branson BL20 Tractor with Front End Loader (Not Operational) 1 single axle trailer with a water pump attached Vehicle/Equipment may be seen at the City Barn on East Loop 254. Sold “As Is” and No warranties are implied or promised.

Submit bids to City Secretary, City of Ranger, 400 West Main Street, Ranger, TX 76470 in an envelope clearly marked “Sealed bid on City Vehicles”. All bids must be submitted

by March 08, 2010 at 5:30 P.M. The City of Ranger reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Eastland County 912 Project Meeting Myrtle Wilks Community Center 6:30pm until 8:30pm Thursday, March 11, 2010 All Invited

With a Picture: $15.00 per month

Something to Sell?

Looking to Buy?

Additional crews continue with tie-ins on South Seaman and along North College, aka Hwy. 3101, and at the intersection of Marsh and Conner.

The County Line offers Classified ads!

Demolition of the small standpipe (water tower) atop Park Hill is nearing completion with the removal of the concrete base. Work on the new tower should begin in early March and continue through the end of the year.

Please remember when travelling in these ‘construction’ areas to be on the alert and watch for crew members as well as heavy equipment.

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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.

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•County Line Business & Community Journal

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