Sheriff's Report Number 416- Man violates Protective Order, calls wife, threatens her. Troubles between neighbors on Cypress, TPD Noll and Reed to same. Husband dumps out wife at filling station, FPD Bass to same. THDEMS to West 84, 58 year old having Asthma attack, also intoxicated. Loose Pit Bull in Lady's yard, S. 4th, Wortham.

Transformer sparking and sputtering on Tyler Street. Man headed to ER with girlfriend, she's having a seizure, he'll be at their door in minutes…..ER advised. FEMS to high blood pressure, FCR-530. Electricity out in parts of Teague. One man reports being harassed by another, Kirvin. More transformer troubles on Jackson….High winds slapping every line in the County together.

Deputy Shaw arrests woman on Montgomery County Warrants. TPD solly to Jail with motorist found to be in possession of Mary Jane. DPS Thornton to Jail with DWI in a Suburban, had wet his pants fore and aft, tested nearly triple drunk. THDEMS to S. 5th, severe stomach pain, dizzy. FEMS to FCR-431, same medical complaints as preceding run in Teague. Gunshots reported in Wortham, Avenue D. TxDOT advised of carpet in road, US-84 at FCR-540, more found just west of Interstate.

*For those of you who enjoy our history, I will once again wet the waters of your minds with a small tidbit from our State's past. Since it comes at the end of the year, consider it as a small Christmas Gift from me, to each of you who have been so complimentary in the past. Just watch for the asterisks*. If you don't like history, just skip 'em. It'll take two weeks, so you might want to save this column, read it again next week, just before reading that week's column…..It will help as a refresher I've been told by some folks. Some have even cut the paragraphs out of the paper and placed them in order as received, somewhat like a book.

*It was about this same time of the year 1842 that events in the Republic of Texas had fired up once again. Texas had won independence from Mexico in 1836 with the victory by Houston over San Antonio at San Jacinto, Houston had served one full term as President of the Republic and Santa Anna had left the Mexican presidency but would again return to the post. Houston's first term in the presidency had been marked by his attempts not to ruffle the Mexican feathers with any further warfare, but when

* As I have said, while Sam Houston was at the helm of Texas government, problems with Mexico were minimized. Houston had headed a government responsible for a huge land mass, a very small population, and very little money. That money was tight there could be no doubt. Even members who served in the Texas Army were paid in land, rather than cash, whenever possible. Economy was the watchword of the day. A minimal army, frugality in all things governmental….. Texas could afford no war with Mexico….There was no money for it.

Donie VFD, DPS Crais and THDEMS to Hwy. 164 accident. Loud Music, FCR-231. JP #1 Farris to ETMC to pronounce death.

Brrrr! Chilly! That seems to be the thought of everyone this week as big cold snap comes through our County. The wind is what makes it seem worse than it really is. We've grown spoiled the last few years with the mild winter weather. Everybody except Shelba Black thinks it's chilly. Shelba advised she doesn't like to wear coats…..Oh, she takes one with her alright, but generally just leaves it in the car.

* Mirabeau B. Lamar followed Houston's first term as President. Lamar was just the opposite from Houston. Where Houston was surmised as a brawler and a fighter, Lamar was a man of culture, very-well educated, even a poet. But each diverged from their supposed path upon assuming the Presidency. Houston, as President, was patient, forgiving, and diplomatic, while Lamar, at least where Indians or Mexico were concerned, outwardly was far more aggressive.

I heard a tale just a few days ago regarding Mr. Jerry Don Sanders of Fairfield…..Jerry Don has just celebrated his retirement at Community National Bank (what most of us still refer to as First National out of long habit). Jerry Don, just like his father Ashley before him, has always been the perfect gentleman. Quiet spoken, humorous, unceasingly polite…..The type of guy who always holds the door open while others walk through…..An all around model citizen…..But it seems that our Good Friend Jerry Don has a dark and seamy side, one of which he never speaks! I have received information that he was guilty over 40 years ago of defacing State-owned property with a can of spray paint. As I heard the story only two participants were involved, and my source has diligently sworn that only one of the two could have possibly handled the spelling of one of the words used! Yep, Ol' Jerry Don had the effrontery to travel to a rival football town, just before the big game, and write upon a bridge for Fairfield to 'annihilate' the rival town's football team! The other culprit involved swears he could never have written 'annihilate', for that is a word just not in his vocabulary. He looked so sincere when he said that and I believe him, too. It all points heavily towards Ol' Jerry Don.....Am currently checking on the Statute of Limitations on this heinous crime. It may be lengthy due to it involving State-owned property, even though over 4 decades ago! Please do not mention this to Jerry Don, if word gets out, he might flee the country, trying to dodge a warrant to be served! Poor, poor Miss Alma Grace……after all these years…..to find out her son's criminal past! And we all thought so much of him…..

Icy roads and wrecks on Tuesday….DPS Alewine to rollover, Mile 205. Car down embankment, Mile 210. DPs warren to bridge blocked by 18- Wheeler, Mile 212. Another down the embankment, Mile 206. More troubles, Mile 212. Another, Mile 205. Dew VFD to another, Hwy. 179. There were more wrecks, just too many to mention. One, unfortunately was a fatality at Mile 210, a child, Hispanic family carrying one child to appointment at Children's Hospital, involved in accident, another child killed, father paralyzed below waist. Sad. When weather turns sour like this, the Officers, ambulances and Fire Trucks are running helter-skelter, from one to the next.

*Santa Anna, upon reassuming power in Mexico, had sent a portion of his army back north into Texas, in the spring of 1842, under General Vasquez to capture San Antonio. They would occupy San Antonio less than a week, then depart to the south. Later, in September, 1842 a second invasion transpired under General Woll. This again was short-lived, 60 prisoners were captured, including the officers of the District Court, with a quick trip back to the Rio Grande. It was Santa Anna's intent most apparently to tweak the nose of this upstart Republic of Texas. The reason for his doing this? It was just a matter of payback, for you see Mirabeau B.Lamar, prior to Houston again becoming President, had ordered a Texas Army, accompanied by traders, to assume control of the major town in what is now modern day New Mexico, Santa Fe. This expedition had resulted in surrender by the Texans of their 250 man army, then their being marched to Mexico and kept as prisoners. Santa Anna ordered his troops to San Antonio in reprisal for Santa Fe.

Motor Home just north of Buffalo, towing boat trailer, just lost two wheels off the latter. WPD to CEFCO, two subjects trying to fight. Multiple VFD's to sawmill fire on South 75. Not the saw mill, just the bark and refuse. Mobile home afire, FCR- 1051, threatening another, Kirvin, Southern Oaks, Teague, Wortham and Fairfield to same. TPD Reed to loud music on Monroe.

Deputy Shaw and DPS Alewine to cow/car accident, FM-1365. Also to RV reported broken into, FCR-275. Deputy Aldrich arrests man on Lakeshore Drive, Warrant of Arrest. Pickup vandalized, FCR- 445. Mother/Daughter Troubles on Johnson, FPD to same. DPS Crais assists Lady with flat tire, IH-45. Southern Oaks VFD to US-287, traffic control at accident. Streetman VFD, FEMS and Fairfield VFD to two vehicle accident, Old 75.

*President Houston, once again in office by now, upon hearing of Mexoco's military flexing of the muscles, would order an impromptu Texas Army, under General Somerville, to march to the Rio Grande in a show of force against the Mexicans. The good General was under explicit orders not to bring about a war with Mexico, just brandish their weapons, make a good show of it, hopefully this would keep the Mexican Army at bay, beyond the Rio Grande.

THDEMS to FCR-866, man passed out, struck head. FEMS and Teague VFD to FCR-930, man dizzy. More wrecks still occurring. Susan Bruce, Highway Patrol Secretary estimates about 20 in our rural areas. 18 Wheeler laid on side, Mile 206, driver has head trauma, Doctor Chopper can't fly due to icing. Deputy Jeremy Shipley to/from the Bradshaw Unit, Prisoner Transport.

TPD Reed to US-84, man threatening woman. 911 Bounce advises "someone just beat the @%$#&^ out of her" at the Honey Hole in Limestone County, transferred to Limestone County S.O. Deputy Elom to ER, cat bitten by family kitty. Deputy House to Lincoln Alley, Streetman, Husband/Wife Troubles, split up last night, tonight she says he came back, broke window. Deputies to FM- 488 to execute an Arrest Warrant, during room to room search for the Wanted Individual, Dep. Clayton Aldrich observes narcotics. In Jail now, Marijuana and Controlled Substance.

*General Somerville did as he had been instructed….He had shown the flag, captured Laredo on the east side of the Rio Grande and turned his army back toward the east. But at this point, as often happens, plans went astray….A group of the men, somewhat mutinous, numbering 300, decided that they would, completely on their own, invade the sovereign nation of Mexico. Make no mistake, some of these men were firebrands, would rather fight than eat. Mostly they were young men, ready to accept any challenge, bold in every way. Their actions, as independents, were very much against the wishes of Sam Houston.

Deputies Shaw and House to Family Troubles, FCR-930. Man turns self in at Jail, Failure To Register as Sex Offender. Deputy John Aultman to report of woman breaking into man's house, FCR-161, fled without her shoes. Teague and Mexia Firemen to travel trailer afire, FCR-975. FPD Foree to Jail with young man, Possession of Controlled Substance. DPS Putz jails young man who approached him in Courthouse, wanted to surrender himself on Warrant, request complied with!

DPS Thornton to rollover accident, Mile 196. THDEMS to Matthew Lane, Lady ill. TPD Cox to Criminal Trespass problems on Jackson. Electricity out on 9th, Teague, Oncor notified. Deputy Aldrich gets confession from son, admits stealing/forging checks on his Mother. Fairfield VFD to electrical fire, on pole, near Gilberto's. TxDOT to Red Light troubles, 75 and 84. Dog barking on Mulberry. TPD Sykora to 9th, son out of control. Woman calls to advise she and husband in a brawl, does not want an officer, just wanted to tell us, both drinking.

*The 300 who had separated themselves from the Texas Army, entered into a very bold strategy. By boats, they went downstream, under their newly elected leader, Colonel William Fisher, from Laredo to the west bank of the Rio Grande. The town where they stopped would be of insignificance had it not been for their decision to capture it. And the name of this insignificant Mexican town would blaze across Texas and future generations of Texans until time shall be no more. These 300 would go down in our history as the Mier Expedition….. There may be some who do not recognize this name today, but if I mention the life and death result of drawing a black bean…..Yes, I can tell already, this is a tale with which you are familiar…..No, possibly you didn't remember the significance of that particular word, Mier, but you do very much recall those men being forced by their Mexican captors to draw dry beans from a large jug, the white beans meant life, the black beans meant death. It is a part of Texas History that will linger and be remembered as long as there is a Texas……And it is a very interesting tale to read….And I will finish this tale for each of you……Next Week….So tune back in….And Merry Christmas to all of you. Next week's installment will be your New Year's gift.

DPS Thornton, FEMS and Fairfield VFD to car flipped in median, Mile 196. County Judge Linda Grant sends Lady downstairs to Jail. Deputy House to West 27, chain cut, trailer with 4- Wheeler stolen. Dep. Howerton to Jail with young man, Revocation of Probation. THDEMS to Field House, appears to be an allergic reaction on a 15 year old.

To VFW on Friday for Courthouse Christmas Party and Awards Presentation. Our thanks to the VFW and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary for their very gracious hosting of this event. Smell of Natural Gas at FM-27 and FCR- 1261, XTO contacted and enroute. Young man cuts class, Deputies looking for same, found. Teens reported walking the tops of the guardrails, FM- 489 Overpass above IH-45.

TPD Solly to vandalized mail truck at 9th and Mulberry. DPS Adams and FEMS to accident, FM-489. Deputy Howerton to complaint one neighbor broke another's water line, East 84. DPS adams, Southern Oaks VFD and FEMS to accident, FM-488 at US-287. TPD Solly and JP #3 Beth Ireland to S. 7th, Natural Death. Meanwhile, on Barbara Drive, TPD Solly to profanities written on side of man's vehicle.

Two tank cars at Teague Railroad yard putting off very bad odor, Teague VFD and THDEMS to same, 2 crew members requesting medical attention. TPD Howard to Peeping Tom report, US-84. DPS Crais jails DWI, US-84. FPD Kindon to Carter, man struck woman in face. Dew VFD to burning vehicle, Mile 187. TPD to N. 3rd, report business broken into. TPD Howard and Sykora arrest the two suspects for Controlled Substance violations. FPD to small, gray truck at soccer field, making donuts.

TPD Solly to a "it's my weekend, she won't let me have the kids" problem on Jefferson. Air let out of tires, FCR-1151. WPD to barn burglarized near cemetery. Traveling Kirby Vacuum Cleaner salesman causing concerns in east end of County. DPS Crais arrests all occupants in vehicle, IH-45, Marijuana Possession. TPD Howard to Dap's, customers verbally abusive toward employee. Lady hears voices outside, Lakewood, Deputy Harrison finds none, apparently left prior to his arrival. FPD assists Lady who just fell on back porch, Anderson Lane.

Diabetic troubles cause bad driving, IH-45, DPS Crais, FEMS and Dew VFD all assist, when sugar level raised all okay. Mr. Elom changes flat tire for Lady, Mile 196. Suspicious vehicle reported at house, FCR- 298….Deputy Robert Elom to same….All okay, the Lady in the car grew up in this old, abandoned house… Just doing a little reminiscing of days and events long ago….There's the tree Johnny fell out of when he was 8, still there after all these years…..Look, look, the old flat rock Mama sat her clothes basket on at the clothes line…..Memories.

Post Oak and US-84, kids chunking eggs at passing cars. DPS Alewine arrests motorist, US-84, Limestone County Warrant. Deputy Robert Willis to/from Palestine, prisoner transport.

Former President of the United States, Bill Clinton in Teague on Saturday, attending Funeral Service for Greg Huber of Teague ISD. Greg's Mother was a part of the 'inner circle', assisting with the Presidential daughter, Chelsea, during their White House years.

Monkey Carroll has the Christmas Lights up…..What a sight. Probably one of the best customers in the history of TXU. Would not be surprised that TXU doesn't send him a Christmas Card along with his bill every December! Christmas Day will be Thursday and our hope and prayer for each of you is that you have a glorious day, with plenty of Family and Friends, good food, and a true understanding of what this particular day is all about…..And your Credit Cards are not Maxed out and you still have a little jingle and folding green paper left in your pocket!

Until Next Week…..RALPH BILLINGS