Sheriff's Report Number 417- Deputy Shipley to report of loose goats, FM-2777. TxDOT notified of glass on pavement, North 75. JP Debbie Hamilton and TPD Cox to Natural Death on Magnolia. Kitchen at Teague High broken into. Dep. Scott Shaw jails man on two Warrants.

TPD Sykora arrests female motorist, Possession of Mary Jane. TPD Reed to S. 8th, Lady's door has new marks on it from attempted prying by party unknown. TPD Reed to Cypress, kids throwing wood at Lady's front door. Passing motorist advises lynx or leopard in median north of Mile 204, Game Warden Thorne advised. Deputy Willis arrests motorist, IH-45, Possession of Marijuana.

*Last week we started another tale from our State's past history. I'll give you the rest of it in this week's column. Just watch for the asterisks*….. They'll lead you through the tale.

*Texas' 300 man, selfappointed expeditionary force, after fighting on Christmas Day, had opted to surrender, by majority vote, to the Mexican Army, on Dec. 26th, at Mier. They were assembled and marched as a body, to the south, toward Mexico City, under close guard. Their treatment was harsh. Remember, there was little love lost between the Mexicans and Texans. They had been fighting one another for several years by 1842. Both sides bore animosities, still lingering. Remember also, these Texans were very independent and bold men. From the Mexican point of view, these Texans were invaders and bandits, not even acting under the wishes of their own government. Were they on the high seas they would have been called pirates….But this is not an original thought for that is exactly what they were referred to as being….. By none other than the ruler of Mexico himself, General Santa Anna.

Deputy Robert Willis jails motorist off US-84, Bosque County Warrant. On Pelican Point on the Big Lake, a Lady is cooking, sets off her alarm system, fortunately for Southern Oaks VFD that was the only damage. Older man, unsure of his address shows up at pharmacy in Teague, THDEMS to same, also TPD Solly. Loose bull, FM-488, owner contacted. FEMS to Calvary Baptist, young girl fell, ankle possibly broken.

FPD to Carter in Fairfield, Lady being threatened by evicted party's boyfriend. TPD Reed arrests man found inside box car on Railroad, Teague. DPS Putz arrests DWI, Mile 213. Deputy Clayton Aldrich to Domestic Problem in downtown Kirvin. Streetman and Southern Oaks VFD's to chimney fire in Navarro County. TPD Reed to Domestic Problems on N. 9th…..He hurt her, she don't need an ambulance, he's not been drinking, but she has…. A very common tale around Christmas.

More Domestic Problems on Spruce. THDEMS to FCR- 681, Lady shaking uncontrollably. FEMS, FPD Warren and Foree to Church Street, drunk man just choked female….He was uncooperative, got pepper sprayed, carried to Jail, Aggravated Assault Family Violence and Interfere With Emergency Call. DPS Warren to accident near west County Line, US-84. FEMS to Williford, Lady just fainted.

*Our bold 300, tiring of the daily forced marching, inadequately fed, traveling further away from the river bottoms they called home, staged a mass escape from a town named Saltillo. This newly won freedom would be short-lived. The prisoners fled away from the main road, all traveling to the north, Texas their goal. But, alas, it was not to be….No food, little water, footgear and clothing, already well worn, now breaking down further. They were forced to the eating of insects and grass and drinking their own urine. It was probably merciful that the Mexican Army located and again recaptured this bold group of men, only after following the Texans far enough across the dry Mexican desert that they observed the escapees had dropped their heavy weapons in their stumbling quest northward for Texas.

Two men dump dead calf off creek bridge, FCR-970, license plate copied, Environmental Officer to same. TPD Cox arrests woman on Busby for Criminal Trespass. DPS Alewine arrests 97 MPH speeder, DWI and Failure to Identify. Also gets another for Possession of Mary Jane. FEMS to Boyd Unit, Inmate having repeated seizures. TPD Reed to Busby, Father/Son Troubles. TPD Reed to two brothers trying to lock up on S. 11th, both threatening to kill the other, both now in Jail for Terroristic Threat. Hey, fellas, it's Christmas…..Whatever happened to Peace on Earth, Good will to Men?

Call comes in from Oakwood states man causing problems….He's on drugs, he's gay, and he's trying to take her cigarettes….Leon County S.O. advised. Lady complains Ex is harassing her both in person and over phone. Deputy Clayton Aldrich in process of putting up loose horses near Country Club, man stops to assist….Next thing, Clayton is calling for FEMS, the man who was assisting appears to be having a heart probem.

Deputy Aldrich responds to squabble over who will get the grandkids, FCR-511, located in Fairfield, kids returned. Diesel stolen, FCR-235. Deputy House to sister/brother troubles, FCR-930….. And on FCR- 1220……Come…They called to him, Puh Rum Puh pum pum, Rum Puh pum pum. Yep, you might recognize that rendering as the opening words to that Christmas favorite, Little Drummer Boy….and from the reports received from FCR- 1220, he was alive and well, and most definitely tuning up the entire neighborhood on Christmas evening, but when Deputy House arrived, he had already shut down his performance.

DPS Warren jails motorist on IH-45, Hunt County Warrant. DPS Thornton to accident, FCR-901. Woman reports her car stolen at F&P, car later found, she didn't want to file charges. Ham, dressing, turkey and all the trimmings served at the Jail for Christmas dinner. Pet bird loose on China. Doctor Chopper to Wortham, 16 year old mangled leg on 4-Wheeler. FEMS to Travis, man with chest pains. Deputy House to Loud Music, FCR-1250.

Deputy Elom and FPD Green to US-84 report of man and woman walking down road, cussing, hollering at one another. She accepted a ride to the house. And the man? He opted to refuse a ride anywhere, decided he'd just walk to Palestine! Deputy Elom to loud party in Wildwood, FCR- 536. DPS Alewine jails DWI, Mile 205. Report of man running down side of IH-45, wearing nothing but a shirt. When located by DPS found to have shoes and a jacket on, combative, carried to ER, awaiting Mental Commitment.

*Those surviving Texans captured in the desolate Mexican desert countryside were marched back to the main route of travel, but word filtered back that General Santa Anna had ordered that they all be shot. Diplomats from foreign countries, serving in Mexico City, learned of Santa Anna's order and were able to get the number reduced to ten per cent of their number.

WPD to West Trinity, someone trying to get in a house. Also to San Saba, drunk brother in-law trying to beat down a door. DPS Adams arrests female motorist on City of Fairfield Warrants. DPS Crais arrests motorist, Marijuana. Also gets another on Limestone County Hot Checkin' Warrant. DPS Warren arrests motorist, Mile 206, Tarrant County Warrant, another Hot Checker. Donie VFD and TXU to FCR-764, large metal building flips over onto hot wire during high winds. DPS Warren, Thornton and Crais to west 84, car struck house. Game Warden John Thorne arrests man on Bond Forfeiture Warrant.

*How does a man decide, upon receipt of governmental orders, who will live and who will die, in a fair manner? I am at a loss to tell you how it was decided to have the prisoners draw the black and white beans, nor do I know whose idea it was….Whether orders from Mexico City or an officer of the Mexican Army on scene. At any rate, it was conducted democratically. 159 white beans and 17 white beans were all dumped in a large clay jug. Enough room at the top for a man to reach inside with his hand and arm, but until completely withdrawn, there was no way to know or sense which color bean had been chosen. Every man lined up, every man took his turn. Every man drew a bean. 17 beans drawn were black. 17 men were shot. The survivors, following the executions, were immediately ordered to march south, once again toward Mexico City and imprisonment.

Wortham VFD to burning hay bales, North 14. FPD Foree jails subject with Marijuana. Threats made over computer, FCR-414.

*The survivors of our original 300 arrived in Mexico City and harsh imprisonment was their lot in life. Slowly they whiled away their time. Hard labor on most days, used for road building, ditch digging and pulling wagons loaded with manure, rocks or refuse. They were held in Perote Prison, along with some of those whom had been earlier captured at Santa Fe, as well as the prisoners captured in San Antonio by General Woll. This latter group had been the reason as you recall for the original military demonstration ordered by Sam Houston and led by General Somerville, at the beginning of this writing. A few managed to escape from Perote Prison. It would be late in 1844 that Santa Anna, under diplomatic pressure, would order the release of remaining prisoners. They would return to Texas in 1844 just prior to Texas and the United States becoming one nation….And shortly after this event many of these same former prisoners would again be returning to Mexico, but this time as part of the invasion forces of the United States….At this point, they would be participating in another war, what we refer to today as the Mexican- American War. Most of these men would return to Mexico with a vengeance, and yes, vengeance was very much on most of their minds. It was evident to the Mexican Army and civilian population both….It was just as evident to their own US Army commanders. Oh, these US Army men loved the aggressive manner of fighting these Texans displayed, but they were a rough group of men, ever faithful to exact revenge on their Mexican foes, and that is what the Army men abhored…..But that is another tale for another time…..

Well, folks, that is about it for the Sheriff's Report this week, and also this year. This was a week which had many people on the road. This was a week also when there were many reports of reckless drivers, speeders, people drinking, etc. Our hope for all is that 2008 was a banner year for you and your families. Our further hope is that 2009 turns out far better than many are predicting. We'll have a new President in about three weeks. Let's throw our support behind the guy, see what he and Congress can do. He'll need our support, as well as our prayers. We, as Americans, can accomplish the nearimpossible….. If we all pull together, and that is exactly what we need right now.

Until Next Week…..RALPH BILLINGS