Sheriff's Report Number 445- Good friend Fred Albers tells that he got an inch of rain at his house…..then he noticed that he hadn't pushed the gauge all the way down to the bottom of the holder. One inch shrank to seven tenths, but he allowed he was thankful for every drop. We all were. And the temperature dropped about twenty five degrees to boot!

Grassfire reported behind apartments on McDonald, FPD Tiner gets it out, saves a run by the Firemen. Possible stolen property found in alley behind Pine, Teague. TPD Howard to Brookshire Brothers, problematic customer. Deputy Shipley to FCR-911, located man others were concerned over. Donie VFD and THDEMS to chest pains on Walnut Street, Donie.

Man 911's, boating on Richland Chambers, his boat stuck on top of a large sandbar, right in the middle. Three minutes later reports he got off…..Cancel the ocean-going tugboat! I'm not much of a boater, but I do know when you get in this predicament, the quickest thing to try….Just step out onto the sandbar….That boat will rise. Loose cattle, North 75. Deputy Shaw to disagreement over kids, North FM-80, grandparents have custody, son making threats to come and take them.

Deputy Elom to theft of saddle, FCR-930. Wortham VFD to assist Mexia FD, fire at recycling place. TPD Sykora and Reed arrest two females at Apartment Complex, Assault Warrants. FPD Irion arrests motorist on McLennan County Warrant. FPD Tiner gets another, multiple City of Fairfield Warrants. Suspicious folks reported, Donie.

911 Bounce advises of grassfire, Mile 170, Leon County advised. Lightning strike affects gas plant near Streetman, strong gas smell in Rustling Oaks, Southern Oaks VFD responds. Fircracker poppin' in Wortham on Stubbs, WPD Ladasau to same. Wortham VFD and Mexia EMS to Twin Circle Drive, man convulsing. More fireworks, FCR-841, Hwy-179. More rain on Monday. Hey, we had rain on Sunday, now on Monday….That's two consecutive days….Been more than a little while since we had that!

Oakwood, Butler and Fairfield VFD's to structure fire, FCR-300. THDEMS to FCR-1090, bad back spasms. Tree falls across road, S. Bateman. TPD Sykora to Chestnut, someone drunk at house causing mayhem. Lady calls, informs Dispatcher Retha that Michael Jackson not the king of Pop….Elvis was….He invented it. Starving dog reported on S. 6th in Teague.

TPD Martin to high crime and fowl play in Teague…..Lady reports sign stolen out of her yard…..Sign read "Guinea Crossing." Deputy Elom to FCR-661, Lady reports had to fight off a dog with her cane. Says same dog tore up the seat on her Mule (the motorized kind). Dog's owner says he'll take care of the dog and repair the seating of the Mule. I don't blame him….besides being the right thing to do…..sounds like she's pretty handy with that cane!

*During this same week in 1856 Camp Verde was established between Bandera and Kerrville. It was located in a creek bottom, from which it took its name. This was a small outpost, not rated by the Army as a Fort but rather by the designation of Camp. Camps were set up by the Army designating outposts for the soldiers of a more temporary nature, usually lasting a few years, then being advanced forward to another location leaving the original site abandoned.

*Camp Verde still exists in part to this very day, but is on privately owned land and potential viewers are unable to gain access. A short distance away, down the creek, lies what we now know as the Camp Verde General Store. This is a gem from the past. A three story building with a large front porch. The lower story is dug into the hillside and is in actuality a basement. Access to this basement is gained through a large wooden trap door from the main floor of the old store. In times past I'm sure this furnished a place of cooling for the occupants, plus a refuge for safety, for remember, this was the very edge of the Texas frontier when established. Today, it is large, roomy and air conditioned, a refuge from the summer heat. Well-built and longlasting, it has served the area well for a century and a half.

*What is noteworthy about the establishment of Camp Verde and the General Store? Nothing out of the ordinary from any number of other such Army Camps…. other that the fact that this was the base of operations where the U.S. Camel Corps conducted their trials with imported camels. This was an experiment in attempting to find an animal able to carry a heavier load with less water consumption requirements than the Army mule, for usage in the arid American Southwest. The idea had been approved by then Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. All today know that Davis would later be the President of the Confederate States during the Civil War.

*The camels were purchased half a world away and transported on a U.S. Navy vessel under the command of Lt. David Porter. Porter would make his own mark in just a few years hence, writing his own chapter of American history, engaged in naval action from the mouth of the Mississippi River northward, on the opposite side in the conflict from Jeff Davis. The camels were unloaded on the Texas coast at Indianola, rested, then began their march to Camp Verde. Three camel drivers/tenders were also imported with the load of camels, from the south shores of the Mediterranean. The camels, over time, were roundly cussed by most Army personnel. They saw service across present day New Mexico, Arizona and California. Yes, they could haul far larger loads on their backs (about 700 pounds), and yes they could go far longer without water…. But they seemed to have an even worse temperament than the Army mule, then so widely used. Not only did they bite, just as the mule, but they also had the disgusting ability to spit foul juices upon their handlers. Often the mere sight of these lumbering, longlegged Biblical creatures would stampede horses and mules.

*The Camel Experiment would pass into oblivion within just a few short years. No, the camels were not found lacking in their ability….It was just that war clouds were gathering over our land. A great Civil War was looming. Texas sided with the Confederacy during this conflict and all U.S. posts were shut down, the men peacefully withdrawn. This would be the case at Camp Verde. And the camels at Camp Verde? Their numbers had multiplied, but the coming war dictated their dismissal from service. Some were sold, others merely turned loose. Camp Verde would be reoccupied by Federal troops following the close of the Civil War for a few more short years, then the troops withdrawn, moved on to other frontier locations…..But without the camels. This would be the U.S. Army's last venture into alternate beasts of burden. They would hereafter stick exclusively to mules and horses until mechanization began to take place just prior to the First World War, about the time of Pershing's attempted capture of Pancho Villa in northern Mexico. But that is another story waiting to be told….. If you find yourself in the Kerrville/Fredericksburg/ Bandera area, stop by the Camp Verde General Store, right on the main highway between Kerrville and Bandera, an interesting place.

Report of man exposing himself to others, IH-45 Rest Area, Deputy Shipley arrived within 9 minutes but the man and his Honda both long gone. To Courthouse for Defibrilator Training. Those things are pretty sophisticated now; talk to you, tell you to stay calm, tells you each step to perform, repeats the instructions if you mess up, won't deliver electrical current until the machine's internal "brain" tells it that the heart is definitely in trouble and does need a little jolt. Very impressive technology.

Received 1.5 inches of most welcome rain at my residence. More needed but glad to get every drop. TPD jails man on Poplar, assaulted his girl friend. FPD Kindon jails motorist on Morris County Warrant. Call advises man threatening to kill himself on Big Lake, Dep. Shaw able to speak to the girlfriend on phone, but she didn't know where he was at…..Never could get him on the phone, nor locate him. Hopefully, as she said he was drunk, he just fell asleep and slept it off.

Railroad Crossing problem in Wortham, arms down, Union Pacific notified. Road Rage between two drivers, IH- 45, Retha gave sound advice, pull over, drink a coke, let the other party get well ahead by 20-30 minutes, then proceed with the journey. " Hey, that's a good idea, I'll do it. Thank you so much." Another of same general type, one throwing bottles at another, car to car. Very doubtful that the background music playing on the car radio was Mister Rogers singing "It's a Lovely Day in the Neighborhood!"

52 year old man on Spruce believed having heart attack. Has history of such. THDEMS, Teague VFD and Doctor Chopper all assisting. Deputy Clayton Aldrich arrests man in RV Park, Fairfield, two Ellis County Warrants. FPD Kindon to Jail with young Lady, City Warrant. Dep. Robertson to/from Richmond, Texas, prisoner transport.

Friend of long standing takes own life, Teague, TPD Cox and Howard to same. WPD Ladusau arrests man on warrant, Mexia. Deputies Diana Willis and Thomas Hendrix to report of malnourished and dead horses, East 84. Butler VFD and FEMS to East 84, complaint of chest pains. Deputy Aultman to FCR-352 on stolen TV, broken winows. FEMS and Streetman VFD to Mile 211, passenger in car, age 10 years, having a seizure. Electrical outage in Streetman. Car breaks down in Jack In Box Drive-Thru. TPD Reed to call Lady on Cypress, bicycle problem.

Electrical troubles on Walnut in Teague, wires sparking on pole. Deputies Aldrich and Willis to FCR- 430, 16 year old out of control. TPD Solly arrests motorist, Mary Jane. Complaint of unwanted person, FCR-271. Mailbox assaulted, FCR-941. Donie youth reported runaway. Alzheimers problem on FM-80. TPD Noll arrests Lady on Fairfield Warrants. FEMS and Teague VFD to possible heart problems, S. 8th. Missing cow and calf, FM-80.

FEMS to Boyd Unit, Inmate with asthma problems. Dep. Robert Willis to Family Troubles, FCR-671. THDEMS and Fairfield VFD to FCR-506, dog knocked Lady down unexpectedly. Phone wire cut, stolen, crossing FM-489. Hay and Hay Baler fire, East 84, Butler and Fairfield VFD's to same. Mister Elom to FCR-553 to assist a non-English speaking Lady who reported she had a snake in the house. Now that is always an exciting occurrence…. But when one of the participants can't speak English, everything magnifies ten-fold. Good Ol' Mr. Elom knew just enough Spanish to realize that "grande" meant LARGE snake! And, when one of the danged things is INSIDE your house…..They are all LARGE!

Man remanded to Jail from District Court, 18 months. FPD Tiner arrests Lady on Warrant. Fairfield VFD to truck tires on fire, Henry Brown Road. Pct. #1 Jackie Withers to tree blocking road, FCR-240. WPD Peters to report of stolen 4-Wheeler on West Concho. Corsicana EMS and Streetman VFD to East Lubbock, Lady pale, shaky. At same time, FEMS and Streetman VFD to Runnels, possible heat stroke.

To Dallas to attend Retirement Ceremony for Col. Stanley Clark, Director of Texas DPS. Stan and I went through the DPS Academy together many years ago. There were several of us present from our class. My, how all of those other classmates have aged through the years!.....Stan is a good man, a straight arrow. We wish him well.

TPD Solly arrests female motorist, Cocaine residue. TPD Sykora gets another, Teague City Warrant, expired registration and inspection. Deputies Aldrich and McGowan patrolling in Streetman, had man run from a house and tell them to get out of the patrol car and threw his can of beer on the ground…..Of course, they quickly obliged, found him to be very inebriated, placed him under arrest and furnished him a ride to the Jail!

Man calls, receiving a Spanish station on his TV, wants an officer to come and look at his TV antenna. I guess maybe he thought we could determine whether it was an English-speaking TV antenna or a Spanish only type! Deputies assist with tire change for Christian Builders, a group that travels around furnishing free labor to build Churches.

Essie Dove called from Wortham, pole cat sprayed her porch, and that it "got somebody else good." She asked if we wanted to come and get the "stinker." Told her no, we already had plenty of stinkers up here! Someone telephones, says Deputies driving too slow, everybody is afraid to pass them. Kids making too much noise on N. 7th, having a good time. TPD Solly and Miller round them all up, send 'em home.

Had another big turnout for the Dogan Alumni Association. We chunked out lots of candy, Robert Jackson and I. Horses, floats, the Eagles Band. People traveled in from all over the country for this Homecoming. Everybody had a big time, laughing, cutting up. Large numbers from Dallas, Houston as well as the West Coast. Had a very good visit with a Mr. Garrett who left our County shortly after World War II, retired, living in Killeen area, comes back faithfully. Spends his time now doing volunteer work.

FEMS to Boyd Unit, low blood sugar troubles. Teague Firemen to Camaro on fire, US-84. Deputy Elom to camphouse break-in, FCR-275. Teague City workers to equipment struck water line call. Severall 911's bounce in from US-84, Prairie Hill area, bad car wreck, Limestone County advised. Suspicious person walking around Oil Field Warehouse…..Ooops! Never mind, he works for us. WPD Carter arrests motorist on Warrant.

FPD to complaint on kids, Love's. Report of spot-lighting, FCR-751. THDEMS to residence on FM-1365, Lady reported by caller "not making sense." Complaint on rocks thrown at window, Teague Housing Authority. TPD Solly arrests male motorists, Methamphetamine. Lady on Cypress reports she has lost her Kirvin boyfriend, has looked high and low, still can't find him. Deputies House and McGowan to loud music complaint, Southern Oaks Boat Ramp, one arrested on Warrant for Hot Checkin'.

Search Warrant executed FM-489, weapons, Meth, scales and other items used in narcotics seized. One man, one woman to Jail on charge of Manufacture/Deliver Controlled Substance. THDEMS and Teague VFD, plus Doctor Chopper, all assisting man with chest pains, S. 7th. TPD Noll and Miller to Chumney, report of kids wanting to fight, have a big rumble. Loose cattle, FM- 488 at Tehuacana Creek.

Dispute over tractor, FM- 80, and the tractor already carried back to Buffalo by the owner. Dew VFD to burning tree, FCR-471. FPD Kindon to family causing problems, Burger King. Complaint of beer truck blocking entrance to Post Office, Streetman.

That ought to be enough for this week. It has been a full week. Don't forget about the Ike Carden Rodeo at the Fair Grounds, next weekend……

Until Next Week . . . RALPH BILLINGS