Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

In the late 1920’s and culminating in 1931, there was a row betwixt Texas and Oklahoma that almost could have turned into a shooting war! This was all over a toll bridge across the Red River that divides the two. Howitzers were rolled into position on the Oklahoma side up against Texas Rangers armed on the other. But I am repeating myself, Texas Rangers are always armed as far I’ve ever known.

There were also mobs, Native Americans, bootleggers, and did I mention angry mobs? The ruckus was over private ferrys, bridges, and any other sort of crossing the Red River. This confrontation ended all. As far as I know there were no shots fired!

Wouldn’t you know, the Nocona Rotary Club is holding a fund raiser for the author of a book by the title of The Red River Bridge War. It seems that there was a time when Texas could not get along with any of our neighbors! We still have a state motto of “Don’t Mess with Texas”, but we have grown much more diverse and mellow. I don’t know whether it is that or if our kids would run from a grasshopper, or what.

Could it be the immigration of folks from the other 49 states that have made this remarkable change ? To my knowledge no visitor or new resident-to-be has ever been turned back at our borders. This did happen in California when the dust bowl caused a mass migration to that state from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and possibly others for folks trying to survive. We also welcome many convoys of “snow birds” or Winter Texans from northern states who are tired of the cold and snow. Don’t mind our accents, or TexMex mixture and we won’t laugh at yours! Just Sayin…RJS

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Thanks for the history lesson RJ. I'm glad to see you are up to telling us more stories. I hope you're feeling better, and on the road to recovery.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Well, I think we are now waiting on the decision about whether to cut me open and insert a pace maker,
or send me home for the Holiday. My position is if It needs to be done down the road a few months, just
go ahead and bite the bullet. Get er Done! But what do I know? Just Sayin...RJS

Slimshady Loc: Central Pennsylvania

RJ. Let the dr make the decision and just go along. We enjoy having you here to school us so take care of yourself. Good story and one I hadn’t heard before. Thank you

El Rod Loc: Port A

Mr. Samples, thank you for that story. Very interesting thing about people and borders. You seem to be doing better and I pray you have some good Doctors to handythe pacemaker 😎👍

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

El Rod: Yes, I think they are tops, and did a good job diagnosing my problem and finally giving me a pace maker. Just Sayin...RJS

El Rod Loc: Port A

🙏👍😎