Rains County Leader (Emory, Tex.), Vol. 121, No. 4, Ed. 1 Tuesday, July 1, 2008 Page: 3 of 14
fourteen pages : ill. ; page 25 x 15 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
TUESDAY, JULY 1,2008
Bains Countu Leader El
Would You Risk It All for Freedom?
By John W. Whitehead
, The Rutherford Institute
“Dissent isthe greatest—
form of patriotism.”
- Thomas Jefferson
Let me tell you a story about
56 men who risked everything -
their fortunes and their lives - to
take a stand for truth.
These men laid everything on
the line, pledged it all - "our
Lives, our Fortunes, and our
sacred Honor” - because they
believed in a radical idea: that all
people are created to be free.
They believed that the rights we
possess are, in their words, given
to us by the Creator. At the heart
of these rights is freedom. The
freedom to speak, to think and to
stand up for ideas - even when
it’s not popular to do so, even
when it’s dangerous to do so.
Labeled traitors, these men
were charged with treason, a
crime punishable by death. For
some, their acts of rebellion
would cost them their homes ajid
• •, their fortunes. For others, it
would be the ultimate price -
their lives. Yet even knowing the
heavy price they might have to
pay, these men dared to speak up
when silence could not be toler-
ated.—™—--
Their signatures, famously
scribbled 01^ a piece of parch-
ment, expressed their unfettered
willingness to Speak out against
the most powerful empire in the
world. These 56 men were the
signers of the Declaration of
Independence.
Some we remember for their
later accomplishments - such as
Thomas Jefferson and John
Adams, both of whom went on to
serve as American presidents.
But there were others -,such as
Lewis Morris, Carter Braxton,
Thomas Nelson and Richard
Stockton - who do not often get
mentioned, who sought not glory
but rather a cause. They knew
that sacrifice was necessary to
secure freedom, and they were
willing to make the sacrifice.
Lewis Morris lost his entire
estate. The British ravaged and
destroyed it, sending his family
fleeing in desperation with
nowhere to go. - -- -.....
Carter Braxton’s entire career
and way of life were decimated.
Losing his ships to the British
Navy, his shipping company was
forever lost and he was never
able to revive it. ~
Thomas Nelson’s price for lib-
erty was to the tune of $2 million
- and that was in 1776. He ran up
the $2 million credit debt for the
"Patriots’ Cause.” In the end,
repaying the debt cost him his
entire estate. He died bankrupt
and was buried in an unmarked
grave.
Richard Stockton paid dearly
also. Once a prominent judge, he
gave up his cherished seat on the
bench to fight for liberty. For his
decision, he was dragged from
his bed and tortured by British
soldiers.
All in all, of those 56 signers,
9 died during the Revolution, 5
were captured by British sol-
diers, 18 had their homes looted
and burned by the Red Coats, 2
were wounded in battle and 2
lost their sons during the war.
Remarkably, these men - who
were community leaders, busi-
ness owners, judges, lawyers and
inventors - sacrificed-their lives,
their fortunes and their sacred
honor so that you and I could live
freely in a nation where we have
the right to stand up and speak
out.
There are many mote stories
of heroic patriots throughout
American history who have
risked it all to preserve the free-
doms we possess. Most of them
have come from radically differ-
ent walks of life - different
upbringings, different educa-
tions, different ideas. But the one
thing that unites them is their
love of and commitment to free-
dom and their willingness to
stand up and speak out, no matter
the cost. Although many of them
lost everything, they were will-
ing to make the sacrifice to raise
their voices in truth. They put
freedom before their own inter-
ests. Because of their bravery in
speaking truth to power and their
commitment to unwavering prin-
ciples, history has judged them to
be extraordinary.
Thus, it is only right that we
should still honor them today. Yet
how do we do so? We go through
the motions every Fourth of July,
spouting patriotic sentiments and
putting on displays of national
pomp and circumstance that at
the end of the day mean nothing.
Sadly, as a nation, we have
become jaded and apathetic, con-
tent to celebrate our independ-
ence with cookouts and fireworks
but little else.
What we need is a fresh out-
look and a renewed commitment
to not let the American dream of
freedom die. And we need to
remember that "citizenship,” as
actor Sam Waterston reminded a
group of newly minted citizens
last year on the Fourth of July,
“isn't just a great privilege and
opportunity, though it is all that,
it’s also a job.”
Gathered at Monticello, the
home of ThomasJefferson. those
new citizens, having migrated to
the U.S. from all over the world,
took an oath of allegiance to the
United States, solemnly swear-
ing to “support and defend the
Constitution and laws of the
United States of America against
all enemies, foreign and domes-
tic.”
I've always thought it a shame
that Americans bom in this coun-
try aren't asked to make a similar.
pledge of allegiance to our Con-
stitution. Still, pledge or not, we
owe it to those who have put their
lives on the line for our freedoms
to make our citizenship count for
something. We need to get edu-
cated about our rights. We need
to take responsibility for what’s
going on around us. And we need
to stand up and support those
who refuse to remain silent when
they see an injustice and who,
like those 56 brave men, dare to
put it all on the line in order to
speak truth to power.
As Waterston pointed out,
“We all need to exercise our
lungs in the discussion. This is
not a job just for the talking
heads on TV and the politicians.
-Nor for moneyed interests, nor
for single-issue movements. As
the WWI recruiting poster said,
‘Uncle Sam needs you', needs
us."
The Rutherford Institute
P.O. Box 74X2
Charlottesville, VA 22906-7482
Phone :: 434.078.3888 (8:30 AM - 5:00
PM Eastern) I Fax :: 434.978.1789
General Inquiries:: staff®rutherford.org
Legal Assistance:: tristaff® ruthe rjord.org
Technical comments::
wrbdesfgn® mtlieijtTriT.org" ‘
©2007 The Rutherford Institute
Privacy Info
Erin Caffey to stand trial as adult in murder trial
Continued from page 1
ty in the case of Johnson.
In a decision in 2005, the
United States Supreme Court
determined that the death penal-
ty for an accused under the age
of 18 is cruel and unusual pun-
ishment, and that ruling has
been adopted by the state of
Texas. Therefore, as a minor at
the time of the offense, Erin
Caffey will not face the death
penalty.
Terry Caffey, husband and
father of the murder victims and
the lone survivor, was seriously
injured in the assault on his fam-
ily but was able to escape
through a bathroom window and
crawl to a neighbor’s house for
help—— ---------t-
According to arrest affadavits
filed in the case, Wilkinson and
Waid entered the Caffey home
in the early morning hours of
March 1 and shot and stabbed
the victims before setting the
house on fire. The affadavit
placed the Caffey daughter and
Johnson waiting outside in the
car.
The murders are alleged to
have been triggered by Erin’s
parents’ attempt to end her rela-
tionship with Wilkinson.
The investigation and court
cases remain under a gag order
imposed by Judge Newsom in
April; however, Erin’s attorney,
William Howard McDowell of
Sulphur Springs, confirmed to
the Leader that henceforth, she
will be treated as an adult. Since
her arrest on March 1, Erin has
been confined in the Hunt Coun-
ty Juvenile Detention Center.
Immediately following the
hearing, she was remanded to
the custody of the Rains County
Sheriff’s Office. She was later
arraigned at the county jail on
her $1.5-million bond by Judge
Newsom.
Late Wednesday, Erin was
transferred to the Hopkins
County Jail through an arrange-
ment between Rains County
Sheriff David Traylor and Hop-
kins County Sheriff Dutch
Adams. Traylor stated that the
arrangement was made to avoid
any possible conflict between
Erin and her co-defendants that
are housed in the Rains County
Jail, as well as family members
during visiting days.
In Hopkins County, only three
family members, Erin's father,
grandmother and grandfather,
along with her attorney are
being allowed visitation rights.
According to Traylor, Erin will-
remain in the Hopkins County
Jail and be returned to Rains
County only when ordered by
the courts to appear.
The court has approved attor-
ney Mack Hobbs of Mt. Pleasant
to lead or assist Sulphur Springs
attorney Ron Fergurson in
Wilkinson’s case. Waid’s attor-
ney, Ted Beaty of Winnsboro.
has had Doug Parks approved as
the lead attorney in that case.
McDowell does not expect to
request a second attorney in
Erin’s case.
A pre-trial hearing for all four
Caffey murder defendants has-
been set by Judge Newsom for
9:00 a.m. August 15. A change
of venue motion could be pre-
sented at that time.
According to a discussion
held in open court, Waid will
likely be the first defendant to be
tried. A tentative schedule was
set to call a jury pool possibly in
December with voir dire in early
January and the trial held in
March.
Courthouse roof stalls capital spending for county
Continued from page 1
included in the scope of the
restoration project. Judge
Dougherty would like for the
county to do the repaving work
and HWH Construction, the
STarple:x
CINEMAS
SULPHUR SPRINGS 6
contractor‘at risk on the project,
has offered a refund to the coun-
ty to do the paving. Dougherty
said he is not happy with the
amount offered and is negotiat-
ing to get more.
Dougherty asked that the
Showtimes valid 7-2 to 7-10
HANCOCK
[PG13] 12:30, 2:35,4:50, 7:00,9:20
THE LOVE GURU
[PG13] 2:45, 7:05
WALL-E
[G] 12:15,2:30,4:40,7:20,9:30
KUNG FU PANDA
[PG] 12:40, 2:50,5:00,7:25,9:25
THE INCREDIBLE HULK
[PG13] 12:25, 4:45, 9:10
GET SMART
[PG13] 12:45,4:35, 7:15,9:35
WANTED
[R] 12:20, 2:40,4:55, 7:10,9:40
Wed. & Thure. we have 10 o.m.
showings of all movies. Groups of 20
or more, call for reservations.
STADIUM SEATING
Online tickets at starplexcmemas.com
Civic Cent
HOPKINS COUNTY
REGIONAL CIVIC CENTER
SCHEDULE
OF EVENTS
Saturday, July 5
★ TFCC Ranch Rodeo -
Indoor Arena
★ Red River Horse Club
Show - Outdoor Covered
Arena
Saturday, July 19
★ Oil Belt Cutting Horse
Show
Saturday, August 2
★ Red River Horse Club
Show - Outdoor Covered
Arena
Saturday, August 9
★ Oil Belt Cutting Horse
Show - Indoor Arena
903-885-8071 • 1200 Houston Street
For more information visit our website
www.CivicCenterOnLine.com
parking lot be tabled pending an
exact cost to re-deck the roof.
Road and Bridge Administra-
tor Lee Roland presented three
bids on a used backhoe at the
court’s June 16th meeting and
requested that it be an action
item at the next court meeting.
The bids are good for 30 days.
Due to the financial picture
presented by Dougherty on the
courthouse, the item was tabled.
The final financial matter was
presented by Sheriff David
Traylor. It was not an action
item, but discussion was cur-
tailed until the cost to re-deck
the roof becomes clear.
Traylor expressed his appreci-
ation for the one Expedition
which the court purchased at its
June 16 meeting. He added that
the dealer has called to say that
the second Expedition is still
available and that he would take
$1,000 off the offered price
making the purchase price
$16,500. The dealer also offered
to hold the county’s check until
October, if needed.
The vehicle purchased for the
sheriff’s fleet and the one still
available are outfitted with a
complete law enforcement
package that is valued at $5,000
to $6,000.
A special court session is
expected to be called as soon as
a cost estimate on the roof re-
decking' i§. available. At that
time the roof, parking lot, back-
hoe and Expedition will likely
ETW
(Emory Tire & Wheel)
903-473-9504
1205 lies/ ES they. 69 • Emory. TX 75440 • Open M-l Y-6 Sal. S-2
it CUSTOM MUFFLERS it
WHEELS • TIRES • BRAKES • STATE INSPECTION
FRONT END ALIGNMENTS • LIFT KITS
TIRE BRANDS
• Michelin • UniRoyal
• Kuhmo
• Yokohama
• BF/Goodrich • Pirelli
• Cooper
»• Toyo
• Goodyear • Super Swampers
• Nitto
»
• Bridgestone
ACCESSORIES NOW AVAfLABLE!
come up fdr consideration.
Re-Dedication
Dougherty announced that
Saturday, October 11, 2008, has
been set as the re-dedication
date for the fully restored, one-
hundred-year-old courthouse.
A committee has been formed
and, according to Dougherty,
the members are working hard
on the re-dedication plans.
Executive Session
An executive session was
held to consult with attorney
Christi Kennedy with Flowers &
Davis, P.L.L.C. regarding a law-
suit filed against the county by
Jerry Carlisle.
No action was taken follow-
ing the 20-minute closed ses-
sion.
Four other agenda items listed
to consult with County Attorney
Robert Vititow were tabled
without adjourning into execu-
tive session due to wording of
the agenda.
Open Forum
In open forum, Allen Prender-
gast addressed several items of
concern including the county
courthouse, 2008-2009 budget,
permanent school fund and
available school fund, county
auditor and upcoming district
court murder trials.
He expressed his appreciation
for the unsung and generally
unnoticed administrative work
Connie Mills has contributed to
the courthouse restoration proj-
ect.
He complimented Commis-
sioner Herschel Bullard for his
service to the court.
Action
In other action, the court:
• Approved a motion to termi-
nate the use of Roberts Rules
of Order for all commission-
ers court meetings.
• Tabled a request from the
Rains County Good Samari-
tans for county land use for a
building expansion until the
county’s facility study is pre-
t t 1,1 * ■ s,*-- ” ' * ' ' ' ■ ■ • 1
sented by ArchiTexas.
• Took no action to classify all
county roads as either first
class, second class or third
class.
• Took no action on an item
relating to the countywide
telephone system.
• Approved the payment of bills
and the consent agenda as
presented.
Present were Judge Dough-
erty, Commissioners Jim Paint-
er, Gary Bishop, and Bob Sisk.
Commissioner Bullard was
absent.
-V* 4 * *
• lyier Jones wa
DISCOUNT I
FIREWORKS
Huge Selection!!!
10% OFF t
with this ad iS
Jet. Hwy. 515 & Hwy.17
, I?own from AJ’s Fish House
;;4fi|
Have you heard
Your drive-thru is now
open on Saturday!
The First National Bank of Emory
is the bankthat runs on your schedule.
For your convenience, the drive-thru
at the main office in Emory will be
extending its hours to 5:30 p.m.
Monday through Thursday, and will
also be open on Saturday morning!
Starting: Saturday, July 12, 2008
Where: On the square in Emory
170 E. Quitman Street
Time: Mon.-Thurs. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
/Tell all of your family and friends
to come down to The First National Bank
of Emory and see how convenient
banking can be.
fgaa
903-473-2611
www.fnbemory.com
i
/
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View four places within this issue that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Hill, Earl Clyde, Jr. Rains County Leader (Emory, Tex.), Vol. 121, No. 4, Ed. 1 Tuesday, July 1, 2008, newspaper, July 1, 2008; Emory, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth767816/m1/3/?q=Lamar+University: accessed May 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rains County Library.