Freestone County, Texas
Social News of 1884 



Texas Farmer - Wednesday, January 9, 1884 

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  The Fairfield Recorder is a little tardy in coming up to the defence of the
people against the combination of lumber dealers and mill men in the cast, but 
when it does speak its voice has the ring of courage and outspoken justice. The 
Recorder is in a condition to know something of the character and purposes of the 
men oppressed by this lumber syndicate, and realizes that even-handed justice is 
all the good people of Freestone county want. We shall find room for the excellent 
article of the Recorder next week, aud commend its example to the press generally. 
The people of Texas are supporting their state press with characteristic 
liberality, and when their rights are invaded and combinations are formed to rob 
them of the profits of their labor, and dictate to them from whom they shall buy 
lumber or anything else, they are entitled to its protection, but seldom, very 
seldom, have it. We can pass the imperfections of the Recorder's iron-clad, 
double-and-twisted-died-in-the-last ditch democracy when he talks and reasons like
a man of the people, rather than of party.


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COUNTY DEPUTIES
...
G. W. White, Buffalo, Freestone county
...


        The Lecture System
  Editor Farmer : I sec that the lecture system is still being discussed in the 
Farmer, and is likely to do harm, from the fact that we have grumblers in every 
undertaking that we engage in, and I think that we have more in the Grange than
anywhere else; therefore, I am sorry to see the dissatisfaction growing out of 
the discussions. One thing certain, and that is, we are bound to have lecturers, 
if we expect to succeed as Patrons, and we will have to pay those that are quali-
fied to lecture a good salary to work. I know all the lecturers that have been
appointed; I think all are good men, but will only speak of Bro. G. A. Hodges. 
He was in Freestone county a few days, and I can say that he did good work. If 
he failed to get a crowd in the day time he would have an appointment at night; 
and I know that he made a good impression wherever he went. I was with him at 
every appointment, and I know whereof I speak. Then look at the list of subscribers 
he got for the FARMER — I believe about sixty — that alone was doing good work; 
for one of the main principles of the Order is to educate. Education is the main 
pillar of the Grange. We will have to build up our Grange papers and let the people
read and think for themselves. The farmers are bound to have an organization that 
they may be prepared to petition our law-makers to pass such laws as we wish, or 
repeal unjust ones. Why was Carlisle elected speaker of the house? I will answer, 
because the masses demanded it. And why did they demand it? Simply because they
have been investigating their own interest, and when they investigate they soon 
learn their duty. And now. Patrons, quit grumbling; take the Texas Farmer in one 
hand, and tho declaration of purposes in the other, and don't be ashamed to 
advocate the principles of the Patrons of Husbandry, and when the State lecturers 
send you appointments in your county, help them, see that they get a good audience; 
go with the lecturer, it will encourage him; see that lie is well taken care of.
   Respectfully.
     F[ranklin] B[artholomew] Odam [sic, Odom]
Fairfield, Jan. 1, 1884.