March 27, 2023 - Actually. the little pond belonged to our landlord, Mr. Jim Boothe. In 1947, Daddy moved our growing family to the old Jim Boothe rent house across the railroad tracks in East Center, Texas. The house‘s porch had collapsed and had rotted, but we kids loved living there. We all loved to fish and we were within walking distance of several creeks and stock ponds. Weaver’s Pond, The Brick Yard Pond and Carrol’s Pond were only a short walk away.
If our fish were alive when we got home, we’d put them in the little pond behind the house. When Robert Barnette learned about it and was determined to “catch our fish,” Bill gave him strict orders to stay away. But we couldn’t believe our eyes when saw Robert fishing and at the pond one day. Bill shouted, “Get outta our pond,” and Robert quickly shouted back, “The pond aint y’alls, Bill.” Bill eased in the house (un-beknowing’s to Mother) and returned with his .22 rifle. When the first shot hit dirt only a few feet from Robert. he hollered, “I know who you are, Bill,” but kept on fishing. But when a second shot hit even closer, he threw down his pole and fled pell-mell to his house. We knew his mother had a short fuse and expected to see her with the Sherriff right away….but we never heard a word.
As Pam and I were driving through East Center recently, I told her the story again as I pointed to the site of the old Boothe House. “I just wonder if the little pond is still there,” I said. “And I wonder why he never reported you all,” Pam mused. “I don’t know,” I laughed, “but since it happened 70 years ago.”
”I figure he never will.”
