Freer, Texas

8th Grade Graduation -- 1945 - 1946

Image 1.  1. Marvin Cashion, 2. Carroll Cashion, 3. Donald Johnson, 4. Mr. Tibbetts (Principal), 5. Mary Ann Dickey, 6. Frankie Jim Wilcox, 7. J. Brooks Frazier, 8. Ben Franklin, 9. Jack Duren, 10. James Hearn, 11. Kathleen Higgins, 12. Jane Laney, 13. Doris Constant, 14. Shirley Jensen, 15. Mary Lee Collins, 16. Mrs. Carey, 17. Jimmy Carey, 18. Lloyd "Bodie" Mann, 19. Nettie Francis Warrick, 20. Betty Elaine Rutherford.

Image 3. 1. John Ray Clary, 2. Bob Ross Robertson, 3. Marvin Alexander, 4. Lawrence Long, 6. Pete Spivey, 7. Bill Baker, 8. JoNell Shoemake, 9. Mrs. Pat Murphy, 10. Mary Sue Oliver, 11. Mary Francis Brown, 12. Dicie Mae Smith, 13. Billie Truesdale, 14. R. E. Reeves, 15. Joe Guiterrez, 16. Bennie Beth Bell, 17. Diamantina Perez, 18. Madeline Jones, 19. Jim Ed Blakely, 20. Johnny Moore, 21. Neloise Gabbert, 22. Gypsy Blalock, 23. Leroy Richardson, 24. Kenneth Farrow, 25. Ethridge Godsey

Image 4. 1. Harold Dean McCauley, 2. Johnny Secord, 3. Herby Fogel, 4. Mary Francis Brown, 5. Jeannette Gayle Buchanan, 6. Corene Wiederkehr, 7. Patsy Goodson, 8. Margaret McLenithan, 9. James Snead, 10. Eulalio Alaniz, 11. Mr. Glenn Sparkman, 12. Bennie Beth Bell, 13. Bernice Fuentes, 14. Billie Joyce Andrews, 15. Harold Warburton, 16. Zeno Pepper, 17. Mrs. Henry Knezek, 18. Billy Snead, 19. ?, 20. Robert Pearl, 21. Jewel Lee Davis, 22. Fidencio Carrillo, 23. Russell Riley.

Image 7.  Harold Sadler and Bessie Mae Mix.

Harold had arrived for a Thanksgiving lunch with Bessie Mae.

November 1948.

To Left --

Image 8. Laquita Callaway

To Right --

Image 9. Shirley Butler

Image 10.  Junior Study Club picnic at Mathis Lake, June 1948.

From Left -- Stokes twins and Gena Truesdale, beside Mona Lou Rouse, who seems to be pouring water on her head. Margarete McClinthin (?) is to Mona Lou's left.  A camera-shy Shirley Butler is being pulled forward by Bettie Watson. Laquita Callaway is behind Shirley, and Wilma Bagwell is drying off.

Image 11.  Bettie Watson.

This was taken the same time (June 1948) as above.   

Bettie was known as "Bob" to her family and a few close friends.  Her relatives still call her Bob.     

Image 12.  From Left -- Theresa Slaughter, Bettie Watson, Ida Mae Moulder, and Laquita Callaway.

This was in the eighth grade and most likely 1949.

Image 13.  Jane Laney.     Jane was Bettie Watson's 2nd cousin and good friend. 

Her mom, Ida Bell Kennard was a teacher for many years in Freer.

8th Grade Graduation -- 1949

Image 14. 1. H. B. Holiday, 2. Jerry Don Reeves, 3. Rafaela Gracia, 4. Martina Garcia,   5. Everett Coleman, 6. Maria Perez, 7. Hershel Milligan,  8.William Vickers,  9. Herminia Rangel, 10. Lila Tankersley, 11. Alma Alaniz, 12. Glenn Sparkman, 13. Mary Carillo, 14. Jim Bob Smith, 15. Duane Sigle, 16. Shirley Burch.

Image 15. 1. Bettie Watson, 2. Kenneth Cashion, 3. Bessie Mae Mix,  4. Stanley Harbin, 5. LaMerle Cook, 6. Bobby Odom, 7. ?, 8. Clarence Thomason, 9. Jerry Fowler, 10. Larry Durrett, 11. Billie Moore, 12. Cleve Butler, 13. Charlene Rucker, 14. James Purcell,  15. Gene Woods, 16. Larry Massey, 17. Dewayne Laird, 18. Ervin Miller, 19. Ray Adami, 20. Kenneth Richter.

Image 16. 1. Rodney Smith, 2. Kermit Kohutek, 3. Bobby Cope, 4. Jo Ann Burkhardt, 5. ?, 6. Norman Ward, 7. Barbara Houston, 8. Kenneth Richter, 9. Freddie Erickson, 10. Sam Mac Higgins, 11. Jane Edwards, 12. Helen Emerson, 13. Darlyne Davis, 14. Betty Ward, 15. Shirley Butler.

Image 17. 1. Glenn Norris, 2. Donna Workman, 3. Roy Richter,  4. Clifton Pepper, 5. Tom Godsey, 6. Olan Glen Hilliard, 7. Theresa Slaughter, 8. Ruth Helen Cox, 9.?, 10. Wanda Barnett, 11. Laquita Callaway, 12. Maxine Bruce, 13. Mrs. Knezek.

1. Bessie Mae Mix, 2. Jeanette Buchanan, 3. ?, 4. Betty Graham, 5. Maxine Atkinson, 6. Sally Rucker, 7. Kathleen Higgins,  8. Frankie Jim Wilcox, 9. Vera Jean Constant (or Marilyn Constant?), 10. Ann Stinson, 11. Jessie Hammock, 12, Mother Advisor; Yvonne Callaway, 13. Bettie Watson, 14. Bonnie Stout

.

Image 19.  Bettie Watson, 1949.

Portrait was taken in Alice by Lobrecht Studio.

Image 20.  Harold Sadler & Bessie Mae Mix, Easter, 1949.

Image 21.  Harold Sadler & Bessie Mae Mix on Easter date, 1949.

Bessie Mae's grandmother knew they were talking at the front door after seeing a movie and she went out the back door, and from the corner of the house took this nice photo.

Image 22. Rainbow Girls -- 1950

1. Jo Ann Hughes, 2. Blanche Rowland,    3. Billie Andrews, 4. Frankie Jim Wilcox, 5. Bennie Beth Bell, 6. Barbara Bragg, 7. Joyce Swink, 8. Shirley Butler, 9.  Radeane Sparkman, 10. Mrs. Grace Jarrott (Mother Advisor), 11. Patricia Box , 12. Kathryn Fogle, 13. Mary Cook, 14.  Betty Jo Thomas, 15. Patricia Sides, 16. LaMerle Cook, 17. Barbara Houston, 18. Bessie Mae Mix.

Image 23.  Barbara Nan Smith.  This was taken at her house in Freer.

Image 24.  Jay Cashion.  Location of photo is unknown.

Image 25.  1950 Portrait of  Bettie Watson.

How many people remember Marshall Oils?  It was a way to add color to black and white photographs and it worked pretty well.  It was basically an oil and put on with Q-tips.  The longer the color sat on the photograph, the darker the tone.

It is being used again in a "new" artful presentation.  I still have some though I didn't do this picture.  If I had to guess I would say that Bettie's middle sister, Jean, did this.

Image 26.  Bettie is wearing a silver football that Kenneth Cashion got for playing football of some sort.

Image 27.  On left is Freddie Erickson with Dewayne Laird standing behind Quinton Nixon.

Image 28.  Bettie Watson has her hair in pin curls.  But even then, she has a scarf over them. She must have a date that night. Scarf is blowing in South Texas wind, here from the south.

This is the point where I, Ken Cashion, want to address the 'girls of Freer High School of the '50s' -- You girls looked sharp!  You were neat, always looked nice, and you gave thought to your hair, dress, and nails.

And look at all the faces...few were posturing and projecting forbidding attitudes, or assuming threatening poses.  This was a happy, positive, and confident bunch of kids.

And we kids then were trusted...we had lockers and time between classes to visit some.  We didn't look like tinkers going down the street with our wares loaded on our backs.  We had no police, metal detectors, or surprise inspections. This doesn't appear to be that way in high schools now.

We have much to be proud of in our generation!

Image 29.  Dewayne Laird, Sophomore portrait.

It seems that green ink was very popular.

Image 30.  Kenneth Cashion, doing some technical drawing in the Industrial Arts Building.

This photo was provided by wonderful Mr. John Ballard.

Model airplanes and this sort of technical interest were important to this kid.

Image 31.  Bettie Watson wading at Garner State Park.

Kenneth Cashion went with Bettie and her parents to Garner Park several times.

Image 32.  Kenneth Cashion, playing guitar on his back porch.

"Hey, Kid!  Nice shirt!  Probably made by your mother."

Guitar playing...model airplanes -- did Kenneth Cashion EVER grow up?

(Apparently not.)

Image 33.  Bettie Watson, Sophomore portrait, 1951.

Image 34.  From Left -- Betty Rutherford leaning on Jeannette Buchanan, and Marlene Stokes is behind Carolyn Langley.

Class of 1951 but Marlene was Class of 1952.

Image 35.  Erwilyn Brown and Clifton Pepper. 

Of interest is a photo of someone playing guitar at right side.

Just over Erwilyn's head is a drawing of the moon with the Sea of Tranquility marked. 

Some of their classmates helped land a couple of men on the Sea of Tranquility a mere 16 years after this science lab photo was taken.

Image 36.  Carroll Cashion (on left) and cousin, Kenneth Cashion.

Many have done what they were doing that bright day...just sitting downtown and killing time  -- and waiting for something to happen.

It rarely did.

Image 37.  A Happy Quartette in April, 1951.

From left -- Jane Laney, Barbara Nan Smith, LaMerle and Mary Cook.

Image 38.  Carroll Cashion (on left) and Marvin Alexander.

Marvin joined the Marines in 1951.

  Charles and Buz were airman friends of my brother, Jay Cashion.  All three were stationed at Lackland in San Antonio.

Image 39. Standing to the right is Kay Stein (Freshman '52/'53).  Beside her is Gayle Fern Callaway.  Kneeling is Billy Martin (Sophomore).

The pretty young lady behind Billy looking at the photographer is Peggy Pepper.

And the other young lady is?

Image 40.  Stanley Harbin on left, Freddie Erickson in back, and Sam Mac Higgins on the Junior trip to New Braunfels.

Posturing?

Yes.

Threatening?

Not hardly. 

Image 41.  From the Left --

Joe Ned Mays,

Howard Henderson,

Edwin Ward, and

Bob Eddings.

Image 42.  Bettie Watson's Junior portrait.

Image 43.  Science class room discussion.  It appears to be interesting.  Bobby Cope has just come through the door, as Mr. Peters is discussing something with Harold Chute, to his left, and Alton Gilbert.  Duwane Sigle sitting in plaid shirt is listening, as is Clifton Pepper behind him.  Hershell Milligan is paying attention; Tom Godsey is playing with something.

Image 44.  To Left -- Shirley Butler with her classic expression.  This means, "We agree that you are an idiot and it would be best for you to say nothing else and stop embarrassing yourself."

Image 45.  To Right -- Bettie Watson is wearing  Kenneth Cashion's Senior Ring as a necklace.

He still wears the ring 2017.

Senior Portraits 

Image 46.  To Left -- Everett Coleman.

Image 47.  To Right --LaMerle Cook.

Senior Portraits

Image 48.  To Left -- Rafaela Garcia

Image 49.  To Right -- Tom Godsey

Image 50.  Senior Portrait -- Barbara Houston

Image 51.  Senior Party at some oil-field supply house.

Mr. Albert Peters and Mrs. Estelle Wilcox were class sponsors for the same group of students for three years.  Here, the '53 graduates have presented them with wrist watches.  They deserved much more. 

Kenneth Cashion is watching from over Mrs. Wilcox's shoulder.

Image 52.  From Left -- Mrs. Wilcox is putting on her wrist watch and Charlene Rucker is standing beside Kenneth Cashion.

Cashion, who, as usual, is standing somewhere watching and listening, appears to be entertained by Sam Mac Higgins, foreground.

The two unknown young ladies were guests and Sam Mac decided they really ought to get to meet him.

Image 53.  From the left is Clifton Pepper, Roy Richter, Kenneth Richter, Kermet Kohutek, and Charlene Harris's little brother.

Image 55.  Freddie Erickson on left and Duane Sigle on right.

Image 56.  From Left -- James Purcell, Bobby Cope, Olan Glen Hilliard, Stanley Harbin, and Mr. Peters.

Image 57.  From Left ---- Maxine Bruce, Janie Adams, and Charlene Rucker.

Image 58. Mr. Peters -- The hero and envy of American youth.

Image 59.   Sam Mac Higgins and Janie Adams.

Image 60. Roy Richter just restin' and rockin'.

Image 61.  From left is LaMerle Cook, Duane Sigle, Charlene Rucker, Charlene Harris, and Laquita Callaway.

Awaiting the bus to leave.

Image 62.  Kenneth Cashion is posing with sailing pirogue he and Tom Godsey built in 1953.

Image 63. Three of a quartet of fishermen as leaving to go fishing.  Yes, that was the way they were dressed.  From left, Freddie Erickson, Sam Mac Higgins, and Bobby Cope.

Image 64.  Standing is Bobby Cope.  Kenneth Cashion is sitting.

The boat belonged to Bobby Cope's dad... and on the way to Laredo, the trailer came off the tow car and went into the brush.  The boat was beautiful mahogany ply.  A crack is showing in side.   

Image 65.  From Left, Back Row -- Kenneth Cashion, Bobby Cope, and Freddie Erickson. 

Front Row -- Laredo Lake catfish.

Image 66.  Bobby Cope (on left) and Sam Mac Higgins show off some of the catfish.

Image 67. The fish does have to be cleaned. 

Bobby Cope (to left), Kenneth Cashion (behind him) and Sam Mac Higgins -- Freddie Erickson took the photo. 

Bobby Cope's dad fried them for the fishermen.

Nothing was said  about the crack in the boat -- not then.

Image 68.  A big "Thanks" goes to whoever took this photo of Bettie Watson and Kenneth Cashion...this was taken on the Senior Trip and indicates a lot.

There was much commitment that 1953 Summer day.

Image 69. Bettie Watson just prior to becoming Bettie Cashion.   Wedding Day in Chicago.  March 11, 1954.  Ken was in school up there.

Image 70.  Dorothy Haines to left, Norman Thomas, right.  To far right is Morris "Bo" Jones, Jr. High math teacher & coach. Facing camera is Nelda Smith, Jr. High science teacher.

Lady hardly seen behind Dorothy is Jean Courtney, wife of coach Dick Courtney. 

Photo taken by Roy Smith, shop teacher.   Taken in '59-'60 school term.

(No image here has been discussed longer or in greater detail.)

Image 71.  20th High School Reunion of Class of '53.

From Left -- Everett Coleman, Herschell Milligan, Bettie Watson, Kenneth Cashion, Janie Adams, LaMerle Cook, ?, Martina Garcia, Bobby Cope, and Darlyne Davis. 

Image 72.  From Left -- Stanley Harbin, Kenneth Richter, Theresa Slaughter, Charlene Harris, ?, Laquita Callaway, Duane Sigle, Shirley Butler, Quinton Nixon, Sam Mac Higgins, and Kenneth Richter.

Image 73.  Roy D. Welch working at NASA on the solar particle alert network telescope. 1965.

Image 74. Roy Welch with radio- controlled model but then in 1975 South Mississippi while working with Lockheed. 

He and Kenneth Cashion started flying models together in 1949.  They still were in the 1980s.

Image 75.  Ken and Bettie Cashion at a friend's house in South Mississppi.

Image 76.  Ken performing at Wimberley, Texas.

Image 77. Not all of Ken's songs are country and western.  Some are popular songs of the 1920 - 1930.  Performing here back in Texas.

Image 78. Bettie Cashion and her sister, Priscilla Delgado returning from a trip to China. 

Priscilla Watson taught school many years in Freer.

Priscilla has lived in Fairbanks, Alaska for a number of years.

Image 79. Bettie Cashion and her little red truck.  Ken got the truck for her on their 50th.  She hauled tons of aluminum cans for the SPCA animal shelter.

Image 80. Enjoying Gentile Soul Food during power outage after Hurricane Gustav.  That was  pork and beans, Vienna sausages, crackers, and Cheetoes. 

It just happened that Bettie was wearing a Freer Buckaroo tee shirt in blue and gold.

Image 81. Power came back on and the yard was cleaned up...and Bettie was back to reading.  Bonnie Nicole is, as always, very close.

And this time she is in a "TEXAS" tee shirt!

(Really, she does have other clothes.)

Image 82.  Jay Cashion at his home in Burleson, Texas.

Image 83. Only in Texas!

Image 84.  Buckaroo Inn.

Image 85. Bettie Cashion at the Buckaroo Inn.  Her mother worked there forever, and for a long time, even owned it.

Bettie got all the pennies from the weight machine that sat in the middle of the Buckaroo Inn floor.

Image 86.  Main street of  Freer.  Bettie, who took the photo, was not concerned about being run over.

Image 87.  What is this?

It was found in a run-down building just out of view to the right in the above photo.

Bettie went through rubbish at the old theater and found this cast aluminum, Art Deco 35-mm movie reel.  On it was film introducing, "Selected Short Subjects."

Image 88.  South Texas Brush Country Freer, Texas

Image 89.  Watson's house in the distance. 

This was a Frank Gravis oil lease just east of Freer that Mr. Watson operated.

Bettie knew every foot and drove her dad around in the pickup.  She had her own rod-line grease bucket and she gauged tanks for her dad.

Image 90. This looks like a hot day.

This is on Mr. Watson's lease. 

Bettie and Ken Cashion knew these roads well.

Image 91.  On Watson's lease. 

At one time, a road on the Watson lease wound around Twin Hills to the Cashion's house on the other side of the hill to the left.

Image 92. The Way We Lived Then. 

Cashion's house on Duval Oil Company lease -- complete with "swamp cooler" at end of house.

To distant left is one of the twin hills.  Past it that direction is the Watson's house.

Image 93. Old photo of a two-lady rattlesnake roundup. 

This was done only on a short section of road.

Joe Rice's mom, Mrs. Frank Rice, is to the right.

Image 94.   Old photo of Freer Methodist Church.

Image 95.  Freer main street.

Sign on car radiator cap reads, "Car for Sale."

The John Cashions moved to Freer the first time in 1937 and Ken remembers some of this mud.

In 1915, C.W. Hahl advertised that he wanted people to come to Rosita Valley and establish homesteads.  Mr. Daniel J. Freer of the Indian Territory of Oklahoma sent his son, Charley Freer, to check out the land and opportunities.  Daniel Freer liked what he heard and the family moved down.

The Freers operated the first post office in the area from their home and when there was some real community involved, three names were submitted as the possible name for the town; Rosita Valley became Freer, Texas.

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