Post-Reconstruction Texas in the mid-1870s was still relatively primitive, with communities isolated from each other in a largely open-range environment. Cattlemen owned herds of cattle in numerous counties while brand laws remained local. Friction arose when the nonresident stockmen attempted to gather their cattle, and mavericking was common. Law enforcement at the local level could cope with handling local drunks, collecting taxes, and attending the courts when in session, but when an outrageous crime occurred, or depredations in a community were at a level that severely taxed or overwhelmed the local sheriff, there was seldom any other recourse except a vigilante movement. With such a fragile hold on civilization in these communities, it is not difficult to understand how a “blood feud” could occur. During 1874 the Hoo Doo War erupted in the Texas Hill Country of Mason County, and for the remainder of the century violence and fear ruled the region in a rising tide of hatred and revenge. It is widely considered the most bitter feud in Texas history. Traditionally the feud is said to have begun with the intention of protecting the families, property and livelihood of the largely agrarian settlers in Mason and Llano counties. The …

Weekly student newspaper from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas that includes local, state and campus news along with advertising.

Daily student newspaper from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas that includes local, state and campus news along with advertising.

Daily newspaper from Baytown, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Kerens, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with extensive advertising.

Monthly newspaper from Mineral Wells, Texas that includes history and travel stories along with advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Timpson, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Lexington, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

Lecture given Tuesday, February 21, 2006, 9:45 AM at Abilene Christian University: "In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, Christians were in a position to see the world the way God does - through the lives of the poor and suffering. The opportunity to be God's people in a post-Katrina world will require both justice and mercy."

Daily newspaper from Baytown, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.