From the Buffalo Express October 10, 2006
Taken from "The Flo News" written by Norma Moore
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Captain W. B. Waldron, a first settler of
our Oakwood, Freestone communities. The captain was a great warrior,
with the leadership of our great hero, Sam Houston. Capt. Waldron was a first navigator of the steamboat, flatboat transportation, cotton market operation in connecting our Leon Co. with the world of our bountiful cotton supply. The Captain, as a farmer and land developer, introduced our Texas frontier to the many immigrants seeking a better farmland and home. Many followed his advice and settled in the world of Texas, along the Trinity River port of the Oakwood, Palestine and Freestone sections. This was a prosperous time of civilization, vast population, a bountiful cotton supply, with the Oakwood cotton gins and the steamboats and flatboats in operation. The Magnolia Reliance, Mustang, Jenkins, Star Stake, Como, Grapeshot, Almo, Rutven, Fort Henry, Mary Swan and Black Cloud steamboats are all remembered as the worthy establishment of a successful beginning of our Leon county, the captain leaving a legacy of the role he played. The captain had stopped by one of the beautiful East Texas creeks for his lunch. This is where he met our Texas hero Sam Houston. Sam was traveling through Texas campaigning for governorship. He was stopping at the same creek to eat lunch, too. They both enjoyed each other's company. Capt. Waldron did not realize this was the heroic Sam Houston, but something told him this gentleman was very special. When Sam told him who he was, Capt. Waldron marveled that this great man, this hero to so many, was so easy to talk to. He noticed Sam had a great love and respect of Texas, more than anyone else he had ever met. Sam's expressions of happiness when he talked about Texas showed and the expression would change to a deep serious state of mind the conversation turned to Texas in the Civil War. Sam was very concerned it would destroy the Texas families and their bountiful ways of life. Capt. Waldron saw Sam Houston as a wonderful compassionate gentleman and a true hero. Little did the Capt. know his and Sam's paths would cross many other times in the near future and that his admiration would grow even more of this remarkable hero. The second time the Capt. met with Sam was when he was attending a barbecue celebration in Centerville. Sam was speaking to the crowd about his fight for the governorship of Texas, holding the people spellbound with his speech was a sight to see. The Capt. was in a sad state of mind when he heard Sam lost his fight for governorship. But it wasn't long until Sam Houston was running for governor of Texas again. The Capt., with great admiration of Sam, campaigned for him and helped with the win. Sam Houston fought the Federal Government about a Civil War and determined Texas to stay clear of this war. Sam lost this battle and Texas was drawn into this horrible war. Sam relied on the people he trusted, Capt. Waldron was one of them to be of assistance any way he was able. Sam went into a great depression and lost his life over his distressful state, with a broken heart because of what the Civil War would do to his beloved Texas. The Capt. held the highest regard of Sam Houston, more than any human being in his life, except for God, his Maker. The Captian lived to be 96 years old. He married his Leon Co. sweetheart, Mary Lynch. They made their home at Pine Bluff, Trinity River, Leon and Freestone counties locations. They lead long productive lives. Capt. Waldron is also noted as a hero in Texas and Leon co. He was the founder of the steamboat navigation, transportation operation and as a hero of the confederacy and southern ause. He was a gentleman who established a greatness for Oakwood and freestone county. |