The Harris County Pct 3 bus had our group of 16 at the Chamber of Commerce office that is located in the 1886 Stafford Opera House before 10 am. We met our with Kim Dyer and paid our fee for the tour and our docent, Al Hubenak, took our ARCOT group to a meeting room and gave us a 30 plus minute talk on the history of the Columbus area. He told us how the Sheriff had shot the richest man in the State of Texas in a gun battle in downtown Columbus in the late 1800's. The town had a problem with law enforcement and there were many people killed by assassination in the town. The economy of the town declined because of the lack of investment when the Sheriff killed the wealthiest man in the state and the farmers in the area went elsewhere to shop as they were afraid of coming into town because it was dangerous. The city unincorporated for several years so the County Sheriff would take over the law enforcement.
As you can tell, the town had a old west reputation. We went upstares to see the largest flat floor opera house in the state. Our group then went to the Confederate Museum which was located in the old fire tower. It had a water tank on top that was destroyed in the 1909 hurricane. Our group then went to the Colorado County Courthouse that was built in 1881. We sat under the large dome in the court room while Al Hubenak told us more history of the courthouse. Our group picture was made in front of the Judge's Bench. We then went to the 3rd floor to see the Grand Jury room and the wood table that has the Colorado County Seal in the middle.
We had the opportunity to see the tree stump where court was held before the court house was built in 1881. The bus drive took our group by the hanging tree where many persons met their demise. We then stopped at the 2nd largest oak tree in our state which is located in Columbus.
A fine lunch was enjoyed at Schobels Restaurant before the bus returned us to Houston.
Friday morning, Donna and I are driving to Alexandria, Louisiana to get with David, Linda, Mary Dawn and Carl for Homecoming. Ted, who is 3, will go with us as it is hard to have a weekend pass without some grandchild contact. He enjoys playing at Mary Dawn and Carl’s home with their four children. 
