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Northeast Texas brothers share feelings about keeping their land |
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By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition |
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August 8, 2002 -- Heritage is defined as property, especially land, that is passed on by inheritance. But what happens if your heritage is subject to be taken. Brothers Seaby and Olen Love, who live a mile-and-a-half from the Sulphur River, are one of many who will face this consequence if the Marvin Nichols Reservoir is built. "We are going to loose 1,052 acres if this lake is built," said Seaby, a Dalby Springs rancher. Born in 1928 in Browntown, Seaby, along with Olen, "lived" in the river bottom. "We know the river as well as we know every hair on our head," Seaby said. "We've hunted and fished the bottom all of our lives." Browntown, located on the south side of Sulphur River, was where the Love brothers attended school. Kids were taught up until the sixth grade and then they went to work in the fields. The brothers still own the land where they began their early years. Matter of fact, if you know where the Broseco Ranch is on I-30 at the Omaha exit, there is a wooded section to the right if you are traveling east. This is the 50 acres owned by the Love brothers. It was in 1946, when the brothers came with their parents, Dutch and Dessie Love, to the current homeplace. Now, 56 years later, the brothers are still there. The only time either has been away was during war stints. Olen served in the U.S. Army from 1943 until 1946, stationed in the Pacific. "Heritage mean a lot," Olen said. "I fought for my country and would have died for my country. I feel the same way about this land." "When we went to the Army, you fought for freedom. Do you call this freedom?" asked Seaby, who also served in the war. "You have a deed (to your land) and pay the taxes, but if they (the government) can come take it, then it's really not yours," Seaby added. "That's not freedom." As Olen talked about fighting in the war, his eyes misted. "I saw a lot of things over there--all for freedom." Olen, whose main job was working in the war hospital, also saw combat. "At times we were disengauged to the field. You would have people being shot all around you. I didn't want any part of the war when I got home. I just wanted to farm the land I loved," Olen reminisced. The brothers, along with many others, feel that are at "war" again. "It's all about damn money," Seaby strongly said, "and it's going to ruin Red River County. Huddleston's (Sulphur River Authority's president) been going around and telling people what the lake will do. Look at Redwater and Maud, Texarkana Lake (Wright Patman) didn't help them." The Sulphur River Authority is the agency overseeing the plans for building Marvin Nichols. The confirmed bachelors, dressed in their favorite attire of faded overalls, have strong beliefs about the land and their rights. "It ain't right," Seaby stated. "People would be more willing (to give up their land) if it was an emergency. But it's not. Dallas has other options." According to the state water plan, the metroplex has the fastest growing population in the state and will most likely run out of water unless something is done. The other options, according to opponents of the lake, are tapping into the resources already available. For example, Toledo Bend and Lake Texoma. "Regional water boards talk about population, but what happens after they build this lake. The population is still going to grow. Then what?" Seaby asked. "They will eventually have to go to the ocean. Why not go now?" "They can put this aside," Seaby continued. Today, Seaby and Olen spend time still working a few head of cattle and fishing. "Most days, we get up and go to the Sulphur and fish," laughed Seaby. With both brothers getting up in age, (Seaby is 72 and Olen is 79) old-man time is beginning to play a part in their fight, they agree, but they will continue to fight until both are dead and gone. |
