It's Time To Teach Love Of America In Schools

Tomorrow will be America's 250th Birthday! That's huge. Our nation thriving for 250 years is a massive accomplishment.

The United States remains the one and only nation to maintain the exact same foundational form of government and continuous Constitutional framework for our entire existence of 250 years, all the while serving as a beacon of stability for the world. It's true.

When you look around and ask how many nations have had one Constitution for 250 years? The answer is only one. We are the only one to ever achieve such a feat. Even France has had 15 distinct Constitutions since the start of the French Revolution in 1789. That frequent turnover reflects the country's turbulent political history, which has transitioned through five different republics, two empires, and several restored monarchies.

The United States of America has had the same codified, written national Constitution for 250 years. Ratified in 1788, and taking effect in 1789, it remains the world's oldest and longest-standing active written framework of national government. Imagine that for a moment. No other country has a single written Constitution older than 215 years. Behind us, the next oldest codified national Constitutions belong to Norway which was adopted in 1814 and the Netherlands which was adopted in 1814.

As for our unprecedented longevity, while many other world powers have undergone multiple regime changes, civil collapses, or revolutions over the same period, America has maintained our Constitutional continuity since 1776. Starting with 13 fragile colonies, the United States expanded to 50 states. All while ultimately growing into the world's largest economy and a major driver of global stability.

Over the past two and a half centuries, our country has transitioned from a primarily agricultural society to a global economic superpower, leading primarily in advanced manufacturing, information technology, biotechnology, medicine, and aerospace. Following the Civil War, Americans pioneered the "American system of manufacturing" which relies on interchangeable parts, the Bessemer process for steel, and widespread railway networks to become the world leader in steel, automobile, and heavy machinery production. 

As for information technology and computing, we've led the digital revolution -- including in foundational breakthroughs in microprocessors, the internet, and personal computing. As for aerospace and national defense? Driven by 20th-century geopolitical conflicts and the Space Race, American engineering has led the world in aviation, defense technology, and space exploration. And today, in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, the United States has historically been a premier driver of life sciences, medical device manufacturing, and agricultural biotechnology.

While over-regulation from the federal and state government has hampered productivity in recent years, because of American innovation and resilience, we continue to hold a competitive edge in many aspects of our economy -- including research and development (R&D), venture capitalism, high-tech software, energy, digital technology, medicine, space exploration, and manufacturing. American innovation has consistently driven progress.

And yes, as our history shows us, we have prevailed for 250 years because of our ability to evolve, recognize our shortcoming, find positive solutions to problems, right wrongs, weather the hard times, defeat enemies overseas, address the threat of Communism from within -- and we have done so while keeping our personal freedoms and liberties intact.

Has there been historic struggles and civic engagement? Absolutely. But even with that, our nation has faced internal divisions, economic crises, and profound hardships, only to see the American spirit of resilience win out.

In fact, we can all be proud of the fact that our history is filled with examples of hardship and trials which continuously test us, but we prevail. And more than not, the trials that we've endured as made us stronger, and even more willing to fight to remain free to speak freely, to worship Christ even though Christianity has been under attack for many years, to live without government oppression -- but with our freedoms, civil rights, and the rule of law intact.

So yes, there is so many reasons to love America. And for me, I believe teaching young Americans to love America should be done everyday in every classroom of every school across our nation. I believe that because the good about our nation outweighs the bad.

Yes, you can call it "patriotic indoctrination" if you want. And really, I'm find with that. In a time when Leftist indoctrination and hate for America is popular in the curricula of schools, I believe teaching love of America in schools, that which we call "American patriotism," which some folks call "Civic patriotism" or "Constitutional patriotism" is needed today more than ever.

The reason is simple, teaching American Patriotism focuses on fostering appreciation for our nation's founding principles, our history, and our civic responsibilities. It boosts civic participation by inspiring higher voter turnout and participation in local and national elections. Educating students in American Patriotism encourages volunteering, community engagement, responsibility for their neighborhoods and their neighbors, and much more.

The more is more of what we need. The facts are simple to understand, students learning how our government works and learning how to create solutions, learning how to work together while understanding that we all have God-given Rights, unites us as Americans with a common understanding that we all share in the greatness of our land.

Teaching love of and for America is all about teaching students how important our shared foundational ideals are. It would teach them how responsibility as citizens helps bridge political divides. Yes, it does that by focusing on our mutual respect and goodwill for each other instead of the evil that many want us to falsely believe our nation is all about.

Helping young Americans understand why our Constitutional Rights promote respect for our fellow citizens and not hate and division is important. And really, ask yourself when was the last time a student was taught to appreciate the progress that Americans have fought and died for while trying to corrected our flaws?

Why is there so much focus on our flaws in contrast to teaching how true patriotism is all about improving our nation while not forgetting to praise it? Why is it that we cannot inspire our youth to help our nation live up to its founding ideals? When was the last time teachers taught students any of our common national values and beliefs?

America's shared common national values and beliefs shape our country's culture, our laws, and our social norms. America's core ideals are Liberty, Equality, Representative Democracy, Rule of Law, Individualism, Community, Justice, and Patriotism. Americans have has actively promoted democracy and have held authoritarian despots accountable, all while we've advanced human rights globally.

Americans have paid in blood to keep our values and beliefs alive. It is a fact that many Americans believe that Liberty is the most precious because it's about our right to act, to speak, and to think freely without government oppression. Equality is our belief that all individuals deserve equal rights, opportunities, and treatment under the law.

As a Constitutional Republic, Americans voice our satisfaction and dissatisfaction through free elections and public participation. That's how a Representative Democracy works for our citizens. Our elections are sacred, and should not be tampered with dishonestly or by non-citizen participation. We don't vote in other countries, so people from other countries should not vote in our elections.

As for American's believing in the Rule of Law? I believe that ensuring that laws apply equally to all citizens, including government leaders from all political stripes, and not just one political party over another. Unlike what takes place in Third World countries, in dictatorships, fascist and communist nations, where government leaders are exempt from prosecution, American try to hold all to account.

Frankly, sometimes the very wealthy and politically connected, like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton who tried to conduct a coup to unseat a sitting American president, evade the law. But that doesn't mean our system doesn't try to go after such high level criminals. And yes, this too should be taught to young American today.

As for American Individualism? As Americans, we emphasize personal independence, self-reliance, and individual achievement. We love Liberty and see it as something that is precious. We love Freedom.

And really, American Individualism, our personal autonomy, is a cornerstone of our American culture. If I were to pinpoint one defining hallmark of our American identity, it is that American Individualism, our personal autonomy, is a cornerstone of our American culture -- because American individualism emphasizes self-reliance, free expression, and the right for each of us to pursue our own happiness.

American Individualism is deeply rooted in foundational philosophies like those of the Founding Fathers. It is all about the freedom that we have to pursue success and property while being uninhibited by excessive government interference. Emphasizing self-reliance, personal autonomy, and the belief that people are ultimately responsible for their own destinies is at the heart of who we are as Americans.

Rooted in the Declaration of Independence and its promise of the "pursuit of happiness," this individualism has shaped everything from free enterprise to how we approach community. I believe it's what fosters innovation, while ensuring our personal freedom and increasing our sense of being civic minded citizens.

Americans have a deep admiration for innovation, entrepreneurship, and the pioneer spirit. As individuals, we are expected to take initiative and carve their own paths to success. And as for everyone have an equal opportunity to do so, the foundational belief rooted in the Declaration of Independence is that that all men, Americans as individuals, are born equal and possess unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

Add that to Americans putting a pretty strong emphasis on personal space, individual decision-making, and protecting one's rights against institutional authority, and that's who we are.

To try to summarize our cultural and social beliefs, I'd have to say it's about how we all have a shared commitment to supporting neighbors and working for the common good. Our belief is to make things better then we left it. Hopefully, in ways that are better and not regressive.

We belief in improving our lives -- hopefully not at the expense of others, because we do have a sense of fairness. I find it interesting that our sense of fairness comes to a halt once we learn that the people we are dealing with don't share that same moral code.

Of course, while most Americans have a working moral compass, there are those who don't. The unvarnished truth is that I call people who obviously don't have a moral compass a lot of things that aren't very nice. Mostly, I call them, "Democrats."

And yes, that brings me to the fact that most Americans believe in calling a spade a spade. Most American believe in "calling a spade a spade" because most of us believe in speaking plainly and directly without sugarcoating it. It's rooted in who we are. While some say it's a part of our rugged, self-reliant nature as Americans, I believe it just points to us being a civil but pragmatic no-nonsense people.

American individualism celebrates personal autonomy, self-reliance, and directness. Culturally, this translates to a straightforward communication style where people prefer to address issues head-on rather than relying on beating around the bush. I can tell you this, we're not being rude -- we just value straight talk and honesty.

It's not that I go out of my way to occasionally ignore the feelings and sensitivities of a group, but my sense of right and wrong does bother those who don't know the difference between right and wrong. And frankly, there is no fixing stupid when dealing with some folks who think men can get pregnant or think that burning an American flag is somehow okay.

That thought takes me back to what happened about 40 years ago. There was a guy who decided to burn an American flag, and he lost most of his teeth in the process. He obviously didn't understand how much the blessings of liberty and the sacrifices made by previous generations mean to others.

Frankly speaking, he would have probably kept his teeth, and not needed facial reconstruction, if he was taught love for America -- and how important America and our flag are. Maybe if someone had taught him respect for that which American hold dear, he would have not gotten what he got.

As I said before teaching love for America is all about teaching how important our shared foundational ideals are, and how responsibility helps bridge political divides. America's foundational ideals are the core principles of liberty, equality, popular sovereignty, and the rule of law. 

Articulated in the Declaration of Independence and refined in the Constitution, those beliefs establish that all people possess inalienable rights, and that governmental power is derived solely from the consent of the governed. The belief that individuals should have the freedom to live, speak, and assemble without unnecessary government intrusion is a fundamental freedom that's enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

Before someone writes to tell me that the Democrat, that American hater, who had his teeth knocked out was merely exercising free speech, please understand that our individual liberty is not endless. Our freedom to speak or act extends only as far as it does not infringe upon or cause harm to another person's rights or safety. 

We can act, speak, and move freely, but that freedom stops the moment it attacks others. Freedom of speech does not protect actions like purposely inciting violence, making direct threats, or by purposely inciting a reaction from others by burning our flag. It's all about balance. Balancing our personal liberties with public well-being, such as regulating hazardous behavior or activities that jeopardize the health of others is important to understanding how respect and being a responsible citizen, instead of some Democrat agitator, is important.

Understanding this truth focuses on our mutual respect and goodwill for each other instead of purposely trying to get someone angry by doing something stupid like burning our flag in front of others who have the mindset to knock someone's teeth out for doing such a thing.

Teaching love of America might have helped that individual understand how the majority of us have a deep seated sense of pride, loyalty, and emotional attachment to our homeland. Some of us have such a love of America that it's motivated us to take up careers in military, law enforcement, and civil service.

I understand that a person's love of country, their "patriotism" if that have it, is shaped by a mix of personal experiences, social values, their cultural identity, and what they are taught in schools and by their parents. Those factors influence how individuals define, express, and reconcile their devotion to our nation.

The fact is that Americans are like others in other lands in that we have naturally formed strong attachments to their birthplace, native language, shared customs, and the physical landscapes of our youth. That innate bond often serves as the emotional foundation of patriotism. Combine that with a knowledge of a nation's history, founding ideals, and struggles, and you have what shapes whether or not someone views America with a sense of pride or not.

Focusing on warts, even those which have been addressed and removed, stops Americans from recognizing our nations triumphs. It stops Americans from understanding all that we as a nation have sacrificed for the good of mankind.

Recognizing the difficult chapters of American history doesn't erase our triumphs. Instead, it honors the sacrifices made to fulfill our nation's founding promises. Facing those struggles revealed our ongoing journey to make the ideals of liberty and justice for all a reality for all citizens.

I believe an overemphasis on the errors of our nations past actually blocks folks from seeing our nation's exceptional contributions to the world. I see America as a success story told by millions of people from other lands who wanted to be settlers, put down roots, and shack off the identities of the countries they fled. I see us as a united people with enduring values. So much so, that we make the United States a beacon of hope for the world.

If someone's personal values is heavily influenced by hate for America, and they completely disregard what we have given the world, than that aligns with their personal outlook on our nation and all of us as fellow citizens, as neighbors. Their hate will stop their love of America. And frankly, it will sadly stop any sort of deep appreciation for the opportunities, freedoms, and the republic that America provides us.

That's why we need to teach love of America in schools. Besides allowing the educated to have a sense of community shared with fellow citizens, it will teach them to appreciate what many around the world only wish they could have. And that, that's Liberty, Freedom, and the title of "American citizen."

Understanding our love of country enforces our identity as Americans. It's an identity that many of us are extremely proud of. So yes, teaching love of America gives us a shared national bond. Teaching it teaches civic responsibility, respect for the flag, and answers why our communities unite during crises.

I believe teaching core academics and what unites us as Americans in schools are both vitally important for our future as a nation. There is nothing wrong with schools starting the day with the Pledge of Allegiance, teaching the importance of Civic Pride, and focusing on our shared national values and our founding principles. They should be taught that our values and founding principles together make the glue that holds us together and makes us stronger as a nation.

More and more Americans today are concerned that classrooms have become too focused on Leftist identity politics. Our 250th Birthday as a nation is here and children should have an idea why America as a nation is the envy of the world. That's not Right-Wing propaganda, that's the truth.

Tom Correa

Living In Rural America -- The Benefits

As I was saying in my last post, Living In Rural America -- The Year-Round Chores, whether your property is big or small, owning property in rural areas come with continuous year-round chores. It's just a fact of life in the country. The key is keeping one step ahead of the seasons. Of course, the benefits are worth the work. 

The slower daily pace is what a lot of people look for when moving to the country. While too many folks have the tendency to fall in love with the country, and move there just to try to turn it into the city they left behind, those people never really appreciate what they have around them. And sadly, those folks are usually bad neighbors, not respectful of others or the privacy and property rights of others, drive in a hurry as if they never left commuter traffic in a major urban area, and fail to assimilate. They prove that some folks aren't meant to live in the country. 

If people who move here are smart enough to embrace it, then the benefits are huge. Along with the quiet surroundings, they too might find that they too can possibly live with less stress, have better sleep quality, experience less agitation, and gain a sense of American freedom lost on so many urban Americans. 

Maybe it's the lack of urban congestion and the bumper to bumper traffic that helps eliminate the sorry attitudes. Maybe it's the frankness, honesty, and basic moral compass that most folks in rural American have that stops fakeness. Maybe it's just the fresh air that stops most folks in the country from seeming lost and unmotivated to do things. Maybe it's just life out here? But whatever it is, rural America is good for what ails people. 

What proof? It's easy to find. Whether it's walking trails, hiking, taking a drive out to a lake, going fishing, camping, hunting, canoeing, saddling up a horse and doing some trail riding, reaping the benefits of living in rural America is what life out here is all about. Besides the freedom, rural Americans usually have a different outlook on life in general. That in itself usually means we live longer less stressful lives. 

Everyday life living in the country is focused on what you want and need to do, instead of focused on the demands of the rush-rush-rush lifestyle of the city. That translates to a lower-stress rhythm to life for us. It also translates to us having a stronger sense of community.

Most folks will tell you what research confirms, rural Americans generally report a stronger sense of community, deeper local ties, and a stronger sense of American Patriotism than the people who live in urban and suburban areas. Because populations are more geographically spread out and institutions are often further away, the age-old American tradition of helping each other is alive and well in rural America. 

Because of our smaller populations, I think most rural areas have pretty tight-knit communities who are there for each other. I know people who live in the city who have never met their neighbors, or have no idea who their neighbors are. 

While people in rural Americans are a lot more independent and respect our neighbor's privacy, there are close bonds that form. My neighbors are all more than 100 yards away from my house, but they can call me anytime if they need help in some way. And yes, there usually is a dependable support network of friends that are built.

We are there for each other. Add to that more social interaction at church, at community functions, to support local kids' softball, and more, and you'll find that rural Americans know their neighbors and will help each other. 

In some cases, it's a necessity born out of geographic distance. But really, it's old school America. We're friends and we're there for each other. Do we go to the same church? Many of us do. Do we go to the same community events, such as picnics, festivals, and community meeting? Most of us do. Do we support local businesses, especially since we probably know the owners? Yes, most of us go out of our way to do that. 

In rural America, mutual aid and neighborly support is something that most of us are proud to be a part of. And yes, there are a lot of folks out here that volunteer to help our community in one way or another. For me, I'm still a member of the Calaveras County Sheriff's Volunteer Unit. And while it's said that institutionalized volunteering has declined in American cities, the same can't be said for rural America -- especially when looking at the networks of volunteers that fill gaps in infrastructure, disaster relief, disaster assistance, fire safety, law enforcement, eldercare, and more. 

In places like Calaveras County, where access to specialized medical care or hospitals can be a significant drive away, aging-in-place frequently relies on neighbors checking in, helping with firewood, and providing transportation. As for help during disasters such as floods, wildfires, snow storms, rural communities bond together to help in whatever way we can. From clearing roads, to share horse trailers and tractors, to housing displaced families, to putting up animals that may have otherwise perished in a fire, rural Americans step up when needed. 

There is a reason that rural areas usually have less crime, rural Americans, even in rural California, are usually armed and willing to protect their property and their neighbors if needed. While rural areas generally have lower crime rates, and that in itself offers some peace of mind, I would help a neighbor if a neighbor called me. And frankly, I know for a fact that my neighbors would do the same for me.

Most of us would. It's called citizen involvement. And really, rural Americans are more involved with issues than folks in the cities. Most of us are involved with small local businesses and community organizations which act as social hubs. They help drive participation and rally support for folks who need help. And yes, I've seen huge gatherings take place to raise funds to support children in need of medical services, for families who lost everything in fires, and other local causes like raising money to keep open an elementary school. 

For us, it's not unusual to talk to others over concerns about county planning, traffic reduction, new business creation, our homes, our property rights, our security, concerned about trespassers coming up from the cities, concerns about the possible increase in crime and possibly drugs coming up from the cities. It's not unusual for folks here to be concerned about the possibility of problems of the cities spilling over into where we live. Most of us are, and we are involved. 

As for us not living expensive lifestyles? Most will find that on the overall, there are less living expenses to be had when living in the country. Sure, there are everyday costs no matter where you live, including property taxes and auto insurance, but the fact is that it's usually lower in rural areas of the country. Other than the fact that fire insurance has gone up, the price of gas is usually the same or lower than in the urban areas. 

As for the nearest grocery shopping, it's not close by or right around the corner out here. In fact, from where my wife and I live, our large grocery stores, and the nearest Walmart department store and Lowe's are all in Jackson, which is about a half hour away. So yes, there is the increase use of gas and it's cost that someone needs to be concerned with when living out here. But even at that, if we compare apples with apples, then I remember back in the late 1990s having to take almost 45 minutes to drive 9 miles in heavy traffic. 

That was when I was living in Pleasanton and would drive to Livermore to where I boarded my horse. The traffic was horrible all the time and not just during rush hour. 

Here, while the town of Jackson is is approximately 17 miles, it takes me about 25 minutes to get there. And really, I don't use as much gas nowadays as I did back when I lived in an urban area and sat at a dead stop in heavy traffic. So to be honest, I actually use less gas now than I did then even though conveniences like large grocery stores are farther away. 

Some may find that hard to understand, but then again, they may own one of the newer cars that turn themselves off when at a standstill. It seems they were built for sitting in heavy traffic on freeways that look like miles and miles of parking lot. They were probably designed to turn off the engine to help with fuel consumption in urban areas.

Is my using less gas these days a financial advantage? Since I use less gas now, even though I live farther from town than I used to, I think it is. It's one of the financial advantages of living in rural areas. And yes, another advantage is that there are lower housing costs since the median home values are significantly cheaper than in cities  

I believe Americans will find they have more purchasing power when living in the country. That's just looking at things by weighing the overall cost of living in the city with the overall cost of living in the country. To beat high electricity bills, I've installed solar to help offset the cost. And yes, to off set the high price of heating a home, I heat my home with wood during the Winter. Of course, I've read where there are some places that actually try to dictate how people heat their homes or survive a Winter cold-snap.   

I love being a free American able to fend for myself. I don't like the idea of the government, no matter if it's the federal government, state or local government telling me how to live. I don't like the government thinking they have controls on my life -- even to the extent of dictating how I heat my home. I feel it's anti-American. 

And yes, I can't stand knowing that there are places like Sacramento County that strictly regulates how a resident stays warm in the Winter. And let's be frank here, what business does Sacramento County have to permanently ban traditional, open-hearth fireplaces or wood burning stoves from being sold or installed in new construction. 

Residents in that county are restricted to using only gas or electric heaters. Restrictions on the use of fireplaces, wood stoves, and pellet stoves during the Winter, can result in fines if violated in that county. It's true. Residents must check the daily burn status before using any wood or solid-fuel appliance. Violating those bans can result in a $50 fine. Of course, I don't know what would be cheaper on the consumers in that county -- paying a $50 fine or paying the huge increase in gas and electricity bills you accrue from being restricted to using only gas or electric heaters during the Winter.

As for food being more expensive in the country? I don't think it is. Besides watching grocery stores sales like everyone else, we grow a lot of own food in my wife's garden. We get eggs from neighbors. And yes, my wife gives them a lot of veggies from her garden. 

As for stocking our freezer, I buy a half a beef a year which lasts a long time. And frankly, as with most folks in rural areas, we keep a well stocked pantry so that we can buy needed groceries when they are on sale. Replenishing your food pantry when things are on sale is easier on the wallet. So yes, I believe that it's cheaper to live in the country. I think the cheaper basic needs of living in the country leave families with more disposable income. 

Another benefit to living in rural America has to do with owning property. Acreage allows for large gardens and privacy. County zoning rules make it much easier to build additions, clear your land, and raise livestock, chickens, or have horses. Rural Americans' freedom to raise small livestock, chickens, and grow their own food lends to our sense of personal freedom. The fact is, rural Americans are less dependent on the system then folks in the cities. 

So yes, living in rural America, in general, provides folks with distinct advantages that center around individual freedom, personal space, stronger community connections, a healthier, lower-stress natural lifestyle, financial affordability, better homeschooling and child raising. 

I'd say that rural Americans on the overall are self-reliant and independent. Besides raising livestock, growing food, and participating in tightly-knit community networks, rural Americans tend to live a "do-it-yourself" lifestyle -- if anything, simply out of necessity. It's created a work ethic that works.  

In rural America, doing-it-yourself isn't just a lifestyle. In fact, it's an essential survival skill. Because they have a sense of self-reliance and are independent spirits, rural Americans routinely fix their own vehicles, maintain personal utility systems, and take care of their property out of pure necessity. It's a part of the "Rural American Culture" shaped by practical realities. 

Most rural properties owners believe in independent living. While most have wells, septic systems, home generators, possibly solar arrays, and probably wood stoves. When something breaks, unless it is really an extensive problem which means calling a professional plumber, or a well company, or an electrician, rural homeowners are more prone to tackle jobs themselves. While people in the city are more prone to hire someone to install a faucet or paint a bedroom, rural Americans usually just do it themselves. 

As for being resourceful and resilient, some folks say Americans living in the country repurpose old parts and materials into functional tools. Well, we do. And frankly, it's a time-honored rural tradition that helps lower everyday household expenses. That also applies to emergency preparedness, rural self-reliance extends to personal health and emergencies. Distant municipal first responders mean that learning basic life skills, maintaining a personal supply of essentials, and knowing how to safely manage property hazards are vital for safety.

The overwhelming benefit of living in rural America is the unparalleled quality of life rooted in affordability, tranquility, and strong social connection. Living in rural America offers unparalleled freedom, independence, and quality of life, particularly in beautiful, expansive areas like Calaveras County. 

So yes, the benefits of living in rural America generally break down to having more space and privacy, having a lower cost of living, experiencing stronger community ties, having a closer connection to the land, and living a life with more self-reliance and personal motivation. 

Larger lot sizes, and lower population density, means you have room to breathe. You can enjoy quiet, dark star filled night skies, and the buffer between you and your neighbors. Rural areas typically feature more affordable housing markets, allowing you to get much more property for your money compared to crowded urban centers. Smaller towns usually create tight-knit, supportive communities where neighbors truly look out for one another and local traditions thrive. 

As for having a closer connection to the land? Living here, people automatically have immediate access to outdoor recreation — such as hiking, fishing, and trail riding. It's all right outside your door. That in itself promotes a peaceful lifestyle. And honestly, for someone tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, that's not a bad thing at all.

As for you depending on yourself to get things done? Self-reliance is needed in the country. Without it, you can sit on your backside and be lazy, and feel the sting of having it tough. In contrast, be motivated and reap the rewards of being resourceful, independent, and resilient. 

Resourcefulness, independence, and resilience are what makes Americans great. It's what makes us unafraid to meet challenges head on and figure things out without waiting for someone else's permission. It's about independence, and having the financial and emotional autonomy to live life without being stuck waiting for someone else to validate our work before moving forward. It's about relying on yourself and building immense grit. It's about trusting your own instincts and abilities rather than conforming to outside pressure. 

Living in rural America offers a slower, less stressful lifestyle away from urban density, granting easier access to nature and cleaner environments. And frankly, with more land and distance between neighbors, you have the independence to pursue self-sufficient hobbies like gardening, raising livestock, working horses, or working on personal projects. With housing significantly cheaper than in urban areas, that opens the door to homeownership and allowing you to live comfortably on a smaller income. 

Of course, in this part of America, it's a comfort to know that neighbors look out for one another. For me, I love it here. I love the sense of well-being that comes with living in a smaller community. And really, whether it's my ability to take in rescue horses, trail ride whenever I feel the urge, volunteer within my community in whatever way I please, or me simply being able to furnish my wife with huge gardens, I love the genuine sense of purpose and belonging that living here gives me. 

Tom Correa

Living In Rural America -- The Year-Round Chores

I was recently talking with a friend about all of the chores that I've been having to catch up on around my property. This is exactly why I've been too busy to write my blog lately. 

You see, I've been playing catch-up around here since last November (2025). The reason is that between 2022 and 2025, I helped care for my Mom while she was on Hospice. I was there for three years for her. It was in April of last year that she started needing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week care. With the help of my brother, and sisters, we took care of her until she passed last October. 

I feel good about it because I know that's what family is supposed to do for each other. Besides, I love my Mom and didn't mind doing what was needed for her.

Well, since last October after her passing, I've been on a mission to get my property squared away and back up to snuff. The fact is that while I was taking care of my Mom, and my wife Deanna was holding down the fort around here as well as possible, a few things fell into disrepair. To remedy this, we've replaced our gutters, completely redid my wife Deanna's garden, and I've repaired parts of my barn, some water pipes, redid a couple of water troughs, and I've been cleaning cluttered sheds. 

In essence, I've had to repair what has only given sort of "band-aid" attention on things while I was caring for my Mom. Now, frankly speaking, it feels good to see everything coming together. Of course, as you my readers have brought to my attention, I haven't been writing as much lately. 

This post is to talk about year-round chores that come with living is rural America. So, while I just wanted to take a minute or two to explain to you about how my working around my property has stopped me from writing as much as I've wanted to, you need to know that playing "catch-up" is hard work. And yes, that's the number one reason why keeping up with your chores around your property is so important. 

Right now, my wife is happy with all of the improvements. So that's a good thing. Of course, as you can see with this post, though life's chores get in the way of things, things have a way of slowing down enough to work on other things -- in my case, my blog.

What have I been doing? Well, I've been real busy fixing water pipes, repairing my irrigation system, cleaning sheds, mending fences. repairing parts of my barn, replacing corral boards, and more. But no, there won't be a quiz later about any of that.

As for chores that come with with living in the country, it's all part of the constant year-round process up keeping your place up to snuff. For me, I should be close to being finished with reorganizing my sheds, tack area and feed room. I hope to be finished with being caught up with those chores by next week. 

If you're thinking that it's going to be hotter than Hades next week? You're probably right. It can get hot this time of year. Some call it "scorching." Some folks call it "sweltering." But guess what, calling it names isn't going to change the fact that I need to get things done. To beat the heat, most folks recommend working earlier in the day or toward the evening when it's not so hot. 

I didn't follow that recommendation yesterday, and I was hit with a bit of heat exhaustion. As stubborn as I can get sometimes to the point of not wanting to stop when I'm on a roll, I really needed to stop and cool off instead of keep at it. While I thought I was staying hydrated, I really needed to just stop and hit it again earlier today to beat the heat.

I live in Calaveras County, California, because it's nothing like Los Angeles or the San Francisco Bay Area. This county has a lot to it. It is the California Gold Country, the High Sierra Nevada Mountains, the foothills, and the valley floor. This is "Rural America" at its finest. And yes, I absolutely love this place. I think most folks who live here feel the same way. 

Of course, living in the country, you quickly learn how there are more than four seasons. Depending on where you live and what's on your plate, there can be more than a few seasons beyond Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. 

For those of us who are fortunate enough to live here in Calaveras County, we all regularly adapt to the realities of the addition of Fire Seasons to our year. Like every other part of living in rural America, we just accept it and deal with it because it's part of life when owning property in rural areas.

In California, there's the "Green-to-Brown" transition which is all about our annual Spring to Fire Season transition. That happens when the beautiful lush Spring growth quickly dries out and turns into "fire fuel". Then, when temperatures hit the 90s and higher on a regular basis, CAL FIRE enforces seasonal burn bans. 

In fact, there is a ban on burning and suspension of burning permits in effect right now. It's in place as an effort to prevent early-Summer wildfires. Burn bans effectively prohibit residential landscape debris burning. If you didn't get your debris burning done while the rains were still here, you're going to have to wait until next Winter to burn that brush pile.

Fire Season is that time when we are especially vulnerable to wildfire outbreaks. But in all honestly, while Fire Season is a time of higher risk, fires starting out of nowhere by human negligence or lighting strikes are a year-round threat. And really, from what I've seen over the year, it always has been that way.

Because of that, daily life dictates that we include maintain a defensible space around our property as one of our routine chores. Of course, even if a wildfire is miles away in a neighboring county, air quality might no be the greatest during fire season. That means outdoor chores may be limited.

As for Drought Season in California? The first drought that I experienced in California was when I was a Marine stationed in Camp Pendleton back in 1976. I remember how we did things like putting bricks in our toilet tanks so that we'd use less water. I also remember how the California Governor at the time promised more water reservoirs for a growing population.

Well, the population has almost doubled in the state since then, and the crazy California Environmentalist Movement that controls part of California's Leftist politicians have stopped almost every effort to put in more water reservoirs over the last 50 years.

Thankfully, my wife and I rely on our well. The long stretches of dry weather require water management, especially if you're irrigating pastures and maintaining livestock water troughs.

Being responsible and taking ownership of preparing your property for fire season means clearing brush and managing your acreage, managing brush, regularly clearing thistle and other invasive weeds, tending to fallen tree branches, and cutting tall grass around buildings,. It's all about reducing fire hazards while also improving pasture health.

Anyone who has lived in the country long enough know that some years it feels like you missed Spring somehow and instead went from Winter weather and straight into Summer. Then again, there are those years when it feels like Fall sort of blew by and Winter arrived with a bang.

Getting ready for Winter is important. To do that, most of us winterize and insulate outdoor pipes, do maintenance on our backup generator, and stockpile wood to make getting through Winter easier. Stockpiling firewood is vitally important if you heat your home with wood. Whether you're cutting and splitting and stacking your own firewood or not, you can't wait until the last minute to do that.

If you cut, split, and stack your own wood, then you're already ahead of the game. For those folks who buy a few cords, they need to do it during the Summer and not wait until Winter to buy their wood. Too many people do, and then end up either paying way too much money for wood or they find themselves in trouble because they can't find firewood for sale.

While that's the way it is for folks in rural America in general, there are much more to worry about when you have horses, cattle, or other livestock to care for.

For example, I mentioned how everyone living in the country needs to be aware that there are more than just four seasons, and have to take in consideration Fire Season and possibly Drought Season of limited water. Ranching operation have that to consider and a lot more.

Ranching operations revolve around a strict seasonal calendar dictated by nature. The annual cycle typically shifts through four distinct phases: there Calving Season when cows are calving in the spring, the Summer season is for grazing and haying. gathering and weaning takes place in the Fall, and feeding and planning next year takes place during the Winter months.

Spring is the "Season of New Life." It's also the busiest and most labor-intensive time on a ranch. The reason is because Calving Season is where cows give birth to new calves. And with that, ranchers will work round-the-clock to monitor pregnant cows, be there to assist with difficult births, and ensure newborns are healthy.

During Calving Season newborn calf care is essential to make sure calves receive colostrum within the first hours of life. That's why it's important to monitor and frequently check expecting cows and heifers, especially through the night, and have a designated "calving pen" ready if an animal needs assistance.

For some operations, this is also the time when newborn calves are tagged, vaccinated, and branded. Tagging calves for identification, administering required vaccines, and banding, or castration, are all part of a ranch.

Spring also means ranchers have to move their herds out of winter feeding areas and onto fresh, green spring pastures. This all takes a lot of work, but their Summer growth and forage depend on it.

 
Summer is that time of year when ranchers hope to see rapid livestock growth and harvesting the resources needed for winter. Depending on the region, ranchers may trail their herds up to high-altitude mountain pastures where grazing is abundant. Rotating pastures by moving cattle between different pastures is meant to prevent overgrazing and manage forage growth.

 
As for hay production, Summers are when ranchers spend weeks mowing, baling, and storing hay in barns so they have a sufficient Winter feed supply.

Fall is all about harvest and sorting. Fall involves gathering livestock, and preparing the herds for the colder months. Herds are gathered from summer pastures and brought back down to the home ranch. You see that a lot where I live because there's so much more grass in the high country. 

Fall is also a time for weaning and sending a herd to market. Calves are weaned off their mothers and either sold at market or kept through the Winter. Ranchers evaluate their herds, and their experience tells them which cows to keep for breeding and which to sell off to optimize herd size for the Winter.

They say winter is the season of survival for a reason. It is that time of year that requires heavy daily maintenance, and careful resource management.

 
Since natural forage can be buried by snow or is dormant from frost, ranchers feed the cattle stored hay on a daily basis. This is one of the toughest times of the year because so much work is put into keeping water fresh and not frozen, and ensuring cows have adequate shelter and windbreaks to stay warm. 

Winter is also the time of year when ranchers take stock of what they have, their profitability, form a plan for breeding seasons, possibly reorder supplies of vaccines, antibiotics, dewormers, and ear tags, and figure out where they're going to get the funds to repair needed machinery.

 
Raising cattle requires a dedicated, daily routine of feeding, watering, herd monitoring, and maintenance. While the exact workload scales with herd size and season, consistent attention is the key to preventing health issues and ensuring your herd thrives.

As for Daily Chores, feeding is number one on the list. The chore of distributing hay, silage, or grain is important. While some folks will tell you that it's just about throwing hay to cattle, they probably don't realize that someone should be monitoring if the cattle are intaking enough, if they are eating adequately, and also if there may be overly aggressive cows hoarding feed or stopping others from eating. Someone should have the routine chore of checking pens and pastures to count the herd, and see if any of the animals have signs of illness, lameness, or injury.

Checking for clean water troughs is also important. Someone has to routinely check to ensure automatic valves and floats are functioning. In the Winter, someone has to check and make sure water isn't frozen. In the Summer heat, the last thing any rancher wants is dried up water throughs and thirsty cattle. Having the chore of maintaining water for animals is one of the most important jobs on a livestock or horse operation.

 
It's the same thing as fence maintenance, it is important to inspect fences, gates, and hot wires (electric fences) to ensure there are no breaks, shorts, or areas where cattle and horses can escape. It's important to repair breaks in your fences, tighten sagging fence posts, and clear fallen limbs that can make a fence absolutely useless. Fixing fences is an ongoing chore, especially when you have livestock and horses. People who put off fixing fences end up regretting it.

Along with making sure your fences are up to par is maintaining gravel driveways and making sure your outbuildings are serviceable. Driveway grading to get rid of those Winter ruts is important. Because heavy rains often wash gravel away, driveways and country roads need regular grading and occasional fresh gravel to prevent deep ruts. I just had two tractor trailer loads of road base gravel brought in to redo my driveway.

As for taking care of your equipment? The bottom line is that ensuring your generator is serviced and ready for whatever may come is no different than having your tractor and mower, and other utility vehicles ready to go. Having them greased, having their oil changed, and in the case of a mower -- it's important to get its blades sharpened before heavy use -- this all cuts down on a lot of costly repair or replacement bills later.

While I'd love to say that I operate a horse rescue, I can't because I'm not operating a horse rescue that's a business. It's not a business, and it's not a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that takes in tax-deductible donations and grants. I have "rescue horses" that I've taken in over the years to keep them from slaughter. While it's rewarding, it can be financially demanding. But, all and all, we do fine. And yes, our horses are all fat and happy -- and that's what matters.

Rescue horses are no different than high priced cutting horses in that their daily feedings and clean water is vital to them. Horses, like all livestock, rely entirely on us. 

That means regular routine chores include twice-daily feedings, making sure they have clean water, muck out their stalls when they are not turned out, applying fly prevention this time of year, and horse checks, are all a daily chore. Horse checks are needed in that horses need to be inspected for cuts, swelling, or signs of colic. It is amazing what sorts of trouble horses can get themselves into. And yes, that's why we add regular horse checks to our routine chores.

While their hooves should be picked daily, especially true if they are kept in stalls, scheduling a farrier to come out every 8 to 9 weeks is important. . As for bringing a farrier to trim their hoofs, I actually have a Shoer coming out next week. And no, it's not cheap these days.

Winter is a tough season simply because rains and snow brings muddy pastures and paddocks that can cause all sorts of problems for your livestock. That why as soon as Spring comes, I move our horses to different pastures to allow the grass in heavily grazed areas to recover. Over the last six or seven years now, I have an agreement with my neighbor to put my horses in their pasture so that my horses eat it down to help keep the fire danger down. And yes, it also helps them financially since I pay them what it would cost me in hay.

As for my wife's garden, we completely redid it. We tore it apart, removed the old wooden raised beds, brought in railroad ties to create a retaining wall, and leveled off a substantial are for her garden. We started work on February 1st and we had everything, I mean everything, ready for her Spring planting. Now part of her chores in maintaining it.

So yes, living in the country requires chores. They are the daily, weekly, and seasonal responsibilities that routinely need to be done. As crazy as it might sound to some folks, but for me, fulfilling my responsibilities by doing my chores make life rewarding.

Chores are all of the routine tasks, sometimes minor but necessary things that need to get done. While chores are often seen as boring or unpleasant by some folks, I've never looked at them that way because I was taught from a young age how important chores are. I was always taught that washing dishes and taking out the trash was as important to keeping a house clean, on the same level of importance as feeding your dog and your farm animals. 

I have to tell you that being taught as a kid that chores are not sometimes to be dreaded, helped my in the Marine Corps. In the Corps, we had something that everyone refers to as "shit details." Its Marine slang referring to an extremely unpleasant, menial, unwanted work assignment, temporary task, or duty that's not the greatest -- but has to be done. Things like guard duty, mess duty, cleaning a head (bathroom0, being assigned to do laundry, and other things that need to get done are colloquially called "shit details" in the Marine Corps. 

I can say, without hesitation that I never look at anything menial or unpleasant as a "shit detail." I saw that as simply chores that needed to be done. Understanding that fact of life helped to give me a great work ethic in life.  

That leads us to the benefits of doing chores. I know that my animals depend on me. I know that, and the good feeling that I get from accomplishing something that I can see firsthand is great.

In reality, that's why having kids do chores is good for them. It teaching to believe in their own ability to accomplish things. It give them a sense of competence. For example, whether it's getting kids to fold laundry or wash dishes, doing such chores gives kids a sense of an immediate accomplishment. This builds self-esteem and the belief that you have the skills to succeed at your goals. 

Teaching kids to do chores also teaches them that sharing the load of daily maintenance is good because it contributes to the family. Later, when they have their children do chores, they will do it knowing the empathy, gratitude, and the genuine feeling of being a family that doing chores brings.

You see, whether it's a matter of maintaining horse health, addressing needed preparation for Fire Season, or simply maintaining your property, all is all, it shows you that the fruit of your labor is not in vain.

That's important because it's what we see for ourselves. Whether we like it or not, sometimes the results of our daily grin aren't as immediately visible. While one's effort is never truly a waste, and "Working is good for our soul," sometimes our efforts aren't as visible as being about to see what you're producing. 

Understanding that our jobs, our vocation, how we take care of our home, our property, or how we approach our chores, are all a lot like how we see ourselves is important. Besides the fact that we can see how what we do benefits us and others, when we see accomplishments, big and small, it encourages us. It let's us see that every effort and challenge can be overcome. It shows us that seeds planted eventually yields meaning and purpose.

Tom Correa

Homeschooling Is A Great Fit For Rural America

Parents today are concerned about what their children are learning, or if they are actually learning what they need, in public schools. Researching this topic, I 've found that schools have some wonderful teachers who are outstanding Americans concerned with providing children with truly balanced educations focused on blending core academics and civic pride. 

Those outstanding American teachers work tirelessly to successfully blend core academics with civic pride, which national polling show is something that parents and the majority of the public agree with. Both parents and the public in general believe that schools should teach core academics, as well as Constitutional values while instilling a sense of civic responsibility in young Americans.

The problem is that a few rotten apples seem to steal the limelight. They use their positions in the classroom to further their personal agenda and interest in social engineering, teaching Leftist political indoctrination, and spreading malicious hatred for America, rather than they are in educating. This malicious virus has spread to many public schools to such an extent that many schools today rather focus on divisive cultural issues -- than teach academics and what united us as Americans.

That's why more American parents then ever are increasingly bypassing traditional public schools -- and instead are homeschooling their children. It is a trend that's driven by their concerns over the Leftist Anti-American political advocacy of teachers who prioritize political agendas over student academic success. This has led to the rise of homeschooling, virtual homeschooling, micro-schools, and alternative learning pods, which allows families to reclaim control over their children's education.

While the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public school teachers are not speaking as private citizens when executing their job duties, meaning they cannot hijack the curriculum to preach personal Leftist politics and anti-American hate, that hasn't stopped them from doing so -- because teachers and administrators are of the same ilk. Most of the time, the unprofessional conduct of teachers is protected by the very administrations that should be monitoring them.

This sort of permissiveness from local administrations is teachers push their personal political and social agendas. In many cases, as reported in the news these days, there are teachers almost everywhere these days who purposely cross professional boundaries by engaging in misconduct with students.

And as for berating students who may be Christians, there are some teachers who have done that -- and do that today. And yes, there are teachers today who utilize grades as a weapon to vindictively punish students who do not agree with a teacher's political agenda.

So while it is said that educators who cross professional boundaries are investigated by school administrations, local law enforcement in cases of criminality, and state licensing boards, the fact is that only a small percentage of educators face adverse actions because oversight is almost non-existent. The problem is that while laws exist, enforcement largely falls to local principals and superintendents who allow it to happen.

That is, local principals and superintendents will allow it to happen until parents take action. It's then that there's usually a cosmetic course correction in the way schools are run. Yes, cosmetic because those course corrections only last for a little while until everything blows over and administrators again allow the status quo to resume their unprofessional conduct.

That's why, fortunate for us, whether teachers, their Unions, and school administrators like it or not, don't have the final say in regards to what our children need. Fortunate for us that parents in America still have the right to guide their children's moral, religious, educational, and personal development.

That's why if you're someone who has a family, you may want to give some thought to how rural school systems usually provide smaller class sizes and lower student-to-teacher ratios. And of course, there are those folks today who rather homeschool their children instead of possibly exposing their children to teachers with an political agenda that most likely doesn't agree with the way parents want to raise their children. For them, they'd find that parents who homeschool in rural areas have a higher rate of success than parents who homeschool in the cities.

So while research shows that homeschooled students generally outperform their public school peers nationwide, rural homeschoolers achieve higher "success" rates when tested than that of city students. The success of homeschooling rural children has a lot to do with the resources and time that parents dedicate to their children versus the limited time that parents in the city do.

The fact is, there is also less distraction. Because there are fewer commercial distractions, kids tend to be more focused with consistent home study routine. Add this to that tight knit communities in rural areas, and rural families find that they can tap into localized support, apprenticeships, and farm-based learning like the 4H Club and the FFA.

Homeschooling offers a highly customizable, flexible alternative to the problems children face in public schools. And really, it allows parents to tailor curriculums to a child's specific learning pace and values. Without exposure to classroom behavioral disruptions, homeschooled students often experience lower anxiety and can learn at a self-directed pace. That in itself is a huge benefit because it means kids can dive deep into specific subjects without being constrained by a rigid school bell schedule.

In rural areas, busing to and from school often require students to spend an hour or more on a bus each way. Homeschooling eliminates long bus commutes and chaotic peer environments, offering rural kids fewer classroom distractions. So, without the long bus rides, homeschooling offering student more time for sleep, chores, and academics. These are all huge benefits to homeschooling.

All in all, looking at this for what it is, the positives outweigh the negatives when you factor in how children are able to be less distracted, more focused, gain hands-on experience doing chores and through 4H and FFA projects.

Combine that with the benefits of rural children learning from local agriculture clubs, regional history, and hands-on homework that fit perfectly into the curriculum. Then, add to the equation how rural children gain a good foundational moral compass, a great work ethic, learn respect and civility, and gain a grasp on American Exceptionalism, all which are things that most cities kids lack these days, and it's no wonder why homeschooling is seen as a great alternative to public schools.

To me, homeschooling is a perfect fit for rural America.

Tom Correa

The Mystery of Outlaw Jim Burrow's Corpse

Jim Burrow 1880s

In my story Rube & Jim Burrow -- 1880s Train Robbers, I talked about how by February of 1888, between robberies, the notorious outlaws Rube Burrow and his brother Jim were identified while passengers on a train. That happened when a train conductor recognized the outlaws from a previous robbery. The brothers were on a Louisville & Nashville train in southern Alabama. 

As I wrote in Rube & Jim Burrow -- 1880s Train Robbers, in what was pretty quick work, lawmen gathered a posse and surrounded the Nashville train station. When the train pulled in, lawmen trapped Rube and Jim in a passenger car. Soon, a huge shootout started. During the shooting, Rube was able to escape by shooting his way out. He would go on to rob more trains and became the subject of one of the biggest manhunts in American history. It's true. In the late 1880s, Rube Burrow made a lot of newspaper as he continued to rob trains despite being a wanted fugitive. He evaded capture and eluded authorities for two years before finally being caught.

As for Jim, he was taken into custody and jailed in Texarkana. His trial for the train robbery was still underway when he died from tuberculosis in a Texarkana jail on October 5, 1888. Well, I'll said I'd talk about the mystery surrounding Jim Burrow death. So,  here the rest of the story. 

James Buchanan “Jim” Burrow, born in 1858, died on October 5, 1888, aged 29–30 years. He was tried for his crimes, but soon became very ill and died. A prison medical examiner pronounced him dead, and he was subsequently buried in the prison cemetery. We would think that that was the end of the story of Jim Burrow. But, as strange as it was, it wasn't. 

Five years after his death, in 1893, the state of Arkansas issued an order to remove and relocate the graves of the convicts at the Arkansas Penitentiary, in Little Rock. They were to be dug up and moved to a new burial site. To do the job, people were hired to supervise the remove and relocation. The work to dig up the dead was done by inmates. 

In late December 1893, the gravediggers were digging up Jim Burrow's grave when one of their shovels made a hollow sound when it hit it Jim's coffin. This was unusual since none of the others made such a distinct hollow sound. This prompted them to open it up, revealing, well, nothing. Jim Burrow's coffin was empty.

Below is the short article as it was syndicated by telegraph and appeared in the San Francisco Call newspaper, Volume 75, Number 30, on December 30, 1893:

Burrows' Coffin Empty

Little Rock, Ark., Dec. 29 -- This morning while laborers were exhuming the bodies of deceased State convicts to remove them to the new prison cemetery, they found the coffin of Jim Borrows, the train-robber, buried two years ago, empty. The discovery caused a sensation and led to rumors that the bandit may have escaped.

-- end of article. 

As published in the San Francisco Call newspaper on December 30, 1893

What happened to outlaw Jim Burrow's corpse turned into a mystery that no one has ever solved. There has been a lot of speculation over the years. So now, let's talk about some of that speculation. But first, let's talk about unreliable witnesses testimony.

Right after the discovery that Jim Burrow's coffin was empty, there were reports of strange sightings of his ghost. Yes, supposedly, there were reported sightings of Jim Burrow's ghost from folks who were considered reliable and honest. Those people supposedly had reputations, as they say, "were beyond reproach."

They claimed the ghost "must have been" Jim Burrow because he looked like an outlaw. What's a ghost of a dead outlaw, an outlaw who died of tuberculosis, look like? Well, believe or not, the description of Jim's afterlife apparition answers that question.

To paraphrase their reports, according to some, Jim's ghost was "wearing a 6-shooter on his hip, with his eyes glowing like two shiny orbs, just as a wild animal's eyes might shine, walking the night, and only resting on the grave of his notorious brother Rube."

Yes, that's the other part of the Jim Burrow Ghost Story, supposedly Jim's ghost must have "walked to Alabama" from Arkansas in search of his brother Rube. As crazy as that sounds, believe it or not, there were folks who really believed that they saw the ghost of Jim Burrow.

On a more sensible level, the discovery of Jim Burrow's empty coffin certainly caused a lot of questioned to be asked in the state of Arkansas. Some of those questions were honest concerns for the safety of the community. Some were real in that they questioned corruption and basic protocols. Some were pure fantasy, while other were speculation and unsubstantiated conjecture.

So, Let's Talk About Speculation And What Could Have Happened To Jim

If you've followed my blog at all, then you probably know that I usually talk about speculation and unsubstantiated conjecture in reference to writers and historians who form theories and give their opinion based on incomplete information. While a lot of that drives me insane because I can't stand people coming to conclusions when over things that have no real hard evidence, you also know that I also don't care for the way writers and historians "guess" and reach conclusions that lack factual evidence -- just because they think that's what happened. 

Frankly, that happens a lot when objectivity is thrown out a window. Instead of being impartial, unbiased, and base their claims on observable facts, there are some Old West writers and historians who would rather run with their personal feelings and so-called "expert interpretations." Actually, when someone says that, it means they they're relying on their prejudices -- for or against. An objective statement or decision is independent of the observer because it represents the truth and reality of what took place minus individual bias.

Speculation and jumping to conclusions have around since the dawn of time. To some, especially to folks in the news media and politics, speculation is an art form. It's among the reasons that people don't trust the News Media or politicians. 

It is the act of reasoning while only having limited, partial, or circumstantial evidence to consider what "might" happen, or what "might" have happened. or what "could be" true. No certainty is involved. It's sort of like conjecture which is a synonym for a guess, a gut feeling, or a hunch. When claims are "unsubstantiated," that means the premise completely lacks any sort of supporting proof or validation. That means such a claim or opinion is one that relies entirely on blind supposition. 

In law, distinguishing between factual proof and unsubstantiated conjecture is critical because that type of information can result in a case being thrown out of court or an innocent man being hanged. 

In the later, a baseless claim, a statement without a foundation in fact, a groundless assumption which is taking a "belief," right or wrong, as true without having any proof, unfounded rumor which is information spread without evidence to back it up, and an unsupported guess, are all how innocent men were railroaded and hanged in the Old West.

In legal settings claims or allegations presented as reports but lack concrete evidence to support them are usually not allowed.in court. In science, claims that lack empirical or experimental backing are seen as suspect and false.

Supposition is someone's belief that's taken to be true without proof. Journalist and folks in the media use rumors and hearsay all the time when reporting on something without proper fact-checking. And no, it's nothing new. 

For example, just look at how the Tombstone Epitaph newspaper reported on the "supposed" killing of Curly Bill at the hands of Wyatt Earp in 1882. I say "supposed" because with absolutely no evidence of the event taking place, no dead body of Curly Bill, absolutely no witnesses to what took place, no Coroner Inquest was formed to look into it, no Sheriff's report or investigation into the supposed killing in what Earp claimed to be "self-defense," nothing. Yet, the Tombstone Epitaph ran the story as if it were Gospel -- all because the story of the supposed death of Curly Bill was told to them by Wyatt Earp. Imagine that.

And think about this, a lot of people today truly believe that Wyatt Earp killed Curly Bill in a "Shotgun Duel" and their acceptance of that story is based on nothing other than the word of Wyatt Earp. Even today, no matter if we know for a fact that Wyatt Earp lied a lot, and made a lot of outlandish claims during his life, there are still writers and historians who will tell you that there is no doubt in their mind that Wyatt Earp did what he claimed because he said he did. 

Frankly, the Tombstone Epitaph newspaper assuming something is true without having any facts or proof to back it up is usually the case when people think they can "get over" on others. Making an assumption without proof is known as conjecture. When people use conjecture to manipulate or "get over" on others, they are usually relying on the hope that the other person will not challenge the claim, will feel too intimidated to ask for proof, or will simply accept the fiction as fact.

As for Jim Burrow, when his body turned up missing, there was a lot of supposing going on. There was a great deal of speculating, guessing, or assuming taking place without concrete facts. Of course, a lot of people were asking if a dangerous outlaw were still be on the loose? Some folks asked if a bribe may have been involved? Some folks wanted to know if crooked prison guards and the doctor were in cahoots? Some asked if the doctor who examined Burrow may have been paid off -- just to get him outside of the prison walls. Some folks asked if the protocols for the internment of deceased convicts needed to be looked at with more supervision. 

There were a few folks who tried to make the case that Rube Burrow worked out a plan to payoff prison officials to set his brother Jim free just a few days before Rube himself was shot dead. They didn't have any proof that such a thing took place, but that didn't stop them from accepting that it did.

When Speculation Becomes Plausible And Has Some Credibility

When speculation has some credibility means that someone has made an educated guess or theory that's supported by enough logic, circumstantial evidence, or preliminary facts -- that they they should be taken seriously. It is more than just a wild rumor or a guess, but not yet proven fact. It's when something is plausible, that the idea makes sense and fits with existing knowledge, circumstances, or historical patterns of something -- in this case, we're talking about graverobbing.

While it was never proven, so there is absolutely no hard proof that that's what happened to Jim Burrow's corpse, some folks speculated that Jim Burrow's corpse may have been sold.

That made a few folks sit up and take notice because that was a real and honest possibility. It's plausible that the prison officials didn't know anything about Jim Burrow's corpse going missing or why. In fact, Burrow's corpse could have been dug up by hired grave robbers who supplied medical schools with cadavers without prison officials knowing about what was taking place. But, the fact is, during that time period, there was the possibility that prison officials sold Jim's corpse to a local medical school.

The reason that it was a real and honest possibility is that, historically, it's true that medical schools during that time frequently acquired cadavers from jailers, prison officials, and poor houses. The corpses of the poor and the incarcerated were treated as commodities. In fact, they were often sold without family consent, particularly in the South, where the dead was exploited for medical education.

There is historical evidence that shows so-called "Night Doctors," teachers, medical students, and their agents, bought or stole bodies, sometimes shipping them in barrels labeled as other goods, such as turpentine or molasses. It was illegal.

It was called a "Gray Market." And yes, some states had "anatomy laws" to allow the use of unclaimed bodies. Others states had gray markets where medical schools would pay the keepers of jails or poor houses for corpses.

In the post-Civil War, late-19th-century South, dead bodies that should have been in coffins in cemeteries were commonly used for anatomy studies at both Northern and Southern medical colleges. The trade was a national phenomenon driven by the high demand for dissection material in medical schools, which was not matched by legal, voluntary donations.

Using cadavers "not matched by legal, voluntary donations," was the excuse that medical schools used to rely on grave robbing. So yes, there is a very good possibility that outlaw Jim Burrow's corpse was sold in the 1890s. But, as we know, just because there's a very good possibility of someone happening, that doesn't make it true.

The fact is, just as with a lot of went on in the Old West, speculation, conjecture, and unreliable witnesses testimony, no matter if they seem "reputable," doesn't make anything true. Real evidence does.

There was a lot of speculation and conjecture when Jim Burrow's coffin was found empty. But, there is absolutely no evidence of what ever happened to his corpse. From what I can tell, no one will ever know what happened to Jim Burrow's body -- or if he was ever really buried. 

It's an Old West mystery that I seriously doubt will ever be solved.

Tom Correa

Rube & Jim Burrow -- 1880s Train Robbers

Rube Burrow

Muscle Shoals, Alabama, is in Colbert County, while Lamar County is immediately to the southwest, bordering Mississippi. While in Muscle Shoals in 1993, I ended up in their local hospital. The folks there were absolutely wonderful, just as most folks are in the South. 

During my stay in the hospital, a nurse talked to me about some of the local history and some of the more colorful characters in that area. That's when I first learned about the notorious Burrow brother outlaw gang. 

Allen Henry Burrow, 1825 to 1892, was a farmer and former-Confederate Army Private who served in Company H, of the 5th Alabama Cavalry. At least ten years before the start of the Civil War, around 1850, he married Martha Caroline Terry Burrow, 1828 to 1912. After getting married, they settled in Sulligent, in Lamar County, to start farming there. The production and processing of cotton was an important industry in Sulligent. 

It's said that Alan and Martha Burrow, sometimes misspelled as "Burrows," had ten children. I've only been able to confirm that they had seven. I've found that they had three sons and four daughters -- all supposedly born in Sulligent.

The Burrow's first child was their son William Jasper. He, according to his headstone, was born in 1851. He would have been 9 or 10 years old at the start of the Civil War, and either 13 or 14 when the war ended. So, was William Burrow old enough to have served in the Confederacy? The answer to that question is yes. 

If we consider there were very young boys serving in both the Union and the Confederate, then it's very possible that young William Jasper Burrow served in the Civil War. Obviously, he could have. But frankly, while his family may know, I haven't been able to say yes or no. 

Why do I bring up the question about his possible service during the Civil War? It's because there were much younger boys who did serve. For example, Edward Black is generally considered the youngest soldier to serve in the Civil War. Black joined the Union Army's 21st Indiana Volunteers as a drummer boy at just 8 years old on July 24, 1861. 

One famous young soldier was John Clem. He became a legendary drummer boy at age 9. Known as "Johnny Shiloh" or the "Drummer Boy of Chickamauga," Clem ran away to join the 22nd Michigan Regiment in 1861. Clem is the youngest person to ever become a Noncommissioned Officer in U.S. Army history at age 12.  

There's Avery Brown who enlisted in 1861 at the age of 8. And yes, there is George Penfield Bennett who enlisted in Company B, 1st Marine Regiment, in 1861, at the age of 9. So yes, many young boys served as drummer boys, musicians, or helpers, also known as "powder boys" in the Union and Confederate Army. In fact, that's why the Civil War is sometimes referred to as "The Boy's War" because of the high number of Soldiers under 18.

While William Jasper Burrow passed away in 1927, aged 75 or 76, there isn't much information available about him. So, if you're also curious about why he wasn't drawn to the outlaw way of life the same way that his younger brothers Rube and Jim were, I don't know the answer to that question. 

Alan and Martha Burrow's third child was son Reuben Houston Burrow, known as "Rube." He was born on December 11, 1855, and he would turn out to be a pretty bad hombre. Their fourth child, was their son James Buchanan Burrow, simply known as "Jim." He was born sometime in 1858. Those two turned into outlaws, train robbers, and mankillers starting in 1876. 

Of the two Burrow brothers who turned to crime, Jim Burrow's older brother Rube was the more infamous of the two. Rube Burrow would become a nationally infamous train robber and known killer in the South and Southwest. All in all, Rube was a cold-blooded murder who also earn the distinction of being the only man in American history to rob a train by himself.

Their start in life was not much different than most youngsters in the South at the time, as Rube and Jim worked on their family's cotton farm near Sulligent. Most accounts say both of the boys read as many news stories and dime novels about the "adventures" of the James Gang as they could. At the time, newspapers routinely glorified the James Gang's robberies.

Let's remember that following the Civil War, the James Gang, which was led by brothers Frank and Jessie James, became legendary through sensational news headlines and popular fictionalized dime novels. Those stories lied when they portrayed them as Robin Hood-style figures fighting Northern oppression. In fact, they were cold-blooded killers, extremely violent criminals. Dime novels, such as those from the Wide Awake Library and Log Cabin Library, capitalized on these headline-making robberies from the 1870s until well after Jessie's death in 1882.

Rube and Jim came to idolize Jesse James and his gang. So yes, it's a safe bet to say that that's what later turned the brothers away from farming to take up robbing trains. Farming turned out to be sometime meant for people of tougher stock than what they were made of. 

In fact, by age 18 in 1872, Rube had enough with farming and moved to Stephenville, Texas. His father had arranged for him to work as a cowhand on his uncle Joel Burrow's cattle ranch in Stephenville, Texas. In 1876, Rube's brother Jim joined him in Texas. 

Also, in 1876, Rube met and married Virginia Alvison. While I can't find much information on her, I found out that the couple had two children. They had a son named William and a daughter named Mary. His wife Virginia died of yellow-fever in 1880, and he was left with caring for two small children.

By 1884, Rube remarried and moved to Alexander, Texas, where he again tried his hand at farming. But, when in 1886 his crops failed, he turned to robbing trains. In fact, in December of 1886, Rube and his brother Jim, along with cohorts W.L. Brock, Leonard Brock, Henderson Brumley, and Nep Thornton robbed the Denver & Fort Worth Express in Bellevue, Texas, on December 1, 1886. That was their first train robbery.

Their plan was born from a dime novel. The Burrow brothers and their gang waited at the train depot at Bellevue, Texas, until the train returning  from a roundtrip to the Indian Territory had arrived. As soon as the train pulled in, the outlaws drew their guns on the train crew. Yes, all in plain view of the passengers in the train cars. 

After that, the outlaws entered the train to rob the the train's passengers. But, the Burrow gang didn't have a big start to their train robbing career since they were only able to gather up about $300 after picking through the passengers on their first outing. Part of the reason for their lousy haul was the fact that the robbers held up the crew at gunpoint in plain view of the passengers. So, once the passengers saw what was taking place and realized what was happening, the passengers' hid most of their valuables by the time the train robbers approached them.

Something else happened during that train robbery. While the passengers were being robbed in one car, located in another train cars was an armed Army detail, a Sergeant and two Privates, who were escorting two Army deserters.

Sources say the Soldiers didn't open fire on the train robbers when they could have since they had the two deserters were in shackles. Also. both prisoners were told to get on the floor of the train car, so apparently it looked as though those Soldiers were going to try to stop the Burrow gang. But, the Soldiers didn't open fire at the train robbers. Supposedly, as the story goes, other passengers in that train car pleaded with the Soldiers not to open fire on the outlaws. Whether true or not, it does sound about right that later when their command found out about the incident, the Sergeant and two Privates was charged with cowardice.

As for the Burrow Gang? They hit their second train at Gordon, Texas, in January of 1887. While their first attempt at robbing trains was a bust, their second attempt was successful with them taking $4,200 from the express car. 

In that robbery, the gang robbed the Texas & Pacific Express heading eastbound from Ben Brooks, Texas. Supposedly, Rube held the engineer at gunpoint and forced him to stop the train on a trestle outside the town to stop passengers from getting out of their passenger cars and interfering with what they were doing. Later that year, on September 20, 1887, they robbed a second train at the same spot.

The Pinkerton Detective Agency got involved, along with local lawmen, bounty hunters, and citizens wanted to find and hang the men responsible for stealing their payrolls. News reports estimated that the Burrow gang made off with between $15,000 and $30,000 from train safes alone. That meant workers expecting to get paid were not going to get paid -- because of them. So yes, vigilantes also got involved trying to track them down.

After one of the gang was caught because he left behind a raincoat which was eventually traced to a store in Dublin, Texas. A sales clerk identified the man who bought the coat as Jim Brock, and he was arrested. 

While in custody, Brock was asked about information regarding the Burrow gang. Brock initially refused to talk. It's said the Pinkerton Detectives and local lawmen told Brock that they were going to turn him over to the vigilantes, to let him explain to them why their payroll was stolen. 

The threat of being lynched by people who he wronged made Brock confess to his part in the robberies. It was Jim Brock who identified Rube Burrow as the gang's leader. Until then, Rube and Jim were unknown to the authorities simply because they had no prior criminal records. That changed when Brock started talking. Of course, Brock tried to save himself from being killed by Rube by saying that he did not know where the gang was hiding out.

But that didn't matter, the Pinkertons intercepted a letter to Brock from Rube Burrow. Supposedly, Rube wasn't aware of Brock's arrest or that Brock had identified him. So yes, as dumb as it sounds, the return address showed Rube sent the letter from a house in Lamar County, Alabama.

A large posse was formed and arrived at that house on January 8, 1888. The posse surrounded the house. But Rube was already gone. The fact is, the posse just missed him. Rube is said to have left as fast as he could after being warned by his brother Jim that his home was surrounded.

In February of 1888, between robberies, the notorious outlaws Rube Burrow and his brother Jim were identified while passengers on a train.. That happened when a train conductor recognized the outlaws from a previous robbery. The brothers were on a Louisville & Nashville train in southern Alabama.

In what was pretty quick work, lawmen gathered a posse and surrounded the Nashville train station. When the train pulling in, lawmen trapped Rube and Jim in a passenger car. Soon, a huge shootout started. During the shooting, Rube was able to escape by shooting his way out.

As for Jim, he was taken into custody and jailed in Texarkana. His trial for the Genoa train robbery was still underway when he died from tuberculosis in a Texarkana jail on October 5, 1888. I'll talk more about the mystery surrounding Jim Burrow in my next blog post. It's a good story about the mystery surrounding Jim Burrows death.

As for Rube Burrow, he kept robbing trains. And at on point, it's said he shot and killed an unarmed Lamar County postmaster who refused to hand over a package addressed to W. W. Cain -- an alias Rube used. That happened in July 1889, when Rube Burrow shot and killed postmaster Mose Graves. It's said Rube shot the unarmed postmaster out of spite and in cold-blood.

I find it interesting that Rube killing that postmaster was similar to what Jessie James did when he shot and killed bank teller Joseph Lee Heywood First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota. It was also in cold-blood out of spite and frustration.

On September 7, 1876, the James-Younger gang attempted to rob the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota. Out of frustration over bank teller Joseph Lee Heywood refusing to open a safe, Jessie James shot Heywood in the head at point-blank range execution style before exiting the bank. Can you imagine, Jessie James who many try to romance as some sort of Robin Hood, shot Joseph Lee Heywood in the head after Heywood refused to cooperate with the outlaws and open the vault.

As for Rube Burrow, it is said that the cold-blooded murder of the postmaster turned local residents against him, increased the pressure on his capture, bounties were increased, and wanted posters with his face and a reward was widely circulated. The result was that Rube exited the area on the run. 

So, Rube Burrow became the subject of one of the biggest manhunts in American history. Of course, there were risks to those citizens trying to capture him. For example, during the near captures of the killer, one posse on his trail in 1889 was forced to turn back after two posse men were killed and three others were wounded. Rube Burrows was a very dangerous man, and he was proving that anytime a posse was close.

Of course, during this time, believe it or not, Rube Burrow was still making a name for himself as a train robber and highway man. As for being captured? While I haven't read where he was but once, it's said that he had a plan if he were captured. His plan was to befriend and entertain his captors with jokes. He would offer them a $100 if they were to just look the other way and let him go. According to legend, some accepted his offer. According to legend. once Rube was freed, he'd normally put a bullet in the person who freed him and take his $100 back. 

So yes, during that time, Rube Burrow continued to rob trains despite being a wanted fugitive. He was still robbing trains, even though he evaded capture and eluded authorities for two years.

Then, on October 8, 1890, after riding into Linden, Alabama for supplies, Rube Burrow was recognized by a local storeowner who was also a posse-man and part-time Sheriff's deputy. His name was J.D. "Dixie" Carter. It was Carter and two unknown "Negroes" who actually apprehended killer Rube Burrow. To Rube, that must have seemed like quite the insult. After all, it was a "storekeeper" and two unknown "Negroes" who put Rube in jail. 

So now, imagine, if you would, you arrest a mankiller and march him into jail. And miraculously, some say a bribe to a deputy may have been involved, but that mankiller escapes in just two hours or so after being locked up. Was it Rube working his plan to befriend and entertain his captors, offer them a $100 if they were to just look the other way and let him go? Where did Rube get that pistol from when he escaped? 

Let's look at this for a moment. Today, almost daily, we see people who have too much vanity at work. This is true, especially when it comes to politicians and people in Hollywood. They are predictable for their tendency toward excessive conceit and preoccupation with themselves. They do things like making statements about things they have no knowledge of, or they know are lies, just to make themselves popular in the eyes of their friends. They act out in self-serving and superficial ways, often driven by a need for admiration, and to make their fans think they're smarter than they are.  

Look at all of the dumb statements made by politicians, actors, and so-called comedians. They are driven by an inflated sense of self-importance or an obsessive need to look superior to others. They are usually foolish, self-centered, and self-absorbed. And really, they demonstrate self-serving vain behavior. 

Rube Burrow demonstrated that aspect of human nature after escaping custody that day. He was so filled with himself, so vain, and conceited, and filled with self-destructive vanity, that he could not simply ride away. So, vanity being what it is, Rube must have been pretty insulted that it wasn't lawmen, or the Pinkertons, or bounty hunters that put him in jail. He must have hated that it was a storekeeper who was a part-time Sheriff's deputy and two Negroes who put him in jail.  

So yes, instead of jumping on a horse and taking the opportunity to leave town as fast as possible, that mankiller, Rube Burrow, with a supposedly stolen gun, goes after storekeeper Dixie Carter. Yes, imagine that. Instead of fleeing when he had the chance, Rube Burrow went after storekeeper Carter when he escaped from jail just a few hours after being locked up.

For Rube Burrow, he would learn a lesson that most Old West outlaws learn once. It's that lesson they learn after they've been shot and lay dying. It's a lesson that comes too late in his life for most outlaws. 

The lesson is simply this: Someone who is excessively proud of themselves, someone who possesses an exaggerated, inflated opinion of their own abilities and self-worth, someone who lives with such an large ego that they truly have an "I'm better than everyone else" mindset, should not think they cannot be killed in a gunfight. 

So, in the town of Linden, in Marengo County, Alabama, Rube Burrow met up with Carter in a local feed store. And instantly, Rube shoots at Carter. Carter is hit in the arm. But that doesn't stop Carter from pulling his own pistol, and he returns fire. He shoots Rube Burrow in the stomach.

The mankiller Rube Burrow turns and staggers out of the feed store and into the street. Carter, while holding his wounded arm, goes after the mankiller and finishes of Rube Burrow outside by gunning him down in the street. As for Carter, he is said to have put in for the reward for killing Rube Burrow -- but is denied because the reward was for a "conviction, and not "dead or alive." Imagine that.

Of course, that was not the end of outlaw Rube Burrow. The train robber's dead body was placed in a simple pine coffin and shipped back to his family in Lamar County by way of Birmingham. Before getting there, Rube's body was displayed at the Union Station until on October 9. It was kept on display for everyone to see before finally being put on another train that stopped at Sulligent Station. 

All in all, Rube was quite the draw. He became a point of ghoulish entertainment, a sort of sideshow dressed up with a rifle and a six-gun. Just so all sorts of folks would come out to see his dead body before it was finally buried at Fellowship Cemetery in Vernon, Alabama. 

During the final years of the Old West, Rube Burrow became one of the most hunted outlaws in the Old West. For four years, from 1886 to 1890, the Burrow Gang robbed trains in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, the Indian Territory and Texas. All, while being pursued by lawmen, posses, bounty hunters, and Pinkerton detectives throughout the South and Southwest. And in the end, his vanity got him killed. 

Tom Correa