Page 20 - The Exceptional Harley Fetterman

JUDY K JOHNSON

A little-known fact is that the Texas Legislature declared George
West as the Storytelling Capital of Texas. People come from near and
far on the first Saturday in November, more than tripling the town's
population, to celebrate the art and tradition of storytelling around the
Live Oak courthouse square. The annual event is often referred to as
the biggest thing that happens in town. Participants—both tellers and
listeners—feel that one of the victorious benefits of telling and
retelling one's own story is to successfully ensure that it's never
forgotten, and its significance will vastly benefit others. Parts of
Beth's own family history, such as the life of her great-grandfather,
Franklin Wingot Shaeffer would qualify as a source of intriguing local
folklore.

Beth's locally famous great-grandfather established the historic
65,000-acre Shaeffer Ranch in 1862 which originally included land in
four different counties. Franklin, an industrious participant in such
historic events as the California Gold Rush and the 1850 New York
Stock Exchange conflicts, accumulated enough funds to invest in
multiple Texas land ventures such as the Corpus Christi ship channel.
The resourceful Franklin created such agricultural innovations as
development of artesian water resources on his own cattle ranch.
Tragically, in 1886 Franklin died an unfortunate, accidental death
from two broken legs when bolting mules overturned his carriage.
(His surgeon at the time had no expertise at treating a sudden
breakage of his leg vessels.)
Born in 1926, Beth's father, Sidney Thurston Freeborn, grandson of
Franklin Wingot Shaeffer grew up on this historic ranch, hunting,
fishing, horse riding, and working cattle. At a very young age, he was
locally rated as the most skilled shooter with a designated marksman
rifle. Sidney served in the US Navy during WW II on the Pacific
island of Saipan and, upon discharge, returned home to attend a
university in Kingsville, Texas, now known as Texas A&M. There he
met Jean Lucile Harris whom he married in 1947. They both taught
school in Orange Grove where their children attended classes.
In 1965, when Sidney and Jean became aware of the Orange Grove
Superintendent's policy statement that no one needed to attend school
th
past the 8 grade, they moved back to the Shaeffer/Freeborn Ranch
transferring their kids to George West Schools. Sidney pursued his
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