I have visited the parking lot behind the Ernest Guinn Justice Center multiple times — more than multiple if you count the era when it was a practice surface for Cleburne middle school football players and elderly men chipping golf balls — and I have never seen Indians on the premises.
You’d think I would have if there were any around. I’m Indian.
I know this because every time I dance it starts to rain.
Even though I haven’t seen Indians behind the Justice Center, I’m willing to accept that they must be around as ghosts.
Those who claim to know say this expanse was originally an Indian burial ground.
And that it became Cleburne’s first city cemetery.
And that when some of the persnickety white folks found out their family members had been buried near Indians, they threw a hissy fit and demanded the white folks’ remains be transferred to a new cemetery that didn’t cater to Indians.
Which supposedly is how Old Cleburne Cemetery came to be.
That part must be true because we can drive by Old Cleburne Cemetery any time we want and see it with our own eyes.
Unfortunately, we can’t see the Indian burial ground behind the justice center. There’s a lot more cement than dirt.
Historian Jack Carlton wrote about parks in our millennium edition a few years back and noted the importance of Indians in the 19th century community calendar:
“Our parks began with a Cherokee Indian camp near our present-day American Legion building on West Chambers Street. It would become Biro Park.
“Ten-year-old Francis Marion ‘Babe’ Williams and his father, at the reins of a wagon and a team of mules hauling military supplies from Galveston to Fort Belknap, saw many campfires along Buffalo Creek and stopped to rest for the night.
“They found not settlers but a huge Indian camp. Chief Palasado, who had lost a young son, quickly accepted the travelers at the camp. Their association developed into a lasting friendship.”
This requires an explanation.
White folks and Indians generally did not get along in those days.
Indians would cross the Brazos River, just a few miles west, and rob the white folks blind.
White folks, in turn, would cross the Brazos and decimate the Indians’ land.
Come to think of it, this may be how the Indians got snookered out of Oklahoma.
I’ll grant you that some white folks and Indians must have coexisted, as Mr. Williams and Chief Palasado presumably did.
Maybe the chief had some beads to trade. Maybe Mr. Williams had a son.
Indeed, he did.
“Later, when young Babe was left without a father,” Carlton continued, “Chief Palasado literally adopted him. Babe would spend his young life growing up playing the Indian version of baseball, inspiring his love of sports.
“Chief Palasado and Babe both became famous Texas Rangers. Palasado scouted for Captain Ross, and Babe became famous in North Central Texas, being responsible for a large territory of Johnson County. Babe spent his retirement years doing volunteer community service.”
And now we get to the juicy part:
“As years passed,” Carlton continued, “and he survived the great War Between the States, Babe would forever place his name in our history when he volunteered to relocate Anglo graves from a former Indian burial ground to Cleburne’s present Memorial Cemetery.
“It developed from knowledge of early pioneers like Babe that the area behind today’s Guinn building on South Buffalo Street was the burial ground of the Indians.
“After the long hard task of re-interment to Memorial Cemetery, Babe was rewarded with a free plot, where today he and his family rest in Lot One fronting Washington Street. He died Feb. 11, 1927.
“Among his accomplishments, Babe dug the water well on the grounds of the 1883 courthouse. He graduated from high school in 1932, saying it was his greatest achievement, even though he had been successful in many hand-to-hand combats with hostiles and outlaws.
“Babe desired to see a park for the citizens of Cleburne. Biro Park became his project. A swimming hole was dug and filled with cold water from a spring that flows behind our present-day juvenile holding center on Mill Street.
“The new park and swimming pool was well attended, but the water was so cold that the site was abandoned in two years and a new park sought. Thus, Cleburne began to be a city of parks.”
The burial ground behind the present justice center became noteworthy for other uses in later years, of course.
Cleburne ISD, needing a place to play football after the original fairgrounds blew away in a cyclone, constructed Rhome Field, with the west goal posts facing Walnut Street. It was named for Joe Rhome, a star running back for the Yellow Jackets’ 1920 state championship team.
The Yellow Jackets celebrated a lot of wins at Rhome Field in the ’20s, far fewer wins at Rhome Field in the ’30s, then shut the gate and built Yellow Jacket Stadium some 70 years ago.
You could probably still play football on Rhome Field, but you wouldn’t want to fall when you’re tackled. You might scrape an elbow on the cement.
And you might get scalped by an Indian.
After all, it was their land before it was yours.
Local News
Pete Kendall: Ghost of Indians past may haunt Guinn parking lot
- Cleburne
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. -
Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks. -
Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.
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Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.
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Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Johnson County
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
- Tuesday marks property tax payment deadline
- Drought no more
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
- Alvarado
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - Dixon repeats as AJC coach of the year
- First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
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Indians on top of selections
- Burleson
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
- Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
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Indians on top of selections
- Godley
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Lady Cats win, Wildcats fall to Peaster
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Indians on top of selections
- Grandview
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
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Indians on top of selections
- Joshua
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Kicking into high gear
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Keene
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Upcoming sports schedule
A look at the sports schedule for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
- Grandview, Burleson, Cleburne lead first team selections
- Centennial places two on second team; Alvarado lands three players
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Upcoming sports schedule
- Rio Vista
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
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Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
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Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
- Man defends himself against two suspects
- Venus registers minor quake
- USGS registers minor county quake
- Trained rescue dogs look to be adopted and loved
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Never forgotten
