The Fleming Oak in Comanche, Texas |
In 1910, Comanche's city fathers decided to pave the courthouse square. The workmen were busily clearing tree's from the area when "Uncle Mart," as he was by then affectionately known, stopped them as they approached "his tree" and told them he had been tying his horse to that tree for years and he was used to seeing it there. In the exchange of words that followed, Uncle Mart threatened to use his "No. 10's" on them if they even approached the tree with an axe. Not sure whether he meant his size 10 boots or his 10 gauge shotgun, the workers backed down and the tree was spared.
Fleming Oak providing shade for an historical log cabin on the town square. |
In 1919, Uncle Mart once again came to the defense of his tree when some "uninformed" newcomers in town started discussing cutting down the old oak. After he visited with them and "got them informed," the discussion stopped and their plans were dropped. Then in his 80's, he was quoted as saying, "They now pay due respect to that old tree."
The old tree's protector has been gone for the most part of a century now, but his love for "his tree" lives on in the hearts of Comanche's citizens who proudly point to this living memorial as a symbol of their pioneer heritage.