The Sabine River has a friendly way of beckoning and saying, "Come on in. The water is so cool and refreshing. I'm very gentle and docile." Once she has a good grip on you, she will show her true self. Beware and don't trust her. She may appear harmless on the surface but has a strong current and swirling eddies which are very selfish. Once you are caught in her grasp, she is relentless. Rarely a year passes without the Sabine claiming at least one victim ; sometimes more.
In the early summer of 1936, the river claimed the life of young Billy Walker of Old Salem. Billy was 13 years old and could swim very little, if at all. Several older boys were swimming in the river near the Hughes Place, below Old Salem. We lived about a mile from there and often walked through the woods to visit the Hughes family. That fatal afternoon , we came upon a sad scene. The river bank was lined with folks; all looking very solemn ; all the women were crying. One lady was wailing as tho her heart were being torn out; most likely it felt that way because the river had claimed her Billy. I was three years old at the time and can still see, in my mind, the skiffs, dugouts, and other boats in the water, searching for Billy. The men were rigging up trotlines and stretching them across the river. The large hooks were attached every few feet and hopefully, would snag the body when it surfaced. After a time, Mr. and Mrs. Walker left and one could hear that mother screaming far down the road. There were no dry eyes and a hush settled over the crowd.
For three days and nights the men took turns watching for the body. Early morning of the third day a shout went up: "we have him. It's Billy!" The poor lifeless body of young Billy was pulled into a skiff and brought to shore.
I remember my parents discussing the drowning with Sandy and Joe Hughes; as well as their other brothers. Sandy happened to be nearby at the time of the accident and said he heard the boys shouting for help. He said Arnold McBride, 17 years old, was struggling with Billy, trying desperately to save him; however, panic had taken over and the youth suddenly appeared to be endowed with super strength. Arnold went under with Billy and after a time, burst to the top, gulping for air. Sandy jumped in and Billy surfaced again; Sandy grabbed him and the youth almost drowned his would-be rescuer. Arnold made another attempt to grab Billy and the fight for life continued. Billy disappeared once again and Arnold dived under to try and locate him. The murky waters revealed nothing. They , with several other boys, continued to dive and grope for the victim but to no avail. Billy was gone. It had been a tug of war; Billy, Arnold, Sandy, versus the Sabine; the river had won. I talked to Lloyd Walker, Billy's older brother and asked permission to write this story. He encouraged me to do so and said if it caused one person to be more alert in and around the rivers and lakes, to practice more caution, it would be worthwhile. I also spoke to Colleen McBride Murphy, Arnold's sister, who remembered the drowning with great sadness. She shared with me some of her memories. She related how her brother, Arnold had so desperately tried to save the youth but Billy fought and struggled so hard that he had to let go to save himself. I also spoke to Arnold's son, Sheriff Ronnie McBride. I asked him if his father had ever shared any of the story with him; he said he had not; that he would not talk about it.
We, as human beings, often times are much too hard on ourselves and borrow feelings of guilt and "if only." When we found the courage to undertake a job and try as hard as we can but it still doesn't work, we need to forgive ourselves and move on. Sometimes it just wasn't meant to be.
I visited Billy's grave a few weeks ago in Trout Creek cemetery and stood for a time, at a small headstone, which read;
Garland E. (Billy ) Walker
1923-1936