The Story of Hearne, TX the town Wal-Mart Killed Twice

[Matthew328]

Every year driving down to College Station, I pass through Hearne....and its a sad sight. I always wondered why the town looked so empty, when you can tell at one time it used to be a small town that seemed to fare well. Well I knew that the Wal-Mart there had closed but I didn't know the story behind it. Very interesting.

http://video.google.com/videop...983669619901938

This story is from the NY Times in 1990


Wal-Mart, Once Again, Shakes Up Texas Town



There will be no Christmas this year at Hearne's sprawling Wal-Mart store. The green and red ribbons that usually decorate the store's aisles were not hung. Christmas carols are not being played over the public address system.

Tinsel, tree stands, ornaments and other merchandise of the season were sold for a few days before being removed from the store.

That was probably for the best. Those cheery items would have looked forlorn on the nearly emptied shelves, under the fluorescent green "Clearance" signs and amid the rust stains that mark the floors where display cases have been removed.

Hearne's Wal-Mart will close permanently the week after Christmas, making it one of only a half dozen Wal-Mart stores in memory to go out of business. The Arkansas-based retailer opened a store here 10 Christmases ago, and its low prices and large selection drove out most of the other stores in this town of 5,600 people, 95 miles northeast of Austin. Traveling for the Necessities

Now, Wal-Mart's departure is creating as much havoc as its arrival did. When the store closes, Hearne residents will have to drive 26 miles, to Bryan, to find necessities and niceties that will no longer be sold here. Although the Chamber of Commerce is trying to lure back businesses that fled Wal-Mart's path, even the most optimistic Hearne residents agree that their town will never be quite the same again.

"Once Wal-Mart's gone, we won't have anyplace in Hearne to buy shoes or underwear," said Sue Timmons, manager of the Hearne Chamber of Commerce.

Hearne was never a metropolis. It started the century as a railroad town, and tracks still crisscross the asphalt streets. But the Southern Pacific trains that were once unloaded and reloaded here now stop only briefly to pick up occasional cargo, a change that came in the 1960's. In the 1970's Hearne shrank as the younger people left for busier places.

In 1980, Wal-Mart opened on the south edge of town, providing a payroll of $1 million annually to 90 employees and accounting for $250,000 of the town's $5.4 million budget. That made it one of the three largest employers in town, along with a company that repairs railroad tank cars and one that makes plumbing fixtures. The whitewashed concrete stores of Hearne's two-block-square downtown could not compete with the chain's discount prices. Surviving by Shifting Products

Some stores managed to adapt. C. N. Lockhart, for instance, who founded Lockhart's Furniture 30 years ago, stopped selling the small appliances that were the backbone of his business because Wal-Mart could undersell him so easily. He began selling large appliances, which Wal-Mart does not carry.

Similarly, Joe Wilson, who has run Wilson's drugs for 40 years, cut his prices 20 percent and resigned himself to doing most of his prescription sales in the middle of the night or holidays when the Wal-Mart pharmacy is closed. Hearne residents have learned to find him at home.

In the back of his store one recent afternoon, Mr. Wilson opened a telephone book from the early 1980's and began reading the list of businesses that are no longer here: "Bill's Dollar Store; K Woolens; Wilson's, no relation -- it sold clothing and shoes; J. B. White -- that was one of the last ones to leave; Perry's; a lot of little mom and pop stores that came and went again very quick.

"This isn't a very big place. That's a lot of stores."

There are still businesses in downtown Hearne, but most of them, like the florist, the funeral home, the post office, the telephone and insurance offices and the gasoline stations, offer products or services that cannot be found at Wal-Mart. Between many of these businesses are empty storefronts. Traffic is so sparse that a 35-foot-tall Christmas tree stands in the center of the main intersection and the cars and trucks simply go around it. Never a Profit in Hearne

During the 10 years in which downtown was disappearing, Wal-Mart sat several blocks away, losing money. Don Shinkle, a spokesman at Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., said the store had not turned a profit once since it opened. Apparently, he said, Hearne is too close to Bryan and Navasota, two towns with larger Wal-Marts.



He said the chain tried to keep the Hearne store open, steering limited specials to it and replacing the entire management team three years ago. Those efforts were not made out of loyalty to Hearne, he said, but because "we just don't like to fail."

The company has rarely closed a store. It has 1,547 stores, of which Texas has 231, more than any other state. In the 28 years since Wal-Mart was founded, Mr. Shinkle said, only half a dozen stores have closed. At the end of October, the company announced that the Hearne store would become one of those half dozen. 'We Are Not Perfect'

"I hate to say it, but we failed in Hearne," Mr. Shinkle said in an interview. "We are a very well-managed store, but we are not perfect."

He said the fight to keep the store alive should probably not have gone on as long as it did. Many Hearne leaders agree.

"If they had made this decision the first year they were in operation, we'd still have a vital downtown," Dave Cunningham, president of the Hearne Area Chamber of Commerce, told The Dallas Morning News.

Customers express similar annoyance. "They're angry," said Irene Garcia, who has been a clerk at the store for seven years and, like the rest of the staff, has been offered a job at the Bryan store. "They think Wal-Mart did them bad."

One customer, Ruth Alvarado, who has lived here for 40 years and who was filling a cart with bedspreads that were on sale for $10 each, expressed her feelings this way: "They don't care about what they've done to us. I don't drive. I can't get to Bryan. Before they came there were other places to go, the Dollar Store and Perry's, but now there's nothing else." 'Caused an Awful Lot of Harm'

Another customer, Gene Hayes, said: "I'll shop in Bryan but not at Wal-Mart's. We will not buy at Wal-Mart's any more." The only reason he was in the store, he said, scavenging the emptying shelves, was that he thought prices had been marked down so low that the store might lose money on his purchase.

"They caused an awful lot of harm to this town," said Mr. Hayes, a retired railroad worker who has lived in Hearne for 30 years.

The retailers who remain in Hearne are trying to turn the anger into opportunity. They have been running advertisements on the local cable television stations telling residents, "We're still here for you." Signs in store windows carry the same message. The Hearne Cobbler, which repairs boots, is planning to start selling blue jeans. The Brookshire Brothers grocer is adding items like toothpaste and hair spray.

But Mr. Lockhart said he would probably not start selling small appliances again because he was doing well without them.

Mrs. Timmons is hopeful that underwear will be stocked someplace, too.

Mr. Wilson is hopeful that with Wal-Mart gone he will be seeing more pharmacy customers during regular business hours. "I haven't shed a tear," he said. "I never liked them being here. I knew they weren't here to help me.

"It would have been better if they'd never come. Now that they're gone, let's get on with things."

[BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END]

Hearne has nobody but to blame but themselves for losing Wal-Mart. The main reason it was shut down was because people were walking in and stealing items and walking back out. Theft was the biggest issue there, because people would be sitting and waiting for shipments to get in and load their cars up and drive away without anything being said. That's what really happened in Hearne.

[Matthew328]

I've heard that story also.....but I find it interesting in the interviews no one from Wal-Mart mentions shrink as the reason for closing just bad profits....

Obviously shrink does cut into profits but having worked for wal-mart shrink is a big deal and I imagine if shrink was the root cause they would have said it...

And sitting with cars waiting for shipments to come in isnt just a Hearne thing, I've seen it all over! LOL

I think there is a point to be made about Wal-Marts killing the mom and pop stores..downtown Hearne is sad to look at

[jlg043]

The old wal-mart is their new school. I heard a lot of people and employees were stealing from the store and thats why it shut down but im not too sure

[Matthew328]

Usually the truth is somewhere in the middle....

[BobcatBenny]

Originally posted by Matthew328
Usually the truth is somewhere in the middle....
No ... the truth is what is right! :eek:

That was less for the lefty media and more for that leftist foosball player! ;)

[Txbroadcaster]

Originally posted by Matthew328
I've heard that story also.....but I find it interesting in the interviews no one from Wal-Mart mentions shrink as the reason for closing just bad profits....

Obviously shrink does cut into profits but having worked for wal-mart shrink is a big deal and I imagine if shrink was the root cause they would have said it...

And sitting with cars waiting for shipments to come in isnt just a Hearne thing, I've seen it all over! LOL

I think there is a point to be made about Wal-Marts killing the mom and pop stores..downtown Hearne is sad to look at

I disagree..Wal Mart would not come out and say Shrink was the main problem for two reasons

A. Looks like they are blaming a town if they say that is the problem.

B. Would be admitting the security for that store AND ALL OTHER stores is a problem, which they do not want to publicly announce

and BTW security is a problem at all stores, I worked at two diff stores and both had gaping holes that if people wanted to with a little group effort they could exploit

The problem with Hearne was not just your basic shrink, but also as mentioned, car and truck loads of stuff taken right off the back loading dock it was almost Mafia like, Truck come in and people are waiting and some stuff never even saw the store shelves

Also number playing was done on books

it was a bad situation all around

[BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END]

Originally posted by Txbroadcaster
I disagree..Wal Mart would not come out and say Shrink was the main problem for two reasons

A. Looks like they are blaming a town if they say that is the problem.

B. Would be admitting the security for that store AND ALL OTHER stores is a problem, which they do not want to publicly announce

and BTW security is a problem at all stores, I worked at two diff stores and both had gaping holes that if people wanted to with a little group effort they could exploit

The problem with Hearne was not just your basic shrink, but also as mentioned, car and truck loads of stuff taken right off the back loading dock it was almost Mafia like, Truck come in and people are waiting and some stuff never even saw the store shelves

Also number playing was done on books

it was a bad situation all around

The Mafia actually used to have strong roots in Hearne around this time, and they still do to an extent....

[Matthew328]

Mafia in Hearne??

I guess maybe its kind of a cross road between Austin, Houston and Dallas...

Maybe you guys are right....but I'll stick to the story about wal-mart running the mom and pop stores out

[AP Panther Fan]

Originally posted by Txbroadcaster
I disagree..Wal Mart would not come out and say Shrink was the main problem for two reasons

A. Looks like they are blaming a town if they say that is the problem.

B. Would be admitting the security for that store AND ALL OTHER stores is a problem, which they do not want to publicly announce

and BTW security is a problem at all stores, I worked at two diff stores and both had gaping holes that if people wanted to with a little group effort they could exploit

The problem with Hearne was not just your basic shrink, but also as mentioned, car and truck loads of stuff taken right off the back loading dock it was almost Mafia like, Truck come in and people are waiting and some stuff never even saw the store shelves

Also number playing was done on books

it was a bad situation all around


Aransas Pass had a similar problem at our old store. The police department ended up setting up some sort of sting operation and busting about 10 people/employees.

The goods were walking out of the automotive area back then. Hell, we may still have a problem, I don't know.

[Txbroadcaster]

Originally posted by Matthew328
Mafia in Hearne??

I guess maybe its kind of a cross road between Austin, Houston and Dallas...

Maybe you guys are right....but I'll stick to the story about wal-mart running the mom and pop stores out

yea..cause it is Wal Mart's fault that Mom and Pop stores cannt compete price wise, or selection wise

[AP Panther Fan]

Originally posted by Matthew328
Maybe you guys are right....but I'll stick to the story about wal-mart running the mom and pop stores out


It sure doesn't help them. I did like the attitude of a few of the Hearne business owners...the ones who found a way to adapt and overcome.

:)

[BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END]

Originally posted by Matthew328
Mafia in Hearne??

I guess maybe its kind of a cross road between Austin, Houston and Dallas...

Maybe you guys are right....but I'll stick to the story about wal-mart running the mom and pop stores out

Yeah, the railroad there had a big part to do with it.

[Antec]

The Walmarts in West Columbia and Edna and even Columbus are the small variety size.

Surprised they are making it

Wharton and El Campo have Super Walmarts


Are there any other small Walmarts in these size of towns

[STANG RED]

I think WalMart has been very good for Sweetwater on the whole. And I dont hear anything about people driving off with car loads of merchandise. It may happen, but I've never heard it. It has put a couple mom and pop shops out of business, but those few were poorly managed to begin with. Also, our WalMart is right on I-20, so it gets lots of interstate business that is very good for the town. It sure put a huge dent in KMart sales, but their poor managment has done them much more harm than WalMart ever could. I really dont see how they're still in business. It usually looks like a ghost town over there, but WalMart will be full of people.

Sweetwater's is a super walmart. but it is the smallest model they have. And it does not have an automotive garage for tires and such.

[c-town_balla]

Rockdale has the world's smallest super wal-mart

[Bull Butter]

The same thing was happening at the Wal-Mart in Robstown. Employees were stealing them blind, as the story goes. Wal-Mart wasted no time shutting them down.

[eagles_victory]

From what I heard Gary and Terry are right on with what they are saying. I have been to Hearne several times it is getting pretty bad over there.

[grahampaw]

Back in the nintys I worked in a prison in north texas that had at least 20 inmates from Hearne.When you escorted a prisoner it was like a family reunion.I know that there has to be good people there but they have their share of bad for a town that size.

[HEMOTOXIC]

Shrink is always a problem no matter where you work. Of course, some stores have more shrink than others. In Hearne, shrink was the biggest problem. Everyone was stealing for what I hear. It was easier for Wal Mart to close the doors rather than hire security. :D Theft was taken place inside and out.

The Wal Mart in Navasota is a joke. I hate shopping there! There is never anything good. Two years ago, Wal Mart or developer Andy Weiner (Weiner's Stores) placed a sign behind the current Wal Mart stating that a new SuperCenter was coming soon. Well, since then, they have taken the sign down and remodeled the current store. From what I hear, they are trying desperately to build a supercenter 15 minutes away in College Station. CS has not approved for them to build a supercenter off Rock Prairie Road. So, Wal Mart is now saying that the Navasota Wal Mart doesn't get enough business and that is the reason for them not building a new store. I always have to wait in line when shopping there. And, the store probably doesn't get enough business because the College Station store has more to choose from. With the surrounding towns including Navasota, a Super Center would do just fine in Navasota.

[cameron91]

i remember this all to well.when this actually went down , the KKK had plan on marching threw Hearne b/c of this. i was a jr in high school and i remember people brought flyers to school from which the klan and hung on thier car and doors. the mafia is still big in that area.didn't belive it myself until we was fishing on the brazos on night down by Mumford.i love going to the Rodeo Days their ,and theirs nothin like chillin at Box Nova...

[Maroon87]

Originally posted by Bull Butter
The same thing was happening at the Wal-Mart in Robstown. Employees were stealing them blind, as the story goes. Wal-Mart wasted no time shutting them down.

That's the story I heard too. And it didn't take long...that store was open for less than 10 years.

[pirate4state]

Originally posted by Maroon87
That's the story I heard too. And it didn't take long...that store was open for less than 10 years. I'm pretty sure that's what happened in the Sinton store too! :( I wasn't living here at the time so I'm not positive, but it wouldn't surprise me! :eek: :doh:

[Boomer]

Wal-Mart is a joke! Those CEO's need to be put in jail for the way they treat their employees. I watched a show just yesterday on this, and there were people from Hearne on there. Wal-mart destroys a lot of small towns. Thank God I can go to downtown Cuero and see all the mom and pop stores running. They pay their employees 7 to 8 dollars an hour, and the medical coverage sucks! This show even showed real news footage on how Wal-Mart was encouraging their workers to go and apply for government help so they wouldn't have to increase pay or give them better insurance.

Wal-Mart is one of the richest companies out there, they can afford to pay a little more.

I feel sorry for the people who work there and spend their whole carrer at Wal-Mart. They work hard, they deserve more pay. What they need is a union. The employees need to speak up!

[SintonFan_inAustin]

Originally posted by pirate4state
I'm pretty sure that's what happened in the Sinton store too! :( I wasn't living here at the time so I'm not positive, but it wouldn't surprise me! :eek: :doh: thats the same story i heard and it's true from what i heard from some other Wal Mart manger the reason Sinton doesnt have a Wally Martinez.

[jimmyceatworld]

My dad went to Hearne . He claims he holds the school record for longest INT of 95 yards for a TD (he even showed me the tape lol).

My grandparents have been trying to sell their home for years, but they can't get a price near its worth so they've been stuck there. I'm actually going to see them on Thursday.

[Chopblock]

I have to agree with BBDE, Hearne has always had a Mafia or as we called it, The Hearne Syndicate
There are several people that were well connected with the Railroad Roundhouse, that to do business in hearne, you had to go through
Alot of good athletes have come out of Hearne, Donnie Dunn, Milton Dunn, Ervin Randle, John JRAN Randle etc
I remember going to where the Randle boys were raised in Mumford. They had very little but they made the best of what they had

[Silverback 04]

Liberty Hill has the smallest Wal Mart in the country. Its so small you can't see it! I think we like it that way.

[Phil C]

Originally posted by pirate4state
I'm pretty sure that's what happened in the Sinton store too! :( I wasn't living here at the time so I'm not positive, but it wouldn't surprise me! :eek: :doh:

That is what I heard too even though I don't know for sure. I was told by an employee they were about to shut it down sooner than they did but they had a profitable year and kept it open a little longer. Either way I know it really hurt local businesses and when Wal-Mart left they have slowly started to come back. As far as I am concerned Wal-Mart can stay out of Sinton. It isn't that far to drive to Portland or Calallen if we want to go there.

[wimbo_pro]

When you say "mafia"...do you mean THE Mafia? Or just an organized group of local thugs? I find it hard to believe that THE Mafia would have a stranglehold on Hearne, Texas...what could possibly be there that would keep them there?

[c-town_balla]

There are quite afew Italians in Hearne....

[espn1]

Originally posted by BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END
The Mafia actually used to have strong roots in Hearne around this time, and they still do to an extent.... Yeah they have a lot of Italian Restaurants there. Every time I go through there I see lines of Black Limos. The Boss also used to keep people from coming to the Football games. I remember one year I looked on the home side and saw nothing but Men in Black Suits. It was scary.


http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll410/jmg1_2008/HEARNE.gif

[wimbo_pro]

hahahaha

[Maroon87]

Originally posted by Chopblock
I have to agree with BBDE, Hearne has always had a Mafia or as we called it, The Hearne Syndicate
There are several people that were well connected with the Railroad Roundhouse, that to do business in hearne, you had to go through
Alot of good athletes have come out of Hearne, Donnie Dunn, Milton Dunn, Ervin Randle, John JRAN Randle etc
I remember going to where the Randle boys were raised in Mumford. They had very little but they made the best of what they had

John Randle was at Texas A&I at the same time as me. That dude was some kind of ball player.

[popcorn screen]

Drive through Hearne a lot. Once the wife and I pulled into the chicken express. We ordered a 7 piece (going to split). The young ladt looked at us and said I am giving you a 20 piece for the price of seven. I said why we just want a seven piece. She said we have too much chicken beign cooked and I am trying to give some away rather than waste it. Needless to say, we had leftover chicken the next night. Last time I was there, looked like a new school where the wally used to be.

[CenTexSports]

The new school is the old wally.

[RedWhiteBlue]

Originally posted by popcorn screen
Drive through Hearne a lot. Once the wife and I pulled into the chicken express. We ordered a 7 piece (going to split). The young ladt looked at us and said I am giving you a 20 piece for the price of seven. I said why we just want a seven piece. She said we have too much chicken beign cooked and I am trying to give some away rather than waste it. Needless to say, we had leftover chicken the next night. Last time I was there, looked like a new school where the wally used to be.
It sounds like she used to work at the Walmart and was used to giving extra stuff away to folks. Maybe she was just confused and didn't realize that people were supposed to 'pay' for it.....:vrycnfsd:

[BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END]

Originally posted by wimbo_pro
When you say "mafia"...do you mean THE Mafia? Or just an organized group of local thugs? I find it hard to believe that THE Mafia would have a stranglehold on Hearne, Texas...what could possibly be there that would keep them there?

Yes, the MAFIA. They also own or used to own large parcels of farm land in the Hearne area as well...

[AP Panther Fan]

Originally posted by popcorn screen
Drive through Hearne a lot. Once the wife and I pulled into the chicken express. We ordered a 7 piece (going to split). The young ladt looked at us and said I am giving you a 20 piece for the price of seven. I said why we just want a seven piece. She said we have too much chicken beign cooked and I am trying to give some away rather than waste it. Needless to say, we had leftover chicken the next night. Last time I was there, looked like a new school where the wally used to be.


I never get this lucky...two of the best things if you ask me 1) free food and 2) leftovers.

:thinking:

[Emerson1]

Wal Mart Deli is greatness

[piratebg]

Originally posted by SintonFan_inAustin
thats the same story i heard and it's true from what i heard from some other Wal Mart manger the reason Sinton doesnt have a Wally Martinez.


My mother had just started working there not too long before it closed down. It would be kind of nice to have one again, but I know they will never set foot in Sinton again.

[maroonpirate04]

It would be great to have the Wal-Mart back in Sinton since the chamber wants the residents to stay and shop in town, would be nice to build it across the old one and turn existing building into a movie theather instead of a community center:D little by little Sinton seems to grow with a new bank , and another bakery soon to open plus the remodeling of main street, and possibly a skate park :)

[scrub c]

The Fighting Hearne Beagles

[lepfan]

I didn't read all this thread...but we too used to travel through Hearne on our way from LG to 'home for the holidays'...the story I heard was that the employees (I am sure it wasn't all...just a select few) stole the store blind so they shut it down...

[wimbo_pro]

Originally posted by BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END
Yes, the MAFIA. They also own or used to own large parcels of farm land in the Hearne area as well...


Hmmmm...i dunno, big blue...I will try and see if i can find anything on the net about it. Central Texas, farmland, railroad crossings, closed down Wal-marts...just doesnt sound like the environment you tend to find Tony Soprano in. I am wondering if its just an urban ledgend? Or are you refering to the Mexican Mafia?

[espn1]

Originally posted by wimbo_pro
Hmmmm...i dunno, big blue...I will try and see if i can find anything on the net about it. Central Texas, farmland, railroad crossings, closed down Wal-marts...just doesnt sound like the environment you tend to find Tony Soprano in. I am wondering if its just an urban ledgend? Or are you refering to the Mexican Mafia? It's true I took this picture myself.:D :D :D http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll410/jmg1_2008/HEARNE.gif

[wimbo_pro]

Hush, ESPN. I am trying to be serious here...sort of. LOL

[espn1]

Originally posted by wimbo_pro
Hush, ESPN. I am trying to be serious here...sort of. LOL OK! Party pooper!:D http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll410/jmg1_2008/HEARNE.gif

[BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END]

Originally posted by wimbo_pro
Hmmmm...i dunno, big blue...I will try and see if i can find anything on the net about it. Central Texas, farmland, railroad crossings, closed down Wal-marts...just doesnt sound like the environment you tend to find Tony Soprano in. I am wondering if its just an urban ledgend? Or are you refering to the Mexican Mafia?

It's where old Mafia higher-ups go to retire...and look it up, but I am being serious and I have heard it from people who lived there, and growing up thirty minutes away from it allowed me to hear a lot about it.

[cameron91]

wimbo..i know this may sound crazy to you but belive me.the mafia is well connected in HT.their is a place on the brazos river just outside of hearne called white sand. just a bunch of sandbars connected together.we was camping out their on weekend , along with about 20 or more campers. around midnight a bunch of cars drove down where we was camping . all italians some crazy lookin one at that got out each car. they told us to leave ASAP , WE HAD 10 MINUTES TO GET THE HELL OUT. we had to leave boats, tents and anything else we could pack in 10 minutes. one dude told my grandpa to come back in the morning to pick our stuff up. during the ride out , their was a police escort of about 6 limos pulling into that area. so take it for what it worth..

[wimbo_pro]

What is HT??

[LH Panther Mom]

Originally posted by wimbo_pro
What is HT??
Hearne Texas ;)

[wimbo_pro]

Oh...well....OK. Thanks goes out to LHT.

[Chopblock]

Originally posted by BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END
It's where old Mafia higher-ups go to retire...and look it up, but I am being serious and I have heard it from people who lived there, and growing up thirty minutes away from it allowed me to hear a lot about it.

BBDE you are correct, I have heard the stories also and have experienced some of it 1st hand
I worked the oilfield around that area up until 2 years ago dealing with alot of the land owners

[espn1]

Originally posted by Chopblock
BBDE you are correct, I have heard the stories also and have experienced some of it 1st hand
I worked the oilfield around that area up until 2 years ago dealing with alot of the land owners What have you experienced in particular that makes you draw Mafia conclusions?

[LH Panther Mom]

Originally posted by espn1
What have you experienced in particular that makes you draw Mafia conclusions?
He could tell you, but then he'd have to kill you. :eek: ;)

[BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END]

Originally posted by espn1
What have you experienced in particular that makes you draw Mafia conclusions?

You can't tell some people anything, I swear....

[espn1]

Originally posted by BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END
You can't tell some people anything, I swear.... I've still heard nothing but probable wise tales handed down through the years. There's not one shred of evidence to prove other wise. Except a failed Walmart. Management clearly said it never made a profit. I'm just glad some of you people are getting an education at a good school. That will help you in the long run. As for now???:vrycnfsd: :vrycnfsd: :vrycnfsd:
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll410/jmg1_2008/HEARNE.gif

[Old Tiger]

Originally posted by wimbo_pro
Hmmmm...i dunno, big blue...I will try and see if i can find anything on the net about it. Central Texas, farmland, railroad crossings, closed down Wal-marts...just doesnt sound like the environment you tend to find Tony Soprano in. I am wondering if its just an urban ledgend? Or are you refering to the Mexican Mafia? of course you wouldn't find tony soprano there that is an actor....not real life ;)

[pirate4state]

Originally posted by espn1
I've still heard nothing but probable wise tales handed down through the years. There's not one shred of evidence to prove other wise. Except a failed Walmart. Management clearly said it never made a profit. I'm just glad some of you people are getting an education at a good school. That will help you in the long run. As for now???:vrycnfsd: :vrycnfsd: :vrycnfsd:
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll410/jmg1_2008/HEARNE.gif

Maybe you need to visit with chopblock & cameron91. They both have stated to have had first hand experience with them/it. :eek:

[ronwx5x]

Originally posted by espn1
I've still heard nothing but probable wise tales handed down through the years. There's not one shred of evidence to prove other wise. Except a failed Walmart. Management clearly said it never made a profit. I'm just glad some of you people are getting an education at a good school. That will help you in the long run. As for now???:vrycnfsd: :vrycnfsd: :vrycnfsd:
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll410/jmg1_2008/HEARNE.gif

ESPN, I think what they are saying is that it is true because they "heard" it. If other people are dubious, they must be naive or just ignorant. After all they "heard" it.:2thumbsup :2thumbsup

[wimbo_pro]

Originally posted by BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END
You can't tell some people anything, I swear....

(sigh......) :doh:

Okey Dokey

[pirate4state]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
ESPN, I think what they are saying is that it is true because they "heard" it. If other people are dubious, they must be naive or just ignorant. After all they "heard" it.:2thumbsup :2thumbsup Why is it so hard to believe? I think we can all agree that there is corruption in almost ANY town/community. If people want to label it as "mafia" then so what? I'm just saying.

[Maroon87]

How'd we get from Wal-Mart to the Mob???:confused: :doh:

[ronwx5x]

Originally posted by pirate4state
Why is it so hard to believe? I think we can all agree that there is corruption in almost ANY town/community. If people want to label it as "mafia" then so what? I'm just saying.

I take most rumors with a grain of salt unless proof comes along, although it wouldn't be a rumor if proven. I get that from listening to politicians. Whether it is a poster saying a player "sucks" or that some small town is infested with mafioso, it is just my doubting nature honed by experience.

[DaHop72]

Originally posted by Maroon87
How'd we get from Wal-Mart to the Mob???:confused: :doh: :hijacktd:

[CenTexSports]

I just went to the breakroom and talked to several people that live in that area. They have heard the rumors but they are not aware of any real mafia people.

They did say that there is a VERY large area of land owned by Italian folks in the Gause, Mumford, Hearne area.

[BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
ESPN, I think what they are saying is that it is true because they "heard" it. If other people are dubious, they must be naive or just ignorant. After all they "heard" it.:2thumbsup :2thumbsup

No, I never said that I met a person in Hearne saying they were in the Mafia, but I have heard from credible sources that there were and have been vindicated by other posters on here who have had first hand experiences. I guess the ones who are naive and ignorant are the people who are trying to argue such a moot point.

[espn1]

Originally posted by pirate4state
Why is it so hard to believe? I think we can all agree that there is corruption in almost ANY town/community. If people want to label it as "mafia" then so what? I'm just saying. Point taken. I've been through there many time and have seen nothing that would remotely resemble a group of Italians. I've known many honest Net Team members that traveled all over Texas as needed. I've never heard anything like this in my 48 years of life. I suppose anything is possible. But it's highly doubtful and I'll leave it at that. I don't doubt that the posters are saying what they believe are have heard. I'm definetly not calling them liars. A retired Mafia member could be living anywhere. But that wasn't what was being initially talked about.
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll410/jmg1_2008/HEARNE.gif

[ronwx5x]

Originally posted by BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END
No, I never said that I met a person in Hearne saying they were in the Mafia, but I have heard from credible sources that there were and have been vindicated by other posters on here who have had first hand experiences. I guess the ones who are naive and ignorant are the people who are trying to argue such a moot point.

"Moot" point? I also never said anything about hearing it from a person from Hearne, just that without some sort of legitimate proof it is simply a rumor, not a fact. Step off that high horse.:stirpot: :taunt:

[BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END]

Originally posted by espn1
I've still heard nothing but probable wise tales handed down through the years. There's not one shred of evidence to prove other wise. Except a failed Walmart. Management clearly said it never made a profit. I'm just glad some of you people are getting an education at a good school. That will help you in the long run. As for now???:vrycnfsd: :vrycnfsd: :vrycnfsd:
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll410/jmg1_2008/HEARNE.gif


Apparently you didn't read where other people have posted they have had first hand experiences with it? The guy I lived with last year is from Hearne and has had first hand experiences with it, so has his family. I guess that believing what people tell me makes me lack intelligence. I guess that makes people who believe in religion unintelligent as well because none of them have actually seen the God that they believe in and hail to, but they believe. I'm sorry, but if anyone here is lacking the skills to make a credible and intelligent conversation it is you; I for one am very comfort with who I am and what I know and others can attest to the fact that intelligence is something that I don't lack.

[Old Tiger]

Originally posted by BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END
Apparently you didn't read where other people have posted they have had first hand experiences with it? The guy I lived with last year is from Hearne and has had first hand experiences with it, so has his family. I guess that believing what people tell me makes me lack intelligence. I guess that makes people who believe in religion unintelligent as well because none of them have actually seen the God that they believe in and hail to, but they believe. I'm sorry, but if anyone here is lacking the skills to make a credible and intelligent conversation it is you; I for one am very comfort with who I am and what I know and others can attest to the fact that intelligence is something that I don't lack. so true so true

[BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
"Moot" point? I also never said anything about hearing it from a person from Hearne, just that without some sort of legitimate proof it is simply a rumor, not a fact. Step off that high horse.:stirpot: :taunt:


I never said anything negative towards you, but if I recall correctly it was you who has been accusatory and sitting on your throne of enlightenment. Apparently you and others fail to read the contents of the thread that aren't self-serving to your own line of thought and make stupid statements like you have.

[Ranger Mom]

Since I have met and talked to chopblock on many an occasion....if he says he has had first hand experience with it, then I believe him!!

[ronwx5x]

Originally posted by BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END
Apparently you didn't read where other people have posted they have had first hand experiences with it? The guy I lived with last year is from Hearne and has had first hand experiences with it, so has his family. I guess that believing what people tell me makes me lack intelligence. I guess that makes people who believe in religion unintelligent as well because none of them have actually seen the God that they believe in and hail to, but they believe. I'm sorry, but if anyone here is lacking the skills to make a credible and intelligent conversation it is you; I for one am very comfort with who I am and what I know and others can attest to the fact that intelligence is something that I don't lack.

I can't and won't argue a negative. And you're the one who just said you didn't hear it from Hearne people but from credible sources, not me. I just like a little more proof than I heard a rumor. Does that make you smarter than me? I never said a thing about your intelligence. Are you saying something about mine? Glad you are comfort with who you am, too.

[Old Tiger]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
I can't and won't argue a negative. And you're the one who just said you didn't hear it from Hearne people but from credible sources, not me. I just like a little more proof than I heard a rumor. Does that make you smarter than me? I never said a thing about your intelligence. Are you saying something about mine? Glad you are comfort with who you am, too. I didn't know peoples first hand experience with it was considered a rumor???????

[BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
I can't and won't argue a negative. And you're the one who just said you didn't hear it from Hearne people but from credible sources, not me. I just like a little more proof than I heard a rumor. Does that make you smarter than me? I never said a thing about your intelligence. Are you saying something about mine? Glad you are comfort with who you am, too.

Well, if you lack the basic reading and comprehension skills to go back and read what other people have posted before adding senseless dribble to the conversation, then yes, I am saying something about your intelligence. The way I see it, it's like hopping in an airplane and thinking you can fly on your first try...apparently you think you can do it.

[pirate4state]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
I can't and won't argue a negative. And you're the one who just said you didn't hear it from Hearne people but from credible sources, not me. I just like a little more proof than I heard a rumor. Does that make you smarter than me? I never said a thing about your intelligence. Are you saying something about mine? Glad you are comfort with who you am, too. He stated the "credible source" as his roommate FROM Hearne! :doh:

Yall are being silly. I think the board could do without another pissing match. This one might send the board crasher for sure!

[ronwx5x]

Originally posted by pirate4state
He stated the "credible source" as his roommate FROM Hearne! :doh:

Yall are being silly. I think the board could do without another pissing match. This one might send the board crasher for sure!

Why? We're just having an intelligent conversation about non-football matters, like several other threads. No one getting mad that I know of.

[pirate4state]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
Why? We're just having an intelligent conversation about non-football matters, like several other threads. No one getting mad that I know of. Because I said so!

hahahaha

that was a joke all you "hyper sensitive" watchers :p :p

[Ranger Mom]

Originally posted by pirate4state
Because I said so!

hahahaha

that was a joke all you "hyper sensitive" watchers :p :p

I swear.....I have never seen a place where the men have PMS more than the women, like they do here!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:


















:devil:

[Old Tiger]

i'm mad

[ronwx5x]

Originally posted by Go Blue
i'm mad

What about?

[Old Tiger]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
What about? got a headache and no medicine

[pirate4state]

Originally posted by Go Blue
got a headache and no medicine check with Reggie bwhahahahahahaha :evillol: :D

[pirate4state]

Originally posted by Ranger Mom
I swear.....I have never seen a place where the men have PMS more than the women, like they do here!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:


:devil:

Another joke S&S :devil: :devil: :D

[ronwx5x]

Originally posted by Go Blue
got a headache and no medicine

That's not mad, that's angry. And you should be.

[wimbo_pro]

Are we insulting Italian Americans by assuming if they are in strong numbers in a rural part of Texas that they must therefore be Mafia??? I dont have the answer to this one, but i am sure someone out there has a friend who talked to someone who DOES know the answer.

[ronwx5x]

Originally posted by wimbo_pro
Are we insulting Italian Americans by assuming if they are in strong numbers in a rural part of Texas that they must therefore be Mafia??? I dont have the answer to this one, but i am sure someone out there has a friend who talked to someone who DOES know the answer.

A man after my own devious kind!:D

[espn1]

Originally posted by wimbo_pro
Are we insulting Italian Americans by assuming if they are in strong numbers in a rural part of Texas that they must therefore be Mafia??? I dont have the answer to this one, but i am sure someone out there has a friend who talked to someone who DOES know the answer. No! But Italians were mentioned in earlier posts!http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll410/jmg1_2008/HEARNE.gif

[pirate4state]

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b14/p4s90/fcol.png

[Ranger Mom]

Originally posted by pirate4state
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b14/p4s90/fcol.png

My sentiments exactly!!;)

[wimbo_pro]

Originally posted by BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END
I guess that believing what people tell me makes me lack intelligence.

No one is saying you lack intelligence, BBDE. I guess what I am saying is this... experience tells me that believing something that others have told me without checking it out, questioning it or looking into the facts surrounding the issue...especially an issue that sounds questionable to me...falls into the "not so smart" category.

I suspect you will feel the same way in time, after you get stung a few times by "information" you took as the truth from "reliable sources", but that turned out to be less than accurate. BTW, you could be right on this one...I just can't find anything on the net to back it up. If you have something, let me know.

With that said, this is just a message board, talking about a lot of silly things...of which this topic is one. Dont take it so seriously, or else I am gonna have your knee cap broke!!!

[ronwx5x]

Originally posted by BIG BLUE DEFENSIVE END
Well, if you lack the basic reading and comprehension skills to go back and read what other people have posted before adding senseless dribble to the conversation, then yes, I am saying something about your intelligence. The way I see it, it's like hopping in an airplane and thinking you can fly on your first try...apparently you think you can do it.

Not sure why you feel you are a good judge of my intelligence based on nonsense posted on a football board, but if it makes you feel superior, have at it.

By the way, I can fly airplanes and have a license to prove it.

As you have felt the need to defend your intelligence on more than one occassion, I can only assume you must have some feelings of inferiority. I feel sorry for you. I'm done.

[Old Tiger]

i'm a good judge of intelligence

[UPanIN]

Originally posted by Boomer
Wal-Mart is a joke! Those CEO's need to be put in jail for the way they treat their employees. I watched a show just yesterday on this, and there were people from Hearne on there. Wal-mart destroys a lot of small towns. Thank God I can go to downtown Cuero and see all the mom and pop stores running. They pay their employees 7 to 8 dollars an hour, and the medical coverage sucks! This show even showed real news footage on how Wal-Mart was encouraging their workers to go and apply for government help so they wouldn't have to increase pay or give them better insurance.

Wal-Mart is one of the richest companies out there, they can afford to pay a little more.

I feel sorry for the people who work there and spend their whole carrer at Wal-Mart. They work hard, they deserve more pay. What they need is a union. The employees need to speak up!

So Wal-Mart puts a gun to their employee's head when they hire them so they will agree to that 7-8 dollars an hour and that sucky medical coverage.

NO wait....Wal-Mart must not be telling anyone what the pay and coverage is before they start because NO ONE would go to work for them if they did.

:cheerl: :cheerl: :cheerl: for Wal-Mart

[espn1]

Originally posted by ronwx5x
Not sure why you feel you are a good judge of my intelligence based on nonsense posted on a football board, but if it makes you feel superior, have at it.

By the way, I can fly airplanes and have a license to prove it.

As you have felt the need to defend your intelligence on more than one occassion, I can only assume you must have some feelings of inferiority. I feel sorry for you. I'm done. That's an unfortunate side effect of being a liberal and a young pup. He'll learn with time. A&M will also help.

[BwdLions]

Do you have to be Italian to be in the Mafia? Just wondering. :rolleyes:

[wimbo_pro]

Originally posted by espn1
That's an unfortunate side effect of being a liberal and a young pup. He'll learn with time. A&M will also help.
...and the gloves come off....

[pirate4state]

Originally posted by espn1
That's an unfortunate side effect of being a liberal and a young pup. He'll learn with time. A&M will also help. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

and with that my friends this topic is now closed. :clap: