Cass County Connect

Cass County Judge

Travis Ransom

Each year on March 2, Texans commemorate the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence at Washington- on-the-Brazos — a bold step that established the Republic of Texas. Rooted in the political philosophy of John Locke and Thomas Jefferson, the declaration affirmed timeless principles of liberty. It proclaimed that the Mexican government had “ceased to protect the lives, liberty, and property of the people, from whom its legitimate powers are derived,” and condemned what it described as “arbitrary acts of oppression and tyranny.”

Enduring Principles of Freedom - The declaration echoed core American ideals, including:

• Trial by Jury — described as “that palladium of civil liberty, and only safe guarantee for the life, liberty and property of the citizen.”

• The Right to Bear Arms — affirming that “our arms…are essential to our defense, the rightful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments.”

These words reflected a profound belief in self-government and individual liberty.

Signers & Local Legacy - Sixty men signed the declaration, including Sam Houston, who would become the first President of the Republic of Texas.

Among them was Robert Potter, whose legacy remains tied to East Texas and whose name lives on at Potter’s Point on Caddo Lake — a reminder that the story of Texas independence is not confined to distant battlefields but woven into our own region.

A Cass County Reflection - Though Cass County was established a decade later in 1846, our community stands firmly within this heritage. The Republic of Texas created the foundation for the settlement, growth, and institutions that shape East Texas today.

Cass County has a rich heritage — and a bright future.

CASS COUNTY PIONEER PROFILE

David A.Webster Jr.

This week’s Cass County Pioneer is an athlete. David A. Webster, Jr. was a trailblazing American football player from Atlanta, Texas, who made significant contributions both on and off the field during the 1960s. Born in Atlanta, Texas, on July 23, 1937, Webster moved to Houston at age thirteen with his mother, Eunice Harper Webster. He attended Jack Yates High School, where he excelled as the starting quarterback, leading the team to city and state championships.

Graduating as valedictorian, he earned an academic scholarship to Prairie View A&M University. At Prairie View, Webster showcased his athletic versatility by playing both football and tennis under the guidance of College Football Hall of Fame coach Billy Nicks.

He led the football team to the 1958 Black College Football National Championship and was named an All-American quarterback in 1958. In tennis, he clinched the Doubles Championship in 1959 alongside Clifton Johnson.

Despite his success as a collegiate quarterback, racial barriers of the era prevented Webster from playing that position in professional football. In 1960, he joined the Dallas Texans of the American Football League (AFL) as a defensive back. His outstanding performance earned him AFL All-Star and All-AFL honors in 1961.

Unfortunately, a leg injury during a 1962 preseason game ended his professional football career. After football, Webster completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Prairie View A&M.

He began his engineering career at the Bendix Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri, and later joined Ford Motor Company in Michigan in 1971. While at Ford, he earned an MBA from Central Michigan University in 1975. Upon retiring in 2001, he returned to Texas in 2004 to pursue farming. Webster's life reflects a legacy of breaking racial barriers and achieving excellence across multiple fields. His contributions to sports and engineering continue to inspire future generations.

Jobs in and around Cass County

Deputy District Clerk - Perform clerical duties in support of District Clerk's Office operations; prepare courtroom and/or other types of legal documentation/ provide customer service to the public. Answer and direct incoming calls, respond to inquiries regarding court processes, filing fees, civil and criminal cases, jury duty, and other court related matters.

Male Jailer - Detention officers provide supervision of at the Cass County Jail including, but not limited to, hourly checks on inmate welfare, distribution of prescribed medications, distribution of meals, pickup and delivery of inmate laundry, supervision of inmate recreation time and searching newly booked and work release inmates.

Deputy Sheriff - Patrols and responds to calls for assistance from the public. Enforces Federal, State, and Local laws. Arrests, transports, and books offenders. Testifies in courts, performs investigation of all reported offenses. Services warrants and civil process. Transports prisoners and other duties as assigned.

Blade Operator - Effectively operate various sizes and models of self propelled motor graders to spread and level dirt, gravel, stone, and other road materials to rough and fine grade specifications in construction and maintenance of county roads.

Licensed Vocational Nurse - Community Health-Core-Atlanta: he LVN serves as a clinical member of Crisis Stabilization Unit treatment team. The LVN is responsible for using the nursing process to meet the needs of clients according to the professional standards of nursing care.

Registered Nurse - Community HealthCore-Atlanta: Under the general direction of the Director of Nursing (DON) and the RCSU RN Nurse Manager is responsible for utilizing the nursing process to meet the needs of patients in the Rapid Crisis Stabilization Unit (RCSU) (involuntary extended observation unit and voluntary crisis residential unit) according to the professional standards of nursing care.

Cass County Property Fraud Alert Program Cass County Property Fraud Alert Program notifies landowners of actions filed that impact their property title at the County Clerk's Office. Click the button to sign up. It's free!

Reach out to my office — P.O. Box 825 Linden, TX 75563 Phone: 903-756-5181, Ext. 0 Fax: 903-756-5732