Ch.3 - Cedar Choppers - Ep.1 - Buck Simpson Austin's WWI Hero

Our Westlake

Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) tells first-hand stories of the earliest Westlakers - many called Cedar Choppers. Westlake was a land rich with natural resources but no transportation and few business or educational opportunities. Cedar was a major resource for railroads and heating -- but required strong men to harvest. Cutting and hauling cedar and brewing whiskey was their livelihood.
Emmett worked alongside many of them to clear the land. Emmett, and his father, defended them in court and feuds kept them busy.
One early Westlaker, Buck Simpson, was drafted into World War I and became Austin's War Hero - akin to Sgnt York. He could not read or write or tell time, but he could shoot a rifle. He had the highest medals from 5 countries and lead parades.
Music: The Hills that I Call Home by Southern Rail

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Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.