I have been working with a student on the phone for four hours, helping him with two essays for history at UCLA. It is now midnight. I can’t say that I will write for 20 minutes today. Instead, I will simply say that I have been writing all evening and I am pretty much pooped.
I did begin a story earlier tonight with the idea that I might write it for my blog tonight. I was interrupted early on so I stopped. I like the beginning, however, so I will share it here.
She was his family’s housekeeper before the riot and the burning. She was also the mother of his beautiful forbidden girlfriend, Sadie, who was slim and the color of the coal that heated his father’s house. All of that changed that night back in 1930 when some of the hotheads in town decided to take the law in their own hands.
This is inspired by the riot that took place here in Sherman in May of 1930 when a black man allegedly raped a white woman. Dupont Lyon – the owner of Lyon House (our Texas home) was put in charge of martial law for the town. I am in the rare position of actually sitting in a room where Dupont surely stood on that very day back in 1930.
I would like to tell that story…
But now, I’m going to bed.
Until tomorrow.
20 Minutes a Day 
I’m hooked. Can’t wait until you expand on your story. I AM curious about what happened and WOW, that house is yours! Exciting stuff.
O.K. so that answers my earlier comment. Great start…I too can’t wait for more.
My mother was aged six and was with her uncle watching the burning courthouse-she vividly recalled the fire at least-no idea what her uncle thought about the riot and perhaps they were there because the loss of the building was a big event, but perhaps his interest was less benign, and I hope he didn’t take a child to witness what then followed.
Thank you for commenting. This was such a horrific event in Sherman’s history. Truly shameful.
Thank you for that photo.
I just realized that is the photo I found for the blog. Still, I am very grateful for your response.
I lived here from 1992-2001 and was very young at the time. I don’t know this story. I’d love to know more.
Sorry! Just saw your comment. The Sherman riot was a terrible event. You can learn more about it here: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/sherman-riot-of-1930