The name Bear Creek would indicate that bears once roamed along its banks. When we were growing up, my brother and I also roamed there but never saw a bear. We had some great times though. Bear Creek originates north of the town of Bertram and meanders eastwardly and then southeastwardly until it empties into the San Gabriel River. There are several communities scattered along its banks; one of them is Prairie Point. Perhaps I should say, “was Prairie Point,” because now the name only appears on a historical marker beside the road. Many farms and ranches have given way to subdivisions, each with a different name. All of these people have come to live where we once raised sheep and grew sugar cane, grain and cotton.

In the late 1800's through the 1940's, Bear Creek was the recreational center of the community. Church baptisms were held there as were picnics, fish frys, family reunions and just about any special occasion that came along. Swimming parties were numerous in the summer. Fishing and hunting were year-round activities. Most of the land owners were kinfolk and the rest were good friends. Everyone had free access to hunt and fish all along the creek. Night hunting of varmints and livestock predators helped keep them in check. Panthers and wildcats sometimes provided some thrilling hunts. Hunting raccoons and foxes for bounty was a regular thing.

The residents of the 1930's were not that far removed from the generation which settled that country. They still had a frontiersman attitude about living. Children were taught to respect the land, wildlife and the rights of others. They were taught at an early age how to fish and which ones to bring home for the table. They were also taught which birds were predators, which ones made a tasty meal and where to find them. They learned the same thing about animals, how to track them and where to aim to get a "clean" instant kill. Children, especially the boys, were taught to handle a rifle by a ...

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