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The establishment of law and order is the principal theme of The Free State of Lavaca. This book is replete with incidents and cases taken from the Lavaca County court records. Beginning the early times when novices served as "high sheriff" the story carries through to the advent of the professional lawman. In part, this book is also the trilogy of prominent families, Foley, Smothers and Hicks, and recounts the violence that decimated their ranks. Some chapters also cover the struggle of blacks from slavery to freedom and religious development in the county.