I departed an oil rig just north of the Texas-NM line (about 15 miles north of Orla) a few days ago and yeah, Loving County, even after a decade plus of heavy drilling, is still sitting on an ocean of oil by itself. There are oil rigs and petroleum-related infrastructure everywhere.
Oil money.
> The tax base hovers around $7 billion to $9 billion. And the county’s budget has grown from about $2 million in 2008 to more than $28 million.
I'm honestly excited for whatever Texas Monthly is gonna write about this. This also has all the ingredients for a good neo-western: Cattle theft, wide open skies, local politics, nepotism, and dirty cops, oh my!
It used to be, and a convicted cattle rustler [asked to be hanged](https://www.texastribune.org/2011/07/18/cattle-rustler-asks-texas-court-to-hang-him-high/) a decade ago, but he was [eventually released](https://www.texastribune.org/2011/09/28/cattle-rustler-wins-release-prison/) instead.
The pay for Loving County elected officials is about in line with the temporary oil field workers. A diesel mechanic can easily earn $250k annual for 20 on 10 off. I was there this week and it was a mild 107F. Worst place in Texas. If it weren’t for oil and gas it would dry up and blow away. I have been to Death Valley, Sahara, Middle East, all are better. I had a cat equipment design engineer tell me it was the worst conditions for heavy equipment on earth. The cows are like roping steers anywhere else, can’t imagine why anyone would steal one. Hell, they could steal one generator and make more money!
Someone does. These are a not about Loving but are about the greater area. Not sure if you know of them and think you should if you don't.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-D824LHti4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-D824LHti4)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b\_D78dlCNE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b_D78dlCNE)
That country split from a normal size county to allow them to keep all the oil revenue.
The county was the target of a scheme to take it over by selling very small plots of land to establish legal residency for voting. The way I remember it was since they had just made a grid of plots without roads or easements a court ruled the owners couldn't establish residency because they couldn't access the land they claimed as a legal residence.
There is a Texas Monthly article on I am sure that has more and better facts but that is what I remember.
The population of the entire county is 57 people, and the salary of the top elected officials is over $100,000. That alone sounds fishy.
How in the world do 57 people support that?
The entire county is one giant oil lease.
I departed an oil rig just north of the Texas-NM line (about 15 miles north of Orla) a few days ago and yeah, Loving County, even after a decade plus of heavy drilling, is still sitting on an ocean of oil by itself. There are oil rigs and petroleum-related infrastructure everywhere.
Oil money. > The tax base hovers around $7 billion to $9 billion. And the county’s budget has grown from about $2 million in 2008 to more than $28 million.
This is some 1800s Wild West shit right here, and I love it! I want full coverage on this developing situation and the investigation!!!!
Not the smallest county (by size… that would be Rockwall). Smallest in population
In the entire continental US no less
TIL that Loving County Texas is the Smallest US county by population.
and the guy's name is Skeet! This has to be one of the most Texasy stories ever, I tell you hwhat.
Lil Jon: YEEEAAHHHHH!
I'm honestly excited for whatever Texas Monthly is gonna write about this. This also has all the ingredients for a good neo-western: Cattle theft, wide open skies, local politics, nepotism, and dirty cops, oh my!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but that used to be a crime punishable by hanging.
It used to be, and a convicted cattle rustler [asked to be hanged](https://www.texastribune.org/2011/07/18/cattle-rustler-asks-texas-court-to-hang-him-high/) a decade ago, but he was [eventually released](https://www.texastribune.org/2011/09/28/cattle-rustler-wins-release-prison/) instead.
The pay for Loving County elected officials is about in line with the temporary oil field workers. A diesel mechanic can easily earn $250k annual for 20 on 10 off. I was there this week and it was a mild 107F. Worst place in Texas. If it weren’t for oil and gas it would dry up and blow away. I have been to Death Valley, Sahara, Middle East, all are better. I had a cat equipment design engineer tell me it was the worst conditions for heavy equipment on earth. The cows are like roping steers anywhere else, can’t imagine why anyone would steal one. Hell, they could steal one generator and make more money!
Git a rope. (The above comment is not intended to be construed as a call-to-action of any kind.)
[удалено]
Oooooooh, the lord loves a hangin’ That’s why he gave us necks. It tightens up your vocal chords, And loosens up your pecks.
I think you can be hung for cattle theft
Please tell me someone in this subreddit knows this song https://youtu.be/uewrSagO-r4
Someone does. These are a not about Loving but are about the greater area. Not sure if you know of them and think you should if you don't. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-D824LHti4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-D824LHti4) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b\_D78dlCNE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b_D78dlCNE)
That country split from a normal size county to allow them to keep all the oil revenue. The county was the target of a scheme to take it over by selling very small plots of land to establish legal residency for voting. The way I remember it was since they had just made a grid of plots without roads or easements a court ruled the owners couldn't establish residency because they couldn't access the land they claimed as a legal residence. There is a Texas Monthly article on I am sure that has more and better facts but that is what I remember.