http://www.hearstnp.com/san_antonio/bea/news/stories/san/san72117.shtml Trinidad compound quiet 08/20/2000 By Dick J. Reavis Express-News Staff Writer (San Antonio) TRINIDAD - Despite the apparent arrest of one sympathizer, calm prevailed Sunday at the Gray family compound along the Trinity River in Henderson County. One day after dozens of supporters traveled down Old River Road outside of Trinidad to offer food and sympathy to the family, the stream of visitors slowed to a trickle, and none of them included the law. Family head Joe Gray, 51, is wanted in Henderson County on charges that he assaulted a state trooper during an arrest last December in neighboring Anderson County. Gray's daughter, Lisa, is the object of a child custody court order obtained by her former husband several months ago. Since January, the Grays have refused to appear in court, and say they are not planning to surrender anytime soon. "If Joe were to go in now, they'd never turn loose of him," said his wife, Alicia, who remains in the family compound. The sympathizers, many from Christian fundamentalist and militia groups, brought pickup loads of food and other goods to the family this weekend, to aid them in their attempt to hold out against local authorities. A roomful of dried and canned foods, including more than 30 loaves of bread, and some 50 gallons of fuel - gasoline and kerosene - were among the items. "They brought us a cook stove with propane tanks, candy for the kids, and even a mini-camera," patriarch Joe Gray said late Sunday. Members of the family used the video camera early Sunday afternoon to film the appearance of Keith Tarkington, 34, of Gun Barrel City, who won custody of his two sons in a court dispute several months ago. Tarkington showed up at the gate to the Gray property, located on an unpaved county road, in the company of a television crew. His purpose, he said, was to publicly state his demand that the court order awarding him custody of his two sons, Joe, 4, and Samuel, 2, be honored. Members of the Gray family refused to speak with him and with the TV crew, from the tabloid show "Extra." But visits to the compound Sunday were few. One man, self-described as an "old redneck sightseer," from Bosque County, arrived early with two cooler loads of drinks, and several bags of groceries that he passed over the front gate of the family property. The man, who declined to give his name, chatted for a half hour with family members before heading out. But he made it clear that he agrees entirely with their stand. "It's reminiscent of every government operation," he said of the legal standoff between the Grays and local authorities. "It's oppressing the people's rights, their lives, their ability to make a living, and it's destroying every right that God gave us," he said. "Yeah, I'm a militia person," he said when asked. "But people have to stand up for their rights, and whatever that entails, so be it." Hours later, a carload of tourists from San Antonio, who likewise declined to be named, rolled down the one-lane dirt road, asking bystanders, "Where's the crazy people?" After a further inquiry - "Are they well-armed?" - the group drove up to the gate of the Gray property, ogled the armed men behind it, and then went back the way they had come. Though about two dozen members of Texas militia groups came to offer support to the Grays on Saturday, no armed visitors were evident on the property Sunday afternoon, as the Grays enjoyed the sympathizers' bounty. Armed family members munched on barbecue and delighted in soft drinks that - for a change - were not as hot as the 100-degree sun. "They even brought us ice chests filled with ice," Joe Gray said. The family has been without electricity for several months, due to nonpayment of its bills, he explained. Law enforcement officials were not in sight and made no effort to close the road that leads to the compound, despite the influx of well-wishers. But sympathizer Michael Treis, 47, who was staying on the property, was arrested in Athens, his wife, Debra, said. The couple and their son, Jerry, 18, came to the Gray compound on Thursday in an auto and a converted school bus emblazoned with the name, "Yashua Messiah Sabbath Day Ministry." Like the Grays, the Treis family observes Christian services on Saturdays. Sunday afternoon, Michael and Debra Treis drove their car to Athens, about 25 miles away, to do the family wash and to buy food for their dog, Jet, Debra Treis said. As they were leaving the city, she said, an Athens police officer halted their car and arrested Michael, who was driving, because he would not produce a driver's license and because the auto lacked tags. An Athens police sergeant refused to confirm or deny the arrest. "Only the chief of police can speak to the press, and he won't be in until Monday," he said. dreavis@express-news.net Staff writer John MacCormack contributed to this report. 08/20/2000 http://www.hearstnp.com/san_antonio/bea/news/stories/san/san72117.shtml