Certificate of 15 Units in Big Mexia Oil and Leasing Syndicate, 8-1/2” x 11,” issued to H.M. Nolan, January 16, 1922, VG. In 1912 the Mexia Gas and Oil Company drilled ten dry holes, but in the eleventh attempt discovered a large natural gas deposit. The Mexia oilfield was discovered in 1920, and the population of Mexia increased from 3,482 to nearly 35,000. Ranger Captain Frank Hamer reported, “within a few weeks Mexia was one of them most corrupt and lawless cities Texas has ever seen”. In January 1922 twenty Texas Rangers and a few Federal Officers raided the Winter Garden east of Mexia Freestone Co. and the Chicken Farm north of Mexia in Freestone Co. Little was accomplished due to interference from local law enforcement. Gov, Neff then declared Martial Law in designated precincts of Limestone and Freestone Co. Adjutant Barton, his assistant, Captain Frank Hamer, Captain Tom Hickman and two companies of Texas Rangers moved in. Gov. Neff declared all Freestone Co. under Martial LawFeb. 2nd. 1922.