Once a frequent participant and widely liked leader among his peers in local Republican politics, Barlow, 75, practically disappeared from public view. He has lived a quiet life since being excommunicated from his church by Jeffs, who others say was displeased with Barlow's attention to the world beyond his FLDS religion.

In fact, Barlow's banishment from the town and people he loves came shortly after the former mayor led a community memorial to the raid of 1953.

At the time, Barlow invited members of the media to document the event by attending a ceremony held at the old schoolhouse in Colorado City. It was an unprecedented invitation from a group of people who rarely shared their thoughts and feelings with the media at large.

Many of those attending the ceremony were children at the time of the 1953 raid, Barlow recalled during his 2003 speech.

"We were told to be ready and use Brigham's weapons — the songs of Zion," Barlow said in his 2003 speech. "Every heart was filled with apprehension. At 4 a.m. sirens flashing red lights and dozens of police cars in a line came upon our community. Children were told to huddle close and not cry, to be brave."

Similarities between the 1953 raid and what is occurring in the Texas raid of 2008 are not lost on Barlow.

"I lived through that. I know what those emotions and feelings are," he said. "Even though I am no longer a member, I still believe in America. There must be due process for these families."

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com