Francitas, Texas
Newspaper Articles
1923
FRANCITAS
(By Mason Hirsh)
The writer has recently heard, from the lips of one Jesse Campbell, of the trip to the Valley--and Old Mexico--made by the Beacon's worthy chief of staff. Some fellers have all the luck.
The Misses Crawford and Belknap, erstwhile of Palacios, created aching voids of loneliness in the hearts of their innumerable Francitas admirers, by their visit to the City-by-the-Sea over the week-end just past.
Ned Young is contemplating the purchase of a fliver. All owners of chickens, dogs, ducks, etc., are hereby warned to keep 'em off the highway. They will be held strictly responsible for all damage done said fliver as a result of collisions with said live stock.
On Friday night, February 9, there will be presented at the Francitas church a home talent play, entitled "The Old Fashioned Mother." The play is written in three acts and consumes about two hours time, and will be well worth the while for everyone who possibly can, to witness. The cast has been hard at work for several weeks, and from present indications, the ultimate result should not be far below the standard of professional talent.
Once again can be seen upon the street corners, groups with their heads together, counting their millions. Once again has the bud of an oil project appeared. Once again we wait with bated breath the blossoming of the bud. Will we yet again see the death of the bud unopened? Will the sap which brings it life, the money contributed by the great and powerful public, continue to flow until the flower reaches maturity? Or will the sap be frozen, or perchance, some marauder pluck the bud in its infancy, and tap the stem that the sap may run into his own personal bucket? "Quein Sabe?" At any rate, the project of the Cardinal Petroleum Company as put forth in a recent issue of the Beacon brings hope to the weary. He who brought into being, "Hope springs eternal, etc.," certain uttered words of much truth and great wisdom. Despite repeated reverses, bitter disappointments, and vanished air castles, hope will return at the least provocation. And it is well that it is so. But we have some inside "dope" on the foregoing, and are more hopeful than usual.
The Palacios Beacon, February 2, 1923
C. O. Hardy Sale, Palacios Beacon,
February 2, 1923
FRANCITAS
(My Mason Hirsh)
The home talent play presented in the Francitas church last Friday night, entitled "The Old Fashioned Mother," was in every way successful, and the large audience which attended have been expressing their pleasure in witnessing the production and their surprise as to its unquestionable merit. The writer has witnessed and taken part in plays of a similar character in much larger towns, which fell below the standard set by this one, and the excellent results obtained should be gratifying to all concerned. The play is to be presented at Blessing, in the Community House on Friday, the 16, at 7:30 p.m., and it is to be hoped that a much larger audience than could be contained in the Francitas church will witness the performance. It is also planned to produce the play in Ganado, but this point is not yet settled.
On Monday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, the marriage of Karl F. W. Schmidt, son of Friedrich Schmidt, to Anna Schmidt, daughter of Deidrich Schmidt, all of Deutschburg, was consummated at the home of the bridegroom's father. Miss Dora Schmidt, the Bride's twin sister, acted as maid of honor, and Mrs. Sam Schleisser as matron of honor. The bridegroom was attended by Mr. Remmer Schmidt in the capacity of best man. The Reverend Wolf officiated binding the happy couple unto eternity. Following the ceremony, the guests, about fifty in number, partook of a bounteous marriage supper. The evening was dedicated to dancing by the younger folks, during the course of which refreshments were served. We are once again compelled to regret our lack of observational powers relative to the apparel of the fair sex, and suggest that in the future that the society editor of The Beacon, send a reporter to cover that phase of such ceremonies. All that we noticed was that the bride and her attendants appeared as charming as one could imagine. The sincere wishes of the many friends of the benedict and his bride for years of happiness and prosperity, are extended through this column.
In our last communication to The Beacon we mentioned the fact that Ned Young was contemplating the purchase of a fliver, and issued a warning. The warning was well founded. Ned has the fliver. We drove with him today; just a little spin about town. Net casualties, one dog. Stop, Look & Listen signs are soon to make their appearance at all street crossings.
Monday was, or should be observed as a holiday the country over; commemorating the birth of one, who in the opinion of many of the South as well as the North, was the greatest of Americans--Abraham Lincoln. But in our opinion, the day is set apart for a far more exalted reason, being observed by us with more reverence than any other of the 365 days. And we believe that Lincoln should be proud--would be proud, could he know that the day of his birth is also the natal day of the truest friend and pal the writer can every hope to know--his Mother.
The Palacios Beacon, February 16, 1923
Col. Wm. F. Schwind, Francitas, and the Hon. Byron Clark, Omaha,
Neb., were Palacios visitors the first of the week. Mr. Clark is the
happy owner of the fine 1096 Ranch near Francitas, and incidentally
is one of the leading attorneys for the Burlington railroad, with
headquarters in Omaha.
Palacios Beacon, March 9, 1923
Everybody's Friend.
Mr. Mason Hirsch, of the Francitas Land and Improvement Company has severed his connection with that firm, and is rushing eastward in his Overland car in response to a telegram from his father in Philadelphia, saying that Mason's mother was dangerously ill. Mason Hirsch is one of the finest young gentlemen our little city has ever known, and he will be greatly missed indeed. He is a young man of varied accomplishments, a fluent writer, an able newspaper reporter, and an all around capable general office man; devoted to his friends, and especially in love with his mother to whose call he is thus responding. Everybody here is wishing him Godspeed, and that he may not lose his mother. It is our understanding his departure is permanent.
Palacios Beacon, March 23, 1923
R. H. VonKessel, of Francitas, was in Palacios Wednesday and while
here informed us that he had disposed of the Francitas Land and
Improvement Company to Mrs. Alice MacKay, a Francitas citizen, who
will take possession April the 15th. Mr. VonKessel is an energetic
and deserving young man and has made numerous friends in both
Jackson and Matagorda counties since he took over the business of
the Francitas Land & Improvement Co., about three years ago, who
regret to see him go to other climes, but wish him well wherever he
may see fit to locate. He expects to leave abut the first of May for
St. Louis.
Palacios Beacon, April 10, 1923
Wm. F. Schwind, of Francitas, was a business visitor in Palacios
Tuesday. He was accompanied by Louis F. Funk, a former resident of
Francitas, who now lives in San Antonio.
Palacios Beacon, July 6, 1923
Francitas
(By W. C. H. Marshall)
Seeing we have no correspondent from Francitas, we wish to state that death has visited our quiet town. The writer was called upon Sunday, Sept. 9, to conduct a short Scriptural lesson and prayer at the home of our honorable W. F. Schwind, as Mrs. Schwind's mother had passed to the great beyond.
Mary Louise Reynolds was born in Newfield, New York, December 10, 1884. From early youth she has been a member of the Presbyterian Church. She came with her parents to Illinois in the early days, and there she was married to Churchill Strother in 1851. Surviving are one son and one daughter, H. M. Strother of Bowling Green, Mo., and Mrs. W. F. Schwind of Francitas. There are also five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She was known to everyone as "Grandma Strother;" a fine Christian woman and a patient sufferer for many years, and was ready to go home to rest. The remains were taken to the old home in Warrenton, Missouri, and placed beside those of husband and children.
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Mrs. W. C. H. Marshall is still on the sick list.
Our school is progressing finely under the tutorship of Professor Thompson.
Mrs. J. H. Mackay, of Houston, is here visiting her sister, Mrs. E. J. Brown.
We are having our share of wet weather and bad roads in Francitas and vicinity.
We notice Jesse Campbell quite frequently on the streets but fail to see him in the old reliable Beacon.
While waiting for better roads Mrs. Kingham and family have been staying with Mr. and Mrs. J. M .Young.
We hear quite a murmur from our cotton growers, as they have not been able to get in their fields the past three weeks.
Mrs. Kingham's sale last Saturday at the community sale was well attended. While some things were a give-away others brought fair prices. Sam R. Smith, of Blessing, cried the sale.
Palacios Beacon, September 21, 1923
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Palacios Beacon, December 7, 1923