Francitas, Texas

Newspaper Articles
1924-1931
 

E. S. Yoas Booster For Fig Industry

E. S. Yoas, who was up from the Francitas section last week on a business mission, called in at this office to enroll for the Herald. He reports that the fig industry is getting to be a big thing in his immediate neighborhood. He and Mr. Greenawalt, a neighbor, are going into the business together and of the large number of cuttings set out this season, all are growing off in good style. Mrs. M. S. Gaines, perhaps the largest "fig farmer" in this entire section, is a close neighbor of Mrs. Yoas,  and he reports that this winter she will have finished planting 500 acres in figs. Mrs. Gaines sells her land with the guarantee that she will plant it out in figs and care for them for three years, and Mr. Yoas informs us that so far she has been able to sell more on this system than she has been able to put under cultivation. Mr. Yoas is a firm believer in the fig industry for Jackson County and says that within a short while it is going to mean much to us. A preserving plant will perhaps be put up on the Gaines place next season, he says.--Edna Herald.

Palacios Beacon, April 10, 1924
 

Francitas

Mr. Dopps is on the sick list.

Mrs. Ellis is in Bay City this week on business.

Prof. and Mrs. Thompson were week end visitors in Edna.

Mr. and Mrs. Young are visiting in Houston this week.

Prof. Harbison and family took Sunday dinner at the Bentz home.

School election Saturday went in favor of Mr. Henry Bentz and Mr. McClaridy.

We had a better attendance at S. S. Sunday. We hope everybody will come Sunday and bring somebody.

Rev. Broome and son, Charles, were guests at the Bentz home Sunday. Rev. Broome preached Sunday night.

Mr. and Mrs. Stall, Mr. Harbison and family, and Mr. Bentz and family attended church and S. S. at Rich Square Sunday.

Evert Yoas went to Houston this week where he secured a position and the family is moving there. We regret losing these good people, but wish them success in their new home.

Palacios Beacon, April 10, 1924
 

15 Years Ago - 1924

The Bell Hotel in Francitas was totally destroyed by fire.

Palacios Beacon, October 26, 1939
 

Levi Bailey Dies at Home in Francitas

The remains of Levi Bailey, who died at his home in Francitas, January 3, were brought here for burial Tuesday and after a service conducted by C. F. Connor at the grave were tenderly laid to rest in the Palacios cemetery.

Levi Bailey was born in 1847 in Madison county, Indiana, and was the last member of a family of nine children to answer the summons. In 1873 he was married to Miss Ann McNess, who survives. He united with the Church of Christ at the age of 21 and died in the faith. Mr. Bailey was one of the pioneers of Francitas, coming there from Kansas when the town was building. He was a carpenter by trade, and few buildings in Francitas do not have work on them done by him. He has been blind for eight years and almost helpless for seven., having suffered a stroke of paralysis from which he never recovered.

He was a quite unassuming nature, but enjoyed friend and their companionship. The bereft companion of more than fifty years who has been so devoted and faithful unto death has the sympathy of the entire community.

Palacios Beacon, January 6, 1927
 

The Francitas School P. T. A. will present a play "Mrs. Tubbs of Shanty Town," at 8 p. m. Friday night, Feb. 10th, at Francitas.

Palacios Beacon, February 9, 1928
 

Francitas Takes a Progressive Step

Francitas has organized a live Chamber of Commerce, and should be able to straighten out a few kinds—if any, and get going in accord with her great natural advantages.

Palacios Beacon, March 1, 1928
 

Mr. and Mrs. Burton Gibson, of Houston, are here for a visit with the former's mother, Mrs. Roscoe Bolling and other relatives and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson are a recent bride and groom, and Mrs. Gibson was formerly Miss Leta Kingham and made her home in Francitas before she and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Kingham moved to Houston several years ago.

Palacios Beacon, June 7, 1928
 

Eight Pairs of Pears on One Bunch Are Presented to Editor

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Skalla were over from Francitas last Friday, and while here Mrs. Skalla brought to the Beacon office a branch from one of her fine pear trees. Although the branch was less than a foot long there were sixteen fine, sweet, juicy pears on it, and if the rest of the tree begins to come up to this sample then it is indeed a peach of a pear tree.

The Skallas reside on the old W. C. H. Marshall farm just east of Francitas, and as we have seen some mighty fine fruit and vegetables that came off this farm, including the finest watermelon we ever saw and helped to eat, we are not surprised at this extra prolific growth of pears. The Skallas are O. K. in every way and Francitas is to be congratulated on having these fine people living on this fine farm.

Palacios Beacon, August 9, 1928
 

Mr. Bentz, one of Francitas' successful merchants, was a business visitor in Palacios Thursday and while in the city called at the Beacon office and gave us an order for bills, advertising a sale he is to have on Saturday, October 13. Mr. Bentz has moved his family here, that his children might have the advantages of a good school like Palacios now has, and he spends the week ends here with them whenever it is possible for him to get here.

Palacios Beacon, October 4, 1928
 

Francitas Girl Wins First Place in State Contest

EDNA, May 18—(Sp.)—Miss Vesta Hardy, a pupil in the Francitas school, has been notified that her essay submitted in the State Interscholastic league meet at Austin had won first place among the rural schools of the state. Miss Hardy won in rural essay writing in the county meet and also won in the district meet at Victoria.—Houston Post-Dispatch.

Palacios Beacon, May 23, 1929
 

Dr. R. G. Lubben, Former Francitas Boy, To Attend Math. Convention

Austin, Texas, Aug 21.--The University of Texas will be well represented at the national convention of the American Mathematical Society to be held at Boulder, Colo., August 27-29. A number of them will read papers before the society. Those who will attend are N. E. Rutt, Dr. Leo Zippin, Dr. Harry Schultz Vandiver, John Henderson Robertson and Dr. R. G. Lubben. Dr. Lubben is the son of Chris. Lubben, who lives in Francitas, and received his earlier education in the schools there. He has many friends in Palacios who are pleased to learn of his advancement and honors being conferred on him.

Palacios Beacon, August 22, 1929
 

Francitas Closes Successful School Year Fri., May 16

Friday, May 16^th, marked the close of a very successful nine months’ school at Francitas. The closing program given Thursday night was well rendered, and enjoyed by a large audience.

The following is the Commencement program, given Friday night:--

Processional.
Song, “America”—Audience.
Invocation – Mrs. Schwind.
Violin Solo, “Cavallerio Rusticano”—J. M. Richards.
Salutatory, “The Harvest of Hope.”—Hortense Langston.
Musical Reading, “Just Keep a Smilin’”—Almeda Joines.
Declamation, “The Value of Time.”--Laurence Carroll
Class Song, “Valedictory.”
Piano Solo—Mrs. Pearce.
Valedictory, “The Broader Vision”—Vesta Hardy.
Commencement Address—O. A. Mitchell, Co. Supt.
Presentation of Diplomas—M. B. Rogers.
Musical Reading, “Sunset Bridge”—Hortense Langston.
Brief Talk—M. B. Rogers.
Violin Solo, “Thais”—J. M. Richards.
Benediction.

After this fine program ice cream and cake were served at the home of Mrs. Ruth Hardy. Those present wee, The High School graduates, Ruth Harris and Clyde Payne, Miss Jewel Langston and her brother, Wilburn, Mr. and Mrs. Payne and younger children. Mr. C. A. Mitchell, County Superintendent, Mr. J. M. Richards, violinist, his wife and sister, and Mr. Burton, Mr. M. B. Rogers, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Cornish.

Everyone expressed the belief that this was a very nice way to end the school year.

--Contributed.

Palacios Beacon, May 22, 1930
 

Francitas on the Map to Stay

We'd like to tell you all about it, but there won't be room in this, but just an outline announcing the New Francitas District, dating from now.

This brief sketch however will be good news to thousands of tract owners and others, many of whom subscribe for the Beacon as a medium whereby they may keep in touch with coastal development, and particularly as to their own portion of it. Yes, everybody feels now that this district has this season leaped, with one broad stride right into a position of it. Yes, everybody feels now that this district has this season leaped, with one broad stride right into a position of indisputable permanence; with the grouch and the grinner joining hands, in recognition of a problem safely and permanently solved.

Right in the face of the most disastrous trucking season for years, due entirely to too much rain at a critical time, causing much rotting and deterioration of ripening fruit, SEVEN cars of beautiful tomatoes were shipped from here before the market failed, leaving us with many times seven cars in the fields to rot or be canned or otherwise disposed of.

Also as vast an acreage of green beans were grown for which there was no market this season is left to ripen in the fields, to be gathered for supplying a large section of the universe with seed for the next planting, many sections have failed to produce a supply.

I shall not, in this, undertake to distribute any laurel wreathes to numerous persons among us to whom credit belongs for this so obvious success of hurry-up organization, as such credits always in time find their way home.

Yet, I feel it necessary and proper to mention that all this has been accomplished under the inspiring leadership of Mrs. Alice Cornish of Nebraska who is the owner of some twelve hundred acres of land here, and who personally shouldered most of the hard work, as well as the big end of the expenses, putting things over in a big way thru sheer force of personality plus brains and an unbelievable amount of pluck and optimism nobody else seemed able to muster...hence...We're on the map!, and cotton farmers also are jubilant over the birth of this new money corp.

Gosh...and she's only a mere woman. A female. Real easy on the eyes.

I met Mrs. Cornish when I was coming from town recently over impassable roads, my little mules fighting their way along almost hopelessly. She was wading with mud up to I don't know where, but jolly and happy as a lark! I accused her of being mud from heels to ears.

Yes. she laughed, I am...and there's a lot more mud on me where you can't see it.

Palacios Beacon, June 26, 1930
 

In response to an invitation from H. Bentz, of Francitas, members of the B. Y. P. U.'s of the First Baptist Church of this city, were his guests for a lawn social at the Nebraska Inn last Thursday evening. The local Unions put on a most entertaining program on the balcony after with Mr. Bentz liberally treated all to Honey Boy ice cream. The affair was largely attended and proved a success that the host extended the invitation to come again and it is needless for us to say that there will be any hesitancy of the Palacios people in accepting.

Palacios Beacon, July 31, 1930
 

Miss Sophia Lubben, accompanied by Mrs. Chris Lubben, came over from Francitas Wednesday, the latter to have some dental work done. Miss Lubben is one of Jackson County's successful school teachers and informed us she was going to teach the Carancahua school the coming term.

Palacios Beacon, August 28, 1930
 

Albert Bentz, of Francitas, who attended school in Palacios last year, and won a first place in the declamation contest of the County Meet, was a contestant at the State Meet, held in Austin last week and got a place in the semi-finals of the rural boys' declamation. Albert's Palacios friends are glad to know he is keeping up this work and feel sure he will get first place in the near future. Citrus Grove school won third place in the wild flower contest, which was sponsored by the Texas Federation of Garden Clubs.

Palacios Beacon, May 14, 1931
 

Francitas Tax Sales

There were 541 five and ten acre lots at Francitas sold for taxes Tuesday morning. Mauritz Bros. bought all but 23 at $10 per lot. The remaining 23 brought from $10 to $12 per lot. They were bought as follows: John Bolling 9 lots, Paul Gerhard 2, W. H. Wingert 6, G. R. Vicker 1, R. D. Carrol 2, Gus Schiewitz 1, Robt. Joines 2. The back taxes on these tracts amounted to much more than they brought at public sale, but in order to get them back on the tax rolls the county permitted the sale without buying them in. It is said that all creage thus sold will go back on the tax rolls and taxes will be paid on same. Owing to the 10,000 subdivisions in the Francitas sections, and the fact that a large portion of the lots being owned by nonresidents the tax collections have been in a mess.--Edna Herald.

Palacios Beacon, May 28, 1931
 

John L. Stall

Mr. John L. Stall, pioneer settler of Francitas, died at his home in Francitas at noon, Tuesday. Mr. Stall was born in Seneca county, Ohio, Dec. 28, 1853. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Small March 30, 1876. Four children were born to this union: Viva Edna, and Maggie Lenora, who survive him; Ray, who died at the age of two years, and Clayton, who died at the age of 25 years.

Mr. Stall was converted and united with the Baptist church at a very early age. He was a faithful member of that church, serving many years as deacon and as Sunday School Superintendent. He held the office of Sunday School Superintendent at Francitas at the time of his death.

Mr. Stall moved to Francitas nineteen years ago, being one of the earliest settlers of that community. He was village blacksmith of that community for a great many  years. He was known as a good husband, a kind father, an upright citizen, and a faithful friend. Besides his wife and two daughters he leaves a host of friends and loved ones to mourn his passing.

Funeral services for Mr. Stall were held in the Francitas church Wednesday afternoon at two-thirty. Rev. Carroll B. Ray of Palacios officiating. Interment was made in Palacios cemetery.

Palacios Beacon, May 28, 1931
 

Arrested on Old Charge

Louis A. Berge, 60, former cashier of the defunct Farmers and Merchants' Bank of Walton, Nebr., which closed in 1921, was to leave San Antonio early Saturday for Lincoln, Neb., in custody of William M. Byrkit, special investigator and agent for the attorney general of Nebraska. They are to make the trip by bus, arriving in Lincoln Monday.

Byrkit came here Friday afternoon from Austin where Governor Ross S. Sterling Friday morning issued extradition papers on requisition of the Governor of Nebraska for the return of Berge to stand trial for two charges of forgery and 23 charges of violation of the banking laws.

Berge, who was booked at police station as James R. Stanton, alias Louis A. Berge, alias Adelbert Burgess, had been wandering through Texas and Mexico and was picked up here Tuesday by City Detectives E. I. Campa and J. R. Leonard on a tip from Sheriff White of Jackson County at Edna. He admitted his identity, but denied his guilt and said he was on his way to Nebraska at the time of his arrest.

He has made no statements to officers here and has not been asked to make one to Byrkit, Byrkit said. The Nebraska officer was high in his praise of the San Antonio police department for its efficient work in apprehending a man who had been sought throughout the state and the Southwest.

"I also wish to express by appreciation of the consideration shown by Governor Sterling and his promptness in granting the extradition and to the attorney general for passing on the technical form of the papers which were submitted to him for an opinion before the governor was asked to pass on them," Byrkit said.

The charges against Byrkit alleged that he forged a note for $1,000, one of the charges being on that count and the second for endorsing the note.--Saturday's San Antonio Express.

----------------

In an earlier statement, Berge stated that after leaving Nebraska in 1921, he had traveled over much of Mexico and Texas trying to get a new start, but had always failed. Some time during the winter or early spring he came to Francitas where he grew and harvested a crop of tomatoes, and, he said that it was the first time he felt he was really getting a new start in life. However, he said, a few weeks ago, he learned that the Nebraska officers were on his trail, and that he sent his household goods to San Antonio by express, expecting to sell them for enough money to pay his way back to Nebraska where he intended to give himself up to the officers.--Edna Herald

Palacios Beacon, July 30, 1931
 

L. A. Berge, Formerly of Francitas, Enters Plea of Not Guilty

The following, taken from a Lincoln, Nebr., paper, might prove of interest to many of our readers:--

Latest reports concerning L. A. Berge, who was recently arrested in San Antonio, after having been a fugitive for ten years in connection with a shortage of $15,0000.00? which caused the closing of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Walton, Nebraska, of which he was cashier, state he entered a plea of not guilty when arraigned in municipal court about a week ago.

The complaint charged Berge with forging the name of E. J. Wettenkamp to a $1,000.00 promissory note payable to the said bank.

Acting Judge Jacobsen fixed the bond of $5,000.00 in binding Berge over to district court. Berge was returned to the Lancaster County jail in Lincoln.

Berge, while raising tomatoes the past season at Francitas on the Wm. F. Schwind farm, went under the assumed name of James R. Stanton.

When arrested in San Antonio there were twenty-three changes filed against Berge.

Palacios Beacon, August 27, 1931
 

No Hard Times

No hard times on the Standard Poultry Farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Yoas, owners of the Standard Poultry Farm near Francitas, are not going to suffer this winter for the want of food to supply the family with an adequate diet. The following were raised on the farm and put in cans and jars for home use:

Jesse E. Campbell, Former Beacon Columnist, Passes Away in Francitas Tues.

Dr. and Mrs. T. H. Hood went to Francitas today, Wednesday, to attend the funeral of Jesse E. Campbell, who died from a heart attack Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Mr. Campbell was one of Francitas' greatest boosters and for many years his column, "Francitas Facts and Fancies," was published in the Francitas Bee, and read by hundreds of admirers in nearly every state in the union. The Beacon carried contributions from him quite often during the past ten years. His passing on brings sadness to the hearts of many, while the Beacon family feels as though one of our own number had answered the summons "To come over there."

Palacios Beacon, December 24, 1931