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Francitas People |
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Francitas Founders  William F. Schwind John G. Maher |
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Ralph C. Young
During the past eleven months the company has broken more than 600 acres of ground, planted many orchards to oranges and figs, and has hundreds of acres of trees yet to plant under its contracts. When the company first started out it employed local men to do its plowing, but it increased business demanded greater equipment, and now the company mans its own mule teams and plows. Ralph C. Young, the general manager of the company, is all the time a booster, day and night, and he has urged development and hustled the business to such an extent that many who would simply have let their land lay idle and held it for investment have planted trees and are growing crops. He is one of the greatest enemies of the hook worm in all Texas. Possessed of remarkable energy and having an unlimited amount of confidence in Francitas, he is one of the town's most substantial citizens and best hustlers. At this time he is president of the local school board. Mr. Young is a surveyor of ability and has done much work in that line since moving here. Optimistic at all times he is the kind of man needed in a new country. His company has the confidence of the people here and those who entrust it with work will never regret it, for the company will deliver the goods. John M. Young is the field man of the company. He superintends the workmen and sees to it that every acre of ground that is broken is broken right, and that every tree that is planted, is planted right. And he knows when things are right. He has full charge of the equipment and when he puts the outfit to work it works. Robert E. Young is traveling in Nebraska in the interest of the company and showing property owners the advantage of developing their tracts. He knows and he knows how to say it, that a tract of land undeveloped around Francitas will not bring its owner any revenue, while a tract planted to fruit trees will not only bring in an annual income, but can be sold at a price asked for it by the owner. It has been a good thing for Francitas that such a company does business here. The members of it invested much money in their equipment and their work and their advertising literature before they received one cent of returns, but no one ever heard one pessimistic note from their headquarters. Their work shows for itself and when the crowd gets here December 9th, among them will be many who have contracted with this company for trees, and they will discover their faith has been vindicated. To the Francitas Land Improvement company Francitas is the "Capital of the World."
Francitas Bee, November 23,
1911 |
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There's an old timer, and the longer he stays the more friends he has. "Billy" as his friends know him, presides over the dining room of the Nebraska Inn. He is never flustered and never worried and never late and never hurried. One of his stunts was to serve 300 Sunday dinners to the members of the Nebraska Lumber Dealers associations with an hour's notice of their coming.
Francitas Bee, November 23,
1911 |
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Levi Bailey is building a commodious two story residence on the south side of the railroad track. This will be when completed one of the best built houses in Francitas. It will be plastered just like the houses up north where it is cold. New Buildings In block 139 Levy Bailey is just completing a large two story residence which he is plastering and which when completed will be as substantial as any residence in Nebraska or the Northern states. --Francitas Bee, Marchg 9, 1911
The Levi Bailey
home is about completed and it is considered the
best built house in Francitas. Mr. Bailey has
changed his address from Levi Bailey Now there's a pleasant man. Just as nice and pleasant and congenial as they make 'em. Work? Why he's a carpenter and he is busy all the time. And Mr. Gale, his sidekicker, is just like him. --Francitas Bee, November 23, 1911
LEVI
BAILEY
The people
of Francitas are building good permanent homes. The houses I
have constructed have cost from $600 to $1,200 and $1,500. I
came here from 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 |
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"Billy the Bear"--That's what they use to call him up at old Beaver City, but down here it is the "Constant Booster." His right and real name is William Bear, and he has dished out so much general merchandise at the Gibson store that he can do it with his eyes shut and never half try. He came here principally for his health and having found it, decided to stay. Everyone is glad of this decision as the Bear family is one of the best. Francitas Bee, November
23, 1911 |
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A Builder--Is Chris Lubben. This man came here early last winter, stayed at the hotel a few minutes, and put up a temporary shack. Today he owns a big two story store building and also has a nice home south of the railroad. HE is really a worker and no man stands higher with his neighbors in this entire city. Francitas Bee, November
23, 1911 |
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Postmaster--C. O. Hardy fills the bill. Oldest resident, sure as the Rock of Gibraltar, gentle as he is strong and as good as gold. They don't make better citizens than Charlie Hardy even if he was too bashful to have his picture taken for publication. Francitas Bee, November
23, 1911 |
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F. E. Hale--Is a real pioneer. Though along in years and until he reached here, physically unfit he has cleared a great portion of a five acre tract and lives there in peace and plenty. When the muse works he grinds out good poetry, and all the time he is making someone happy. Francitas Bee, November
23, 1911 |
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August Phillip and Nick Peterson--both good men, but they went away this summer. Of course they got homesick to come back. Mr. Phillip is here and Mr. Peterson is on the road. Next year when the anniversary number is published they will be in it as pioneers--but not this year. Francitas Bee, November
23, 1911 |
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William Hempstead--Was sore and stiff and tired when he bundled into the Nebraska Inn, then conducted by Mrs. Parkins. The two were long separated cousins, and so well pleased was Mr. Hempstead that he just stayed. Not at the hotel, but in a nice new house he built. He surrounded himself with chickens and when the neighbors got to crowding his range he sold his home to J. W. Dismukes and built another farther out. He is no longer sore and stiff and tired but one of the spryest of the spy. Francitas Bee, November
23, 1911 |
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Laurence Pederson--Is a builder and a good one and a first class citizen. He is so popular that recently he got a telegram from a man in Wyoming, telling him to build a house for him. It was ready almost when the man got here. Mr. Pederson and Mr. Hanson, who is now building at Deutschburg, and M. Jorgensen are usually found together, that is when they are not working very seldom. Mr. Jorgensen is the blacksmith who has attracted so much favorable attention to Francitas. Hansen, when he isn't setting out fruit trees, is a carpenter. Francitas Bee, November
23, 1911 |
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William Baer Burned
William Baer was
severely burned by the ignition of gasoline at his home
Tuesday During the rain Monday night water leaked through his tent and on to the gasoline stove, a portion going into the tank in which the can is kept. This water with some gasoline was drained off into a cup and set aside by Mrs. Baer’s daughter. Later, thinking the cup contained only water, Mrs. Baer poured its contents into a kettle on the stove. Instantly the gasoline ignited setting her clothing on fire. In extinguishing the blaze which threatened his wife, and in carrying out the kettle Mr. Baer burned his hand and for several hours he suffered much pain. Francitas Bee, April 6, 1911 Mary Margaret Kantner was born at Somerset County, Pa., Jan. 23, 1856 and died at Francitas, Texas Dec. 4, 1919, age 63 years, 10 months and 11 days. Her girlhood days were spent in her native state and at the age of twenty years she professed faith in Christ and united with the Christian Church. On April 9, 1885, she was married to William S. Baer, also of Somerset County, Pa. A couple of years later they moved to Beaver City, Nebr., where she united with the Christian Church of that place, and was always a very earnest and faithful worker. About nine years ago the family moved to Texas, and in her new home she was always an honored citizen, endearing herself by her kind words and Christian life to all who knew her. The deceased leaves a husband and three children to mourn her sudden departure--Harry K. Baer of Stamford, Nebr., Mrs. C. W. Bocock, Jr., of San Antonio, Tex., and Miss Georgia Baer of Francitas. Her youngest child, Earnest, preceded the mother to the great beyond twelve years ago. Funeral services were held at the home at 3:30 Friday P. M. conducted by Rev. H. S Goodenough and burial was made at Palacios, Texas. She was a kind and affectionate wife, a loving and indulgent mother, and of her it can be said: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Card of Thanks. We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to our many kind neighbors and friends, who so kindly assisted during the illness and death of our beloved wife and mother. Wm. Baer And Family. Palacios Beacon, December 19, 1919 Mr. Wm. Baer Mr. Wm. Baer was born November 28th, 1854, in Pennsylvania. Rather late in life he was married to Miss Mary Cover, also of Pennsylvania. They lived in Nebraska for a few years. About twenty-five years ago they moved to the then new town of Francitas and opened up a general merchandise store. Mrs. Baer preceded her husband in death almost 20 years. He is survived by two daughters, Mesdames Bobcock and Havlik and one grandson of Houston. Interment was made in Palacios after services were held here in our church, conducted by Bro. Metcalf. The writer having known Mr. Baer intimately for several years, can scarcely find words to express the esteem and love in which he was held. He was a member of the Christian Church and was a very conscientious Christian gentleman: a modest little man whose character seemed to grow sweeter as the years went by. Someone has said that he was the “Angel of Francitas,” meaning by that that he was one of the most unselfish men. He really would deny himself comforts to make the way easier for his neighbors.
“We shall miss you, dear,
kind man, --Contributed
Edna Weekly Herald,
Thursday, June 17, 1937 |
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One of the chief factors in the
development of the Francitas Farms is the Francitas Land and Development
company, R. C. Young, president and general manager; John M. Young,
treasurer, and Robert Young, secretary. This company had its tent
pitched and was signing contracts to grow orange and fig orchards before
the formal opening of the town. While the auction sale was in progress
it purchased one of the best business lots in town, and day and night it
has been busy.
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Copyright
2015 - Present by Carol Sue Gibbs |
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| Created Oct. 7, 2015 |
Updated Oct. 9, 2015 |