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Friday, May 23, the day before we had rain and mud galore, but Saturday dawned with a promise of clear skies and so the 22nd anniversary of the founding of this town was observed as usual.
The community dinner as on all previous occasions was all the most exacting gastronomer could wish. Don't any person tell me that this community is hard up. A glance at the table would convince the observer of its untruthfulness, for there were placed ready for service, pies, cakes breads, meats, salads, fruits, preserves to repletion.
The principle item I looked for was the Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles and there they were in all their glory, a platter full, just about one service for a noodle lover. If every other plate was one of noodles the dinner would have been complete. Panting lizards! What more could a hungry man ask for than noodles unless it were more noodles. I was sorry that Mr. Haisley who asked the blessing did not ask God to give his special blessing on those noodles. Delicious, refreshing, nourishing, satisfying, sustaining. I know of no food that nestles in the "tummy" with more comfort. Abajo you common ordinary "vittels." Then there was that special coffee that only Carrie Nelson knows how to brew. Strong enough to float three eggs, clear as amber, stimulating. Gosh, what can one find another such draught.
The tables in charge of Mrs. Liggett, a past mistress of table service, were decorated in a tasty manner and reflected credit on her and the assistants. Well every one turned in and filled their plates and soon nothing could be heard except the gnashing of teeth and vocal expressions of complete satisfaction. It was a great day for it was an occasion for old friends to meet. Isaac Miller and wife with their son and wife and a guest all from Houston. Mrs. Leo Duffy from El Campo with her sweet new baby in the arms of Grandmother Fulcher, Barbara Hale with Tom Hale, Jr., from Wadsworth. Mrs. Amos Johnson with her five children from Citrus and others all there to chat and gossip and have friendly and neighborly converse.
About seventy-five all told because of road conditions, but that many agreeable folks. In the afternoon came the sports the first on the card being the ball game between the women and the school girls with the following lineup:
The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, May 27, 1930 |
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The twenty-third observance of the birth of Collegeport was observed as usual and I wonder where there is another community that for so many years has remembered. The attendance was smaller than usual and the food supply for that reason not as abundant but there was enough and to spare and all left the tables with distended tummies. That is a good feeling at any time. Attendance was cut down because of the press of farm work. Cotton must be chopped, weeds must be killed out, else they smother the life out of the crops men depend on. As usual the delight, rapture and charm of the tables was the large generous dish of the Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles. I located that delectable and nourishing dish before the dinner bell rang and so had no difficulty in loading on enough, plenty, sufficient. Oh, yes, there were plenty of common foods as pies, cakes et cetera, but who cares for plebian grub when one may satisfy hunger with noodles. The Rhythm band played several numbers under the direction of Miss Ethel Nelson and this was the first time the band has appeared in uniform. They presented a beautiful picture in their new suits and the best part of it was their dignified behavior. Miss Ethel is improving in her director work and the band's membership is fully up to her standard. I suggest that the "Chink Chink" song be taught to Ethel. It could be made a great feature if she sang the words and the band joined her in the chorus. We are very proud of this little band and a little bird told me that the Bay City people would soon have a chance to share our pride.
Frank O. Montague came down and brought his wife, mother-in-law and four fine kiddies to prove to us that he has a family. He has posed as a single man long enough so no more stunts along that line goes. A most welcome and enjoyable visit and us Homecrofters hope it will be repeated.
Mrs. Pollard, county superintendent of schools, drove in a little late for the feed but she heard the band and enjoyed the sports. As reported last week the women of Wadsworth challenged the women of Collegeport for a game of base ball. It proved to be base all right. Both teams were short of timber so they got along without a shortstop and one fielder. The lineup was as follows:
Score 32 to 22 in favor of the visitors. Collegeport made 21 runs in the first inning and after then sort of rested.
Reverend Van Dyke umpired behind the bat with Messrs. Prunty and Murry at bases. Our girls appeared in beautiful costumes. Mary Ellen in yellow pajamas with white dots. Mamie with a suit of stripes. Barbara Hale with just blue pants which she did not need for she looks good in anything. Louise Walter looked like a French rose in her suit. The Wadsworth team all wore big skirt pants which might do well for a beach party but were quite generous for base running.
I regret that no fried pies appeared. Frances Eisel was appointed director of the fried pie division for that one purpose. This had been a busy week for us College Sports so we welcome Sunday with its rest.
The Daily Tribune, May 27, 1931 |
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May 25, 1909, while people from all parts of the Midcoast were here celebrating the opening of the townsite, some smart fellow, or maybe it was a skirt, but anyway this party said "we will make this an annual event and each year we will come together and remember the birthday of the town." This has been done and each year our folk have assembled and after giving thanks to God for his many blessings have sat side by side at the laden board and exchanged memories. This year, I anticipated extra pleasures in this event, but I was forced to accept the realization in my bed. However, my old friends, Agnes Liggett and Carrie Nelson did not forget me for they sent an overflowing plate of dainty food from chicken to pie and cake. Early in the forenoon came Rosalie and Ethel Nelson with a bowl of steaming hot Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles. Golden yellow noodles, hiding here and there, bits of tender chicken and over all, a delicious, transporting gravy giving out an aroma that provides an enchanted carpet to realms of gustatorial delight. The girls knew that if they waited until the gang assembled and obtained one sniff of noodles, it would be good bye noodles for me. For years I have written of the loaded tables so why repeat? Everything in the food line one can imagine was there and about four hundred people participated in the table delectation. I owe my knowledge of most of the numbers to Mrs. Carl Boeker who thoughtfully jotted down brief notes. I am informed that more than two hundred autos were parked around the community house and the entrance to Van Wormer Field. Early in the day came Professor Dresser and his band from Bay City. I never heard a toot and I wonder if the Eagle saw the band. Those who heard the band play are generous in their compliments. Wish I might have heard at least one number, for then I could have written something to please the Band Box. After dinner had been dispatched, sports began with a tournament which had fifteen entrants among them being the Woman's Club entry, a little mule named "Home Brew." John Ackerman won first, Carl Ackerman second and Home Brew third. Home Brew should have been first and I am not required to give my reasons. The potato race was won by Roy Nelson with Bob Thompson second. I would enter a noodle race, but racing around for a spud when they can be bought for a cent per pound, has no attraction for me.
The ball game Collegeport-Blessing was a hot affair and required nine innings for a decision of 19-9 in favor of the home team. Van Wormer Field paid our people a big profit on this occasion for the money spent on its development for it was crowded with eager folk, interested in the various sports. The Woman's Club sold ice cream and pup and wherever the crowd drifted there followed the Woman's Club with their little pannakin of ice cream and bottle of pop.
Of course one must expect accidents at games and sports so "Tapay" White supplied this feature by being thrown when he reached for a ring. No bones broken, the only result being that he stuttered a few times after being picked up by the ambulance corp. A big dance at the warehouse finished the day's pleasure. About one hundred and fifty couples participated in the dance and a very enjoyable evening was had by those present. The Miserable Wretch had itching feet that night and could hardly restrain herself when we heard the strains of music. Duty called so she stayed at home. From all reports, it was the finest and cleanest dance we have had in Collegeport for many years, certainly since the pavilion was destroyed. This is to the credit of the management.
The Woman's Club followed with their frozen delights and little bottles of watery sweets and when they at last counted the spoils, had about a half century which will be used to aid the school. O, yes, Mrs. King headed the Woman's Club procession, but she had reliable associates.
The Matagorda County Tribune, Thursday, June
2, 1932 |
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Thursday came with a heavy rain which was badly needed by all crops. In spite of the rain more than 100 people assembled to observe Collegeport Day. Among those from other parts of the country I saw Mrs. Claire M. Pollard, county superintendent of schools, Mrs. T. C. Ford, Miss Katherine Ford, the two latter from Orange, Miss Eleanor Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Jeter (Merle Wainer) of Houston, Mrs. Patricia Martyn, county health nurse, Mrs. Della Braden, Will Shuey. Mrs. Burton D. Hurd was in charge of the program and after God's blessing had been asked by H. A. Clapp, she arranged that the pioneers or those who arrived during 1909 should be served first and seated at special tables. The long tables in front of the main room were loaded with chicken fried, chicken pressed, meats of other kinds, potatoes in cream and in salads, vegetables of several kinds, pies and cakes too numerous to mention and glory be to the gods three big tanks of those Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles. Golden in color, all gooey with rich gravy, big gobs of tender chicken floating around, wonder I piled my plate high and for three days went around with a satisfied tummy. Coffee was grand as it always is when made by our official coffee maker the same Carrie. After the dinner Mrs. Hurd started the regular program. Vernon Hurd gave a fine description of the first farming. He was then thirteen years old but turned the first furrow and made a crop of peanuts. I can vouch for the truthfulness of his tale for I saw him plowing, sowing and reaping. H. A. Clapp discussed the pioneer men, while Mrs. Liggett told all about the pioneer women; Mrs. Claire Pollard told about her early impressions. These talks were followed and short talks by L. E. Liggett, Roy Nelson, O. Gableman, Mrs. Robert Murry, Frank King, Mrs. Anna Crane and others. Each of these talks were real gems of briefness. Ice cream and a delicious punch served by the ladies of the clubs. The punch was a delight and the bowl was presided over by she whom I thought was my friend in the person of Emily Hurd. I had left my money at home with the miserable wretch, so when I wanted a drink of that temping punch on credit, my friend coolly informed me that she was doing a cash business, so I was forced to stand around looking at the punch bowl with dribbling lips until Mrs. Martyn came and staked me to a nickel. Boy! That was the finest punch I have ever tasted which had not been spiked. Emily made it. During the program Mrs. Hurd asked all to stand with bowed heads in silent prayer, for one minute in memory of those who had passed. I feel sure that those of the pioneers who are now spying out another country, paused in their trekking and give us their blessing. It was a good day, a fine day of friendship, a day of closer association and all departed determined that so long as they live each year will witness another celebration in memory of the past. The community canning club had arranged a program for the evening, but this because of the weather was postponed as was the game of baseball on Van Wormer Field. ____ it was a pleasant day perhaps as many as three or four hundred would have been present and there was abundant food for all. Many who lived close by were forced to return to their homes because the dirt roads were impassable. Had the viaduct been open half of Palacios would have been present, among them my old friends, the Farwells and Duncan Ruthven and family. O well, God willing there will be another day on the 25th of May, 1934. It was a grand day and we went to our homes thankful that God has blessed us with homes, shelter, food, raiment and friends. What more do we wish? I missed my old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Franzen, the Walter family, the Haisley family all among the pioneers.
The Daily Tribune, Thursday, May 30, 1933 |
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Friday, May 25, was the occasion for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the town and it is pleasing to note that for each of these years our folk have gathered together in friendly intercourse. About one hundred and fifty were present this day each bringing their food contribution, until the long table fairly shrieked with the burden. After the singing of the Doxology and the invocation, Mrs. Liggett announced that dinner was ready and the procession started each person armed with plate, knife, spoon, fork. So large was the variety that one had difficulty in selection. One disliked to pass many tempting platters of food. The only thing absent was a tank of those nourishing, nutritious, strengthening, healthful, invigorating Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles. This detracted from my personal pleasure. In one respect, this day was the grandest of all we have enjoyed. The spirit of friendship seemed to be present and those present appeared to be happy, felicitious, joyous and charming in their renewal of friendships. Miss Beryl Bell for the Girl Reserves quickly sold out her stock of ice cream and red lemonade. Mr. Curtis was busy handling an all day tennis tournament with something like fifteen entrants. Notwithstanding my invitation, Barber and McNabb, Lewis and Wilson, Pollard and Hale, Milner and Carr, as well as other county officers were absent and Amos Lee failed to appear without his coat. Palacios folk shunned us as if we had a violent outbreak of a rare disease. In the spring of 1936, some of these fellows will be here giving us the usual goo-goo and asking for our votes. Just wait old fellows. If you can't visit us on our birthday, stay away when you wish to use us.
The Matagorda County Tribune, May 31, 1934
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Saturday our folk and their neighbors celebrated the 26th anniversary of the town. For one reason unexplained, folk appeared to think this was an unusual occasion for the attendance which is usually around 150 this day met the 200 mark. Former residents from several parts of the state came to pay their respects to their former home. The dinner was served cafeteria style and it required 42 feet of tables [to] hold the bountiful spread. I counted ten varieties of meats and from that one was able to select vegetables of many kinds, salads, jellies, jams, pickles and table 14 feet long was stacked with many pies and cakes. The coffee made by that old time expert the maker of those Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles was the sort that lingers in memory long after the last drop.
Mrs. Burton D. Hurd gave a short announcement after which H. A. Clapp invoked the blessing of God. A pronounced feeling of neighborly feeling was present which was evidenced by the hearty greetings. I was pleased to see my old time sweetheart Frances Eisel now Mrs. Ross Chitwood. She looked like about two million dollars payable in gold of the present weight and fineness. After Frances married, I took over Elizabeth, the red bird, but she evidently has passed me up for some sweeter and young guy. A, la, la! Such are the disappointments of love the fickle dame. After dinner, Mopac House was opened for the children to play and skate. Note the word children. But here comes all the others including grandma and grandpa and the house was filled. Outside the men had two horseshoe games going and two quoit games going. Few of the kids had skates, but those who were fortunate enough divided so most of them skated on one foot. That made no difference so long as the fun went on. It was a real play afternoon and justified the construction of Mopac House. In the evening, Merton Smith's Royal Texans supplying the rhythm attracted about 200 people, half being spectators while the other half danced to the fine strains of the musicians. More than sixty-five bought dance tickets. This dance brought the best of the dance lovers from all over the country. Bay City came in generous numbers and Palacios turned out a goodly crowd among them being Dr. and Mrs. Wagner, Mrs. Aimee Hall, Judge Gray and his party of six. Many of the men were of the substantial business looking quality men from 40 to 60 years of age and they all had a splendid time. The women were real lookers, well dressed or undressed as the case may be, but each one had what the modiste requires. It was a very fine affair, an enjoyable gathering. At midnight Home Sweet Home was the number and so ended Mopac's second dance. The next will be held Saturday night, June 29 with the Royal Texans.
The Matagorda County Tribune, Thursday, May 30, 1935 |
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Well, May 25, Collegeport’s Birthday, dawned as usual with heavy threatening clouds, heavy mud roads and the usual rain so I did not expect much of a crowd. At 11:30 put on rubber boots, a raincoat, grabbed my basket of digestibles and plowed through the mud to the Community House, where I arrived about noon. No one there, so waited until 12:30 p. m. and no one appearing, the program opened with Invocation, the singing the Doxology and Nearer My God to Thee. My lunch bag contained seven boiled eggs, six four-inch latticed dewberry pies, six sandwiches, head lettuce, young onions, six cup custards, sweet pickles. After luncheon was a waiting period, but as one o’clock approached and I was still solo, I gave the Benediction and closed the exercises. When I arrived at the postoffice about 1:15 found the Corporon Klan consisting of Percy, Gaines and Richard with their families and lunch baskets, but when informed that the affair was over, they returned to their homes. At 1:45 came the Reverend and Mrs. Paul Engle, the former all ready to give an address so they too, turned about then took the cement trail to Bay City. Well anyway, the string that attaches us to that day in May 1909 was not broken and so the day passed with the usual downpour of water which was not needed.
The Matagorda County Tribune, June 4, 1936 |
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