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Laura Lyons was born June 6, 1886 at Silver City, Iowa. She moved to Wayne County, Nebraska at the age of 10 with her parents. She taught rural schools in Nebraska for several years. At the age of 29, due to health problems, she traveled to Collegeport, Texas for the winter of 1915 – 1916. She visited friends and relatives who had moved to Collegeport from the Wayne County, Nebraska area.
She wrote three letters to the editor of the Nebraska Democrat, in Omaha, reporting her observations of the Collegeport area.
She returned to Collegeport for a visit of three months in 1918, again, due to her health issues.
In 1919 she moved to Long Beach, California where she remained until her death on November 24, 1978. She was 92 years old, so perhaps her Collegeport trips did indeed contribute to her health in her younger years.
She was buried with her family in Laurel Cemetery, Cedar County, Nebraska.
The following letters give you a view of the
Collegeport area through Laura’s eyes. |
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Wayne Herald,
November 4, 1915 |
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Editor Democrat:--According to my promise, before leaving Wayne, I will tell the readers something of my trip and first impressions of Texas:
I started from Wayne, Monday morning, Nov. 1, purchasing a ticket to carry me over five different railroads. Before I got to Omaha all of the passengers had to be transferred to another train as there had been a wreck on the early train, but luckily no one was hurt. Left Omaha about 2:30 and arrived in Kansas City at 8:35, where some friends met me and I spent a few days visiting.
While there I was in some of the large department stores and went out to Swope's park, composed of 1,300 acres. There is a zoo, which has many animals unseen in Nebraska, among which were the bison, ostrich, peccary, camel, deer, prairie-dog, lion, leopard, also many beautiful birds.
Left Kansas City Friday afternoon and at break of day, the next morning, crossed the Red river in northern Texas. Rode all that day until 11:30 p. m., arrived in Houston and remained over night. At 8:45 started to Buckeye, where I spent a day with J. M. Spence's, formerly of Laurel and on Monday came to Collegeport. Could see the homes of Vern Towers and Gus Carlsons on the way and in town Mrs. J. Tower and Swan Anderson reside.
As soon as I arrived in Texas, I noticed no beautiful, big draft horses like we see at home, mostly the small ponies and donkeys. About one house in 25 has a foundation and later found out that only about that number is plastered. So it is not surprising that they dread the "Northers" so much during the winter.
Have seen banana trees, palms, sweet potatoes and cotton growing. In this section of the country rice much grown too. A colony of 50 families from New York is expected to settle in and near Collegeport within a fortnight to put in rice, so another boom is expected here.
This town is very much scattered out, but one church called the Federated, in which representatives from many denominations are workers, and a small Episcopalian church.
I am staying one block from the bay, some call it the Palacios Bay, others the Matagorda, so you may take your choice. We can see, and hear the noise from Palacios, a city across the bay, which can be reached by a boat from here.
Mr. Anderson, formerly of Concord, went fishing this morning and caught 22, so we had fresh fish for dinner. All use artesian water here and at Buckeye. Regular June weather here now. Will stop now hoping you will enjoy reading this and send regards to any inquiring friends.
Yours Respectfully,
LAURA LYONS. Collegeport, Texas, Nov. 9, 1915.
Wayne News, November 18,
1915 |
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In Sunny Texas Dear Mr. Nevin:
Will write a few lines to let you know I arrived safely in Collegeport, Texas, yesterday afternoon.
Spent Sunday afternoon and part of yesterday at the J. M. Spence home at Buckeye. Enjoyed the visit very much, and surprised them, too. I'll not attempt to tell how many questions they asked about their old friends at Laurel. Haven't seen Vern Tower's family, nor Mrs. J. Tower, nor Mrs. (Agnes Spence) Liggett, but am staying at Swan Anderson's, formerly of Concord, and well known at Laurel. Their home is one block from the bay. I have only been out to the beach once, so haven't had any exciting experiences there yet. Mr. Anderson caught a 22-pound fish this noon.
I noticed that only about one house in twenty-five in Texas has a foundation, and learn that only about that number are plastered, so no wonder they dread the "northers" here.
It is very summery. Have seen banana trees, plums, sweet potatoes and cotton growing. Have not seen any big draft horses like at home; they use mostly ponies and mules.
Have seen and heard the mockingbird; also our northern song birds. All use artesian water here and at Buckeye.
Best regards to any inquiring friends,
Respectfully yours, Laura Lyons.
Laurel Advocate, Laurel, Nebraska, November 18, 1915
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Nebraska Democrat:
Very glad to receive the Wayne Democrat each week.
There have been three frosts since I came, but vegetation does not seem hurt, except some of the banana leaves, I noticed this evening, are limp from this morning's frost.
Those who take any pains with their gardens can certainly be repaid.
Mrs. Anderson picked a bouquet of rosebuds to adorn the Christmas table. Also had fresh radishes and onions. Strawberries are in bloom, also geraniums and oleanders.
We see thousands of wild ducks and geese, as they winter here. Have seen a number of the pelicans and saw at a distance a large scavenger fish called the porpoise.
Quite often we can hear the roar of the Gulf of Mexico, which is twenty-five miles from here.
I had been misinformed, as this is the Palacios bay here, south of it is the Matagorda bay before the gulf is reached.
Quite often at sunrise there is a mirage. One morning we could see Blessing, a town 18. miles north and Matagorda bay, the peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico.
Honest now, I haven't seen a good set of harness and buggy since I arrived in Texas. As it is so level they don't need hold backs and so have as little as possible on their horses, often using rope or canvas banding, and people just drive up and often don't tie their teams, but have never heard of but one runaway here. Saw one man dragging the roads with his drag fastened behind the auto, which is a case.
Well, I will close now, wishing you a Happy New Year.
Yours respectfully, LAURA E. LYONS.
P. S. The Towers are well. I often see them. [The Towers family were a Wayne County family who had moved to Collegeport.]
Wayne News, January 6,
1916 |
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WINTERING IN THE SOUTH
Miss Lyons Tells of Former Laurel People Living in
"Lone Star" To the Laurel Advocate:
Laurel is to be congratulated for the electric light plant which is being installed. It is something she has needed for a long time. I am glad Dixon and Concord are taking advantage the opportunity. It can be done successfully, for on my way here I saw a line extending from Fort Worth to Waco, Texas, a distance of 100 miles. Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Spence, Francis and Anna, of Buckeye, spent Thanksgiving in Collegeport. Miss Ethel coming at another time to act as judge in the school work display at the fair and to give a report to the Y. P. S. C. E. of the State Christian Endeavor Convention which she had attended.
On Christmas eve at the Federated Church a short program was rendered by the small Sunday School pupils, then the pageant "Bethlehem" was rendered by about forty of the older pupils and grownups, which, by the way, was a very good representation of the announcement of the birth of Christ; such characters as the shepherds, wise men, innkeeper, etc., being well enacted; after which the presents were taken from the well decorated tree and treats given to the small ones.
On New Year's day a "Community' dinner was held in the dining room of the church where plates were laid for 80 persons. I thought Laurel could produce some excellent dinners but will say the Texas ladies are equal to the occasion. Among the "goodies" was found fresh lettuce which much enjoyed by "yours truely." Rev Travis was master of ceremonies and the professor of public schools responded; also the following: president of the Woman's Club, president of the Commercial Club and president of the Fair association; after which Mr. Lewelling of Beaver City, Neb., who has been Farmers' Institute instructor in Wayne, Belden and Laurel, I understand, was introduced and made such a good impression that it was voted to give him a whole evening later to lecture upon his chosen subjects: "Chickens, Sheep and Alfalfa."
Mr. Lewelling has purchased land here so may decide to move here later. The Swan Anderson, Gust Carlson and Verne Tower families, Mrs. J. Tower and myself were present at this dinner, so northwest Nebraska had a fair showing; don't you think?
The climate here is certainly fine. The thermometer has registered 30 above three times, but it soon warms up after a cool snap.
Boat riding is a very enjoyable pastime, and fresh fish and ducks and geese can be had very easily.
If this escapes the waste basket I may call again.
We are always glad to receive The Advocate, which comes on Monday evenings.
Yours respectfully, LAURA E. LYONS.
Laurel Advocate, January 13, 1916
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Editor Nebraska Democrat: As I was crossing the Mad Island ranch, composed of over 30,000 acres, south of here recently I saw thousands of the real Texas cattle, also some of the big Brahmas (the cattle with a hump), I thought of my Nebraska friends and wished they could see some real level land, also the view of the beautiful Matagorda bay, which it was my privilege to see. We saw the real Mad Island where thousands of the ducks and geese winter, could see many of them within gunshot, too, but the season closed here February 1st.
The blackbirds are such pests here that the 14th inst., was called "Blackbird Day" and all farmers were supposed to put out poison for their destruction. Tuesday evening the annual banquet in honor of Washington was given at the Federated church, which was well attended, and a splendid time had by all. By the way I wish you could step into this church and see the real unity which is very evident, although representatives of fourteen denominations are worshiping there. If any one is at all interested in this matter send name and address to the minister, Rev. Murray A. Travis, Collegeport, Texas, and he will gladly send their booklet, "Five Years of Federation."
The Gust Carlson family is leaving to reside in the Concord vicinity after a five years residence near here. They, Mrs. E. Tower and 20 friends were here at the 41st anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Anderson's marriage on February 16. We had our "faces shot' as a memento of the happy occasion. Mr. Anderson planted his potatoes Monday. His spring garden looks fine. Strawberries are beginning to ripen. Wild primrose and the Spanish daggers are in blossom now.
I have been across the bay once, in the launch "Laura E." to the town of Palacios. The streets there are paved with oyster shell as there is a big oyster reef near there. The shells are scattered and then crushed with a tractor crusher. Will close now with best wishes to all.
Yours respectfully, LAURA E. LYONS.
Wayne News, March 9,
1916 |
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Miss Laura Lyons, daughter of H. C. Lyons, living north of Wayne, arrived here Saturday on her way home from Texas where she spent five months with relatives and friends.
Wayne Herald, April 20,
1916 |
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Miss Laura Lyons returned home Saturday after a six months’ sojourn in Texas. Her many friends will be glad to hear of her improved health.
Wayne Herald, April 20,
1916 |
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Miss Laura Lyons, who spent the winter at Collegeport, Texas, arrived home about two weeks ago. She went to escape winter and succeeded. She reports a pleasant time, and that she saw many sights new, interesting and instructive.
Wayne News, May 4, 1916
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Miss Laura Lyons left last week for Collegeport, Tex., in hope of improving her health.
Wayne Herald, January 17, 1918
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LETTER FROM LAURA LYONS Jan. 19, 1918.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Nevin:--Will write a little to you as I left for a warmer climate so suddenly did not get to get anyone to take my place as correspondent. I started from home the 2nd inst and spent two days in Kansas City at the home of Mrs. W. S. Larson's sister, Mrs. Oscar. Sjoholm. Found her and her husband well.
Had a pleasant trip from Kansas City to Buckeye, Tex., where I spent from Sunday noon till Wednesday afternoon at the J. M. Spence home. All were well in this home too.
Coming on to Collegeport Wednesday evening, found a hearty welcome at the Swan Anderson home.
Last Friday snow fell here and on Saturday it was the coldest Mr. Anderson's family have seen here--12 degrees above. Since then we've had fine weather.
Laura E. Lyons.
Laurel Advocate, January 30, 1918 |
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Wayne News, April 11,
1918 |
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Copyright 2026 -
Present by the Lyons Family and source contributors |
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