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January - June
1911 |
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Galveston Daily News, January 1, 1911 |
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Houston Post, January 1, 1911 |
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Red Oak Express, January 6, 1911 |
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Collegeport Federated Church Special to The News. Collegeport, Tex., Jan. 7.--The Federated Church of Collegeport has just moved into its new church building, a concrete edifice of the mission style, which cost some $3,500. The officers, just elected for its second year, are E. C. Van Ness, moderator; E. C. Hoffhines, recorder; Dr. E. Edwin Lipsitt, treasurer. The official board is known as the cabinet and consists of the officers, the members of the committees, the Sunday school superintendent and the president of the Y. P. B. C. E. The standing committees are: Religious work, finance, music and social life. The pastor is Rev. M. A. Travis. The membership is composed of the following denominations: Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian, Baptist, Disciples, Reformed Dutch, Lutheran and Universalist, and the among the regular attendants are Catholics and several other denominations. The church articles are being printed in pamphlet form, and will be of interest to other of the smaller communities where the federated church should be organized.
Galveston Daily News, January 8, 1911 |
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Houston Post, January 20, 1911 |
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A little more than a week ago I went to Port O'Connor. I rode in a buggy through the country to Blessing and thence with the railway. When I am traveling I do not put my nose into a book or newspaper but look out around and out of the window and observe soil, plant life, conditions of houses and towns and last but not least the people. When I returned and saw the homes of Collegeport sketched a long way on the skyline, I was full of joy. That was the place I was living in and I was proud of it. Strange, I thought after only a few weeks being here, and after I have seen so many good places in Germany, England and the United States. I reasoned why it should be so, and I came to the conclusion, just because everything is just a little better than elsewhere and there is certainly no place on the Gulf Coast which can beat it. It’s a real “Yankee-town” with citizens wide awake, an educated community with an elevating spirit circulating. Without Mexicans, pool parlors and public houses. With fine soil, situated on a Gulf bay, rivers with sweet water near, with artesian wells and a splendid climate. In fact everything the heart of man can wish. Right then I made up my mind once more that I was to live and die in that place, but while I was living to do my best and utmost to utilize the possibilities which mother earth offer here. To do all I could to make Collegeport known all over the U. S. Sure enough they have good land in some spots of Palacios and other places, but Collegeport is the selected spot. We all know that, have realized it over and over again and with this satisfaction, we should buckle down and get to work. Don’t do it just because you have to do something, but do it right, with all your might and you must have success and more than ever dreamed of. I say “must” because “where there is a will there is a way;” however do not build air castles. Get right down to business, there is a lot to learn to get the right results. Make out your plans, divide your grounds, arrange for a rotation to best advantage for the soil, examine your fences carefully, take an inventory of your stock, equipments, etc., and expenses to be met. Select a leading and comparatively sure crop to give you cash and grow others to grazing soil fertility, green manuring, cover, etc. The next question is where shall we find the market for our products. First get together and agree what to plant. Each one plant the same, on one all of one kind, and on the other all of the next kind, and on the other all of the next kind. Everybody ought to have an acre or several of onions now; on the 1st of March, cauliflower, tomatoes and early cabbage should be set out. Watermelons, canteloupes, carrots, beets, turnips, potatoes, etc., should be in the ground. Right now everyone should plant one or more acres of figs, blackberries, dewberries and grapes. The next is the packing; get the standard size of crates, etc. Buy wood, get a man among yourselves to attend the manufacturing of boxes, crates, etc. Brand everything with your name. For instance “Collegeport vegetables,” “Collegeport Magnolia Figs,” etc. While getting ready, don’t forget to get customers and sell right to the consumer if possible. A SUGGESTION. Pack a neat hamper with partitions, containing different vegetables worth from $1.50 to $2.00. The purchaser will find that he buys cheaper and gets vegetables with a real taste, and once started there is no trouble to sell. If advertises itself. Berries and other fruits can be handled similarly. But not everything has always an immediate market and has to be preserved. Therefore get the man among yourselves and start a cannery. Later on we will have a sugar refinery, a rice mill, a cotton gin, etc. Every bag, bale, package has to be marked say, “Collegeport” rice, sugar, etc. Everything needed for packing has to be made right here. Keep your money at home as much as possible, and let it circulate among your own people. However, do not start anything unless you have reasonable amount of possibility to make good and don’t forget to act in unity. Work economically and above all send out quality. Pack it right and neatly and with a little push you will make profit and good profit too. And now cast aside all ill feelings which might exist from last year. Stand together and act as one man. Unity makes strong. Right now is the time, every day is a heavy loss. Two years have taught a lesson, the third year will certainly not amount to the same. But don’t agree and then appoint a committee to do the rest and think you will “try” to have something for them to sell for you. Go ahead and do it. Work hard and with all your intelligence. Work as if you owned the biggest business in the state. Don’t let yourself slip a minute, thinking, “well it’s up to the committee.” “It is not right.” It is up to you. Every man has to do his best. Don’t start and then fall back to question things, you will lose as sure as 2 and 2 is 4. Go ahead and look forward. Show what you can do, do it properly. Have everything clean and tidy. Make arrangements that everything is at hand when needed, work systematically and you must succeed. “They can conquer, who believes they can.”
W. Schaumann. |
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Our friends in the frost bound north probably will be inclined to think we stretch the facts when we continue to talk about the fine weather we are enjoying. With the thermometer close to 75 degrees every day and the sunshine by day and moonlight by night the weather is ideal. Barring the presence of more foggy mornings than usual in this country we would be inclined to think the calendar had been inadvertently turned over and were enjoying June or July days. If the world realized the amount of suffering that might be avoided by a transfer of the sufferers from lagrippe, rheumatism, chilblains and a score of other cold weather ailments. To see the ladies sitting upon the front porch enjoying their books or magazines and the men in shirt waist attire attending to business, or then small boy with bare feet is a sight very common with us but almost incredible to the people further north. Our wood pile stand there untouched and our heating stove has not felt fire for a week or more. It sure it is a great place to live.
Palacios Beacon,
January 20, 1911 |
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Collegeport Chronicle. Were it not that the editor has great confidence in his capacity to hear a tale as it is told, also in Mr. W. A. Stockwell of the well known firm of F. S. Stockwell and son, who has large interest in Collegeport’s new nursery and largest commercial orchard, we would be a little loath to stand sponsor for the following tale of strawberries raised in the county next to ours. People who have opened their eyes wide at the report of strawberries five months in the years, have another revelation in store, for we are to tell a tale of a season at least 8 months in length, and capable of covering the entire year with the different varieties. Mr. Stockwell in talking with the editor stated that from a small patch covering one sixteenth of a acre he and his assistants have picked berries practically every day since November 10th last. Last Thanksgiving day 4 quarts were picked from the patch and it has yielded every day since. When the recent freeze came the rows were given a good covering of hay and when the warm days returned, they uncovering of the plants revealed a nice picking ready for the table and Mr. Stockwell states that since the freeze they have sold more than $60 worth of berries from this patch which now brings 50 cents per quart in Houston. Berries from November to June is no longer fiction and some claim that they can be made to bear the whole year round. If not convinced clip this out and mail to Mr. W. A. Stockwell, Alvin, Texas, and ask him if he cares to substantiate the statement. It is certainly a great recommendation for the Coast country.
Palacios Beacon,
January 20, 1911 |
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Houston Post, January 31, 1911 |
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Mr. and Mrs. Roy Nelson, who own a ten acre tract about a mile north of Collegeport have found a small flock of chickens a very profitable proposition the past year. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson the latter a daughter of Mr. S. P. Shuey, of Citrus, came to Collegeport a little more than a year ago from Rooks county, Kansas, and at once invested in 75 common hens which cost them about thirty dollars as an initial investment. These hens have brought their owners an income of not less than $365 for eggs sold; $24 for 60 broilers sold at 40 cents each, in addition to 80 pullets kept over and all the young chickens they cared to eat besides. The financier would figure this a profit of 1403 per cent upon the investment. The feed bill was some item at first until something could be grown, but last fall this question was very happily solved by Mr. Nelson, who bought a few loads of baled rice straw for horse feed and piled it in the yard. There were some heads on this straw as it was not worth threshing, and the hens turned loose upon these bales where they scratched and picked and sang from morning till night every day all winter without a pound of other feed. The result is that besides the feed given to the horses which wintered chiefly on the straw, the fowls have had their entire winter’s support at no cost whatever. Here is another victory for rice. That which rice farmers had let go to waste for years as worthless has from a small heap of bales kept two teams in feed and a family in groceries for a whole winter. Mr. Nelson’s hens are fat and shiny. Mr. Nelson is convinced that most hens are starved rather than overfed for laying. It’s not a question of feeding but of exercise, he says. These hens have had to work for every grain and the results are very striking. It is interesting to note that these hens are not high bred fowls. They are black, white, yellow and speckled, a motley collection of all breeds and few of them pure. Mr. Nelson however has great faith in a cross between the barred rocks and brown leghorns. This cross produces a black fowl with white ears and sometimes a little brown about the neck. He is not anxious for a pure breed of fowls, but is anxious to inoculate the laying quality of the leghorns into a good rustler such as the rock. These hens have had no extra care nor have they a pen better than usual. The pen is cleaned about once a week and is sprayed only occasionally. The Nelson’s experience with their flock should be final in persuading every farmer and householder that they cannot afford to be without a flock of hens in this country where so little care and feed bring so large returns. We reprint the above from the Collegeport, Texas, Chronicle. Mr. Roy Nelson referred to is a son of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Nelson of our city and again demonstrates the fact that the American hen if properly cared for will keep an ordinary family and deserves more attention than many give her.
Lenora News, February 2, 1911 |
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Special to The News. Bay City, Tex, Feb. 4.--A large deal is about to be consummated concerning a considerable body of land near the Collegeport development being made by a land company. If the deal goes through, as it likely will, a bank and trust company of Houston will take over Fred S. Robbins' and Mrs. M. C. Robbins' interest in this contract with the land company. The details of the deal are now known, but it is believed that beyond satisfying the Robbins and of the contract, the land company desires to get the Collegeport Canal, which is on this body of land, in such financial shape that it may be operated this coming season, and by its deal with the trust company it is thought this will be effected.
Galveston Daily News, February 5, 1911 |
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In making mention of improvements about to be inaugurated in the service on the Brownsville road, Collegeport division, in the issue of February 6, statement that passenger service would soon be installed on the division was made. The additional service then in prospect was the handling of the mail from Palacios, which has heretofore been handled by water. The passenger service was placed in operation on the branch November 3, 1910, and the new mail service will start February 9.
Houston Post, February 8, 1911 |
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While here last week Mr. L. S. Green of Houston exhibited plans and drawings at the Hotel Collegeport of a Club House to be built on Matagorda Bay near Mud Island Lake, where it is proposed to set aside some 1200 acres for a game and hunting reserved by the Hurd Land Co. The designs and sketches are very attractive looking and the plan of development is most interesting to the lovers of sport and when worked out as proposed will be a most attractive feature and coupled with the natural resources of this incomparable section will be sought after by a large class of well to do people who spend a great deal of time and money to find and enjoy such an outing as this will be presented. Remember our next excursion date to Collegeport, Matagorda County, Texas is Tuesday, February 21, at which time we expect another large party. For further information call of phone me. Have both phones. MATT PIERCE, Red Oak, Ia. Office opposite postoffice, 1st door west of Griffith Inn.
Red Oak Express, February 10, 1911 |
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Red Oak Express, February 10, 1911 |
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Red Oak Express, February 10, 1911 |
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Kingsville, Texas, February 10.--The following homeseeker cars are scattered along the Brownsville road today, being the advance guard of the Frisco semi-monthly landseekers' excursion:...cars "Land," 1248 and 3028, for Collegeport...
Houston Post, February 11, 1911 |
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Collegeport, Tex., Feb. 18.--Stockwell & Son, of Alvin nursery, planted two carloads of Satsuma oranges in and around Collegeport this week. Two more carloads of trees are expected to arrive early next week. One 100-acre orchard will be planted and a large number of smaller ones of from three to twenty acres.
Galveston Daily News, February 14, 1911 |
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Collegeport, Tex., Feb. 13.--Ninety-four homeseekers from Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa and Kansas arrived in Collegeport Friday. Some twenty of them have already purchased land and will remain and make their homes here.
Galveston Daily News, February 14, 1911 |
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Special to The News. Bay City, Tex., Feb. 17.--The commissioners court at this session has fixed the ex-officio salaries of the county offices drawing such salaries as follows: County clerk, $28 per month; county judge, $100 per month; district clerk, $75 per month; county attorney, $50 per month; sheriff, $500 per year; with an allowance of $45 per month for a jailer. The court also at this session set down for the special session on March 6 the hearing of the petition and the protest relative to the change in the east boundary line of School District No. 12, and for the creation of a new school district separate from No. 17. This last affects the Collegeport and the Citrus Grove communities.
Galveston Daily News, February 18, 1911 |
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Mr. Invin Glasser is to plant a good acreage to rice and already has his seed on hand.
Miss Mary Margaret Thiele, of Mrs. Jesse Davis (nee Miss Ethel Fay) has accepted a position with the Hurd Land Company, as stenographer and will become a resident of our city once more.
C. S. Eidman was in
Miss Kat Barnes, who has been with the Hurd Land Company for some time
past, left on a vacation last Saturday for Mr. Clark, father of our grocer, Clark, met with a peculiar and painful accident a few days ago. A rooster, having pugilistic qualities, attacked him and before he could prevent the rooster had gaffed him two or three times in the legs and before relief could be gotten the blood was flowing quite freely, and the doctor was summoned to dress his wounds.
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From J. V. Brasfield, Manager of The Burton D. Hurd Land Car stating that he would arrive in Red Oak, Friday morning and remain until Tuesday, March 7th, at which time, we will start for Collegeport, Texas, and other points of interest in the south including Matamoros, Old Mexico. We leave on train No. 4, at 12:25, Tuesday afternoon, via Villisca, Clarinda and into Kansas City, arriving in Kansas City at 8:30 the same evening. Your object in making this trip is to see the country, and for this reason, we are going to leave Tuesday noon, in order to give you a day-light ride to Kansas City, arriving there in time to spend the evening in Kansas City. This arrangement will prevent the long, disagreeable wait at Pacific Junction, which we would encounter if we started from here at 9:00 in the evening and not arrive in Kansas City until Wednesday morning. See our ad on page 2 giving you full particulars about our entire trip. Those desiring to make this trip call or phone me at once in order to get the best accommodation. Office opposite postoffice, 1st door west of the Griffith Inn. Matt Pierce, Red Oak, Ia.
Red Oak Express, March 3, 1911 |
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The Woman’s Club held its regular fortnightly meeting Thursday, when Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Corse and Miss Corse were hostesses for the afternoon. The following program was given: Piano solo, Miss Smith; “Early Inventions, Mrs. R. L. Price; “Inventions of Last half of the Nineteenth Century,” Mrs. Culp; vocal solo, Mrs. Hansel; “Late Inventions, (1) Aeroplane (Mrs. Trego), (2) Wireless Telegraphy (Miss Morris), (3) Automobile (Miss Holbert); music, piano and mandolin, Misses Corse. The club will meet at the church on March 30 and Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Haisley will have charge of the program.
Dallas Morning
News, March 7, 1911 |
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Special to The News. Bay City, Tex., March 6.--The commissioners court is in special session today adjusting some of the school district lines. Collegeport and Citrus Grove, both in the same school district, are petitioning the court to the set apart each to its own district, and this was granted. An order was entered creating a new district about Pheasant Switch, known as No. 21. The district matter, on which there was a protest against change, was postponed indefinitely. The court will meet again on the 20th to hear the matter of laying out the Markham Drainage District.
Galveston Daily News, March 7, 1911 |
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Red Oak Express, March 10, 1911 |
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Red Oak Express, March 10, 1911 |
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The
News has received a pamphlet
from Mr. John W. Hansel, containing the articles of association of the
First Church of Collegeport, in
This federated
The aim is to affiliate and be in good standing with all federating
bodies: desiring to give and receive letters upon a common basis, and
willing to support any existing missionary or benevolent movements of
these churches, or one which may be selected whose aim is the
advancement of truth and righteousness. The slogan of this church as to
ideals is "broad but high." Members are expected to live earnest
Christian lives, the emphasis being placed upon the discipleship of
Jesus Christ, rather than upon theological tenets and opinions. Many of the people of Collegeport, which is one of the flourishing towns of the midcoast country, settled by persons from all corners of the country, believe they have solved the problem of the struggling church of a small community by getting together into one big church that is broad enough to accommodate all shades of theology and flexible enough to impose no hardship upon any creed or conscience. The result of the association is understood to make it possible for the church to employ a capable minister and own a commodious, comfortable church building.
The spirit of progress in the
Reprinted in The Palacios Beacon, |
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The Woman’s Club of Collegeport met Thursday afternoon of March 2 at the church. Mrs. T. M. Clark was chairman of the program committee and had arranged an excellent entertainment for the afternoon. The first number was given by the Ladies’ Quartette, then followed papers and talks on domestic science, the topic for the afternoon. Among those appearing on the program were Mesdames Pfeiffer, Turner, House, Corse, Knight, Hansel and Herbage. The question of federating with State and county federation was discussed, and the decisive action on the matter was postponed for the meeting on March 16. The club adjourned to meet two weeks later with Mrs. Corse.
Dallas Morning
News, March 20, 1911 |
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for our ad in the next week’s papers, announcing the particulars of our next excursion to Collegeport and Brownsville, Texas, on Tuesday April 4th, at which time we will have a private car leaving Red Oak. For further information call or phone me. Office opposite postoffice . 1st door west of Griffith Inn.—Matt Pierce
Red Oak Express, March 24, 1911 |
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Bay City, Tex., March 28.--The recent excursion of the Bay City Business League is bearing fruit in the restoring of confidence of the newcomers in the rice crop. At Collegeport, N. M. N. Vogelsang, a rice miller of Bay City, and also interested in one of the banks, spoke most reassuring words to those just entering the rice industry, and to prove to the new farmers that the old-timers had not lost confidence in the industry because of last year's calamity stated that he was authorized to speak in a general way for the three banks of Bay City to the effect that the banks would still stand back of the rice farmer, and would finance the crop to the extent of buying seed and standing good for other incidental expenses, taking an interest in the crop, letting the game be one of win or lose.
Galveston Daily News, March 29, 1911 |
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Mr. Burton D. Hurd, of Collegeport, Texas, president of the Burton D. Hurd Land Co., will be in Red Oak, Saturday, April 1. By the request of his customers and friends of Red Oak and vicinity he will give a free lecture at the Beardsley opera house, commencing at 3:00 o’clock. Mr. Hurd, was formerly employed by the United States government to make a topographical survey of the entire Gulf Coast country from Galveston to Brownsville. He will tell you about the wonderful coast country. And by hearing his lecture you will be able to obtain more facts than you possibly could do by riding over the country looking out of the car windows. Everybody invited and a special invitation extended to the ladies. Music by the Red Oak Military band and remember, no admission, everything free. For further information call or phone me, we have both phones. Office opposite postoffice, first door west of Griffith Inn, ground floor. Matt Pierce, Red Oak, Ia.
Red Oak Express, March 31, 1911 |
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Collegeport, Texas, April 2.--The taxpayers of the Collegeport school district have unanimously signed a petition to call an election for the purpose of voting bonds for a $12,000 brick school building. The county court will meet at once and call the election. The valuation of property in this district is $379,425, which gives bond values of $12,646, and at 50 cents on the $100, a maintenance tax of $1896 for next year, in addition to the State apportionment. School will be held through the month of April, paid for by private subscription and tuition. A nine months' school will be held next year, and until the new building is completed will continue to use rooms in the new Federated church building, completed in November, 1910.
Houston Post, April 3, 1911 |
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Bay City, Tex., April 3.--The 25,000 acres of the J. E. Pierce ranch, south of Collegeport, leased by a land company to Colonel Sol J. Cleveland, has recently been subleased by him to Mr. Sutherland of Bay City and the latter has begun stocking up this tract, eight carloads having recently been unloaded at the railroad terminus near the ranch.
Galveston Daily News, April 4, 1911 |
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Collegeport, Tex., April 8--The future looks bright for this town and community. The farmers are diversifying, and are jubilant over their crop prospects. They have their fields in a fine state of cultivation and their crops are growing beautifully. The community is well equipped with good roads and a good drainage system. John W. Hansel, business manager, has been working upon Matagorda Bay park congress, and says: "The entrance park, which contains fifteen acres, has been fenced and developed to the extent of laying off sidewalks and building sites. About 500 trees, shrubs, and flowers donated by the nurserymen of this section have been planted. In the collection were numerous varieties of trees, such as oranges, qumquats, figs, grape fruit, lemons, pecans, walnuts, chinas, live oaks, water oaks, cottonwoods, palms, etc. The drouth of last fall delayed work on this part, but now that fine rains have fallen, and placed the ground in excellent condition, it is surmised that the work of development will progress rapidly. Professor W. H. Travis, president of the Gulf Coast University, will soon go North on an extended business trip in the interest of this school. While gone he expects to perfect arrangements for the construction of a suitable building, which he hopes to have ready for use when the fall term opens. In connection with this institution, Professor Travis conducts a department of agriculture, horticulture and domestic science. Colonel Hansel has organized the young men of the college and vicinity into a young men's club for the study of the Bible and for athletics and the improvement of social life. Last fall Mrs. H. A. Clapp had her own home cannery and made such a signal success in canning qumquats, plums, figs and vegetables that she and Mr. Clapp have decided to go into the canning and preserving business on a more extensive scale. Mr. Clapp is the owner of the Homecroft farm, of twenty-five acres, and he says he is now preparing to diversity right. "It is my intention," he says, "to raise and can various fruits and vegetables for market, and will make all kinds of preserves, jellies and marmalades. We will raise hogs, Jersey cows and poultry. I will then visit Galveston and other nearly cities and towns and make contracts with customers to supply them regularly and direct from the farm with fresh Jersey butter, country sausage, lard, home-cured bacon, hams, eggs, chickens, preserves, jellies and marmalades of every kind. I know that by insuring my customers such products will come to them fresh and pure, direct from the farm. I can build up a trade that will be satisfactory to my patrons and to myself."
Galveston Daily News, April 10, 1911 |
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Red Oak Express, April 11, 1910 |
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Houston Post, April 13, 1911 |
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Misses Roberta Capps and Loula Hill of Bay City were visitors to Collegeport this week.
N. M. Vogelsang of
A grand old country picnic is in contemplation for May 1st. The place
likely to be chosen is at Tidehaven on the upper Trespalacios river and
the crossing of the
The most notable social event of the week was the gathering at Mrs. B.
D. Hurd's of a few friends, in honor of her sister, Miss Marie Soekland,
of
Reprinted in the
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Collegeport--J. E. Pierce and bride are spending a few days at Hotel Collegeport. D. N. Jacobs and family moved into their fine new residence on South Street this week. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Davis moved into their new bungalow on Third Street on Saturday. A State-wide meeting was held at the home of V. R. Haisley on Tuesday evening with a fair attendance. Plans were made to organize Collegeport and Citrus Grove in separate organizations. The Gulf Coast University closed for the year on Friday. Plans are being made to open September 1 in their new building.
San Antonio Express, April 16, 1911 |
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Special Telegram to The Express. Collegeport, Tex., April 22.--Work is progressing rapidly on the new home of E. A. Holsworth in the South Park Addition. Judge Jones expects to begin work on his new bay front residence in a short time now. J. E. and A. B. Pierce of Blessing were doing business in Collegeport this week. The Woman's Union of the First Church met at the home of Mrs. M. L. Herbage on Thursday. A good attendance was present. W. B. Gaumer of Midfields was in Collegeport on business recently. E. P. Rice is making preparations to take a trip to the Pacific Coast next week. Fishing is the diversion of a number of our people these days. Some fine hauls have been brought in. The dewberry season is about over. The crop was fair, but the quality of fruit was fine. A new well is being drilled for D. C. Powers on Third Street.
San Antonio Express, April 23, 1911 |
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Collegeport, Texas, April 23.--The new bungalow of E. L. Kling is almost completed. It will be one of the prettiest homes in town. Secretary Clapp, of the Mid Coast Congress, spent two days in Bay City making plans for the meeting at Wharton. A large crowd of Odd Fellows attended lodge in Palacios Tuesday evening. It is possible that a lodge will be organized here in the near future.
Houston Post, April 24, 1911 |
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Collegeport, Texas, April 7—We arrived at Collegeport at 1 o’clock and the weather there on the gulf coast is delightful. The breeze from the salt water makes one want to draw, long deep breaths, and feel glad he is alive. What a man could save in Texas by the elimination of cellars and foundations and coal and overcoats would make him rich. If you don’t believe it I will prove it.
Cellar and foundation four times in life time at
$100 $ 400 Total $3000
Interest at 6 per cent 25 years
$4500 $7500 But I started out to tell you something of the land proposition I came down to see. I think it will interest you whether you want to buy land or not. Before you read any farther get a map of Texas and locate the Colorado river, the largest and longest river in Texas, 1200 miles long, and follow it down to its mouth where it empties into Matagorda bay, a branch of the Gulf of Mexico. Between the mouth of the Tres Palacious river west, 14 miles and back from the shore of the bay 10 miles is a tract of land of 71,000 acres that is being developed by the Burton D. Hurd Land company. Now get the idea of what is meant here by “developed.” The ordinary way to develop a country is to sell the land to farmers and let them work out a development as best they can but the Hurd Land company adopted an entirely different system. They bought the land of the ranchmen who owned it and then laid out the entire tract in farms and lots and towns according to the topography of the country. They built and put in operation a railroad. They built roads and boulevards. They built canals for irrigation and transportation and then they invited the people to come and settle, and they are coming and paying high prices for the land and conveniences provided. Wait for our next big excursion to Collegeport, Texas, on Tuesday, May 16th. We will make it an object that will be worth your time to investigate. For further information call or phone me, have both phones. Office opposite postoffice, first door west of Griffith Inn. MATT PIERCE, Red Oak, Ia.
Red Oak Express, April 28, 1911 |
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Red Oak Express, April 28, 1911 |
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Bay City, Texas, May 5.--Traffic on the Collegeport branch of the Brownsville road has been impaired for the past few days on account of soft places in the roadbed. The trains are passing through now, all right. Telephone communication between here and Collegeport is also impossible, but workmen will soon have everything in shape.
Houston Post, May 6, 1911 |
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Red Oak Express, May 10, 1911 |
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The Bay City Tribune has the following to say about the recent movement of Galveston Chamber of Commerce and their attitude toward the cities and towns along the new water route:
Business men throughout Matagorda county are in receipt of letters from
H. H. Haines, secretary of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, advising
them that institution has its eye on
The Chamber of Commerce of Galveston will send Mr. Haines to various
places in the county and to Wharton. He will discuss at these [places]
the propositions of the coastwise service which it is stated
Few of our people realize the wonderful strategic importance possessed
by Collegeport in being situated along the route of the new Intercoastal
canal. When the farmers begin to ship more products and the increasing
population calls for added imports it will take a dreamer of extravagant
proportions to realize the advantages of our location.
Matagorda
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Beaumont, Texas, May 11.--The second and concluding day's session of the sixty-second annual council of the Episcopal diocese of Texas was opened at 9 o'clock this morning at St. Mark's church with opening prayer by Rev. Dr. Gunn and Rev. Mr. Finn. The confirmation office was pronounced by the bishop, assisted by Rev. George B. Norton. The business session began at 11 o'clock. Application for admission to the order and council was made by church men of Collegeport. It was referred to the committee on new parishes... New Houston Parish The committee on new parishes reported favorably on St. Andrews' mission at Houston Heights and St. Mary's mission of Collegeport, Matagorda county...
Houston Post, May 12, 1911 |
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Bay City, Tex. May 14.--The rice farmers of the Collegeport community, after hearing the talk of John J. Reasor of the Southern Rice Growers' Association, and having the object of the movement fully explained to them, have in large numbers become members of the association. Another meeting is to be held soon at Citrus Grove, where there is quite an acreage going in.
Galveston Daily News, May 15, 1911 |
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Special to The News. Bay City, Tex., May 17.--At the bond election at Collegeport last Saturday for the purpose of determining whether of not the district would issue $12,000 schoolhouse bonds, carried with little opposition.
Galveston Daily News, May 18, 1911 |
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Red Oak Express, May 19, 1911 |
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It is growing quite popular with Palacios residents to take the boat
trip to Collegeport, dine at Hotel Collegeport, and take the Mr. John J. Raezer, a director of the National Rice Growers Association was here Friday and Saturday organizing our farmers for their best good in the sale of our product. At the meeting Saturday afternoon nearly all of the growers present endorsed the movement and joined the association. Another meeting is named for Friday night, May 12th, at Citrusgrove depot. It is hoped that all rice growers in this community will be present. It's the solution of the rice problem as to prices and values.
Reprinted in the |
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The members of the Collegeport Woman's club entertained their husbands and friends at a reception Thursday evening in the beautiful bayside home of Mrs. Burton D. Hurd. They night was grand. Fair Luna lent her most entrancing rays, whose luster only gained brightness by the occasional darkening of the few shadowy clouds which flickered across the sky. About seventy-five guests were in attendance. They were first introduced to Mrs. Hurd, president of the club, and to Miss Smith and Mrs. Clapp of the reception committee. Other members delighted in helping to make the evening a pleasurable one socially. Portraits of some guests, taken "as others saw us," were heartily enjoyed by every one. Strange how the years go by and how little we realize the difference they make to eyes other than those in the mirror. Dame Fashion's facile fingers or the hirsute adornment to men's faces cause even husbands and wives to search for the likeness so well conned. Refreshments of ice cream and cake were served in the dining room and a draught from the punch bowl brought a smile to every face. Those who enjoy a view of the bay by moonlight took a trip to the roof garden and thence all went home happy in the pleasure of an evening so enjoyable. Guests from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Cooper of Aurora, ill., Miss Clarke of Chicago and Miss Soekland of Stuttgart, Ark. Instead of May 25, which date happens to be the birthday anniversary of Collegeport, the next club meeting will be held on June 1 at the home of Mrs. S. W. House. Mrs. Trego will speak of California, Mrs. Clapp of the Holy Land and Mrs. Hurd of the home of New England poets, all being personal travel talks.
Houston Post, May 21, 1911 |
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Twenty-three car loads of cattle were unloaded at our station last
Saturday by Mr. James Sutherland of
Miss Mabel Benedict, of
Mr. E. N. Gustafson, of W. L. McCamly, of Bay City, was here on the 11th and took a drive over the country to the pumping plant and expressed the opinion that it was the biggest and most complete watering plant he had seen in the rice belt and congratulates this section on being so fortunate as to secure such a valuable asset to this country's ultimate success.
Mr. Harry Austin Clapp, secretary of the Midcoast Industrial Congress,
left Monday for
Reprinted in the
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Palacios Beacon, May 26, 1911 |
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The many friends of Mrs. F. L. Miller united in giving her a surprise
party on Friday afternoon at her home. Lunch was served and a jolly time
was had. Mrs. Miller leaves on Tuesday for her old home in
Services at Saint Mary's
Miss Phillis Robinson was the honor guest at a surprise party given on
Friday afternoon at the Pavilion by seventeen of her young girl friends.
Delicious cake and candy were served and a souvenir spoon was given Miss
Phillis, who leaves on Tuesday for her home in
Matagorda County Tribune, May 26, 1911 |
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“They require small investment, they yield soon after planting and there is always a market for them. Various figures were given which showed where they had come to the rescue of many a farmer and trucker. One man said that if he had ten acres he would plant five to oranges and five to strawberries. Another said that it was the strawberry that had kept many a family before the orchards began bearing.
San Antonio Express,
Saturday, May 27, 1911 |
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Our last purchasers from Red Oak and vicinity who bought land from the Burton D. Hurd Land Company of Collegeport, Texas, are as follows: Axel Eden, S. A. Thomas, Carl Hipple, Ed. Roberts. We are certainly pleased with the beginning of our summer’s business and on Tuesday, June 20th, will be our next trip to Collegeport at which time we expect a large party. Inquiries have already been made regarding our next low excursion rate. Don’t fail to see me if you expect to make a trip to any point in the Gulf Coast Country. For further information call or phone me, we have both phones. Offices opposite postoffice. MATT PIERCE, Red Oak. Ia.
Red Oak Express, June 2, 1911 |
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Work in Interest of Midcoast Congress in In the afternoon several automobiles were engaged and a number of Angleton business men accompanied Mr. Clapp to Bastrop Bayou and other points near Angleton, that he might get a fairly good insight into the Angleton Drainage District and the crops. He express himself as being much pleased with Brazoria county and its people. He is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. F. Kiber.
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Prominent Business Men of
A party of leading citizens of
They have been invited to come and look at the
As stated by the News
this party of influential and wealthy farmers are in the care of Burton
D. Hurd, of the Hurd Land Company, whose objective point, of course, is
Collegeport. However, Mr. Hurd is bringing these people to Matagorda
county and this means a great deal for The twenty-five men we are told represent about $8,000,000.
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Has Proven Itself to be a Health Resort as Well as Productive Farming Country. A few months ago, the physicians of Red Oak advised Mrs. Axel Eden, to change climate if she desired to prolong her life as it was useless to give her any more medicine and live here. She went direct to Collegeport, and since there her improvement has been so remarkable that her husband went to see her if it could possibly be true, and while there purchased land from the Burton D. Hurd Land Co., in the Iowa settlement near Collegeport, with the intention of moving there this fall to make their future home.
Red Oak Express, June 2, 1911 |
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Clipping from the Collegeport Chronicle, Collegeport, Texas, June 1: “Collegeport has been enjoying a delightful breeze during the recent hot wave which has done so much harm and injury throughout the upstate section and the states north. Our temperature has ranged from 64 to 88 as extremes, but the most of the time in the seventies.”
Red Oak Express, June 9, 1911 |
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TWENTY WEALTHY AND INFLUENTIAL
Collegeport Objective Point
In
In
The objective point of this body of representative and substantial
business men is Collegeport, the beautiful town by the sea, which is the
metropolis of the Hurd Land Company.
It is very important for the citizenship of
Let us stick together!
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The Collegeport Sunday school has sent invitations to all near-by Sunday schools to join them in a picnic at Dunbar on the Tres Palacios river next Wednesday, the 11th inst. Many of the schools have accepted the invitation. We are not advised as to what action the Palacios schools have taken, but understand this will be decided at the school Sunday. It is understood that some and probably all the Palacios schools will join in this picnic. Passage to the picnic grounds will be furnished by land vehicle and boat. There will be speeches and some interesting exercises, and a big basket dinner. Everybody is invited to attend and participate in the picnic.
Palacios Beacon,
June 9, 1911 |
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Houston Post, June 11, 1911 |
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Special to the News. Bay City, Tex., June 18.--Reports came from the Collegeport section that crops are now looking fine, the rice crop especially. The Collegeport canal has been pumping the past week. The canal is full and boxes are being placed as fast a possible and all that are prepared can take water.
Galveston Daily News, June14, 1911 |
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A very unique and pretty wedding took place at the home of V. R. Haisley at sunrise on Wednesday morning, June 14, when Albert S. J. McDonald of Palacios, and Miss Velma Mills, of Collegeport, were united in marriage in the presence of immediate family and a few friends. The ceremony was performed on the front porch of the handsome Haisley residence, just as the sun emerged from the distant trees along the Colorado river, while the guests took their place upon the green, amid the flowers of the beautiful yard. After the ceremony the company repaired to the dining room where a sumptuous breakfast was served. The groom wore a grey sacque travelling suit, while the bride was prettily gowned in embroidered Brussels net, her travelling suit being embroidered linen. Besides the home folks, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Kaufman, Messrs. J. P. McDonald, and Ed Russell, and Misses Willie Gibson, Rose Russell and Jennie Harrison of Palacios, and Mrs. M. A. Travis of Collegeport, were the invited guests. The bridal party went by private launch to Port Lavaca where the happy couple took the train for Pueblo, Colorado, where they will make their home. Miss Mills was the first school teacher at Collegeport and last year taught the Citrusgrove school. She is much loved by all who knew her and will be much missed, especially in church circles where she has been very active.—Collegeport Chronicle.
Palacios Beacon, June 15, 1911 |
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Col. Sol. Cleveland was in town Tuesday and returned to
Our readers are reminded that Dr. W. N. Jones of Rev. John Sloane held services in St. Mary's mission on Sunday evening and spent Monday looking after the interests of the mission and the new building which is rapidly being enclosed.
Judge F. H. Jones and family came from Rice is coming along in fine shape. A great deal of the crop planted under the Collegeport canal will have been watered by Saturday. The pumping plant has been operated all the week and the main canal has a good supply of water in it and plenty of water in the river. Most of the gates and boxes have been put in and everyone who is ready for water can be served next week.
Reprinted in the Matagorda County Tribune, June 16, 1911 |
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Collegeport, Tex., June 15.--Saturday evening last Collegeport was visited by a party of prominent business men and stockmen from Morris, Ill., who came here to investigate the opportunities offered for investment. The party spent the entire time from Saturday until Tuesday evening making a thorough examination of the lands and crops in this section and also of the pumping plant and canal. The party expressed themselves as highly pleased with the opportunities offered here and some of the party will undoubtedly return and build homes here. The party left on a special car to visit the Alvin section and investigate the nursery and orchard development. The party were entertained on their trip through the state by the business clubs and leagues of Fort Worth, Houston, Galveston and Collegeport.
Galveston Daily News, June 16, 1911 |
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Matagorda.--Cotton acreage 110; condition 110. Rice acreage 75; condition 100. Corn acreage 100; condition 100. Collegeport.--Cotton acreage 1910 - 20, 1911 - 700; condition 95; a little too much rain early in season, but coming on fine now, but rain is needed. Corn acreage 300; condition 200. Rice is the big crop here: about 2,000 acres planted and is doing well, but needs rain badly. The pumps are now running and the canal is being filled and the outlook is very encouraging for a good crop. Blessing.--About five bales from this territory last year. Twenty-five hundred acres in cotton this year. All looking good and will produce at least half bale to the acre this year. Corn acreage in the vicinity of Blessing for the year 1910 was very light, but owing to the failure of the rice crop prompted the farmers to diversify and the consequences is that all farmers have a good stand in corn and the same promises to make at least a forty-bushel crop. Twenty-five hundred acres at least is planted to corn this year.
Galveston Daily News, June 20, 1911 |
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Galveston Daily News, June 24, 1911 |
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Collegeport, midcoast country, most rapid and substantial development in Texas. On Frisco railroad and Intercoastal Canal. Smooth, high, well-drained prairie lands, adapted to fruit, truck, general farming, pure artesian water, in rain belt; also under canal irrigation from Colorado River. A wonderful new California. Come and see. Reduced rates all railroads. Address Hurd Company, Collegeport, Tex.
Galveston Daily News, June 25, 1911 |
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Houston Post, June 27, 1911 |
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Houston Post, June 28, 1911 |
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Collegeport is one of the sections of the State going in strong for diversification. Strawberries are especially doing well there, as are tomatoes and other crops. The Collegeport Chronicle of Matagorda County has the following items of interest in a recent issue: L. F. Edwards has earned the reputation as the original strawberry man of this section. His little garden patch of a few rows has produced over 400 quarts of berries. The season began in December and is just closing, which gives an idea of the length of the strawberry season, which may even yet be extended by the addition of late varieties. It is not strawberries alone that are grown at Collegeport. The Chronicle also tells us of tomatoes and adds: S. W. Corse came to Collegeport last winter and had a house erected on his lots in Collegeport, having the same lots broken for a garden. In March he did his first planting and on this one breaking the family has feasted on vegetables of nearly all varieties with others coming on. Tomatoes have been Mr. Corse’s chief hobby, and the editor examined some tomatoes that for weight and shape and smooth finish have not been excelled in this or any county. In addition to these, peas, beans, potatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, corn, beets, squash and melons have done finely. The secret of Mr. Corse’s success is work, intelligent care, and this result on land that but a few short months ago was open prairie, should prove again that the knocker has had his day and that even so soon after breaking the land can be made to yield bountifully.
San Antonio Express, Wednesday, June 28, 1911 |
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Harry Austin Clapp, secretary of the Texas Midcoast Industrial Congress of Collegeport, arrived in the city Thursday for a few days' visit and is registered at Hotel Galvez. Mr. Clapp, is speaking of Collegeport, said: "The Grace Chapel of St. Mary's Mission, a new church, will be completed in about three weeks. It is the intention of Dr. Sloan of St. Mark's Church of Bay City to have a mission of one week's duration as soon as the church is ready for occupancy. "Water in the Colorado River has been low, but the pumping plant has been able to keep the canal full of water, and every rice farmer, with the exception of one, has been able to receive water enough for his rice. The outlook is for a fair crop of rice. "Cotton is looking exceedingly well, and corn was saved by the rains of last week and will make a good crop. Watermelons are not as good as last season, owing to the long dry spell. Plans are under way for the organizing of a company to erect a plant to supply the town with water, electric lights, power and ice; also a cotton product factory. "There is one thing that Collegeport feels proud of," continued Mr. Clapp, "and that is our Ladies' Club. Out of a population of 300 the club has an active membership of 78, and I believe that it is one of the largest women's clubs in the United States."
Galveston Daily News, June 30, 1911 |
