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Collegeport Articles January, 1926 |
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COLLEGEPORT, There were sandwiches galore, pies, doughnuts, cake, drink to wash them down with, salted peanuts, mixed candies, chocolate creams and as a final fire class cigars were passed to all who smoked, the last being the gift of Judge S. W. Corse. After dinner Judge Corse related several funny stories of the founding of the town and of those who were present at the 1910 community dinner. Those present voted thanks to Dr. Van Wormer, S. B. Sims and other members of the Fig Orchards Company for the beautiful civic improvement the company has started and pledged themselves to aid and assist in every possible way. A special happy new year's greeting was said for those not present and for Mr. E. A. Holsworth who is confined to his room by illness. Special greetings for George Braden and his good wife whose faces were missed for the first time. We hope that next year there will be more than "two or three together." After singing "Should Old Acquaintances Forget" the 1926 community dinner passed into history.
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Tho' feeble he be and gray, Will yearn, no matter how far he roam, For the glorious dancing day Of the little home, with its polished floor, That was his in the bygone days, And his heart will throb as it throbbed before When he dances and the baby plays." Mr. Jim they call him, but his full name is James Hale, and he is the man who pulls the throttle on the Collegeport Special. Well, anyway, Jim shakes a wicked foot, but he never likes to dance alone, so the other night he passed the word and about 20 folks, some as few in years as 15 and some past the three score in life's game, assembled at the Hale home and danced all the "fawncy dances" and some old-time ones. One of the interesting features of the evening was the interpretation of old-time dances by Matt Pierce. Mr. Pierce proved by his easy
steps that at one time he was not only a graceful dancer but worthy of
the master degree. Mr. E. L. Hall stopped the clock with his Mr. and Mrs. Hale were ideal
hosts and on departing the wish was expressed that more such affairs
might be held. If the community possessed a proper floor it would not be
long before some of our people would again be enjoying the old-time
square dances with the Virginia reel, Polka,
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How silver-sweet sound lovers tongues by night. About forty guests were present and all came laden with gifts which expressed in many ways the love they had for the sweet young bride-elect. Miss English was overcome with emotion and when asked to speak said, "The words, thank you, are inadequate to express my feelings and all I can say is that by your presence you have shown your love for me and in return I owe you all." The house was not only beautifully decorated for the occasion but the charming young hostess introduced an original stunt which added to the pleasure of the guests. After all the guests had arrived Mrs. Chapin stated that although we had enjoyed one shower during the early morning hours we were about to have another and with a flip of her hand she threw confetti in the air and soon the bride-elect was covered with the gorgeous colors. Dainty refreshments were served which carried out the decoration scheme which was red and white. Many good wishes were extended to Miss English for a happy life and all went away after a most enjoyable time.
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This event was of more than usual interest because of the social prominence of the young lovers. The setting for the wedding was more than beautiful, for the church was decorated in a lavish manner with natural flowers and palms, chrysanthemums forming the motif for the decorative scheme. The altar was a dream on a background of palms while in front tall candlesticks held the gleaming candles. The end of each pew supported a large chrysanthemum and as the bridal procession came from the front of the church, it passed under thee white arches, a large white wedding bell being suspended from the top of each. The contrasting colors were gorgeous and the thought came that some good fairy had dabbled a great paint brush on a gigantic palette and splashed a rainbow of colors that glistened and gleamed under the luminous lights. While the guests were assembling, Miss Emily Jane Allen sang "I Love You Truly," then taking the violin played softly, accompanied by Mrs. Harry Austin Clapp on the piano, swinging into the wedding march as the bridal party appeared at the church door. The procession, headed by four ushers, followed by the flower girls, Misses Jedie Frank Chiles and Violet Harris, wearing green georgette crepe. These two scattered natural sweetpeas on the carpet. Junior bridesmaids were Misses Anna Dell English and Marie English, wearing pink georgette crepe. Bridesmaids, Misses Louise English and Vivian Hewitt, with blue georgette crepe. Maid of honor, Miss Patsy English, in orchid georgette crepe, and matron of honor, Mrs. L. H. McCune, wearing yellow georgette crepe. The bride, who entered on the arm of her father, wore an exquisite creation of white chiffon crepe, trimmed with white velvet silver outlined leaves. The long wedding veil was embroidered in silver and fastened with a bandeau of orange blossoms. In her arms she carried an immense shower bouquet of roses. Master Turner English, two years of age, dressed in white silk velvet, followed the bride, bearing the ring and he kept his promise for he said, "I'll take the ring to Mac."
As the bridal party formed about the altar, the lights in the body of the church were darkened and concealed spot lights illuminated the pretty scene.
Mr. L. H. McCune served as best man while Messrs. Fleming Chiles, Sidney Richman, Pat Richman and Verne Bowers served as ushers.
After the ceremony a reception was held in the church parlors where those present gave bride and groom hearty congratulations and wishes for a long and happy married life.
Mr. and Mrs. E. A. McCune left on the night train for Brownsville and other parts of the Valley and will be at home in about a week at Collegeport.
Many guests were present from Bay City, relatives and
friends of the bride. The Matagorda County Tribune, Friday, February 5, 1926
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Matagorda County Tribune, February 19, 1926 |
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50,000 Acres Leased for Geodetic Surveying; Other Activities COLLEGEPORT, An interview with Matt Pierce,
of this place, who has handled the business for the Roxanna people,
breaks the long silence regarding oil activity in this section. Mr.
Pierce revealed important information regarding activities beginning When asked why the land had not been developed earlier Mr. Pierce replied, "I have been trying all of this time to get a reliable oil company interested, who would give the country a good test, and am well pleased in securing the Roxanna Petroleum Corporation to take over the area. They are now here on the land making their geodetic survey and carrying out all of their agreements. Then Mr. Pierce was asked that most embarrassing of all questions, "Do you think we will get oil here?" Of course Mr. Pierce thinks so. He would not have put in all of these months of work if he did not think there is oil in this section but this is his answer: "This can not be answered by judging by the report of reliable geologists and the opinion of well posted oil men, together with gas, sulphur and asphalt indications of the land, I am led to think that the eyes of the country will soon be turned on Collegeport." The Roxanna Petroleum Corporation is one of the oldest, most successful and most productive oil concerns in the world. Mr. Pierce made his statement after much pressure was brought to bear. Every week and sometimes every day he has been asked to give out information. This information was given for the exclusive use of the Palacios Beacon and the Bay City Tribune, his two home papers. It is the first official statement regarding oil development here. Announcements made this week through Dr. W. W. Van Wormer, president of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company, unfold plans for extensive activities for the next year. Dr. Van Wormer addressed a community banquet on Washington's birthday here. He announced that it was the plan of the company to can Collegeport figs in Collegeport this year. That a new, modern up-to-date hotel with all modern conveniences would be built and that the acreage of fig trees is to be increased by 100 acres. Palm trees are being installed on all principal streets and a program of beautification under the direction of North Cable is being executed. Dr. Van Wormer predicted a period of unusual prosperity for this section due to the strong foundation laid by those who pioneered this country. He has been here for two weeks in conference with is local manager, S. B. Sims, and to visit his mother who is staying with them. He was accompanied by his wife
and Mrs. Louis Miner and her daughter, Miss Alice. Mrs. Miner is the
wife of a well known newspaper man of Numbers of people are visiting this section now. Every day new people are coming in to make their homes here. Immigrant wagons are common. Among the visitors to this
section are Mrs. G. F. Faucet and her two sons of A very pretty and much enjoyed party was given on the occasion of Mr. and Mrs. Crabil's 25th wedding anniversary and Mrs. Crabil's birthday-we do not know which one. More than 50 people attended the reception and visited with old friends. Occurring Tuesday evening the young people played outdoors in the moonlight and the older ones gathered around the piano and sang or talked over the various interests of the day. Mr. and Mrs. Crabil are among the oldest settlers in this section. They live northwest of Citrus Grove, one of the centers of population. Grave but gaily the citizens celebrated Washington's birthday with song, word and banquet. Under able direction the feeding of more than 150 people attending was done with grace and aptness. There were two features of the program: an address by Dr. W. W. Van Wormer and a pantomime presented by Mrs. Oscar Chapin, assisted by Miss Dorothy Crane and Homer Goff, who provided the music of the Star-Spangled Banner. The Collegeport male quartet, appearing for the first time in any but church hymns, was well received. The committee in charge of the banquet was headed by Mrs. Roy Nelson, who was assisted by a large number of ladies and girls. Visitors to the banquet were:
Mrs. Wright of Sargent, Mrs. Heck and two children of Services for Sunday announced are: "Angels on Wheels" and "Merit vs. Mercy." The male quartet is preparing new songs for the services. Good crowds attended services Sunday. The Sunday school was unusually large, due to the good weather that made it possible for more people to attend. F. L. Jenkins is planting corn. Nearly all farmers in the country are preparing land and thousand of acres will be seeded in the next month if the present good weather continues.
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Was Generally Needed by Farmers; Planting Now Going On. COLLEGEPORT, This condition will continue if nature lets well enough alone. In place of an average acreage of rice in the delta section, as first anticipated, one of considerably more than average size is being planted, it was announced this week. Cotton farmers are preparing to plant in soil that has been prepared for several days awaiting the rain that fell so timely and bountifully Tuesday night. The rain dampened everything--even the Woman's Club which was to have put on a play, entitled "Clubbing a Husband," which was scheduled for Tuesday night. The drama will be presented the coming Tuesday night instead. All services were better attended Sunday than the week before. A good crowd listened to a rendition of old familiar hymns Sunday evening by the Collegeport male quartet. A special request for copies of old song books was made by the quartet. It has become very hard to find some of the old hymns asked for. One especially has been requested and not found. Some of the lines are "We shall meet beyond the river, where the surges cease to roll." Anyone having a very old song book they will either give or lend to the quartet will be doing them a favor. Plans to organize an orchestra were made at a meeting of the young men's class Monday night. Prices of instruments are being sought and they will be ordered at once, Homer F. Goff, teacher of the class announced. Rev. H. Paul Janes announced for
his sermon theme Sunday morning "God's Dike." He explained
that the name given the Sabbath by the people of Sunday evening Mr. Janes will speak about "We May Be Sure." His text is taken from John iv:19. He explained that there are many people who actually believe no man can be sure about his religion or his salvation. This is not true, he explained, and can be demonstrated. There will be special music on the program. Palms, oleanders and crepe myrtles are being planted along the streets of Collegeport now. The Collegeport Fig Orchards Company is putting all of its orchards in fresh, clean shape for the new season.
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COLLEGEPORT, "Only one candidate to fill a position on the school board has announced," Mr. Evans said. "I received a letter from Mrs. Carl Boeker, this week, announcing that she would be a candidate. I have no special authority, to announce candidates, but I think her candidacy should be made public." Mr. Evans said "Mrs. Boeker did not announce her platform, which is usually done when a candidate announces him or herself. I think she is to be commended for having the courage to ask to be elected. I presume she will announce her platform later." Some questions have arisen over the reason for the termination of Mr. Goff's term of office. Mr. Evans explained that he had been appointed to serve the unexpired term of Mr. Thos. McNeill, who resigned from the board early in the present school year. Appointed positions are held only until election. They are made by the county board. F. L. Jenkins, one of the most
successful farmers in this section, a planter of corn and cotton, has
recently extended his real estate raw land farm in Mr. Jenkins farm here will be
turned over to the management of Joe Frank Jenkins, a son. Austin
Jenkins will go with his father to It is due to his inability
physically to adjust himself to the low altitude here, he is branching
out in another county. Mr. Jenkins is looking for a little higher
altitude. At first he thought of locating on the Cap Rock near Mr. Jenkins came back highly
enthusiastic about Hegari, a new feed crop that is proving so highly
successful in the coast section. He says that it saved much of the Artesian water has been discovered at about 675 feet in the section Mr. Jenkins has purchased land in. Mr. Jenkins paid for his land the first three years he farmed at Collegeport. Attention of the community is turning to Easter and Easter festivities. An Easter egg roll is planned. A pageant will be given and is already ordered. Several special Easter services of considerable interest are already announced. Wednesday evening of Holy Week,
..... Episcopal Church in Thursday morning at Friday night, May 2, the boys club will present the cinema, "The Ten Commandments." A special communion service will be presented together with an Easter program Sunday morning of Easter. In the evening a pageant will be offered. Sunday services will be decidedly interesting because of the continued presenting of old-fashioned hymns by the male quartet, which is gaining considerable reputation for its offerings. Sermon themes will be "Who Touched My Clothes?" for the morning worship and for the evening, "Tell Us Plainly." The first sermon has to do with the miracle in which strength passed from Jesus to a woman who touched his garment. The quest of the sermon will be to find out if there is still any power in Christ. The evening sermon will be a study of the proof of his divinity that Jesus himself gave to those who doubted him.
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COLLEGEPORT, The guests to the
number of fourteen were served with an exquisite luncheon placed on
tables which accommodated four guests. After luncheon tables were
cleared and bridge was played until late in the afternoon. Mrs. Edwards,
the honoree, has been a guest of the Sims family for several weeks and
leaves for her home Sunday via
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Called at Collegeport by Chamber of Commerce For Monday Night, April 12. By H. Paul Janes. COLLEGEPORT, Texas, April 7,--What is believed to be one of the most important meetings called for public interest in years is the one scheduled by the chamber of commerce for Monday night, April 12, at the Collegeport Community House. The saving of thousands of dollars worth of rice, the possibility of raising thousands of dollars worth of feed and the development of this country on a scale heretofore impossible are at stake, according to C. of C. officials and farmers of this locality. Plans now on foot to poison the large numbers of birds that yearly destroy thousands of dollars worth of rice and render it impossible to harvest a feed crop, though any of the small grain, cane crops grow luxuriously here, are already nearly completed and farmers lined up to co-operate. At the same time arrangements
are to be made to purchase seed for feed crops and much interest is
being shown for the highly successful higaru which is just being
introduced into this section, and recommended by farmers about Port
Lavaca, particularly J. W. Kamey as "the best seed and forage A report of a special road development committee and the presentation of a petition to be passed on by the citizens of this section will be also discussed. It is known by a number of prominent citizens that this is a most vital subject that every voter and land owner will be interested in. The introduction of elements
necessary to the successful establishment of a building and loan branch
here will be discussed and has already been taken up with the A half dozen other items of less importance but of interest to every citizen will be brought up and action taken on them. "The chamber of commerce is a community association to whose meetings the public is always invited and whose meetings are always public. Every citizen has a vote and right to speak on the occasion of the Monday night meeting," Homer F. Goff, secretary said. "There will be an election of officers Monday night." More than 400 people attended the services of the First Church of Collegeport Sunday, it was reported. A special children's program and Easter communion was the feature in the morning and special Easter pageant was the night feature. All other services were omitted for these two. It was announced that within the next few weeks there would be presented the famous lecturer and naturalist, Royal Dixon, in his celebrated oration on God in nature. Mr. Dixon is a warm friend of the Collegeport country and a personal friend of Rev. H. Paul Janes, pastor of First Church Collegeport. April American Magazine has much to say of the naturalist. Sunday's services will be made more attractive to worshippers with the special quartet and instrumental music to be added, Mr. Janes said. He announced as sermon themes for Sunday, "Strength" and "Faith That Moves Mountains." The results of the school election was as follows, County trustees, Wm. Cash 56 votes, C. S. Douglas 58 votes; local trustees, Mrs. Liggett 52 votes, Mr. Goff 48 votes, Mr. Nelson 44 votes, Mr. Chiles 43 votes. Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Stallings are the proud parents of an unusually fine 9 1/2-pound boy, which came to their house Sunday afternoon. The young man has already discovered his esteem in the household and is being attended by his grandmother, Mrs. M. J. Stallings and Mrs. John Carrick. Both baby and mother are doing fine. No name has been selected yet. An unusually large number of people have suffered from colds and flu recently. Among those ill were so many that names can not be given. Professor Hale was out of school one day. Mrs. Conover who fell and hurt her ankle is recovering and was able to attend Easter service Sunday.
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By Harry Austin Clapp COLLEGEPORT, It is to the credit of our
citizenship that every person is co-operating in protecting these trees
from damage. The people are taking pride in the work. That the planting
of figs has assumed considerable importance in the minds of others is
evidenced by the prominent part Collegeport took in the recent meeting
held in Those present know very well that the growing of figs to be permanent must return a profit to the grower and plans have been made for prices that will satisfy the man who produces. The following figures will perhaps interest all who are interested in the industry and may be a surprise to even some of our local people: The old orchard contains.............120 acres Planted in 1925............................265 acres Planted last three weeks...............80 acres To be planted this month...............40 acres Total plantings.............................505 acres The old orchard last year gave a good yield but this season the present prospects are for an abundant crop and with a normal season it is expected that the crop will run into many tons of this beautiful and delicious fruit. With a very small production per tree and at the lowest market price the income this year will run into many thousands of dollars. The company has recently built a machine shop for storing tools and repair work and has now in use four tractors, one truck and a large number of discs, cultivators, plows and harrows and employs from 10 to 30 men. This means no empty houses or idle men in this community. The company is composed of well known men who are capable of carrying out any plans they may make and with unquestioned financial ability. Those who delight in knocking should lay aside from knockers; those who desire to push should get out their pushers and all join in giving this company strong moral support in their effort to make Collegeport the Midcoast Beauty Spot.
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COLLEGEPORT, The old Hurd home was beautifully decorated for the occasion and that fact brought many memories to the old-timers for it has been the scene of many happy gatherings. The wind blew soft from the south carrying with it the odors of the sea and the soft swash of the waves added to the enjoyment of the evening. The ladies announced that this was the first of a series of dances that will be held in the same place and under the same patronage. The next will be given on an early date which will be announced later. These ladies will co-operate with the Collegeport Industrial League in the annual observance of the birth of Collegeport by sponsoring another ball on May 25. While the League makes no attempt to dictate the manner in which this day shall be observed leaving all of the program to the citizens of the community it recommends that the people meet early in May and arrange for a proper and suitable observance of the day. The success of the party just given is such that all feel that this portion of the May 25 celebration will be in the hands of those who know how to arrange a beautiful and enjoyable affair. Mesdames Sims and Boeker receive the thanks of all those who enjoy dancing for their enterprise in starting a series of entertainments which fill a long felt want not only in the longings of the young people but of the fathers and mothers who desire to know how, and when, and where, their sons and daughters enjoy an opportunity to indulge in this wholesome and healthful recreation.
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COLLEGEPORT, As if adding romance to the
incident it became known recently that many of this herd are the old
steers which played such an important part, though not by choice, in the
famous photo-drama, "North of 36." In fact, except for a
possible few, this marks the passing of the old long-horn stock. It is
certain that there will never again be rounded-up such a large herd of
the old "lords of the range." In their place have come the new
Brahma and its cross-breeds from far off Many of the old steers have all of the beauty and vigor of their forebears even though civilization has been pressing them hard for the last quarter of a century. Some excellent horns are to be seen among the herd, now in charge of Lee Moran, for many years a trail rider in this section. Visitors and friends of the old
regime in Many old cowmen are aiding in the work. Determined not to be driven out of the rich Delta there they have cast their lot at least not by the billions of blackbirds that every year destroy thousands of dollars of rice and make it impossible to raise feed, farmers of this section, in Chamber of Commerce meeting Monday evening, set aside Wednesday of every week as poison day at which time a concerted effort will be made to destroy the over-balance of this bird-pest. It was pointed out by farmers at the meeting that it is not the desire of the planters to completely destroy these feathered undesirables but simply to destroy enough so that feed can be grown in the Delta. Strychnine sulphur crystals and
water in some sort of grain is the official bait and is being supplied
to co-operating farmers by Hugo Kundinger, local druggist. Arthur
Harris, candidate for county judge, Judge Erickson, L. A. Pierce and
others from Young Men's Club announced, as a variety in entertainment for this fall, the booking of three lyceum numbers. There is an impersonator of some reputation by name, Emma D. Randle; a magician who says he can do tricks as magical as a spiritualist medium by the name of Birch, and a male quartet with brass instruments, xylophone, and a dinnerbell orchestra, with some good voices to balance the program. Dates will be announced. Sermon themes announced for Sunday are: "Christian Gravestones" and "The Mystery of the Simple." Quartets which could not sing Sunday, due to illness in the ranks, will present numbers at both services next Sabbath. Mr. John Alt, of Mr. Frazier, for several months fireman on the local railroad, has transferred to a Valley branch. Mrs. Whitworth, mother of Mrs. Frazier, is visiting with her daughter and grandchildren. Gustavus Franzen was in bed several days last week with the "flu." "Clubbing a Husband," a play being presented by the Woman's Club, will be staged Tuesday night. It had to be postponed last week due to the illness of one of the cast. Thos. M. Clark is in The Homiers, it is understood have decided to stay in the Delta section. North Cable, in charge of
landscaping, is putting in elegant shape the long rows of palms and
lawns that stretch up and down the streets of Collegeport. Mr[s].
Harriet G. Marks, a representative of the Dixie Lyceum Bureau, of Work on the fig orchards has been considerably retarded the past few months due to damp weather but Manager Sims and his co-workers are taking advantage of every dry spell to prepare orchards for the summer. Trees are full of small figs. Every odd moment is being used by local men to bring to completion the installation of telephones here. Nearly all the poles are in the ground and wire and phones will be installed as soon as they arrive. A meeting of the Telephone Association was called for Thursday night.--H. P. J.
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COLLEGEPORT, Texas. April 22.--Following out a precedent established last year on Mother's Day, the people of Collegeport will combine to present a pageant. Sunday evening May 2, which promises to outshine, considerable the one given last year in pantomime, costuming, music (vocal and instrumental) and lighting effects. So large will the spectacle be that it will not be possible to put the whole thing under one management but it will be divided and separate rehearsals will be necessary for each part. The opening scene is in the Court of King Solomon. Elaborate lighting under the direction of Milburn McNeill will add considerable to this scene. A courtly array will be illuminated with varied colored lights. King Solomon in regal attire will be seated on his throne. Behind him stands an Ethiopian slave with a large fan. To his right and left will stand armored soldiers. At his call will come pages. A page will introduce Solomon's mother. As she approaches the throne Solomon will descend and kneel, kissing the hem of his mother's queenly gown. Pages will place another throne to the king's right whereon will sit the mother, "Bathsheba." Solomon will place a beautiful crown on her head. The scene will close with a tableau of colors and music, "Mother of Pearl." Other scenes are varied and attractive. Many of the cast have been selected. Mrs. Conover, who played the part last year will again play the mother part. Melvin Spoor will be King Solomon. Thos. Clark will appear as one of the soldiers. Many other parts will have to be assigned and there is room in the pageant for all who care to take part. Nearly 400 cattle were moved last week. One bunch was the largest herd of longhorn steers ever to be shipped out of this section, cowmen said. This herd was also the last large herd of longhorn cattle of the old native breed. Approximately 1800 or over of them were shipped from Collegeport in two trainloads. The other herd making up nearly as many cattle, mainly of the Brahma breed, were moved to summer pasture by the Pierce estate. The herd shipped were under the care of Lee Moran, a lifelong cowman. The Pierce herd was in charge of Frank King, one of the longest time cowmen in the country and a member of one of Stephen F. Austin's first families who settled between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers. Ten cowmen handled the Pierce herd. The herd that was shipped belonged to I. Grass and R. Mason of Houston and were consigned to buyers in Kansas. Many of them were filmed in the much advertised picture, "North of 36," made by the Paramount Pictures Corporation of New York. Both of these large herds were handled quickly by the old cowmen. Monday night a party was given at the manse in honor of V. R. Haisley, one of the oldest agricultural settlers in the Delta. Mr. Haisley is a vigorous man despite his 73 winters which have left his locks somewhat faded but his eyes still bright and his attitude very optimistic. He has one of the finest homes and one of the best kept premises in the Delta. He plans to raise 10 acres of hegari and 10 more acres of Sudan grass for feed this year, provided enough of the birds that ravish feed crops can be disposed of to make his crop harvestable. All of Mr. Haisley's old friends and new wished him a happy and prosperous birthday and many more. Mr. Haisley, besides being one of the most prominent citizens in the community for many years, an officer in the Community Church, which is one of the oldest in the United States, and a charter member, has raised two children in this country, one of which is Mrs. Hugo Kundinger, wife of the druggist and a leading citizen, and Hailsey Mills, a nephew. Mrs. Haisley, his wife, was one of the liveliest young ladies at the party despite her many years; however, Mrs. Haisley won't tell many of the young men her age--and one would underguess it considerably to judge by her activeness. At their home the Haisleys have a fine fig orchard, garden, cows, hogs, rose bushes of many varieties, and there is perhaps no farm in the Delta with so large a variety of flowers, native and imported. Their place is decked with palms and they have peach trees, pear trees, shrubbery and a large dewberry patch. Mr. Haisley has a modern milk separator and has a nice income from milk, butter and eggs. In all community affairs Mr. Haisley has always been a leader or else a faithful follower when there was anything of vital importance at stake. He has maintained in his home and with his neighbors that old fashioned spirit of hospitality and neighborliness for which the South is famous. He came from Kansas to this country. A large birthday cake was made to honor him, Miss Lena Corse being the culinary artist. His many friends ate at banquet with him and blessed him for his faithful citizenship, kindly brotherhood and keen foresight for the good of the Delta he loves so well. Farmers are becoming more than deeply concerned about the blackbird problem here. While the birds do not seem to be harmful to figs they make it impossible to mature and harvest the grain and feed crops adapted to this section. Robert Briscoe, who had a large crop in this section in 1924, stated that it cost him $700 for a man and ammunition to watch the birds off of his rice crop and that he would have lost a large sum of money in one of the best crop years the Delta has ever seen had it not been that he had rented his land cheap, his water cheap, and an unprecedented season made it possible for him to move his crop quickly. He stated that in 1917 when farmers destroyed large numbers of the pest that they profited in feed crops and rice by thousands of dollars. All other rice farmers who have cropped in this country for many years had the same to say. Emmett Chiles, who has farmed rice here as long as any one, said that the poisoning campaign, while it would not reduce the birds, to any small numbers would save thousands of dollars for dry land and rice farmers in rice and feed. Ben Mowery, of the Collegeport Rice and Irrigating Company, pledged the support of the men on their farms to the campaign. Farmers about Citrus Grove are actively supporting the co-operative movement. Hugo Kundinger is supplying all the poison needed at reasonable prices.
Matagorda County Tribune, April 23, 1926 |
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Official Announcements Are Encouraging as to Coming of First Homeseekers COLLEGEPORT, Dr. Wm. W. Van Wormer, president of the Fig Orchards Company, said that the trip had been advertised in approximately 100 or more dailies and weeklies in the Northern states and that response indicated that the trip would be made as scheduled. S. B. Sims, local manager for the Fig Orchards Company, has been using every effort to get orchards in shape to take full advantage of the plentiful rainfall this spring. In quickly conditioning the soil he plans to conserve the moisture and thus produce a bumper yield. North Cable, in charge of the landscaping, is putting the streets and sidewalks in shape to give the visitors the best possible view of the townsite. Mr. Cable has successfully planted several hundred palms and oleanders with a loss of but three trees. A move was initiated last week to provide a special day of welcome for the visitors. Full details will not be worked out, Homer Goff, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, said, until the wishes of Dr. Van Wormer have been made known in the matter. An error in newspaper reports last week regarding the presentation of the annual Mothers Day pageant was corrected this week with the announcement that the pageant would be presented Sunday evening., May 9, instead of May 2. Elaborate plans for costuming and lighting the pageant have been made. Lighting effects are in charge of Dean Merck and Milburn McNeill; decoration, Mrs. Matt Pierce; in charge of the Solomon Episode, Mrs. L. E. Liggett and Miss Lena Corse; in charge of other episodes, Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Emmitt Chiles, Mrs. E. A. McCune, Mrs. T. G. McNeill, and Mrs. H. Paul Janes. Music for the pageant will be in charge of Miss Dorothy Crane, Homer Goff and H. Paul Janes. Male quartets, mixed quartets, solos and instrumental solos and orchestra selections will feature the musical program. Sermon subjects for Sunday, May 2, will be, "Learning to Be a Man" and "The Direct Route," according to Rev. H. Paul Janes, pastor of First Church of Collegeport. Both of these sermons tend to be practical, Mr. Janes said, and will deal with the practical problems of life. Unless Christian programs of living work more successfully than any other they are no good, the minister said. It is the aim of the above mentioned sermons to be practical.
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COLLEGEPORT
, The secretary reported that deeds had been received for the block of ground purchased and that a goodly sum was in the treasury, with no debts, and every member paid up in full to date. The league voted to call a public meeting for Saturday night, May 8, for the purpose of arranging some program in observance of Collegeport Day, May 25. Every citizen of the community is invited to be present. The president was instructed to purchase large drain tile for placing in the culverts on the road leading to the cemetery. The league organized in 1909 has always been active in community affairs and the members intend that it shall continue to do so. Meetings are held on the last Thursday night of each month and is always attended by the families of the members. This is an unusual feature of such meetings but the practice adds enjoyment to the meetings.
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COLLEGEPORT, These parties will be held at frequent intervals and will be a feature of the Collegeport Day celebration.
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Celebration of Anniversary of Birth of Neighboring Town. COLLEGEPORT, Boating, bathing, swimming matches, tub races and other water sports and a baseball game filled the daylight hours while at night dancers occupied the hotel dining room. It was a great day. Since that time the day has been
observed by the people of this community. Saturday night at a meeting of
the citizens it was voted to have a community dinner at A good orchestra has been
engaged and a general invitation is extended to the people of the county
to visit Collegeport on this day and take part in the program. Mesdames
Sims, Boeker and King have charge of the community dinner while Messrs.
Carl Boeker, Roy Nelson and M. E. Holsworth will look after the sports.
It was stated that the
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Hon. Royal Dixon, noted naturalist, author and lecturer who has just finished his second visit to Collegeport, said he was more enthusiastic than ever about the country and is planning to make another visit here in June when he will study several unusual specimens of wild life including an aigrette, presumably rare, and an animal of unusual character. Due to economic interests
brought about by the late season, the expected visit of tourists from Col. E. Mann, secretary-treasury
of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company, is on an inspection tour of the
holdings of the company here. He will remain for a week. Colonel Mann is
giving all his time to the company's interests and has opened an office
in Hugo Kundinger, druggist and leading business man of Collegeport, is renovating and adding to his business house there. The new additions will afford him more space for his business and a larger house to live in. Mr. and Mrs. Kundinger reside at their place of business. Cartons and equipment for the Delta Egg Association have arrived and all those who care to take advantage of the better prices due those who guarantee their own eggs have been invited to co-operate. No one is obliged to co-operate and any one's refusal to do so will in no way interfere with the success of the association. There are a few simple rules for the organization. Eggs must be gathered regularly, be infertile, clean and placed in cartons provided. Information can be obtained either from John Carrick or H. Paul Janes. Plans for Collegeport day have been made by members of the Collegeport Industrial League. Arrangements for music, basket dinner, sports and a dance at the home of Carl Boeker at night have been announced. The celebration will take place Tuesday. This is an annual affair and is taken part in by the people of the community and visiting friends. Sunday night a large crowd gathered to the baccalaureate services given in honor of Miss Mary Louise Clapp, the sole member of the high school graduating class, and the seventh grade which has the distinction of being one of the few classes ever to graduate in toto without a single failure. Members of the class are: Misses Mae Dickinson, Mamie Murray, Eloise Frazier, Bessie Jenkins and Mr. Julian Jenkins. Miss Clapp is well known in this section for her excellence in scholarship and was considered one of the brightest scholars in the high school. She was prominent in all activities of the school and church and is well liked by all. In charge of decorations were Mrs. Matt Pierce, Prof. and Mrs. Thos. Hale, Misses Bachelder and Hewitt and Mr. and Mrs. Frank King. Several special selections of music were prepared and executed. Rev. H. Paul Janes gave the address from the text, "The Fear of God is the Beginning of Wisdom." Musical arrangements were in charge of Mrs. L. E. Liggett, Homer Goff, and Miss Dorothy Crane. About 350 witnessed the presentation of the second annual Mother's Day pageant which the Collegeport community presented here the evening of Mother's Day. An elaborate lighting effect and unusual costuming made the final scene very effective. Critics of the pageant said it was too short while most people were very much satisfied. Thirty people came from Palacios by boat to see the spectacle. Visitors from all over the county were present. Participants in the presentation were: Miss Dorothy Crane, Mrs. L. E. Liggett, Jack Holsworth, Homer Goff, T. C. McNeill, Mrs. Crane, Mrs. Bowen, H. Paul Janes, Mr. and Mrs. L. H. McCune, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Hale, Misses Minnie Lee Chiles and Rosalee Nelson, Master Russell Goff, Mrs. E. A. McCune, Miss Gwendolyn Goff, Mrs. Emmett Chiles, Thomas Bowen, Mrs. T. G. McNeill, Cecil McNeill, Mrs. Conover, William Goff, Arthur Liggett, Leslielee Chiles, Elmer Sapp, Misses Myrtle Fulshear, Gladys Mae Frazier, Minnie Lee McNeill, Ella Mae Chiles, Eloise Frazier and Mary Conover, Messrs. Milburn McNeill and Dean Merck.
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Fine feathers make fine birds—A good old fashioned proverb that holds several truths—some literal, some figurative, all important. It’s a poor rule that won’t work both ways, so let’s read the proverb backwards. Here it is: Birds make feathers fine. Another proverb! Exactly the converse of the original, yet just as true and perhaps more illuminating. Look at a feather. It is the text of this discourse. It is one of those feathers which make fine birds. It also comes from those birds fine which make feathers fine. Is this puzzling? It may be at first glance. No harm done if it causes one to think. This is the motor age and thought is the greatest motor in the world. The material, enormous, powerful steam locomotive was, at first, an intangible thought; the twenty thousand ton battleship began its existence as an imponderable concept of the human mind. Theories of government rest on thoughts; plans of right living must first be thought out and then wrought out. So, if the feather incites thought it will have done a worthy work. The archer feathers his arrows so they may hit the mark. The feather may serve a similar purpose for a shaft of thought. Fine feathers make fine birds is but another way of saying: “By their fruits ye shall know them.” If a bird hasn’t fine feathers it is not a fine bird and if it is not a fine bird, it can’t produce fine feathers. This is literally true and, back of it, is the figurative meaning, namely: that fine thoughts produce fine actualities. The Collegeport Fig Orchards Company is a fine actuality. It was at first a fine thought. If you wish they will send you a fine feather from a fine bird, a symbol of all the fine actualities which must spring into existence from the Collegeport Fig idea. Are you familiar with the idea? It is an X-ray of thought. IT brings to view things heretofore invisible. Anybody can use it and enjoy it, but it took a regiment of philanthropists to discover it. It is social, political, moral, financial and practical sanity. A promoter of prosperity. It aims to create homes on the land and to make that land bring forth a perfect product. It proposes to check the drift to the large centers, to relieve the congestion of population, to encourage the education of children, and to enable them to live their lives in God’s free and open air; to make life rich and enjoyable in the country, the country town and village. It is the gospel of fresh air, bright sunshine, robust health, pure food and cheerful, normal living. It is all this and more. But the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company specializes. It is a practical application of a broad philosophy. It has a farm to its own, many acres. It has a manager who knows his business and while the workers on this farm enjoy these ideals they also propose to give the dwellers in cities the practical demonstration of their ideals crystallized into results. In a nutshell this is the proposition: They propose to raise and prepare for market his grade fig products which they will pass to the people who not being able to produce the thing they want most and what they secure least. The Magnolia fig has been called by the writer of this article “The Fruit of Kings and the King of Fruits” and this is literally true, for nowhere on earth except in a small area can this wonderful fruit be produced in such abundance and such high quality. Matagorda County is in the heart of this Magnolia fig area and from it will go the most delicious fruit that ever tempted the palate of man. The men back of this idea are already known by their fruits. They are fine birds and they are making fine feathers. This week business men from the North will visit our county from the purpose of investigating this industry. We hope that each one will carry back a fine feather from this fine bird.
Matagorda County Tribune, May 21, 1926 |
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About 250 Gather for Barbecue and General Get-Together Meeting. COLLEGEPORT, After dinner horseracing and a
baseball game, And the night! "How silvery sweet sound lovers' voices at night." There were plenty of lovers at the ball given under the patronage of Mesdames Sims and Boeker. Lovers of the dance crowded the floor and danced the hours through and all went home after a pleasant and happy evening. It was one of the finest affairs of the time ever held in Collegeport, sweet girls, manly boys, handsome matrons, beautiful gowns and gentlemen galore. People from every town in the
county were guests of the community and this included Sargent, and it
was with genuine expression of regard that Mayor and Mrs. James O'Neil
of Here is notice that on
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Jimmie Murry, Mamie Franzen, Francis Isle, [and] Lery Hunt were graduated from the grammar grade to high school. The community house was beautifully decorated for the occasion. The salutation was delivered by Milburn McNeil in a creditable manner and Jessie Murry delivered the valedictory address. Both were well rendered and the subject matter showed that much thought had been given to the subjects. It is not known what the plans of these young people are but it is understood that each will seek higher educational advantages.
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Rev. H. Paul Janes and S. B. Sims were over from Collegeport Monday to meet Col. E. Mann, secretary-treasurer of the Bay Shore Fig Orchards Co., of Springfield, Ill., who came down on an inspection trip of the company’s fine fig orchards near Collegeport. Due to business interfering with several of the leading men who had planned to be members of the excursion party from Springfield, it was decided to postpone the big excursion until July, when the soldier boys are here Although the “Encampment City” has been used to taking care of large crowds during the summer season, it sure looks as though we will be taxed to the limit to accommodate the thousands who are expected this summer.—Palacios Beacon.
Matagorda County Tribune, May 28, 1926 |
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COLLEGEPORT, The management announced that on Tuesday, May 25, which is Collegeport Day, that music and dancing would be given during the afternoon and evening. A general invitation is extended to all dance lovers. At In the afternoon baseball game,
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"Build me straight, O Worthy Master! Staunch and strong, a good vessel, That shall laugh at all disaster And with wave and whirl wind wrestle." --Longfellow. It requires boldness and imagination to write of the future but imaginative faculty is not necessary when one writes of the past. The past is written and is history so this is only to record facts and impressions. The second graduation class of this school has enjoyed "the day of days" and its achievements are recorded on the pages of school history. Someone has said, "Contentment is the aristocrat of all virtues," but ambition is also one of the virtues which should be incorporated in the soul of every graduate. Ambition points the way to higher attainments in education and therefore it is hoped that the class of 1926 while being content with all that the past has so generously given will also burn fiercely the fires of ambition. Ambition leads to the heights where one may exclaim, "EXCELSIOR!" The exercises were a
combination of the seventh grade, consisting of Bessie Jenkins, Ella
Louise Fraesier, Mamie Murry, Mae Dickinson and Julian Jenkins, with the
class of 1926 finishing the entire high school course consisting of Mary
Louise Clapp. The colors of the seventh grade were yellow and white
while those of the 1926 class were white and orchid, so these colors
were blended in the decorative scheme. On a background of yellow, white
and orchid was displayed in silver letters the motto of Mary Louise
Clapp, "Obey Duty, Come What May," and it may be of interest
to note that this motto in its Latin form, "Fais ce que doris,
advienne que pourra," has an authentic history as a part of the
Clapp family coat of arms since the eleventh century. Mary Louise in
using this as her life motto has only used that which has been the
guidance of her family for centuries. Above the motto was placed a large
silver "Lone Star," typifying the lone graduate. From the
points of the star floated streamers of the class colors to the front of
the stage forming a bower of colors. The class flower was the Many expressions of
surprise and pleasure were given and the credit belongs to Mrs. Matt
Pierce, assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Frank King, Mrs. Crane and Mrs. Roy
Nelson. Mrs. Pierce has the ability to visionalize a decoration scheme
and see it in its entirety before the various parts are placed in
position. On the right of the stage were seated the four teachers, Mr.
Thos. Hale, Misses Hewitt, Batchelder and Mrs. Douglas with Mary Louise
as the central figure. The left was occupied by the seventh grade while
the center chairs were occupied by County Superintendent Pollard and the
graduation orator, Rev. Gillespie of Palacios. The beautiful gowns of
the young people, the flowers which filled the auditorium with sweet
odor, the graceful and artistic decorations formed an ensemble which
will long linger in the memory of those present. With Miss Dorothy Crane
at the piano the principals marched from the front door to the stage and
took their places. The program began with the audience singing " This record would not be complete did it fail to record the loyalty of the school board who has as Mrs. Pollard stated "literally sweated blood in order that the community might enjoy a nine months school." This closes the story
of the graduation class of the THE ATTAINMENT OF SUCCESS Valedictory For 1926. (By Mary Louise Clapp) Success in any enterprise or industry is the product of labor. It must be plowed out of the field, blasted from the mine, sawed from the forest. Alexander Hamilton, the eminent American statesman, once said, "Men give me credit for genius; but all the genius I have lies in this: when I have a subject on hand, I study it profoundly. The effect I make, they call genius, it is however, the fruit of labor and thought." Besides preparing ourselves for mental activity, we must prepare ourselves for physical and spiritual activity. This threefold culture, when closely applied is an ever important factor in the attainment of success. Education, to prepare oneself for mental activity is the birthright of every child. It is every person's duty to protect the child in this right. As to the character and extent of the primary education, this should be determined by the parent, but later preparation for specific work, may be, and should be, chosen by the boy or girl, for the true test of a person's education is the influence it has upon the hearts and minds of the people. In education the subjects learned are not the only important factors. Environment must not be overlooked. The mind is influenced, not only by the course of lessons, but by the conditions under which the instruction was given. Aside from the subjects taught, education wields an influence upon character. A student who is trained to mental, physical and spiritual labor absorbs cardinal virtues in addition to knowledge. The church contributes its part to the youth's education and to the attainment of success. This factor in development tends to make character and helps to higher ideals. Success is not impossible to obtain, for nothing can hinder a young man, ablaze with determination for succeeding. Success means more than broad acres, large herds, and heavily laden granaries. It does mean however, enterprise, thrift, skill and self-denial. It is also closely associated with kindness to others and the help given in the community. The one mutual thing that all men strive for, is in the end, success in what they strive for, whether the aim be good or bad. This desire is only satisfied by this hope of future attainment.
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Mary Louise Clapp of Collegeport was the center of interest in that loyal community last week. Mary Louise was accorded as much loving interest as the sole member of the Bay View School graduating class as if there had been 30 members. Her oration, “Success,” was pleasingly rendered and bespoke the spirit of the girl who is a winner in her endeavors. May Mary Louise continue to take the honors that come her way.
Matagorda County Tribune, June 4, 1926 |
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COLLEGEPORT, Mrs. Van Wormer is survived by
five sons, among them being Dr. Van Wormer, president of the Collegeport
Fig Orchards Company, and Mrs. S. B. Sims. All of her sons live in
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COLLEGEPORT, "The committee appointed to secure funds for placing tile culverts in the road leading to the cemetery has completed the work and beg leave to submit the following report: Total subscriptions.......................$77.80 Less those unpaid............................5.00 ______ Total cash collected $72.80 Paid out-- 11 joints of tile..............................$22.00 Labor and hauling..........................31.75 Cement..........................................12.50 _____ Total cost.....................................$66.55 Cash on hand..................................6.25 _____ $72.80 When the uncollected subscriptions are paid there will be a balance of $11.25 which sum your committee recommends be turned over to the treasurer of the King's Daughters to be used for cemetery work.
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COLLEGEPORT ACTIVITIES
Earliest Rice Crop in
COLLEGEPORT,
Rice in this section will suffer unless water comes very soon, was the opinion of the local rice men. That there is plenty of water in the river and two small rises coming was reported this week. Every day the breach in the works that takes the water which should come here seems smaller and should soon be filled, rice men think.
Fig orchards are clean and large crops of figs
are beginning to swell. Manager S. B. Sims was called to
Collegeport was shocked Sunday morning with the first death that has occurred here in more than two years. The deceased, Mrs. Van Wormer, mother of Mrs. S. B. Sims and Dr. W. W. Van Wormer, president of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company, was visiting with her daughter here and came here for her health. She was bothered with a weak heart. She had been very ill for nearly two weeks and her death was anticipated.
Mrs. Van Wormer became suddenly much worse last
Sunday morning early. She continued worse until she passed quietly
to her anticipated reward at The deceased is the mother of eight boys and one girl. One boy preceded her to the other world. Her husband passed away several years ago. All of her children are well educated and accomplished. There are four doctors and three business men of the boys. Mrs. Sims is an accomplished artist, making china painting her specialty. Nearly everyone in Collegeport knew "Grandma Van," as she was affectionately called, who came to the city last fall. She was quiet and did not go out often because of her malady but she was known and loved and any time she went out was greeted by hosts of friends who knew and loved her mother-like personality.
"Grandma Van" was buried in
Indicative of the prosperity in the Collegeport
delta is the fact that so many people are vacationing this year. L.
E. Liggett and family are off for a two months tour of the North.
Roy Nelson and family left for
Mr. and Mrs. King and family attended graduating
exercises at
J. Louis Janes, a prominent automobile man from
the Sermon themes announced for First Church of Collegeport are "Economical Living as Taught by Jesus" and "How to Get What You Must Have." Both of these themes are practical, life-solving themes and intended for inspiration and instruction of those worshiping. Sunday week had been established as Children's Day. There will be two special programs that day. In the morning there will be an unusual children's program of dramatic and musical interest. At night there will be a musical-drama sermon on a Children's Day theme.
Monday morning Rev. H. Paul Janes will go to
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Collegeport, Texas, June 22.—The man who said there was nothing new in the world was not posted. This is the story of a new thing in Collegeport. It is about a fine feather thrown off by that fine bird, The Collegeport Fig Orchards Company. But before we go on with the story let’s tell another. Many have wondered how the word, Magnolia, came to be attached to the fruit which bears that name? Many have been the reason. Who has not heard about the man who came through this coast country years ago selling Magnolia trees? Many bought and set them out, but when they matured, behold they produced figs. Hence they were called Magnolia figs. It is a good name at that. But very likely the name came from way back. Once upon a time, so the story goes, there lived a man named Adam, and with him his wife, Eve. The latter woke up one day and realized that she was naked and as she could not go to a local store and buy dress goods, she reached up and plucked from a tree a few leaves and with them covered her nakedness. The tree became a favorite loafing place for Adam and Eve and often they reclined beneath its foliage and ate the delicious fruit. During these times they talked of their neighbors. You know Cain, after he had killed the world’s first husbandman, went over the county line and took a wife. Very likely these were the people Adam and Eve discussed. Among them was a woman named Maggie, but she was commonly called Mag, and Eve often said, “Mag knows you all.” After a while this was contracted into Magnolia and then one day in a happy moment, Adam said, “Let’s call this tree the Magnolia fig tree.” There is, of course, no proof that this is true, but it might be. Who knows? Anyway, we have the Magnolia fig, the fruit of the kings and the king of fruits, God has seen to it that only in a certain territory will it mature to its greatest perfection and the Texas Midcoast is in the very heart of this favored section. Here it is that the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company has planted something like 505 acres much of which is at this writing loaded with fruit. With such a crop in sight it became necessary to arrange for its preservation and failing to make favorable contracts with existing preserving plants, they resolved to build and equip one of their own. A copy of the prospectus is before the writer and from it he gleans the following data: The name will be the Collegeport Packing Company, organized under the laws of Texas. The capital will consist of 300 shares of a par value of $50 each. These will be sold on generous terms. The charter provides for the canning and preserving of figs, vegetables, and food products and handling the same. No commissions will be paid and every penny received from stock sales will be used for equipment, supplies, labor and marketing. The organizers offer the stock, first to those who have purchased fig orchards, at the rate of four shares for each block of fig orchard owned. After these have been satisfied the books will be opened for subscriptions from others who realizing that this is a first class investment, may desire to purchase. The plan is a clean cut business proposition; it is an honest effort to provide an outlet for the fruit and vegetables of this section and will be officered by capable and trustworthy men. The building is about 80 feet by 40 feet and has been erected and canning machinery is being ordered. Installation will proceed rapidly as the crop will soon be ready for handling. The men in charge of the local work have earned and enjoy the respect of our citizens and it is the policy of those back of these enterprises to place none but trusty men on guard. “The Sweetheart of Collegeport: would be a good name for these figs. They are sweet and this industry comes mighty close to the heart of Collegeport.
Matagorda County Tribune, June 11, 1926 |
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COLLEGEPORT, Nevertheless, Messrs. Sims and
Sapp, both very much interested in the project, are busy bringing in
sand and cement and are awaiting news from The establishing of a fig cannery here has other possibilities. First it will assure a local station for disposing of figs both from the orchards of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company and from the orchards of local growers. There are several small orchards which will supply figs and others in possibility. Second, Mr. Sims mentioned the possibility of canning beans, peas, corn, tomatoes and other vegetables that grow luxuriously here. If such arrangements can be made farmers will be informed in time to make a crop this fall or next spring. Figs all over the Delta are swelling fast and recent rains are pushing a large crop along nicely. Almost all the Collegeport Fig Company's orchards are in nice shape and heavily loaded with figs. V R. Haisley, who grows a quantity of figs every year, has a nice crop on his trees that will begin to ripen early. Nine thousand acres of the
earliest rice in the
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COLLEGEPORT, Signed by E. Mann, secretary and treasurer of the company, the letter announced "To finance packing company at Collegeport, Texas, in caring for and marketing the 1926 crop should, and can be done," according to a plan of selling stock to the owners of orchards. A prospectus of the "Collegeport Packing Company" states: The company "having approximately five hundred (500) acres in figs at Collegeport, Texas, the Collegeport Packing Company will be organized for the purpose of establishing a plant for the canning and preserving of figs, vegetables and other food products and handling same in the most advantageous manner as may be determined by the directors of such company." In explaining the reason for determining to establish a canning plant this year the prospectus says, "Collegeport Fig Orchards Company being unable to negotiate an acceptable contract with any preserving company in a near locality to care for the 1926 and future fig crops of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company; it is agreed by the directors of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company that there should be and will be organized under the laws of the State of Texas the Collegeport Packing Company." "All proceeds received from sale of stock shall be used for the purpose of construction, purchase of necessary machinery and installation thereof, and the procurement of supplies, materials, labor, etc., necessary in the gathering, preserving and marketing of the 1926 and future fig crops of Collegeport fig orchards." The capital stock of the new company is announced to consist of three hundred shares having a par value of fifty dollars per share. Only a mention of canning of other products than figs is made in the prospectus. Manager S. B. Sims, however, intimated that it is planned to can other products that grow well in this section after this season. E. Mann, secretary and treasurer
of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company, is handling the funds of the
new packing company until its officers shall be designated. Officers of
the Fig Orchards Company other than Mr. Mann are: Dr. W. W. Van Wormer,
president; E. L. Seward, vice president, and S. B. Sims, orchard
superintendent. The main office of the company is in Announcements of plans to reorganize the choir of the First Church of Collegeport were made Sunday. All those interested in singing were invited to rehearse Wednesday night. Plans for exceptional services Fourth of July Sunday were made and put into execution. Fuller details will be announced next week. Rev. H. Paul Janes announced at his sermon theme for Sunday, "Making Sin Pay," and "Why Not Love the World?" These two themes will be discussed Sunday morning and evening respectively. There will be special music by the choir and male quartet. Hon. Royal Dixon, who was to
have visited the Delta country during the month of June, in interest of
scientific research, was compelled to postpone his visit until this
winter, according to dispatches received from him this week. Matters in
the North especially at Six of the Collegeport's young
people are away on vacations to religious camps at summer resorts now.
Misses Dorothy Franzen, Mae Dickinson and Louise Walters and Mr. Arnold
Franzen are at
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Two fig preserving plants are now under way in this county, one at Collegeport and the other one here. The
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The Collegeport Woman’s Circle reported since December, bad roads having prevented their delegates from attending the federation meetings since that time. They have 17 members, with an average of 12 attending their regular monthly meetings. A play was given in March which netted $12, one-half of which was given to the federation scholarship fund. The club served cold drinks on Collegeport Day—May 25—and cleared $30, which sum was used to paint the Library building. The president, with assistance, has repaired all the worn books in the Library, and with the balance in the treasury of $29.15, new books will be purchased. The club helped to pay for the permanent stage in the community house, also had charge of the decorations for the graduating exercises in May, furnishing the same. A new walk and steps in front of the Library will soon be completed, the work and material being donated by the Industrial League.
Matagorda County Tribune, September 10, 1926 |
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Plant Now Under Construction; Will Start About September 10 (Palacios Beacon) Officials of the Crawford Packing Company of Palacios announced this week the consolidation of the Fig Canning Industries in this section, when on September 1 they took over and are completing the cannery which was being installed at Collegeport by the Collegeport Packing Company, a tentative organization with headquarters at Springfield, Ill. This consolidation is considered to mean much to the packing industry in this section. Sell in 38 States Carlton Crawford, president of
the Crawford Packing Company, stated that the products of the Crawford
Packing Company are being distributed in 38 states of the The cannery at Collegeport was started under the supervision of S. B. Sims, orchard superintendent of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company. Mr. Crawford complimented Mr. Sims for his efficiency in constructing the new fig plant and the promptness with which he acted in order to get the cannery ready to take care of this year's crop on the 500 acres of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company. The Crawford Packing Company is a packer of figs, shrimp, tamales and chili, and has been in business in Palacios for six years, during which time its growth has been constant and its business successful. The consolidation was arranged by the Collegeport Packing Company transferring their stock to the Crawford Packing Company. Opens September 10. Mr. Crawford said his company's Collegeport cannery will begin to operate about September 10, which will be in plenty of time to take care of the Collegeport fig crop. W. C. Tucker, formerly superintendent of the Palacios cannery, has been transferred to the Collegeport cannery. He announced that he will need 10 or 15 ladies to work in the cannery during the canning season. The Collegeport Packing Company was established by Dr. W. W. VanWormer and his associates of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company, and the cannery started in time to take care of the 1926 crop. Seeing the great advantage through consolidation of the canning industries of this section, to the growers and stockholders, and the value of selling their figs to an established organization of good repute and wide distributing facilities, the new arrangement was made and is now in operation.
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Equipment at the plant consists of a new 600-foot artesian well, steam boiler, three 175-gallon kettles, canner, vats and building with concrete floor. W. C. Tucker, formerly of the Crawford Packing Company's plant, is in charge of operations. The Collegeport Fig Orchards Company's 500-acre orchard will supply most of the fruit for the cannery. At present the figs are being taken to Palacios. This year's crop will be packed under the Crawford Packing Company's label, S. B. Sims, superintendent, said. Mr. Crawford stated that the greatest part of this year's products is already sold, the New York Central Lines and Pennsylvania Railroad System being the largest customers.
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THOUGHTS WHILE PICKING COTTON By Harry Austin Clapp Collegeport, Texas, Oct. 12.--It is a common custom when a "bromide" meets a friend to greet with "well what do you know?" In my opinion this is a bit of the commonest nonsense but still this is the greeting. I enjoy it about as much as a slap on the back which is another rube method of greeting. Well, what do you know? I know that when the federal department of agriculture issued the cotton report September 16 it started cotton down the slide and now comes a later report that swells the estimated crop 817,000 bales. No wonder cotton slipped about $4 per bale. Secretary Mellon says that "in his belief the federal reserve system is able to cope with financing the cotton situation." Yes, it is able to lend money to corporation, co-op associations but God save the poor devil with one or two bales, the only thing that stands between him and his family for the next few months. Cotton costs about 18 cents to make and at present it takes half the crop to pay for picking. God save the cotton farmer for the federal reserve will not! Had a letter from Mr. Gillespie the other day in which he says, "When I feel blue I shall take out your letter and read it again." That is one good turn to my credit. Mr. Gillespie is editor and main screw of the Houston Chronicle. When is a preacher not a pastor. Early in August cotton worms appeared in my patch but in a week they disappeared. About 100 quail make their home in the patch and I give them credit. In September another worm arrived, a gorgeous fellow with his pea green coat, striped with black. His head looked like a bright coral bead. He seemed to like weeds better than cotton and quickly stripped them of their leaves leaving a spike only. I noticed two climbing a stalk, one ahead of the other and at last one arrived at the top while the other tried to go the limit also. But number one resented the intrusion and savagely bit the other fellow and drove him back. Finding himself secure in possession of the top he stretched about an inch and looked over the world. He had gained the top and there was nothing more to gain and so he retraced his steps and soon was feeding along with the other fellow. Is this not just like men? Harry Haines is certainly telling our folks the advantage of a two party system for Texas. Harris is one fine man and would make a splendid governor even if he is a republican. Wonder when Mrs. Ferguson will resign. Too bad the senate killed the gas tax bill. Looks to a fellow, thinking between cotton rows, that we need the money and it would be an easy tax to pay. Well from what I read in the papers edited by Will Rogers, the good old U. S. A. is in bad over in Europe. What do we care? We have the money and money buys honey. Looks as though Palacios would soon have more banking facilities. The "City by the Sea" is certainly growing. At the present rate Palaciosanios will soon be making another try to divide the county and become the county seat. Had a nice letter from that prince of good fellows, Nat Wetzel of Raymondville. A lovable fellow is Nat and always doing something for the other fellow. If the commissioners court of Hidalgo County has nothing to fear, why did they use every effort to prevent the probe bill going through? Wonder how many of the experts in the A. and M. extension service could make a living on a farm with limited capital. Many have tried but all are glad to get back under the sheltering wings of the pay check. Wish Briggs could see the Collegeport Quartette in action. He sure would produce some good pictures. Homer Goff's mouth is round when he sings "Way Down in the Corn Field," Paul Janes' Mouth is vertical, Mac's is a slit while Jack Holsworth's is just too sweet for anything. Anyway their voices blend and one can actually see them all working in "the cawn field." Mary Louise is some cotton picker. Why, do you know she can pick almost ____ pounds per day. [The blank is part of the original article.] Roy Miller went to Corpus Christi the other day to dig out the channel so the first boat could get in. He did not dig deep enough so had to ask help from C. B. Gillespie. The ship came in. I have never seen a man grow so fast as T. O. Walton. He is now president of the Texas A. and M. and has earned every step of the way by burning the midnight kerosene. A. D. Jackson is another fellow who has advanced by hard effort and by overcoming obstacles that would have put many a man on the mat. Like to think of the times I have visited with Uncle Judd. He takes down his big pipe, loads her up, rubs his bald head and then conversation begins. No wonder everybody loves Uncle Judd. Wonder why Clarence Holland did not help Gillespie dig that channel. The Texas Midcoast Industrial Congress should be at work again. It did splendid work back in the early nineteen tens and twelves. W. S. Holman and Frank Hardy were presidents. There is need for it. It still lives and as secretary I receive as many as ten inquiries some weeks. We need such an organization in the Texas Midcoast. Remember Fustino Kiber, George Culver, Goodwin Sterne? Remember the "old shell pile" at Matagorda and what was found there? Carey Smith was press agent at that time. Dog gone this cotton. Takes a long time to pick one hundred pounds. Wish some one would invent a machine. Henry Mayo is now telling people how to be safe when a railway train is approaching. R. W. Persons is back on the road as district agent. Wonder if this is a demotion. Great loss to Texas when Dock Bizzell went to Oklahoma. But Texas is too poor to keep great men. First thing we know Walton will fly to greener pastures. Just a few thoughts while the sun beats down and I pick and pick and pick while my thoughts wander far afield. Matagorda County
Tribune, October 15, 1926 |
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By Harry Austin Clapp
Collegeport, Texas, Oct. 21--Rev. Frank Norris thinks that a preacher should have the same justice as a bootlegger. He is right. He should have the same punishment also. Preachers are simply men and often are simple men.
Wonder why a merchant uses space in the month of October to say, "Now is the time to put your clothes away for the summer months?" Good way to distribute money.
Two boys and two girls in a Ford coupe, the girls sitting on the boys' laps. What are the parents thinking to allow this?
A boy came into a local store the other day and asked for beer yeast. Wonder what kind of yeast it is.
One sure way to build up a town is for a local man to solicit his neighbors to buy their groceries from the merchants of another town. This method certainly puts pep into the local dealer.
It's a pitiful thing to watch two stories die.
Several meetings have been held to discuss the cotton situation but all they do is to appoint committees to examine into farm conditions. Action is demanded, not discussions.
Is it the people's business to construct a dam or some other mechanism so that the irrigation company can still use gravity water? If so, let's get busy.
The Collegeport Industrial League is still looking after "little things" such as improving the cemetery, building a walk for the library.
Dan Moody will have the greatest opportunity. He will either make a wonderful success or an astonishing failure.
With cotton selling at 8.75, wonder when the bottom will be reached.
Frank Simonds says "The German monarchists have deserted the emperor and become moderate republicans." The sun of hope is rising for Germans.
Our preachers ought to read the Layman's Sermon by Judge Norman Kittrell and use if for a model. Good clean common sense Christian teaching and the Chronicle is to be envied that it has the privilege of printing these sermons.
Will Rogers has evolved the only solution to the congested traffic problem. He says, "Keep off the roads all cars that are not paid for." It is so simple I wonder why I did not think of it.
Down here in Collegeport perhaps two or three cars would be in operation.
Ever read "Quillen Quips" by Robert Quillen? Some pretty hot tips on these quips.
Looking over a fig leaf the other day it struck me that Eve must have used a palm leaf. Don't see how a fig leaf would cover any nakedness but at that it would be better than the dressing of the modern girl.
Dr. J. J. Taubenhaus, plant pathologist of the Texas A. and M. experiment station, says that 16 per cent of the cotton in Texas was killed by root rot. Long live root rot. We need more root rot. We need more root rot and less head rot to control the price of cotton. Anything that will force a cut in planting is good stuff.
Dr. J. B. Cranfill in Sunday Chronicle tells about a chance he had to become a rich man from oil development. In the year 1904 I visited the plant of R. E. Olds & Son, Lansing, Mich. They made a little one cylinder car that was steered with a stick. I was offered some stock way down. I had $4000 cash and I turned the offer down. Dr. Cranfill says after telling his story of lost opportunity, "If I had--but I will not dwell upon incidents of this kind." I say, "Ditto." Did you ever notice the resemblance between Cecil B. DeMille and Judd Mortimer Lewis? Both lack hair on their cocos but both have that wonderful smile radiating love for humanity.
Wish all you folks could meet Hugo Kundinger. Whole-souled genial fellow who runs the best equipped and neatest cold drink establishment in Matagorda County. I mean he thinks he runs it. Hattie is the man behind the fizz stuff.
One day I was in Dr. Sholars office when he had a girl from Caney in the chair. After cleaning out a cavity he blew some air from a hand pump into the tooth and she jumped. "Did you feel that air?" he asked. "That air what?" she inquired. Some authority has said that "everything is relative." For that reason cotton is relative. Working from that statement, cotton is cotton, whether it is worth 10 cents or 30. Suffering catfish, don't it make one tired to read the many solutions to the cotton situation? Terrell says burn it, some one says hold it, another says cut down on the acreage, another advises finding new uses for cotton. Lots of hot air is being circulated and it gets the cotton farmer nowhere. If farmers would hold a Lula the price of cotton would no longer worry them, keep their children out of school or cause their wives to enter a closet and cry to God for help. A Lula is five aces. It is a hand no man ever beat. Five aces in the farmer's hand means, raise your own feed, keep a cow, a sow, a chicken, a garden. Raise cotton on the side. A Lula will solve the farmer's cotton troubles as well as all other troubles.
Matagorda County Tribune, October 22, 1926
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Mrs. Carl Boeker entertained four tables of bridge at a 1 o’clock bridge luncheon, at her home in Collegeport last Saturday afternoon. Out of town guests were: Mrs. Gus Sisson, Mrs. (Dr.) Wager, Mrs. Noble Hayes, Mrs. Luther and Mrs. Crippen. The affair was a farewell for Mrs. S. B. Sims, who is leaving November 3 for Chicago, New York and other points. The first prize was awarded to Mrs. Sisson, the second to Mrs. Crippen and the consolation to Mrs. Luther. This afternoon Mrs. Sims will entertain with a three table bridge luncheon.
Matagorda County Tribune, November 5, 1926 |
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At her Collegeport home last Saturday afternoon, Mrs. S. B. Sims complimented Mrs. (Dr.) Putnam, of Denver, Colorado, with a three-table bridge luncheon, at which were gathered several visiting ladies from Palacios and Blessing with the invited guests from among the ladies of Collegeport. The prizes were won, first, Mrs. Gus Sisson, of Palacios, Mrs. Putnam, the guest prize, and booby by Mrs. Hayes, of Palacios. Mrs. Putnam is the guest of her mother, Mrs. S. W. Corse, for the winter.
Matagorda County Tribune, November 5, 1926 |
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"And Jack shall pipe, and Gil shall dance, And all the town be merry. Though others' purses be more fat, Why should we pine, or grieve at that? Hang sorrow! Care will kill a cat, And therefore let's be merry." --Wither.
The beautiful bay shore home of Burton D. Hurd, now occupied by Mr. Carl Boeker, has been the scene of many happy affairs as all the "old timers" well remember but perhaps none more festiverous than the "bal masque" given Friday night, November 5, under the patronage of Mesdames Boeker and Sims. The night was all that could be desired and by 9 o'clock about 35 couples from all parts of the county were dancing happy hours away. Space forbids description of all the many beautiful costumes but a few must be mentioned. A survey of the dress discloses that expense and work had not entered into any of the schemes, for they ranged from dignified Spanish Dons to dainty little butterflies and, Yo, Ho! And a bucket of rum! For four pirates bold appeared. They came from Gulf, hence the reason for being prepared to compel captives to walk the plank. Two striking costumes were worn by Messrs. Pletzer and Beatty, dressed as Spanish Dons while the pirates were the persons of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hawkins and Mr. and Mrs. S. I. Robinson. Skull and cross bones, daggers handy and buckets of blood were in evidence.
Miss Mary Louise Clapp dressed in typical Mexican Charro costume was the escort of Ella May Chiles as a Mexican senorita. One young lady from Gulf dressed in old Colonial was a feature while Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Vernon Chapin truthfully represented George and Martha Washington. Mrs. Emmet Chiles wore by all means the best disguise and fooled her closest friends by its completeness. Every one missed Fleming Chiles but the duck season is on and very important business called him away. Miss Kate Douglas of Palacios won first prize as a beautiful blue butterfly while H. W. Pletzer of Gulf won first prize on the gentleman's side. In the dancing contest Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hawkins won out, though closely pressed by Mr. and Mrs. S. I. Robinson. Bright lights, sparkling eyes, beautiful costumes, dames and gallants supplied a kaleidoscope of colors that charmed the eye and all regretted when the hour to dance "Home, Sweet Home," was rung.
These dances are in no way what might be called public affairs but are given in a private home and strictest order and decorum are required. They have furnished wholesome amusement for the young people of the county. It is to the credit of those who have attended that the behavior has been that of gentlemen and ladies.
Grandmothers with their grandchildren on their knees, mothers with babes in their arms, little children playing about the spacious rooms add to the attraction. Fathers and mothers come with their sons and daughters all combine to make these dances county-get-together affairs. Mrs. Boeker announced that a dance will be given every Friday night with a special for Friday night, November 26, as a Thanksgiving dance, with some extra features. Rumor says that during the winter a costume dance will be given but date has not been announced.
Matagorda County
Tribune, November 12, 1926 - from the Scrapbook of Harry Austin
Clapp |
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Game Warden Thos. T. Waddell of this city and Chas. Schauerhammer and Jimmie Dunaway of Bellville made a hunting trip to Collegeport Tuesday, where the two Belvillians got their limit of 25 ducks each, and Mr. Waddell his limit of geese, four. Two of the geese bagged by Mr. Waddell were white Canadian geese, all solid white with the exception of the tips of the wings. The Headlight returns thanks to our game warden for a fine goose dinner enjoyed at our home through his kindness.—Eagle Lake Headlight.
Matagorda County Tribune, November 12, 1926 |
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Official Organ of the County Department of Education. Edited by Claire F. Pollard Published by Volume II Number 8
The Bay View consolidated school
has four ambitious, progressive teachers. The attendance at this school
is falling off, due to the fact that several families are moving away. A
sewing class under the leadership of Miss Mildred Holtz, primary
teacher, is planning to dress some Friendship dolls to send to
The first one was about representation in congress. Some of us wanted to have representatives according to population, some according to size. But the smaller states didn't want it either way. We could not think of a thing until some one said something about having two houses in congress. It was finally agreed to have two representatives in senate and representatives according to population in the house of representatives. The two senators are to be elected by the state legislature and the representatives will be elected by the people, one for every thirty thousand of population.
The last thing we have to come to is about commerce. The New England States wanted congress to have full control of commerce and the Southern farmers didn't want it that way because they were afraid they would be charged an export tax. We decided to give congress control over commerce, with the right to tax imports, but not exports.
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Judge Dancy down in Cameron County is a wise old boy. He wants to satisfy the people so he reduces the rate, boosts the value and gets more cash, but the people are pleased with a 13-cent reduction. Judge Dancy is the poorest writer in the world. No one can possibly read his writing but then all great men are poor writers.
W. T. Eldridge is accounted a very astute business man but his proposition that the people buy 18,000,000 mattresses shows that even W. T. has a screw loose. I suppose he wants them to buy Sealy mattresses.
Some people have felt sorry for Jack Hill because all his cotton was not picked. Well he took 32 bales from 19 acres so he is not worrying much. He is a good farmer, a likeable fellow and he is one of the few farmers who keeps accurate books on his business.
Sunny Slope farm looks deserted. Wonder where the master of Sunny Slope is?
Does a school teacher commit crime if she attends a dance? Some people think so, others think she could do many things much worse. I rather she would dance than to pet or neck and heaps of girls do both.
Mercedes has secured F. N. Clifford as manager of the Chamber of Commerce. He is the boy who dressed in white clothes, displayed himself in Houston and won columns of publicity for Cuero. The cotton was grown, ginned, woven, tailored in DeWitt County. I predict that ere long he will dress in oranges, grapefruit and other Valley products.
Farmers west of the bay all busy getting the ground ready for planting. This activity is missing on the east side. Different breed of men is my guess.
Homer Goff has raised a rice crop that averaged 19 sacks per acre. With no water or land rent Homer is easy.
When Harry Haines returned from his vacation during which time he spread the republican gospel, he was rewarded by having a tin can presented to him. The Houston Chamber of Commerce will hunt a long time before they find another Haines.
Two men asked me if I would can a steer for them on shares. Sure thing bring on your steers. My family will enjoy canned meat. October 15, 1916, I canned a thousand-pound steer for Will Thompson. Ten years and one month from that day we opened the can and found the meet as sweet and good as the day it was put up.
The gin is a great place for gossip. Men waiting their turn discuss crops, government aid, bankers aid, and have a great time.
Got my bale ginned. It weighed 580 pounds and graded middling. Was offered 10.20 for it middling basis. At this price it would take $4.69 for half of it to equal the expense of picking, cartage, ginning, and this leaves nothing for seed or labor or planting or cultivating. Guess I will buy a mattress.
Men are bound to become friendly with the dairy cow for next year or two. This old stand-by is always ready and never fails. Of course I refer to Holstein cows. The black and white is the greatest machine in the world for turning out a cheap product. No other animal approaches her value in this respect. Saw a man who had kept a record of his cotton drop and he stated that the actual cost was eight cents per pound more than he was offered on November 13. Unlucky day for him. Good time to buy a cow, a sow, a hen, put in a garden and feed crop. Five aces never can be beaten. It’s a Lula that never fails. Pat Richmond says, “A rice farmer this year will associate with any one no matter how low he may be.”
Sherman said that “War is hell.” That was years ago and he never saw the roads from Collegeport to Palacios. They are simply hellish. Some day after we are sleeping under the daisies this country will have better roads.
What a lovable fellow is Duncan Ruthven. Had a good visit with him talking over memories of the Matagorda shell pile. Wonder what was in that shell pile that forbids us to forget it?
Mary Louise helped to pick the cotton so she went along to see it ginned. Certainly am proud of my kid even if they do call her Squeeze.
Killing blacks by the bunch at Gaston. Terrible crime and some one or five or six should go the chair. At Collegeport we only kill one at a time. Furnishes farm hands for the state.
God grant that some day a causeway will be built across the bay at Collegeport. When that is done Palacios people can come over and buy their groceries for less money than at home. I am urging them to take an interest in this causeway for this reason. If Palacios was the county seat of Palacios County us Collegeports could easily go to court. Let us pray.
Mrs. Oscar Vernon Chapin so well represented the character of Martha Washington at the masquerade the other night that her friends no longer address her as Ora but as Martha. What’s in a name? a rose will smell as sweet, etc.
Carey Smith brags about the aroma of roasting ducks in his home. He should visit Homecroft and smell our aroma. He is not by all means the only duck eater. There are others.
Matagorda County Tribune, November 19, 1926
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Reading compels thought and so when I read what Thoreau once wrote, “there are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil, to one who is striking at the root” the thought came that he must have been thinking of the present cotton situation for it is literally true that many of our experts are hacking at the branches while only one strikes at the root. The root is way down out of sight, it is in the heart of the cotton farmer, and only the wise birds see it. Longfellow also wrote a wise thing, “most people will succeed in small things, if they were not troubled by great ambitions.” To many a small plot of ground well tilled, to cause it to yield the utmost in food and feed is a small thing. Most farmers have the ambition to farm big tracts. They scorn anything less than four or five hundred acres.
Matt Pierce has left Collegeport to live in Edinburg. Here he was the only real estate trader. Down in the Valley fully 90 per cent of the people are real estate bugs. Competition is the sauce of business and he will have plenty of sauce. Glad he did not follow the example of others and tear down his home. Collegeport is about down to bedrock and her people ought to begin to build.
Grace Church has been de-consecrated and de-erected and the material moved to Palacios where it will still be used for the glory of God. Took some argument to bring this about and save material that not only was consecrated to God by also consecrated tears, hearts, blood and memories, from being used for secular purposes. I claim to be a lawabiding man but had this material been used for any other purpose arson would have been committed and I would have been a criminal. Doctor Norris was charged with burning a church and got away clear so there would have been hope for me.
Alaska, so I read, if placed on the United States would stretch from Pensacola, Fla., to San Diego, Calif. It moved the center of population from Indiana to San Francisco. Bought for two cents per acre it represents the world’s greatest real estate deal and the most profitable.
Do I believe in the hereafter? Yes, I do but I do not know. I do not think any man knows for none have returned to tell the story of what happened after crossing the river. I have faith to believe that I wish I could know that some day I would see my mother. Noah Webster says, “faith is that which is believed on any subject whether science or religion, especially the system of truth taught by Christ; as the Christian faith.” Yes, I have faith to believe, that I shall live again, but I do not know. Some day I shall know. One thing I do know and that is God never wastes and a soul is the most precious thing of His creations. “Life’s a funny proposition after all.”—George Cohen.
Dan Moody will buy a Sealy mattress. Guess W. T. is all right after all.
How many of you read A Layman’s Sermon by Judge Kittrell in last Sunday’s Chronicle? It is titled Thou Shalt Not. Good reading. I was married in Owosso, Mich., so when James Oliver Curwood was ready to write The Alaskan he went to Owosso, Mich. Hot diggity dam, but that’s a real he man story. Red hot fights. It tells the story of the spoliation of Alaska. For that alone it is worth your time.
December Photoplay says “In Hollywood are many bad actors.” Not necessary to go so far to find bad actors. Plenty at home. I know of several very bad actors but perhaps a bad actor is better than one who is in no way an actor.
“The art of conversation is almost dead,” says John Barrymore and how true it is. How few man can intelligently converse on world-wide topics, art, literature, science, economy. Guess the art of reading good stuff is also almost dead.
Say, ain’t it a grand and glorious feeling when your only son comes home after a four-years’ absence? Have just had the experience and, boy, I am telling you that it is grand and glorious.
Matagorda County Tribune, November 26, 1926
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Mr. H. B. Clapp, of Chicago, has been spending a few days with his father, H. A. Clapp, of Collegeport. Mr. Clapp is manager of the railway department of the Mercury Mfg. Co., manufacturing devices for unloading railway cars and ships and transferring freight. At Houston he was in conference with officials of the S. P. Lines regarding installations in the new freight house. He also inspected the Ports of Houston, Galveston and Corpus Christi and expressed amazement at these wonderful works. He expects to spend some time during the coming year in Texas port cities, in the interest of his firm.
Matagorda County Tribune, November 26, 1926 |
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Official Organ of the County Department of Education. Edited by Claire F. Pollard Published by Courtesy Matagorda County Tribune Volume II. Number 11. Collegeport and Citrus Grove held their usual joint Thanksgiving get-to-gether at Citrus Grove to the enjoyment of all parties who attended. The state aid inspector for rural schools, Mr. Jefferson G. Smith, visited Bay View (Collegeport) and Midfield schools; he made a favorable report on conditions there and these two schools will receive some state aid this year. (Collegeport items taken from longer article.) Matagorda County
Tribune, December 3, 1926 |
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Some of the best books I have read this fall leave little for the imagination and this is true of Collegeport. For years we have dreamed and imagined so much that we have little imagination left and some of us no longer care. A doctor would diagnose our trouble as faulty elimination and prescribe nujol. By taking this remedy we might eliminate some of the things that produce inactivity, don’t caredness, let her slide. Yes, nujol would do the business.
The other day a man said to me, “The trouble is that for 20 years this burg has been feeding on itself and the pantry is about bare. Most of us having nothing to do but wait for the mail.” ‘Tis true and pity ‘tis true.
I have little sympathy for the narrow-minded fellow who would reject Al Smith because he is a Roman-Catholic. He is a red-blooded American, has made New York a good governor and would make a good president. I am strong for Calvin but if the next president must be a democrat I am for Al.
An old Vermont republican voted in the last democratic primary so he is on line to vote for Al.
St. Anthony fell and so did this repub. One fell for a fairy, the other for Dan. Anthony had more fun. Wonder why we can’t all behave like human beings?
Since 1895 there has been five campaigns for the reduction of cotton acreage and in each case there has been a rise in price. Why not take a lesson from the past and reduce in 1927? If the farmer only realized his power! Maybe it’s a good thing for the rest of the world that he does not. If every farmer would resolve to produce one less bale and put on one more cow the problem would be solved provided, of course, the cow was a Holstein. No sobbing over prices next year.
Sorry to learn of the illness of Robert J. Kleberg. One time I traveled to San Benito to hear him speak. When I went to Kingsville to lecture on cows, although I sent him a special invitation, he did not honor my meeting with his presence. Don’t blame him for he is a Jersey fan.
Houston is the natural gateway for the “Magic Valley” and at one time had her “tentackles” firmly fixed on the Valley but San Antonio is slowly but certainly prying her loose and grabbing the cream. Houston boasts of 250,000 inhabitants and yet can raise only 67 who are interested enough to visit the Valley Fair at Harlingen. Looks like Roy Miller for manager of the Houston Chamber of Commerce.
It is announced that Royal Dixon will make Collegeport his home for the purpose of making a study of birds and bugs. He will find material a-plenty for we not only have some fine birds but plenty of bugs.
Listen to this promise: “The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night, the Lord shall preserve thee from all evil.” Isn’t this a wonderful promise? It means that nothing can harm this community provided we do our part. If we do our part we are sure that the Fig Orchard Company will do theirs for they have always been in the van.
I am not permitted to make certain plans public just now but they have eight plans for development the coming year. Each a separate, comprehensive unit. Seven are entirely feasible but one will require time, money, tact and there is no doubt that even then it can be realized. The fig company is composed of men who having ample financial backing are still so conservative that they make no promise or contracts that they are not able to carry to a conclusion. Rice and cotton may come and go but the fig and fruit and vegetable products with the hen, sow and dairy products will be the means of bringing prosperity to this community and when it comes those of us who are honest will willingly give Dr. Van Wormer and his associates full credit.
Not many years ago one could see on Sunday morning 20 or 30 teams with wagons, buggies, saddle horses hitched around the church and many people came on foot. Today $10,000 worth of autos are parked about the same church building. Some who live within a block use an auto for the journey. Jesus rode an ass. We call this progress. Wonder if with all this progress we have not forgotten the Great Teacher.
Matagorda County Tribune, December 10, 1926
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By Harry Austin Clapp
Collegeport, Texas, Dec. 10.--A cowman with $45 boots. Russet leather with white inlay. Here comes a girl with painted lips, the upper several shades brighter than the lower lip. Another cowman driving an auto, spurs on his boots. The usual crowd just "waiting for the evening mail." Giggling girls, boys hunting dates, men with the cotton problem. One boy has found his duck. The station agent giving an imitation of John Gilpin. The girl with painted cheeks who says, "Mr. Corse, they ain't no package for me is they?" Can't open my box; wish someone would gimme a match." Girls with spike heel shoes teetering along. Little short man smoking pipe with curved stem. Looks like a German but he is not. School teachers all dolled up, stockings rolled. Put, put, put, put, only an oyster boat going up the Collegeport ship channel (Pilkington Slough). Robert Murry rolling his own and shooting bull. Monkey Chiles bought a dog for five cents. Who comes here? Why it's custard pie. Black girl with cheeks of orchid and rosy lips wondering, "What's the matter wid de mail." Old lady patiently waiting for the letter that does not come. Man rides a horse. Queer way to travel. Wears no spurs. Strange. Postmaster says, "No package for you" and girl don't believe him. Wonder what Oscar Odd says when he reads this dope. Don't worry Oscar. Imitation is the sincerest flattery. E. L. Hall operating free bus. E. L. is always accommodating. Geese honking overhead. Wonder if Carey Smith will have one. Hattie looking for her "male." He is safe. Remember when a flash of an ankle was a glimpse of heaven? Today "legs is common." Long, skinny, honey legs, fat, beefy logs, bow legs, knockknees. Oh! here comes a pair of beauties. Fit for a painter and they are not common. Only one or two pair in this burg. When Fleming Chiles plays he holds good hands. Not cards either.
Baby chix peeping. Tom Hale with a goose. Slamming of box doors. Jack Holsworth practicing for the quartette. Red-headed girl looking for a letter. Ella Mae Chiles wondering why B. don't write. Mary Louise Clapp still waiting for a package mailed six weeks ago. The preach shows up. Some reason all others are here. Postmaster says, "All up." Grand rush to delivery window. Last call and Seth slams down the window. No mail until tomorrow night. People begin to drift. Autos chatter, put, put, put, faint, fainter, faintest. Quiet comes, the water of the bay glistens and sparkles a moment, the sun goes down in a blob of gold and the sky burns blue above. Night falls. All is quiet on Pilkington Slough.
Matagorda County Tribune, December 17, 1926
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Official Organ of the County Department of Education. Edited by Claire F. Pollard Published by
We purpose to
devote most of the space this week to Collegeport
Comments, a newspaper that was worked out as an English project by
the seventh grade of
Collegeport
Comments
ROBBERY Thieves Break Into Collegeport Cannery On the night of November 2, thieves broke into the Collegeport Cannery and took two cases of canned figs. Nothing else was discovered missing. The thieves left no clew.--Mamie Franzine [Franzen] and Lawrence Conover.
Mrs. Pollard Visits Collegeport School. Mrs. Pollard, who is superintendent of the Matagorda County Schools, visited our school today. She got to see all the pupils and was very interested in a newspaper that the seventh grade is going to publish. She said she would publish it in the Matagorda County Tribune if the class would send her a copy.--Mamie Franzine [Franzen]
INSPECTOR The state aid inspector visited our school today. He did not get to see all of the pupils but was very much pleased with our library. He said that he was going to mention our library in the state educational reports.--Mamie Franzene. [Franzen]
A Class Project (Lera Hunt) The seventh grade has been studying newspaper work in English and we decided to make a class newspaper. Mrs. Pollard visited our school and was very much interested in our work. The names of the seventh grade
pupils are: Mamie Franzine, Jimmie Murray, Alice Shiver,
EDITORIALS. Clean-Up Week. We all need a clean-up week. In fact, every week ought to be used for this purpose. If some time would be set aside in each town to get our houses and yards clean the town would look better. After that we might keep our houses clean all of the time. Not only our houses should be clean but our person. If you are not clean when you try to get work, of almost any kind, you may not get your job, because some employers will not take on a dirty employe. You should also keep you mind clean. If you have a clean mind and clear conscience you always feel good. But if your conscience is not clean you can not think clearly. Thinking clearly is one of the main things in life.--Lera Hunt Extravagant Use of School Supplies One of the greatest mistakes of the average school child is the extravagant use of school supplies. Some children will buy a lot of pencils, use them a few days and trade them off for an orange or something else they may happen to want. I think the trouble is that most children like to spend money too well. It might not be hard on a wealthy man, but most of our parents can not afford such extravagance.--Lera Hunt
Heard in History Class. 1. A colony is something like a swarm of bees. 2. 3. SPORT PAGE (Jimmie Murray and Laurence Conover) The boys of the
The boys that play baseball would like to play a game Thanksgiving and are going to do their best to get a game with some town close by.
Mr. Hale bought a football for the smaller boys to play with and they are having some good games.
The boys' club had their first
hike about a week after the club was organized. We met at the community
house about
In about half an hour Mr. James decided he would go to the warehouse and get us a car. Just about the time he got good and wet it stopped raining. He got a car and came after us. He was afraid we would take cold but we had made a fire and had been taking exercises.
Duck Hunting We have around Collegeport a good place to hunt ducks. People for miles around come here for hunting. The limit for ducks is 25 for one day. You may hunt 30 minutes before sun up and 30 minutes after sun down, also, it against the law to hunt with a motorboat.
Persons. (By Alice Shiver) Mr. Herrith's children, who have been going to school here for about two years, are moving away.
Frances Eisel and her sister,
Betty have moved here and have entered the James Gregory and sister, who have missed a week of school on account of their mother's illness, have started again.
Johnnie Ackerman, who has been
in
Johnnie Ackerman, who has been
visiting in
On account of sickness Miss Minnie Bowen has been absent from school two days.
Miss Ruth Mowery was in Palacios with her parents Monday afternoon.
Miss Amanda Lunday is going home Friday evening, to spend Saturday and Sunday with her parents.
Miss Crystal Thompson and Miss
Mildred Holtz spent the week-end with Mrs. Pollard in
James Gregory and sister, Millie, are out of school on account of their mother's illness. We hope their mother will be well soon, and that they will not have to be out of school long.
Mrs. Pollard visited the
Little Jane Ackerman, who has missed about two weeks of school, has started again. William Goff spent Thursday in
The J. U. G. Club is going to have a swimming party Tuesday, November 23, at Boeker's pier. Mr. and Mrs. Matt Pierce have moved to the Valley.
Mrs. Liggett has been sick and her friends wish her a speedy recovery.
Mr. and Mrs. Odis Thompson have moved back to their home in Palacios.
Our Picture Show Collegeport has not had a picture show for a month, due to the fact that the engine has been broken. The parts ordered for it were too large and had to be sent back. Smaller parts have been ordered, however, and we hope to have the show in order by next Friday. The boys are planning to get a
historical picture. The story starts with the voyage of
Weather. We have been having good weather at Collegeport. There has been frost a couple of times and several pretty cold weather. There is one on now which compels us to wear our coats. The clouds are heavy and we might have rain.
Our Store. (Mamie Franzie
[Franzen]) At the beginning of school some of the pupils and teachers organized a stock company to handle school supplies. Each pupil desiring a share in the company paid Mr. Hale a dollar and he sent for supplies to be sold at cost. At the end of the year shareholders will have their money returned to them. Since candy has been added to our stock, a small profit has been made and this will be divided among the shareholders at the end of the year. Our organization has been successful and we suggest that other schools follow our plan.
My Trip to
Collegeport I left The next morning we got up and drove to Sinton, where we had breakfast. We went to a filling station to get some gasoline and to get some water in the radiator. In going over the rough roads we sprung a leak in the radiator. That delayed us several hours. We had lunch at Sinton, also. We ate our supper at Edna. A man in the café advised us to drive on to Collegeport because it looked like rain. We got to Blessing all right, but when we left there, we got on the wrong road, and wandered through woods, over creeks, and on just a path. The car was the only place to sleep and the mosquitoes were terrible.
The next morning daddy and I were walking and found a farm house. We went and asked how we could get to Collegeport, and they told us, so we walked back to the car and came on to Collegeport.
I know I am going to like all of my new friends, my new school, and my neighbors.--Frances Eisel.
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The election of Mrs. L. E. Liggett as vice president and Mrs. S. W. Corse completed the ticket. The Woman's Club has completed several projects during the year among them being the selection of Mrs. S. B. Sims, as parliamentarian, the giving of five dollars toward the drop curtain for the community house, the purchase and furnishing of a cot for emergency use in the school building and the making of four pillow slips at the request of Miss Mayfield, county health nurse. Besides these projects the club has been active in all community affairs. During the past few weeks 40 new books have been added to the library.
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By Harry Austin Clapp. Collegeport, Texas.
Many men have many opinions but in my opinion the greatest romance the world has ever known is that which came to Mary and Joseph and the greatest evidence of faith in woman was that of Joseph when he took Mary as his wife. Here is material for a book and the romanticist could go his full length. Jesus Christ was born of poor parents and that is one reason why the birth took place in a stable. There was no room in the house for peons. Mary was not clothed in fine raiment as many artists picture the scene but wore the simple and poor garments of her class. They were humble folk and their Son lived the same life. He never was an earthly king with temporal power and costly clothing but he was a King Divine and so lived and reigned and has reigned from that great day to this. Jesus is wonderful as the Saviour of the world but he was also a wonderful son, always loving, kind, thoughtful, respectful, doing his share of the daily labor. I like to think of him in his role. What a satisfaction it must have been to his parents and I think that way down deep in Mary's heart the memory of his tenderness in boyhood days must have overbalanced her pride in his later life. He lived, died, was buried and rose from the dead and now after twenty centuries more than 300,000,000 people revere his name and bow in humble adoration at his feet. Napoleon once said that, "I have tried to conquer the world with the sword and failed. Jesus using love has the world conquered." Is it not true? Love conquers everything, overcomes everything; in fact, is all the world holds for king or pauper.
And so Saturday being the accepted anniversary of his birth the world rejoices and love and joy and happiness rule. The Christmas spirit is not evidenced by costly gifts. It is developed and lives in the heart and from its pulsations love radiates to your farthest friend. Ever since the birth of Jesus love has been the leaven which has made the world better and for this reason ever increasing emphasis should be put upon this great virtue. It was through Jesus that God gave the world its greatest gift. It belongs to no man or woman or child. Its possessor is humanity. On that Christmas Day twenty centuries ago love was crowned and the emblem has been royally worn ever since.
Children, love and respect your parents, and, parents, it is impossible to love your children too much. Let love in the home be the great gift on this day. Tell the story to the kiddies, let carols ring in the church, decorate the home and the family tree. Keep Santa Claus and the story of Jesus ever before the young. Say it with toys, and flowers, Christmas greens and with love.
Did you ever see a boy with his Christmas boots? The ones with red tops? If you wish to see how he looks just ask E. L. Hall the time of day. Talk about red topped boots.
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"A small town is a place where a fellow marries the from out-of-town school teacher." Have a similar case here. Free apples at the Christmas tree Friday night. This insures a big crowd. As I write, it is 3:18 p. m. Wednesday, December 22, 1926, the exact date according to Swamp Root for the beginning of winter. The date is correct for chill winds blow and a cold rain falls and lights must gleam about 5:30. Tomorrow the days shorten but not much. Now comes three months of winter but, thank goodness, down here in the Southland we are able to take a goodly discount. I wish Professor H. P. Attwater a Merry Christmas. He used to be agricultural agent for the S. P. Lines but they retired him long before they should. He knows more about the undeveloped resources of Texas than any living man. He knows birds, fishes, flowers, animals, where gold, silver, lead, platinum, mercury and other materials are concealed in earth's bosom. Long life and a happy one for Prof. I wish every reader of The Tribune a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and advise those who do not read it to subscribe. The editor needs the money. He gets tired of eating wild ducks, geese and quail. Wants red meat once in a while.
Matagorda County Tribune, December 19, 1926
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In the last Sunday Chronicle appears another of those splendid "Layman's Sermons" by Norman G. Kittrell, under the caption, "There Is No Other Name." I have read it as I have read many other of the sermons from this man's pan. They are all conclusions of "an humble layman" and he confesses that they may not meet the approval of scholars or theologians. Whether they do or not is of little consequence to me for in my humble judgment Judge Kittrell writes the truth as he sees it from a lifetime of familiarity with the scriptures. It is good reading and it causes me to think of the coming Christmas Tide and what it means to us of the present day. Our observance of the 25th of December is in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and is a symbol of our devotion to his world on earth. Of course no one who thinks or reads believes that the date of this birth was exactly one thousand nine hundred and twenty-six years ago. Calendar dates have been changed several times. It was Dionysius Exiguus, a Roman monk who died in 556 A. D., who first thought of the birth of Jesus as the era from which to reckon time and the Christian world was slow to adopt the new idea and it was not until the tenth century that it came into general use. The exact date of the birth of Jesus will never be fixed but he was born during the reign of Herod the Great who died in the year 4 B. C. If we accept the account as given by Matthew, the birth was before the death of Herod. "The child was still young" when Joseph then in Egypt was informed that Herod was dead. Therefore it seems that Jesus must have been born about three years before the beginning of the Christian era. All this makes no difference to any of us. Jesus Christ, was born, lived, died, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and sittith on the right hand of God the Father. Several years ago I saw a picture in Waco with Mary Pickford as the star. After the introductory giving names and characters, directors, producers, etc., there flashed on the screen these words: "Less than the dust, neath thy chariot wheel. Less than the dust, on they sword's shield, Lest I trust in Thee, O Lord, I am less than the dust.
I did not know at the time from where these words came or by whom written but now I know that they are from an old India lyric, "Less Than the Dust," arranged by Laurence Hope. It seems to me that these words express just how small a part we human beings are in God's great universe. Unless we trust we are, indeed, less than the dust. We are born, develop into manhood and womanhood and nearly all of us are obsessed with the idea that we are of great importance, that the world would topple over should anything happen to us. We die and the sun rises just the same, the local paper states "we regret to announce the death of our fellow-citizen John Doe," the family pick up their lives and march on, we are forgotten by all but the most intimate and soon they forget. "Lest we trust in Thee, O Lord, we are less than the dust." Dr. J. B. Cranfill in Sunday's Chronicle tells the story of his courtship, marriage and life for 48 years with one woman. He says "my wife has often told me that I am the only man she ever kissed." He replies by saying, "She is the only woman I ever--heard say that." Gee whiz, I hope my wife never begins talking about kissing. Don't' believe I could sidetrack her as well as Dr. Cranfill did. My kissing book has ten lines to the page and up to date I have filled 30 pages. I would not dare write this but I do not allow my wife to read The Tribune. Dr. Cranfill also tells about his wife bringing home three pounds of bacon. If a man can be an editor and a preacher for 50 years and still have bacon for breakfast he sure has been a success in life.
Roy Miller was a wise bird when he refused to become manager of the Houston Chamber of Commerce. In his present job he has no board of directors, directing him at all times. He is about as near his own little boss as a man doing public work can be.
I know that soon after F. N. Clifford arrived in Mercedes he would start something. He is asking everyone in the Valley to ask for Grape Fruitage, a new drink made from grapefruit.
In all my public work I remember two very sympathetic men: Mr. Carter Sr., president of the Second National Bank of Houston, and Mr. J. A. Kemp of Wichita Falls. Both men of large affairs but thorough gentlemen and always ready to listen to a man with a message. That is why they are great.
Glad George Culver has been elected a vice president of the Gulf Coast Roads Association. It means that the gap between Bay City and Wharton will be finished and a first class road will be built to Collegeport. This last will be an important link to connect with the new dock and ferry across the bay to Palacios. Short cut from Bay City, Gulf and Matagorda. a shell road suits us all right and George knows where to find shell.
If the Cashway Grocery would accept out of town orders it would take in many acashfromaway dollar. Advertising prices is good business. Not much sense in advertising "our prices are right." The only man who thinks them right is the seller. Prices talk a language all men understand.
The fig orchards are in fine condition. The trees produced excellent fruit and now if the company will send some excellent people down here to build homes on these fine orchards it will be a boon to the community. This year they overlooked one big bet. After the fruit suitable for canning had been picked the trees were full of second and third grade fruit. Picked about one bushel, cleaned the fruit, ground it in a food chopper, added water and sugar and the result was a batch of choice fig jam. Makes a real spread for bread.
Looked at a calendar today and found that winter would not begin until 3:18 p.m. Wednesday, December 22. "Now is the winter of our discontent." Hurry up gentle spring. The last three days have completely satisfied my desire for cold weather. I am satiated. Webster says satiated means "fullness beyond desire or pleasure." Too cold to think about legs, painted lips. Can't even look.
Matagorda County Tribune,
December 24, 1926 |
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[Most of the article included reflections and quotations and a bit of local information which is included below.] The front door of Oscar Chapin’s house has no door knobs but that does not mean the door will not open. If opened for the Homecrofters Christmas Day and such a feed as Ora Chapin placed on the table. Writers love to say, “the table groans.” Well this table more than groaned for it fairly moaned and screamed with the weight of delicious turkey, dressing and, O, boy! Such gravy, salads, celery, fruit cake, things smothered in whipped cream, coffee n’ lots of things. We will never forget Ora and Oscar. First time we have been asked to Christmas dinner. Always had ‘em at our house and they came in bunches. When you boys want a good dinner go to Chapin’s. No knob on the door but a big nail opens her up. I have envied Carey Smith’s geese, ducks and quail but nevermore will I commit this crime, and I do not envy Doctor Cranfill his bacon. Caesar believed in advertising and as there were no Daily Tribune in his day he stamped his likeness on all coins and thus secured publicity. If every merchant would stamp his likeness on the pages of The Tribune we could have an eight-page paper during 1927 and not only would the merchant secure publicity, sell more goods, but the county would secure the publicity which is needed and last, but not least, the editor could eat red meat and forget geese, ducks and quail. T. J. Clark, Bay City groceryman, never stamped his face on a coin but one can see it by looking at page 201 of October American Magazine. Wish he had it in The Tribune. The Missiouri Pacific is buying right of way and plans to build a track down to the bay at Collegeport. This means that Pilkington Slough will now be the Collegeport Ship Channel—Collegeport, where one railroad meets the sea. New thing in town, a night school, teaching, bookkeeping, typing, telegraphing, n’ such things. Good work and hope it gets enough good workers. With the passing of Frank Buhler, vice president of the Victoria National Bank the Gulf Coast lost a safe, sound, conservative, sympathetic banker. Glad I knew that man.
Matagorda County Tribune, December 31, 1926? |
