Collegeport Articles

January, 1930
 

FOR SALE--1 Team Mules, 1 black Mare, and some Cotton Seed for Planting; $1. per bu. as long as it lasts. Gust Franzen, Collegeport, Texas.

Palacios Beacon, January 2, 1930
 

Thoughts About A Comma
By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from a longer article.]

For several years George Serrill has sent us a calendar. He began with one about five feet long and each succeeding year sent a smaller one. This year he sends one the size of a postal card. I suppose that is to punish us for not taking out that tornado insurance or failing to be Aetnaized.

Sunday, the people of this vicinity expected to have the pleasure of hearing Hubert Travis as the preacher, and so folks came from miles around. The Bradens, Hubert Arthur and Ruth Mathis and children, R. E. Coffin and daughter, Lois, Margaret Holsworth came from Chicago, Mary Louise from San Antonio, Homer Goff and family from Houston and others to make up an audience but no Hubert, so they had their own program and the miserable wretch informs me that Homer Goff’s voice was like the voice of an angel. The Coffin family were guests at Homecroft Sunday, much to our delight and Mary Louise and Lois had a busy time discussing old (?) times when they were small girls. This visit helped to heap our platter of Christmas tide joys to the over flow.

Tuesday, Mary Louise gave a luncheon in honor of Miss Ethel Nelson and that night she in turn was the guest of Ruth Mowery at a last of the year party. She saw the old year go and the new year come and when she arrived home at one o’clock in the morning of January 1, 1930, she found I and the miserable wretch waiting for her so she could have our greetings.

Monday night Louise Walter held a bridge party, which Mary Louise attended under the escort of Clifford Franzen. O, say, the box of Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles which I have received as a Christmas gift from my good friend of twenty years, served for dinner Sunday and although the table was filled with other viands I saw nothing but noodles and so stretching my tummy to the limit.

The Houston Chronicle and the Post-Dispatch are offering gifts to the first baby born in Houston in the new year. The gifts consist of 24 quarts of milk, a set of rattles, pair of baby shoes, a small wagon, et cetera and other things a day old baby has no use for.

These papers would have done a very fine act had they agreed to finance that baby through college. Either one of these publications could have done it and never missed the money. Each of them will spend more than such a sum on some damned gimmicks.

Well, anyway, the day came, the beautiful, warm, sunny first day of the new year, and with it over one hundred folks with their budgets and baskets of food to attend the twentieth annual community dinner. The table was loaded as usual with roast turkey, roast chicken, roast wild duck and geese, roast beef, veal and pork, potatoes, salads, fruits, cakes, pies, but crowning them all was a big tank of the Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles. I was one of the first in line and keeping my eye on those delicious, superlative, golden noodles I loaded my plate, scorning the common foods and soon was busy absorbing that nourishing, satisfying, gratifying, comforting nutriment. All other foods “done lost their flavor.” The world looked good to me all things took on a rosy sheen and my soul was filled with delight and I said:

“No cool gray tomes for me!
Give me warmest red and green,
A cornet and a tambourine,
To paint my Jubilee.
For when pale flutes and oboes play,
To sadness I become a prey.
Give me noodles, violets and May
But no gray skies for me.”

After dinner those present were regaled, entertained, delighted, with floods of reason, optimistic bouquets, by Messrs. Haisley, Sims, Mowery, Franzen, Cottingham, Liggett and others. It was a great day for the College Sports, but it is now a great opportunity for Bay City business men to resolve that they will employ this year that great fundamental force in business, viz: advertising. The largest business in the world was built by advertising and big business builds big towns. Bay City will continue to be a twenty-five miles from the bay until by persistent, clever, truthful use of the daily and weekly press she forces the attention of others upon her business houses. I’ll bet a plate of those Famous Noodles that if every business house in Bay City will drop all kinds of advertising for six months that their sales and deposits will drop fifty per cent.

The press is of incalculable value, but it is not the news events that makes it so. It is because the columns of paper carry to the outside world the business expression and invitation of the local houses. Such business news in well displayed advertisements, is decisive in its influence, not only by directing trade or deposits to the advertiser but the continuous invitation for visits of investigation. It is, therefore, a good time to resolve. Don’t forget that no house can afford to overlook a great fundamental fact.

Mary Louise was with us for 655, 200 golden seconds, each one a brilliant diamond of love and affection. When the train pulled out we stood there with moist eyes and now:

“It seems as if the moon at night
Shines brighter since you went,
And that the stars more grandeur give
To all the firmament.
The reason? When I had your eyes
To laminate the night,
Their light which shone alone for me,
Made stars and moon less bright.
And when I had your smile by day
I cared not if the sun
Arose or set—nor if the day
Had ended or begun.
But now you’re gone—Like common men.
I turn to nature’s light,
And think the sun your smile by day
The stars your eyes at night.”
--Fragments.

Collegeport is always up to date and now she has a strike. The landlord on the first day of the new year boosted the rent on all three of the rooms in the Sholl block and the tenants thinking that January first with a decreasing trade volume was a helluva time to increase rents simply struck and refused to pay. Looks as though all would acquire lots close by and build their own business places. There be many guys who delight in taking the joy out of life. I have gobs of sympathy for the fellow who dates his letters 1929. I have slipped a coupla times but am trying to reform.

Bay City will start about right if she has Mrs. Emma Lewis Carlton for her Postmistress. Emma Lee has the poise, charm, refinement and ability to make for Bay City a splendid functionaire. I’ll bet before she is in office thirty days she will arrange to sell twenty-five 2c stamps for fifty cents. The day she assumes office the Bay City office will pump into the first class division. Think I’ll write Herbert about this matter.

The Daily Tribune, January, 1930
 

Oil Interest Alert Near Collegeport

Collegeport, Jan. 8.—For several weeks crews have used dynamite in testing this section for oil. Something like 20,000 acres are under lease by four major companies.

Although no development work is being done or even started, considerable interest has been aroused during the last few days. The Braden estate sold one-half of the one-eighth royalty on 20 acres for $520, and $3700 was paid for the same interest in the Brown tract of 100 acres, while $13,000 was paid for a similar interest in the 120-acre O’Neith [Oneth? O’Neal?] tract.—Houston Chronicle.

Palacios Beacon, January 9, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT MAKING HAY

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article about procrastination.]

Well, anyway, this had nothing to do with the quite serious accident that befell Elizabeth Eisel. She fell with an arm full of wood, at the school house and cut her face seriously and the inside of her mouth much worse. The wounds became infected and the result is that Elizabeth has a badly swollen face.

Roads are drying out and it will not be long before Brigadier General Punchher in charge of local highways with be out with his grader.

Ben Mowery stayed home this week and attended to the weather bureau and reaching out into the ether he brought the news that we would be visited by a norther on Wednesday and Thursday morning it would freeze to the coast. It did to the tune of 24 degrees. Who was it that sung the song "The Sunny Southland?" For me the Island of Tahiti where clothing is not required and fires are only used for cooking.

Gus Franzen walked a mile for a fag [cigarette] and it satisfied him because there was not a cough in a carload and then he reached for a Lucky and graduated into a man's size cigar. Looks becoming and comfortable.

The publisher of the Tribune received a letter the other day which began "I am enclosing payment of this year's subscription." He enjoyed listening to that song for it meant money with which to buy paper for next week's issue. But here is where by interest comes in. "After a whole weeks eager anticipation between time clock punches, life wouldn't be worth living if "Thoughts" were not waiting for me every Saturday night. Then, too it supplies the reason for the dear old regular family quarrel over who's going to get it first." Say, boy, that bouquet of flowers sure was filled with rare fragrance, aroma, incense, redolence.

"He has the alchemist's secret who changes one sad note to song; he has the touch of Midas who makes all bright and golden someone's day."

Breathing the delicate perfume sent to me in this bouquet from the soul of the sender, I can live another day although a stiff norther is blowing.

Believe it or not, but I am unable to tell which Dorothy said "I'd rather have a ring on the finger than two in the store." It may be Dorothy Dick, perhaps it was Dorothy Steve, perchance it is Dorothy Dean.

This prediction is made on the 16 to January and it may be depended on. Beginning January 25 and lasting for four days we will have a mild period. Fair to moderate winds. Soft, balmy winds along the gulf border states. Don't thank me, until the 29 when stormy weather will visit us again.

Us Homecrofters (meaning I and the miserable wretch) had a very happy two-hour visit with the Franzen family who called on us Wednesday. Hope they come often.

It is claimed that a stenographer always makes a good wife because she is used to dictation.

I ran across the word "tmpathy" the other day and wondered what the hell it meant. I find it don't mean a thing except, "the ___ (paper torn) of the emotional feelings to the external object which serves as their visual or auditory stimulus." It is so plain that I shall find opportunity to use it so you readers better look out or the visual auditory will get you.

The King's Daughters held their regular monthly meeting with Mrs. Carl Boeker. The annual report of the retiring secretary was read and accepted and much other business transacted. The election of officers for the new year resulted in selecting Mrs. Anna D. Crane, president; Mrs. Roy Nelson, vice-president; Mrs. J. J. Harbison, secretary and Mrs. Reba Wright, treasurer. The annual report showed that the organization had contributed to the support of two orphan homes, a twenty dollar payment on the church fund, care of the cemetery and considerable other work along those lines. I did not care much for gatherings where noodles are absent.

Ben R. Mowery stayed home this week and attended to the weather business and as a result we had the mercury down to 10 Friday morning. The day before heavy mist, rain, sleet, hovering clouds. This is supposed to be the champion low temperature for this section during the past fifty years. Palacios was eight degrees but that is because it is on the wrong side of the bay. Suffering snails, but it was cold. I can find no prayer that fits the period as the Litany and there I find:

"Good Lord, deliver us, from lightening and tempest; from plague, pestilence and famine; from battle and murder and from sudden death," and so I ask that God deliver us poor sufferers way down in the sunny southland from the grip of winter.

Mrs. Carrie Nelson has a large generous, warm heart and has taken four kids to raise. They belong to the Capra Hicks family. If she plans to bring them up on noodles, I wish she would take me to raise.

The Daily Tribune, Jan. 22, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ROCKEFELLERS

By Harry Austin Clapp

In the year 1904 my business as manager of the Antigua Copper Company of Sonora, Mexico, took me to New York for some months. The company's attorney was Mr. Henry J. Dexter with offices at 52 Broadway. The company also had an office in Nassau Street. One Saturday, Mr. Dexter asked me to meet him at my hotel the next morning and accompany him to the Sunday School lead by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., at the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church. I accepted the invitation, I think, from curiosity more than for any other reason and went with him. The church was not a very elegant building, looked a bit shabby to me, but it was large and spacious. I found perhaps five hundred men gathered and soon a young man appeared in front of and the Sunday School opened. John D. Jr., was about five feet eight inches tall, rather stocky build with a pronounced wide jaw line and a rather pugnacious chin.

A choir or quartette supplied the music and when the time arrived for taking the offering, Mr. Rockefeller said, "men this is your school and not mine. I am only the leader. It costs about thirty dollars each session. I want each of you to place in the offering not more than ten cents, less if you wish, but remember that if you do not do this it will not be your Sunday School. If I pay the bills it will be mine."

No one listening to him could fail to be impressed with his earnestness. He was a forcible speaker and a very attractive leader. After I had attended several times, Mr. Dexter introduced me to John D. Jr., and when he found that I was from Mexico, his face brightened up and he told me that he had some interests in Sonora and that led to a conversation that lasted about ten minutes. From that time, during the next four or five months, there was hardly a Sunday when I did not have some conversation with him. On the right of the big main auditorium was a large reception room and I noticed that quite a number of men and women frequented this room during our session. One Sunday John D. Jr., asked if I would like to meet his father. Of course I would like to meet John D. Sr., and we passed into the room and I was introduced to the father. He seemed a trifle smaller than the son and was very spare built with a lean face. His eyes were piercing and seemed to look through one, instead of at one. His face had a shrewd, almost what I might say foxy look, but with that it was a kindly face, with twinkles in his eyes at times. I talked with him perhaps five minutes most of the time about Mexico. The difference between the two as I saw it, was that the father would buck the line and break through regardless of cost, while the son would use diplomacy, give and take, but just as certainly going through. One Sunday it was announced that our leader would depart that week for his vacation abroad and that the class was invited to a reception at the father's home. Henry and I went, of course, for who would turn down such an invitation.

If we expected a great of display of wealth, we were disappointed. The house was elegant, splendidly furnished, but nothing lavish. The service was quiet and never intrusive. Mrs. Rockefeller was a small, rather plump woman, with a warm, generous smile for her guests. I liked her from the first glance for she looked so womanly, so motherly, so radiant with happiness. Refreshments consisted of cakes and tea. Simple things for such a house, but its owner was a simple man. Shaking hands with these two men I gained these impressions: John D. Jr. gave a warm, generous, almost lingering grasp. His hand was a warm one, a very friendly one, while his father's, though vigorous was a short grasp, with long slender fingers that suggested claws. His hand had not the warm feeling of the other. The junior looks and acts like his mother and no doubt inherited his warm, generous nature from her. The sister, Edith, (Mrs. McCormick) looks like the father, and no ___ __ very much like him. (paper creased)

If any man attended the Sunday School thinking to profit in a financial way, he was doomed to a disappointment for business was noted for its absence. I think John D. Sr., is a very fine old gentleman, a gentle man, a lovable man in many ways. He is accused of being grasping, cruel and wolf-like in his dealings but in my opinion is that he is like others, connected with the Standard Oil Company, the victim of a machine which they no longer are able to control. The system is greater than the master.

The junior is a wonderful character, steady as an old clock giving many of his busy hours to religious works. How different his useful life is from many another rich man's son. America may well be proud of Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., for he is an American through and thorough. I am glad that I had the privilege of meeting these two American gentlemen. I am glad to meet that sweet, dear mother. I am glad I could see the family home life. As I write, I have pleasant memories of those days of 1904.

Well, anyway, here is a tip for those who are unfortunate enough to have what is called colds by many unromantic folks. If you wish to be fashionable, just say "I have a slight coryza." It gives distinction and marks one as being quite ultra. In Madison County it was Mary Ethel but down here in Collegeport such common names are taboo, so it becomes Mary Ethyl.

Ought to be good gas. Much to my delight, Elizabeth Eisel has escaped permanent facial marks from her late accident and now the right cheek is just as adorable as the left one. Interested San Antonians take notice. My prediction for four days of warm weather comes true only two days ahead of my schedule. The severe cold spell, lasting a week or ten days played the dickens with citrus fruit, figs, palms. Several hundred cattle gave up the struggle and now men are busy with skinning knives salvaging what they can.

While men were skinning cattle, Ruth Mowery took an ice pick and going out on the icy bay picked out seven big red fish and a tub full of trout and mullet. She also remembered that when she came here from the north she brought her sled so used it for the first time, sailing before the north wind on the frozen bay.

I notice that the Central Power & Light Co. will spend $7,000,000 in improvements. The article mentions nearly every district except the Collegeport district and I wonder when they will wake up to the fact that down here are several hundred folks who would adore electric service and ask God's blessing on the whole crew from Samuel Insull, all the way down to Vance Porter.

Mary Louise reports that because of frozen water pipes, the people of San Antonio have gone back to the dear old Saturday bath.

This Mo-Pac station has agent changes so often that none of the burghers have opportunity to get acquainted with them. Two this week.

Last night I received a letter addressed to Mr. Edwin Clapps and the writer wound up by sending regards to Mrs. Clapps. Here I sit smugly thinking that every one in Bay City knew who Harry Austin Clapp was and now this letter from the Bay City Chamber of Commerce. Looks as though the secretary does not read the local paper so I advise the secretary to go over to the Tribune office and read the files for the past three years. By reading "Thoughts" the secretary will have a literary banquet and will be eligible to the literati. This is to notify the secretary that while there be six of us "Clapps," I am only one insignificant Clapp, and as Byron once said:

"What is the end of fame? 'Tis but to fill a certain portion of uncertain paper."

The other day I received a chain letter which promised me some wonderful luck in eight days (count 'em) provided I did not break the chain and also a threat that dire things would come to me if I failed to do so. Eighty names were attached to this letter. I was asked to copy nine times and mail to nine friends. I began to figure and found that if each of eighty wrote nine letters and each of the eighty times nine wrote nine letters over five million letters are now on their way. Thousands of valuable hours were spent in making copies, more than one hundred thousand dollars spent in postage. How much better if this had been used to relieve distress or to educate children. The list sent me ends with Harry A. Clapp, and there it ends, so far as I am concerned, for the chain is broken and now come on you bad luck, seek me out and we shall see which is the better fellow.

I never was superstitious, so broken chain, dangle and sway in the wind. The chain was started by a Colonel in the American Army in France. I think he must have been gassed. Say, boys, I have found out something new. It is a dingus that the girls wear for sort of lingerie or longeray or whatever that is and it is called a "scanty' because there is little to it. A new thingabob will come out in the spring called "nothing" because it is only about the size of a dollar and is attached to the body with a fine silk thread. About time in my opinion that skirts be longer.

The Daily Tribune, January 28, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT A SMALL TOWN

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

Figure it out and believe it or not. Mrs. Attress Jones, our primary teacher, was taken ill Saturday and obliged to leave school. Tuesday there being no marked improvement she was taken to the hospital at Bay City and Mrs. Everett arrived to take her place.

It is reported that Mr. Brazil will be here soon to take over the local railway station which is good news. This man is a number one station agent and has the respect of our people.

The only time I wish I lived in Bay City is when John Sutherland runs for office. I would enjoy casting two votes for him.

Frances Eisel taught two days during the illness of Mrs. Jones. She is 126 pounds and eight ounces of "good-to-the-last-drap" and I wish I could turn time back in its flight and go to school to Frances.

We have no need to worry about our population regardless of immigration for some one has figured out that each day 2,215 babies are born and in the same time 1,208 people die leaving a net gain of about one thousand per day.

Ben R. Mowery, local weather reporter went to Bay City Monday and the next day we had a norther. It would be well if he attended to business.

It is reported in the State papers that the fig crop is damaged about 75 per cent, but a careful survey does not bear these figures out from our local planting.

The figs are damaged some to be sure, but those who are interested may take comfort in the fact that proximity to the bay seems to lessen the severity of the cold and although our crop will perhaps not be as large as last year, there will be a good crop. The fig has wonderful recuperative ability and although frozen badly will come back and bear the same year.

Citrus fruits were badly damaged, perhaps to the extent of 70 per cent. Cattle losses about five per cent while palm trees from appearances of the drooping leaves will have a tough time pulling through the ten degree freeze.

A car of dynamite arrived Tuesday consigned to the Texas Company which has a crew on the grounds.

The North American Exploration Company has two crews here, one using the torsion balance and the other dynamite. These crews are leased to the Shell Petroleum Company and the Gulf Company. There are now at work four crews, so there must be some fire, for we have plenty of smoke going up in the air, but no one knows a thing, so take this statement for what it is worth.

A day of bright sunshine and then six or eight days of fogs, rain, mud and gloom and we wonder when our weather will clear up, settle up, and give the farmers a chance to turn over the ground.

Opened another can of that sauerkraut put up by the Guinea Pig Queen [Ora Luce Chapin] and say boy, it brought back memories of the days the Queen was a daily visitor to us Homecrofters.

From all reports our onion crop that started out so swell has gone blooey along with other truck stuff. Big loss to the growers but they must take heart for it don't happen every year.

Almost time for the annual fight over school trustees. Three go out and wonder who will be put in. It will be no easy matter in this district to replace such men as E. L. Hall and Roy Nelson for they are men who believe the business of the district should be handled in a business like manner. There may be many who have no ideals and care little so long as they can have the office.

It is reported that Mr. Sam Sims has sold his home on the bay shore and will soon leave for his home in Detroit.

It is reported that about five thousand acres of rice and five hundred acres of dry farming will be put in this year by the LeTulle interests, which is now in charge of the properties of the Collegeport Rice & Irrigation Co. The company store will be opened with a complete grocery stock in charge of Verne Batchelder. Considerable machinery has been brought in at that time.

About time Dr. Van Wormer made his annual visit and also for the Burton D. Hurds to come home.

No League meeting in January account of weather conditions.

The usual Washington birthday banquet will be given by the Woman's Union on the 22nd of this month. Program and details later.

The Daily Tribune, February 2, 1930

Bay City Firm is to Take Over Property Of Collegeport Co.

Collegeport, Feb. 4—LeTulle interests of Bay City have taken over the properties of the Collegeport Rice & Irrigation Company and will put in cultivation for rice 5000 acres and for cotton 500 acres.

The company store will be opened with a complete stock of groceries and farm supplies. This new farm work will bring to this community several hundred new people.—Houston  Chronicle.

Palacios Beacon, February 6, 1930
 

THOUGHTS WILE JES' STANDIN' AROUN'

By Harry Austin Clapp

E. L. Hall getting his clean auto all muddy.

Rain and more rain until we have eight inches in twelve hours.

Ben R. Mowery smoking a queer looking pipe.

Dynamite going off all day and night. Dirt shooting in the air for a hundred feet or more.

School bus coming in covered with mud and full of kids.

Guess spring is here judging by the down roll of Frances King's stockings.

Dorothy Franzen coming back to teach the young idea.

John Heisey bringing in fresh eggs.

Mail train four hours late.

Dogs barking at the moon which attempts to shine through the mists and the clouds.

Geese honking as they fly north.

Hattie Kundinger delivering yeast.

Verner Bowers opening some of that superlative Texas-Sweet Grapefruit.

Library open for the first time in several months. The book shower brought in seventeen new books. Wonder what is the matter with our folks. Maybe they don't approve of the library. If so better close it up.

Seth Corse enjoying cut plug.

My granddaughter sitting in the warm sun at Phoenix, Ariz., while her dad is in Montreal where it is a trifle chilly.

Families moving in to begin rice planting.

Thank the gods because Mr. Arctomys Monax familed to see his shadow Sunday.

Buckshot getting up a skunk at night and then the aroma that tells of his presence.

Jm Hale putting new chains on his car.

Mrs. Crane selling the largest lemons I have ever seen and at a fair price, juice considered.

Jack Holsworth trying to be a wather profit.

Mr. King the new station agent buys two cigars at a time and to the delight of the seller paying cash.

Roy Nelson selling huthuisache.

Stanley Wright hauling hay.

The Hurd home looks lonesome and hones for the Burton D's return.

Three autos stuck fast in the mud.

Thanks for the hour or two of sun shine and at night a slight peep at the moon.

Fifteen robins with their red vests on their way from their South American home stopped at Homecroft for lunch Tuesday. They sat on the fence sang their little song and flew to the Northland.

"Hark! hark! but what a pretty note,

Poor Robin-redbreast tunes his throat."

--John Lyly

A local burgher the other day said to me, "how long have you been writing for the Tribune and I replied quite honestly, "about twenty years," and then he said "well you don't make much of a success of it for your stuff is more rotten than ever." That's frankness for you but what care I, for he borrows the Tribune whenever he reads it so la! la! and a couple of tra la las and I guess I'll stop trying to write and take up knitting.

Mr. Penland cutting E. L. Hall's hair and doing a good job. Guess I'll get mine cut unless Oscar decides to make me another visit.

Two of Mrs. Carrie Nelson's kids died and now she feeds but two.

Mr. Hall's dog, Sport, paid us a visit Tuesday and rolled his muddy frame on a lot of handkerchiefs and laid out to dry. Made the miserable wretch quite angry, enraged, exasperated, furious, choleric, piqued and I wonder why for as a rule she is very sweet, sugary, agreeable, lucious and redolent. Never can tell about a woman.

The sea birds are having their fill feasting on the dead fish cast up by the waves. Thousands of red fish and trout came ashore at this place. Would make fine chicken feed.

Pilkington Slough way over its banks and tide going out like a mill race.

When a woman has her hair dyed it should go clear to the roots. If not it lookes like Lucifer, Beliad, Apollyon, the Princess of Darkness. Why do they do it when they ought to know that it fools no one?

Thursday morning the sun rose on a clear sky and as the great golden globe peeped above the mists that seemed to hug the earth it seemed to say "good morning folks."

Mrs. Attress Jones is making a satisfactory recovery at the Bay City Hospital and has sent for her trunk. Wonder if that means she gives up the school.

I read in the papers that if any of you women who are cursed with excess fat will swallow the head of a tape worm the excess will be removed. Barbara La Marr did that and died but at that it may be worth trying. If anyone does I assume no responsibility.

Mrs. E. R. Brazil and family have arrived which is good news to us burghers. We will ow have a station agent who is interested in the production of poultry, dairy products, truck and the rule of living at home. Brazil has been here before and proved himself to be a helpful man interested in all of our problems.

John B. Heisey shipping another crate of eggs, some white, some brown but all fair size. Wonder when we will cease buying eggs by the dozen and instead buying by the pound.

Jack Holsworth telling farmers how to raise cotton.

Several families arrive for rice growing.

Hugo Kundinger's splendiferous pharmacy all aglow with tasty looking valentines.

Seth Corse with his assistant is able to expedite, accelerate, facilitate, speed up the mail distribution.

The Woman's Club met Thursday with Mrs. Harbison. There being no noodles on the bill I did not attend but they say the program was grand, magnificent and imposing if you know what that means. If you do it is more than I understand.

Harry Lewis Eisel, Jr., sampling cookies at the Bachman store.

Clifford Ash using a tractor to haul E. L. Hall's Master Six Buick out of a bog.

Louis Walters wants to buy unground buckwheat.

No gas in the burg. Wonder how the girls will run father's car.

The committee appointed by the Woman's Union to arrange the menu for the Washington Birthday Banquet meets Thursday. I suggest that the famous Carrie Nelson Noodles be a prominent number and served liberally. Chicken pie is all right for some fellers but give me noodles and then more noodles.

Rosalie Nelson is planning to send me a valentine entitled "The Egotist." Glad to be her valentine.

There is one bright side to the long period of rain and mud. The railroads are carrying more passengers so "it is an ill wind, etc."

A big International truck stuck in the road.

I nominate Mrs. Robert Murry, Mrs. Seth Corse and Mrs. Merck to fill the three vacancies on our school board.

Miss Lillian Clarke, erstwhile a resident of this section and well remembered by all of us, is a weekend visitor with the Misses Louis Walter and Dorothy Franzen.

Two women discussing in a low voice local affairs and politics.

Mrs. Claire Pollard accompanied by a State school inspector here Monday night holding a meeting with the school trustees. I suspect she told them all about the money situation and how long it would last. Well, anyway, no one can accuse Mrs. Pollard with being inactive and the one thing that ought to bring her votes is her method of publicity in her County Courier column. She is the only County Superintendent who has taken time to inform school patrons of the news and gossip of our county schools. To me it is interesting news and if it was a bit better it might be classed with my slum.

Gus Franzen is continuing to be a real sport for he now smokes sigars. If I can induce him to use a cob pipe and load it with R. J. R. he will be admitted to the inner circle of those who worship at the shrine of Lady Nicotine.

We certainly have been having enjoyable days the past week. Each day the sun has risen in a belt of glowing colors and at night it sank to rest just back of the City by the Sea in a bed of crimson. At times long pencils of light would flash into the fading sky like great search lights and then the colors fade. Night comes and with it a star sprinkled vault of blue in which the moon rides in all her majesty. Makes me think of what Shelley wrote:

"Heaven's ebon vault,

Studded with stars unutterably bright,

Through which the moon's unclouded grandeur rolls,

Seems like a canopy which love has spread

To curtain her sleeping world."

The Daily Tribune, February 11, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT A TWO CENT STAMP

By Harry Austin Clapp

Went into the postoffice the other day and laid down two Lincoln copper pennies and asked Seth Corse for a two cent postage stamp. He handed me the stamp which I placed on a letter addressed to the tenth floor of a building in San Francisco. Examining the stamp I found that it was colored red, that it was thirteen sixteenth of an inch wide and one inch long including the perforations. It was a well executed piece of steel engraving and bore a picture of our first president, George Washington. In a circle over the top of the portrait I found the words "United States Postage," and in each lower corner the figures "2" and between the figures the word "cents." The back of the stamp was coated with mucilage by means of which it was easily attached to the letter. With those two Lincoln pennies I bought service and it began when Seth Corse accepted coins and delivered the stamp. I handed the letter to him and he cancelled the stamp, wrapped it with other letters and placed it in a mail pouch. Along comes Clifford Ash and carried it out to his auto and on to the railway station where he delivered it to Mr. Boyd. The latter tossed it over in a corner and it began its long journey. At Bay City it was placed in a wagon, taken to the Bay City post office and handled again and no doubt tied up with other letters for California. After a while it was carried back to the station and put on board a Houston bound train and on arrival it was transported across the city to the Southern Pacific Station, where it was handled by perhaps Merrill Heisey, and placed on board a west going train. Through San Antonio, Del Rio, across New Mexico and Arizona it was carried safely and at last entered California and on its way to the Golden City. Arriving at Oakland it was placed on a big ferry and shot across the sparkling bay and on to the San Francisco post office where it was rehandled and delivered to a letter carrier, who tossed it into his sack and carried it to its final destination and up an elevator to the tenth floor where he laid it on the desk of the addressee. Just think what I bought in service with two Lincoln pennies. Can you beat it?

Men, autos, engineers, firemen, mail clerks, steam trains, elevators, each of them doing their part in carrying my message to the Golden Gate. And the great wonder is that it was done by the contractor which is the United States Postal Department, at a profit. For two Lincoln pennies I bought all this service and a profit was made on the business. Where in this world is it possible for one to receive so much for so small a sum?

Letters carrying messages of friendship, sorrow, death, suffering, crime, business, all carried for a little red stamp. For that sum I could have sent my letters to the Philippines, to Mexico City, to many other countries. Next time you buy a two cent stamp just think of the service you receive. It's great.

Saw the first cardinal Sunday. He was perched on the top of a tree twig and singing as if his breast would burst. Guess he liked the warm sun and the bright blue sky.

Pleasant call from that Old Scout, Emmitt Chiles.

Sunday was visiting day at the Welsby home for people flocked there all day to inquire after Mr. Geo. Welsby who is ill.

Wonder how people who have groceries charged manage to keep their auto on the road.

Monday the Sims family consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Sims and Majah left for their home in Detroit.

Brigadier General Fulcher out dragging the roads with a thousand dollar tractor and a ten cent drag. Wonder why he is not provided with equipment that will do some execution.

She that was Esther Shubring, who with her husband, have been visiting here for a week, are on their way to their home in Houston.

Mrs. Helen Holsworth went to Houston Monday with the Sims family.

What wonderful sun rises we are having these days. How many of you have watched the sun rise from his couch and peeping o'er the morning mists smile on the earth? Worth getting up early for.

"Innumerable as the stars of night,

Or stars of morning, dew-drops, which the sun

Impounds on every leaf and every flower."

--Milton.

Oscar Odd evidently reads the Bay City Tribune for he writes that in his opinion those who enjoy the greatest contentment live in a town of less than five thousand. He probably read 'Thoughts About A Small Town." Wonderful how far the Tribune reaches.

The girls with bow legs will take comfort with the longer skirts.

Paul Braden delivering some of that extra fine Pierce Oil and a girl assistant chosen from the Collegeport herd.

Monday we lost Mrs. Everett, as primary teacher and secured Miss Williams so the young idea will continue to shoot.

The rice organization is putting in some good work grading the roads in that section with tools made for the purpose.

The committee on arrangements for the Washington Birthday Banquet give the following menu: Chicken pie, mashed potatoes with gravy, Parker House Rolls, celery, cabbage salad, apple pie with whipped cream, coffee. This is a good menu and calculated to satisfy but it could be improved if it began, middle up and ended with the Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles.

Well, anyway, one cannot expect everything for thirty-five cents. I believe in giving protection to home industry but when the U. S. Senate voted to place a duty of 40 per cent on carillons it seems to me that it went to far. This duty practically prohibits the ordinary family from using a carillon.

Ben R. Mowery has delivered such a wonderful brand of weather during the last week that I beg his pardon for all the nasty comments I have made on his weather reports.

The Woman's Club held its regular monthly meeting in the Community House with a special Valentine program arranged by Mesdames Boeker and King.

About fifty pupils and twenty adults were present. The refreshments might have been called superlative had noodles been on the menu. Those present reported a most enjoyable affair.

It seems that the State School Inspector recommended that Bay City schools be allotted some State aid which is badly needed as this school has been jumping from one place to breakfast in the last few months.

Elizabeth Eisel out with her hair looking like flaming bronze. Not every girl is blessed with such beautiful locks.

We have about one new fireman for the Portsmouth special each eight days which gives us no time to get acquainted with them. It was bad news when the announcement arrived that Mr. Boyd, the express messenger, had been bumped, boosted, removed or in other words, superseded by an unknown. We regret to lose this fine family and probably will draw a single man who will not stay long.

Ben R. Mowery in Bay City for several days on business and this accounts no doubt for the norther which blew in Friday night. Why is it that when we have a spell of elegant, sunny weather, the old wiseheimers will cock their eyes to the sky and say "we will pay for this nice weather. Just watch and see what we will get." Why not say when nasty weather is the rule, "just watch and you will see that we will be rewarded for all the cold and rain and mud." Just as easy and sure to bring more comfort, solace, cheer, enjoyment. I only expected, only wanted, one Valentine and that from the only girl. It came and brought me much joy as I read the words:

"I need no other Valentine

While I have you dear Dad,

For you're the best sweetheart of all

That I have ever had."

And as I read it I promised again that I would so live that never in her days will she ever have a better sweetheart or ask for a finer Valentine.

If it is a sin to view a moving picture on Sunday, it is also a sin to spade up a little flower patch on that day or to prune a little fruit tree, or to work a bit around the old auto bus to the family may go out and look over the crop in the afternoon. Well, anyway, the most of us are sinners in one way or another, and it is hard to draw a line. Most of us try to be Christians but few arrive.

The Daily Tribune, February 18, 1930

Collegeport Doings

Mr. Roy Nelson was a Palacios visitor Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. Ash were dinner guests at Mr. Tom Fulcher’s Sunday.

We are glad to report Mr. Welsby is improving from his recent illness.

The meeting of the Kings Daughters will be postponed from Thursday until next week.

Raymond Hunt and Johnnie Ackerman drove to Palacios after school Wednesday afternoon.

Friday night at 7 o’clock the Annual Washington Banquet will take [place] at the Community House. Everyone is invited. A charge of 35 cents per plate will be made.

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Fulcher moved into Collegeport from the LeTulle rice ranch. Collegeport is a very busy place at present and several new families move in.

Mr. and Mrs. Harbison were happily surprised Saturday night when their friends gathered and serenaded them on their sixteenth wedding anniversary. After spending the evening with games and contests, refreshments were served. At a late hour all departed wishing them many more wedding anniversaries.

Palacios Beacon, February 20, 1930
 

Collegeport Rice Irrigation System To Be One of Largest In the World

Collegeport, Feb. 26.—Although not generally known, this district boasts of an irrigation system that comprises many miles of canals serving 20,000 acres of rice land. The system passed into the control of V. L. LeTulle of Bay City when he acquired the properties of the Collegeport Rice and Irrigation Company. It now is a part of the Matagorda County irrigation system, which includes something like 400 miles of canals and laterals.

The 20,000 acres adjacent to this place is being developed into one of the world’s largest rice plantations under one management. It will be served by an irrigation system with a capacity of 300,000 acres. Under the plan of this plantation only 5000 acres will be used for rice each year in a rotation scheme. This means a permanence in rice growing instead of abandonment.

Water will be taken from the Colorado River by means of large electric pumps which will deliver the water to the canals, through which it will flow by gravity to the rice fields, in some cases 20 to 30 miles away. Men are now at work repairing the houses on the land and erecting new ones, which will have artesian water and outbuildings for stock and poultry.

The company store is being renovated for a large stock of groceries and such other supplies as will be required by the planters. Sheds for storing machinery are being erected. A warehouse with a 30,000-bag capacity is on the property with a loading sidetrack served by the Missouri Pacific Lines.

Approximately 25,000 acres will be planted in the county this season, of which Collegeport will contribute 5000. Many families have moved onto the plantation. Collegeport’s population will be increased by several hundred.

Palacios Beacon, February 27, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT OLD TIME FARMING

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article taken from the diary of a Connecticut farmer written in 1778.]

Glen Dale Welsby and wife visited his father over the week-end and went home to San Antonio well pleased with the improvement.

Reverend Rieves, Presbyterian Missionary, spent Sunday at the local church and conducted services. In the afternoon, accompanied by Mrs. L. E. Liggett and Master Milford Austin Liggett, he gave the Homecrofters a welcome and an enjoyable call. If the locals want a new preacher why not call this man.

Brigadier Thomas Fulcher has moved to town and occupies a house near the warehouse. I expect this will mean better roads for us.

Look out for the census enumerator who will call in the next few weeks and ask all sorts of fool questions. Among them he will ask the woman, "what do you do?" She will reply: "I keep the house, work the garden, milk the cows, care for the chickens, scrub, scour, bake, cook, wash dishes, wash clothes, mend clothes, care for seven children and in my idle time I sew and knit." The enumerator will put her down as "housewife; no occupation." Better watch this bird.

Guess the miserable wretch must have been born sweet, delicious, lovable, for she has been suffering from a blister about the size of a goose egg, perhaps smaller, located on her heel and she has never kussed a kuss.

The delicious, tender gob of gossip which the gabs have been rolling around their tongues has been chewed to a bone dry rag, for all bets are declared off. As a rule, there is little satisfaction in gossip.

Mrs. Thomas Hale having recovered from two kid diseases which, being economical, she had at the same time spends the week with her parents, Mrs. Thomas Fulcher and her husband, sometimes called Uncle Tom.

Rev. M. A. Travis, one-time pastor of the local church, arrived Monday for a week's visit with his many friends. He is at present pastor of a church at Alamo.

Cattle are roaming about the townsite and it will soon be someone's business to swear out warrants. Each head of stock constitutes a violation of the criminal status when it is allowed to run at large. Roaming stock forbids the planting of trees and shrubbery and destroys lawns, discourages the beautifying of yards and homes. Those who allow their cattle to be a nuisance and destroy property should pay the penalty of the law violation.

The Della Betta Brothers have erected a large cold tomato frame and bought eighty thousand plants for the planting.

The price of eggs has tumbled until they are a drug on the market at eighteen cents.

She may have two beautiful legs, legs with ravishing curves, legs that are models for the painter, but she also has charm, poise, vivacity, legs do not count. A leg without a brain is passe.

I read in the papers that an automobile with a front wheel drive has appeared on the Houston market and I'll bet that it will be operated as usual from the back seat. Here is something for our farmers; for forty cents per sample they can have an official statement of the quality of fiber. All he has to do is ask for blanks from the U. S. Board of cotton examiners at Houston or Galveston or the special board of review at Washington. He will then know exactly what his cotton grades and will not be at the mercy of the local buyer.

I have received many calendars but it remained for P. G. Huston to send me one that contained more valuable information than I have ever seen on a calendar. It tells one every thing from a Rexall spray for Catarrh to period of incubation and where to buy laxative salts.

For a long time I have wondered why a certain young man and his lady friend had such a sad look but now I know for I read that a Munich doctor says that "when love comes, the eye is blurred, the face becomes pale, the heart palpitates, sleep is irregular and the sufferer loses weight." Any interested person may take this description and applying it to two certain young folks readily determine their names. They live right in this burg and their names are, oh! say, find it out yourself.

Along about the year 1910 some woman whose name is lost among the antiques proposed that a banquet be spread in memory of George Washington. The suggestion was acted upon and it became an annual feature and Friday night, the twenty-first annual banquet was held in the community house. More than one hundred folks attended. The menu was given last week and it was as good as could be expected without the famous Carrie Nelson noodles.

Ben R. Mowery was sergeant-at-arms and was in charge of the affair. Among the speakers were Rev. M. A. Travis, the first pastor of the local church; J. J. Harbison, superintendent of the school. The feature of the evening was a declamation on Americanization, given by Raymond Hunt. It was declared by many present to have been the finest thing of the kind ever given to a Collegeport audience. Raymond Hunt is a fine student and ambitious student and we all hope his aspiration for a higher education may be realized for the community is proud of this young man. He will deliver the declamation at the county meet and we trust it will being home the cup.

One of our fairest and sweetest told me the other day that she was famous. When asked in what way she informed me that she had made a dish of noodles. I told her that making a dish of noodles brought not fame but that the way to really become famous, celebrated, renowned, illustrious, distinguished, was to bring me a good-sized batch of the noodles. If they proved to be as delicious, delectable and nourishing as those made by my good friend, Mrs. Carrie Nelson, I would see that she, too, became far-famed. I am waiting for the noodles.

As I go to press (to use a printer's term) I am hailed by Clifford Franzen who introduces me to his Rice College friend, a Mr. Clarke, and he also that Arnold Franzen is with them. These fine young men doing their part in the world's work. They arrived Friday night and will stay until Sunday night, when they will hop back to their various jobs. It is good news to us that Arnold has passed his Rice exams and is now a full fledged Doctor of Science or Art, but I think that thus far he is only a bachelor of something or other for the only one has not yet appeared.

The Daily Tribune, March 1, 1930

Collegeport Doings
(Too Late For Last Week)

Mrs. Harbison and daughters were week end visitors at Palacios.

Kings Daughters will hold their regular meeting with Mrs. Holsworth Thursday.

Mr. Real, who is with the S. P. Ry. at Kingsville, was a week end visitor with home folks.

Several from Collegeport went to Palacios Monday night to the Zander-Gump Wedding.

Rev. Travis, who pioneered Collegeport Church is spending two weeks’ vacation with friends here.

Miss Vera Williams, our new primary teacher, visited home folk at Bay City between trains Saturday.

Sunday School and Endeavor were well attended Sunday. We are glad the weather is getting better so we can all attend. The Endeavor will elect officers Sunday, March 2^nd. Would like a full attendance.

The annual Washington Banquet was held Friday night at the Community House, with about 125 present. A delicious menu of chicken pie, creamed potatoes, celery, salad, hot rolls, and apple pie with whipped cream was served. Afterwards a short program was enjoyed. Mr. Harbison was toastmaster. Mr. Mowery gave the welcome address. A reading by Raymond Hunt and an address by Rev. Travis were muchly enjoyed.

Palacios Beacon, March 6, 1930
 

Collegeport Doings

Miss Ella Mae Chiles is spending a week in El Campo visiting friends.

Mr. Burton D. Hurd returned Thursday from a business trip to Houston.

Mrs. Emit Chiles and children spent the week end with her mother at New Gulf.

Miss Vera Williams our primary teacher was weekend visitor with home folk at Bay City.

Mrs. Hood and daughters and Mrs. Harbison and children visited at the Harbison home Sunday.

The ladies club were well represented at the Federation in Bay City Saturday. These meetings are always enjoyed by all.

The Spellers who are working for the contest will meet at the community house Friday nite and spell against the community.

Mr. Carl Boeker and Mr. John Merck returned Thursday night from Springfield, Ill. where they have been the past three months on business.

Miss Louise Walters gave a “radio” program & box social at her School “Citrus Grove” Friday night which was very successful $95.75 being the net proceeds.

The Missionary Society met Thursday p. m. with Mrs. John Ackerman. There was a good crowd present. After the business session a very helpful Missionary program was given Mrs. Heisey leader. Mrs. Ackerman served a very delicious luncheon which all enjoyed.

Palacios Beacon, March 6, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT A SECRET BALLOT

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article about a survey of the Literary Digest about the Volstead Law and the Prohibition Amendment.]

I spoke to one of our young girls the other day and as she made no reply I saw that she was under "concealed sensation," indicating a "subconscious perception of being aware of occurrences or of facts that are not commonly perceptible to the senses." To make it plan so you will know what I mean, the young girl was suffering from cryptesthesia. In other words she was dead in love and was thinking of the other fellow. Sad case.

Well, anyway, the King's Daughters met last Thursday with Mrs. Holsworth and I am informed they had a perfectly scandalous time with chicken salads, cakes, pies, and the famous Carrie Nelson Noodles.

I read in the papers that a well-known parachute jumper uses Nujol to keep him fit for his work. If I ever jump out in one of them things, I will not have to use Nujol.

I was laid up last week by what Mary Louise used to call "akkident," and Mrs. George Welsby took pity on me by sending over a big plate of chicken noodles. They went right to the spot and brought immediate relief so that I was able to walk up town for the first time in a week. I used them as an internal application.

Mr. and Mrs. Glen Welsby drove from San Antonio Friday and spent three days with their father, who is now well on the way to recovery.

Our teachers trekked to Bay City Saturday to attend the County Teachers' meet.

Mrs. Jack Martin and young son are here for a few days visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Merck.

Many of us are delighted to know that George Harrison will stand again for Precinct Commissioner. A few are "agin" him simply because he has been there before. These people have no regard for excellence of service, ability to perform, understanding of the work, personality, character, reputation or repute. George Harrison has given us real service, perhaps in some cases more than we are really entitled to. He has studied the work of road building until he is considered by those who know, as an excellent authority on methods, types and costs. We should retain s long as possible such a valuable servant and we will.

North Cable is pruning, I might say cutting the fig trees and finds that many are frozen to the ground. The fig is a hard fellow to give up, for he is very tenacious of life and clings. For that reason most, if not all, will spring up from the underground roots and by early summer appear as they did last year. The fig loves to bear fruit, hence we will have a fair crop this year.

Politics like some diseases, breaks out in spots. Often the eruption is violent but at other times comes on slowly but nevertheless indicating approaching trouble. This year it is not of the violent type and I do not regard it as especially dangerous.

Mr. Joe Mangum is the first one to make us a visit, as he very much desires to continue as the County Sheriff. I am very much inclined to think he should be retained for did he not visit Palacios the other night and with seven other officers of the law raid several Mexican houses and take in nine prisoners. Good work, but I wonder why he had to trek way back down there and arrest Mexicans when he could have easily pinched white men without going outside of Bay City.

I wonder also why Negroes and Mexicans seem to be the only ones to feel the law for violation of the prohibition act? Is it possible that white men are all pure, sweet, clean, free from criminal taint?

The eruption spreads for now I have had a very enjoyable call from Judge W. E. McNabb and he brought with him a bodyguard, Mr. Otis Taylor, and so we had a an extra happy visit. Having known W. E. McNabb for many years during which time I have seen him as County Commissioner and County Judge, it looks to me as though it would be a very fine thing to put him back on the County Bench. All in favor say "Aye."

A merrier man, within the limit of becoming mirth, I never spent an hours talk withal.--Shakespeare.

The Woman's Union met Thursday with Mrs. John Gainesborough Ackerman and the weather being favorable a goodly attendance was present. Friday night a new and strange auto pulled into the burg and from it alighted Burton D. and Dena Hurd, much to the delight of their many friends. It seems good that we are to have these fine people with us again which will be for a time and Mrs. H. brought her birds along. They found that their home on the Bay shore had been entered by some miscreant, caitiff, knave, rogue, or what ever he might be called and not only was valuable furnishings carried away, but an attempt had been made to fire the house. Transgressions of this sort are all too common and it behooves all of us to enter into some sort of protective organization by means of which property will be safe and transgressions, trespass, misdoing, crime, will be promptly detected and severely punished.

Just between us two, meaning I and the reader, will say that I am glad that Doc Harkey has decided to stand for a place on the White Man's ticket. I'll bet a plate of those famous Carrie Nelson Noodles that I have urged Doc more than one hundred times to try for some of the county offices. He will make a clerk of the first class.

Victor Brasfield, like the fellow who was caught in a revolving door, drove right in the burg and right out again. Seems as though he might have stopped one moment and take a drink for old times sake. A drink of what? Butter milk of course, foolish. Where could he get anything else in this virtuous town.

Burton D. Hurd returned from Houston Thursday bringing for a visit Mr. and Mrs. Rollin Hurd of Detroit. I gave Mr. Rollin the once over and as he passed inspection, I hope he stays for an indefinite, equivocal, uncertain, obscure period.

I read this copy to she, whom I sometimes call in a facetious, jocose, waggish, playful, merry mood, the miserable wretch and the only comment she made was "tell the Tribune readers that I know who will receive my two votes." Her two votes? Now isn't that just like a woman? You folks please understand that I have two votes that may be arranged for and she has only to drop the ballot. I do the voting. Just goes to show that most women will take advantage of years of kindness.

Well, anyway, this is notice to a couple of fellows who thinking they have no opposition, are sitting snug, cozy, and comfortable. If these guys don't come down to Collegeport, and show their smiling faces, well, there will be two votes for sale for some other fellow.

"We may give advice, but we can not give conduct."--Franklin.

The Daily Tribune, March 14, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT LIBERTY

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

Notices are posted for the school election Saturday, April 5, at which time four trustees will be selected. Up to date no one appears to take much interest in the affair, but things may boil up later. Mr. Carl Boeker and Mr. John Merck returned the other day from a twelve weeks stay in the land of the Illinois. As I have not seen the former, am unable to testify as to improvements to the credit of the visit, but John Merck has not only gained 69 pounds more or less, but has improved in feature and form until it may be said that he is just too sweet, fragrant, lovely, fair, saccharine for words. The girls hang round him and drink in his description of foreign parts as though they were receiving nectar.

Well, anyway, John came back much handsomer than when he left.

The box supper held at the Citrus school house Friday night was a great success for it realized about one hundred smackers. One fellow paid twenty-five frog skins for a box prepared by Louise Walters. Worth that to sit out with Louise and look into her eyes.

The Woman's Club met this week with Mrs. Harbison but because of the inclement weather the attendance was small. Last week I notified two candidates that if they did not call on me, I would make other arrangements. One of them evidently reads "Thoughts," for before the ink on this weeks Tribune had time to dry he was right here with his wondrous, marvelous, genial smile.

We talked things over and I agreed that he could have my two votes for he has made a most excellent officer during the fifteen or twenty years he has held his office.

February had twenty-eight days and that means this burg shipped 28 cases of eggs in that month. The eggs brought an average of $6.50 per case so about $182 was distributed among our poultry farmers.

The Della Betta Brothers are busy setting out tomatoe plants and in order that they make a good start are doing something that our locals call unprecedented or if you know what I mean, novel and unusual, for they are actually hauling manure from a distance of a mile or more. I have been here twenty years and this is the first time I have seen such an act. Wonder if these boys are clean crazy. Why, the idea when everybody knows our soil is as rich as that of the Nile. Manure? O, pish, tosh!

Our school pupils challenged the old boys and girls to a spelling match for Friday night but because of the rains and bad roads only a few of the pupils were present but the old boys and girls turned out to the number of twenty. The pupils begged off and will try it again.

This week I am a lonesome bachelor for my dear old miserable wretch packed her bag and hiked for San Antonio to bask in the smiles of two Marys; viz Mary Louise and Mary Garden. She hears the Vagabond King, the Walter Damrosch concert, Carmen and other opera on Saturday night. She will go to early Eucharist Sunday morning, morning prayer in the forenoon, to an organ recital in the afternoon and several other places where she finds good music. She will have one swell time filling her starving soul with music, which has always meant so much in her life.

And she will return brimming over with experiences to relate to her side partner and so I too will have a chance to participate. No doubt, there are lots of miserable wretches in this world but for me there is only one for she has been my faithfully, loyal, loving sweetheart for thirty-five long years. It's a long time to look into one face, but she has done it. God keep her for selfish me, for many more years.

"When you went away,

I felt

Something left the day.

But at night

My heart seemed to say,

She'll think

Of me day and night.

I rest secure

For I saw the love light

As you kissed me

The day you went away."

--Fragments from Hack.

The many friends of Gustave Franzen are expressing their sympathy and respect during his recent illness and are glad to note that he is gaining strength and hope he will soon be out. Collegeport cannot spare her Gus Franzens.

The dynamite crews which have been busy for the last two months have completed their explorations, folded their tents and like the Arab stolen away. This move is much to the delight of poultry raisers for the heavy blasts have played, well to be mild, played hell with egg hatching. The heavy detonations destroy the delicate organisms of the incubating eggs and in some cases causes a 100 per cent loss.

Mr. and Mrs. Rollin Hurd seem to be sold on this place for they still linger.

A few folks like Bill Hurd for example and like the Rollin Hurds readily vision the delights and the pleasures of life on our bay shore and are loath to leave. Bill Hurd is a walking and speaking advertisement for this burg.

Collegeport sent a good delegation to the meeting of the County Federation and came home with good reports of the work being done by this splendid woman's organization. Wonder why the men who belong to the various commercial organizations cannot form a federation and meet about three times each year for the purpose of discussing mutual problems. Guess it is because they lack the patriotism and pep that belongs to our women.

Many things of value to this county may be traced to the efforts of the women who belong to the various clubs. They work, plan, scheme and by Jove, they pull the business off. They keep on the job and that's one reason why I shall cast my two votes for Ruby Hawkins.

Our local Missouri Pacific agent, Mr. E. R. Brazil is never satisfied unless he is doing something for our farmers and so is now sponsoring "The Better Farming Club" and bringing in seed, fertilizer and other supplies which are distributed at cost. He encourages the poultry and dairy industry, the living at home and he is making headway.

The League meeting Thursday night, March 27, will be entertained by Messrs. Seth W. Corse, Geo. Harrison and J. J. Harbison. Of course the Mesdames will do the work of preparing the eatables and should have all the credit, but you know how men are.

Another bunch of rainy days and muddy roads but the sun shines again and

"Today the prairie appears more green,

The skies take on a bluer sheen;

I notice flowers here and there

Abloom in fields that once were bare."

Had a letter from the P. M. at Alice "I have before me a copy of the Matagorda Tribune, brought me by L. A. Pearce, the county agent, and I have just read your news letter "Thoughts About Collegeport Once Upon a Time," and while my thoughts do not take me back as far as 1910 concerning Collegeport, I am reminded of a trip I made some years ago that lingers as one of the most enjoyable spent with you and your delightful family and since this happens to be my birthday ? ? ? ? ? ?, concluded that I would at least let you know I am here and working harder than ever regardless of birthdays." Don't it beat all, aflapping flounders, how far and wide the Trib. goes?

The Daily Tribune, Wednesday, March 19, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT OUR TEMPERAMENT

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

We have in this burg only one woman who has a delightful temperament. She holds no grudge against any other. She loves everyone of us but sad to relate everyone does not love her. The poor fools do not realize that this woman is only utilizing the sweet temperament that God planted in her soul and that she has watered it with love until it blooms, and flowers and shed its delightful perfume wherever she goes.

One of our girls looks at a certain young fellow as though he was her private and special mushroom and at the same time gives the impression that all other boys are another girl's toadstools. Now Pauline don't you think it perfectly awful?

An auto putted into our yard the other day, blew a blast on the horn just to let us know it was there and out popped Judge McNabb and Otis Taylor with a half gallon of oysters. We, meaning I and the miserable wretch, were glad to see our new Judge and his bodyguard but boy we sure did take to them there oysters. The first Matagorda oysters we had ever eaten and they were delicious. Many of them were nineteen inches or less in length and so full of fat that no butter was required for the fry. Believe it or not but when night came down with its drop curtain there was left not enough oysters to flag a gravel train. There is one thing about the oyster business that appeals to me. The job of an oyster opener means four months vacation each year for there is nothing doing in May, June, July and August.

I plan to go over to Matagorda next season and ask Otis Taylor for a job opening oysters.

Well, anyway, in my opinion a girl with pretty legs has two good reasons for not wishing to wear long skirts. One of them is, oh, well, you know the other.

Wonder how many of us has ever thought how ineffective a law is, if it does not expose the will of the people. Hard to enforce, as for example, the unwritten law.

Mr. Ben R. Mowery left Tuesday for Chicago. He did not tell me why he makes the trip but I presume it is to secure some information regarding the weather. The day he left a norther struck us with a temperature of 42.

If any of you Tribune readers go in for collecting, say butterflies, see that they have wings of gold.

When you walk, walk as though you were surrounded with the angels. Well for our girls, especially to remember this, and always walk with the angels for this is the safe way.

You boys with a goodly crop of hair on your domes will be interested to know that Mr. Real has opened a barber shop just outside the city limits.

The town was a dead dud Friday, for all the school kids were away to Bay City for the county meet and we missed their laughter and play around about mail time.

The Portsmouth limited brought in five cars of seed rice the other day so planting will soon be the rage.

Mr. G. A. Duffy is moving out with his four or five thousand cattle, and Sam LeTulle is moving in about the same number. We are sorry to see Mr. Duffy and his son Louie leave but are pleased that another comes in so all we can say is "The King is dead. Long live the King."

Our school kiddies went to Bay City armed with their hatchets, daggers, pistols and ready for a fight or a game and with the intention of taking some scalps and they did, for when they returned said scalps were dangling from their belts.

Gladys Harbison won first in declamation. Rosalie Nelson took third in declamation. Frances Eisel and Gladys Harbison took first in spelling. In the girls baseball game our school took second place in [spite] of the rooting of Tom Hale; Mamie Franzen took second in tennis and further deponent sayeth not. Well, anyway, we are rather proud of our school kids.

Mesdames Corse and Boeker went to Blessing the other day for a day at bridge. I hope and trust that they did not play for cash or other prizes for that is just about as bad as violating the prohibition act.

The Brazils have evidently decided to settle down for Mrs. Brazil has joined up with the Woman's Club and Thursday night Mr. Brazil will be initiated into the mysteries of the League.

You all, no doubt, know the story of the cat that came back. Well, the miserable wretch came back Thursday and reported a glorious, resplendent, splendid, resplendent time in San Antonio with our Mary Louise. She returned with her soul filled with music and said: "I shall feel the tones for a year." She never had a happier vacation time. Saw the Van Ness family, the Chapins and the Holmans as well as many others.

While she was absent just one family took pity on me as a forlorn, lonesome feller and that was the Jim Hale family for they invited me to diner and for at least one time I was well filled with shoe string spuds, breaded veal cutlets, salads, desserts, et cetera and I et considerable of the cetera.

I hope that at some future time they will ask me again unless they think I am a rather too expensive guest.

It is reported that Mr. L. E. Liggett is now suffering from ulcers of the stomach. Suppose he accumulated them just because Gus Franzen has a few. It is up to me now to acquire some ulcers for I always enjoy being up to date. O, nothing serious so far, but they both report that their illness is not as agreeable as it might be. A stiff drink of white mule would eat out the offending tissues and bring about good health. Well, anyway, we are all glad that Gus Franzen is reported on the way to recovery.

Mr. E. R. Brazil, Mayor Domo of The Better Farming Club, reports thirty acres of cantaloupes signed up. This with the Della Betta Brothers' six acres of tomatoes shows that we are at least making a bit of progress. Fine thing is enough such stuff could be raised to keep the cannery busy about twelve or more months each year.

An afternoon has been arranged for Saturday 29 at the community house. I regret that bridge is to be a prominent feature at two bits a play.  This is simply awful and the sponsors better look out for Joe and Bill and seven or nine other officers may be down and pinch the crowd for violation of the law.

They are going to have another game called "Runa" but I know nothing about it but trust it is not another gambling game. Forty-two will be played and if any one does not care for games, they will be allowed to knit. That let's me in for I simply adore, to knit. A good crap game would be profitable addition provided the kitty was good. Well, anyway, here's hoping it will be, for the proceeded will be use used to buy books for our library, books that may be used by our school pupils and thus entitle us to more state aid. If thus used there will be no taint on the calls received.

The Daily Tribune, March 25, 1930

Collegeport

Mr. Franzen is on the sick list and we hope to hear of his recovery soon.

Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Corse and Mrs. J. J. Harbison were Palacios visitors Tuesday.

Little Gregory, who has had quite a siege of typhoid fever, is on his way to recovery we are glad to learn.

Mr. Tom Hale, of Wadsworth, was a Collegeport visitor Sunday. Mrs. Hale has been here several days visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fulcher.

Mr. Mowery returned Monday from Chicago. His uncle, Harry Stoops, came with him hoping our wonderful climate will improve his health.

Our school was well represented at Bay City Friday and Saturday at the County Meet. While a full report can’t be given at this time we are glad to say we have a few firsts and several seconds.

The Kings Daughters met with Mrs. S. W. Corse Thursday for an all-day meeting and to tie some comforts for Mrs. Corse. During the luncheon hour we were favored by our declaimers, Rosalie Nelson, Junior Girl; Gladys Harbison, Senior Girl and Raymond Hunt, Senior Boy, who gave their declamations. We are very proud of these young people and although they all couldn’t bring home firsts we say try it again, you are good.

We were so proud of our little ball team, who won second place. Our girl and boy tennis players, who put up good games, Mamie Franzen, brought home the tennis second in singles. Our declaimers, Rosalie Nelson, who brought us third was good and we hope she tries again. Raymond Hunt, who did so well in our Senior boys that he lost only by one point and Gladys Harbison, who brought home the Rural Trophy cup. Saturday we expect to go to Bay City and finish the meet. We feel sure our school will keep up the good work.

Palacios Beacon, March 27, 1930
 

COLLEGEPORT

A box supper given by the Woman's Cub netted the ladies $84. Hot doughnuts and coffee were sold. John Merck won the lemon pie given to the ugliest man and Miss Rudine won the box of candy awarded the most popular young lady.

The senior play held at the community house was well attended and netted the school $22.50. The play received favorable comment and showed untiring efforts on the part of the different members of the cast and the principal, Mr. Harbison.

Miss Gladis Harbison has gone to Austin where she will try for State honors in the senior girls declamation.

Mr. Frank King reports catching seven small wolf cubs on the recent round up on the Pierce ranch. Mr. Hutchins now has them in captivity at Pierce.

Mr. Emmit Chiles and family attended the funeral of Mrs. Chiles' cousin held in Wharton, Sunday.

Miss Ella Mae Chiles is spending the week in El Campo.

Construction work has begun on the bridges leading to the drilling site on Mad Island. The drillers will start their work as soon as the bridges are constructed and the lumber and drilling supplies are hauled.

Mrs. Charles Duller spent Wednesday at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Corse.

The Woman's Union met at the home of Mrs. John Carrick Thursday.

Mrs. Jack Martin and little son, Jack, Jr., are the guests of Mrs. Martin's parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. V. Merck. Mrs. Kay Legg spent Wednesday with her parents and was accompanied home by Mrs. Merck and Mrs. Martin.

Mr. George Welsby is in Houston where he is receiving medical treatment.

Mrs. Ann Crane attended Presbytery in Houston this past week.

The ladies served dinner at the Bachman store Saturday as is their custom on election day. Their receipts were about $2.00 and will be used to repair the roof of the church.

The Daily Tribune, May 2, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT SPEED

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

A fellow arrives from Bay City and asks, "When do you suppose I left Bay City?" Then with his breast swelling with pride he will announce "just 45 minutes ago I left the courthouse." And he too sits down and becomes another loafer waiting, waiting, for the mail and utilizing the time saved by excessive and dangerous speed.

When James J. Harbison announced that he had secured for one night only the Frances Eisel Company of players many of our people doubted. Miss Eisel with her company played ten months in New York, six months in Chicago and has just concluded a tour of the Canadian provinces and came direct to Texas where she will appear in six places only. Miss Eisel insisted on bringing her entire company with all the scenery she used in New York and arrived Tuesday night on the Portsmouth Special with two private Pullmans and three baggage cars carrying scenery, baggage and lighting equipment. She went at once to her suite in the palatial Van Wor Hotel, built by Doctor Van Wormer some years ago. I was admitted to her presence by her private secretary and on my asking her impressions on returning to her old town she said: "When I left Collegeport in 1930 figs were the rage and now I find all available land in onions." "Of course, I am glad to be back even if the stay is short and I hope the people of the town will enjoy our efforts this evening." I asked if she carried her own orchestra and she replied, "Yes, I do, for it is so much more satisfactory and I am glad to state that in the person of Madam Dorothea Grus Corporonzatta, I have the service of one of the few women directors. I will let you be judge after you have heard the orchestra tonight."

It was a privilege to spend that happy half hour with Miss Eisel and recall the days back in 1930 when I knew her as a student in Bay City High School.

Well, anyway, let us [get] on to the play. I found by looking over the program many friends for this was the cast of characters: Francis Eisel, leading lady; Raymond Hunt, leading man, playing opposite; Ruth Mowery, as the daughter; Francis King and Jimmy Murry as Negro impersonators; Mildred McKissick and Gladys Harbison, taking male parts.

The curtain went up disclosing the gorgeous scenery and light effects of the original New York production. When Miss Eisel appeared in the first part, I recognized in her the same sweet, charming girl, of the years gone by. Her acting was superb, without a flaw. Ruth Mowery is a past master in sob scenes and as she wept there was only one dry eye in the audience and that was Tom Fulcher's left eye.

Tom has been road grading so long that he has become hard boiled and it is difficult for him to cry with both eyes so he used only one for lachrymose discharges.

Francis King and Jimmy Murry were very real in their parts while the two male impersonators left nothing to be desired. At times the play was too dramatic and tense for pleasure but at the right moment, this situation was relieved by the introduction of comedy tempered with pathos. Get that. At any rate the "papers were found" intact and the "child saved from a life of shame."

The play, "The Old home Place," is one of those favored efforts, strangely fated to be considered so good that there is little use of trying to gauge it correctly.

The display of legs was satisfying, so delicate, rounded, dimpled, they were, reminding me of the days when I viewed the same legs browned by the sun, displayed in rolled down sox.

The receipts amounted to the sum of $22.50 and Miss Eisel insisted that the amount should be turned over to the school for the purchase of necessary equipment.

Writing about legs makes me think that others are interested for of late, I have received pictures from a Cincinnati reader, sent that they might suggest another leg spasm, another from New Jersey asks if I am weary of legs and one from Chicago says that the reader enjoyed my leg comments and hoped I would renew my leg dope. To all of them, I will say that skirts are going down and legs are disappearing and soon will be visible only to the few favored insiders.

Amos Johnson has lost his scepter as lettuce king for Harry Eisel, Sr., presented me with a head of lettuce that weighed two pounds and two ounces. Every leaf crisp, cool, tender, sweet, exquisite, chaste, delicate. Its sweetness was amplified, increased, augmented, because it was delivered to me from the hands of his daughter, Frances and not to be outdone along came Elizabeth, she with the gold bronze hair, with another package. These be fine folk.

Thursday Gladys Harbison left for Austin where she will enter the State declamation contest. Having won in the county and district, she has this one more to conquer.

Mrs. Harbison taking the census, found a Negro woman south of town who gave her age as 116. Think of it. Born during the war of 1812, living through all wars since. Quite a woman when Sam Houston whipped Santa Anna. Still living and doing her day's work.

A forty-mile gale driving a three-inch rain, accompanied with violent, violet, flashes of lightning and a continuous roll of thunder visited this section Monday. No particular damage was done but many of the phemmies were skeered and dressed themselves and waited the call of destruction. Net result a soil well soaked.

"The clouds consign their treasures to the fields;

And softly shaking on the dimpled pool

Prelusive drops let their moisture flow,

In large effusion, o'er the freshened world."

--Thomas.

The Woman's Union, twenty-five in number, met this week with Mrs. John Carrick. A devotional program was on the card, discussion and extra fine eats. This band of devoted women are always doing something for the community, their principle work being along religious lines.

The big community dinner at Collegeport Day, May 24, is on the card, also some fine sports arranged by the sports committee under management of Messrs. Harbison, Brazil and Cable. Just another happy get together day.

Gladys Harbison returned from Austin where she was a contestant in the State declamation contest with a scalp dangling from her belt. She took second place in the State, first in the district and county.

Well, anyway, Bay View consolidated rural high school is filled with joy, ecstasy, glee, transport, which means they are all excited.

The seven wolf pups which Frank King captured are now enjoying their home at Pierce under the care of Mr. Hutchins, manager of the Pierce estate.

The town is filling up with oil men among them being a party of surveyors.

All are pleased to know that Mr. George Welsby is improving under the treatment he received at Houston.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, May 6, 1930

Collegeport Girl Wins Honors at State Meet

Miss Gladys Harbison, Saturday at Austin, won second place in rural school declamation contest. Miss Harbison is a student at Collegeport and she easily won the county meet and carried off honors at Houston in the district meet.

This year Matagorda County contributed two winners at the State meet, something that has not happened before. Robert Fondren with his wonderful heave of the javelin, took second place, losing by inches to Viebig of Houston, and Miss Harbison, second in the declamation contest.—Bay City Tribune.

Palacios Beacon, May 8, 1930
 

Beginning the Search For Oil at Collegeport

According to the Tribune’s Collegeport correspondent, machinery, men and other paraphernalia are being concentrated at Collegeport, or near there, for a new effort to sink a deep well test for oil.

For sometime the excitement in that “neck of the woods” has run high and, now that actual work is to start, the hopes of favorable results are greater than they have ever been.

For some reason or other the Collegeport sector has been more or less favored in the judgment and opinions of oil men, most of whom seem to think the prospects exceptionally good.

An interested, if not anxious, people await the new developments in eager anticipation of great things in the making.

Daily Tribune, May 9, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT COULD WE BUT KNOW

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article about the immortality of the soul.]

Well, anyway, the school board has organized with Mrs. Frank King succeeding Ben R. Mowery as president and Mrs. B. V. Merck succeeding E. L. Hall as secretary. The present teachers have been re-engaged and the board is shopping around for a fourth teacher. They better buy a new truck for according to reports the one in use is a gasoline hog using at times as much as five gallons for sixteen miles. Better adjust the choker or some other gadget or dufunny.

Gladys Harbison has returned from her victorious trip wearing a silver medal. This is the first time any Matagorda County pupil has won in either the district or state contests and therefore we are all wearing a red feather.

Elizabeth Eisel has done gone into business and it is a difficult thing to resist her sales attack, especially when she shakes her beautiful bronze locks at one. It is best to stand and deliver.

Every available room is filled with oil men and it looks very much as if two wells were on their way.

Tuesday, we were entertained all day with a thirty-five mile wind. Towards night, clouds rolled up and we were visited by a severe electrical storm accompanied with rain and some hail. A four foot tide suggested a big storm out at sea.

Pilkington Slough was lost in the high water which obliterated its banks.

Seems impossible for me to reform. When I try to get away from legs they are thrust at me so here goes the last leg story. Two of our finest girls, both sweet, vivacious, lively, animated, spirited, beautiful, one dark, the other light and their names?

Well for this tale, we will call them M and E. Well, anyway, they were comparing legs to see which owned the larger and it was announced that M was the possessor and it was put up to me. Those four legs are the prettiest, daintiest, most delicious, refined, exquisite, in this burg or any other for that matter. They are refined, straight, rounded, and they support beautiful bodies, intelligent heads and sweet faces.

Two splendid girls and I love them both. I am unable to decide. I do not care for big, beefy legs, piano legs, spindling legs, skinny legs, enormous calves and enlarged ankles, but none of these leg defects are present with M or E for both are firm, sweet, dimpled, beautifully curved and most of the time well clothed. One pair, to be sure is more slender than the other, but both are ravishing, entrancing, charming, delightful.

Girls I love each of you so much, that I wish you would give me something easy to solve.

Burton D. Hurd arrived Thursday in a new Ford roadster and Mrs. Hurd at once traded her Wyllis-Knight and now rides in her Ford. Glad to see Burton back in the old town and as rumor states he has taken over the Fig Orchard Company, we who know him well believe something will soon break.

According to a report issued by the U. S. Department of Agriculture the pastures of Texas are at a lower per cent than for the past three years. Taking 100 as normal the report gives 1928 as 77 per cent, 1929 as 84 per cent and 1930 as 70 per cent.

We are situated in a wonderful grass section and are to be congratulated on that fact for our pastures must average considerable above for the state. It is interesting to note that the six New England states have the finest pastures the per cent running from 85 to 91 and as one goes west and south the percentage declines, the poorest being in the Southern States.

The Woman's Club met Thursday with Mrs. John Heisey as hostess, about twenty being present. The program was in charge of Mrs. Harry Austin Clapp, the subject being "Better Homes in America."

Mesdames Hurd and Liggett contributed valuable papers on the subject, one of which may appear in this week's Tribune. The roll call was responded to with passages of scripture using the word home in each response. The club has about $110 in its treasury. Vivifying refreshments were served by the hostess assisted by Mrs. Carrick.

State aid for our local school appears to be on the decline for as I remember it, one year the school was allowed $1000, one year $750, and this year $600. If there is anything our trustees can do to secure an increase it might be well to do it for with an increased scholastic population, will come enlarged expenses.

Well, anyway, the other day I found a quail nest in the pasture. Eleven eggs still warm for the mother had been away only a moment.

The three women's organizations will unite on Collegeport Day, May 24 to serve cold drinks and ice cream, the proceeds going towards the roof repair fund of the community house.

Monday night, a reception will be held in the community house in honor of the Brazil and Boeker families and Messrs. Cable and Hughes, all of whom are about to depart for other pastures. Most of us hoped that when E. R. Brazil came to the burg as local agent for the Mopac, that it was his last move but now that he is promoted to the Odem station we are to lose this useful family.

The decision of the United States Supreme Court prohibiting the sale of anything in which liquor might be transported, bottles, jugs, barrels, flasks, boxes, nails and corks, malt, yeast is going to be pretty tough on us fellers who desire to put up catsup.

Joe Frank Jenkins is not "Old Man Jenkins" for on April 29, came a son who will be known as Joe Frank Jenkins, Jr.

This week we have had quite enough storms and warning of storms. Tuesday we escaped by a neck, a terrific tornado. Friday night a forty-mile gale blew all night causing most of us burghers to lose a night's rest. Sunday morning winds blew, lightning flashed, thunder rolled, tide way up, three to four inches of rain, almost a gulf storm and it was in moderation. Now we hope for settled weather, for we are filled to repletion.

Saturday, the miserable wretch enjoyed the hospitality of the Burton D. Hurd's in a trip to Bay City where she allowed Doc Sholars to yank out a troublesome tooth. Doc soothed her with some of his potent dope, so the extermination was really a pleasure. Well, anyway, she came back for which I am thankful.

The Daily Tribune, May 13, 1930

COLLEGEPORT

The King's Daughters met at the home of Mrs. Roy Nelson Thursday.

Mr. E. R. Brazil has accepted a call to Odem. We are glad to know of his promotion, but sorry to lose these fine people. Mrs. Brazil will remain until school closes when she and Jerramae will join Mr. Brazil.

Mr. Jones is the new station agent in Collegeport, filling the vacancy left by Mr. Brazil.

A class of three are graduating from the Bay View School. The commencement date will be announced later. Miss Francis Eisel, valedictorian, Miss Mamie Franzen, and James Murry, are the graduates.

The class has asked Mrs. Frank King, chairman, and Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Brazil to serve on the decoration committee for their commencement.

Miss Ellamae Chiles has returned from a few weeks visit in El Campo.

Mr. North Cable is planning on leaving here soon for his former home in Springfield.

Mrs. S. W. Corse and Mrs. Carl Boeker were callers in Palacios on Tuesday.

The Dalla Betta Brothers have the first ripe tomatoes of the season.

The Watts Brothers are delayed with their drilling on account of the excessive rain we have been having, which has caused the delay in hauling the heavy machinery in. They are on the ground now waiting for the road conditions to improve. John Merck has the contract for hauling their oil, and a number of local men will have work with them.

The continued heavy rains will soon ruin the prospects for a good cotton crop in this vicinity. The fields are already becoming very grassy.

The school faculty entertained members of the graduating class and their friends at a theatre party in Bay City Friday night. There were fourteen in the party and all reported a most enjoyable time.

Mr. Wilbur Woods of Bay City, is spending the summer in Collegeport, assisting in the Farmer's Storage Company store.

Mr. Emmitt Chiles is in Victoria a few days on business.

The Daily Tribune, Thursday, May 15, 1930
 

Beginning the Search For Oil at Collegeport

According to the Tribune’s Collegeport correspondent, machinery, men and other paraphernalia are being concentrated at Collegeport or near there, for a new effort to sink a deep well test for oil.

For sometime the excitement in that “neck of the woods” has run high and, now actual work is to start, the hopes of favorable result are greater than they have ever been.

For some reason or other the Collegeport sector has been more or less favored in the judgment and opinions of oil men, most of whom seem to think the prospect exceptionally good.

An interested, if not anxious people await the developments in eager anticipation of great things in the making.

Palacios Beacon, May 15, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT HIGO CEBOLLA Y SPINAGE

By Harry Austin Clapp

It will not be news to most of our readers to know that Burton D. Hurd has taken over the properties of the Collegeport Fig Orchard Company and the Collegeport Packing Company.

I called on Mr. Hurd the other day and asked that he give me some idea of his plans if not inconsistent, and I found that he had arranged a novel and comprehensive plan of the further exploitation and development of these properties. The plan appealed to me as being sensible, consistent, conservative. While no local assistance or co-operation is asked it is hoped that when our local growers see the profits in the demonstration that will soon be made, they will be glad to devote some of their land to the crops which are to be handled in the packing plant.

In the first place the townsite is to have a general cleaning up of weeds and grass which now threatens to cover our sidewalks and encroach on our "nine foot sidewalk" will be removed and this along will give the burg a slick appearance.

Next on the program is the cleaning up of the fig orchards, something that has never been done to perfection. This will stimulate the growth of the figs which are trying hard to come back, and produce a crop for canning this season. The land once clean will be kept in fine tilth during the summer and this fall much of it will be planted to onions.

If this crop comes up to expectations it means the building of a Dry-Vac unit for handling the onions. Next spring sweet corn will be planted with soy beans. The corn will be canned, the bean vines turned under as fertilizer and the beans sold on a market with is not as yet satisfied. If our local growers can be interested in such crops as onions, spinach, sweet corn [in] quantity it means that the canning plant will operate ten months each year. This means that much labor...

...very close to complete failure. Judging from that experience the dullest of us can realize what it would mean to have employment ten months each year. The plan is a sensible one. It is not an experiment. There is no hot air about it. It simply means growing crops which are used for human food and for which there exists an ever growing and unsatisfied market. The plan outlined is a balanced plan, a rotating plan, good for the soil, good for the grower, and at prices as good or better than cotton and a market right at home. No long hauls, no waiting for a sale, but cash on the barrel head as soon as delivery is made.

The people of this community are not asked to do a lick this year. On the contrary they are going to be shown now each year they can make their land pay double and still increase its fertility and productive ability.

As I write these words, work is underway for I can hear the sound of the tractors which are now in the field. It we fail to give this effort our prompt and willing moral support we are unworthy to be classed as progressive citizens of this community. Collegeport grew and shrunk and now it seems new blood is pulsing, heart action is hastened, a spirit of life and activity is awake and while the town may not boom and that is something we do not care for, a new growth is assured on an agriculture fundamental which wherever used has been a success.

I therefore, implore our folks to desist, abstain, cease, leave off, using the hammer in a destructive way and begin to use it in the construction of a better community. Let us boost every worthy effort regardless of who promotes it and also let us use the hammer day and night in knocking out undesirable gossip, in fact anything and everything that is destructive.

God forbid that this community become static. We cannot stand still. The law forbids that. We must go forward or we must go backward. It is to us to choose. This may be the last call, so let us all turn in and boost for Collegeport and don't forget that the fellow who waits grows whiskers.

From the hands of Miss Callie Metzger, I have a map of Texas highways. Some of its pages are covered with various advertisements and among them I notice the advertisements of seven funeral directors and ambulance drivers. In as much as this is an auto map it seems quite a proper medium for such advertisements. Makes it very convenient for tourists. Wonder why a few doctors do not avail themselves of this medium. Suppose professional ethics forbids.

Friday night the class which graduates into the ninth grade go to Bay City for their exercises, diplomas, and a reception, and of course they are all excited. They will appear for us locals the following Wednesday night when the tenth grade have their exercises.

Thursday, the King's Daughters met with Mrs. Nelson. As usual, when they meet with Mrs. Carrie Nelson, the Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles occupy the royal place on the table. There will be other foods but there will only be one real nourishment. Maybe some of you are able to guess. Anyway, I wish that I was a daughter.

The young men who are connected with the oil development appear to offer unusual attractions for our girls for they flock about them like bees before honey. Perhaps they are honey boys. Does anyone know? Watch the "Intentions to Marry" column of the Tribune and one of these days in the not distant future you will read a notice of interest.

Baccalaureate sermon at 3 p.m. by the Reverend Gillespie of Palacios, Wednesday night the 21st.

Commencement exercises with Frances Eisel as valedictorian and Mamie Franzen as salutatorian, on Friday night the 23rd. The senior class plan and Saturday the 24th a big community dinner as Collegeport Day with Messrs. Harbison, Liggett and Chiles in charge of sports. Everyone is invited to bring their baskets of digestible eatables. Come and renew old friendship and have an enjoyable day.

The Carr Feed store sent me a bag of growing mash for which I thank them. Guess my old friend Bert Carr must have suggested it, but I wonder how they know I had two little chicks. Well, I fed it to them and talk about growing. I weighed one of them before giving them the ration and it weighed four ounces. In two days it weighed a half a pound and on the fourth day it laid an egg and the other one crowed lustily. Believe it or not but this is sure some growing.

It is a great thing in this old world to have friends. I have a few and among them I number as a valuable one, Mrs. Emmitt Chiles. She is one of our fine women, the mother of a splendid family of bright children and she is the handsomest of the tribe. Well, anyway, she sent me a swell bouquet the other day just to tell me of her regard for me. The bouquet was not only ornamental but very useful for it consisted of a big sack of snap beans, raised by her own efforts which enhanced their value for me. They were of good color, crisp, solid, of exquisite flavor, especially when fortified with a chunk of bacon, some onion and chili powder they became a feed relished by the gods. Here is a hope that her garden prospers.

I am sorry to learn that North Cable is leaving us. North Cable has been a desirable citizen, always willing to put in his bit for all civic activities. He has been of special value garden aid horticulture work for he is one of those fellows, plants seem to love and they respond to him and grow and fruit. Hope his cable will slip and he will come a driftin' back.

The school kiddies came back from the seventh grade exercises at Bay City and each bearing his sheep skin and proud of it. Elizabeth Eisel, Ermine Harbison, Norman Carrick, Arthur Liggett, took the trip. C. W. Boeker stayed at home, but was one of the fortunates just the same and received his diploma.

Wednesday night they will appear to delight the eyes of our locals so we can look for a full house.

The Carl Boeker family shipped their household goods and some farming equipment Monday morning. North Cable accompanied them. We must get busy now and move in some new ones to make up the loss of these five.

Two big heavy duty six wheel trucks loaded with equipment for the Watt Brothers oil well near Mad Island drifted in Saturday but on the way broke through one of the bridges and will be delayed until repairs are made. The derrick is up and boilers are on the way.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, May 20, 1930

Collegeport Day to be Held Saturday, 24

Collegeport will have their day Saturday when they turn out for sports, eats and entertainment.

The program as outlined is as follows:--

Community dinner at 12 o’clock. Everyone is invited. Baseball game, Girls versus women. Baseball game, Boys versus men. Boys’ sack race, under 12 years. Girls’ sack race, under 12 years. Potato race. Relay race, school boys versus men. Relay race, school girls versus the women.

There will be many other races and various forms of entertainment.

Palacios Beacon, May 22, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT THINGS THAT USED TO WAS

By Harry Austin Clapp

The other day looking over some old letters and documents I came across a memo book kept by my father at the time of his marriage, along about 72 years ago. It was the account of his first family supplies. I find that he paid seven cents for eggs, ten for butter, same for ham, beefsteak cost him ten cents, milk 25 quarts per dollar, crackers 25 pounds per dollar and sugar at same rate. A whole side of codfish at two bits, calico at four cents, tin pans at five to ten cents, a bucket at twenty-five, potatoes twenty-five cents per bushel, apples fifteen cents per barrel and other items in same proportion.

This meant, of course, that the producers received what we call a small sum, and yet the farmers of that section were thrifty folk, made money, educated their children, and were a happy and contented people, receiving and holding the respect of all who knew them.

My father always wore boots as did all other men for shoes were unknown. I always wore boots until I was eighteen years of age. They were made by the local bootmaker, and often I used to go to the shop and watch him cut out and make my boots.

When I was eighteen and preparing for a school in New York state, my father ordered a new pair of boots, but I balked and insisted on wearing shoes as at that time the swells no longer wore boots. We had quite a fracas but I won out with the aid of my gentle mother and went away to school very proudly wearing my first pair of shoes. Until that time my mother made all my clothes, mostly from fathers discarded suits. At this time I again asserted myself and won again and had the opportunity of wearing a "handmedown" suit, purchased at the local clothing store. It was a very proud boy that kissed his mother goodbye that September morning and boarded the train my first journey for the state of New York.

But I bet now that I looked like a rube.

The local milk man had on his wagon a fifteen gallon can with a wooden float to keep the milk from splashing and draw the milk from the faucet. At every delivery he would uncover the can, raise up the float and vigorously stir the contents. This was considered quite eclat or something like that.

How delighted us kinds were when General Tom Thumb came to town with his show and how we followed his diminutive coach and ponies about the burg. Second in delight was when the Uncle Tom's Cabin troupers arrived and how we stood in awe of the ferocious blood hounds and envied Marks, the lawyer, and cried when Eva died.

About twice a year a Negro minstrel company would come to town and use the Opry House and it was a gorgeous sight when they made their parade. First came the drum major with his big bear skin hat, then the band resplendent in their brilliant uniforms and followed by the entire company (twenty-five) count 'em, twenty-five, all dressed in long overcoats and silk hats. How we used to fight for the rare privilege of carrying the front end of the big bass drum. This allowed the lucky boy to be in the parade, the envy of all others, and most always he was given a pass which he proudly displayed and bragged that "it don't cost me nothin' to go to the show."

Us big boys went to church at night and not for religious instruction but for another very worthy purpose. It was the chance to see our girl home and so we would, almost before the last words of the benediction, rush out in the dark outside and soon as our girl appeared, we would grab her and solemnly walk her homewards. Arriving there we had no auto in which to park and spark, but leaned on the gate and leaned and leaned until the hinges sagged and a voice from inside would say: "Flora time you came in." Sometimes by good luck a kiss would end the Romeo and Juliet scene and we would trudge home our hearts all a flutter. Good old days, splendid old times, O, would they were here again.

June first, we will lose Dorothy Franzen for a time for she trips north to Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and good old Chi. I shall miss her "pardon me" as I stand in her way when she opens her box, but the boy she leaves behind will remember her as the girl who hangs out the moon. Never fear little boy for she will come back.

Some shower they had at Markham the other day. Miss Ethel tried to secure protection under the teacher tree, but was well soaked before the shower was over. Rumor says that she will soon come back to Collegeport and dwell in a house by the sea. I guess it will all come true, for she was married Sunday, May 25 at the home of her parents in Markham to Mason S. Holsworth of Collegeport. They are on their way to points in New Mexico for a bridal trip and will soon be home and a part of our community life. Every one in this town is a well wisher for this couple and hope they will have a long and happy married life.

"Thou art the breath of my body,

Thou are the core of my heart,

Life is a desert without thee,

Heaven's wherever thou art!

Chorus of flutes by a fountain,

Silvery bells in the night,

Murmur of rain on the mountain,

These are thy voice, my delight!

Lean to me from the dark casement,

Loose thy gauze veil for my eyes

Thou art a breeze sweet with rose scent,

Thou art a cloud from the skies!

Moonstone and opal and ruby,

Silk from a far caravan,

Perfumes and sweets I will give thee--

These...and the love of a man!"

--Beth Borton.

Well, anyway, an auto stopped here Sunday night and from it alighted the only Oscar. We were glad to see Oscar Chapin once more and only wish he had brought the Guinea Queen with him, but we are informed that Montgomery Ward said if she left he would be obliged to close the store while she was away.

The Della Betta Brothers began shipping tomatoes last week with 3000 pounds for which they receive 3 1/2 cents. The buyer informed then that there were no better tomatoes in Texas.

The other day Mrs. Jim Hale organized a picnic party for her four children and asked the miserable wretch to accompany them, I suspect for protection. They went down to Portsmouth and fished with the Mayor and Mayoress O'Neals and had a delightful time fishing and crabbing and shelling and all they got was a chance to come back.

"Mama went a fishin'

I staid home a wishin'

I was rewarded for my wish

With only one little sardine fish."

--Fragments from Hack.

Mr. and Mrs. Emmitt Chiles journeyed to Victoria to look after Emmitt's last job of road grading.

The school kids gave Dorothy Franzen a going away shower. Showers be frequent nowadays for soon as Mr. and Mrs. Jack return there will be another and very soon rumor says there will be still another.

Those interested are advised to watch the "Intentions to Marry" column of the Tribune or consult with Mrs. John Carrick.

The injury received by Hattie Kundinger, said injury being in her left cheek, at the ball game, does not interfere with delivery of yeast so us Homecrofters are still able to make our home brew if we wish to do so.

Burton D. Hurd is getting mowing machines in shape and soon the town will enjoy a much needed hair cut. The fig trees are relishing a liberal spraying and the outlook for quite a crop of that delectable fruit is mighty good when one considers the low temperature they endured.

A letter from Central City, Ky., informs us that the writer has "without sight and unseen traded for Collegeport." He writes that he is told it is wonderful and wants to know about it. If he has traded for all of Collegeport it means that many of us will have to move. This bird gets the dope through last week's Tribune and a special letter informing him that wonderful is a very mild term. If any more northern birds wish information about this burg, write to Burton D. Hurd and he will send a copy of the latest exposition. Don't worry for it is free as the salt air we breathe down here where health and life goes on to "ad finitum."

Wednesday night the Houston Chronicle failed to arrive. Our postmaster ever ready to give service found that the bundle was in Citrus Grove and drove over for it. This is service plus. If we had the same service in the Bay city office, where our mail is handled, we would not be so often deprived of our daily papers. If Mrs. Emma Lewis Carleton was in that office such errors would never, no never, occur for she would operate an office of the first class.

Miss Louise Walter gives a going away bridge party in honor of Miss Dorothy Franzen.

The Industrial League at its meeting Thursday night resolved to hold their third Father and Son banquet in June and appointed Messrs. Corse, Harrison and Kundinger, a committee on general arrangements.

I acknowledge receipt of two lemon drops the gift of little Evelyn Hale. A feller is mighty lucky when the little kids remember him. At the same time Mrs. Hale presented us Homecrofters with two big flounders so we will have fish with our Mayor O'Neal new spuds. A toothsome dish all right but my tummy still yearns, longs for, desires, craves, some of them there noodles.

It is rumored that Mrs. Allen will entertain the King's Daughters next month on board the Lady Pilot. They will go way out where the waves toss spray and I am betting that the fishes will enjoy some noodles. As I am not a Daughter, guess I'll stay home and play a soft obligato on my flute.

Our cold drink and hamburger establishment has like the "Arab, folded its tent and stolen away." It is now located outside the city limits. This removal leaves open an opportunity for some ambitious person to start a very good business in drinks, candies, luncheons, et cetera.

Eighteen new oil men came in this week and are quartered all over the town. This new crew are dynamiters so we will expect some boom-boom. It is reported that Isaac Miller received twenty dollars per acre for a lease on his 120 acres.

The Daily Tribune, June 3, 1930

Dorothydick Becomes Dickdorothy, June 8th At Collegeport

The sun rose this morning of Sunday, June 8, a big globe of bronze copper and shooting its rays to the heavens seemed to be grasping all the happiness and joy from the turquoise sky so that it might sprinkle it on the head of Dorothy Crane the young June bride. If a clear sky and a bright sun is a happy omen this young couple are insured of a long, happy and contented life and for this the wishes of the community go to them.

We wish their lives to round out into a golden ball of glory, filled with joy and just sufficient or the bitter to make life sweetly satisfied and convincing. We wish them not an imitation life, but life, an ever changing, growing, developing life.

Dorothy Crane was born in Baraboo, Wisconsin and came to this community when she was eleven years old. Richard (Dick) Corporon, was born in Kansas and arrived as a small child. They have grown and developed under the eyes of our people and are claimed as two of us. We have watched with interest the courtship and this day we see them take on the solemn vows of marriage. About one hundred and fifty persons assembled to witness the ceremony which was held immediately after the morning church service, which this day was the observation of children's day.

The ceremony was performed by Reverend Curtis, a Baptist Minister from Palacios.

When Mrs. Harry Clapp struck the first chords of the processional of Lohengrin, the wedding melody burst forth and the bridal couple appeared from the north room and were met in front of the Altar by the minister, who using the ring service in a few well chosen words, pronounced them man and wife and asked Divine blessing on their lives. To the recessional of Mendelssohn's they passed to the south reception room, where they received the congratulations of their friends.

The bride was dressed in a beautiful georgette flat crepe, dream pink complete ensemble and carried a bouquet of roses and jessamines.

The groom was dressed in conventional business dress. During the reception Mrs. Anna D. Crane, mother of the bride with her assistants, served ice cream and cake to all present. The guest registration book was presided over by the Misses Frances Eisel and Frances King. Both of these young girls were dressed in charming gowns, which added to the brilliance of the affair. Thus passed out into the matrimonial sea, another bark. The next morning, the grooms day, the sun rose on a cloudless sky, another happy omen.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, June 10, 1930
 

THOUGHTS WHILE JES' SNOOPIN' AROUND'

By Harry Austin Clapp

If a feller jes' hangs aroun' and snoops a little and asks a few questions he is bound to accumulate some information. That's what I have been doing the past week, and I have found out that the fig orchard management has bought a power machine, the sort that is attached to a tractor. It has a five foot cut and with it all the streets and alleys will have their hirsute appendages treated. This will cause the town to look up into the bright blue sky and smile and it will dispel the gloom that seems to cover the face of some of the burghers. Two good accomplishments. I also found out that every fig tree had been pruned, the new shoots trimmed off and every leaf covered with a delicate green spray that is sure death to bugs and insect life.

After this treatment the fig leaves simply howl with glee. It feels so good they simply can't help but be expressive. They laugh loudest at night. I do not know why, unless they are then the least disturbed by the groans, mutterings, yammerings of the village knockers who operate mostly by day.

In further snoopin' I find that all the orchards beginning this week will be plowed, disced and put in fine tilth. It this cleaning program is carried out, as the feller told me it would be, it will be the first time the orchards have ever been cleaned to complete perfection.

Mr. Sam Sims worked hard on the proposition and came to about 98 per cent several times and Sam Sims was no loafer as all of us can testify. Now, so they say, the orchards will become one hundred per cent clean. Once done, the land will be kept in cultivation and this fall set to onions. This onion planting is intended to be an object lesson and it is hoped that another this land will begin to take it its place in the onion industry in Texas. It can easily do this for the soil is specially adapted to the nurture and growth of this valuable crop.

Just now we are handicapped, just like hell. We both need men. Men in Collegeport to raise onions, figs, sweet corn and other food products. In hell, men are needed to raise more hell. This is not all I heard either, for listen to this:

Arrangements have been made to regrade South Boulevard from the town line to the bay and Bayside Boulevard way up along the shore. Now that seems pretty good, but the plan also includes regrading Avenues C., I, and L, clear across the townsite with particular attention given to drainage so that the water will flow from the bar pits instead of standing for the use of mosquitoes who wish to breed. On top of all this so we may enjoy a full measure, Central Street is to be graded and shelled from the end of the nine-foot sidewalk to the bay. People living in that section will join me in rejoicing. I suggest to the management that it would be a clever to act shell to the community house.

"They asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? And what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?"--Luke xxi, 7.

The answer is that no sign is needed, for some of them are here at this writing and the balance is on the way.

I heard other things also. Plans I am not likely to disclose, but it will be sufficient, enough, ample, adequate, to state that when all the plans of the present management are complete this community will be so attractive, enticing, inviting, bewitching, that we will be unable to keep people away. People who hunger for homes by the shore, where they may breathe clean air, drink pure water, enjoy life and once more live. Be patient, Aid, help, co-operate, contribute, protect and foster the efforts that are being made and all will have cause to rejoice. A swell and dandy new broom is now at work. And as Emerson once said, "The sum of wisdom is, that the time is never last that is devoted to work."

Rosalie Nelson spent last week end with Mrs. Braden and the Matthes family at Blessing. It is rumored that her special business was collecting one dollar from Uncle Arthur.

Bandit Holds Up Prominent Citizen In Front of Postoffice

That would be the head lines had it happened in Houston. I have had my pocket picked but never until this morning have I had such a thrilling experience as I had this morning when a bandit thrust an automatic in my face and said "hands up!"  Before I could comply he fired twice but the gun snapped which no doubt saved my life. As quickly as possible I complied with the order but having just spent sixteen cents for stamps, I was stripped clean.

Mr. E. L. Hall, known to be a brave man rushed in and grappled with the bandit but he wriggled free and escaped. He left behind a handkerchief with the initials "M. A. L." and some finger prints which have been identified as those of a well-known pistol toter. His description has been broadcast but probably nothing will be done until Joe Mangum recovers from the smallpox. In the mean time it is reported that the miscreant was seen going towards the border.

Harry Lewis Eisel, Sr., is one of those fellows who believes in giving flowers to the living and so Tuesday he presented us Homecrofters with a beautiful bouquet. When arranged on a large platter with a big yellow squash for a border, a center of big fat pod beans,  embellished with cukes for a final center, it made a generous centerpiece and so we thank the Eisel family for the splendid gift. O, say, I forgot that the piece de resistance was a big firm head of cabbage. What good would this do me had it been spread on the top of my casket?

"No dainty flowre or herbe that grows on ground,

No arborett with painted blossoms drest

And smelling sweete, but there it might be fownd

To bud, out faire, and throws her sweete smells all arownd."

--Fairy Queen Spenser.

For years I have wanted to see a baby praying mantis and was rewarded this day for one appeared on our door screen. It was about only a half inch long but it looked as wise as any of its elders. It belongs to the group 'Mantidae" and the species familiar in this locality is called "Stagmomantis."

It is the savage of the insect world for it preys on all insect life. Its appetite is so insatiable that it becomes reckless and will attack, kill and devour, bees, wasps or predacious beetles. It is particularly fond of mosquitoes and big fat, juicy tomato worms.

The Della Betta Brothers finding them in numbers on their tomato plants have been killing them as fast as discovered. I informed them that they were killing their best friends for they were sure and certain death to all insect life. Nothing can hope to escape their eager paws. I have seen them catch a big tomato worm and rapidly suck out the body juices and cast away the empty hide. Every plant grower should protect and encourage this cannibal.

"A weird phantom, a gracefully formed and delicate tinted, insect, a marvel, a murderer, a cannibal."

Found a bull-bat in the road Tuesday with a broken wing. Examination disclosed that it had been shot by some foolish, careless fool, one of those fellows who being given a gun goes out to slaughter any living thing. I took it out of the road where it most certainly would have been crushed and placed it on the grass. The bull-bat is one of our most useful birds for it feeds largely on insects which it captures in the air. A considerable portion consists of mosquitoes, gnats, flies and other man-annoying insects. It does not destroy fruits, crops or vegetables. Its boom-boom-boom as it flies through the air is an attractive sound. Why should any man or boy wish to destroy such a beautiful and useful bird?

We were honored Wednesday with a call from three prominent Houston men brought here by Burton D. Hurd on an inspection trip. The party consisted of William Bordeaux, architect; C. T. Applegate, building contractor and Edward L. Rinf, representative of the plaster and cement finishers local No. 79. From the conversation I gather that these gentlemen will have considerable to do with some desirable construction work which will delight our local burghers.

How time slips away. Wednesday came the celebration of Ethel Nelson's seventh birthday. More than twenty of her little friends gathered at the Nelson home in her honor. They ate ice cream and cake and cookies. Wonder why no noodles appeared. I feel a bit peeved because I was not invited but if they had no noodles, my loss is less.

The treasurer's report of the Holstein Friesan Associaiton of American just issued shows a healthy condition and gives one an idea of its magnitude. Total assets amount to 521,741.33 and liabilities the sum of 72,431.35 leaving a surplus of 449,409.98. Of this 239,523.31 is in cash and balance in standard railroad bonds. I have been a member for many years and have seen much of this growth.

Well, anyway, this has nothing to do with the Woman's Union, which met Thursday with Mrs. Chiles. Considerable business was transacted and at a called meting of the Woman's Club, Mrs. Burton D. Hurd was chosen as a delegate to the county federation which will meet in Palacios Saturday.

This section insures a splendid report. The Woman's Union voted to furnish a banquet for the fathers and sons which will be held late this month. Mollie (sometimes called Mrs. Chiles) remembered me with a big plate of eatables consisting of four kinds of cake, generous sandwiches, cheese and pickles. I tell you boys that it pays to stand in with our women friends.

Something like thirty-five years ago a young man named Burton asked the great question of a girl named Dena and it being given in the affirmative he bound the bargain with a ring bearing a piece of ice weighing over two carats. Last week Dena lost the rock and mourned as did all of her friends. Thursday night after backing her auto out of the garage she saw something sparkle in the moonlight and there was her diamond. Her delight, joy, pleasure, ecstasy was overflowing and was shared by her many friends.

The town is dead this seventh day of June. All of the men are preparing their own meals and none have noodles. The women are all in Palacios attending the meet of the county federation of women's clubs. Poor men.

Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Franzen are in Houston this week-end to see Arnold receive his sheepskin and degree from Rice Institute. They were accompanied by Mrs. George Welsby who goes to see Mr. Welsby who is taking treatment from a Houston physician.

The Daily Tribune, June 10, 1930

Notice For Bids

Trustees for Collegeport Common School District will receive bids for general repair on school building at Collegeport. Repairs on roof, on plastering inside walls, painting windows and wood work. Board reserves right to reject any and all bids. Bids will be opened at school building 14th day of June, 1930, at 10 o'clock a. m.

Mrs. Frank King, Pres.
Mrs. Sadie Merck, Secy.

Palacios Beacon, June 12, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT KOTB

By Harry Austin Clapp

"Hello everybody! This is station KOTB speaking to you good folks. We are beginning the regular program, which comes to you through the courtesy of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company, directed by Mr. Burton D. Hurd, the pioneer in Collegeport development. KOTB? Yes, you have it Kollegeport on the Bay. As you know folks, down here, we have things so attractive as to be unresistable and we want you to visit us and see and feel and enjoy along with our folks. We offer fishing, hunting, boating, bathing, rare rest for weary folk, the purest water, clean sea swept air, a kindly people, attractive social events. If you seek to become industrious, seek no farther, for here you may use your talents.

We have often told our home folks that in order to get a good perspective of the community in which they live it is good to go away. Then one may view. They go and they return convinced that here is a life worth while. When are you coming? No matter how many of you come, we shall not be satisfied. We'd like to have just you. You now listening. Come soon as you can. Bring the missus and the kiddies. When you arrive come on over to our house." You'll find us interested and interesting.

At night you will sleep cool and comfortable and you'll hear the swish of the waves as they wash around the dock piling, perhaps the splash of a fish, you'll hear gentle little breezes playing around your pillow and you'll cuddle down and sleep. Come soon. We want to see you and see you soon. Now for our program and remember folks, this is provided by our local talent. It will be rendered in their own imitable way. First, we will listen to songs by those sweet girls the Eisel sisters, their finest number being Our Dreams Come True. Then our own Ruth Mowery in her original fascinating monologue. Gladys Harbison, the girl who won first in the county and district declamation contest and took second money in the state contest. She will deliver her prize declamation.

In music we have a talented musician in the person of Miss Dorothy Crane, who will delight you with her piano interpretation of Kamenoi Ostrow by A. Rubinstein.

The program will close with the Penland Brothers, our local Amos and Andy, in black face comedy and gags. After the program we ask you again, "come on down to our house." Come soon. KOTB broadcasts every night at 7:30 Central time. Tune in. God bless you and a good night to you all."

That's the way the announcer would say it to the mike. I make no pretensions as an announcer, but will in my own way tell you something about Collegeport. A previous article entitled Big, Little Collegeport told of the tangible facts and the possibilities existing in the Collegeport district.

Thoughts About KOTB will be devoted to the town known as Collegeport.

The glamor of a romantic past lives in Collegeport for the waters of an historic bay wash its shores. The waters LaSalle kissed when he landed on his last fated voyage. Located on an elevation high above the bay it is afforded complete protection from all storms from the sea. The town site while to the eye seems level, has a grade that provides excellent drainage.

Rail service is provided by the Missouri Pacific system. Express, mail, telegraph and telephone is ready for the user. A little church, the meeting place for the community dreams in the summer sun. Here fourteen denominations meet in peace for the worship of a common God. A school house of brick, with four rooms and an excellent faculty, teaches eleven grades and a truck brings in each day the pupils from the nearby country sections.

The Woman's Union meets once each month and is a church organization. The King's Daughters has special charge of the cemetery and it also meets monthly. The Woman's Club devotes its activities to community affairs and owns the library of two thousand volumes, the first library to be established in the county. The Industrial League, the men's organization, has rendered civic service for twenty-two years and holds regular monthly meetings. Features of the community life are the annual New Year's community dinner, the observance with a banquet of Washington's birthday and May 25, the birthday of the town is celebrated with a community dinner. These affairs are held each year and have been for twenty-one years.

Beautiful homes costing from ten to thirty thousand dollars, line the bay shore boulevard while many handsome bungalows adorn the streets. The stores carry merchandise of all kinds and an up-to-date pharmacy electric lighted and electric frozen supplies novelties, drugs, cold drinks and frozen creams that are a delight, rapture and bliss to the palate. O, yes, Collegeport is a community of glorious surprise. It is different--ever changing. A vacation land for the family. Fishing, boating, hunting, bathing for father, mother and the kiddies.

Over all is the green grass from which yellow daisies and primroses lift their heads. Antaeus was a wonderful wrestler who renewed his strength by touching the grass. Here the green grass and the clear, pure, wholesome, artesian water coming from deep flowing wells, combine to renew youth and strength like Antaeus received them from the grass. Maybe you know how Collegeport looks in the moonlight. It is difficult to describe. You better come and enjoy one of our moonlight nights. See how the great globe rises a ball of mellow fire and sailing majestically across the sky, sparkles the tips of the waves and bathes the land with a mellifluous light that softens and subdues and enhances its beauty.

It is a rural community. We ask you to visit and all know the benefits of a quiet rural life on the moral development of the child. Here children can be reared, educated, receive religious training and grow into valuable citizens free from the taint that often is present in more congested centers.

Flowers, plants, insect life and animal life are present in interesting numbers and supply free of charge study hours for the nature lover.

No less a personage than Royal Dixon, well-known naturalist and writer of insect stories, said that he had never found a place so rich in material for the study of plant, insect and animal life.

Then there is the cement pavement that connects us with Bay City, the county seat, and from there to any point in the nation. Think of being able to motor from your northern home over smooth pavements to be bay shore and there rest in luxuriant quarters. Rest free from pests, fanned to sleep by cool gulf breezes, breezes from across two thousand miles of romantic seas. Think of driving, after entering the district through miles of primroses and daisies which stretch in uninterrupted vista for mile after mile.

Again I say Collegeport is different. A visit to it and a talk with its residents will prove the truth of the statement. Our people are progressive and while they may not break all records they will set a pace that will compel the winner to sprint.

We are striving to go ahead. We believe that "happiness grows at our own fireside and is not to be picked in strangers gardens."

Come, visit us, and share the happiness we are finding here on the shore of Matagorda Bay. If the reader desires further information, write the secretary of the Collegeport Industrial League.

Come and let us ratiocinate.

My copy for the Collegeport Day story stated that Mrs. Amos Johnson and three children were present. The types added two children. Amos wants to know where we found them. If he fails to bring me some of his delicious cantaloupes, I promise to dig up a few more kiddies.

Clifford Franzen is home for the summer and his father will find him desirable help.

She that once was Bessie Merck, spent the week-end with her parents.

Seventy-five women met at Palacios for the county federation meet. These women not only are active in local affairs but are looking smartly after county interests. How different with our men. They selfishly bluster around with their local chambers of horrors any attempts to get them to amalgamate for the county welfare fails.

Some day they will awaken from dreams and meet and mix and exchange ideas and work for the county.

Some day, but the Lord only knows the date.

Louise Walter goes to Austin for the University Summer School. Louise is bound and determined to make good. By the way, have you fellers seen her in black? Better watch, for it is becoming and enhances her French type.

E. L. Hall comes out in a new Marquette Six "Koop." A "Koop" is always a fine thing to carry chickens in.

Frederick Taylor Matthes came down Sunday from Blessing to attend the Corporon-Crane wedding. Hope he will come again soon. Fine young man and a good oil salesman.

Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Holsworth returned Sunday night from their wedding trip way out in West Texas and New Mexico parts. They are at home in the Sims house on the bay shore and are welcomed by all of the residents.

The King's Daughters went to sea Thursday on the good ship, Lady Pilot, courtesy of Mrs. Allen. They took aboard generous provisions including a magnanimous, munificent supply of those Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles without which no dinner is complete, perfect, consummate.

Those who survived the perils of the sea report a royal time and said that no one suffered from "mal de mer." But here is something that requires an explanation. Two days after the trip, Juan Scolari caught six red fish and from the mouth of each hung a string of noodles. I am wondering who fed the red fish.

Gustave Franzen and family planned a trip north but Gustave was taken ill with his old trouble the day they were to leave and is now confined to his room. His friends hope that he will soon make a recovery and be able to take his vacation trip. When they do trip, Clifford Franzen will run the farm while Mamie will be the chief and good chef. Gus is fortunate to have such able and accomplished children.

Mrs. Joe O'Leary of Kansas City and her grandson, Frank Grove, the former being a sister of Mrs. Burton D. Hurd, arrived Friday for a summer visit. The local representatives of the United States Postoffice Department, sent me a big batch of wonderful yellow wax beans. They were crisp, fine color, excellent flavor and being stringless needed no zippers.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, June 17, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT THROWING THE BULL

By Harry Austin Clapp

I realize that if there is something lacking in my viewpoint, there is also something lacking in the viewpoint of others. Listen to this: When the Tribune printed the story Big-Little-Collegeport, more than three hundred extra copies were printed. These were mailed to various portions of the section. Officials of the Missouri Pacific having read it asked for fifty extra copies. Since this mailing about one hundred requests have been received asking for more information.

My viewpoint tells me that this means some folks are interested in Collegeport and Matagorda County and that the Tribune goes far and is a valuable medium. One reader wrote: "Your story Big-Little-Collegeport is the berries, for it tells the truth about that interesting town." Then there comes another from way up north "I have read your tale of Collegeport and it is sure a fine collection of bunk. I wonder where you learned to throw the bull." This is the only wail among a hundred letters. Just another viewpoint. This is how I learned to throw the bull.

My grandfather had a bull calf which he kept in a small yard adjacent to the barn. With my boy companions we used to visit the pen and amuse ourselves with the young bull. He grew into a husky beast but we still played ball with him. Our favorite sport was to grasp him by the tail and see which kid could throw him farthest. Most any of the boys could throw him against the barn wall, but I was the only one who could throw him clean over the barn roof.

That, my critic, is how I learned to throw the bull. Is the explanation sufficient?

Someone once said "a baby has four ways of self expression. He laughs, he coos, he cries and puts his foot in his mouth." I advise my unknown censor to practice the latter matter.

"I am always ready to ratiocinate

I dare not to ever postlude [postulate?]

I do not care to objurgate

But strive always to fascinate,

My ambition is to fabricate."

Well, anyway, my critic is a bit purint and churlish and I hope he is mutable. Just another view point. I hope the reader will understand what I mean, for last week another tale about Collegeport goes to the types and as in first story I sought to tell the truth, so I also did in Thoughts About KOTB. Mr. Anonymous, you are in hard luck and that is only a polite name for sleeping sickness.

We all know that an object tossed into the air is far more visible than when it rests on the surface. This is where the good bull is valuable for he tosses things up where they are visible. If I am guilty of "throwing the bull," it is only that I might in that way make some of the fine things of Collegeport visible to others. So I say "come on down to our house." Let us ratiocinate.

No sooner had I relieved my system of all that has gone before than comes a beautiful letter from my old time writer friend, A. J. Jackson, in charge of publicity for the Experiment service of the A. & M. College. Reading it made me very happy and I appreciate the tribute coming as it did from a writer of so many years experience.

O, well, one cannot expect bouquets all the time. The most important event of the week occurred on June 16 my birthday, and as I look back over the years since that day when my sainted mother brought me into the world, I have few regrets. I regret that I have not always trod the path my mother showed to me. It would have been better for me, but I have enjoyed life. I have traveled, met many men and women of many minds and from each I have gathered something that has enriched my life. Eight years ago I reached the top of the hill and since that day I have been walking down towards the river and today I can see it plainly and I wonder if one of the boatmen, I see, is waiting for me. Sometime, I know not when, I will take the trip and when I do all the doubts all the problems of the future will be solved for me. I do not fear. When the time comes I shall go knowing that life has given me richly and without stint. God has blessed me freely and wonderfully and I can say "isn't life wonderful?"

"Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting;

The soil that rises with us, our life's star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting,

And cometh from afar;

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory, do we come

From God, who is our home."

--William Wordsworth.

The next great event was the children's party given by Mrs. Burton D. Hurd. All the children thirteen years or under were invited and twenty-two were present. They played games, ate ice cream cones, candy, cake and had a joyous time. Mrs. Hurd is never happier than when she is hostess to a bunch of kiddies and so she too was a happy girl that day. The party was given in honor of Frank Groves who is visiting Mrs. Hurd with is grandmother, Mrs. Joe O'Leary.

Sorry to report that Mrs. Seth Corse is quite ill with a trouble which has been bothersome for several years. All pray for her speedy recovery.

Gus Franzen is still confined to his room, but Dorothy reported he is improved which is good news. We miss the smiling greeting of Gustave Franzen.

The ladies of the Woman's Union met in committee Tuesday and arranged for the Father-Son Banquet to be held Thursday night, July 24. Tickets will be sold at one dollar a pair. One for the man and one for the boy and may be had from Seth Corse, Hugo Kundinger or George Harrison and will no doubt be on sale at the stores. This is strictly a boy affair and all those [who are not] fortunate enough to have a son are expected to borrow a son for the occasion. A good program will be arranged.

Two of our well known oil hounds saw what they took to be a wolf or coyote on the Pierce Ranch and chased him with their truck. At last he tired and fell down and they tied his legs and put a gag in his mouth and threw him in the truck, but he died on the way to town. There be those who say that these two may be oil scientists, but they are not naturalists for the wolf was no less that Peggy, a German police dog left behind by the Carl Boekers.

The Woman's Union met Thursday with Mrs. Carrie Nelson, she of noodle fame. They transacted the usual business but no noodles appearing they returned to their homes.

Several men representing the Humble Oil Company arrived on Thursday for the purpose of prospecting. They are taking no leases but ask permission of land owners to prospect which is being granted. They report that already they have discovered enough to satisfy them that a field exists here. The entire townsite and all adjacent lands and all lands west of the Robbins tract and to the bay will be covered by their oil robot. Us natives are willing.

Another vegetable bouquet from block 102. I judge from the neatness and sweetness of the cukes, beans, squash, okra, etc. that they were selected and put up by Frances or Elizabeth.

My postoffice drawer "C" is sure a gift drawer. I selected it twenty years ago and have paid out as rental about twenty-eight dollars, but week after week, it yields new surprises. Friday I found in it a bag of peaches. Little kisses, but O my what sweetness was wrapped up in their skins. No name on the bag but I suspect the P. O. Department had something to do with it.

Send vegetables and fruits now for the Lord knows I have no wish to have my last casket covered with beets, turnips, squash, beans, peaches. Goshalmighty, but folks are good to me and I appreciate the kindly thoughts that prompts the gifts and the miserable wretch does also, so that makes two grateful ones.

Had quite a wreck Friday morning. It seems that Mr. Watts who is drilling an oil well south of town tried to beat a section motor car over a Missouri Pacific crossing. Usual results. A wrecked auto. A wrecked motor car. Mr. Watt in the hospital with three busted ribs and internal injuries. Mrs. Watts with severe cuts on the face and head and other injuries. The little daughter was badly frightened. Mr. Meyers, the section boss, thrown over the wreck and severely injured and the Mexican crew scattered over the adjoining country. Wonder when people will learn to "stop, look, and listen." It is always a losing game to attempt to buck railroad equipment, especially when it is in motion.

Miss Frances Eisel has been ill for about a week and for one I hope she will recover and be out for I miss her bright, sweet face and cheery greeting and to tell the truth there be others.

Three of my good Bay City friends hearing about my birthday drove down to celebrate with me but were one day late, but I and the miserable wretch enjoyed the visit, short as it was. Well, take it all for all, I had a very happy birthday and week and especially the greetings and love words from MBF. It sure makes life wonderful when one has such a beautiful, loyal, thoughtful daughter as is Mary Louise. The week passes and I think:

"I'd like to think when life is done

That I had filled a needed post,

That here and there I'd paid my fare

With more than idle talk and boast,

That I had taken gifts divine,

The breath of life and manhood fine,

And tried to use them now and then

In service of my fellow men."

The Daily Tribune, June 24, 1930

Tom Yerxa, of Houston, a boy friend of C. W. Simpson, came in the latter part of the week and spent three days in the city visiting, bathing, sight-seeing and forming new friends. Mr. Harriman kindly assisted Mr. Simpson in entertaining him. For the first time with great pleasure, Tom visited his birthplace in Collegeport, the Hurd Mansion, on the bay front. Tom is a Boy Scout. Last year he visited Europe and this year was an instructor of Indian lore in the Boy Scout camp at Potter, Arkansas, up in the Ozarks. While here he formed many new friends and all seemed to agree that he is one of the finest boys they ever saw. He left Monday to resume his position in the Second National Bank of Houston.

Palacios Beacon, July 3, 1930
 

Thoughts Standing on the Mountain Top
By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

Well, anyway, “the moving finger writes and having writ moves on.”

Mr. and Mrs. Duller arrived Sunday morning to the bedside of Mrs. Duller’s mother, Mrs. Seth Corse, and we are glad to report that from almost that moment, improvement began.

The Franzen family have been entertaining College friends of Arnold, Clifford and Dorothy. Five Rice boys were with them and all went a fishin’ but about all they caught was a mosquito bite.

Mr. Gus Franzen is improving slowly but that’s much better than a slippin.’

Mr. and Mrs. Austin Oberwetter arrived Saturday for a short visit with Aunt Dena Hurd, returning to Houston on Sunday.

Regret to report that Frances Eisel is still confined to the house but I guess it is worth it for boxes of flowers arrive frequently from Houston. Don’t blame the sender for thinking of such a fine girl and telling her with flowers. Suppose it’s part of the oil business.

The county road graders are at work on the village streets and are adept at making fine canals. The old style graders drew the dirt from the bar pits and gave the road a crown that would provide perfect drainage. The new method, as we observe, is to cut off the crown and leave a shoulder from six to eighteen inches high at each side. This is a cute device to keep water on the roads, provides excellent bogs, which in turn develops into splendid auto traps.

Fleming Chiles, wife and young son are here for a short visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emmitt Chiles. Fleming is chief engineer for a Humble pumping plant at Lytle.

Gus Franzen has so improved that Sunday he leaves for foreign parts, including Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois. He will be accompanied by Mrs. Franzen, Dorothy, Alex, James and Emma.

At the League meeting, Thursday night, Mesdames Hurd and Liggett and Miss Ruth Mowery served two kinds of angel food and scrumptious orange punch. The two devils present consumed the food for angels and went home feeling quite heavenly.

Mr. E. L. Hall, the man who runs the Portsmouth Limited, is confined to his room with a peculiar illness but at this writing is on the gain and soon one will be privileged to hear his cheery “All Aboard.”

Roberta Liggett always looks sweet, but in pajamas she looks much more sugary, saccharine, melodious.

When you folks in Springfield, Quincy, Chicago or Detroit wipe the transpiration from your brow remember that 94 is the highest the mercury has gone here in Collegeport with that a brisk cooling breeze night and day, spray from the sea. Come on down before the summer wanes. Take an evening dip.

Colonel and Mrs. Fulcher returned Tuesday from a trip to Thorndale. The Fulcher family reunioned on the occasion of their mother’s birthday. Guess they had a royal time for only 58 children and grandchildren were at the table when the call “come and get it” was heard. It’s a wonderful thing in these days when children remember their parents’ birthdays.

The Heisey family are back from a visit with their son at Houston. John Heisey said he had no trouble with the policemen.

I read many papers, among them the Beacon, and I wonder why Palacios, if it is as busy a burg as they brag of, does not patronize the Beacon more liberally. Last week’s paper had 184.5 inches of advertising from local business men. Doc Popper took 19 inches and the July 4^th celebration used 30 inches. As only fifteen business and professional men used space, I, being an outsider, feel sure that the “City by the Sea” must be a very small village “by the pond.”

The local paper is the flag bearer of any community. It goes ahead, reaches out and people use it as a yard stick to measure the size, prosperity, desirability of the community. It is no charity to buy advertising space of your paper unless it is charity when the editor buys a pair of shoes or a ham or a loaf of bread from a dealer. Both are strictly business deals, but local business men showed remember this fact that the paper is always in the van.

“Standard and gonfalous ‘twixt van and rear
Streams in the air.”
--Milton

Whether a town grows or shrinks we may be sure that outsiders will use the local paper as a mirror and judge the town by the reflection.

Hattie Kundinger, proprietor of the Collegeport Pharmacy, ever-alert to her slogan: “Service First,” has installed through the co-operation of the Central Power and Light Company an ice house. Hugo states that ice will be sold at one cent per pound in pound lots and in quantities of that size delivered any place in the burg. This means some of us may have iced tea and cold beer.

Now that the C. P. & L. C. have shown their face here, maybe and perhaps, the next thing will be a wire through which or on which electric service will be delivered. Hattie will still deliver yeast for home brew or even bread at three cents per cake. Where can such service be had?

Fable: Once upon a time there was a man who didn’t like to see his name in print.

The Daily Tribune, July, 1930?

THOUGHTS WHILE ROAMIN'

By Harry Austin Clapp

Heard a feller say "Yes, crops look pretty fair now, but you just wait until the bugs and worms get busy." I thought, why is it that there are so many people who never lose an opportunity to enjoy being miserable.

The sweet peppers from the Liggett garden are large size, fleshy, fine flavor and color and yet there be some who say this country is good only for rice and cattle.

Drove--I mean motored, with Seth Corse to the bayshore Sunday. The beach is covered with driftwood, enough to warm Matagorda County.

Under the direction of Victor LeTulle, good roads have been opened, making easy access to Portsmouth. A beautiful drive. The bay spread out a vast, expanse of water. The waves rose and fell and sparkled in the sunlight and broke on the shell beach with musical tinkles that delighted the ear. Some day this splendid beach will be a wonderful pleasure place.

Rice promises a bumper crop. It is beautiful in its gorgeous green dress, the plants waving in the breeze with ever-changing shades.

Cotton as a rule is clean, thrifty, free from pests, putting on fruit and holding it.

Ice at fifty cents is a necessity, at seventy-five it is voluptuousness but at one dollar it is a luxury. Charge all the traffic will bear and make small sales is one way of doing business. The other way is to make a fair and reasonable profit and triple the output. The United States Supreme Court says "Good will is the disposition of the pleased customer to return to the place where he has been well treated." At one cent per pound the ice business in this burg will continue to be a small business.

Mr. George Welsby, after a two months sojourn in Houston has returned home greatly improved in health.

Rumor informs me that the oil well now drilling south of town is getting quite frisky and tried to blow up the other day. After strenuous efforts it decided to be good for a time at least. The Humble outfit of explorers are busy going over the townsite with their instruments and they report pleasing results.

One of our young lady proponents for scant skirts, has blossomed out in a new gown that comes nearly to her ankles. She has been so used to wearing what approached a girdle that these swashing skirts must feel a bit strange. Take it from me but some will follow the style if it means nakedness at one extreme and dragging skirts at the other.

Mrs. H. J. Stoops and daughter, of Downer's Grove Ill., arrived on Wednesday morning for a visit with Mr. Stoops who has been ill at the Mowery home for several weeks. Lost in the maze of new road grades they missed the "nine-foot sidewalk" and at last reached Collegeport at three-thirty a.m.

Figures released by the supervisor of census are not very flattering to Matagorda County or to Collegeport, or if I may go farther, to any precinct. The county has accumulated 1082 people of which 840 stopped at Bay City which leaves the enormous number of 240 for the balance of the county. Here in our precinct we have 85 less people than we had ten years ago and only 168 more than we had in 1910. The number of farms in the county has decreased by 70 and in our precinct we have 12 less than in 1920. Bay City has managed to absorb 840 people and now has a population of 4070? (not very legible). These figures are not at all satisfying, especially when one thinks of all the so called boosting efforts during the last twenty years. The harvest has been nil or words to that effect. The moral is that Bay City cannot sit smugly on the banks of a bay twenty miles away and expect to grow into a metropolis feeding herself and feeding on her self unless she develops the farming area of the county by the establishment of more small farms. Big farms never have and never will grow a country. We need hundreds of small farms each one a home, the abiding place of a family. Such a situation will grow any town. Seventy less farms in ten years is shrinking. Ye gods!

The board signs which will point the way to Collegeport, Citrus Grove and Portsmouth are on the way and their needs have been made apparent during the last week in three instances. People from Chicago lost their way, two men seeking Palacios found themselves on the bayshore near the Hurd home and a family of five seeking Collegeport were five hours finding it. The latter were so delighted with the situation here that they plan to return in a month for a few days fishing and next fall for a thirty day vacation.

Soon, thanks to the League, the county court and unknown persons, signs will point the way from Bay City and Wadsworth to Collegeport in the Magic Bottle.

Mr. and Mrs. Barney Ross with their three kiddies were here from Brenham for a visit with Mrs. Ross' parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Soekland, Sr.

It is rumored that Louise Walter journeyed to Matamoros July 4, to witness a bull fight. I hope the bull leaves her alone for she is too fine a girl for us to lose.

The Franzen family are way up in Missouri by this writing hitting the ball around 400 miles per day. If some one does not stop Dorothy, she will run bang up against the North Pole.

Only a few old dubs were at home the fourth, even the dogs went to Palacios. Some of the girls danced all their surplus flesh off, one especially looked the morning after like a damn, damp dish rag. The miserable wretch receiving a gift of fire crackers from Frank Groves, shot them off, the meanwhile dancing and capering like a ten-year-old and indeed, she is not much over that.

The Woman's Union met Thursday with the Queen of the Homecrofters. The usual religious service, the business of the organization finished, refreshments were served by the hostess assisted by Miss Rosalie Nelson. About fifteen were present and they left well satisfied with their dispatched business and the hospitality received.

Miss Margaret Holsworth, she with the golden locks, returned to her Collegeport home from Chicago, where she teaches in the public schools. I reckon that every soul, male and female are glad to welcome this fine girl back home. There is something about this burg that calls then all back.

I read in the papers that the Sinclair Oil Co. has bought the Pierce Oil Corporation, which is all right so far as I am concerned if they retain as local representative Mr. Frederick Taylor Matthes. I expect they will for the Sinclair people know how to hold on to that which has been proven good.

Seth W. Corse reports that Mrs. Corse who has been removed to Blessing is making steady improvement and will soon be able to leave her bed.

A woman reader from Fairbury, Neb., writes that she reads the Tribune with interest and wants to know all about Collegeport, where she owns a farm of 35 acres. One of the A. & M. College staff writes "I received the Bay City paper which contains a very interesting write up of the little town. I read it with pleasure and am holding it on my desk for the present. I believe you ought to do more writing for the press as you do it in a very entertaining manner. I am hoping you will be able to come to the short course this summer and will be glad if I can have you in my home."

The flowers sure have a delightful perfume.

The Father-Son banquet will be held in the community house Thursday night, July 24. Service will be by the ladies of the Woman's Union which insures a menu that will satisfy the most exacting gourmand, even though he be like "that great gourmand, fat Apicius," so well described by B. Johnson. Tickets will be sold at $1 the pair and may be secured from George Harrison, Seth W. Corse or Hugo Kundinger. It's always fair weather when good fellows get together, so we hope all our men will come, each one bringing a boy for this is really a boy's affair.

It is Sunday evening. The skies are clear and the sun is going down way over in the northwest a big ball of golden flame shooting ribbons of gorgeous colors into the sky. I am alone for the miserable wretch has gone with the Liggett family to the B. Y. P. U. over at Palacios. No wonder I dub her the miserable wretch. Just shows what reward a man receives for years of sacrifice and toil. Love's labor lost.

The Daily Tribune, Friday, July 11, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MAGIC BOTTLE

By Harry Austin Clapp

A fable tells about a fellow who, for want of another name, was called Aladdin. This bird was not overloaded with earthly possessions but did have a lamp. He carried it around. Wanted to get rid of it, but no one seemed to care a tinkers damn about the old lamp. One day Aladdin sat, wondering what he would do with the old heirloom, when a Genii came along and told him that he might have any wish granted, provided he would secure a piece of polishing cloth, for sale at any first class store, and rub the lamp. Aladdin was skeptical, as all men are on such occasions, but he finally secured the cloth and rubbed and soon found out that what the good Genii had told him was truth.

Did he want power? Rub the lamp and courtiers bowed before him and asked for orders, slaves kneeled at his feet ready to do his biddings. Did he ask for jewels? One swipe with the cloth and lo, strings of soft lustered pearls hung from his neck, brilliant diamonds flashed from his fingers and toes and emeralds glistening with the green of the cool depths of the sea, gleamed from his ears.

Did he ask for women to grace his harem? Giving the lamp a once over and beautiful houris fawned at his feet, danced before his presence, sang entrancing and voluptuous songs, held him in their arms and kissed his lips.

Did he ask for food? Furbishing the lamp and eunuchs came before him bearing the world's choicest dishes, viands to tempt the most particular gourmand. Did he ask for drink? He simply burnished the old light dispenser and beautiful little girls adorned with wreaths of flowers dispensing the perfume of angels, appeared with decanters of the rarest wines and filling golden goblets offered the product of the vine.

Well, anyway, to shorten a long story, all that was required of Aladdin was to rub, polish, furbish, burnish, swipe the wonder lamp with the cloth and it became a magic lamp and the world was his special oyster served on the half shell with horse radish sauce.

Well, you ask, "what is the moral?"

Listen my children, and you shall hear the story of the Magic Bottle. We who live in the Collegeport district may have no magic lamp, but we do possess a Magic Bottle and treated as Aladdin treated his famous lamp, we may enjoy all that came to him and much more, for in addition, peace, happiness, contentment, the joy of wholesome life will be poured into our homes.

Magic Bottle in which to pack our dreams. In the story "Big-Little Collegeport," the bottle was described as a vast empire, shaped like a great bottle with the narrow neck constricted between the Palacios and Colorado Rivers, bulging out at the base and surrounded by the waters of the Colorado River and Matagorda Bay enclosing more than one hundred and twenty square miles, more than seven hundred thousand acres of fertile soil.

This is the Magic Bottle. No more fertile land, no greater soil possibilities, are enclosed in a similar area on the face of the earth. All its possessions are asked to do, is to rub this bottle, and all dreams come true, all wishes are granted. This means proper tillage, adequate conception or the organic laws, the growing of crops that will add to, instead of subtracting from, the organic wealth which is in the soil and in some cases dormant. It is not my intention to repeat what has been printed in the former story, but here are some facts which we may well fix in our minds.

For more than a year developments have been progressing, directed towards carrying out plans which were originated when Burton D. Hurd, first conceived the idea of building a community on the bay shore and developing the adjacent territory.

This movement has culminated recently and plans are pending for some much needed improvements which will make the Magic Bottle much more desirable.

To fully understand the plan it is necessary to make a brief survey of its history. It goes back twenty-five years. Like all other exploitations it had its boom. It grew and thrived like a bay tree. People came, became discouraged, left for former homes, some stayed and are here now enjoying a well earned prosperity. Then came a shrinking, a slowing up, a complete stand still but now comes the upward trend.

Affirmative and practical steps must be taken, otherwise a failure will no doubt produce conditions much worse than we have heretofore experienced. No realization ever approaches the vision. The development we hope for must be a continuous, forward, evolutionary progress. We must enjoy a cessation of fault finding, cribbling, letting George do it. There must be no factions that tend to disrupt and divide. We are now offered potent aid in solving our local difficulties.

Irresponsible people talk of the impossibilities that confront us. They also seem unwilling to make a sacrifice however small. A new era is before us, but we must remember new eras do not come full featured from old conditions or situations. These must be changed to fit the present. We must first have a larger measure of confidence. Moral support must be given in overwhelming measure. While we do not expect that all situations are always approved by each of us, we may make concessions, and they flowing together in one great stream, will be so mingled as to greatly assist and encourage the bringing about a realization of visions.

The fact is, that at this time, more than at any period in the history of this section many people from other portions of the state and nation are looking towards the Texas midcoast. Looking? Yes, looking, looking for homes where they may retire in peace and comfort, homes, on the land where there may be produced necessities of a farm home, looking for sport on land and water.

We have it all to offer in this Magic Bottle. Rub, rub, rub and the bottle will glisten and shine with brilliance and all will be granted to the one who rubs. It is the magic of work.

There is no other sorcery, witchery or charm. Follow the advice of the Genii and rub the bottle as Aladdin rubbed his lamp. Climb the heights with the other fellow and be able to view an extended horizon.

Mr. and Mrs. Kay Legg weekended with the latter's family, the Mercks. Kay brought along his original smile, the smile that never comes off. I, for one, will be glad when Frances Eisel concludes her oil prospecting work for then I may have the opportunity of visiting with her once again.

Paul Braden down here with a truck load of gas bogged down and used a tractor for getting out.

Ruth Mowery is now in the oil business and has promised to make me a special price. If the oil she sells is like the seller it will be full of pep.

Little white and yellow flags dot the townsite and close by small, white houses in which goes on incantations beyond the ken of us ordinary mortals. We only hope that the results will warrant the putting down of some test wells.

Mr. Harvey, who is farming the Miss Callie Metzger place has 35 acres of extra thrifty cotton and 16 acres of corn. The corn is the Tuxpan variety and the ear he brought me was sound and hard without a blemish and weighed two pounds and twelve ounces and he reports plenty more like it or better. He brought also a stalk of cotton, picked at random from his field. It was about four feet tall including the root, well branched and leaved and bore seventy-six bolls from almost the finished product to those the size of a hickory nut. Our local pessimists who are wailing that all crops are a total failure better visit Mr. Harvey's crops and open their eyes. Plenty more in the "Magic Bottle" like the Harvey crop or better. The outlook this day of July tenth is for a bumper crop.

We have twelve candidates for the office of governor. One of them named Sterling is not a politician, has nothing to gain, will spend many times his salary and do it for the benefit of the state. He will give a first class business administration. He is sound and has made a success of his life. The others are politicians and they flock together always. Some of them, as Mayfield confesses for himself, have been at the public trough for twenty-five years. With a small salary they grow rich. Wonder how? Texas will suffer another four years of tragedy if any of this bunch of political birds is elected.

Just the idea of a republican standing on the side lines. A republican who has lived in this county twenty-five years and never had the privilege of voting in a republican primary.

A heavy shower visited this place Friday but local in extent covering Mrs. Ethel Holsworth only.

From the number of towels that fell from the sky Mrs. Ethel will have no trouble in absorbing the drops from the shower. The affair was held at the handsome Holsworth bayshore home under the direction of Mrs. Helen Holsworth and her daughter, Margaret. Gifts were numerous and valuable and refreshments were up to the standard always used by the Holsworth family. Thus, she that was once upon a time Ethel Sirmon, growing on the teachers tree that grows in Markham, taken unto Collegeport society.

Received a postal card from Dorothy Franzen informing me that Gustave Franzen stood the trip in fine shape which is good news to his many friends. Dorothy ended her letter with the words "Love" and it has made me all excited for I never realized that I had inspired the "divine passion" in her heart.

"Drink to me only with thine eyes,

And I will pledge with mine;

Or leave a kiss but in the cup,

And I'll not look for wine."

--Ben Johnson.

Mr. Amos Johnson working on a scaffold at the schoolhouse fell Friday and was taken to his home at Citrus in an unconscious condition. At this writing he is reported to be conscious but does not recognize those who are caring for him. All trust that he will make a quick and complete recovery. Amos has many friends hereabouts.

A great big auto purred into Homecroft Friday and came to a stop in front of our door and from it alighted five of our good Bay City friends. We, meaning I and the miserable wretch, had a delightful visit and hope the bunch will come again and often for they are friends tried by a twenty-two year acquaintance.

I hope all you fellows will remember the Father-Son banquet Thursday night, July 24, and buy your tickets early so the good women of the Union will know how many plates to serve. Call on S. W. Corse or Hugo Kundinger with one hundred cents which will buy two tickets.

Miss Ella Chiles was married Monday night in the Episcopal Church at Wharton to Mr. James Lewis Duffy. They will be at home after August first in their new bungalow five miles north of Midfield. The bride was brought up in this community where she has many friends. The groom for three years has lived on a ranch south of town, where he was in charge of his father's cattle. He is a fine young man, holding the respect of those who know him. We wish the young couple a long and happy life.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, July 15, 1930

Father and Son Banquet at Collegeport

The annual Father and Son banquet will be held Thursday night, July 24 in the community house. Tickets may be had from George Harrison, Hugo Kundinger or S. W. Corse.

Hon. Duncan Ruthven of Palacios, will be the principal speaker, while George Harrison, Thomas Hale, Sr., Arthur Matthes of Blessing, and others will give five minute talks.

A musical program is being arranged by Mrs. Richard Corporon assisted by Mrs. Harry Austin Clapp.

The table of service will be provided by the Woman's Union.

The Daily Tribune, Wednesday, July 16, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT PESSIMISM

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

Estimated 3000 acres of cotton now growing and promising a big crop would mean 1500 bales. At fifteen hundred pounds of seed cotton to the bale means 2,250,000 pounds to be picked and this will require the payment to pickers of $16,875. This for labor which will be expended among merchants and others. The picking will require all of 75 days and that means employment of many people. More labor at good pay. 1500 bales at $75 per bale turns loose the sum of $112,500 which added to the picking and ginning charge gives us here in the Magic Bottle the handsome sum of $129,525.00 which will flow into trade channels most of it going to Matagorda County. Then estimate the money which will flow from a 7,000-acre rice crop at say $50 per acre adds $350,000.00 to our already filling coffers. Add the corn and feed crops, the butter fat, poultry, vegetables, fruits and it is safe to say that us home people will share in close to $600,000.00 this year, which the pessimist calls a hard time year. It is not true. The tide has ebbed, but the flood has turned and the pickings are good for those who have eyes to see.

Now remember this estimate is not for Matagorda County but for the Magic Bottle. Matagorda County is prosperous, our home folks are prosperous, and we are no sicker than we usually are. We are normal. Stop being a pessimist. Remember that all the tribe suffer from "opisthocoeious." Cease talking over ills which are more or less imaginary. Look in to the blue. Be thankful that the same God who watches the sparrow also watches over you. Make no future commitments and all will be well. It always has been and always will.

"Keep hold of the cords of laughter's bell,

And avoid the tones that jar.

The sound of a sigh doesn't carry well,

But the lilt of a laugh rings far."

Writing this has been a terrific strain on my Corona and it must go to the shop for general repairs or I must buy a new one. It has served me well for thirteen years. I should have had a new Corona, but howinthehell will I buy one in these here hard times. Any one know? Will gladly receive suggestions. I have patched it up with a pad of copy paper and so long as the wad is in place the letter "A" and the "Q" and the "I" function, but it keeps slipping loose and then I say, well, you know what a fellow says at such times. The paper pad slipped out again and "!!!!!!????)" is what I said.

Those who have never titillated their palates with the watermelon preserved compounded and put up by Dena H. Davis [Hurd] have missed an epicurean delight. They may be unfortunate folk. The melon was cut into small cubes, each one bearing just a tinge of red which enhanced their beauty. Placed in a medium syrup with tiny slivers of lemon, they present a beautiful combination, a light silvery gold, translucent, tempting to the eye. On opening the jar the contents slipped out like dice, firm, delicious, consummate, peerless, supereminent.

Well, anyway, they were the best I ever had the pleasure of eating and no wonder, for look who made them.

Mr. North Cable, by some means, learned that the miserable wretch was nutty over a fruit called "Lycopersicum esculentum" by learned folk but the common burghers dub it tomato, so he brought in a basket of the fruit. One large green tomato weighed fifteen ounces and was fourteen inches in circumference. Twelve of the ripe ones weighed an average of ten ounces each. They were well grown, rich in color, without a blemish and by far the finest fruit I have seen in years. When cut we found them to be juicy, firm, well colored, fresh and most excellent flavor. Mr. Cable states that the bushes are about four and a half feet tall and he has taken from them four crops, a fifth is about ready to use and the tops of the plants are covered with bloom.

Well, anyway, Mrs. T. C. Morris is here from Houston having a visit with her sisters, Mrs. Burton D. Hurd and Mrs. Joe O'Leary. Mrs. Morris appears to be much improved in health.

Thursday the King's Daughters met with Mrs. Burton D. Hurd with about thirty gals present. The eats were of the usual high order in quantity and flavor as Seth Corse, Hugo Kundinger and the husband of the miserable wretch, can testify, for Mrs. Hurd prepared three platters of food for the lonesome ones, which were delivered by Hattie with the same dispatch she uses when delivering yeast.

The principal event was a shower for Mrs. Arthur Soekland, Jr., who was thoroughly drenched. These showers for our young brides and matrons are just a token of the esteem in which they are held and by all present were glad of the opportunity to assist in showering our youngest matron. Members from across the sea were Mesdames Cairnes, Barnett, Louderbach and Richmond and little Miss Sunshine Barnett. A contest was held as to who could hemstitch a certain necessity in the shortest time. First, was won by Mrs. John Heisey, second by Mrs. Cairnes and the booby by Mrs. Mason S. Holsworth.

The father and son banquet has been postponed one night and will be held Friday night, July 25, instead of Thursday night. A hurry up meeting of the school trustees at Bay City on Thursday night took away Mrs. Frank King, chairman of the arrangements committee and several of the general hustlers, hence the change of date.

After a "Feast of Wit and Reason" there will follow this gustatorial program: Pressed chicken, potato salad, creamed peas in patties, hot Parker House rolls, stuffed tomato salad, ice cream, cake, coffee and iced tea.

And all for one hundred cents for the man and the boy. Tickets at S. W. Corse or Hugo Kundinger.

Wednesday, Mrs. H. J. Stoops and her daughter, left for their home in Downer's Grove, Ill., after spending a pleasant visit with Mr. Stoops, who is ill at the Mowery home. How many of you noticed the pretty dress being shown by Ruth Mowery?

The Daily Tribune, July 22, 1930

Fine Crop Collegeport

Mr. Jack Holsworth of Collegeport, was in Bay City Wednesday. He says he has 250 acres of cotton which is good for three-fourths of a bale to the acre now.

The leaf worm has appeared there, but not extensively yet.

Daily Tribune, July 24, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT OPTIMISM

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from a longer article.]

Coming close to our own community I will ask who prospected and developed the immense deposits of sulphur right at our door? Who planned and built a county seat twenty-five miles from the sea, forty miles from a railroad and on ground lower than the river? Another optimist.

The world is better, its people are better, the sun shines bright, the waves toss their spray, the birds sang their songs. We are a happy contented folks, but the pity is that some of us do not realize it. Look up, look up, believe and trust in God. He watches over us. Cease idle cavil, unnecessary carping. Choose the comforting life of the optimist. It will bring joy and peace and [will] add to your years. Take a dose of those physcohologicals pills to be obtained at the Collegeport Pharmacy. They will provide complete elimination, ease the mind, cause you to become an optimist.

An optimist arrived in this burg last Friday night in the person of Reverend Wylie, a Presbyterian missionary. Not being able to arouse the local sleepy heads, he drove down to the bayshore by the Hurd home, and slept in his auto. Sunday he preached and told folks that there were few dead ones in the community, some were sleeping, but all were alive. He looked on the sunny side.

Thanks to George Harrison and his frau, us Homecrofters took a trip over the new county roads and we marveled at their extent, their excellent construction but more than any thing else at the engineering ability that laid them out so economically. One of the prettiest spots in the county will be found at the "Live Oak Farm," belonging to Mrs. Smith, a daughter of the late Jonathan Pierce. A triangle where roads meet, form a beautiful picnic spot well covered with live oaks.

George Harrison, our precinct commissioner has had much to do with this work and it is a satisfaction to know that here at home we have a man with his ability.

Frances Eisel cut loose from the oil business the other day and appeared at the P. O. and I had a chance to greet this charming girl once more.

Monday a traveling show pitched its tent just outside the city limits and opened for a three-day stay. The program consisted of three blear-eyed monkeys, a mangy black bear, two little boys, one five and the other six years old, who boxed until blood flowed and a film or two. Those who went enjoyed themselves, but while most of them have been yelling hard times for weeks, they contributed all told about three hundred frog skins, every cent of which was taken out of town. The community house still needs a roof to keep the rain from the necks of those who go there for religious services and bow their heads in prayer. I advise the management to buy a cage of sore-eyed monkeys or better yet advertise a beautiful woman who will give a veil dance, sans veil. This will quickly provide funs for the roof.

Hard times! What crimes are committed in they name? Writing to a woman reader of the Tribune, I wrote these words, "Grieve no more for I love you with the same old love." What do you suppose she did in reply? Simply this, write me a charming, satisfying, personal letter and sealed it in an envelope and proceeded to address it to Mrs. H. A. Clapp. Ye gods! Well, anyway, I fixed it up with the miserable wretch for that day marked the thirty-fifth year she had looked in my face. She thoroughly appreciates the prize she drew July 24 1895. She knows good men are scarce. We had a happy day and petted each others back when we thought of the fine son and the sweet daughter that we are blessed with so we decided that our matrimonial venture was a great success and as she looked into my eyes and I looking into hers, we said "Isn't life wonderful?"

The father and son banquet came off as scheduled in spite of an apparent lack of interest among many fathers who denied their sons the pleasure of mingling with other sons. Thirty-four tickets were sold and the money, every penny, went to the good women of the Woman's Union and will be used to buy shingles for the roof. Every dollar stayed in town. The menu given in last week's Tribune was a delight to the eye and palate. The kitchen presided over by Mrs. Frank King, assisted by Mesdames Liggett, Nelson, Holsworth, Ackerman and Harbison looked like a well ordered hotel establishment. The banquet room was in charge of Mrs. Crane who provided the beautiful decorations and superintended the service. The musical program was arranged by Mrs. Richard Corporon and consisted of piano duets by Mrs. Corporon and Mrs. Clapp, a solo by Robert Liggett, a song "Daddy and Home" [by] Mrs. Corporon. Duncan Ruthven of Palacios and Doctor R. M. Harkey were the principal speakers while George Harrison, Tom Hale, Sr., and J. J. Harbison followed with five minute talks. Colonel Jones, accompanied by Duncan Ruthven and was a very welcome guest.

So interested were those present in the splendid talks that more than two hours passed before the curtain fell. O, say, I almost forgot that the writer of "Thoughts" was toastmaster and that he discharged the arduous duties in his usual happy manner. Isn't that nice? Frank Simpson Groves came clear from Kansas City to be present so you see the Tribune carries news of such affairs far and wide. It sure pays to advertise.

Last week I wailed that my Corona was on the blink and here comes a woman reader with an offer to send me her machine until mine returns from the back shop. And again see what advertising does.

I wrote about delicious watermelon preserves put up by my friend Dena H. Along comes four of my fine Bay City friends for an afternoon visit and with them a jar of watermelon preserves and one of tomato relish. Say, boy, I and the miserable wretch fell too or maybe we fell three but we fell good and hard for these two delights and we cannot decide which were shipwrecked. The preserves were beautiful, dainty, fastidious, while the relish was a synophant flutterini, toadying to the eye and tongue. All I can say is that it "pays to advertise."

The primary came off in this burg without one fight or quarrel. It was the first time in the history of Texas that a republican primary was held and seven patriots flew the flag of the G. O. P. and proudly voted the ticket. The balance of the republicans were baptized into the democratic ranks. Most of them were agin "Ma" and for Sterling which was a very good excuse.

These "Thoughts" would be incomplete if I failed to mention that grandmother and mother of Frederick Taylor Matthes of Blessing were present at the Father and Son banquet. Frederick Taylor is local manager for the Sinclair Refining Co., and discussing the oil business with him I was told that in his opinion prices would be lower this fall.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, July 29, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT I SEE IN THE CLOUDS

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article about cloud shapes.]

Sunday the rest of this peaceful village was disturbed by two state rangers, a sheriff, a deputy and a county attorney looking for booze. They evidently knew what they were after for they raided our tenant house and found 108 empty bottles which were promptly destroyed leaving about a bushel of broken glass on the kitchen floor, also a 12-gallon crock which being too valuable and useful to destroy was confiscated (?) and taken along. No doubt it will grace some other kitchen. Not a drop of beer was found, neither did they find the alleged maker for he happened to be in Bay City that day. Tuesday two officers came to our home and asked "where is that man?" They were informed that we did not know and so they searched the town but failed to find him. This sort of business to ninety per cent of our people borders on the ridiculous. I hope it will continue for it means modification in the not distant future. I am strong for local option. I am strong against saloons with all their evils. I am not now and never have been a prohibitionist. I don't believe the present law has been enforced or ever will be. Some day, some bright mind will offer a solution for this problem that is now filling our prisons with so called criminals.

The same day George Hubert motored down from Houston with his senorita for a visit with his Uncle, Hugo Kundinger who is first assistant at the Collegeport Pharmacy.

Our oil men working for the Empire Company have concluded their prospecting labors and hiked for other fields. They all seem to feel that a great pool will be opened at this place.

For lunch the other day we had baked potatoes, homemade bread, butter, lemonade, pineapple and chili. Potatoes were from the Ackerman farm, butter from the Morning Glory Creameries, bread home baked but the wheat came from West Texas and milled at Galveston, lemons from California, sugar from Cuba, pineapple from the Sandwich Islands, chili from Argentine Republic. A simple lunch, but think of the many servants who worked that we might enjoy it. Think of the railroad service and the operators who hauled the food. Think of the ship and its crew that brought in the sugar and the meat. Some of the products of that lunch were brought more than five thousand miles to our table. I estimate that what we ate that day cost us not more than thirty cents. Real and splendid service that we might enjoy our luncheon. Isn't life wonderful?

A mocking bird has her nest in a tree near my window. It is full of little birds. I timed the mother bird several times and on an average every five minutes she brought in three insects and fed them to her family. This means that if she observed union hours and worked eight hours a day she brought in 288 bugs. Just the work of one little bird. Multiply this with the great numbers of insect-destroying birds and it runs into tremendous figures. And yet, boys and men will shoot these friends of man where they find them and then groan and grumble when they are obliged to buy poison to kill insect pests which destroy their crops. We have killed so many birds that we have unbalanced nature and we are paying the penalty and will continue until we acquire some common sense. Now the White Man's Union bobs up and Carey Smith thinks it would be wise to "abandon the antiquated system and begin the single primary practice." I like the White Man's Union for we may all regardless of political affiliations join together and pick out our county officers. Do away with the union and there will still be two primaries for the republicans will surely put in a ticket. I would deplore, bemoan, lament such a condition. There are many republicans in the county who never would vote in a democratic primary for county officers. Their political conscience would not allow them to and therefore they would be deprived of their rights and privilege of having a voice in the selection of county officers. I admit the necessity of two parties in state and national affairs. It seems to be a plan from which there is no escape. But in our local affairs why divide into sheep and goats? Why deprive me and one hundred and ninety-one others of the franchise? When I go into a White Man's Union Primary I care not one whit about politics. I vote only for men. Some argue about the cost but what difference does cost make when they are men a plenty desiring office who are willing and anxious to pay any cost. And don't forget for a moment that when the union is abolished there will be two primaries just the same, for two costs and such costs will be placed on the pockets of the seekers after office. There will be no saving and this county will be divided politically into two camps. Good fellows will no longer get together on one ticket.

The republicans will no doubt be beaten, but they will come back again and again and some day they will control Matagorda County. I am a republican but I hope this will not come to pass in my day. Let the good old union ride. Let us continue to be friends and neighbors getting together in unity for the purpose of naming honest faithful servants for Matagorda County.

Two auto wrecks in one week is going some. One of the oil men out for a joy ride, driving fifty miles per hour tried to turn into the "nine foot sidewalk." Result a wrecked oil truck for which they were offered $75. A girl with a face badly cut, a driver with face covered with surgeon's plaster and other minor injuries.

Josephine Della Betta driving a new Ford on a wide, smooth road, with plenty of room drove head on into the Rice Warehouse Grocery store. Another wrecked car and a girl with marred features. All O. K. for those who like it.

I see by reading the Tribune that on Wednesday, July 30, 1930 the mercury stood at 100 in the shade at Bay City. At same time here in Collegeport the temperature was 95 in the shade of our east gallery. Moral come on down to our house.

The Franzen family have returned from a trip in foreign parts as far north as Iowa. Had a delightful visit with kinfolks and Gustave returned improved in health but I give notice that if he does not take care of himself I will provide him with a sign, "Use no hooks, handle with care." Dorothy gained seven pounds but did not disclose where she carries it, but anyway, the boy is glad for she will hang out the moon.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, August 5, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT NAAMAN

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article about the healing of Naaman.]

Here in the "Magic Bottle" where we live there are few things for us to do, but there are many little things which being thought out and wrought out will bring to us the greatest accomplishments we have ever dreamed of. A little chicken, a little pig, a little cow, a little field well cared for and the Magic Bottle will blossom like a rose. Little thoughtful acts of kindness, a little charity and love well spread will revolutionize our society. A little co-operation to those who are striving for better conditions. A little more faith. Forget the far away rivers. Bathe in the waters close by and we, like Naaman, will be made whole and life in Collegeport will assume a richer golden color.

My pardner, Mr. Frank Simpson Groves left Monday for his home in Kansas City. We have enjoyed many happy days and making plans for future hikes which may mature when he returns next summer.

The Lewis family, at least four of them, motored down Sunday for a visit and also to bring a machine by means of which I will be able to think while my Corona is in the back shop. Perhaps this Woodstock will make me think strange things for as I use it my thoughts keep flying to its owner, my good friend of many years. Please do not tell the miserable wretch about this for I have just squared up that letter episode and enuf is enuf, if you know what that means. Mrs. Joe O'Leary, who has been visiting her sister, Mrs. Burton D. Hurd the past two months, started Monday for her home in Kansas City. She will stop at Houston for a week, the guest of her sister, Mrs. Flora Morris.

Every once or twice in a while Carey Smith writes something real cute and here is an example: "storing a surplus is not destroying a surplus by any means. Short crops will bring higher prices faster than all the government decrees possible to issue." Roy Miller the other day in Bay City voiced the same idea when he said that no one had yet found a way to beat the law of supply and demand. Take it or leave it, believe it or not but just as long as our cotton farmers pay little attention to staple and plant short staple seed they will enjoy low prices. Spinners demand a long staple and if they cannot find it here they will look elsewhere. There is little demand for the fifty-fifty stuff we are raising. Any one except a cotton fool can tell which way the frog jumps.

The little peach who is a guest of the Blaylocks is named Louise Hale. She is a sister of Tom Hale, Sr., and looks much like Tom only more tutti frutti.

The miserable wretch is suffering from a pain to her neck caused by rubbering at airplanes which are sweeping the skies above this burg.

We are enjoying Canadian smokes and a big bottle of English smoking tobacco sent by my son Harry H.

Seth Corse thinks it is almost as good as R. J. R.

We have painted the sixth date on our calendar a bright red for on that day thanks to the kindness of the Liggett family, I, and the miserable wretch were their guests to the meeting of the Hug-the-Coast Association. We registered as delegates from the Collegeport Industrial League and participated in all events. I had the pleasure of meeting some of the boys I have played with for twenty years Nat Welsell?, loving and lovable Kenneth Krahl who was with me on many a raid by the Night Riders, Harry Haines, manager of the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, a friend of more than eighteen years and many others. The meeting was interesting and as I looked into the faces of those earnest men who are giving so freely of their time and money that we may have a scenic route from the Sabine to the Rio Grande I wished that God would give us a few more like them on this side of the bay. If we had them the time would soon come when the Hug-the-Coast would cross directly into Collegeport. Instead of driving twenty-five miles from the coast line. The meeting was an inspiration and took me back to the days of the Midcoast Congress. Good friends of past days greeted us and we talked over the many happy times we enjoyed. Our group consisting of the Liggett family and us Homecrofters with Judge Leggett from Port Lavaca were entertained by Col. Holman Taylor of the 144th Infantry, with Captain Patterson as our special escort. The luncheon was served in the officer's mess and was all that one could desire. Those present were divided into small groups and entertained at the different officer's mess and all had a delightful time. In the afternoon a review was held participated in by nearly seven thousand men. Col. Dallas Matthews told us that this was the largest body of men ever gathered together in the history of the nation except during the time of the late war. It was an inspiring sight to see these legions with flags flying pass in review before General Hulen and his staff and we were all glad to salute the flag as it passed. It was a lesson in preparedness which none of us will soon forget. Milford Liggett stood on the ground and as each regimental Old Glory passed he stood at attention and smartly saluted.

It was a red letter day for us, the happiest in many years and we came home with full tummies, full hearts, thanking our God that we are Americans and as we went to our beds we felt that the end had come to a perfect day.

The Woman's Union met Thursday with our youngest matron, Mrs. Richard Corporon. Dorothy served dainty refreshments and was in every way n ideal hostess. From what I can hear sigarets, smokes, booze, face powder, ice cream, candy were condemned the idea being that all money spent on such frivolities be turned over to the churches. This would be great for the preachers for they would all no doubt strike for more pay and the Lord knows some of them need a bit more cash for many of them are underpaid.

A big auto breezed into town Friday night bearing Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Lewis and their daughter and son, Mrs. and Mrs. A. M. Sastle of Mendota, Ill. they came not as strangers for they bought land here more than twenty years ago and still love the country and have faith in it. We Homecrofters had the pleasure of a two hour visit with them which was greatly enjoyed and we hope they will come again and often. Delightful folk. They read Thoughts and were glad to see the writer of this column and the miserable wretch. Thus ended the week. Next week I'll tell what happened Sunday Aug. 10 to give us another happy day.

The Daily Tribune, August 13, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT SIX GENERATIONS

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

Sunday morning an auto rolled to our front door and a very welcome guest came to us in the person of Frances Mayfield, one time county nurse. She is now located in Georgetown where she receives one hundred per cent support. The County Court provided her with an office fully equipped from typewriter to trundle and hospital bed.

We spent the day at Palacios, calling on Major Phelps and other officers and had a swell fish feed at the Green Lantern Inn.

Frances departed Monday for her father's home in Crockett.

The ledge under the postoffice window provides a real seat and it is usually occupied by burghers, while waiting for the mail, so one of our club women has dubbed the aforesaid seat as "The Buzzard's Roost." The buzzards have acknowledged the cognomen and have organized the "B. O. R. B." The Brotherhood Order Roosting Buzzards will meet every night except Sunday. The meeting will last from 4:30 p.m. until the mail is distributed. All buzzards will use the perch and obey orders of the Buzzing Buzz. Visiting buzzards are welcome to use the local perch.

Tuesday came Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Richman, Sr., with Mr. and Mrs. Jack Vaughn of Port Arthur. Mrs. Vaughn used to be known as Ella Richman. A delightful two hours was spent with these fine folks.

The monkey show came again Wednesday for an indefinite stay and will probably take away another three hundred frog skins. In the meantime, when it rains, the necks of the local worshippers will get a soaking.

This will do no harm for some of the local necks need a good soaking and in some cases a scraping would do no harm if the scraping was done with a razor.

The school house is being fixed up quite nifty with new ceilings, paint and glass. Water has been piped from the preserving plant well and toilets installed with septic tanks.

Cotton pickers are busy gathering the fine crop. Some pick as high as four hundred pounds a day while others are content with one hundred pounds.

Up to date, Ruth Mowery is the champion girl picker, for she shoves over one hundred into her sack every day.

Mrs. L. E. Liggett is suffering from an attack of rheumatism, so Roberta is the chief cook and duster. Guess Mrs. Liggett is suffering from her trip to the Army camp last week.

We have no auto and therefore are blessed two ways: We have no payments to make each month and we have four good legs and with them are able to walk while many of our auto friends cannot.

I have kept a record and estimate that I walk about three miles every day or around one thousand miles per year and I ascribe my good health not to drinking "Dutty's Malt Whiskey" but to my daily walks. I am glad I have two good legs and that the miserable wretch has two others.

The Woman's Club met Thursday at the Holsworth home with a good attendance and six guests. The usual refreshments were served, but they had an added delicious flavor because Margaret prepared and served them. After the regular business was transacted, plans for the entertainment of the county federation, which will meet here the first Saturday in September.

Roaming cattle have caused our people to become quite peeved. Night after night they destroy gardens, flower beds and lawns. It is a criminal offense to allow animals at large and some of these bright days some of the sufferers will swear out a warrant and the defense of the case will be quite costly. A white mule, a bay horse and a colt have already done considerable damage. Hope every person who is interested in beautiful surroundings will be out on the sixth of September and vote to restrain stock from running at large all over Matagorda County.

A car loaded with grain sacks is on the side track and being something of a Sherlock, I suspect that their rice harvest is about to begin.

The No. 1 well of the Empire Company is now down to the three thousand foot level with fair showing. It is reported that the present showing that they are arranging for two more rigs.

Many of our people understand that the Woman's Club has about eighty dollars on hand for the purpose of buying new books and some are wondering why the books have not been purchased and placed in the library. Any one know?

There be times when fiction is stranger than truth. This be one of them.

Friday night, three young women appeared at Homecroft. They were enroute to Palacios and lost in the maze of roads. I drew a map for them and sent them on their way. Soon our sign boards will be up, so be patient ye tourists. The boards are being painted and lettered by a local artist.

"Flowers are fresh and bushes green,

Cheerily the linnets sing;

Winds are soft, and skies serene."

Every twice in a while some one sends me a bundle of sweet flowers and here is one from a woman reader of the Tribune. "Am just wondering how I can ever give back to you all the inspiration your words in print gave me. You are the type, however, that believes in living in the ideals of his fellows, so I know your encouragement is your own reward and I believe you know that I am not ungrateful.

Have just one crow to pick with you--your articles are highly interesting, but please do quit calling your interesting wife the "miserable wretch." If I were she, I would not stand for it. But then I'm not--so shall run along about my own business. But, confidentially, can't you go "Bimbo" one better than his "Heaven Eyes" and get one that will really make folks who do not know you both understand just how interesting a personality that [your] wife is? Of course, I know your expression is used to edge the paragraph, and all that, but your stuff is entirely too good not to be original as far as your wife's pet name is concerned when in print." Echo answers, "Yes." And I am sure if you were thinking out loud you would say, "well, that's gratitude for you. I might have known I should get a letter like that from a woman." I am quite sure I know who sent this bunch of flowers. They smell delicious to me even if the sender did leave on the stem a few prickers. I shall paste the letter in my scrap book along with other comments I value.

Our local burghers were given an opportunity to see a "rodeo" Saturday night. A cheap show for folk who are easily pleased.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, August 19, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT A FEW RANDOM PICK UPS

By Harry Austin Clapp

The week started in all right with the coming of Ed Morris and family, Grayden Morris (not old enough for a family), Mrs. Evelyn Logan, all of Houston to see their Aunt Dena and have a family feed at the Soekland home. They left Sunday night driving an auto.

Tuesday came the erstwhile Guinea Pig Queen, one time known as Mrs. Oscar Chapin, all the way from San Antonio, spending her vacation with kinfolks at Markham and friends in this burg. She looked swell in her new dress and we were glad to see the Queen once more but wish Oscar would come down and bring his shears. I expect business at Montgomery-Ward's dropped sharply while Ora was away.
 

Just to fill out a handsome week my old sweetheart of twenty years arrived for a few days with Aunt Dena. She is called Mrs. Austin Oberwetter, but being her old pal, I still call her "Myrtle" and she answers with her old time smile.

Saturday, Grayden Morris will come down and together they will toddle home.

Tuesday, Dorothy Franzen was hostess to a shower in honor of Mrs. James Louis Duffy. Those who do not know who that is are referred to "Who's Who and Why." Anyway, there was a good turnout with gifts a plenty, scrumptious eats and an afternoon of delights.

Thursday the King's Daughters met at the Liggett home. Thinking I might receive an invitation to a luncheon at the back door gallery, I told Roberta that I wished I was a daughter, but she calmly sucked her pop bottle and never rose to the occasion. Some gals sure be dumb.

Cotton picking is going on apace and it looks as though most every one will be well pleased with the yield if not with the price.

If farmers would only unite, stick together, sell through one central agency, they would be able to place their own price and the world would crawl on their knees begging for food and cotton. But they never will. They will continue to market their products as individuals and then turn about and buy goods that are organized. They will always take what is offered and pay what is asked. After that is accomplished, they will sit back on their haunches and fill the air with howls of anguish and tell the world how they have been swindled both ways. In my opinion, the average farmer is just one damn fool, but the beauty of it is he does not know it.

Fourteen quail came up to our front door Friday morning. They played and frisked, caught some bugs and were perfectly at ease for they knew that while guests of the Homecrofters they were safe.

An auto approached and away they flew. Yesterday afternoon, a buzzard rested for over an hour on a post in front of our house. He too, seemed to have no fear but at last, he soared away and was soon lost in the blue. Wonder if man will ever be able to fly with the ease and grace of this bird.

I found Dorothy Corporon at the Bachman store Thursday morning and when asked "how come so early?" she replied "I got up before breakfast." Isn't it wonderful to know that there is one wife who arises from her couch before breakfast?

Well, anyway, I am betting my money that Dorothy is one girl who will make good as a housewife.

When you folks read this, my Mary Louise will be home for a week's rest and you can remember that there will be three very happy, satisfied, contented people down here at Homecroft. A wonderful comfort, a daily joy, a satisfying treasure, is this girl of mine. Saturday, Aug. 30, she will cut another notch in the stick of life for on that day they celebrate their birthday.

"As I stroll on the banks of the slough

My heart of hearts goes through space to you.

When the sun sinks in its rosy bed and day is through,

Then love to remember the past and think of you.

Looking back, I remember how your baby feet,

Tinkled and danced a[ll] down the street,

And now you've blossomed into sweet womanhood

I fain would love you more if I could."

--Fragments from Hack.

Well, anyway, she is my very own sweetheart daughter, and I shall be jealous of every moment while she is here. Wish Toddle Boy could also be here to help us celebrate. With him our cup would overflow.

Glad to welcome Mrs. Ramsey of Springfield, Ill., to the metropolis of the Magic Bottle. Mrs. Ramsey owns property along the townsite border and with a little encouragement, might improve it with a bungalow and thus we would gain one more good citizen.

She has been spending the winter in California, and will stay here a few weeks en route to her home in Springfield.

Received a message signed "Jessie Kil" and we knew it was from Jessie Merck. Jessie never forgets us and where ever she goes she send messages and us Homecrofters appreciate her thoughtfulness.

Flounders are being taken in considerable numbers. One man went out the other night and in one hour brought in nine big fellows. The bay shore from the slough north is a favorite ground for this splendid table fish.

Grayden Morris was out Saturday night and promised to bring me one at least twenty-two inches long.

School will begin in a few days and if the pupils will take my advice they will read The Last Lesson by Alphonse Dautet. It spells a lesson to the young and the old heads living here in the Magic Bottle may profit from it as well.

Once upon a time a group of people, newly arrived in a new land, built a church and dedicated it to the worship of God. It was a goodly building and the people gathered in large numbers for worship. Came a time when it no longer was called the House of God, but became known as the Community House. Came a time when over zealous members, eager for secure funds for improvement of the building, fell under the spell of a promoter of theatrical advertising curtains. To comply with requirements they scoured the county and sold advertising space for enough to pay the painter, but, alas, nothing was left for the building. Those who bought space also gained nothing for space on such a curtain is about the most worthless brand of advertising unless it be church calendars, cook books and etc.

When, as, and if, their proposed curtain is hung, the Community House will become a theatre, and it will be good to remove from the back wall the Cross of Jesus which has hung there for these past twenty years or more. Most advertising curtains are only found in hick towns.

The Woman's Union gave a baked goods sale and served luncheon during the primary election hours on the twenty-third, and received good and substantial profits.

Thanks to Grayden Morris we had flounder for dinner Saturday. It was at least sixteen inches long and must have weighed thirty pounds or perhaps a bit less.

Margaret Holsworth out floundering the other night speared a big fellow through the tail and not knowing how to escape from such a predicament, yelled for help. Guess she was emulating the man who grabbed a bear by its caudal appendage.

Harry Lewis Eisel, Sr. accompanied by Elizabeth and John Della Betta, journeyed to Shreveport this week. I hope no one of those fellows in Arkansas kidnaps Elizabeth, for we have no desire to lose our bronze-haired beauty. Readers may think this string is a strange mix up and it is but I am a bit garrulous as I pick and peck at the keyboard of the Woodstock.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, August 26, 1930

THOUGHTS OF A NEW COMER

By Harry Austin Clapp

We bought some land in Matagorda County several years ago and planned to make our home down on the bay at Collegeport, the Metropolis of "The Magic Bottle." On our way down we stopped at Bay City to view the town and purchase some needed supplies. We have for years been readers of the Tribune and our only impression of the city of Bay City was gleaned from the columns of the paper. We thought it a large town after reading some of the editorials, but when we arrived and looked over the advertising columns we made up our minds that it was not nearly as large as we had judged it to be.

We had many errands to do, but first wanted a watch repaired, so looking over the paper we learned of a place where "skilled hands care for the watch." We learned that there were only two dry good houses, so we bought a hat in one place and a dress in the other. We filled our car with "gas has pep," and drove about the square hunting for a store where we might buy some feed and found only one in the burg and so had to use Purina. We wanted some Mixtrite but could not find it advertised so passed it up. Bought a Frigidaire at Taylors, and a White Rotary at Goodwin's and a prescription filled at the only Pharmacy in the place.

Friend wife wanted to take a supply of bread with us and as there seemed to be but one bread shop, we bought some of that "bread drips and fresh from our ovens."

While smoking a Cremo cigar presented to me by Oscar Barber, the thought came that we ought to arrange for some building material and found two places where it was sold. One advertised "making old homes new" and the other firm guaranteed "re-roofing to add many years," so we divided our money between them.

Only one milk man in a town of 5000 people, so we took on a load of "health insurance," and bought a complete Philco so we might hear the news fresh from the either.

Our car had traveled many miles and as it was about time to trade it in we called at the only auto firm in the place and drove away with a brand, span new Buick.

We wanted to take out some auto and accident insurance but search as we could were unable to find where it might be purchased, so signed up for life policy with a fellow who told us that "life insurance was a public trust." Anyway, we trusted him with our money and our life.

Went around to the C. P. & L Co. and tried to arrange for electric service but was informed that although they had ones reaching to the bay on each side of the Colorado River, there was no service at Collegeport.

Only one grocery store in town, so we bought a generous supply at the "Q-P" store, took in a show at the only theatre, left our soiled clothes to be laundered at the only place where such work was done, a "home laundry," and then having spent our store or cash down to the last dollar, we hunted a place to leave it in safely.

Bay City seems well supplied with banks. They are continuous advertisers and I am sure they profit by this policy. I always read their advertisements with interest, and I read them this day trying to decide where I should deposit my dollar. One of them asked "What will he be doing in 1938?" Lord only knows who he means, but I'll bet some of the merchants who do not advertise will be marking time.

Another bank stated that "the primitive American cached for safety." You bet he did and for that reason always had some bacon and beans. The last bank I looked over, informed me that "one dollar" will open an account with us." That was such a direct appeal to me and my lonesome dollar that I left it in that place. It will not be lonesome long, for it has some brothers and sisters up North that will soon move down to the wonderful Midcoast.

Wanted to have my eyes tested, but there was only one optician and he was out for the day, so I arranged with Murch to have a sign painted for our front gate and started for our new home. As we traveled over the new pavements we wondered why the merchants did not advertise freely and continuously. If they did so, out of town readers would readily think of Bay City as a city of ten thousand.

The editorials and other matter would be a credit to a much larger town. I only know the editor through his editorials but from them I judge that he is continually sending out the information that here is a place for home builders.

These are only the rambling thoughts of a new comer. To an outsider or a new comer a town is never any larger than its advertisers. They have it in their power to make the town grow or allow it to dally along until its whiskers grow waist long and it becomes the joke of other wiser burgs.

Attended the Christian Endeavor Sunday night, not that it was necessary for me to endeavor but that I might have every moment possible with Mary Louise. The Endeavorites sure pick out solid subjects for discussion. The last time I met with them it was "The Immortality of the Soul," that was discussed and this time the subject was "Is a College Education Worth the Cost?"

Both of these subjects have occupied the thoughts of our most renowned scholars and the result has always been a draw, as it was on the present occasion.

Well, anyway, here is a bit of advice to my men readers and they may take it or leave it. If your wife wishes to make repairs on your shirt don't allow her to take the material from the rear tail. Make her cut out the front flap but for the sake of your peace of mind keep the hind tail intact. Hard enough to keep it down when of normal length but when shortened, a fellow is just simply in a helluva fix. Stand by your God given rights men and fight for the rear shirt tail. I have had a sad experience.

Last night I saw a swift crossing the road. He stopped a moment, gave a rapid dart, and lo, he had a big fly in his mouth. Wonder why some boys are so determined on killing these harmless and valuable creatures.

A stray parrot has taken a fancy to the school house and spends his nights there. Mornings, he flies into the fig orchards, where he no doubt finds his daily rations. If any person has lost a fairly lousy parrot, better advertise in the Tribune. It always brings results.

Airplanes still hum and roar over the village. Wonder where bound?

Ruth Mowery, champion cotton picker, having picked fifteen or twenty big bales is taking a rest from her labors and therefore the gins are slowing up a bit.

The Empire No. 1 well is down to four thousand feet and has opened several gas pockets. Perhaps this means little to experts. I dunno.

The new school truck purchased by Stanley Wright who has the contract for hauling the school children was on exhibition yesterday. It is an International Heavy Duty truck, equipped with a body which may be enclosed for stormy weather and will provide transportation for as many as thirty or more children.

Looking over this sturdy equipment one is convinced that good or bad weather the children will be delivered on time. The school board are to be congratulated on having let the contract to a man like Stanley Wright.

Elizabeth Eisel has returned from her trip to Marshall and Shreveport looking more splendiferous than ever. She still has her golden-bronze locks.

It is reported that Mrs. Ramsey has let a contract to L. E. Liggett for drilling an artesian well on her property at the corner of Central Street and Avenue T. It is also stated that she will build an attractive bungalow and make her home in Collegeport.

The sad news came Tuesday announcing the death of Mr. Joe O'Leary of Kansas City. Mr. O'Leary was not known by many of us but those who had the pleasure of knowing him knew that they had met a splendid gentleman. Mrs. O'Leary spent the summer here with her sister, Mrs. Burton D. Hurd. They had purchased a bay shore site and planned to build next summer and make this their home as Mr. O'Leary would by that time retire from business life. Our hearts go out to this fine family in their sorrow. About the same time came the news that Father Sloane had passed over the river. He came to this country forty years ago and since that time has been faithful shepherd to his flock. He has christened, confirmed, married and read the burial service over his people. Many of them he taught. To all, he has been a good friend, a loving pastor. One of the cleanest men I ever knew, with a heart full of love for his fellows. Many of Matagorda's people will miss this splendid Christian gentleman.

Thursday was cleanup day at the school house and quite a number of our patriots turned out and swept and mopped and wiped and graded the yard and then turned in and shared in a picnic lunch.

Margaret Holsworth has done gone and went back to her work in the Chicago schools and there be many who will miss her. We feel that Margaret is a Collegeport product for she grew to womanhood here, taught her first school here, and so we are proud to claim this fine girl as our own. We will be at the dock when the ship brings you home along about Christmas tide.

Friday, Louise Walter received the degree of B. A. from the university summer school. Louise has earned this honor for she has stuck to her work year after year, determined to win her degree and now she has it and her friends rejoice with her.

Something like twelve hundred bales have been ginned by the four gins this side of the Palacios River. The cotton appears to be of good quality but the price is what one might say a very sorry one. Rice harvesting is on in full tilt and threshing will begin this week.

Considerable of the time the water in the river has been low, but so well has it been conserved by the management that ample water has been in the canals all the time.

Rev. M. A. Travis arrived Thursday for a few days visit with his many friends and preaches Sunday in the church house he established years ago.

One of my friends is visiting in California and write a letter to the miserable wretch and just because it was not sent to me I'll not even print the name. Guess the writer will be sorry for this neglect and write me next time.

Hope our people will turn out in good force Saturday and vote the right way on the stock law proposition. Roaming cattle and stock are not only a nuisance, destroyers of property, but a serious menace to travel on the highways.

The burglary business seems to be nicking up of late at least the gentlemen who follow that trade have picked up considerable property. From the Bachman store they took about a truck load of provisions, candles, chewing gum, clothing and Prince Albert. Am glad they left the R. J. R. Ben Mowery says it shows that they were gentlemen of good taste but Ben don't know, for his judgment has been so wrapped with "Old Briar" that he is no longer a judge of good tobacco.

At the Merck home they laid in sixty-five cans of home canned fruits. Stopping at Frank Kings, they added three barrels of gas and some canned fruit. Needing chickens they visited Geo. Welsby's chicken yard and laid away forty chickens and then to make the haul ready money, stopped at the Jenkins place and loaded on nine hundred pounds of seed cotton.

Joe Mangum was down Friday doing the Sherlock Holmes and we hope he will land the miscreants. An entire box of oranges was taken from the Bachman store so I am advising Joe to look for orange peels. Had these fellows broken into the Collegeport Pharmacy they could have secured some of that sodelicious vanilla ice cream that only Hugo knows how to make. I advise them to stop there next time they visit the burg.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, September 2, 1930

County Federation to Meet at Collegeport

The Woman’s Club of Collegeport will be hostesses to the County Federation of Women’s Clubs on Saturday, Sept. 6. The Collegeport women are interested in developing a worthwhile program, and are expecting many women from over the county.

We trust that our Bay City women will take advantage of the occasion and manifest an interest in the club activities of the county by accepting of the hospitality of our sister city, and attend. The constructive work in carrying out these programs and our women should endorse it by attending on Saturday.

It is suggested that those desiring to go, to communicate with Mrs. J. M. Neary, secretary of the Bay City P. T. A., that she may be able to advise the Collegeport women how many women from here will attend.

Daily Tribune, September 3, 1930
 

Collegeport Oil Well Is Down To 3,700 Feet

W. W. Wilkinson reported today that the wildcat oil well being drilled on his holdings in the Collegeport section is down 3700 feet with the drill penetrating a solid rock formation.

Mr. Wilkinson says the indications have been and are yet very encouraging.

Daily Tribune, September 6, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT PARSONS HOLMES

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from a longer article about an African-American preacher in Cripple Creek, Colorado that Mr. Clapp knew in 1895.]

Well, anyway, we had a swell week last week all because Mary Louise was home. She returned to the tread mill Monday, but will be back when Santa Claus rides this way. She and her mother received many gifts in memory of the day but none more appreciated than a great big angel food cake sent by Mrs. Liggett. It was of necessity of enormous size for it had to provide space for eighty-three candles.

Friends of Dorothy Crane, sometimes called Mrs. Richard Corporon, will rejoice to know that she has been engaged to teach the kiddies at Citrus. This school will now have two teachers. Louise Walter with a brand new degree of B. A., whatever that means, and Dorothy with the degree of S. M., whatever that may be.

The other night Mr. Dodd loaded a wagon with rice thinking he would haul it to the warehouse the next morning. Morning came but there was no rice to be hauled as some unknown parties had anticipated him and hauled it with out charge. About time to stop this thieving. Nothing appears to be safe.

It is reported that Mrs. Ramsey has bought the old Miller house and will move it to a block she owns between the school house and the Liggett home.

Read an article in the Houston Chronicle by R. A. Sells, in which he mentions Jefferson R. Smith, better known under the name of "Soapy Smith." I knew this man quite well in the early Cripple Creek days for he practiced his art there along about 1899. Several times he tried to instruct me in the little shell and nimble pea game but I was never able to hide the pea. He was a philosopher and an interesting talker and had his mind and talents been used in other ways he would no doubt have acquired wealth and world wide fame, but like Naaman, he was a leper.

School teachers all over at Palacios this week attending County Institute and wondering if they will be paid for the time spent.

The Woman's Union met with Mrs. Haisley Thursday with good attendance. I did not care to attend because it was reported that no Carrie Nelson noodles would be served. I do not care for éclat even if whipped cream is served with it. I crave dill pickles and noodles.

Mr. Keller is operating a first class barber shop with fine business, and his service is worth the price. Only objection is that it is outside the city limits.

Miss Roach of Austin is the guest of Louise Walter. A fine looking girl and I hope she has a degree for since degrees have become so plentiful every person who aspires to be in "who is who or which and what ever" must hold a degree.

The new addition to the school faculty is here in the person of Miss Marie Nestor and from her appearance, I judge the board have done well in securing her service.

Well, anyway, Saturday the County Federation met here with the following program:

Morning Session.

 

Board meeting.

Call to order by Mrs. Salsbury, president.

Music, America the Beautiful.

Invocation, Mrs. L. E. Liggett.

Business talk by Mrs. Gossett, county nurse.

Music.

Luncheon at Community House

Afternoon.

 

Piano duet: Mesdames [Dorothy] Corporon and [Louise] Clapp.

Minuet, Miss Williams, director.

Reading: Over the Hill, Gladis Harbison

Address: Americanization, Rev. Wilson

Report Resolutions Committee

Duet, Mesdames Liggett and Harbison

A splendid exhibit of antiques was shown in one corner of the room and it surprised all by its extent and the rareness of some of the articles.

The luncheon was up to the usual standard but would have been a bit more satisfying had there been on the board a tank of the Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles. The Angel Food was delight, but why not, when it was made by a young girl names Reba Wright.

These women certainly are doing a real work for Matagorda County and as I seated on the bleachers "en El Sol," listened to the business I hoped the men of our county would wake up and organize a county federation of commerce organization and meet about three times a year to discuss affairs of county interest. I do not believe they will for they much rather play around in their respective city limits.

"Big men find time. Little men are too busy," so they sit back and let the women do it. There is hardly a subject that touches the home, the youth, the growth of this county that these women are not interested in. The financial tale as related by the treasurer discloses that they have raised a fund of about $1500 to aid students in college and a fund of about $1000 is on hand to be issued in cultivating among the school children a taste for good pictures.

Mrs. Gossett gave an interesting talk on the work she proposes to undertake and she made a good impression. The address by Reverend Wilson of Bay City was a masterful effort. We need more such addresses. Wish our boys and girls might have heart it.

Visited the school building and found it spick and span, all a shiny with glistening paint. Metal ceilings have been placed in all rooms and halls. Modern drinking founts installed and sanitary facilities in the toilets, the water being obtained through the kindness of the Collegeport Fig Orchards Company.

The entire yard has been plowed, graded and smoothed and I presume seeded. A library of several hundred volumes has been placed in the superintendent's office, seats furnished, blackboards repaired, and I judge by this "look see" that everything is in readiness for the ringing of the school bell and the arrival of Stanley Wright with his load of children. From all appearances, the local board have finished a job well done.

Friends of Ruth Mowery were some surprised when it became known Monday that on the ninth of August she was married to Mr. Barker. The affair was dead secret except that most of Ruth's girl friends knew of it but they were loyal and kept mum. Don't ever tell me that women cannot keep a secret. The groom is employed by the Empire Oil Company and has been living here at the Eisel home for three months and is favorable known. The young people are at home over at Palacios, where Mr. Barker is now operating with the Empire organization. Ruth is one of our fine girls and we wish her joy and happiness in her new life.

Tell me, ye merchants daughters, did ye see

So fayre a creature in your towne before;

So sweet, so lovely, and so mild as she.

Adorned with beautye's grace and vertues store."

--Edmund Spenser.

Collegeport Stock Vote:

For the law.......................27

Against the stock law.......--

Total votes cast...............27

The Daily Tribune, Wednesday, September 10, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT AUTOGRAPHS

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article in which Mr. Clapp looks through his 50-year-old autograph book and reminisces.]

Well, anyway, fifty years have passed and here I am in Texas listening to the bell which is calling the kiddies to school. the truck rolls in loaded with laughing children and the newly furnished school house opens with a bang, but I look in vain for the flag under the protection of which the school exists but the mast stood bare all day.

"Onward Christian Soldier

Marching as to war

With the cross of Jesus

Safe behind the vestry door."

The flag was neatly folded and left in the principal's room safe behind the door. Vacation days will soon be forgotten as these youngsters begin their annual dig. Not one of them can get too much education but I often wonder if they are getting the sort that will enable them to go out in the world and from it wrest a living. I doubt it. I fail to see one single item in the local schedule that enables a graduate to earn a living. This is common with most schools. It is a corrigendum. I have asked many of the pupils how they feel about starting and while a few ambitious ones are glad and happy to start once more their school work, the majority are not. One girl in the sixth grade said "It is worse than terrible. I have all I will ever need and I wish I never would see a school." Gosh, how little they realize that this is their golden days of opportunity. One of our finest girls, a girl of dignity and of strong character has announced that she intends to fit herself for teaching. A worthy ambition. With her personality she will make a success. She has what the world calls "It." So few possess this, that it should be prized by those who do. This girl is charming, lovely, willing and ambitious, and as Wadsworth once said:

"A dancing shape, an image gay

To haunt, to startle and waylay!"

I do not fear for this girl but I do for many others.

Some weeks ago I thought that the "Magic Bottle" would produce 1500 bales of cotton and I find that my thought was a conservative one for up to date about 1485 have been ginned and more to come. Nothing bad about this except the price and that may recover, so let us be optimists and look at the bright side. Rice is coming into the warehouse in gobs and of very good quality. We are not so bad off as we might be. Most of our troubles are caused by too much thinking and not enough work.

E. L. Hall while out driving with Miss Robert Liggett and Master Milford Austin Liggett tried to make a quick turn and the result was the car landed on its side in the ditch. There they were in a closed Koop. Milford with rare presence of mind pulled out his watch and said, "Well, it is time to get out of the koop." and opened the door for the others to crawl out.

Robert is laid up this week with a badly sprained arm and the Marquette goes to the shop for a crumpled fender and a left eye which looks up to the sky instead of the road. E. L. Hall is advised to drive with care when out with a lady friend.

Thursday the Woman's Club held their regular meeting in the school house, sort of dedication service for the newly repaired and furnished building. About forty persons were present and all seemed well pleased with the work of the board. Mrs. Claire Pollard, county superintendent, was present and delivered a splendid address explaining the new school law as it effects the consolidation of rural schools and the financial aid extended by the state when such consolidations are effected. It is considered the best address Mrs. Pollard has ever given at this place. Cake and punch was served by the local board of trustees. Those present departed full of enthusiasm for the coming school year.

A feller who became famous because he is the father of Frederick Taylor Matthes was in town Saturday and informs me that Frederick is still distributing oil for the Sinclair Company.

...all people do not like the same thing. For example I adore, honor, venerate, pay homage to the Carrie Nelson Famous Noodles. Others condemn noodles and would remove them from the table. I still stand for noodles and dill pickles.

The Daily Tribune, Saturday, September 20, 1930

THOUGHTS A BIT IRREGULAR

By Harry Austin Clapp

Sunday, I had a very pleasant visit with Jack Hill. He farms about five miles north of Collegeport in the "Magic Bottle" and he is a good farmer. He does not depend on cotton or any other one crop, but produces corn and feed, raises his own meat, eggs, milk cows, and does not live out of tin cans. The best part of this tale is that he keeps books and knows what it costs to make a pound of cotton, a bushel of corn, a bale of feed, a dozen eggs or a quart of milk.

I'll wager that there is not in Matagorda County, five farmers who can match these business like methods. He said "farming is no longer a hit and miss occupation, but a business, just as much as any mercantile or manufacturing business and the man who does not farm with business methods will face bankruptcy every day of his life."

This year he produced three-fourths of a bale per acre, which averaged fifteen-sixteenths and graded strict middling. Instead of dumping it on the market he holds it in a first class warehouse in Houston, where it is sheltered from storms and kept fully insured. If there is in Matagorda County a Master farmer, Jack Hill is that man. He not only knows how to raise cotton, but he is well posted on market conditions and he is a good judge of what grade the market demands and for that reason knows just as other merchants know that one of the chief reasons for the low price of cotton and its sluggish movement is because many, too many, of our cotton farmers are paying more attention to quantity and less to quality. The market demands quality and it is not longer getting it from Texas and therefore the foreign buyers will cut down their purchases about one million bales. Cotton is bought on strict grades and let no man presume that he can put half and half over at a premium price. It isn't done and it can't be done, so let us forget and take advantage of the conditions nature has given us here in Matagorda County and raise a cotton that will demand a premium. Every cotton man acknowledges that we can produce such a grade.

One of the greatest evils, the thing that has done most to depress the price and cause foreign buyers to shy away from American cotton, is the tendency to produce half and half. It is true that a bale can be made from much less seed cotton of this brand than from one of better quality but quality is forgotten in the desire to produce larger quantity. Any student of the situation cannot avoid facts and these are the facts, with the authority of our federal government and backed by such men as Hester.

The world's consumption for last year was 25, 579, 000 bales and the year before it was 25, 367, 000. This shows a loss of 1,200,000 [?] bales. Of American cotton last year the world used 13, 029,000 bales, but the year before it used 15, 169,000 bales, a net loss of 2,149,000 [?] bales. This means that other nations cut down our sales. Producing short staple cotton cost us last year about 1,000,000 bales. No wonder the price is not satisfactory.

We have destroyed foreign confidence. Those buyers are looking elsewhere for their requirements and they are getting it. Other people are striving to produce quality while we are destroying our market by insisting on producing an inferior grade. Co-operatives may co-operate until doomsday, and they will never advance the price of cotton until our farmers begin to use brains and plant and gin what the buyer demands.

Cotton farming requires brains, labor and capital. Many cotton farmers have none of these requirements, few are long on brains, and most of them have no capital, and the labor is generally furnished by the wife and children. Few "good cotton farmers" do much labor except in weigh, haul to gin and collect and keep charge of the proceeds.

It is a peculiar business, for a cotton farmer may be poor and not know it. He is the only man in the world who may be bankrupt and never see a bankrupt court. He may be thoroughly disgusted with life, filled with discouragement, and yet he keeps playing the same old game, never quitting for in one way or another he exists and he meets the coming year with the knowledge that his product will not pay the expenses of production. No one has ever been able to interpret his point of view or sound his emotions. Does he learn from experience?

How can he, when the greatest psychologists in the world have never been able to point out the solution.

Well, anyway, the price of cotton has nothing to do with the visit of Rev. C. N. Wylie made to this place last week. He is in charge of the Presbyterian Mission work and appears to be a very interesting man. He preached in the local community house Sunday to good audiences and brought the locals some good news from the central board.

Mrs. Anna Crane, manager of the Bachman store, is in the North on a well-earned vacation and visit with her sons in Baraboo, Wis.

Saw a four-foot snake chasing a frog. The frog was about two leaps ahead and had my sympathy, but his family will miss him from now on.

Mrs. Emmitt Chiles now makes week-end trips to Guadalupe where Emmitt is busy on a road contract.

The King's Daughters met Thursday at the Harbison home with the usual good attendance which is always assured by plenty of good eats. It is reported that much work was turned out which is good for I like to see women employed.

If the reader will look at page 79 of the October County Gentleman he will see a picture of my cousin, Mrs. H. F. Probert and her more than beautiful home near Jackson, Mich.

Monday, I was honored with a call from Mrs. Gossett, county nurse. I had an opportunity to talk and so passed a very pleasant and interesting hour. Mrs. Gossett called at other homes on this get acquainted calling day. She has good personality and our folks are well pleased with her work thus far. One of our ladies, the mother of several children, while out driving the other day, was so attracted by the sight of a well set up gentleman that she almost backed into the ditch. The moral is that married ladies should keep their eyes on the road.

Mrs. Anna Crane has arrived at Baraboo, Wis. where she reports a gorgeous time with her sons and their families and other kinsfolk.

Dorothy-Dick is running the store during Mrs. Crane's absence, but I fail to see that prices are any lower.

One of our residents is in the market for about one hundred dollars worth of building material and wrote to a firm in Houston, to a mail order house in Dallas and to a dealer in Bay City. Ten days have passed with result that the Houston firm has written two letters giving prices, freight rates, the mail order has written three letters with same information but up to date the Bay City inquiry has remained unanswered. The moral is that if Bay City merchants would give the same attention as out of town inquiries, that mail order houses do, there would be little cause for complaint about mail order houses. They go after the business and get it while local concerns wait for the business to come to their door. I personally know of building material orders from this place to other places this week to the amount of two hundred and fifty dollars simply because Bay City dealers neglected to reply to letters asking for prices.

Some days ago the people voted that stock should no longer be allowed to run at large. Wonder why the proclamation has not been published and wonder whose business it will be to enforce the law. If it is left to some of the local constables it will be necessary to acquire new ones for some of them have small interest.

The burg appears to be lonesome since Mamie Franzen has went away.

A hawk attacked one of my chickens, but without result and then ranging over the pasture, soon grabbed a quail in his talons and away he flew with his luncheon. I rather have a bundles[?]. The mocking birds nesting near our gallery have concluded family duty and the nest bears a "to rent" sing. This pair have nested there for several years and I feel sure they will be back again. A nearly white heron stood in the waters of the slough. Brought to mind, the thousands of these beautiful birds we used to see in Mexico way down on the west coast. About time the honkers flew this way.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, September 23, 1930

THOUGHTS OF A WEEK

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article about Mr. Clapp's encounter with the "queen of the pessimists."]

It was no pessimist who called on us Homecrofters Tuesday, but a young matron filled with pep and optimism in the person of Mrs. James Lewis Duffy, one time called Ella Mae Chiles. She sure was refreshing and we enjoyed the visit. They will move this week to the Crescent V Ranch, ten miles west of Palacios where their new home is being prepared for them.

Mr. and Mrs. George Hubert motored down from Houston to spend the week end with the Hugo Kundingers and I suspect they absorbed several tanks of that so delicious ice cream that Hugo is famous for. This should get me another cigar from Hattie.

Reverend and Mrs. Fitzgerald of Houston were here Sunday and the Reverend preached at both services.

Ruth Mowery was over this week to visit her parents. Suppose I should write of her as Mrs. Watson Barker, but she is still Ruth to me.

The Industrial League held its regular monthly meeting with the Homecrofters with eleven present and an enjoyable evening was spent.

Perhaps the two gins near this place have turned out something like 1600 bales and of this to date the railroad has hauled out about 200. Some of it has been taken back to the farm for holding but considerable of it has been hauled to Houston with trucks in violation of the rules and regulations of the State Railroad Commission.

It is announced that a group of four Presbyterian Mission Workers will be here Monday night for special services.

Glad to report that Robert Liggett's arm is mending satisfactorily and will soon be out of splints.

About 1500 acres of rice is still to be threshed and delivered to the warehouse. Tenant farmers are scurrying about making arrangements for the coming crop year all hoping for better yield and prices.

School has settled down into a steady grind and the kiddies seem well pleased with their teachers and studies.

Robert Murry is butchering some of the finest beef I have ever seen since coming to Texas. It comes from the Sam LeTulle ranch and although grass fed is fat and toothsome.

Wish the Fig Orchards Company would engage some person to clip the weeds and grass a bit, at least so one might see the tops of the fig trees which are making such a valiant struggle to come back. I seems a pity to allow these splendid orchards to be choked to death by foul growth.

About time Dr. Van Wormer made in inspection trip.

It is reported that Messrs. Barney Ross, Arthur Soekland and Jock Ackerman are arranging to supply the burg with wood this winter and 'tis good news.

Mr. North Cable stayed one week in Illinois and honing for the "Magic Bottle," returned on the next train. It is reported that he will fence about ten acres and devote it to poultry. His plan includes raising his feed which will go far towards making a success of the business. He fences, because although we have two cattle laws, neither one is enforced and cattle continually depredate and destroy property.

Gardens, flowers and shrubbery are impossible under present conditions. Friday night, Oct. 3, the local burghers anticipate a rare treat for on that occasion a box supper will be held with a musical program provided by the Bay City Band. We have heard so much about this musical organization that we expect an enjoyable evening.

Wonder how many read the editorials in the Tribune. I do not always agree with Carey Smith but will say that his editorials are well written, are fearless and as a rule are mighty sound. I enjoy them and never miss one line. Read what he wrote last week about the canal systems in our county and Willacy County. Some day we Matagordians will awaken to the fact that we are located in a most favorable neck of the woods and then something will happen and a new empire will be born. It is good news to read that Highway 58 is not ready for traffic and I think our county court would enjoy and receive the thanks of us all for the business like manner in which they have prosecuted this large undertaking. It was only yesterday that we voted bonds and here we are riding on pavement.

Our own "nine-foot sidewalk" is a Godsend and we should be tickled every time we ride over it so I say to George Harrison and the other members of the county court, "thank you, gentlemen."

We are honored by having in our midst a prize fighter, who being unable to secure some one to stand before him must needs hustle sacks of rice for his bread. Not all lost for that is certainly a good muscle builder.

Well, anyway, this is about enough for this week, so I'll just ankle along.

The Daily Tribune, September 30, 1930

The Collegeport Echo

Sponsored by the Bay View School

[Editorial about EDUCATION omitted.]

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Dallas Scenic company installed stage curtains in the community house last Thursday. The stage settings are very attractive. This is especially true of the garden scene which is portrayed in such realistic colors.

Mr. Guy Hutchinson, from Gulf, was a visitor in this community Sunday. He was accompanied by his father who has just come down from Illinois.

The Woman's Union meets in the home of Mrs. Burton D. Hurd Thursday.

Miss Vera Williams spent the week-end with her parents in Bay City.

Mrs. Emma Chiles motored to Victoria Friday after school to spend the week-end with Mr. Chiles who is working there.

Miss Gladis Harbison spent the week-end in Palacios with relatives and friends.

Friends of Mrs. Watson Barker nee Ruth Mowery, might be interested in hearing that she and her husband have moved to Madisonville where Mr. Barker will be stationed for some time.

North Cable did not stay long in Illinois. He reports that Texas looks good to him.

Mrs. Louis Duffy, nee Miss Ella Maye Chiles, was honoree at a bridge party given by her mother last Tuesday night. Many of her old chums were present.

Revival services were held in the community house Monday night.

Mrs. Anna D. Crane came home Monday night. She reports that she had a very pleasant trip.

SCHOOL NEWS

The three classes in the high school room have organized a Current Event club with Miss Dorothy [Franzen] as their sponsor. The club has met on the successive Fridays and reports that the meetings are very interesting. Winston McKissick has been acting in the capacity of president; Ruby Mae Real as vice president and Clarence Prunty as secretary.

Last Monday morning the Bay View school opened its doors to three new pupils: J. P. Frick, Pat Jensins [Jenkins?] and Flossie Prunty.

We are glad to have with us this year Lera Hunt who has been attending school in Republican City, Neb., for the past two years.

The students and faculty miss the familiar faces of Jimmie Murray, Mamie Franzen and Frances Eisel, the seniors of last year.

The three intermediate grades, English classes, have organized a Story Telling club, which meets on every Friday afternoon with the following officers officiating: Roberta Liggett as president; Fred King as vice president, and Jane Ackerman as secretary. The first meeting, which was held last Friday afternoon, was a very enjoyable one and some well selected stories were told.

The geography classes were very interested in the currant and coffee exhibits which supplemented the third and fifth grade geography lessons.

We are glad to see Joe Earl's smiling face as he walked into our third grade class last Friday evening. As someone remarked "it looks natural." We think all the second grade faces might look natural.

We are glad to add a new member of our faculty who is Miss Marie Nestor, the primary teacher.

The primary room is a regular little workshop and all the little ones seem interested in their school work.

Roberta Liggett who had her arm broken in a car wreck sometime ago, smiles when she says "only one more week and I can take it out of the splints." We are all proud to see Roberta back in school.

We are all planning for the box supper Friday night. We expect to have the "Bay City band" to furnish some fine music. Everyone come and enjoy the meeting.

SPORTS

The boys of Bay View are nearly all good baseball players. When one of our sluggers gets up to the bat you might as well look for a home run.

The junior girls also are good baseball players, although some of them are light at the bat. I doubt if one of the senior girls could hit a ball if it was thrown at the bat. Maybe they will do better in the future. Here's hoping.

Nearly all of the primary children play dare-base.

We are waiting for a hard rain to settle our tennis court so that we can play tennis.

We have a new tennis net and basket ball that we are eager to use. We are planning on marking off another tennis court so we can use the new net. The basket ball court is not ready yet so we cannot use the ball.

[History article about EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE by Beth Eisel omitted as well as well as the RADIO HOUR (jokes).]

The Daily Tribune, October 2, 1930

Collegeport Echo

Sponsored by the Bay View School.

THE BOOSTER

A good booster should possess many good qualities. Naturally he should be proud of his team, and he should have enough confidence in them to stand back of them in all their games. A good many of us in the excitement of our games crowd out on the field or court and someone must tell us to go back. It is not only small children who are guilty of this but grown people as well. We should try to keep our school quiet and in this way set an example for other schools. We would like to give a good impression of our school and this is one of the ways of doing it.

A real booster should be genial and friendly. When an opposing team comes on the field we should try to make them feel that they are welcome. If one of our opponents makes an especially brilliant play, cheer him. Do not be so rude as to yell disapproval because he made a wonderful play.

A great many times visitors are not shown the proper amount of courtesy. In big university football games the opposing teams are cheered by each of their followers. The annual Texas A. and M. game in our own state presents an excellent example of courtesy. We should make the visitors go home feeling that they have been given a fair deal.

Let us always remember "Do unto other teams as you would have them do unto you." Try to remember and apply these wonderful words and you will become one of the best boosters.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Mrs. Louis Duffy spent the weekend with her mother, Mrs. E. Chiles.

Mamie Franzen came down on the train Friday afternoon. She still thinks that Collegeport cannot be beat.

Arnold Franzen drove down from Houston Saturday afternoon. He and Mamie drove up to Bay City Sunday afternoon.

Mary Sliva spent the past week at home. She expects to spend another week in Collegeport.

Mr. Jack Hill's sale of last Saturday was well attended. The sale seemed to be a real success.

The Holsworths spent the latter part of last week in Galveston.

Mr. Harbison attended the principals' meeting in Bay City. It was conducted by Mrs. Claire F. Pollard.

Miss Louise Walter went to Bay City Saturday to finish her preparations toward her school work which began Monday. Citrus Grove will have two teachers this year, Miss Louise Walters, principal, and Mrs. Richard Corporon, primary teacher.

Misses Marie Nestor and Dorothy Franzen motored to Bay City Saturday to do some shopping.

Miss Edna Harbison spent the week-end with her cousin, Gladys Harbison. We enjoyed the solos she sang Sunday morning and night.

Miss Marie Nestor led the C. E. program Sunday night.

The rain which fell Monday afternoon and night was not welcomed by the cotton and rice farmers as it was by the cowmen.

Minnie Chiles was really surprised Tuesday evening when her school mates came in by ones and twos, wishing her a happy birthday. The evening was spent playing snappy games.

SCHOOL NEWS

Miss Nestor's primary room is thoroughly enjoying their sand table. It is with a great deal of pride they show the farm they built.

Miss Williams' room has enjoyed their geography as Miss Williams has been giving supplementary material on the study of paper pulp.

The intermediate grades can once more smile as they seemed to live through those "awful exams" last week.

Roberta Liggett can hardly wait for Saturday to come because then she can take her arm out of the splint.

The student body was sorry to lose Maggie and Mary Ethel Goode. They have moved to Blessing with their parents.

Miss Dorothy's sixth grade is busy working on a project in English work. They plan to make a map for the month of October. They are also learning more about South America as they are making a note book of that country.

The high schools are sailing along. We have a very congenial group this year.

The Penland children are back in school this week. They were out last week to finish picking their cotton.

We might know that Hallowe'en is drawing near because the black cats, witches, bats and pumpkins are pasted on many of the windows.

SPORTS

Sports are well organized.

Miss Williams: Girls basketball, volleyball and baseball.

Miss Nestor: Primary.

Miss Dorothy Franzen: Tennis, boys and girls.

Mr. Harbison: Boys basket ball, baseball, etc.

The Collegeport senior boys have organized a basket ball team this year. They planned to do some excellent work. The boys on the first team are: Leslie Lee Chiles, Hutchins King, Pat Jenkins, Raymond Hunt, and Therman Real.

The boys are planning to play a game with El Maton. We have our doubts that our boys will win.

The senior girls are taking up with tennis. Although some can not knock the ball over the net, others are pretty good players.

Tennis is not like baseball. You cannot let the bad balls go by you, you have to strike at them. Most of the boys generally miss the ball while playing tennis.

The junior girls and junior boys are having a time to see which side will win playing baseball. After you hear a complaint from the girls because the boys knock the baseball too far for them to chase you have to knock the ball over their heads because there [are] between one and a hundred in the field.

The heavy rain which fell earlier in the week surely packed the playground. We surely expect some good tennis games as soon as dry weather comes.

The boys are thoroughly enjoying the basket ball games which Mr. Harbison is coaching.

The girls are interested in baseball. We expect our girls to place in the county again this year.

THE BOX SUPPER

The box supper which was held in the community house Friday night netted some $80. The proceeds will be applied on various playground facilities and necessities of the school room.

Miss Geraldine Livengood was voted as the most attractive young lady in the audience. Mary Sliva had the second highest number of votes to her credit.

The band concert given by the Bay City junior band was appreciated. Collegeport was delighted to have such a good attendance from Bay City.

HONOR ROLL

A Roll. First Grade -- Ruby Grace Prunty.

B Roll -- Curtis Dickert, Alex Franzen, Lea Alexander.

Second Grade. A Roll -- Milford Liggett, Ethel Nelson, Frances Brimberry, Lydia Mae Hale.

B Roll -- Willard Gregory.

Third Grade. B Roll -- Chester Corporon, Joe Earl Pollard, Viola Prunty.

Fourth Grade. B Roll -- Jedie Frank Chiles, Fred King.

Fifth Grade. A Roll -- Roberta Liggett.

Sixth Grade. A Roll -- Alline Harbison, Tressie Huffhine[s].

B Roll -- Aaron Penland, Guy Real, Gustave Franzen.

Seventh Grade. A Roll -- Rosalie Nelson.

B Roll -- J. A. Prunty, Josephine Della Betta, Gertrude Hunt, Minnie Chiles, Pat Jenkins.

RADIO ECHO

A pupil in the seventh grade was asked on examination for a river in Siberia. His answer was the Bo river in which he meant Ob.

One of our pupils, while reciting, said that millet was used in China. Then she said "Isn't millet a fish?"

One day last week the primary room had a visitor. The teacher put this sentence on the board. "Baby boy has three rabbits." She called on one of them to read it and this was his version: "Baby boy had three jack rabbits."

The other day an eighth grader announced that she knew some superstitious people. Too often people object to others not being studious enough.

The Daily Tribune, October 9, 1930

THOUGHTS WHILE THE BAND PLAYED

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from a longer article about bands and their music.]

After this music it is hard to get down to the small things but I must record that a box lunch was put on and with spirited bidding about $85 was realized for our local school. The prize cake the product of Mrs. Liggett, was given to Miss Geraldine Livengood who was voted to be the most wonderful, charming and popular girl present. We are glad and happy and proud that such a splendid selection was made. Shows the good taste of the audience. With the $85 raised this night something like $240 has been given to the school in the last 12 months. It was the public's money and I wonder where it is and what it was spent for. Isn't the public entitled to have a statement of expenditures? Isn't it right they should know about its disposition and if any is left where it is? Several have enquired but no one knows. So I am asking those in charge of these funds to publish a complete statement of receipts and expenditures. Doing this will avoid criticism and who ever handles public money, no matter how honest he may be, is always subject to criticism.

Might as well get this off my chest, but I am not crazy over the theatrical equipment recently installed in the God community theater house. It is a standing request for our folks to buy out-of-town and God knows our local dealers need all of our home trade. The cards are well painted. The scene, probably called a landscape, was painted by the rod with impossible mountains, brooks, lakes and in no way does it reflect credit on the artistic taste of our folk. I have not seen such a work of art since I left Cripple Creek where a similar daub hung in every honky tonk. It covers completely the beautiful wood paneling in the rear of the auditorium, the only beautiful thing about the building and the Cross of Jesus is no longer visible so I say again "Take down the Cross." One woman said "I can't think of my children going to Sunday school and being obliged to look at that thing." A man said "How can people really worship in a house from which God has been driven?" That building was built and dedicated to the worship of God but it degenerated into a community house and now has slipped into a third class theater. Let us build a real community house and keep God's house inviolate. The only good think I see about this is that now, there should be no objections to holding community dances. No harm in that especially after the house has been used for Black shows, prize fights, wrestling matches. These are my thoughts. They will bring down severe criticism. I expect it, but I claim the same right to my opinion as do those who think this equipment attractive and "just simply beautiful."

Saw a hawk attack a road runner. The hawk dropped like a plummet but missed. The runner gave a screech of terror and settled under a huisache while Mr. Hawk settled on the bush and waited. Tiring at last he soared away and in about 10 minutes the road runner sneaked out and went about his business.

 

The week started in a promising manner for no sooner did I begin to pick the keys and wonder what, than a big auto rolled into the yard and from it came Guy Hutchinson, his brother, son and father Dayton Hutchinson. I have not seen the latter for 17 years. Old timers will remember the Hutchinsons and recall the days that Guy was one of us. Those were the Golden Days of Collegeport. Mr. Dayton Hutchinson is on the way to California for the winter. I don't know why for here we have better air, water, soil and fine folk.

Mrs. Anna Crane, manager of the Bachman store, has returned from her vacation in Wisconsin and assumed charge, thus relieving Dorothydick. I don't anticipate any better service than we have received during her absence for every person visiting the store has been greeted with a smile.

The Ramsey house is now on location and carpenters will soon be at work remodeling it into a modern home.

Reckon the town will be a dud on Friday the 17th, for every one plans to spend the day in Palacios where they anticipate a free barbecue lunch and some will manage a full meal and take home enough for a week's rations.

Highway 58 with the lateral roads form a source of pride to all our people and we thank the state highway commission and our county court and especially George Harrison, our precinct commissioner, for the completion of this wonderful road work. Not having an auto it looks as though I and the miserable wretch will swim the bay, but up to date we have not decided whether to wear a bath suit of go au natural. Either way folks will know we belong to the navy for our badge of that distinction will be displayed, if you know what that means.

Collegeport has a curiosity in the person of a man 60 years of age who until this week never had shoes on his feet. His name? Watch for the man with the new shoes.

The Woman's Union met Thursday at the Hurd home and enjoyed their usual religious program. These devoted women sure turn in a round sum each year for their church. After work they enjoyed refreshments that were, well you know that Aunt Dena never does things on the half shell. At the Hurd home one gets a full shell every time.

Saturday, every one for miles around attended the Jack Hill sale. Good prices were realized as a rule. The Woman's Union furnished the lunch and early in the day were sold out, lock, stock and barrel.

The Daily Tribune, Thursday, October 9, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT VOICE OF COUNTRY

By Harry Austin Clapp

The other day while walking along the banks of Pilkington slough I hear a noise, faint, but quite clear. I wondered what it might be. By the shore of the bay I heard [it] again, but this time it was like the crescendo of a mighty organ. Is this the voice of the country? Not being sure, the suggestion came to enquire of others, so going over to the suburban districts I found Hugo Kundinger and I said: "Hugo, do you know what is the voice of the country? Have you ever heard it?" and Hugo looked at me in a complaisant manner and replied: "I am just making a fresh batch of that sodelicious ice cream. Drop in tomorrow."

Going across the beautiful plaza between the Pharmacy and the Big Mart I met Tom Fulcher and thought that of course here was a fellow who could inform me and I asked "Tom, have you ever heard the voice of the country? If you have tell me what it is." He threw back his head and laughed and giving me a look of pity told me, "Kid I must rush back after another load of rice."

A bit discouraged but still determined, I went into the Big Mart and there found Robert Murry and going close to him in a timid voice I made inquiry: "Robert, you have roamed over the country? You certainly must have at night and at day. Tell me does it speak to you?" He pulled out a sack of Bull, a fresh paper, rolled a cigarette and blowing a cloud of smoke into my face gave me his reply. "I will have some fine liver tomorrow and I'll sure save some for you." Is it possible that no one has ever heard the voice of the country?

I hastened to the center of our city and went into the post office and when the face of Seth Corse appeared at the window I fired my question at him with renewed vigor. "Have you ever heard the voice of the country? Can you tell me where I may hear it?" Again that stare of pity and the reply came: "Sorry, Harry, but under the postal regulations I am forbidden to engage in any political discussion."

Ah, here comes the answer in the person of Dorothy Franzen, a school teacher, and a holder of a college degree, so eagerly I put the question that was burning me and asked that she tell about the voice of the country and how I would know it. With a frightened, astounded look, she at last said, "Pardon me but I promised to meet Dean in five minutes."

With this she whisked away and when Jack Holsworth drove up I propounded the same question to him and his only reply was "Yes, sah!" That was quite a pertinent reply and proved that he knew nearly as much as the others. In terror, with trepidation and consternation I thought, "It is possible that I have been fooled by an auricular vision? Can it be that no one has ever heard the voice?

One more, one last attempt and I am through, so meeting that charming girl, Frances Eisel, I eagerly approached her, feeling certain that she of all others would aid me in my search, but Frances showed plainly that in her opinion I was a bit off in the head and her features showed fear as she told me, "George left yesterday for Denver. I have been so busy entertaining him that I am unable to think of such sordid things as the voice you ask about." Goodbye, Frances, even you have failed me.

I turned and bent my steps towards Homecroft and soon my eyes opened, my ears heard, my sense of smell revealed delicate odors and I found the voice. It was in the yellow daisies that lined the road, their blossoms nodding in the breeze. I found it in the beautiful green grass that covered the earth as an emerald gown. I found it in the song of the birds, the drip of rain on the roof, the murmur of little wavelets in the slough as the tide pushed the flood upstream. It was in the splash of a fish, the croak of a frog, the slithering sound of a swift as it glided through the grass. It was in the bark of a dog as he chased a rabbit, in the crow of a rooster as morning dawned. It was in the laughter of children as they romped and played on the school campus. It was in the grace of a buzzard as it floated in the blue and in the whirr of quail as they fled from the attack of an enemy. It was in the fluff, fluff, of the waves as they washed the shore and in the sparkle of the wind-tossed spray. It was in the silent post of a heron as he stood in the water as if snatched from some Japanese panel. It was in the perfume of the flowers tossing their delights to the wind and in the hum of the bee as it gathered its winter store.

It is in the breeze that blows over my bed at night and when I see the stars and the moon as they sail in majesty through the sky the voice speaks in musical notes that tell of sublimity of the voice. I heard it in the clouds as they float across my vision and in the thunder that follows the lightning flash. As the sun sinks to rest across the bay, small clouds form the shape of a cross and I plainly see the words, "By this sign ye shall know Him and hear His voice, which is the voice of the country." Peace comes to me a priceless peace, for I have heard the voice of the country.

When I am asked "have you heard the voice of the country?" I shall reply, "Yes, sah!"

Before I quit picking the keys here's to you, O'Henry, you man of the facile pen.

Well, anyway, to come down from the clouds, George Hetherington who has been a guest of the Eisel family for the last week has gone to his home in Denver for a vacation.

Monday the 6th, the Magic Bottle was blessed with a four-inch rain that gave a goodly soaking. Net results will be improved pastures, some loss of late cotton and delayed rice threshing.

Prof. Harbison is bemoaning the loss of a pocketbook with about $8.90 therein. The pocketbook was once the property of his father and much valued for that reason. The person who found this book can easily identify it by the $8.90.

Sunday I was gastronomically delighted with the gift of a big bag of doughnuts from my good friend, Aunt Dena. Some folk may make noodles, some may make pie, but it requires an artist to make doughnuts that fill ones tummy and soul wit copiousness, plentitude and repletion.

One of our society ladies lost a garter. As she possessed two perfectly good legs the loss was annoying. After searching for an hour, she found it way up her--well, anyway, it was way up where I had no business to look.

Another equally well known bud took a trip to Bay City and in her hurry forgot to put on her garters. Arriving at the city 20 miles from the bay, she nearly lost her socks but at last borrowed two safety pins and pinned them up but I was not informed to what she pinned them.

Mrs. James Hale has returned from San Antonio where she has been enjoying a well-earned vacation with kin folk.

Collegeport is certainly growing. Many have heard of the beauties of the Magic Bottle and came here to live, but at last the call was heard by our latest newcomer, Donald Lee Soekland who arrived Saturday morning at 8:30. He came on the wings of angels, fresh from the good Father who tenderly watches over us all. He came from the arms of a sweet little mother to those of his proud young father. He came to brighten a home, to grow into sturdy manhood and become the family pride.

"The baby sits in his cradle,

Watching the world so round,

Enwrapt in a mystical silence,

Amid all the tumult of sound.

He must be akin to the flowers,

For no one has heard

A whispered word

From this silent baby of ours.

"Ah, baby, from out your blue eyes,

The angel of silence is calling--

Though silver hereafter you speak

Your silence is golden, beguiling.

All hearts to this darling of ours,

Who speaks not a word

Of all he has heard.

Like the birds, the bees and the flowers."

--Ellen Bartlett Currier.

Had the games between El Maton and Collegeport schools been better advertised no doubt Donald Lee would have arranged to arrive one day sooner and then he could have joined the rooters. The El Maton Slimes journeyed down here determined to snatch off the scalps of the Collegeport Snooters and they did that very thing right royally in the boys and girls basket ball events but Collegeport came back in the baseball game and not only took the enemy's scalp but actually skinned him and hung the pelt on the campus fence. From first to last it was a sanguinary affair judging from the scratches and bruises on the female legs.

I feared at one time it would be necessary to amputate that splendid right leg of Elizabeth Eisel but at this writing I believe it may be saved. Gladys Harbison is the star player but she suffered a casualty from the loss of her left trousers leg. ”Never had such a time in all my life. Lost my horse and couldn't find my wife."

Over on the campus in a bunch of lusty rooters I had a glimpse of a brown dress and there I located my lost rib. The miserable wretch was rootin' and tootin' and snortin' with all the gust of youth, having the time of her life. When the games were over she led the bunch in a merry hurrah for the visitors. Both sides were good sports and shook hands in friendly fashion even if bloody scalps were dangling at their belts. Most of our people think basket ball is a modern game but a brief study of ancient history will disclose the fact that during the tenth and eleventh centuries the game flourished. I don't know what it flourished on but I do know that skinned knees and ripped up trousers were so common as to be considered prevalent. Anyway they played the game with the sound of rooting and tooting and at times swords were drawn and real red bloody blood flowed in copious streams.  I hope the Collegeport Snooters will go up to El Maton some day and rip them there Slimes wide open.

Basket ball seems a bit passe when I learn that both Rosalie and Ethel Nelson are on the honor roll. That is to their credit and also that their mother is the maker of those famous Carrie Nelson Noodles. Here is an example in practical arithmetic. A cotton farmer took his cotton to the gin with these results.

One bale weighed 592 pounds and $90 pounds seed, sold at $20.

The next bale weighed 565 pounds with $82 pounds seed sold at $21.

Number three bale weighed 573 pounds with $77 pounds seed, sold at $22.50.

Number four weighed 607 pounds with $98 pounds seed, sold at $19 and

the bale number five weighed 513 pounds, with $52 pounds seed, sold at $21.75.

Ginning cost an average of $6.825 per bale and the grower took home 773 pounds of seed out of the $98 pound lot, the balance being sold at $10. All of the cotton was sold at 11.75 cents per pound. What did the seed sold bring and what did the cotton bring at the price named and what was the total cash realized by the grower. For the first correct answer received by me, given by any rural school boy or girl living in Matagorda county, I will pay $1. The computation must be made on a clean sheet of paper with neat figures and no erasures and the name, address, school and grade neatly written in the upper left hand corner of the sheet.

Remember the first answer received wins the dollar.

The Daily Tribune, October 14, 1930

BAYVIEW SCHOOL

Community News

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Soekland are the proud parents of a son born Friday morning. They have named their son Donald Lee.

Mrs. Emmett Chiles motored to Wharton with her family Saturday and stayed until Sunday afternoon.

Rosalie Nelson spent the weekend with Minnie Chiles in Wharton.

Miss Vera Williams spent the week-end with her family in Bay City.

We notice that the canal is once more filled with water. They must be giving us some water from above.

Mrs. B. V. Merck left for Houston Sunday to be with her daughter, Theora, who is in the Baptist hospital.

Mamie and Arnold Franzen were home for the week-end They must find some attractions in Collegeport.

Mrs. James Little of Houston was a visitor in the Franzen home during the weekend.

Mr. Thomas P. Hale and family spent the week-end with the Fulchers.

Mr. and Mrs. Mason Holsworth left for Dallas Sunday morning.

We were glad to see Mary Ethel Goode's familiar face in Collegeport Monday evening.

The members of the Woman's club are busy rearranging the books in the library.

The Sliva family have moved from the country to town. The Ackermans will move into home formerly occupied by the Slivas.

The weather has been ideal for harvest this week. We hope that it will continue this way until harvest is over.

Mr. Gust Franzen reports that they are picking on the 37th bale of cotton.

Miss Erna Harbison visited the J. J. Harbison home during the week-end.

Miss Louise Walter and Mrs. Richard Corporon reported that their first week of school work passed by very pleasantly. They teach in the Citrus Grove school.

Austin Jenkins returned home Sunday from Centerville.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Duffy are moving into their home at Carancahua this week--Crescent V ranch.

Sports.

The girls are rejoicing in a basket ball and court all their own. One of the boys was heard to remark that he liked the girls' court better than the boys.'

The El Maton basket ball teams came to Collegeport last Friday for a junior boys' and junior girls' basket ball game. They also agreed to give us a baseball game. In junior girls basket ball El Maton won by a score of 30 to 10. The junior boys also won by a score of 19 to 6. There were some good plays on both sides.

Although El Maton won the basket ball games we won in baseball. Only two innings were played but that was enough. The score inning was 19 to 3 in favor of Bay View school.

Our basket ball teams are going to practice to stage a comeback. They figure on beating the El Maton game on their own courts.

Although our senior basket ball team has not played a match game this year, we are confident that it is superior to any team we have had in the past.

Whenever Monkey Chiles gets his hands on the ball no matter where he is standing, you may look for a goal.

Big Buddy King, the smallest one on the senior team, is also good at shooting goals.

School News.

The pupils of the school have really taken some interest in the various events on the school ground. The game with El Maton last Friday afternoon made them realize that they could do much better if they would only try.

Aaron and Tressie have been out of school part of this week as they have been home to pick cotton.

Gus Real was absent from school Monday.

The sixth grade geography class is making rapid progress with their geography note books of South America.

The pupils are very enthused over the pictures of Admiral Byrd which have been shown in Bay City and Palacios this week.

The Current Event club in the high school room reorganized their club last Friday morning. The following officers were elected; President, Ruby Franzen; vice president, Lera Hunt; secretary, Flossie Prunty.

Arnold Franzen and James Little were visitors at school Monday.

Mrs. L. E. Liggett was a visitor in the school one day last week.

The primary pupils are enjoying the new swings which were put up the past week.

The miniature farm which was made in the sand table in the primary room is being replaced by a Hallowe'en scene.

Miss Williams' room has caught the Hallowe'en spirit and are decorating their room with all the different Hallowe'en characters.

The meeting of the Story Telling club was cut short Friday on account of the basketball game.

We had a new pupil added to our fourth grade group Monday, Chas.
Unger from the north.

Radio Echo.

One of our eighth graders said to her sister, "Go turn off the fire so that the water won't burn."

Our teacher asked one of our high school to give the source from which we get Greek history. He answered and said "From the beautiful leggins which were preserved in ancient poems." He meant legends.

The Daily Tribune, Saturday, October 18, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT HIGHWAY NO. 58

In Short Time Will Become Popular Road To all Valley Sections of Texas.

By Harry Austin Clapp

Several years ago Thomas F. Lawson, the stock plunger, wrote a story, "Friday, the 13th." His secretary's name was Clapp, so I thought it gave me some rights and I wrote him informing him that in the year named in the story there was no Friday the 13th. He replied telling me, "remember this is only a story."

Well, Friday the 17th, is also a story. A story of struggle and a bit of strife and a victory for progress in Matagorda county, and so on that day loyal Matagordians met with folk from a dozen other counties in the City by the Sea, to mix and felicitate, slap each others back and say, "Old man it is good to see you once more." It was a day of happiness, delight, bliss. A day when fortune smiled broad grins. It was a day when we took the credit and let the cash go. From the time the parade, illustrating the progress of transportation from the man on foot, to the latest automobile, to the barbecue, the boat races, the speaking, to the street dance and the final "Good Night" flashed with the fire works it was perfect. I and the miserable wretch went over early so we would not be late.

We rode with my good friend Mollie and therefore not obliged to swim the bay. The completion of Highway 58 and the lateral roads that reach every community in the county is not only of interest and pride to those who live here but to the entire midcoast. In a very short time it will become one of the popular routes from eastern points to the Rio Grande.

Nothing can stop the tide. It will come and it will flow and some of it will dally and procrastinate, by the way side, enamored by our wonderful climate and soil and our hospitable people. In this way we will realize on our investment of three million frog skins. It is good and proper that we hold this celebration in honor of the day when our dreams come true. Dreams of freedom from mud. Dreams of happiness and prosperity. Dreams of freedom from charges that defeat economy. It was not a Palacios commemoration for that beautiful city only furnished the place. It was an outpouring of the citizenship of more than a dozen counties. It was a joyous day for us, meaning I and the miserable wretch, for it gave opportunity to again meet old friends and I met them.

Roy Miller, Clarence Holland, Judge Huggins, Richard Lewis, T. N. Mauritz, Whitmire, good old Nat Wetzel, and O shucks, I better tell whom I did not meet. I asked Judge Huggins what he thought of our road and in reply he said "as sweet a piece of cement as there is in Texas."

If he never told the truth before he did this time. Others made the same statement and a good thing they did for it was not a safe bet to throw rocks at Highway 58 or at our "nine-foot sidewalk." We are proud of our roads and don't give a damn who knows it. Judge Mansfield, that gallant old warrior who fights our battles in Washington, looks fine. His eyes are bright and alert, he head looks lion-like, he shows strength and activity and I rejoiced to see him so bright and sunny.

Many years ago I bought a pair of trousers from a feller who told me his name was John Reynolds. When I arrived at Houston I found a rip in the--well, it was not visible when I was sitting down. I told John about it and he gave me a new pair. Since then for more than 20 years I have called him "Honest John." Well I met him at Palacios and he informed me that he was connected with the Southwestern Life Insurance Co., and that it was not only the best company in the world but the sweetest, most harmonious, winning. He told me all about it while setting out a blank and a fountain pen and as I replied to his questions it gradually dawned on me that he was making of me a victim. When he asked my age he dropped his pen, tore up his application sheet and said "here Harry, take a cigar and let's forget it." I thought to myself "is it not wonderful that in Palacios I meet an honest man?"

Roy Miller has the chromo for being the handsomest man in the bunch. He is not only handsome, but capable and has available a mass of interesting material, pertinent to those men who live in the coast country. As a speaker he is supreme, for he has a voice that carries and that is something few of the speakers possessed. Looking back over the 20 years I have known him I see one long procession of progress. A progress in which he had had no small part.

No man can know Clarence Holland except with admiration that he has had the guts to stand by his pet scheme, the Intracoastal canal, until today he can see the culmination of his dreams.

It was good to see Judge Carpenter and he gave me the usual warm hand clasp of the man who is running for office but I could see in his eyes that he did not recognize me, but soon he did and placed me as Mrs. Clapp's husband. Ye Gods, that I should live to see the day when I should be recognized as the husband of the miserable wretch.

Meeting Emma Lewis Carlton, I asked "how many people here today?" and she estimated 15,000. I told her that I had counted 13,485 1/2, and so we split the difference. Anyway, there was one grand mob.

The barbecue was a festive, gastronomical delight and would have been unexceptional had a few tanks of the Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles been available.

The speed boat races in charge of Duncan Ruthven, the ubiquitous mayor of Palacios, were thrilling, especially when one turned turtle and caused a the driver to become a hell diver.

Went to the picture show and must say I am not much in love with talkies, especially when a sweet, beautiful girl, says in a voice like that of a bull, "Yes, darling, I will love you and marry you."

Oh, yes, I saw Emily Jane and Emily Jane, Jr., and they were both mighty easy to look at. They brought Bill along to drive the car and show his new shirt. It was one wonderful day. A day without a cloud or a pain and I am glad I live in this fortunate country. I missed two faces, those of Judge Holman and George Culver. How I did miss those two old faithfuls. It was the morning of the day after when we arrived at Homecroft satiated, gorged, satisfied with the food we had at The Green Lantern Inn, with the joy of meeting of realizing that progress has been made and as darkness settled over the bay, we slept.

Sure, the people of Matagorda county did the trick. They did it when they put over the bond issue. They did it when they built the roads and they did it when they gave this great joyous festival. All the result of team work, the espirit de corps. They will use it again and again and our county will forge ahead for it is to be the home of a half million happy folk. A dream? No, a potential actuality. We are realizing a sense of proportion. We know we are big and we know we are going on and on to our Valhalla.

[Omitted a paragraph in which Mr. Clapp compares his hometown with Bay City.]

The new stock law went into effect the 14th, and all officers have been instructed by the county court to take up stray cattle and other stock. The fine for violation is from $5 to $200. Some of our local burghers better watch out or the constable will get 'em.

The banks of Bay City have deposits in the sum of $2,238,958. This does not look like hard times for this money belongs to the people and eventually will be used by them. No sir, hard times are not for Matagorda county.

When Mary Louise was about 3 years old she heard a band play at Palacios and she came home filled with admiration for the director. When I asked for his name she said, "his name is Mr. Cocktail" and that is how I came to know Antonio Martino, director of the El Campo band. He brought his band to Palacios Friday, 40 strong, and it was a musical organization any town may be proud of. Martino is a musician, a real musician as is shown by the way he handles his baton. The music of Martino's band was an enjoyable part of the program.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, October 21, 1930

COLLEGEPORT SCHOOL NEWS

Radio Echo

Miss Dorothy: Frances, what is meant by the term ostracism.

Frances: Oh, that's when an ostrich hides his head in the ground.

Question: Give the name of two characters who left their respective homes in New England because they did not get religious tolerations?

Answer: Two men who left their respective homes in New England because they did not get religious toleration were Mr. Roger Williams and Mr. Anne Hutchinson.

How on earth could a boy give such an answer?

Mr. Harbison sent one of the primary pupils to the postoffice to get a stamped envelope. Imagine his consternation when the child came back and said "That's the biggest stamp I can get," handing him a two-cent stamp.

School News

The majority of the school children took advantage of the opportunity offered them to see the educational picture, "Byrd at the South Pole," last Tuesday and Wednesday evening at Palacios and Friday evening at Bay City. They enjoyed seeing the picture and were very enthusiastic in telling of the exploration the following day.

The teachers and school-mates of Rosalie Nelson are invited to a birthday party given in her honor at her home Wednesday afternoon after school. We all appreciate the invitation and expect to attend.

The children and teachers of the school were very glad to find the new pencil sharpeners and, also, dictionaries in all the rooms Monday morning.

The Dickard and Hale children are back in school after the scarlet fever fight, which turned out to be only a slight illness.

The sixth grade will finish the geography note books on South American this week. When they complete this work they are going on a tour to South America.

The seventh grade received some Webb notebooks for both their history and geography work. This means that there is more work in store for them.

The school library will soon be ready to operate. All the books have been catalogued. We want to add more books to this library.

John Ackerman entered school Monday. We are glad to have Johnnie with us again.

Milford Liggett suffered from an injury received while playing baseball this week. His finger is not as sore as it was.

Community News

Many familiar faces were seen at Palacios Friday at the celebration of Highway 58. Most of the citizens of Collegeport were present. They did not only enjoy the barbecue and other phases of the day's program but they enjoyed seeing so many of the people who formerly lived in our community.

Mamie Franzen came home Friday to spend the week end with her parents.

The Community Library was closed last week. All books were called in so they could change the cataloging system. We are really proud of our library in Collegeport. We realize that the Woman's Club is doing much for our community. It is this organization that is sponsoring the library work.

Mrs. Gust Franzen and Mrs. John Carrick motored to Markham one day last week.

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Welsby arrived in Collegeport early Thursday morning. Dale was formerly one of our Collegeport boys. We are sure that Mr. and Mrs. George Welsby are happy to have this time with their son and daughter-in-law.

Mrs. Ernest Oliver is home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Hunt.

The norther which blew in Friday was welcomed by the farmers of this community. Most of the farmers are about through harvesting their crops.

Mr. Edward Heyne was a visitor in the Franzen home Saturday and Sunday.

The Sunday school enjoyed a rally day program Sunday morning.

Mrs. Roy Nelson and her junior girls gave a representation of Minde services in India which added a great deal of interest in the rally day program.

Honor Roll

Honor roll of high school for the first six weeks.

Eighth Grade

B--Arthur Liggett, Beth Eisel, Ermine Harbison and Norman Carrick.

Ninth Grade

A--Raymond Hunt

B--Frances King, Hutchins King and Leslie Chiles.

Tenth Grade

A--Lera Hunt, Gladis Harbison, Winston McKissick.

B--Flossie Prunty and Rubymae Real.

Sports

The town boys have been giving the high school senior boys some good practice in basketball.

There were so many players on the basketball court Tuesday that the players could not get any where with the ball.

The junior girls and junior boys have been practicing baseball together. They have been having some very tight games.

Mr. Harbison sent the tennis racquets off to be restrung. It is much easier to play tennis now.

The small children have had a slight difference as to who should use the swings. A compromise has been made in which those in Miss Nestor's room have the swings two thirds of the time and those in Miss Williams' room the other third.

The Daily Tribune, Thursday, October 23, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT THINGS I LIKE

Favors Detective, Wild West, Sea Tales and Constructive Yarns.

By Harry Austin Clapp

This has nothing to do with things I love. It is only a tale of likes. I like many things in this world, but I love only a few. Quite a difference between liking and loving, for one means "to be pleased in a moderate degree: to approve; to enjoy," while the other means "to regard with affection, as to love our children and friends."

My great love is for my home and my family and my kin folks. For these I have a passion not in any way akin to like. I like books and among them detective stories, wild west , sea tales, mining and rail--and here is the if--IF they are well stuffed with description, for example: like Zane Grey, Peter B. Kyne. The Squaw Woman by Arthur Stringer, running in the Saturday Evening Post is a good illustration. I also like some of the classics and read them with enjoyment and profit. I like good music, preferably by a band, orchestra or pipe organ, and in that line my taste runs mostly to the classical for I receive slight relish, twang or enjoyment from the lighter forms of music. I like the music of the trees, the waves, and there is something in the thunder of a heavy sea that transports me. I like the music of birds and the chatter and laugh of kiddies. I like corn beef and cabbage, ribs of beef with browned potatoes, vegetables of all kinds, broiled ham if it is the "kind that am," bacon and eggs straight up; the famous Carrie Nelson noodles; buckwheat cakes with plenty of Morning Glory butter.

I like German, Mexican and Kosher dishes, and I have a desire for cheese of any kind and all varieties, including Edam, imported Swiss, Limburger, Pecorino Roamana, Roquefort, Muenster, Camembert, Pimento, Parmisello. I think at times the more furrin' the better.

I like most all kinds of pie but second give good old pie, spelled, "pumpkin." Today I absorbed gooseberry pie, made by a mistress of pie making, meaning the miserable wretch.

I like pictures provided they tell me a story and with a picture I like to know the name of the artist and the tale of his life, his struggles, his success. A picture must be a good one with plenty of life and color to please me, for I have no fondness for cheap daubs or imitations.

One of the finest things I have ever seen was a painting about four by six inches, depicting Napoleon leaving for his last exile home. How sad he looked, as he gazed for the last time at the shores of France, and the English officers, who stood in the near background seemed to share his unhappiness. Valued at $1,000, I liked it and I see it now, and always shall. That is one thing about good music, books, pictures, the memory remains and for ever brings new thrills.

I like flowers, wild ones best, and I delight in walking the primrose way to the post office in the spring and now that fall is here it is the daisy road for me as I pass and each nod is an acknowledgment of God who made us both.

All the spring and summer months we have had flowers picked in the pasture and by the road side and now that fall is here another crop of beautiful blooms is here, for those who will pluck them. Many wild grasses appeal to me and placed artistically beautify our home. It is wonderful how many beautiful decorative flowers and grasses are available if one will but observe.

I like to watch the clouds and see in them the many pictures. I like birds of all kinds and have no desire to destroy. I like animals especially Holstein cattle. I like, aye, I love dogs but this is a tale of likes so let the dog go for another time. I like men and women and children and I delight in intimate association with many of them.

I like a cob pipe filled with "R. J. R." when I cannot have English smoking tobacco. I like to sit before a good fire at my fireplace and enjoy a pipe with a friend. I like that time of the day when "the lights are lit" and I sit in my easy chair with a good book. I like to read and perhaps average three hours every day in this manner. I like to write and I like to talk. I like to travel on first class trains with luxurious Pullmans and diners. I like to stop in hotels of the better class and I enjoy the food and service and never begrudge the price. I like theaters, but prefer the legitimate, although I enjoy the movies, the silent best. I like to see men and women of the stage portray human action. I like comedy especially the musical variety.

I like good wine, preferably Sauterne of about 1890, and I like beer, ale, stout, but will let the whiskey go by to the prescription counter and when prescribed dump it in the sink. I can take it when disguised as an Alabam, but give me the jug of wine, a leafy bough, a good book, and thou.

I like to walk in the pastures, idle by the shore, listening, hearing, seeing many strange and interesting things. Such walks take me where autos do not go and I return well paid and filled with new thoughts. I like to be alone sometimes every day for then I carouse with myself.

I think it right and good for men to be alone in personal communion, casting up the debits and credits of one's life, so I liked to be alone at times. When the time is up, I am more than ever thankful to come back and hear the voice of my miserable wretch and my very own daughter. I like to do public work for it makes me feel that after all I have a chance to be of service and it gives me an impression that "I am sitting by the side of the road and being a friend of man."

It is a fine feeling, almost an emotion, a sensation of joy.

This is not a complete capitulation of an enumeration of all the things I like. Only a few but they serve with the others to bring me much pleasure, happiness, satisfaction, which I am only too willing to share with others. One of our girls went away to school, may be it was to the Bay City high, but any way she left home as plain Jessie. This is not her real name of course. After she had been away from home two weeks, she wrote a letter to her home folks and signed it "Jessica." Her father was a plain, prosperous farmer and he replied thusly: "Dear Jessica: We have received your welcome letter and it was goodica. Mamica and Tomica are quite well. Tomica has a new friend named Samica Jonesica. Aunt Maryica and Uncle Georgica have gone to Michiganica. Your loving, Dadica."

This really happened in our burg. Who? Make a guess? Will wonders never cease.

I have just read that soon a combine will be used for harvesting rice. It has been given a test in the rice fields near Beaumont and soon it will be used in the "Magic Bottle." It is new to us, but not new to our old friend Isaiah, for 705 years before Christ, he forecast this machine when he wrote "Behold, I will make thee a new sharp, threshing instrument, having teeth; thou shalt thresh the mountains and beat them small, and shall make the hills as chaff. Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shalt carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the Holy One of Israel."

If you don't believe it read, Isaiah XXXXI: 15-16.

I read in O. O. McIntyres column that one of his real thrills was the interviewing of Myrtle Peak. This famous, or infamous girl, came from my home country and used to winter in my town and I knew her well and I know that O. O. must have had a thrill for she was a superlative thriller. Beautiful in face and figure, she knew how to stir men with passionate thrills. She had what is known as "It." I have enjoyed some of Myrtle's thrills, which were rather expensive, but cheap at the price, for they were thrilling. Myrtle has for years been resting in a country church yard, so God rest her resting soul. With all she did in life, she was a good fellow, a good sport, so I hope she went where the good sports go, and with her the four white horses she used in her exhibitions, and O, her white tights for without them she would not be Myrtle Peak.

Will robbers never cease? One of them, may be two or three, broke into the canning factory and took away eight buckets. They must be cow milkers. Docyor Van Wormer better employ a night watchman for Arthur Soekland is too busy these nights looking after Donald Lee. One of the sweetest young girls enjoyed a birthday last week and she being a girl of more than common sense, only wished for two things: a pair of garters and a subscription to the Geografic Magazine. I know what she wants the garters for, but why in the world does she want the magazine?

Well, anyway, few girls of her age have such excellent literary taste and I commend her for it. Many or our girls would have asked for "True Stories," "Love's Message," or some other destructive mental dope.

Last week we Homecrofters had an enjoyable visit with "Monty," the new county agent. Looks like he was starting in all right ad we hope he will come often to Homecroft. Saturday night there came over the "nine-foot sidewalk" Emma Lee Lewis Cartlon, her mother, son and brother, for a too brief a visit with us. We sure do enjoy visits with these good folks, the only fly in the ointment being their briefness. These folk always have something to say worth hearing.

Emma Lee has almost promised to bring electric service to the "Magic Bottle." It is good news to know that Gustave Franzen is on the gain and almost recovered to a normal condition. A colored gentleman went into the Collegeport Pharmacy the other day, enquired prices on many goods, including that sodelicious ice cream and at last said "are you the boss?" Hugo informed him that he was when Hattie was away, and then he pulled out a two-bit piece and asked for 5 nickels. Had he been bright he would have asked for six which Hugo would have given.

Mamie Franzen home again for the week end and glad to be back. Mamie is a regular homing pigeon and cows and cotton and corn look gooder to her than books.

Friday several men and women engaged in mission work for the Presbyterian church will be here for an evening meeting. At 6 p.m. a community dinner will be served with chicken pie as the "piece de resistance."

Unless they have a dishpan full of the famous Carrie Nelson noodles, I don't believe I will attend.

It is impossible for me to absorb religious dope with only chicken pie in my tummy.

Speaking of the movement for the Presbyterian church to merge with the Episcopal church the miserable wretch said, "I can see how Presbyterians can become Episcopalians, but I am not able to see any Episcopalian becoming Presbyterians." She is one good "High Church Woman."

No solutions to the cotton problem, from any rural pupil, so I have an idea that it is easier to get spending change from good old dad and that no rural pupil in this county needs a dollar and for that reason the offer is withdrawn, until we really have a taste of hard times. I am disappointed for I really had no better use for that beautiful frog skin.

Saturday night a bunch of young people including Dorothy Franzen, Louise Walter, Miss Nestor and their dearies, romped down to Portsmouth and enjoyed an oyster roast on the beautiful shell beach. With the new moon, the glittering waves, the smooth beach, romance struts so the girls watch out or bells will ring.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, October 28, 1930
 

THE BAY VIEW ECHO

Sponsored by the Collegeport School

[Art in the School Room essay not included here.]

Community News

Miss Vera Williams spent Friday night and Saturday in Bay City.

The John Ackerman family has moved into the home formerly occupied by the Slivas.

Mrs. Boyd and Frances Eisel? motored to Bay City Friday to do some shopping.

Mamie Frazen came home Friday to spend the week-end with her parents.

Mrs. Emmett Chiles spent the week-end in Victoria with Mr. Chiles.

Mr. Manford Foster entertained with an oyster supper Saturday night at Portsmouth. The guests were: Misses Louise Walter, Vera Williams, Elva McKissick, Mary Ella Foster, Marie Nestor, Mamie and Dorothy Franzen; Messrs. Verne Bachelder, Verner Bowers, Douglas Shivers, John and Dean Merck.

Leslie Lee Chiles spent the week-end in Caranchua with his sister, Mrs. Louis Duffy.

Miss Vera Williams spent Saturday night with the Franzens.

Ermine Harbison was given a surprise birthday dinner Saturday on the beach.

Miss Louise Walter spent the week-end in Collegeport.

Mrs. Thomas P. Hale spent last week with her father while her mother was in Louise visiting her daughter, Mrs. Hendrix.

Mrs. Ramsey moved into her new home last Friday.

Religious services will be conducted by Dr. Wiley and his co-workers Friday night.

Misses Marie Nestor and Dorothy Franzen spent Monday night with the Chiles.

Mrs. B. V. Merck returned home Sunday night after being gone for two weeks.

The women of the church are busy preparing for the supper to be given at the Community house Friday night previous to the religious services.

Many of the Collegeport men have been summoned to serve on the jury in Bay City this week.

School News

Miss Nestor had a new pupil, Wilburn Miller, to enter in the second grade. Miss Williams had two new pupils added to her group. They were Helen Faunce from Midfield, and Melvin Miller, entering in the third and fifth grade, respectively.

The fifth grade geography class has been having some very interesting supplementary work connected with the countries they are studying.

The basements have been fixed and straightened up so that the pupils may play in them during rainy weather.

The grammar grades are dreading the tests to be given Thursday and Friday.

Milford Liggett, who was absent from school Monday because of illness, is back hard at work.

The rainy, cold spent [spell?] of the earlier part of the week brought out many pretty colorful raincoats and hats.

Stanley Wright, the school truck driver, has got over the muddy roads without any trouble this week. The new truck certainly does pull.

Miss Dorothy introduced the Webb notebooks to her high school history pupils last Monday. The pupils find plenty to keep them busy.

Mrs. Harbison walks down the hall occasionally to see if the school is hitting on all four.

The scheduled basketball game for Friday will more than likely be postponed because of the rain which fell earlier in the week.

The school pupils will be entertained Friday with Hallowe'en treats.

The Daily Tribune, Friday, October 31, 1930

THOUGHTS OF MUSIC IN CHURN

Music in Everything; Frogs, Tractors, Click of the Typewriter; Tune In and Listen.

By Harry Austin Clapp

Music in a churn? Yes, why not? There is music in everything if one has ears to hear. There is music everywhere, all about us, if we tuned in the proper key. The world, the universe, is full of music and the stars in their courses move in musical circles. The entire solar system is synchronized to one grand tempo. God is music and music is God. Everything on this earth, in the entire universe is keyed to one majestic, sublime rhythm. I like to think of the universe as being a grand organ on which God plays, some times fortissimo, in the roll of thunder or the crash of gigantic sea waves and at other times pianissimo, in the flutter of a bird's wing or the soft note as the breeze stirs the leaves of a tree. Music, music, every place, everywhere.

Lorenzo--

"How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!

Here will we sit and let the sounds of music

Creep in our ears; soft stillness, and the night,

Becomes the touches of sweet harmony.

Sit Jessica: look how the floor of heaven

Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold;

There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st.

But in his motion like angels sing,

Still quiring to the young eyed cherubs,

Such harmony is in immortal souls

But whilst this muddy vesture of decay

Doth grossly close it in, we can hear it."

From The Merchant of Venice, Act V Scene I

Did you ever listen to the music of a tractor? Have you heard its soft rumbling legato and then suddenly it barks into a few staccato notes? Have you heard this? No? Then you have missed something. Try your musical ear next time you hear a tractor grumbling across the field. You can soon resolve it into music. If all this be true, and I believe it to be, then why not hear the music of the churn?

And this is how I learned about the music of the churn. Coming into the house one day I heard the miserable wretch singing a new tune and I said "where did you learn that?" She replied "it is the music of the churn. Can't you hear it? I listened and could not only hear it, but feel it, and so she was transmitting the rhythm of the churn into musical notes. I listened and wished I had the ability, cleverness, talent, to catch the notes on my pencil point and transcribe them on a musical scale. Not being able to do so the music is lost but every time she churns she produces new melodies. She is full of music, feels it in a passionate way in everything she does. Turning the handle of her bread mixer serves to produce other musical notes. Its marvelous music, music of her sweet soul and I hear it and I feel it, this music from the churn. These are the things which stave off old age, keeps wrinkles from the heart, brings beauty and joy into life. This hearing music in the small common things. I am glad that she has taught me how to hear and feel and so I listen, listen, as I go about my daily grind, listen for the music I find everywhere, all about me. As I sit at my machine grinding out "Thoughts" I find I am listening to music. Next time you reader operates a churn, it makes no difference whether it is the rotary, dasher or barrel type, listen to the rhythm and soon you will hear the music of the churn. How many have ever listened to the chorus of the frogs?

Next time you hear frogs croaking, remember they are not croaking, but singing. Listen and the notes resolve into music. One hears the rublinb? bassos, the altus and the tremelo all notes resonant. A little training and there is music in the frog pond. In nature there are notes, high and low that we never hear simply because our ear does not grasp them, but there are many we may hear if we will only listen and so music comes from the churn, the squish of milk in the bucket, the barking of dogs, the lowing of cattle, the murmur of the tide, the boom of the surf., the notes of the birds. Music always if we but have ears to hear. No necessity for a radio.

Mrs. Frank Ramsey has moved into her new home which is located just north of the canning factory. For the benefit of those who may wish to call on Mrs. Ramsey I will state that her house is on the corner of Avenue K and Sixth street in block 126. The house is conveniently located and [when] complete will be a modern home. We are glad to welcome Mrs. Ramsey to our town. We need people and she is one more of the kind we need. All day Monday this section enjoyed a heavy rain which was a deluge at times. No reason now why land should not be prepared for the next crop.

I have received with the compliments of Mrs. Claire F. Pollard a copy of the Matagorda County School Annual and I have read it from "kiver to kiver." It is a well written and readable exposition of Matagorda county and the best in my opinion that has ever been published, not excepting the booklet by the Chamber of Commerce. It is such a thorough explanation of the beauties, delights, charms of life in our county that it should have wide distribution. Judged as a history of the county it deserves a place as a book reference on the table of every home. It is a text book on school progress, on agricultural development, and the economic life of our people. I do not know where it was printed but I bet the job was done in the Tribune plant for it bears the mark of excellent craftsmanship. Wish Mrs. Pollard would send me an even dozen for I can use them to good purpose.

For several years Frank King has been nursing along and watching over a bunch of prairie chickens. At one time they numbered 57, then from losses from one source or another they dropped to nine birds. This year a count showed 27 but alas they were not satisfied with the big King Ranch with its safety and stayed away. The other day he found them near Citrus Grove but failed in all attempts to urge them to return to their home. He fears some zealous hunter will clean the flock out and hopes that all hunters will respect his work in developing this flock. They may be easily identified by the brand on the left leg, the letter F. K. in a circle. This is a noble game bird and if others would handle them as Frank King has it would only be a few years before they would provide some good sport.

Thursday the miserable wretch visited Bay City in company of Mrs. Emmitt Chiles. On the journey they met two men in an auto who, taking them for two very young damsels, attempted to start a flirtation. One of them wore a red sweater, so if any of my readers will tell me where I may locate a red sweater I will sick Buckshot on the wearer. Red is a sign of danger so these two girlies did well in ignoring the romantic youths. Simply shows the danger of driving even on a "nine-foot sidewalk."

The rice lands are teeming with wild ducks, many flights of geese pass over each day and quail are found in abundance. Looks good for a fine shooting season.

The season opened with a goodly turnout and many good bags were made. Many were here from Houston, among them being Mr. and Mrs. Austin Oberwetter, Mrs. T. C. Morris, Grayden and Ed Morris. Ducks and geese returned with them.

Doctor Fender, Rev. And Mrs. Wiley, Mrs. Newman and Rev. Dooley drove down from Houston and held a Mission Friday night in the community house. Before the service a community dinner was served which was attended by about 70. Most of those who participated in the gastronomical event remained to absorb some religious nutrients but some did not and they were the losers.

Several cars of cotton and cattle were sent out over the Missouri Pacific the past week.

I read in the Tribune an article by Frank Montague and that portion in which he warns our people of the danger of promoting a creamery hits the bulls eye. Any one can build a creamery, but such an establishment without cream is like a boat without sails, oars or other means of propulsion. Any person who has spent five minutes on this subject knows that we have not in our creamery territory enough cows to furnish the raw material. No creamery can possibly operate without material. Bay City, logical point for a creamery and some day it will have one, but not now. Let us exercise patience and build up herds and then build the creamery.

Say, that Band Box man has evoluted [evolved], or words to that effect, into a poet. Well poesy is next of kin to music so why not? It is a good poem so it goes into.

The man who never wore shoes until he was 60, still wears them. They are yellow shoes but the man is not yellow by any means. He also rolls his own and that should be a tight tip to his detection.

The Farmers Storage Company is to be congratulated on having for its manager such a congenial, considerate, attentive man as Verner Batchelder.

Emmitt Chiles here for a day or two visit with his family. Weighs 185 pounds and looks as though road contracting agrees with him.

We have a countywide stock law, yet our community is over run with horses, mules and cattle to the damage of gardens, flowers and every attempt to beautify. It is the duty of the sheriff's office to enforce this law. Wish he would notify local officers to get busy.

Hallowe'en passed off without the usual damaging stunts that have afflicted us for several years. Very glad our young folks have found other methods for satisfying their craving for stunts. One reason is that a watchman was employed to guard the property of the library and school house. Several were on the watch with shotguns loaded with number "10s" but no use for the ammunition.

Ben R. Mowery comes out with his Chandler which looks and runs like a new car.

Miss Vera Williams spent Friday and Saturday nights in Bay City. She took many chances being away for so long a time. Better stay close on the job.

Mrs. Tom Fulcher is away on a visit to her daughter, Hester, and during her absence Colonel Fulcher is just about running wild.

I read in the Tribune that Louise Walters spent the week-end in Collegeport. It is simply wonderful that a girl desires to come home once or twice in a while.

I am glad someone is interested enough to keep up the "Bay View Echo." Even an echo is better than silence. I like echoes of this sort.

Since George left for Denver, Frances Eisel has gone into retirement. No reason why this fine girl should enter a convent. Come on out Frances for there are others who love to see your bright face and charming smile.

Francis King is wearing stockings that are so natural as to deceive the most critical observer.

Mr. and Mrs. Buck of Victoria were week-end guests of the Emmett Chiles. I met them both and put them in the good folk to know class. Mrs. Buck is a woman of charm and I have a date with her the next time the miserable wretch goes gallivanting. I'll go to Victoria and see pictures, dance a few steps and distribute red paint.

The Daily Tribune, Wednesday, November 5, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT BIBLE FARMING

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

We have a county agent in the person of Frank Montague but how many know that the first county agent was an Indian? Monty is not an Indian but a good scout who is trying to aid us as did the first agent. For many years we have sort o' bragged that Texas had the honor of employing the first county agent but it is not true, for the first one was an Indian. This information was found in the history of Plymouth and the name of the County Agent was Squanto. If you doubt read from the history: "They sowed six acres of barley and peas and twenty acres of corn, making use of ten bushels which they brought from the subterranean storehouses of the Indians. In this work much assistance was rendered them by Squanto a faithful Indian who taught them how to plant corn, manure it with fish and hill it." Gosh darn the luck, hain't there anything new?

Gustave Franzen was so pleased to be released from jury duty that he brought me a little pup. If it had some black on it I should think it a Holstein, but as it is all white I know it is a Swede. It is out of NoneSuch by Noodles and sired by Punkinpie and he by Donot. One can readily perceive that this is some pup even if he is about the size of a rat. He barks and growls just like a big dog.

Say, folks, if you will look on the northwest corner of the next to last page of the "foto" gravure portion of last Sunday's Chronicle you will see an excellent portrait of Carey Smith trying to look like a hard-boiled editor.

Mesdames Burton D. Hurd and Harry Austin Clapp were in Bay City Tuesday attending the funeral of Mrs. Poe Brasfield Griffith whom old timers will remember as one of the handsome Brasfield daughters. Mrs. Griffith died suddenly Sunday night, from heart trouble. She is survived by her husband, mother and brother whom we remember as Victor Brasfield.

The same day the Holsworth family drove to Bay City for the funeral service of Mrs. Cunningham who died at Markham the day before.

The Woman's Union met Thursday at the Franzen home and were regaled with a luscious luncheon consisting of chicken sandwiches, coffee and two kinds of cake. Those present decided to hold the annual church bazaar early in December. This institution is about 20 years old and those who participated in its birth were rather reluctant to discontinue it, although others urged hard times as a reason why it should not be held this year. For God's sake, if not for your own good health, stop talking about hard times. We have no hard times except in the minds of some cantankerous pessimists. We have had good crops, we are all enjoying health, food, clothes, shelter, friends. What more is desired? If any of the hard times howlers readily feel hard pressed it might be a good thing to cut out auto riding about the country visiting picture shows, several times a week, allowing children to spend from ten to 25¢ each day for candy and pop. The way to really have hard times is to think that way, act that way, talk that way. This is no time to give up. It's a time to stick, holding fast to what we possess and planning for more.

So long as $10,000 worth of autos park at the post office each night no one need tell me we are having hard times.

Found a snake skin complete from head to tail that measured six feet seven inches. It was evidently from a bull snake, a good friend of the farmer, but some ignorant fellow will kill it on sight and thus hundreds of small animal and insect pests will escape.

Pope wrote "The woods shall answer, and the echo ring." And so I wonder why the Bay View Echo did not ring last week. It's a fine title for a very readable column. I am hoping to hear once more the "Echo."

The Daily Tribune, November 13, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PRODIGAL SON

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

Mamie Franzen is a regular pigeon and so every time she can get away from her Bay City school studies, she hikes for home. This week she came to spend Armistice Day and brought along her teacher, Miss Willheart. I don't know as it is spelled Willhart or Willheart, but the latter appears to be more appealing, so let it go. If she looks as easy under a brilliant light as she did under the dome light of a Ford, she is something pleasant to book at and I crave another view.

Stuart N. Lake writing in the Saturday Evening Post on Frontier Marshals tells a story about Shanghai Pierce in which he states that Shanghai spent $10,000 for a bronze statue of himself, clad in all cowboy trappings, which he ___ ___ a statue forty feet high. Mr. Lake evidently has never visited the lovely little grave resting place or he would knowm that the statue is not dressed in cowboy trappings, but in a dignified Prince Albert, with vest and the other items of a gentleman's dress and it is not forty feet high either.

Professor Harbison had arranged an Armistice program for Tuesday evening, but because of the weather postponed it until a more favorable Armistice Day.

North Cable is responsible for this tale. According to the story he heard a rattling in the air and after looking some time he saw a buzzard flying with a tin can filled with pebbles hanging from his neck. To each side of the can was attached a string which was attached to each wing. This was so arranged that when he flew the can rattled. I don't know what North had been drinking when he saw all this, but he was perfectly sober when he told me the tale.

Well, anyway, he is growing some of the finest radishes and onions we have ever enjoyed.

It seems that soon as we get in a family or two something happens to cause them to move and so the two Della Betta Brothers will soon move over to Wadsworth where they hope to find all they missed here. Two hard-working boys and I regret to see them leave.

Named my pup "7." Well, anyway we have not seen the sun for six days. Six days of rain and mud and gloom but Friday promises to be a bright day and soon instead of cussing the mud, auto owners will be saying things about the rough roads. People never are satisfied.

"There is some soul of goodness in evil,

Would men observingly distil it out."

--Shakespeare.

Well, anyway, the sun shines this Sunday morning and soon the roads will be dry, the land will be fit for plowing and farmers will be preparing for another crop.

Because of the weather the League and the Woman's Club are enjoying a vacation. In spite of this the world wags on. I am thanking Bert Stuart for helping me with my Bible studies. He is a hound at Bible hunting.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, November 18, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT THANKSGIVING

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from a longer article about the first Thanksgiving.]

Tuesday we had a very pleasant and enjoyable visit from Frank Montague, county agent. We gave him water to drink, air to breathe, food to eat and bags of advice which perhaps he threw out at the first bar pit. Well, anyway, we are for him, and with him, and we hope he will put over his registered cow project.

Tuesday night our mail went to Citrus Grove and their mail came here, so we had no daily letter from "OBFE" and no daily paper. Some fellow in the Bay City P. O. placed the wrong labels on the sacks.

Now that George is in Huntsville hunting for salt domes, the Huntsville P. O. has put on two extra clerks to handle stamp sales and our incoming mail requires an extra sack. If you don't believe it, ask Frances.

I am informed that Rosalie Nelson has a permit to open several mail boxes at least she claims to have one.

Wish every person in this county should have read an editorial by Carey Smith which appeared in Tuesday's Tribune. He wrote "What would happen if every person would wake up in the morning and state to his family at the breakfast table that times were good and go to his place of business with the same remark for everybody. "Why times would immediately become good of course.

This is not all of it, but sufficient to give a tip to all who assemble at Citrus Grove Thursday, for the twenty-second annual Thanksgiving dinner. Let us hope that instead of standing around and grouching that every one will greet others with the statement: "we sure have had a fine year and times are good with us."

A splendid place and time to work a little psychology stunt and the best thing about it is that it works. Come on boys and girls, let us try it out.

I am feeling pretty well this day, thank you for listening to this from a Texas preacher: "Dear Mr. Clapp: Very much enjoyed your Bible Farmings Thoughts. Put me on the way for my harvest home sermon following our Fair. Dec. 6, Thanks."

Mighty glad that I could help my Reverend friend out. I have known this man for many years and I congratulate him on two things--first, he reads the Bible and second, he reads the Tribune. He knows that what he cannot find in the first, he will find in the second. The Tribune has always been a great religious weekly but never since Carey Smith took hold of it has it printed so much good stuff on death, life, God, immortality, Heaven, hell, the next world, as since he added me to his staff. Even now the people of Matagorda county are rushing their subscriptions in so anxious are they to read "Thoughts."

Well, anyway, Mrs. Col. Tom Fulcher has returned from a long visit in Ganado where she went to welcome a new grandchild to Texas.

The Robert Murry family are back on the Slough Ranch just where I found them twenty-two years ago and the best of it is they are all glad to be there. Their light sparkles at me in the early morning and looks neighborly to us.

The Penlands will have a real joyous Thanksgiving. One after another, six sons, came to bless them and now comes the long hoped for daughter. A merry Thanksgiving to them from everybody.

The local school board journeyed to Van Vleck Friday to enter into contests with other county schools. They brought home several scalps, but I was not able to secure much information, so will hope that the "Echo" this week will go into complete details.

Mrs. Emmitt Chiles made her weekly trip to Victoria to see her boss and probably get permission to trip to Lytle for Thanksgiving.

A bright, happy fairy brought to me Friday night, a big sack of doughnuts. I dote on doughnuts and these were a bright golden brown, as soft and tender as an angel's breast. As I ate them I sang paeans of joy and satisfaction and so went to bed. Come again you beautiful fairy.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, November 25, 1930

COLLEGEPORT

Mr. and Mrs. George Welsby moved back to the farm last Wednesday.

The Thompson family from Buckeye, moved into Mr. Hughes home last week.

The county commissioner is grading the roads out in De Moss. We surely are glad to have this work done.

Mr. and Mrs. Gus Franzen spent Wednesday in Bay City .

Miss Louise Walters and Manford Foster, attended a chicken barbecue in Van Vleck Sunday.

Miss Vera Williams spent the weekend in Bay City .

Mrs. E. Chiles visited in Wharton and Victoria during the weekend.

Collegeport people are really excited over the reports received from Citrus Grove in regard to the oil.

Mrs. Bill Savage's parents, spent Sunday with their daughter.

Melvin Spoor is going to farm rice in the De Moss district this coming year.

Mrs. Jack Martin (nee Elvie Merck) and children Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Wilson spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. B. V. Merck.

Church services were conducted Sunday morning. Only a few were there on account of the muddy roads.

Mrs. E. Chiles and family plan to spend Thanksgiving holidays in San Antonio and vicinity. They left Wednesday.

Mrs. Harry Austin Clapp, accompanied Mrs. Chiles to San Antonio where she will spend the holidays with Mary Louise.

Mamie Franzen came home Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving at home.

Radio Echo

From the examination papers, Miss Dorothy learned the following:

1. Sarcophagus was a Greek writer.

2. Sarcophagus was a great general.

3. The Chinese live on rivers because they like fish.

"Mr. Harbison, does your watch tell time?" was a question asked by Winston McKissick the other day.

This is the answer he received: "No, it does not tell time, you have to look at it."

School News

Joe Earl Pollard is still absent from school on account of illness--we hope he will soon be able to come back.

Misses Tootsie and Jedie Chiles and Junior left with their mother early Wednesday morning to spend the holidays with their brother, living twenty-five miles west of San Antonio .

The monthly examinations came on Tuesday of this week, so as to complete them before the holidays.

School will close Wednesday afternoon until Monday. It is hoped that all the teachers will attend the T. S. T. A. held in Houston this year.

Leslie Lee Chiles is visiting his sister at Palacios during the holidays.

Collegeport School Echo

By Marie Nestor

[Included here in the original article is a paper entitled, "Thoughtfulness."

The Daily Tribune, Friday, Nov. 28, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT BUSINESS

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

Any person who reads the county papers may easily pick them out and having done so will acknowledge that they are the birds who are going ahead during the rain, during the sunshine. Many howl about the mail order houses and the chain stores, but it is my humble opinion that these organizations are rendering a practical and valuable service to the buyers. They do this by keeping their word, backing up every article they offer with a strict guarantee and making a price that appeals. Here in this little burg of Collegeport it is estimated that about $35,000 goes out each year to mail order houses. If this valuation is good for the country, then several hundred thousand dollars must go every year to out side firms. Some day some wise bird will absorb this condition and start a county mail order business and he will get it, if he uses the same methods.

It is a difficult thing to do business with Bay City or Palacios merchants by mail. Some of them will not reply to inquiries. I wrote one firm for prices and never have received a reply. Recently I wrote another firm and it took seven days before I was answered and three more for the goods to be delivered.

These boys are satisfied to stand behind the counter and wait for the customers to come into his store.

I can't understand why they do not take the store to the customer. Not long ago I sent an order to a mail order house in Dallas. The order left here at ten o'clock in the morning. At six p. m. the second day the goods were in my possession. Fifty-six hours. Service, that's what it is. Perhaps some of you merchants think I am doing a bit of grouching. I am not. I am simply trying to point out the way that our local merchants may secure rich business that goes away. These mail order and chain stores give service. That is their first name and that is why they do a successful business. The local merchant who will give the same brand of service will head off a big bunch of that business. One of the ways to do it, the best way is a generous use of space in the local paper. Tell the world that you have good, first class goods. Articles in which you have so much faith that you guarantee your customer to be completely satisfied or Money Back and No Questions.

If the daily or weekly is used, change copy each issue. Don't bore the reader with the same old tale. Give him something new, attractive, alluring. He'll bite, and you will have the satisfaction of having rendered a real service and making a new friend.

Our county papers are not receiving half the advertising patronage they should have, simply because most of our business houses wait for the other fellow. We have good times in Matagorda county. We are much better off than at the same period last year. We have no "business depression of precussion except in our minds we have developed fear.

Fear is the worst disease a business house can be afflicted with. When I think that on Wednesday night, Nov. 26, advance sales for the Texas university and the A. & M. game amounted to $80,000 and that before the game started the $100,000 spot was reached, I am possessed with the idea that Texas is also right. Don't howl bout business conditions when so much money is gladly spent for just the chance to sit out doors and witness a battle of brawn. I hope to live to see that day when I will be able to send a mail order to some county merchant and have the article delivered the same day. It sure would be a glorious day but as things are now, Dallas, Fort Worth, Kansas City, are all nearer than Bay City. Why?

Here is a tip. Make your woman clerks cut out calling women customers "dearie." It is not wanted, is repulsive and loses business. No woman of refinement cares to be addressed as "dearie" by a person she does not know. The term is for intimates.

For the information of those who don't know the miserable wretch, I will state that she is quite a bit on the spicy order. Many, many times, she has threatened to leave me for one reason or another, all of which appeared good to her, but on Wednesday, the 26th, she at last left my bed and board. She went away with a bunch of girls headed by one named Mollie and then there was Tootsie, Pye (punkin pie), Bobbie Mildred and for protection, Emmitt Chiles, Jr. They left in the cold gray dawn and expected me to be thankful the next day. Arriving at San Antonio, they were greeted by Fleming Chiles and our Mary Louise and from reports they have been fed to repletion and amused to an abounding degree. She is sorry now and having asked my forgiveness will return Sunday.

Well, anyway, I had a swell time the next day at Citrus Grove where the twenty-second annual Thanksgiving community dinner was served. Thanks to my good friend, Mrs. Liggett, I was not obliged to walk.

Well, boys and girls, who were not there, you missed a big feed. About one hundred and fifty-one were present, the one being Frederick Taylor Matthes whom I met for the first time. I am unable to tell all that was provided but it included turkey, fried chicken, roast beef, ham, pressed meat loaf, salads in numerous variety, cakes, pies, but O Boy, soon as I saw that big tank of the Famous Carrie Nelson Noodles I put side boards on my plate and took on a load that brought me to the Plimsoll mark. Perhaps some of you are aware that I simply adore noodles, so I may be forgiven for taking such a load. A short and interesting program was given by the school pupils under the direction of Louise Walter and Mrs. Richard Corporon sometimes known as "Dorothydick."

Mr. Delaplain, one of our old timers, aged 82 years and 9 months, asked God's blessing and then the procession passed by the tables. I followed Mrs. Holsworth for I knew that she would lead me to the best and sure enough she led me right to the noodles. It was a great day, a beautiful day, and mingling with people from all parts of the county was a joy.

The people of Citrus are to be congratulated on the fact that for twenty-two years they have observed this day.

Now comes Collegeport's day for on January 1, they will have their annual New Year's community dinner and all are invited to bring their grub bags, throw them together and get ready for another year.

Next Thursday being December 4, the Woman's Union will hold their annual bazaar and serve oysters in several styles. Bay City and Palacios people would have an enjoyable evening to trip down on the "nine-foot sidewalk" and eat several plates of those wonderful Matagorda bay oysters, some of them nineteen inches long. Come on and mix with us.

Mamie Franzen simply cannot stay from home and so down she comes for the weekend and Clifford afflicted with the same trouble is here from Houston.

Louise Walter went to Houston Thursday to attend the state Teachers' convention and it is to her cre...[line left out]...member of this organization and attend its meetings.

The Ramsey home corner of Avenue K and Sixth street is blossoming out in glistening white and soon will be a beauty spot. North Cable, our local Michael Angelo is the artist.

Looks very much as though the Empire oil company intends to stay for a season or two as they are busy laying a pipe line from the well to the Missouri Pacific tracks. The well is spouting gas and mud through a half-inch choke.

My dear girl friend, she with the brilliant red bronze locks has been confined to the house for a week with tonsillitis. Good to see her about once more.

Burton D. Hurd came home Saturday and the next day departed for Houston.

Very few have seen him as yet, but all are glad that he is back for we feared he might get lost up there among the savage Illini.

James Della Betta has a wonderful garden, in size about 150 feet square. Everything in rows and clean as a parlor floor. I saw onions, cabbage, turnips, beets, lettuce and what not, but there were no noodles. Monday my pure bred Holstein cow, Happy, presented me with a male calf. Look as though its pappa was a brahma living over in the Holsworth pasture.

You bet I'll be glad to have the miserable wretch back again for I am fed up on cooking and washing dishes. Home is a dreary place when the light is out. Conductor Hall and Engineer Hale of the Portsmouth Limited were called to Kingsville Wednesday to take their annual examination on time table rules. Sure, they passed and folks need have no fear riding the limited.

When Seth Corse asked me if I would dine with him last Saturday my reply was very much affirmative. In spite of the rain I hoofed it to the Corse home and was well repaid by the chance to feast on roast capon with all the trimmings and finish with a flaky crust, golden brown, cherry pie. Yes, it was made with red cherries. After that came the old reliable R. J. R. as Seth and I sat at ease. By the way, if anyone desires to see a bunch of extra fine birds they are advised to visit the Corse poultry yard. There one may see capons that will bear down fifteen pounds. Capons bring twenty-seven cents per pound which beats the turkey game. Seth has about sixty of these birds.

Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Kundinger lovingly called Hugo and Hattie motored to Houston Thursday to enjoy turkey and amusement. Back on the job Friday morning.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, December 2, 1930

COLLEGEPORT

School News

Leslie Lee Chiles was absent from school all last week.

Ermine Harbison was unable to attend school last Wednesday because of illness.

The pupils are beginning to copy their parts for the Christmas program.

Miss Dorothy got a new chair to go with her desk last week.

The rooms are beginning to show the spirit of Christmas already.

We expect nine new pupils to join us soon. We are glad to have them come.

Miss Williams was the only teacher represented at the T. S. T. A. in Houston last week.

Alline Harbison had to carry her arm in a sling last week because of a big boil just below her elbow. After she had it lanced Saturday, she has not felt as much pain.

There was a very good enrollment of pupils back at school after the holidays. All reported a very enjoyable Thanksgiving. The Neals, Chiles and King families went on trips to visit relatives during the holidays.

The pupils and teachers of the school assembled in Miss Williams' room Wednesday afternoon at 3:20 to sing songs and hear a discussion of "Why we have Thanksgiving."

Joe Earl Pollard was at school Monday morning after being absent for two weeks on account of illness.

Community News.

Many of the Collegeport people helped celebrate Thanksgiving at Citrus Grove. They say that they had a real Thanksgiving feast.

Mrs. Emmett Chiles and family, spent the Thanksgiving holidays in San Antonio and vicinity.

Misses Vera Williams and Louise Walters attended the T. S. T. A. in Houston last week.

Miss Mary Sliva spent Thanksgiving at home with her mother and brother. Ruth Barnes was her guest.

The Harbison family spent Friday in Palacios.

Mamie, Arnold and Clifford Franzen spent the week-end with their parents.

Rudolph Tolson and George Hilger from Houston, were guests in the Franzen home Saturday and Sunday.

Mrs. B. V. Merck spent Thanksgiving in Houston with her daughters.

Palmer Robbins was a visitor in Collegeport Tuesday.

Mr. Harbison spent last Saturday in Bay City.

Mrs. Pearl Brady Everett was a visitor in Collegeport Friday afternoon.

Mrs. Frank King and family went to San Marcos Friday and came back on Monday.

Mr. Jessie Real, Herman, Ruby Mae and Guy, went to Keechi last Friday and came back Saturday. Mrs. Real, who had been visiting in Keechi, returned with her family.

We notice some people moving into Collegeport. We are glad to have them.

Radio Echo

LOST.--A green freshman, with long ears, one pink eye, and blue hair. If found please return to Mr. Harbison.

Two sophomores made a vow of silence. At the end of twenty-five years the first one said: "Isn't this silence beautiful?" There was again silence for another twenty-five years when the other broke the silence and said: "Yes, but don't spoil it with your chatter."

Honor Roll.

A--Honor roll, seventh grade--Rosalie Nelson, Gertrude Hunt.

B--Honor roll, seventh grade--Pat Jenkins, Abel King, Minnie Chiles.

A--Honor roll, sixth grade--Tressie Huffhine.

B--Honor roll, sixth grade--Alline Harbison, Guy Real, Aaron Penland, Gustave Franzen.

High School Honor Roll.

A--Lera Hunt, Raymond Hunt.

B--Winston McKissick, Norman Carrick, Francis King, Beth Eisel, Hutchins King, Ruby Mae Real, Arthur Liggett

"A" Honor Roll.

Third grade--Viola Prunty.

Fourth grade--Jedie Franke Chiles.

Fifth grade--Roberta Liggett.

"B" Honor Roll.

Third grade--Chester Corporon, Helen Faunce.

Fourth grade--Fred King, Emma Franzen, Marjorie Brimberry, Jane Ackerman.

"A" Honor Roll.

First grade--Ruby Grace Prunty, Leo Alexander.

"B" Honor Roll.

[First grade]--Curtis Dickert, Alex Franzen.

"A" Honor Roll.

Second grade--Milford Liggett, Frances Brimberry, Ethel Nelson.

"B" Honor Roll.

[Second grade]--Willard Gregory, Wilburn Miller, Bob Ackerman, Lucile Dickert, Lydia Hale.

The Daily Tribune, Thursday, December 4, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS

By Harry Austin Clapp

Mr. C. A. Faunce has been busy for several weeks baling rice straw and shipping about twenty-five cars. Rice straw is relished by work stock and cattle because of the sweetness. It is equal in value and in some ways superior to the common prairie hay. Henry & Morrison gave the following analysis of the digestive nutrients in rice straw and Western prairie hay the latter being a much superior product to our own prairie hay Prairie hay contains the following digestive nutrients: crude protein 4 per cent; carbohydrates 41.4 per cent; fat 1.1? per cent a total of digestive nutrients of 47.9 per cent, while the nutritive ratio is 11.0. Of rice straw we have this: crude protein 9 per cent; carbohydrates 37.8 per cent; fat 3 per cent, a total of 39.4 per cent digestible nutrients, with a nutritive ratio of 42.8. Rice straw is superior to our common prairie hay because it is more palatable sweetness. I have seen in Williamson county, farmers burn oat straw and then buy cotton seed hulls at $16 per ton. Poor economy, but burning rice straw and cutting prairie hay gives same results.

Mr. Faunce estimated that if all the rice straw produced in Texas could be baled it would yield about one million dollars in valuable roughage. We should use more of this valuable feed. It is cheap and available.

By the time this is in type, Ruth Mowery, now Mrs. Watson Barker will be home for the holiday season. Every man, woman and child in the burg will be glad to see her for she practically grew up with us.

Clifford and Arnold Franzen drove down last Sunday with some friends and had the luck to take away two geese and several ducks. These Franzen kids simply cannot and will not stay away from home very long. Soon as they are free for a short time they point straight for the home farm. And by the way, Gus Franzen should receive a good spanking. The other day finding a newly born calf in the pasture, he took it on his back and carried it a half mile to the barn lot, and for doing the trick he paid. In his health condition he has no business to attempt such a job. We can easily get along without a calf but we do not care to lose Gus Franzen.

This has been quite a delicious week for here is another nosegay "You certainly must not think of discontinuing your 'Thoughts' column. I have already, in my poor way, told you how much I enjoy them, and I have heard many other people say that your column is the first thing they look for in the Tribune. So by all means keep up your good work." Say, isn't life wonderful.

During the past week we have had the pleasure of enjoying sunshine and shadow. For days the sun never appeared and then one morning it rose from its bed in the east a great crimson globe and soon its warming rays changed our lives. What would we do without this glorious sun? Die? Yes, in a few short weeks of starvation and then the end of the world so far as we are concerned. We should daily thank God for this great blessed necessity.

The teachers are busy getting the pupils ready for the holiday vacation.

I wonder why every time one of our young ladies goes to Bay City for a week end, a brilliant blond arrives from that city to spend the weekend in Collegeport? I will gladly pay a penny for the answer. While here, she rides around in a Chivy.

If any person cares to give Ben R. Mowery a Christmas gift I suggest three pounds of "Old Briar." I have tried to sell him on R. J. R., but failed.

Some folks is set in their ways. Now take Seth Corse for example. Fill him up on roast capon and cherry pie and he is content with a pipe full of R. J. R.

Richard Corporon sometimes called "Dickdorothy" is feeding some extra fine Christmas birds on shelled corn. They are so fat they can hardly walk and are available at a price well--the price is secret so far, but no matter what it is, he delivers fine birds.

I expect that my Corona will be home by the 24th and then I can return the Woodstock much to the delight of its owner whom I have imposed upon. But, anyway, good natured folks are always imposed upon. She has kept thoughts going if that is a satisfaction.

In spite of the so called "hard times" which many people complain about, the U. S. department of commerce states that in this country there are now more than 13, 478,000 radio sets in operation. New York, California and Illinois lead with each over a million. Texas uses 364,000, while Nevada manages to get along with 23,000 sets. It looks as though manufacturers of radio apparatus had enjoyed a prosperous business during these days of repression, chastening, calming.

At the meeting of national advertisers held in Washington, November 10, those present stressed the influence of advertisers upon public opinion and advised that the advertisers in a community meet together in sort of a clearing house, discuss their advertising problems and adopt a uniform plan by which the space used might not only be profitable to the advertiser but at the same time direct the outside public's attention to the community. The injection into advertising copy of constructive suggestions for community benefit was urged.

The space used by the three banks in Bay City the past week is an example of co-operative and cumulative advertising. Good stuff. What size can sells best over the counter of grocery's? I was surprised to learn that a survey shows that the No. 2 1/2 can containing 1-pound, 10-ounces, accounted for but 19.82 per cent of sales while the No. 2 can containing 1-pound, 4 ounces, accounted for 59.27 per cent. The No. 1 can was third. The smaller the container the bigger the cost of the contents.

The women who operate the Woman's Union are a hard working, shrewd bunch and it is not often that anything is put over them, but I did the trick last Thursday at the annual bazaar. Because of the inclement weather the "MW" thought best to stay at home but she did hone for oysters, so I grabbed a bucket and went over and asked for a quart of the famous Matagorda bay "Ostress Virginianas" and offered to pay one dollar or what is commonly known as a frog skin. Did I get them? I should say not. Mesdames Nelson and King went into executive session and at last announced that under no consideration would they sell me a quart, so I put my frog skin back from whence it came and prepared to depart. On the way out I met a wise little bird and she told me that they served twelve oysters for twenty cents and advised me to buy five servings. I returned to the committee and ordered five servings and they counted out sixty big fat luscious ostoines and took my dollar. The quart I wanted to buy would contain about fifty bivalves, while buying five servings I obtained sixty for my dollar billy. I feel satisfied that I got a good bargain for once off this organization.

Hurrah! Hurrah! and a couple of more. Well, anyway, the "MW" feasted on oysters raw and fried while I dripped delicious soup all over my wescut and a few other habiliments.

Thank you beautiful little bird for the song you sang to me.

Sunday the last day of November was a good day for me that night at 8 o'clock the miserable wretch returned to the home roost. She had a delightful time in San Antonio with our Mary Louise and returned looking like a new bird. What is home without a mother? I'll tell the world that it is just nothing. I know for five days I had to get along with out maw.

December 21 "OBFE" will be here for a ten-day stay and that will fill our Christmas stocking full of joy and happiness.

Here is a beaute of a bunch of sweet smelling flowers sent me by a Tribune reader who is confined to the room with illness. Wish you could see the beautifully written letter which brought the words. Here it is "Deceit is one of the things I cannot endure--I believe that is one reason your 'Thoughts' are always so entertaining and convincing because you write what you really think. I have always admired those who were big enough and honest enough to be plain spoken, and I might add that I have a great admiration for your column, and read it religiously--even O. O. has nothing on you! I too, particularly enjoyed "The Squaw  Woman" which recently completed in the Saturday Evening Post. Don't you think that you and Mrs. Clapp were able to attend the highway celebration at Palacios without having to swim the bay. As for myself, I had to spend the day at home in bed, as I spend all my days now, but when I read your comments on the affair, I felt almost as if I had been there myself."

Now folks, let me tell you that although I enjoy the salary that comes to me for writing this string, much more do I enjoy reading such letters and the thought that in my poor way I have given some pleasure to a person confined to the room repays me generously for the time spent in thinking thoughts. I sure do enjoy reading such letters and I never throw brickbats in the wastebasket. No sir! they all have an honored place in my scrap book.

The other night in my mail I found a large square envelope and I wonder "who is getting married now." I opened it and sure enough it was about a marriage that took place fifty years ago. December 14. The card was a beauty, engraved in gold script which alone told the story but in one corner was 1880 and in the opposite corner appeared 1930. The text invites us three Homecrofters to a reception from one to six in the afternoon of December 14th at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Goff. I will tell you folks that when a man and woman have looked at each other across the table for 18,250 days and still on the job of loving faithfulness, they are entitled to a reception and so we will be there to do our bit in honoring this worthy couple. I hope that they will live to enjoy another fifty years and that we Homecrofters may attend the centennial. Their daughter and her husband are here for the event. Drove from Chicago, 1,314 miles, leaving Chi at 4 a. m. Tuesday and arriving at the Metropolis of the Magic Bottle at 10 a. m. Thursday. Some driving but they wanted to be sure to be here in time for the golden jubilee.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, December 9, 1930

COLLEGEPORT

Community News.

The John Williams family moved to a farm south of Collegeport last week from Ashby.

The Harveys have moved into the house across from the Harbisons.

The first golden wedding anniversary to occur in Collegeport will be celebrated Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Goff. Their children with their families plan to be home for this occasion. Many of their friends have been invited to call on them Sunday afternoon. We congratulate them and wish them many more happy days together.

Mr. Elmer Chiles was home for the week-end.

Miss Williams spent Saturday and Sunday in Bay City.

Many of the Collegeport women attended the federation of clubs at Wadsworth last Saturday.

The bazaar which was conducted under the auspices of the Woman's Union last Thursday netted a good return although it rained all day long.

The men of the community gathered at the church Tuesday to put on a roof so that no longer need this building be wholly but holy. The women were there doing their part as usual. They served a good dinner to the hard working men.

Dean Merck left for Houston on Sunday where he will spend several days.

Gerald Merck, wife and son, from San Antonio came home to spend Gerald's vacation with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. V. Merck.

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Holsworth motored to Houston Wednesday.

School News.

Joe Earl Pollard is absent from school again, being very ill with scarlet fever. We all hope he will soon be better.

It is beginning to look like Christmas in all the schoolrooms. We are, also, planning a Christmas program for Christmas eve night.

The faculty met Monday afternoon and finished the work on the library. The library is opened every Friday at noon to check out and recheck books. We are very proud of our school library and are planning to add to it from time to time.

Five new pupils entered the portals of Bay View Monday morning. Cecil Keith, Amy and Gilbert Williams entered in the primary room. Mary and John Williams entered in the intermediate rooms. The Williams children come to us from Ashby and Cecil Keith has been transferred from Houston.

We are sorry to lose Leslie Lee Chiles, Monday. He has gone to Palacios to be with his sister, Mrs. Louise Duffy.

Wilbur Woods and Douglas Shivers were visitors at school Monday morning.

The pupils were glad to find the playground dry Monday morning so that they could enter into their outdoor games once again.

The Daily Tribune, Thursday, December 11, 1930

THOUGHTS ABOUT PICTURES OF JESUS

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

Hattie Kundinger is away this week on a trip with her mother, Mrs. V. R. Haisley, to Aransas Pass for a visit with the latter's granddaughter. Business will no doubt fall off considerably at the Collegeport pharmacy during her absence.

Several years ago one of our boys, Gerald Merck, left the burg a fortune seeking in the way of a better education. He left as one of our local country boys but he comes back a well set up, bright, alert, business man, a success in his line and he brings with him a wife and son. None of the boys he left at home have accumulated as Gerald has. Some of the boys better take a leaf from Gerald's diary and go away also, that is, provided they have the guts and can stay away from mama for a short while.

Well, anyway, about twenty-two fellers got together Tuesday and Wednesday and now the community house is roofed with galvanized iron and ready for a century of storms. This gang was well fed by the ladies under the supervision of Mrs. Reba Wright and the work up in the air appeared to be bossed by L. E. Liggett and Haisley Mills.

Mrs. Penland has received a fine Christmas gift from Mr. A. B. Pierce in the form of a big golden bronze turkey gobbler. She says he weighs one hundred and thirty-five pounds but perhaps it is only thirty-five for even that is enough.

I met Sara Marie Penland for the first time Tuesday. She tells me that she is delighted with the Collegeport country and although she has been here only a few weeks, has decided to stay.

For twenty years the Woman's club have featured the Christmas spirit with a tree at the time of their regular December meeting. The tree will be there this year as usual but all gifts will be wrapped and sent to the Reynolds orphan home at Dallas. A commendable way to aid in giving joy and pleasure to the children of that home.

I have just learned that the granddaughter Mrs. Haisley visited in Aransas Pass was Mrs. Budd DeWald, who will be remembered as Faye Woods.

This week comes the birthday of my son, Harry B. Clapp. Tod will be forty-five years old Friday and he is a son any father would be proud to possess.

"My son when first I looked into thine eyes

And knew that thou wert mine,

My heart filled full of love and

Flowed over into thine.

Now you have reached man's estate

It's my joy that you still are mine

And to you this story I relate

My heart of love reaches clear to thine."

--Fragments from Hack.

The only wish I have is that Tod might come down and play in our yard and with his Ann and Nancy. Come on down, the weather is fine.

Mrs. Jack Martin (Elvie Merck) is home with her two fine kiddies for a short visit with her parents. She is a greater collector than Gerald for she has two fine sons. Never mind Gerald, a good day is coming for you some day will bring them home in bunches.

Several cases of scarlet fever having broken out, the Doctors Simon and Wagner came down Wednesday and meeting with the school board decided it best to close the school for the balance of this term, so the kiddies are having quite a vacation. I see little use in this action as most of them assemble about the postoffice every night just as is their custom during school sessions. A few parents are keeping their children at home, but not many.

Roberta Liggett, the last victim, is reported in splendid condition and making a quick recovery which pleases all of the little lady's friends.

Saturday night, I and the miserable wretch were entertained at the Burton D. Hurd home with an enjoyable radio concert, the outstanding feature being several selections from the classics by Walter Domrosch and his orchestra.

Sunday was brightened with a visit from the Louie Walter family which included their fine daughter, Louise. The conversation was principally between Mrs. Walter and the MW, but the rest at times were able to cut in but not often.

Dorothy Franzen taking advantage of the enforced vacation left Sunday for Houston via Bay City where she met her brother, Clifford.

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, December 16, 1930

Isn’t Life Wonderful
By Harry Austin Clapp

The stars fade. The first blush of dawn shows in the east. The night passed. Day came. The sun rose from its bed a golden globe of promise. The turquoise blue of heavens canopy unflecked by a single cloud. All a brilliant blue above and the earth blushing in the warm rays of the sun. The waters of the bay brushed into wavelets by the soft south breeze glistened, gleamed and sparkled in the gorgeous sunlight and as they broke on the beach they sang a song of love and constancy. Flowers nodded in the breeze. Birds sang. The very air seemed filled with joy. Thus was the curtain raised on a stage set for the Golden Wedding anniversary of Frederick W. Goff and she who at one time was Eva Council.

December 14, 1880, these two plighted their troth in the little village of Fancy Prairie in the state of Illinois. Fifty years pass and this day about one hundred of their friends and neighbors come to their Collegeport bayside home to give congratulations and honor on their golden day.

The years have pressed lightly upon their heads and God has been generous in disposal of His gifts. The night before, fourteen members of the Goff family sat at a table and broke bread. A son, Homer, with his wife and four children, William, Francis, Russell and Gwendolyn, a daughter, Mrs. Nelie Burnett of Sweetwater, Ill., with her family of four, Harold James, Homer and Florence. (Mrs. Sneidger) with her infant son, Leroy.

Eight grandchildren and one great grandchild, truly a splendid group of jewels to gather in a lifetime.

The rooms of the Goff home were decorated in yellow and white, the colors chosen by the bride and the dining room table from which the collation was served was made beautiful by the same colors typical of the occasion. In the center of the table reposed an enormous three story bride’s cake, which glistened with its sugared frostiness, this being banked with yellow and white blooms while tall candle sticks on each corner completed the table ensemble.

Just before refreshments were served the guests were requested to gather in the front room where Mr. Ben R. Mowery, in his usual happy manner, addressed the bride and groom and presented them with a purse of gold the loving gift of their many local friends and neighbors.

Mr. Goff was overcome and unable to express his thanks but Mrs. Goff attempting to respond broke down in sobs of joy. Another gift of gold was sent them by friends who knew them when they lived in Illinois.

“Then before all they stand the holy vow
And ring of gold, no fond illusions now,
Bind her as his. Across the threshold led.
And every tear kissed off as soon as shed,
His house she enters,--there to be the light,
Shining within, when all without is night;
A guardian angel o’er his life presiding.
Doubling his pleasures and his cares dividing,
Winning him back when mingling in the throng,
Back from the world we love, alas! too long.
To fireside happiness to hours of ease,
Blest with that charm, the certainty to please.
How oft her eyes read his; her gentle mind
To all his wishes, all his thoughts inclined;
Still subject, ever on the watch to borrow
Mirth of his mirth, and sorrow of his sorrow.
The soul of music slumbers in the shell,
‘Till waked and kindled by the master’s spell,
And feeling heart-throbs—touch them but rightly pour
A thousand melodies unheard before!”
--Samuel Rogers.

Thus passed a golden perfect day for Mr. and Mrs. Frederick W. Goff Say, Isn’t life wonderful?

Among those present were Mr. Gustave Franzen and family, Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Kundinger, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Corporon, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lewis Eisel, Mr. and Mrs. Seth W. Corse, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Walter and daughter, Louise; Mr. Stanley Wright, Mrs. Rena Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Ben R. Mowery, Mr. North Cable, Mr. W. V. Batchelder, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Nelson, the Misses Rosalie and Ethel Nelson, Mr. John D. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Heisey, Mrs. Anna D. Crane, Mr. and Mrs. George Welsby, Mr. and Mrs. John Carrick, Mr. and Mrs. V. R. Haisley, Mr. and Mrs. Mason Standish Holsworth, Mrs. Helen Holsworth, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Austin Clapp, Mr. and Mrs. Albert G. Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. Burton D. Hurd, Mrs. Frank Ramsey and Mr. J. J. Harbison.

The Daily Tribune, December 17, 1930
 

THOUGHTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS JOYS

By Harry Austin Clapp

[Local information taken from longer article.]

The difference between Durham, N. C., and Collegeport is that Durham has more factories than dogs, while this burg has more dogs than factories.

One day as I was leaving our home for the P. O. and our daily letter I saw a fagon [wagon?] approaching and on the seat a man and girl. The man turned to the girl and evidently asked who is that man and her reply was easily heard by me "O, that's old man Clapp." I confess that I was shocked for it was the first time I had heard myself called an old man. Since we are all approaching the time when we are sure to be called either a dear old soul or a horrid old thing, let us fly our joy signals now, so that there may be no doubt of our future cognomen.

Back of the ruins of the bank building which still points its accusing fingers to the sky, there grew a splendid huisache tree. God had been growing that tree for perhaps fifty years. It had a spread of about twenty-five feet and limbs twelve to fifteen feet long and five inches through.

North Cable liked the tree and kept it pruned. It was big and green and gave haps of shade and North was rather proud of it. The other day along comes John and with an ax soon made a wreck of the tree. God grew, John wanted wood, but the beautiful tree is no more. The stump stands and it points accusing fingers to the sky.

The King's Daughters met with Mrs. Wright this week with a small attendance of members but a good representation of King's Sons.

Mamie Franzen is home again for the holiday season and soon Clifford will be here and then will come Arnold so the Franzen family will be together at the Christmas tide.

The Bachman store has a beautiful Christmas window the central piece being a tall tree trimmed with the usual holiday glitter and sparkle. Gifts are displayed under and on the tree and it is a credit to Mrs. Crane who planned the display.

Gladys Harbison not to be outdone by my son, Tod, announces that she was also born on the 19th of December.

The Collegeport Pharmacy is also decorated with the Christmas theme and H. & H., the general managers, are busy passing out toys et cetera. Hattie, the Mayor domo of the firm, is so well known that some of our colored residents have their mail sent "Care of Miss Hattie" and it is always delivered.

Mrs. Hendricks, better known to the old timers as Mrs. Brasfield died at her home in Houston Friday. Interment at Bay City, Saturday and services at the cemetery. Victor Brasfield, the last of the clan, was present with his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Burton D. Hurd of Collegeport also attended.

John Carrick has brought in some turnips of most excellent quality and size which only proves that this soil will produce turnips.

Glad to state that Roberta Liggett is out of the "doll-drums" and now sailing easy to complete recovery.

School will open Monday morning, December 29 which of course pleases all of the kiddies, that is, almost all.

A great joy was offered to the miserable wretch in an invitation to play the organ at St. Mark's Midnight service Wednesday night, December 24. A pupil of Clarence Eddy, one who has played in Catholic, Episcopal and many Protestant churches, the touch of the organ is a joy to a soul which has fed on music for a life time. This service would have added sweetness to her already fragrant soul but health conditions would not permit, so her Christmas tide will be tinged with just a touch of sadness. Some other time, with different weather conditions, maybe, we hope so anyway.

Saturday night came to us Homecrofters fifteen pounds of buckwheat flour. I[t] should be buck wheat flower. Anyway from now on until we scrape the last sack we revel, feast, make merry with buckwheat cakes. Don't you fellers wish you were Homecrofters?

Our old friend of many years, Robert Murry, gave us the first Christmas gift in the form of a big juicy, fat roast of beef. Robert rolls is own, and like the fellow who smokes R. J. R. in a cob pipe is one of the original good fellows. Looks as though we would eat this week if we starve the rest of the year.

The Daily Tribune, Wednesday, December 24, 1930