Collegeport Telephones Connected With Cable At 4 P. M. Last Thursday

Last Thursday 39 new telephone subscribers at Collegeport saw a dream come true as they were connected with the outside world with the mere twist of a cable.

Workmen for General Telephone Company made it possible at 4 p. m. for a Collegeport resident to call Palacios or anywhere else he or she wanted to. It was an answer to a prayer to the Collegeport Bonehead Club which has taken the lead over the numerous years to secure telephone service for the community.

M. E. Watson, construction foreman for the for the Southern Division of General Telephone, saw the completion of dredging and laying the cable only a short week ago with final details ironed out Thursday morning. Watson’s crew was made up of J. B. Tidwell, cable splicer and Eddie Buchanek cable splicer’s helper.

Five extensions are added to the list for an over all total of 44 phones in the area.

Collegeport Y. W. C. A. To Meet Friday

The Collegeport Y. W. C. A. will meet Friday at 2 p. m. at the home of Mrs. Dean Merck.

Miss Charlotte Nicoll, executive director of the Houston Gulf Coast Y. W. C. A. District, will review the book "A Hungry Man Dreams' by Margaret Lee Rundeck. All members and friends are cordially invited to attend.

Palacios Beacon, January 21, 1954
 

Collegeport Chronicles

The Bonehead Club held its regular business meeting at the Mopac Tuesday night with Carl Ackerman, president, presiding.

The club voted to sponsor a local softball club and the Boy Scouts. W. L. Ellis was appointed institutional representative for the scout organization with R. L. Corporon, W. B. Williams, and V. L. Bowers as members of his committee.

R. L. Corporon reported that $133.25 was solicited for the Boy Scout movement in Collegeport.

Dean Merck was elected secretary to replace Rev. A. G. Fitzgerald who had moved to Houston.

After the business meeting, Forty-two and refreshments were enjoyed by the following members: Carl Ackerman, V. L. Bowers, D. V. Corporon, R. L. Corporon, Leo Duffy, Billy Halfen, G. L. Holloway, Gust Franzen, Dean Merck, John Merck Jr., Jack Perciville, Gerald Wells, C. J. Williams, Earl Lee Williams and W. B. Williams.

Rev. and Mrs. A. G. Fitzgerald were honored with a farewell dinner at the Mopac Sunday following the services at the Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Fitzgerald, a minister for 39 years, came to a close at his retirement Sunday night. The Fitzgeralds have moved to Houston to make their home with their daughter, Mrs. Loraine Batchelder.

Six young boys joined the Presbyterian Church Sunday morning. They were Russell and Weldon Corporon, Jesse, Gilbert, Jerry and Tommy Ellis.

Mrs. John Merck Jr. visited her father, M. G. Simons, in the Rugeley-Blasingame Hospital in Wharton Sunday afternoon.

Mr. and Mrs. Julian Jenkins honored their niece, Miss Virginia Wells, with a wiener roast on her birthday Monday evening.

Little Babette Franzen of Beaumont is visiting her grandmother, Mrs. Gust Franzen Sr.

Mr. and Mrs. Dean F. Merck Jr. of Houston were week-end visitors in Collegeport.

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Mowery, Mr. and Mrs. John Merck Sr. and Mrs. Verner Bowers motored to El Campo Sunday to visit “Buzzie” Frick in the Nightingale Hospital.

“Buzzie” Frick has returned from a stay in the Nightingale Hospital in El Campo.

About 30 rice farmers met at the Mopac Monday where George Shoultz held a discussion on “The Future Rice Program.’

Houston visitors Tuesday were Mrs. M. S. Holsworth and daughter, Mrs. Pat Richman Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Dean Merck.

Mr. and Mrs. Gust Franzen Jr., Mrs. Gust Franzen Sr. and Mrs. Roy Nelson were in Corpus Christi last Friday to help Mrs. Charlotte Walker celebrate her 86^th birthday.

Mr. and Mrs. James Slone and baby son have moved into the Amos Johnson home at Citrus Grove.

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Penland and Nickolee are visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Penland.

Pfc. Lawrence Greenwood, who is stationed in England, was named the soldier of the month.

Miss Ella Cheasley, Hyram Cheasley, Mr. and Mrs. John Cheasley of Canada; Mr. and Mrs. Norman Carrick of La Marque; and Mrs. John Carrick of Collegeport were dinner guests Monday night in the G. A. Franzen home.

The Cheasleys, brothers and sisters of Mrs. John Carrick, and Norman Carrick, the Carrick’s son, are visiting John Carrick who is confined to the Bayview Hospital in Palacios.

Palacios Beacon, March 4, 1954

Leon Bullington bought the old Collegeport School for $150 and will demolish the structure.

[Palacios school board required August 20th as the deadline.]

Palacios Beacon, March 25, 1954
 

Baptist Church At Collegeport To Hold Get Acquainted Day

The First Baptist Church of Collegeport will have a Get Acquainted Day Sunday, April 4. Rev. Gomias Noviazz, an Aztec Indian preacher, who until recently was a missionary in Korea, will speak at the 11 A. M. service.

Following the morning worship, a basket dinner will be served at the Mopac.

A cordial invitation is extended to all to attend.

Palacios Beacon, April 1, 1954
 

Mrs. James Dunn Honored With Shower By Collegeport Women

The Collegeport Presbyterian women honored Mrs. James Dunn of Belton, the former Ann Ware of Collegeport, with a miscellaneous shower Wednesday afternoon, April 28, at the Mopac.

When Mrs. W. L. Ellis announced that "April showers bring May flowers" little Miss Lynda Wells skipped into the room carrying a pretty green and yellow parasol. She dropped a basket of rose petals on the honoree's head.

After playing several games, with Ann the winner of each, she opened her many lovely and useful gifts.

The refreshment table was laid with a cut linen cloth. An arrangement of pastel colored spring flowers, flanked by tall green tapers, graced the center of the table. On one end of the table was the punch bowl and on the other a large reflector on which was placed an angel food cake, iced in green and silver. Then from the compote in the center of the cake flowed an arrangement of daisies and fern, the same motif was carried out on the border of the reflector.

Palacios Beacon, May 6, 1954
 

Barbecue To Be Held At Collegeport Saturday June 26

Mopac House in Collegeport will be the scene of a benefit barbecue Saturday, June 26 from 6 p. m. til?

The barbecue will be sponsored by the Collegeport community. The barbecue plate will sell for $1.00. Cakes and pies to take home for Sunday, will also be sold.

All proceeds will be used to repair the Mopac House.

Palacios Beacon, June 24, 1954
 

Woman's Union Meets At Collegeport June 10

The Woman's Union of the Presbyterian Church of Collegeport met on June 10, in the home of Mrs. W. L. Ellis, with 15 members present. Our meeting was opened by our president, Mrs. Gus Franzen. Prayer by Mrs. Gus Franzen.

Bible study in the book of Acts was led by Mrs. Fred Law. The scripture verses were read by members. Miss Margaret Holsworth told of her visit to the Catacombs where so many early Christians died.

Parts of the lesson in our study book were ready by the following ladies, Margaret Holsworth, Rosalee Ellis, Ida Mae Franzen, Mamie Wells and Dorothy Ann Corporon.

Prayer was given by Mrs. Law. A prayer for the Missions in the Carolinas, and in the Philippines was offered by Dorothy Merck.

Minutes of the last meeting were read and corrected. Mrs. Nelson reported she has sent the packages to the mission in Africa.

Ida Mae Franzen told of the meeting at Buffaloe Gap, and the Livingston Conference for Christian workers to be held July 23 and 24.

Mrs. Ellen Franzen said she paid the missionary pledge, and there was a balance of $10.05 on hand.

Plans were made for entertaining Rev. Shelby and his family.

Rosalee Ellis gave us an interesting talk about "Witnessing through Medical Missionaries."

Mrs. Ellis served delicious refreshments of cock-tail crackers, cake, ice cream and mints to her guests.

Palacios Beacon, June 24, 1954
 

County Bridge Near Collegeport Destroyed By Fire Tuesday

The Palacios Volunteer Fire Department answered a call near Collegeport Tuesday evening about 6 p. m. A county bridge caught fire about one mile east of Collegeport.

Practically new, the bridge was almost totally destroyed. No cause was given for the fire.

Palacios Beacon, August 5, 1954
 

Presbyterian Women At Collegeport Meet With Mrs. Fred Law

The Presbyterian Women's Organization of Collegeport met August 12 at 3:30 p. m. in the home of Mrs. Fred Law.

The meeting was called to order by the president, Mrs. Gus Franzen.

An interesting Bible study entitled "An Expanding Church" was conducted by Mrs. Fred Law. After a short business session the meeting adjourned.

Delicious refreshments of lemon ice box pudding and iced tea and coffee were served to the following members: Mesdames Dave Bullington, Dick Corporon, Gus Franzen, M. S. Holsworth, Fred Law, Dean Merck, John Merck, Roy Nelson, Pat Richman, Jr., Joe David Ruffin and Gerald Wells.

Palacios Beacon, August 26, 1954
 

Mrs. Pat Richman, Jr. Honored With Pink And Blue Shower

Mrs. Pat Richman, Jr. was honored with a Pink and Blue shower recently at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Merck, Sr. in Collegeport. The women of the Presbyterian Church were the hostesses.

After a few games, led by Mrs. John Merck, Jr., had been played, Little Miss Phyllis Ann Hodge entered the room carrying a pink and blue parasol pushing a decorated buggy filled with gifts for the honoree.

When all the gifts had been opened and admired, the guests were ushered into the dining room. The table was laid with a cut linen cloth over pink. On one end of the table there were three beautifully decorated Angel Food cakes and on the other end was the punch service. A large pink and white stork stood on a reflector surrounded by pink camellia-type balsam in the center of the table.

Among the out of town guests were Mrs. Pat Richman, Sr. and Mrs. Sidney Richman from Palacios; Mrs. R. T. Sirman and Mrs. Ralph Sirman, the honoree's grandmother and aunt from Markham; and her sister and nieces Mrs. Bill Hodge, Phyllis Ann and Sue from Lewisville, Texas.

Palacios Beacon, September 9, 1954
 

Presbyterian Church At Collegeport To Hear R. J. Stewart

Presbyterians at Collegeport Sunday will hear Robert J. Stewart, a student at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, conduct worship and preach the morning message.

Mrs. Stewart holds the B. A. degree from Southwestern University at Memphis, where he served as president of the Ministerial Club during his student years.

While stationed at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, before entering college, Mr. Stewart organized and directed the Protestant Choir, still an active organization at the Air Station.

Palacios Beacon, October 21, 1954
 

William C. Bulls To Be Guest Minister At Collegeport Church

Mr. William C. Bulls, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary student, will be the guest minister Sunday at the Collegeport Presbyterian Church.

A former resident of Sugarland and of Houston, Mr. Bulls is in the second year of the three-year course at Austin Seminary, preparing for the Presbyterian ministry.

The young Seminarian was awarded a scholarship to the Divinity School of the University of Chicago upon his graduation from Suglarland High School, and studied in the Chicago institution during the 1952-53 school year. His under-graduate work was done in the University of Houston, where he graduated in 1951 with the B. A. degree.

Palacios Beacon, November 4, 1954
 

Collegeport Ramblings

Mr. and Mrs. Dean Merck and Mr. and Mrs. M. Jack Martin, Jr. and Craig visited the Dean Mercks last week-end.

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Wells and Lynda spent a few days in Buffalo with her brother, Clifford Franzen. Mrs. Gust Franzen, Sr. returned home with them.

Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Baier of Houston were week-end guests in the Gustave Franzen, Jr. home.

Charles Wilson is visiting in the home of his sister, Mrs. G. Franzen.

Mr. and Mrs. Dick Moore and children are spending the hunting season in Collegeport.

“Missionary to Walker’s Garage” was shown at the Presbyterian Church Sunday night.

Mr. and Mrs. I. Z. Dykes and Julia have been visiting the L. A. Duffys.

Mrs. John Merck, Jr. and Deborah spent several days last week with her parents, the Simons, at Midway.

The Boy Scouts enjoyed a week-end camping at Buckeye.

Miss Anne Herman of Palacios spent the week-end with Miss Constance Law.

Mrs. Ted Crone and children of Houston spent the week-end in Collegeport.

Congratulations to the newly weds, Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Williams.

Palacios Beacon, November 11, 1954
 

Charles Burton To Be Guest Speaker At Collegeport Church

Collegeport Presbyterians will have as their guest minister Sunday Charles Burton, a student at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, who will conduct worship and deliver the sermon.

Mr. Burton was active in laymen's work before entering the Seminary. A former resident of Shreveport, La., he was a member of the executive board of Red River Presbytery in Louisiana and served as secretary, treasurer, and vice-president at various times. He was for three years treasurer of the Louisiana Gideons.

Academic work now in progress at the University of Texas will earn Mr. Burton the B. A. degree before he completes his Seminary course in May, 1955. Mr. Burton is married to the former Evelyn Tohline of Ft. Worth. The couple have two children.

Palacios Beacon, November 18, 1954
 

Collegeport Ramblings

The Women's Union of Collegeport held its monthly meeting Wednesday, November 10 in the home of Mrs. Gustave Franzen. The president called the meeting together with a devotion and prayer. A Bible Study entitled "A Bold and Daring Church" was conducted by Mrs. R. L. Corporon.

A report of the Fall Presbyterial, held in Heights Presbyterian Church in Houston October 26, was given by Mrs. Roy Nelson and Mrs. Dean Merck.

Mrs. Dean Merck delivered thoughts on stewardship "As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me"--Matt. 25:20.

The following officers were elected to serve in 1955: Mrs. Gustave Franzen, president; Mrs. Dean Merck, Sr., vice president; Mrs. P. V. Corporon, secretary; Mrs. Ellen Franzen, treasurer and Mrs. W. L. Ellis, chairman of Missionary Education.

Refreshments of coffee and cookies were served to the eleven members present.

Plans are being made for a Christmas luncheon meeting to be held in December at the Dean Merck home.

Palacios Beacon, November 18, 1954
 

The annual Collegeport New Year's dinner will be held at the Mopac house in Collegeport on New Year's day. This is a covered dish affair and everyone is invited.

Palacios Beacon, December 30, 1954