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In 1922 a young Montana oil field worker named Jack Basford was visiting a friend and saw a picture of a young Illinois coed. “I’m going to marry that girl,” he said after a closer look at her picture, and he did marry her the next year, beginning a lifelong partnership that’s very effective today in the operation of Grassy Point Bait Camp.
Lorraine, a big jolly woman who is credited with putting Palacios “on the map” more than anyone in this are with her “fishing news,” was reluctant to tell this story of how she and Jack got together and blushingly told the writer not to “put that in the paper.” But it’s a good story, as most of Lorraine’s are, and there it is. She’ll scold, laugh and forgive, because that’s the way she is. A relative new face to Palacios, Lorraine—and Jack—have operated their bait camp here since 1952, and in that length of time have come to know almost everyone in the area who “wets a hook.”
Well known for her writing, a happy smile and a hearty greeting, Lorraine never meets a stranger while she operates the “front office” of the camp along east bay—selling bait, fishing supplies and cold drinks while she gives away information and advice. Jack, on the other hand, is the silent partner type, seldom seen around the camp except for a break between fishing trips, usually in the early afternoon.
He leaves in one of his boats in the “wee shall hours” with no definite time for return…but when he does, he usually goes out again late in the afternoon, with an eye on the tides.
Jack was a bricklayer during most of the many years he and Lorraine have been married, but he always liked to work around the water.
He came to this area in 1950 to work on construction of ALCOA’s plant at Point Comfort, but when he got a chance, he purchased the bait camp here.
Lorraine had never written for publication before, but hoping to promote tourist fishing in this area, the Grassy Point Bait Camp in the process, she began collecting information on local catches and fishing in general.
She starting writing the Beacon fishing news in August of 1953, and has turned out a column every week since.
She also writes fishing news for the El Campo Citizen and turns in information to several other sources.
Her “Ten Commandments for Fishermen” have been widely published—appearing in the Texas Fish and Game Magazine, the Arizona Fish and Game Magazine and many newspapers.
Lorraine says jokingly that after the sloppy copy she turns in she hates to admit she majored in English at Northern Illinois State Teachers College.
She was born and raised in Batavia, Illinois, the daughter of a coal field worker.
Jack and Lorraine first came to Texas in 1926 when Jack worked as a bricklayer in Houston. They returned to Illinois, but came back to Houston in 1938.
Jack worked on the construction of ALCOA at Point Comfort and on the Reynold’s plant at Arkansas Pass before the couple settled here in 1952.
They have one son, three daughters and six grandchildren. One daughter, Joyce, is a resident of Palacios.
Palacios Beacon, September 6, 1956 |
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The week end of July 25th, was a poor one for boat fishermen due to winds and rough water. Sunday turned out nice, and the full bait boxes at Grassy Point Bait Camp were rapidly emptied.
A few nice catches were reported. Dune Miles, Ernest Besch, and Lee Wendel of Columbus got 15 trout, one red and one sheephead at the reef across from Grassy Point.
Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Jaynes of Houston, who are staying at the White Swan Courts for about ten days, had a nice catch of trout as result of fishing near the Baptist Encampment Pier. Mr. and Mrs. Jaynes plan to build in Palacios, having bought property in the Foley Addition.
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Short of Houston have purchased “The Mayflower” cottage on Bay Road. When the family are settled, there will be another Chris Craft cruising on Palacios Bay.
The Pier at G. P. B. C., which is free to customers, has been lined with eager fishermen for weeks. Small rat red, trout and croakers have been on the stringers of lucky ones. Clarence Padgett, who seldom misses a day on the pier, tries crabbing when fishing does not pay off.
Nick Carter and Mr. Bennett of Fort Worth, who had the unpleasant experience of being “lost” several weeks ago, will be in Palacios Thursday to try their luck once more.
Four year old Phil Sawyer’s spot on the G. P. pier will be vacant a few days. He is visiting relatives in Houston.
If the storm clouds that have been threatening for a week clear up, there should be good fishing this week end.
Good Luck to all.—Lorraine Basford.
Palacios Beacon, August 6, 1953 |
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Then Ten Commandments of Fishing
1. Thou shalt not let thy zeal for a fishing trip awaken thy household at three o’clock in the morning to prepareth thy self. If thee must ariseth so early, move quietly.
2. Keepeth thy fishing equipment in good condition.
3. Thou shalt not request the lady of thy heart to prepareth ambrosia or a hearty breakfast for thee. Prepareth it thyself or stoppeth at an all night café.
4. Thou shalt not utter profane words if thee discovereth an airless tire on thy means of transportation. Be thy own man Friday and repaireth it thyself.
5. Driveth not like a demon to a bait camp, or to the fishing spot of thy choice.
6. Shouldest thee entereth others’ property, remembereth it is their kindness that permitteth thee to do so. Leaveth not an untidy spot, and closeth all gates.
7. Casteth thy line into the water. The hook on thy line is to hooketh fish, not the ear, arm or garments of those nearest to thee.
8. Useth thy good judgement if thou seest foul weather coming.
9. Thou shalt speaketh the truth when thy day of fishing is over.
10. If these commandments thou obey, thou shalt have a pleasant day.
Palacios Beacon, February 4, 1954 |
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Death from a heart attack the night of August 10 wrote “30” for one of the Beacon’s most faithful and enjoyable columnists, Lorraine Basford, who for the past nine years had written “Fishing” or “Beacon Lights.”
The community was shocked at the passing of Lorraine, who had been a resident of Palacios for only 10 years but was known by almost all who fished here, and in neighboring communities. She never met a stranger and had a smile and hearty greeting for all.
Her “Ten Commandments for Fishermen” were widely published, appearing in the Texas Game and Fish magazine, the Arizona Game and Fish magazine and many newspapers. The articles she wrote following “Carla’s” destructive visit, especially “The Bleeding Heart,” were masterpieces and cherished by many.
Elizabeth Lorraine Wood was born August 22, 1904, in Batavia, Illinois, a daughter of Lloyd and Irma Wood. She attended school in Batavia and majored in English at North Illinois State Teachers College. In 1923 she married John “Jack” Basford and they came to Houston, Texas in 1926, returned to Illinois for a few years and in 1938 moved back to Houston. Mr. Basford, a bricklayer, came to this area in 1950 to work on the construction of Alcoa’s plant at Point Comfort and in 1952 purchased the Grassy Point Bait Camp and moved his wife here. Together they operated the camp until it, their home and all belongings were lost during the hurricane last September. Since then they have been busy rebuilding the camp and just recently purchased a trailer home and were again in operation.
Funerla services were held Sunday afternoon, August 12, at 3 p. m. at the Palacios Funeral Home with Rev. Rayford Harris officiating. Interment was in Palacios Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband, her mother, Mrs. Irma Wood of Batavia, Ill.; three daughters, Mrs. Joyce Koening, Palacios; Mrs. Doris Sheffield and Mrs. Jackuline Sky Eagle of Houston; one son, Lloyd Basford of Houston; one sister, Mrs. Lloyd Wood Scott, St. Charles, Ill.; one brother, Walter Wood of Batavia and several grandchildren.
Palacios Beacon, August 16, 1962
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Funeral services for John Fred “Jack” Basford were held at 4 p. m. Tuesday, August 17, at the Palacios Funeral Home with the Rev. Leslie Webb officiating. Interment was in the Palacios Cemetery.
Son of Nina Bull Basford and Bryon Stone Basford, he was born March 18, 1903, in Belote, Wisconsin. A retired brick mason, he had been a resident of Palacios for 10 years where he operated the Grassy Point Bait Camp. He died Sunday night, August 15, in Wagner General Hospital.
He is survived by his wife Mary L. Basford of Palacios; three daughters, Joyce Koening and Doris Sheffield of Palacios, Jacquelyn Guillory of Houston; one son, Lloyd B. Basford of Houston; two step daughters, Rosalai Rhoads of Palacios and Daralass Raymond of Aurora, Ill.; two step-sons, Emory Baum of Aurora, Ill.’ two sisters, Marion Meister in North Muskegan, Mich.; Lucille Wilson of Inverness, Fla; 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Palacios Beacon, August, 1971 |
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Funeral services for Joyce Lorraine Koening, 87, of Palacios will be held on Thurs. (July 23) at 10 a.m. at the Palacios Funeral Home. A viewing will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. on Wed. (July 22) at the Palacios Funeral Home. Joyce was born on April, 11, 1928 and the Lord called her Home on July 17, 2015. Joyce will be laid to rest beside her husband Alvin at the Palacios Cemetery. She was loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to all who knew her.
Joyce was also a lifetime member of the VFW Women's Auxiliary. She was a Christian woman and active member of the Trinity Baptist Church. She resided in Palacios for 60 years.
She is survived by her sister, Jackie Sweetser of Kemah, son and daughter-in-law, Mark and JoAnn Koening of San Antonio, daughter, Cindy Koening of Santa Fe, Texas, stepdaughter and son-in-law, Betty and Tom Lehman of San Antonio, 7 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.
Palacios Beacon, July 22, 2015
Palacios—Alvin R. Koening, 77, of Palacios, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1999.
He was born Sept. 30, 1921, in Dime Box, to the late Reinhart John and Elsie Miller Koening. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U. S. Army and Air Force. He was a retired shipping supervisor for Alcoa with 29 years of service. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Palacios, VFW Post No. 2467 and Blessing American Legion Post.
Survivors: wife, Joyce Basford Koening; daughters, Betty Lehman of San Antonio and Cindy Koening of Clute; sons Mark Koening of Wimberly and Alvin W. Koening of South Carolina; sisters, Elizabeth Vyvial of Rosenberg and Shirley Koening of Abilene; brothers, Homer Koening of Plantersville and Martin Koening of Simonton; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Preceded in death by: brother, William Keoning.
Services will be 10 a. m. Saturday at Palacios Funeral Home chapel, the Rev. Gerald Evans officiating.
Burial will be at Palacios Cemetery Palacios Funeral Home, Palacios, 972-2012.
Palacios Beacon, January, 1999 |
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Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Louise Basford will be held at 2 p. m. Thursday Nov. 29, at the Palacios Funeral home with the Rev. Leslie Webb officiating. Interment will be in the Palacios Cemetery.
Daughter of the late Walter and Annie Olive Benson Gould, she was born April 16, 1910, in Batavia, Ill. A resident of Palacios since 1962, she passed away Nov. 26, in Wagner General Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Fred Basford, on Aug. 16, 1971.
She is survived by two daughters, Doralass Raymond of Aurora, Ill., and Rosalai Rhoades of Palacios; three step-daughters, Joyce Koening and Doris Sheffield of Palacios and Jacqulyn Guillory of Houston; two sons, Emory Baum of Markleysburg, Penn. and Bruce Baum of Aurora, Ill.; one step-son, Lloyd Basford of Houston; three sisters, Rose Swanson and Dorothy Johnson, Batavia, Ill. and Anna Marriott of Bexar, Ark.; two brothers, William and Fredrick Gould of Batvia, Ill.; 22 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Palacios Beacon, November 1973
Photo courtesy of Mary Sexton |
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Copyright 2016 -
Present by the Basford Family |
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| Created Aug. 29, 2016 |
Updated Aug. 29, 2016 |