Collegeport  From The Chronicle
 

Hotel Collegeport Entries

Bay City

Mrs. D. H. Brasfield was hostess to the Whist club Friday afternoon. The reception rooms were artistically decorated in palms, ferns and cut flowers. At the conclusion of the games, a delicious salad course was served and each guest presented with a souvenir in the shape of a tiny banjo filled with candy. The guest's prize, a souvenir spoon, was won by Miss Adele Moore. Mrs. Brasfield was assisted in receiving by her daughter, Mrs. Earl Moore. Those enjoying this delightful affair were: Mesdames F. Ludwig, McClare, Highbarger, Reynolds, R. R. Lewis, H. B. Eidman, J. W. Todsever, J. T. Stockton, Brooks, Bat Smith, Sholars, Boney, Cullins, De Aubin, Swartz, S. Thompson, F. H. Jones, Whaley Autrey of Houston and Mrs. J. R. Moore of Kirksville, Mo., Misses Meta, Janie and Lizzie Hawkins and Roberta Capps.

Houston Post, November 20, 1910
 

Burton D. Hurd Land Company Sales Schedules
J. E. Pierce, Second
February 3, 1912

J. V. Brasfield, Henry , Illinois SW¼ of NE¼"                      10

J. V. Brasfield  32.5 acres   J. E. Pierce, 2nd   Henry, IL  

Burton D. Hurd Land Company Sales Schedules
Satsuma
Undated List

COLLEGEPORT

Collegeport

World War I Registration Card
Kansas City, Missouri

James Victor Brasfield
Permanent Home Address: 2518 Lovert? Ave, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri
Age: 34
Date of Birth: March 27, 1884
Present Occupation: Oil Production
Employer: Rainbow Oil Company
Place of Employment: 717 Ridge Arcade, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri
Nearest Relative: Bernice Brasfield
Medium Height; Stout Build; Brown Eyes; Brown Hair
September 12, 1918
 

Oil and Gas News
March 13, 1919
Kansas City, Missouri

Meet J. V. Brasfield, of Kansas City

J. V. Brasfield, who has offices in the Ridge Arcade, Kansas City, will leave the latter part of the week for an extended trip through Texas. He plans to visit the Ranger, Burkburnett and Gulf coast districts in the interest of LaSalle street (Chicago) capitalists. Mr. Brasfield will secure acreage in the various Texas fields, and later will assist his clients in the organization of a company to develop their holdings. Mr. Brasfield, who is well known among local oil men, has a large following here, and it is possible that the new company may establish a Kansas City office. He has been very successful in the handling of oil properties, and formerly operated extensively in Oklahoma and Kansas. It is understood that, in the future, he will devote most of his time to managing the Texas holdings of his Chicago clients.
 

COLLEGEPORT.

Mr. Victor Brasfield came in last week with a special car from St. Louis . There were about twenty-five in the party, most of whom were from Chicago.-- Matagorda County Tribune, January 30, 1920
 

Big Developments To Be Made At Collegeport

J. V. Brasfield, who recently made a sale of 13,500 acres of land in the Collegeport section of Matagorda County, was a business visitor to Bay City yesterday and while here dropped in at The Tribune office.

He said the land in question had been bought by a Northern syndicate and will be developed, primarily for agriculture, although one of the main reasons for the purchase is a future search for oil and minerals in that part of the country.

Mr. Brasfield says that competent geologists have investigated the fields lately, one spending as much as two weeks making a survey. These geologists have issued very favorable reports on the country, and upon these reports developments will ensue.

Mr. Brasfield was looking for derrick builders while here, so, from this, it is reasonable to suppose that operations are not far off.--Matagorda County Tribune, January 30, 1920
 

COLLEGEPORT

COLLEGEPORT OIL DEVELOPMENT

The J. V. Brasfield No. 1 deep test oil well, now drilling near Collegeport, lying only a few miles west of the famous sulphur field of the Gulf Sulphur Co., and south of the Markham oil fields, both in this county, is down to a depth of 3,000 feet with all arrangements being made to carry it to 4,000 feet if necessary.
 

According to Mr. Brasfield, the formation in this well is exactly the same as encountered in all deep wells in the coastal oil belt throughout the gulf coast section, and especially similar to the 3,570-foot well at Markham , and at Gulf, formerly known as Big Hill.
 

As a further evidence of the encouragement entertained by Mr. Brasfield and associates their success, so far, is backed by the very favorable geological report of Prof. S. J. Hatch, of Kansas City, who has been successful throughout oil regions and particularly so in the coast country. Prof. Hatch previously recommended, strongly, the test now being made at Collegeport.
 

Mr. Brasfield appears to be confident that big production will be found in this well.--Matagorda County Tribune, August 20, 1920
 

THOUGHTS By Harry Austin Clapp
 

Mr. and Mrs. Victor Brasfield spent the week-end with the Burton D. Hurds.

For the benefit of those who did not see Victor, I will state that the only difference I saw, was that he had lost two more hairs from the top of his head. Mrs. Brasfield, I had not seen for size but she sure is one woman for charm.-- The Daily Tribune, Wednesday, January 14, 1931
 

Local Happenings

Mr. and Mrs. Victor Brasfield, of Chicago, were week end guests at Hotel Palacios.—Palacios Beacon, March 5, 1931
 

Last of Family of Five to Die in Brief Span of Years.
 

Judge F. H. Jones, today, received a wire from Chicago advising him that J. V. Brasfield, a prominent realtor of that city and a former resident of Bay City, was killed there Thursday. No particulars accompanied the information received by the judge.

The death of J. V. means the wiping out of an entire family of six who moved to Bay City from the North some 18 years ago. Father, mother, two sons and two daughters all dead within the past ten or twelve years.
 

The father was the first to go. The mother died last summer. Birney, the other son, and J. V. met tragic deaths. The daughters, Mrs. W. B. Stowers and Mrs. Earl Moore, died in recent years after they had moved to Houston from Bay City.
 

Daily Tribune, December 4, 1931
 

Cab Fare Tilt Kills Former Millionaire
Once Wealthy Oil Broker Dies Of Injury Received In 30-Cent Fight.

By International News Service

CHICAGO, Dec. 3.--Ten years ago J. Victor Brasfield rode about town in shining limousines driven by liveried chauffeurs.

Today he was dead, killed by a taxicab driver in a fight over a 35-cent fair.

The erstwhile millionaire, who amassed his fortune as an oil broker, only to lose it, died in a hospital last night from a basal skull fracture incurred in the fight. The taxicab driver fled. Police were hunting him today.--Canton Repository, Canton, Ohio, December 3, 1931

Man Hit In Head By Cab Driver Dies

Chicago, Dec. 3--J. Victor Brasfield, once an oil broker worth nearly $1,000,000 was dead today after an argument with a cab driver over a 35-cent bill.

Witnesses said Brasfield engaged in an altercation with the driver over the fare. The driver struck him on the head with a tool from his cab. The injured man died at the hospital last night.

Search for the driver was started by police and taxi officials. --Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, IL, December 3, 1931
 

J. V. Brasfield Dies in Chicago

Word has been received at the chamber of commerce here of the death in Chicago of J. V. Brasfield, one of the first land men to operate in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Brasfield died Dec. 2 in Chicago from injuries suffered in an altercation with a taxi-driver. According to witnesses he and the driver argued over a fare of 35 cents. The taxi-driver is alleged to have struck Brasfield, who fell heavily to the sidewalk, and died a short time later from concussion of the brain.

Brasfield was 47 years old.

He first operated in the Valley in the Mercedes section, when it was opened for development in 1908. He has been connected with the Valley intermittently since then. He came to the Valley a short time ago in connection with land developments in the Port Isabel section.

Brasfield was well known by practically all the land men now operating in the Valley, as well as by some of the pioneers who have left the business. --Brownsville Herald, Brownsville, Texas, December 7, 1931
 

Funeral of Mr. D. H. Brasfield

The funeral services over the remains of Mr. David Hayes Brasfield, who died at his home in this city Wednesday morning at 9:30 o'clock, were held at his late residence this afternoon at 3 o'clock in the presence of a large assemblage of sympathizing friends and sorrowing relatives.

The interment took place in Cedarvale Cemetery one hour later, and at the grave the Masonic fraternity, of which the deceased was a member, conducted the ritualistic ceremonies peculiar to that order.

The postponement of the funeral until today was made necessary on account of delay in the arrival of the two sons of Mr. Brasfield. They arrived today, the former from Kansas City, and the latter from Wellington, Kansas.

Matagorda County Tribune, November 20?, 1914
 

Synopsis of the D. H. Brasfield Funeral Services

"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the Judgment.: Heb. 9:27

David Haynes [Hayes] Brasfield was born in Putnam County, Mo., March 3rd, 1860, and departed this life November 11th, 1914, being 54 years, 3 months and 5 days old. He was married March 6th, 1881, and leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters to mourn his loss.

He was a good and devoted husband and a kind and loving father, and a loyal friend. He was kind and sympathetic to those in trouble, and knew not what it was to refuse aid to the limit of his ability to those in need. He will be greatly missed from our citizenship.

His death reminds us of the words of the Apostle to the Hebrews.

It is appointed unto men once to die.

It is appointed.

Then there must have been an appointer. God only could decree this, since he is the author of life.

We find then this truth: Death is universal. It comes to all alike. The rich and the poor, and the young and the old and the middle aged.

Second: It is inevitable. You may think that you will love long, but God may will it otherwise. I knew a man who was a perfect giant physically and a man who had better control of his system than any man I ever knew. He said to me, there is no use in men dying. I am going to live to be more than 100. But one morning  after he had retired in usual health at night he was called for breakfast. He arose from his bed, and they heard him moving about in his room, and then heard a thud as if someone had fallen, and when they got to him life was extinct. There is no respecter of persons in death.

It is appointed, therefore, sure. You and I might make an appointment and for some reason we would not be able to keep it, but God's appointments are sure.

Its time is uncertain to us.

It is certain to God.

The results of death puts an end to our present associations; separates soul and body. It brings one to their final destiny.

To the bereaved ones I would say, with the Psalmist, 35:22: "Cast thy burden on the Lord and he shall sustain thee."

At such a time as this frail is the help of man. He who made the heart knows how to bind it up. He who hath tasted death for every man. He can sympathize.

~~~~~~~~~~~

David Haynes Brasfield was born March 3rd, 1880 at Pleasant Home farm, Putnam County, Mo. He was married in 1861 to Miss Sylvia M. Thompson of Unionville, Mo. To this union was born four children, Mrs. E. C. Moore of this city, Victor Brasfield of Chicago, Mrs. W. C. Stowers of this city and Birney D. Brasfield of Wellington, Kansas. Mr. Brasfield, until he moved to Texas, had always been a prominent stockman of Northern Missouri--raising, buying and shipping stock to St. Louis and Chicago. Since coming to Texas, seven years ago, he had been engaged in the real estate business and farming. Mr. Brasfield was raised by strict Presbyterian parents, and was known far and wide for his truth and integrity. He will be missed in the business circle, as well as by his hosts of friends. He leaves to his widow and children the blessed memory of a kind, loving, indulgent husband and father.

~~~~~~~~~~

Card of Thanks.

We desire to thank our many friends and acquaintances for their thoughtful kindness during the days of our trials and sorrows following the death of my husband and our father, David Haynes Brasfield.

(Signed)

Mrs. Sylvia M. Brasfield & Family.

Matagorda County Tribune, November 20, 1914
 

COLLEGEPORT

Mrs. Will Hendricks

Mrs. Will Hendricks died at her home in Houston, Thursday night, after an illness of several weeks.

Mrs. Hendricks will be remembered here as Mrs. J. S. Brasfield. Her family lived here for several years prior to moving to Houston.

The Tribune has been informed that the funeral will take place here. Only a few weeks ago a daughter of Mrs. Hendricks was buried here. Mr. Brasfield, Mrs. Hendrick's first husband, was buried here, also.

Daily Tribune, December 18, 1930

Funeral of Mrs. Hendrick

Mrs. Will Hendrick who died at her home in Houston, Wednesday night, was buried here at 3 o'clock this afternoon with services at the cemetery.

The body was brought overland from Houston. --Daily Tribune, December 19, 1930
 

Mrs. Sylvia B. Hendrick

Mrs. Sylvia B. Hendrick, 61, died at 11:30 p. m. Wednesday at her residence, 1416 Sul Ross. She is survived by her husband, W. D. Hendrick of Houston; one son, Victor Brasfield of Chicago; one granddaughter, Mrs. Luelle Ressler of Wellington, Kan. Mrs. Hendrick was charter member of the P. E. O. and a member of that organization for 37 years. Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Saturday at the Morse Funeral chapel. Rev. William States Jacobs officiating. The body will be forwarded overland to Bay City for burial. Services will be held at 1:30 p. m. Saturday in the cemetery there.--Post-Dispatch, c December 20, 1930
 

Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham

THOUGHTS By Harry Austin Clapp

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. --Daily Tribune, Wednesday, December 24, 1930
 

THOUGHTS By Harry Austin Clapp
Audrey Poe Brasfield Stowers Griffith

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 Daily Tribune, November 13, 1930
 

Collegeport