|
March - June
1911 |
|
A little more than a week ago I went to Port O'Connor. I rode in a buggy through the country to Blessing and thence with the railway. When I am traveling I do not put my nose into a book or newspaper but look out around and out of the window and observe soil, plant life, conditions of houses and towns and last but not least the people. When I returned and saw the homes of Collegeport sketched a long way on the skyline, I was full of joy. That was the place I was living in and I was proud of it. Strange, I thought after only a few weeks being here, and after I have seen so many good places in Germany, England and the United States. I reasoned why it should be so, and I came to the conclusion, just because everything is just a little better than elsewhere and there is certainly no place on the Gulf Coast which can beat it. It’s a real “Yankee-town” with citizens wide awake, an educated community with an elevating spirit circulating. Without Mexicans, pool parlors and public houses. With fine soil, situated on a Gulf bay, rivers with sweet water near, with artesian wells and a splendid climate. In fact everything the heart of man can wish. Right then I made up my mind once more that I was to live and die in that place, but while I was living to do my best and utmost to utilize the possibilities which mother earth offer here. To do all I could to make Collegeport known all over the U. S. Sure enough they have good land in some spots of Palacios and other places, but Collegeport is the selected spot. We all know that, have realized it over and over again and with this satisfaction, we should buckle down and get to work. Don’t do it just because you have to do something, but do it right, with all your might and you must have success and more than ever dreamed of. I say “must” because “where there is a will there is a way;” however do not build air castles. Get right down to business, there is a lot to learn to get the right results. Make out your plans, divide your grounds, arrange for a rotation to best advantage for the soil, examine your fences carefully, take an inventory of your stock, equipments, etc., and expenses to be met. Select a leading and comparatively sure crop to give you cash and grow others to grazing soil fertility, green manuring, cover, etc. The next question is where shall we find the market for our products. First get together and agree what to plant. Each one plant the same, on one all of one kind, and on the other all of the next kind, and on the other all of the next kind. Everybody ought to have an acre or several of onions now; on the 1st of March, cauliflower, tomatoes and early cabbage should be set out. Watermelons, canteloupes, carrots, beets, turnips, potatoes, etc., should be in the ground. Right now everyone should plant one or more acres of figs, blackberries, dewberries and grapes. The next is the packing; get the standard size of crates, etc. Buy wood, get a man among yourselves to attend the manufacturing of boxes, crates, etc. Brand everything with your name. For instance “Collegeport vegetables,” “Collegeport Magnolia Figs,” etc. While getting ready, don’t forget to get customers and sell right to the consumer if possible. A SUGGESTION. Pack a neat hamper with partitions, containing different vegetables worth from $1.50 to $2.00. The purchaser will find that he buys cheaper and gets vegetables with a real taste, and once started there is no trouble to sell. If advertises itself. Berries and other fruits can be handled similarly. But not everything has always an immediate market and has to be preserved. Therefore get the man among yourselves and start a cannery. Later on we will have a sugar refinery, a rice mill, a cotton gin, etc. Every bag, bale, package has to be marked say, “Collegeport” rice, sugar, etc. Everything needed for packing has to be made right here. Keep your money at home as much as possible, and let it circulate among your own people. However, do not start anything unless you have reasonable amount of possibility to make good and don’t forget to act in unity. Work economically and above all send out quality. Pack it right and neatly and with a little push you will make profit and good profit too. And now cast aside all ill feelings which might exist from last year. Stand together and act as one man. Unity makes strong. Right now is the time, every day is a heavy loss. Two years have taught a lesson, the third year will certainly not amount to the same. But don’t agree and then appoint a committee to do the rest and think you will “try” to have something for them to sell for you. Go ahead and do it. Work hard and with all your intelligence. Work as if you owned the biggest business in the state. Don’t let yourself slip a minute, thinking, “well it’s up to the committee.” “It is not right.” It is up to you. Every man has to do his best. Don’t start and then fall back to question things, you will lose as sure as 2 and 2 is 4. Go ahead and look forward. Show what you can do, do it properly. Have everything clean and tidy. Make arrangements that everything is at hand when needed, work systematically and you must succeed. “They can conquer, who believes they can.”
W. Schaumann. |
|
Our friends in the frost bound north probably will be inclined to think we stretch the facts when we continue to talk about the fine weather we are enjoying. With the thermometer close to 75 degrees every day and the sunshine by day and moonlight by night the weather is ideal. Barring the presence of more foggy mornings than usual in this country we would be inclined to think the calendar had been inadvertently turned over and were enjoying June or July days. If the world realized the amount of suffering that might be avoided by a transfer of the sufferers from lagrippe, rheumatism, chilblains and a score of other cold weather ailments. To see the ladies sitting upon the front porch enjoying their books or magazines and the men in shirt waist attire attending to business, or then small boy with bare feet is a sight very common with us but almost incredible to the people further north. Our wood pile stand there untouched and our heating stove has not felt fire for a week or more. It sure it is a great place to live.
Palacios Beacon,
January 20, 1911 |
|
Collegeport Chronicle. Were it not that the editor has great confidence in his capacity to hear a tale as it is told, also in Mr. W. A. Stockwell of the well known firm of F. S. Stockwell and son, who has large interest in Collegeport’s new nursery and largest commercial orchard, we would be a little loath to stand sponsor for the following tale of strawberries raised in the county next to ours. People who have opened their eyes wide at the report of strawberries five months in the years, have another revelation in store, for we are to tell a tale of a season at least 8 months in length, and capable of covering the entire year with the different varieties. Mr. Stockwell in talking with the editor stated that from a small patch covering one sixteenth of a acre he and his assistants have picked berries practically every day since November 10th last. Last Thanksgiving day 4 quarts were picked from the patch and it has yielded every day since. When the recent freeze came the rows were given a good covering of hay and when the warm days returned, they uncovering of the plants revealed a nice picking ready for the table and Mr. Stockwell states that since the freeze they have sold more than $60 worth of berries from this patch which now brings 50 cents per quart in Houston. Berries from November to June is no longer fiction and some claim that they can be made to bear the whole year round. If not convinced clip this out and mail to Mr. W. A. Stockwell, Alvin, Texas, and ask him if he cares to substantiate the statement. It is certainly a great recommendation for the Coast country.
Palacios Beacon,
January 20, 1911 |
|
Mr. Invin Glasser is to plant a good acreage to rice and already has his seed on hand.
Miss Mary Margaret Thiele, of Mrs. Jesse Davis (nee Miss Ethel Fay) has accepted a position with the Hurd Land Company, as stenographer and will become a resident of our city once more.
C. S. Eidman was in
Miss Kat Barnes, who has been with the Hurd Land Company for some time
past, left on a vacation last Saturday for Mr. Clark, father of our grocer, Clark, met with a peculiar and painful accident a few days ago. A rooster, having pugilistic qualities, attacked him and before he could prevent the rooster had gaffed him two or three times in the legs and before relief could be gotten the blood was flowing quite freely, and the doctor was summoned to dress his wounds.
|
|
The Woman’s Club held its regular fortnightly meeting Thursday, when Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Corse and Miss Corse were hostesses for the afternoon. The following program was given: Piano solo, Miss Smith; “Early Inventions, Mrs. R. L. Price; “Inventions of Last half of the Nineteenth Century,” Mrs. Culp; vocal solo, Mrs. Hansel; “Late Inventions, (1) Aeroplane (Mrs. Trego), (2) Wireless Telegraphy (Miss Morris), (3) Automobile (Miss Holbert); music, piano and mandolin, Misses Corse. The club will meet at the church on March 30 and Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Haisley will have charge of the program.
Dallas Morning
News, March 7, 1911 |
|
The
News has received a pamphlet
from Mr. John W. Hansel, containing the articles of association of the
First Church of Collegeport, in
This federated
The aim is to affiliate and be in good standing with all federating
bodies: desiring to give and receive letters upon a common basis, and
willing to support any existing missionary or benevolent movements of
these churches, or one which may be selected whose aim is the
advancement of truth and righteousness. The slogan of this church as to
ideals is "broad but high." Members are expected to live earnest
Christian lives, the emphasis being placed upon the discipleship of
Jesus Christ, rather than upon theological tenets and opinions. Many of the people of Collegeport, which is one of the flourishing towns of the midcoast country, settled by persons from all corners of the country, believe they have solved the problem of the struggling church of a small community by getting together into one big church that is broad enough to accommodate all shades of theology and flexible enough to impose no hardship upon any creed or conscience. The result of the association is understood to make it possible for the church to employ a capable minister and own a commodious, comfortable church building.
The spirit of progress in the
Reprinted in The Palacios Beacon, |
|
The Woman’s Club of Collegeport met Thursday afternoon of March 2 at the church. Mrs. T. M. Clark was chairman of the program committee and had arranged an excellent entertainment for the afternoon. The first number was given by the Ladies’ Quartette, then followed papers and talks on domestic science, the topic for the afternoon. Among those appearing on the program were Mesdames Pfeiffer, Turner, House, Corse, Knight, Hansel and Herbage. The question of federating with State and county federation was discussed, and the decisive action on the matter was postponed for the meeting on March 16. The club adjourned to meet two weeks later with Mrs. Corse.
Dallas Morning
News, March 20, 1911 |
|
Misses Roberta Capps and Loula Hill of Bay City were visitors to Collegeport this week.
N. M. Vogelsang of
A grand old country picnic is in contemplation for May 1st. The place
likely to be chosen is at Tidehaven on the upper Trespalacios river and
the crossing of the
The most notable social event of the week was the gathering at Mrs. B.
D. Hurd's of a few friends, in honor of her sister, Miss Marie Soekland,
of
Reprinted in the
|
|
The Bay City Tribune has the following to say about the recent movement of Galveston Chamber of Commerce and their attitude toward the cities and towns along the new water route:
Business men throughout Matagorda county are in receipt of letters from
H. H. Haines, secretary of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, advising
them that institution has its eye on
The Chamber of Commerce of Galveston will send Mr. Haines to various
places in the county and to Wharton. He will discuss at these [places]
the propositions of the coastwise service which it is stated
Few of our people realize the wonderful strategic importance possessed
by Collegeport in being situated along the route of the new Intercoastal
canal. When the farmers begin to ship more products and the increasing
population calls for added imports it will take a dreamer of extravagant
proportions to realize the advantages of our location.
Matagorda
|
|
It is growing quite popular with Palacios residents to take the boat
trip to Collegeport, dine at Hotel Collegeport, and take the Mr. John J. Raezer, a director of the National Rice Growers Association was here Friday and Saturday organizing our farmers for their best good in the sale of our product. At the meeting Saturday afternoon nearly all of the growers present endorsed the movement and joined the association. Another meeting is named for Friday night, May 12th, at Citrusgrove depot. It is hoped that all rice growers in this community will be present. It's the solution of the rice problem as to prices and values.
Reprinted in the |
|
Twenty-three car loads of cattle were unloaded at our station last
Saturday by Mr. James Sutherland of
Miss Mabel Benedict, of
Mr. E. N. Gustafson, of W. L. McCamly, of Bay City, was here on the 11th and took a drive over the country to the pumping plant and expressed the opinion that it was the biggest and most complete watering plant he had seen in the rice belt and congratulates this section on being so fortunate as to secure such a valuable asset to this country's ultimate success.
Mr. Harry Austin Clapp, secretary of the Midcoast Industrial Congress,
left Monday for
Reprinted in the
|
|
The many friends of Mrs. F. L. Miller united in giving her a surprise
party on Friday afternoon at her home. Lunch was served and a jolly time
was had. Mrs. Miller leaves on Tuesday for her old home in
Services at Saint Mary's
Miss Phillis Robinson was the honor guest at a surprise party given on
Friday afternoon at the Pavilion by seventeen of her young girl friends.
Delicious cake and candy were served and a souvenir spoon was given Miss
Phillis, who leaves on Tuesday for her home in
Matagorda County Tribune, May 26, 1911 |
|
Work in Interest of Midcoast Congress in In the afternoon several automobiles were engaged and a number of Angleton business men accompanied Mr. Clapp to Bastrop Bayou and other points near Angleton, that he might get a fairly good insight into the Angleton Drainage District and the crops. He express himself as being much pleased with Brazoria county and its people. He is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. F. Kiber.
|
|
Prominent Business Men of
A party of leading citizens of
They have been invited to come and look at the
As stated by the News
this party of influential and wealthy farmers are in the care of Burton
D. Hurd, of the Hurd Land Company, whose objective point, of course, is
Collegeport. However, Mr. Hurd is bringing these people to Matagorda
county and this means a great deal for The twenty-five men we are told represent about $8,000,000.
|
|
TWENTY WEALTHY AND INFLUENTIAL
Collegeport Objective Point
In
In
The objective point of this body of representative and substantial
business men is Collegeport, the beautiful town by the sea, which is the
metropolis of the Hurd Land Company.
It is very important for the citizenship of
Let us stick together!
|
|
The Collegeport Sunday school has sent invitations to all near-by Sunday schools to join them in a picnic at Dunbar on the Tres Palacios river next Wednesday, the 11th inst. Many of the schools have accepted the invitation. We are not advised as to what action the Palacios schools have taken, but understand this will be decided at the school Sunday. It is understood that some and probably all the Palacios schools will join in this picnic. Passage to the picnic grounds will be furnished by land vehicle and boat. There will be speeches and some interesting exercises, and a big basket dinner. Everybody is invited to attend and participate in the picnic.
Palacios Beacon,
June 9, 1911 |
|
A very unique and pretty wedding took place at the home of V. R. Haisley at sunrise on Wednesday morning, June 14, when Albert S. J. McDonald of Palacios, and Miss Velma Mills, of Collegeport, were united in marriage in the presence of immediate family and a few friends. The ceremony was performed on the front porch of the handsome Haisley residence, just as the sun emerged from the distant trees along the Colorado river, while the guests took their place upon the green, amid the flowers of the beautiful yard. After the ceremony the company repaired to the dining room where a sumptuous breakfast was served. The groom wore a grey sacque travelling suit, while the bride was prettily gowned in embroidered Brussels net, her travelling suit being embroidered linen. Besides the home folks, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Kaufman, Messrs. J. P. McDonald, and Ed Russell, and Misses Willie Gibson, Rose Russell and Jennie Harrison of Palacios, and Mrs. M. A. Travis of Collegeport, were the invited guests. The bridal party went by private launch to Port Lavaca where the happy couple took the train for Pueblo, Colorado, where they will make their home. Miss Mills was the first school teacher at Collegeport and last year taught the Citrusgrove school. She is much loved by all who knew her and will be much missed, especially in church circles where she has been very active.—Collegeport Chronicle.
Palacios Beacon, June 15, 1911 |
|
Col. Sol. Cleveland was in town Tuesday and returned to
Our readers are reminded that Dr. W. N. Jones of Rev. John Sloane held services in St. Mary's mission on Sunday evening and spent Monday looking after the interests of the mission and the new building which is rapidly being enclosed.
Judge F. H. Jones and family came from Rice is coming along in fine shape. A great deal of the crop planted under the Collegeport canal will have been watered by Saturday. The pumping plant has been operated all the week and the main canal has a good supply of water in it and plenty of water in the river. Most of the gates and boxes have been put in and everyone who is ready for water can be served next week.
Reprinted in the Matagorda County Tribune, June 16, 1911 |
|
Copyright 2011 -
Present by Bay City Newspapers, Inc., Palacios Beacon |
|
| Created May 15, 2011 |
Updated May 15, 2011 |