The Mathis News (Mathis, Tex.), Vol. 39, No. 31, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 20, 1961 Page: 2 of 8
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Page 2 — NEWS — Mathis, Texas, Thurs. Morning, July 20, 1961
Tales Of Female Ghost
Last week Dr. Scott McNeill
of Beeville was visiting here.
When he heard we were print-
ing ghost stories of the area he
volunteered one to his nephew,
Bill McNeill, Jr., who reported
it to the newspaper.
The following is the story just
as Dr. McNeill wrote it by long
hand on a piece of stationery
"In 1908 my brother became
quite ill. A cowboy was dispatch-
ed to Mathis to procure the serv-
ices of Dr. Harris. Upon his ar-
rival in Mathis he found that
Dr. Harris was in Lagarto. The
covyboy rode to Lagarto and told
Dr. Harris to come by the ranch.
"At about 4:00 a.m. the doctor
arrived. He was pale, cold,
sweaty and obviously disturbed.
He ran into the house and said,
‘Pate, I just saw a ghost!’
V ‘As I came through Pernitas
Creek a woman sprang from the
bed of the creek. She was attired
in a long flowing white robe and
she was dragging chains. She
screamed, ran across the hill
scaring my team. I encouraged
the team in their fright and fin-
ally out ran the ghost. I’m here
Pate, but I don’t know how.” ’
This stoijy of a female ghost
which was obviously haunting
this area brings to mind another
female ghost. If this ghost did
not actually exist in the phantom
form she was most definitely at
one time a real flesh and blood
woman. This is the story of Che-
pita Ijtodriguez.
Since my Doynood days I have
heard that the ghost of Chepita
Rodriguez haunts the people cf
San, Patricio because they hang-
ed her. Whether her ghost has
ever really been seen or not I
cannot prove, but nonetheless
her story is true and interesting.
Cfyapita was the daughter of
a Mexican citizen who had fled
the ruthless distatorship of Santa
Anna to join the rebel force of
Texas. During the fighting her
father was killed and Chepita
was left in the new land alone.
She ; took up with a Texas cow-
boy and was soon the mother of
a half-breed son, which was tak-
en from her as soon as possible
by thb father.
Lonely and broken hearted she
moved into a small shack in the
northern part of San Patricio
county. The frontier was boom-
ing apd many travelers passing
through found themselves in the
middle of the forest at night,
and this humble cabin was a
welcome sight. A number of
gamblers and cowboys who ha-
bitually came this way made it
a habit of staying the night at
Chepifa’s. For a small sum, Che-
pita fed the visitors and carried
their ! water, but" her life was
without happiness.
One day John Savage, a local
■ cattle rustler, rode up to C’ne-
pita’s carrying 500 pieces of gold
in his saddle bags. While she
was fixing supper for her visitor
another horse-man approached-
Chepita looked out the door and
jumped back in amazement
finishing the supper (she did pot
mention to the visitor who seh
was) she walked out behind her
cabin and sat down on a live
oak reminiscing. A scream
woke her from her sad dreams
and she ran into the house. No
one was there. She heard a horse
gallop off and looked outside.
There lay the bloody body of
John Savage slaughtered with
an axe and his saddle bags stol-
en.
Chepita was brought to San
Patricio and chained to the wall
Ten Short
Years Ago
inside of the new courthouse.
There she stayed until the day
of her trial. Many of the women
and children came to visit her,
and some brought food and to-
bacco. The trial came and Che-
pita said only one thing, ‘‘I am
not guilty!” She never mention-
ed the second visitor.
Only one person ever heard
the story of the murder, and
that was Mrs. Kate McCumber,
but she was sworn to secrecy
until after the hanging. They
hanged Chepita from a mesquite
FROM THE
FILES OF
■HE MATHIS NEWS
But; it looks just..
must be,.............
her son.”
..it was.
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NEW
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MATHIS BUILDER'S
SUPPLY
P A I N T S
DOWN MEMORY LANE
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
(July 19, 1946.)
Mathis and surrounding terri-
tory is now beginning to harvest
its fourth crop. Last January an
February, the farmers of this
territory harvested a good spin-
ach and mixed vegetable crop;
then in April and May a great
onion crop was. harvested; a
bumper coop of Martins Combin
is being completed and now the
cotton crop is coming With a
great start.
Miss Dorothy Renfro, a teach-
er in Mathis Public Schools,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.E.
Renfro of Mathis, and Glenn
Haley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim
Haley, were married Monday at
Lhe Baptist parsonage in Sinton
with the Rev. Herff, pastor of
the church officiating.
Miss Annie Murphy, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Murphy of
Rockport, and Ed Heider of
Mathis, son of Mrs. Mary Heid-
er of Campbellton, were mar-
ried Sunday morning at eight
o’clock at the First Methodist
Church in Mathis with the Rev.
O.W. Nail, pastor of the church,
officiating.
Mrs. Jack Robertson, who re-
cently came to Mathis from Aus-
tralia to join her husband, was
named honor guest at an after-
noon tea and miscellaneous
shower Friday at the home of
Mrs. Wade Batson. Hostesses
were members of the Fidelity
Sunday School Class of the Meth-
odist Church.
Jane Cacldell celebrated her
seventh birthday anniversary
Wednesday at a party given by
her mother, Mrs. Chas. Caddell
at their home, in West Sinton.
Mrs. Johnny Crouch entertain-
ed Wednesday morning at a
coffee complimenting Mrs. Chas.
Brown on her birthday anniver-
sary.
Greetings have been received
in Mathis from Ann Matthews,
who with her father, Jim Matth-
ews, and Mr. and Mrs- T.H. Ra-
mey, is on a trip through the
west. They had visited Mr. Ca-
pulin at Raton, N-M., Pikes
PLEAK AND FROM Caspar, Wy
ing were headed for Yellowstone
National Park.
TEN YEARS AGO
(July 20, 1951)
Norman Morris Binkley is at
home with his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. J.W. Binkley, on a thirty
day leave after spending eleven
months overseas with the navy
in the Korean war zone. He
took part in the landing on Inch-
on in September and the landing
at Wonsan in late November, in
the evacuation of Chinnompo an
in the January evacuation of
Inchon. At the close of his leave
he will report to San Diego.
Grain was still coming into
Mathis at a ‘‘very good rate”
Thursday, as a total of 130 cars
had been received at the Mathis
Grain and Elevator Company. A
total of 20,000,000 pounds of new
crop grain is expected to be re-
ceived at the local elevators this
season, it was reported Wednes-
day.
Mr. and Mrs. H.W. McNeill of
Tynan observed their silver
wedding anniversary with a re-
ception on the lawn of their
home Saturday.
Two Mathis ladies were award
ed credit certificates by an ap-
pliance store in Beeville this
week. They are Mrs. Fannie
Weber, principal of the Mathis
Elementary School and Mrs. Vir-
gil Marler. Each received $40.00
credit certificates as awards for
being among the winners of the
contest the Beeville store ran.
Thus far this month Friday,
‘‘the 13th,” has been the only
really lucky day Mathis had had
On that day, last week, it rained
— not a whole lot, but it did
rain. Most of the old-timers
stood around explaining to some
tree over-looking the Nueces-
She was hanged without a blind
fold, dumped into a wooden
crate and buried in a shallow
grave. They said she killed Sav-
age for the gold, but it was later
found still in the saddle bags.
For a long time Chepita
weighed heavily on the minds
of the San Patricio citizens and
sometimes it was rumored that
the ghost of Chepita could be
heai’d crying along the river
bank.
of us new comers how they re-
membered when it rained last.
Mrs. Chas. Foote and Miss
Sally Carr are spending the
month at Ruidosa, New Mexico,
at Mr. and Mrs. Dave Carr’s
summer home there.
Billy Steelhammer left for
Mountain Home, Idaho, Tuesday
after a ten day leave spent in
Mathis with his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. T.R. Steelhammer. He is
being transferred from Camp
Scott, Illinois.
Coastal Bend T.B.
Directors To Meet
Tonight In Robstown
The Coastal Bend Tuberculo-
sis Association will hold a
regular quarterly di-
rectors meeting tonight at
Crain’s Cafe in Robstown.
A program on the Christmas
Seal Campaign will be presented
to the directors. The group will
also discuss a proposal to en-
large the number of directors
from 45 60-
Dr. Dan R. Baen and Mrs.
John Fusselman of Mathis are
presently serving as directors of
the association.
Corporation Court
Francisco M. Garcia, failure
to stop for stop sign-. $10.
James H. Martin, Woodsboro,
ran stop sign. $10.
Margarito Gutierrez, Jr., no
drivers license. $20.
Gilbert F. Garcia, speeding.
Pending.
Gilbert C. Chanez, ran-stop
sign. Pending.
Francisco R. Caranza, drunk
in public; second offense. $40.
Thomas C. NcNinch, no driv-
ers license. Pending.
Rito Salas, petty theft. $10,
suspended thirty days.
Ramon M. Benavidas,'■speed-
ing. $15. »
Adolfo O. Leja, drinking under
age, second offense. $20.
Espirio S. Moreno, Jr., drink-
ing under age, second offense.
$20.
Octuviano Flores, no drivers
license. $20.
Felix Rodirquiz, no drivers
license, third offense. $60.
Gloria Pena, no drivers
license, $20. . ^
Porfinio “Tony” .Vallejo,
simple assault. $20. suspended
thirty days.
Feed Costs
Half In
Egg Raising
College Station — Feed costs
represent between one-half and
two-thirds of the total cost of
producing a dozen eggs. This
makes it just plain good business
to try to get the best feed con-
version possible from the laying
flock, points out Ben Wormeli,
extension poultry husbandman.
A good feed conversion is the re-
sult of a combination of a bird
with the breeding to do the job,
a feed with the nutrients to do
the job, and a poultryman with
the persistence and know-how to
do his job.
A study of the results of the
entries in the Texas Random
Sample Performance Egg Pro
duction Test for the last year
provides some examples that
point out the influence of these
factors on efficient feed conver-
sion. Body size of the laying hen
is important because the first
feed eaten goes for maintenance.
It is. obvious that it takes more
feed to maintain a 5 lb. hen than
it does a 4 lb. one, but the influ-
ence is not often considered,
says Wormeli. In the Random
Sample Test, the average weight
of one 48-bird flock at 500 days of
age was 5.03 lbs. This flock pro-
duced a dozen eggs on 4.9 lbs.
of feed. Another entry, averag-
ing 4.57 lbs,, laid at the same
rate, but only used 4.4 lbs. of
feed.
Two other requirements of the
good layer are a high rate of lay
and high livability. One entry of
48 hens laid 10,560 eggs to 500
days of age, but another, entry
produced only 7,498 eggs during
the same period. The second
flock u$ed 4.9 pounds of feed to
produce)a dozen eggs while the
first , only 4.2 pounds. The pro-
ducer must also remember that
sick birds produce, at a lower
rate: then healthy birds.
It is the poultryman’s respons-
ibility to provide the feed and
environment that- will ‘allow the
bird to perform at the highest
level of which it is capable, con-
tinues. Wormeli. One factor with-
in the poultrymarfls control that
needs continuous attention is the
reduction of feed wastage. It
takes very little waste to amodnt
to 10 percent, and this can "mean
3 or 4 cents additional food costs
per dozen eggs.
Wormeli says the poultryman
who uses a good breed of layers
New Farm Interphone
Introduced In July
Farm Interphone, a complete
communications system design-
ed to save steps, time and mon-
ey for busy ‘farm and ranch
families, will be introduced in
the Mathis area on July 1.
Ed Leech, Manager for •South-
western Bell Telephone Com-
pany here, said Farm Inter-
phone combines the features-of
complete telephone service with
an intercommunications hook-up
to link the home, farm buildings
and farm yard in one, easy-to-
use communications system.
The basic system includes a
master phone in the house, an
extension phone in the barn or
other farm building and a 2-way,
long-range loudspeaker in the
farm yard. It can be expanded
by including more extension
phones or outdoor loudspeakers
Each telephone has a control
button to change from regular
phone service to intercom call-
Social Security
Work Time Is
Decreased Again
The amount of work which a
person needs to qualify for soc-
ial security payments for him-
self or his family has been re-
duced under the new law. H.
M. Cleveland, Manager of the
Social Security Administration
for this district says.
Some people who were not
able to get any retirement on
family insurance because they
had not been enough work, can
now become eligible for pay-
ments. Applicants whose claims
were previously dented should
inquire again if the worker has
at least six quarters of coverage.
Anyone who reached age 65
or died before 1958 now needs
only a year and a half of social
security work to be fully insur-
ed according to Cleveland. A
ing.
Phones are equipped with
special loudspeaker-microphone
units that, enable the user to
talk on the intercom system
without stopping work, Leech
saidr ......
Regular phone calls can be
held on the line while the inter-
com is used to talk with some-
one at another location on the
farm.
“Conference calls” also ‘can
be made with two or more per-
sons at various farm . locations
taking part in a phone call with
an outside party. Or the system
may be used for intercom “con-
ference calls” between farm lo-
cations.
Intercom calls can be broad
cast over all Interphone units
on the farm or can be restricted
to a private conversation if both
parties use their telephone re-
ceivers.
“The broadcast feature is es-
pecially useful in talking to farm
hands working in several loca-
tions, calling the family togeth-
er, or in reaching a person when
and practices correct poultry
husbandry can reasonably ex-
pect. to realize greater profits,
from his operation.
Renew Your
Subscription
THE MATHIS
Published Every Thursday
i By The Guthrie Publishing Co.
Published
SUBSCRIPTION RATE
Tucker Sutherland _
NEWS
Mathis. Texas
_ 53.00 Per Year
MANAqiNG Editor
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: ANY ERRONEOUS REFLECTION UPON THE CHARAC-
TER, STANDING. OR REPUTATION OF ANY PERSON. FIRM. OR CORPORATION.
WHICH MAY APPEAR IN THE MATHIS: NEWS, WILL GLADLY BE CORRECTED IF |T
*S BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLISHERS.
Entered as second class matter, Jan. 21. 194s, at the Post Office at
Mathis, san f>ATR|C)o county. Texas, under the Act of congress on
March 3.1879.
you’re - not sure where' he is,’*
Leech said.
Used as a monitor, Farm In-
terphone brings sounds from
other buildings and from outF 1 ■
into the home on the master
phone loudspeaker omit. Vol-
ume of. the monitor sound is
regulated by a control on the
master telephone.
“This enables the wife at work
in the kitchen to keep trank of
children playing outside or lets
the. farmer listen for sounds of
a sick animahin the barn while
he is in the house,” Leech con-
tinued. “The monitor also serves
as protection against theft and
predatory animals by picking
up noises from the farm building
area.”
Farm Interphone’s special
ringing system transmits a tone
signal over all Interphone units
on the farm when the phone
rings so calls will not be missed
because no one is in the house.
The phone will ring even if the
system is set for intercom use
at the time.
Farm Interphone was devel-
oped by Bell Telephone Labora-
tories engineers and scientists.
Ahother Beib Labs invention —
the transistor — helped make
the new communications system
possible. The master control
unit of Farm Interphone uses
transistorized amplifiers. .
Public Records
COURT PROCEEDINGS
COUNTY COURT
W.E. NICHOLAS, JUDGE
NEW FILINGS:
State vs Benny Ray Landrum.
Child desertion.
State vs James H. Miller. Ob-
taining money by worthless
check.
Eugene Lindsey vs G.W. Bart-
lett d-b-a G.W. Bartlett Truck-
ing Co. Suit for damages.
COUNTY COURT
W.E. NICHOLAS, JUDGE
DOCKET:
M.F. Fikes vs John W. Olliff.
Suit for damages. Dismissed as
per decree.
Claude E. Hughes d-b-a
Hughes Caliche Pit vs Raul
Franco. Suit on note. Plaintiff
granted judgment by default
against defendant f£r; $287.50;
interest, atlorney fees and costs
as per decree.
156th DISTRICT COURT
JOE WADE, JUDGE
NEW FILINGS:
Lester Charles Kirinett vs Ar-
gonaut Insurance Co.\ Suit to
set aiide award of Industrial Ac-
cident Board.
Elizabeth Helmer Holley vs
Cyrus Howell Holley. Divorce.
First State Bank of Aransas
Pass vs Mary Cox, et al. Suit
on note.
In Re: Charles ^runner Smith,
a minor. Petition to remove’dis-
abilities. >
36th DISTRICT COURT . F.
JOHN' H. MILLER, JUDGE
NEW FILINGS: . ^
Mrs. J.B. Mitchbll, Indivi<|iial-
ly and as next friend for Jahnes
E. Mitchell, Michael L. Mitchell
and Robert W. Mitchell, minors
vs L. & M. Co. d-b-a as Robert
E. Lee Hotel. Suit for damages.
In Re: Socorro G. Perez, Jr.,
a minor. Petition for adoption.
Marcelina Mendez Lopez vs
Antonio Lopez. Divorce- *
36 th DISTRICT COURT
JOHN H. MILLER, JUDGE
CRIMINAL DOCKET:
' .State vs Raul ‘ Montelpngo.
Rape of a female under 18 years
of age. Capitol provision of., in-
dictment dismissed * on State’s
motion. Defendant waived ■ trial
by jury. Defendant pleaded guil-
ty. Admonished. Persisted: in
pleading guilty. Plea accepted.
Evidence heard. Defemjant
found guilty. Punishment ai?ijess-
ed at live years in Statej'^eni-
tentiary. Sentence suspijh’ded
during good behavior. Dq||nd-
ant released on recognizance
in amount of $1,000. Defendant
given permission to go to Cali-
fornia.
Mathis Coop Locker Plant
c
Freezer Specials
FOREQUARTER MEAT
5 lbs. Hamburger Meat \
25 lbs. i
5 lbs. Chuck Roast I
For
5 lbs. Seven Steak > ^
^ oc
5 lbs. Beef Ribs \
5 lbs. Beef Chops /
HINDQUARTERMEAT
10 lbs. Hamburger \
25 lbs.
5 lbs. Round Steak /
For
5 lbs. Loin Steak / jj
>1 JL75
5 lbs. Veal Cutlets J
1 o
;i ... ■ ... v
50 LB. FREEZER SPECIAL
i
10 lbs. Hamburger \
For |
10 lbs. Chuck Roast /
10 lbs. Round Steak \ ^
i
10 lbs. Beef Ribs l
>7050
10 lbs. Cutlets J
ROUND STEAKS - lb, 79c
Fresh Calf
Cured Hickory Smoked
LIVERS
PORK CHOPS - lb. 59c
BEEF RIBS-lb. 39c
39t
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hunting along tha Rio Grande. Splash In the aalty water* of th# Gulf of Mexico, or walk beneath
•nose-laden oaks where pirates once had their treasure troves. This summer, visit tha Gulf South*
the charming vacetlonland and dynamic Industrial empire oervad by United Gaa In ?•**»
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United Gas Ads
Introduce Vacationers
and Industries
to t(ie Gulf South
Another in the series of United Gas advertisements featuring attractions
for tourists and pointing up advantages for industries is currently appealing
in three national magazines. It is scheduled in the July 10 issue of U.S.
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Sutherland, Tucker. The Mathis News (Mathis, Tex.), Vol. 39, No. 31, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 20, 1961, newspaper, July 20, 1961; Mathis, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1039597/m1/2/?q=%221961-07%22&rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Mathis Public Library.