The Matagorda County Tribune (Bay City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 33, Ed. 1 Friday, October 16, 1925 Page: 1 of 4
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Matagorda County Area Newspaper Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Matagorda County Museum & Bay City Public Library.
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I
PRESENT.
VOLUME LXXX—
33.
BAY CITY, TEXAS, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1925.
FIVE CENTS THE COPY
DISCORD ON WHARTON BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
*
HIGH RIVER IS
Contract Ca ncelled
COMING DOWN
9
JOIN
I'
I
looked upon
a
of
and
a
birthday
were
I
each
7,
RAINS CAUSE
FLOODS ON LOWER
COLORADO RIVER
the
Com-
STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION
TURNS MATAGORDA CO. OVER
TO STATE FORCES.
©
Commissioners’
1925.
the
of
A. P.
D. A.
©
©
•
9
9
9
9
9
9
159
15
$2.64
28
©
©
©
©
------o—o------
FROM MARKHAM.
----o—o--
Getting Along.
SUU® PWEMFNI
IS NOW ASSUKt D
(Wharton Spectator)
There is discord on the board of commissioners of Wharton
County Conservation and Reclamation District No. 1, and it has
reached such proportions that two of the commissioners have
asked the removal of the other by the Commissioners’ Court of
Wharton County.
JAMES F. MARTIN HEADS LARG-1
EST CONSTRUCTION GROUP IN'
REPUBLIC; BAY CITY BOY ALSO
IN LINE-UP.
The Commissioners’ Court is mak-
ing an investigation into the mainte-
nance of Matagorda County roads and
has requested the contractors,
Fayette County Construction’
pany, to meet them and delegates
from various parts of the county on
Thursday, October 15.
A great deal of dissatisfaction is
being expressed throughout the coun-
ty with the present condition of the
roads and it is hoped to secure better
maintenance.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
BEING INVESTIGATED
REPORTED AT THIRTY FEET AND
RISING AT COLUMBUS.
The following is the report for the
Public Library for month of Septem-
ber, 1925:
Eooks issued .
New borrowers
Fines collected
Books donated
MRS. T. A. WILLIAMS,
' Librarian.
is
be
baked, for few homes have fires in
-------o—o------
Tribune Want Ads bring business.
TEXAN PROVES STRIKING
the
com-
A. p. Borden
. Duson, to retain J. P.
Markham as permanent engineer on
the job, while Mr. D. A. Dickson is
scalientes totaling
pesos. The Monterey
about half completed.
Tampico, Guadalajara
-----o—6— ---—
In many Italian villages bread
taken to the village bakery to
trahspx. , ~ ~
line work," r , ,
struction and all OiF.
petroleum industry. As^iSF
panies opened up territory
-----o—o—--
Mr. Carl Bachman has
from a business trip to Houston.
The discord is primarily over
determination of. two of the
■ missioners, Messrs. A. p.
. and W. W.
I ■ .
equally determined to let him out.
When the board held its last regu-
lar meeting Secretary Duson laid cer-
From Wednesday’s Daily.
The Colorado river is on a ramp-
age, the worst for the past three or
four years, or perhaps, since 1921.
A telegram received this morn-
ing at the Markham Irrigation Co.’s
office from the San Antonio
weather bureau office reported the
river at 29 feet at Columbus and
rising.
Later, the irrigation company
talked to the party in charge of the
station at Columbus and the report
COMMISSIONER DICKSON WANTS ENGINEER MARKHAM
REMOVED; COMMISSIONERS BORDEN AND
DUSON ASK FOR DICKSON’S REMOVAL.
work at hand;
Be it therefore resolved by the
court that the Messrs. A. P. Borden,
W. W. Duson and D. A. Dickson, and
factory to them, and that in the opin-
ion of the secretary, (Mr. Duson),
Mr. Markham was of far more value
to the district than Mr. Dickson, Mr.
Borden, or himself.
Mr. Dickson stated that there had
been some accounts approved by him
that he felt were neither authorized
by law or by the commission, but he
had passed them in the interest of
harmony, at the same time he had
served notice that others of like na-
ture would not be approved by him.
At that time he was invited to re-
sign.
Mr. Dickson was interrupted a time
or two by Mr. Duson, who at one time
stated that Mr. Dickson was a “racket
store man who could not deal with
big business matters,” whereupon
Mr. Lloyd Rust asked the court if
a layman might be heard, and upon
being advised in the affirmative, said
that he believed he voiced the opin-
Messrs. ion of most of those whose interests
were at stake, when he indorsed Mr.
Dicksons’ attitude and felt that he
Saturday was the most valuable man on the
case,
Tampico.—In 1912, Jimmie Martin
of Clarendon, Texas, arrived in Tam-
pico looking for work after having
driven a four-mule outfit from Texas.
Today he is president of Jas. F. Mar-
tin & Co., the Cia. Constructora Lat-
in-Americana, S. A. and the Cia. In-
generio Constructora “Martin,” S. A.,
with a total capitalization of 6,600,000
pesos, the largest construction group
in Mexico.
At the height of the boom in the
light oil district, he worked 3000
mules inland transportation, a large
number of automobile trucks and
caterpillai’ tractors and a fleet of
‘”<rs and barges from Tampico. From
,. V-ion he branched into pipe-
line work, J . .
__„„ an(l terminal con-
;johases of the'1926.
^com-jage
constructed 500 kilometers of roads
from Tampico to Tuxpam.
When salt water invaded the light
oil fields in 1922 an era of road
building hit a number of cities in the
republic ,and Martin became the suc-
cessful bidder for much of this work.
His first big contract in Tampico was
followed by paving contracts at Mon-
terey, Guadalajara, Parral and Agua-
about 17,800,000
contract is
In Monterey,
and Parral,
Jas. F. Martin & Co. have asphalt
A telegram of vital interest to all
the people of Matagorda County was
received by County Judge W. E. Mc-
Nabb yesterday.
It reads:
“Fayette Construction Company
contract for maintenance, Matagor-
da County, cancelled, effective No-
vember 1. Maintenance in future
to be done with state forces. High-
way Commission also authorized re-
surfacing 21 miles highways in
your county.”
Some months ago the State High-
way Commission contracted the
maintenance of the state highways in
this county to a road contracting com-
pany. Soon after the company took
uiicea it became evident to all that
the proper care ,iras not being given
the roads and the people became
very much dissatisfied.
The company was, apparently, not
up on road building in a flat country
and, just as apparently, not familiar
with shell roads or the up-keep of
them.
The commissioners of the county
and many of the citizens began an
investigation. Judge McNabb took
the matter up with the proper au-
thorities and proved to the satisfac-
tion of the State Highway Commis-
sion that our highways were being
sorely neglected and sorely treated.
The commissiion took hold of the mat-
ter with the above result.
Our county highways are now back
in the hands of competent and capable
men. We can expect, therefore, a
speedy improvement, especially so
since the commission has ordered the
resurfacing of 21 miles or the equiv-
alent of an expenditure of about
$61,000 immediately.
Judge McNabb deserves credit .in
handling this delicate matter in such
, „„ , OI
.a way as to effect a n—
i.o draw7 at the same
the cont’’".
uine a promise of immediate relief,
all without the slightest friction.
The commissioners deserve credit
for so carefully making their investi-
returned (gation and in building up their case
so splendidly.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CITIZENS AND CITY
COUNCIL.
SUCCESS IN OLD MEXICO
plants, while at Monterey Mr. Martin
is constructing 40 residences at an
average cost of 30,000 pesos each.
His company was successful bid-
der for the 11 kilometers of most dif-
ficult right of way on the Southern
Pacific Railroad connection from
Tepic to Guadalajara. Work on this ‘
contract, which was started in 1923
and will probably be completed prior
to July 1, 1926, calls for construction
of 12 tunnels from 56 meters to 1000
meters in length; a-considerable num-
ber of bridges and innumerable side-
hill cuts and fills with practically
not a single foot of natural going.
Jas. F. Martin & Co. has construct-
ed 800 kilometers of oil field roads
jin the Tampico district and is build-
png an average of 125 kilometers a
year. For the past year it has built
one and one-eighth kilometers of oil
flowlines per day and will maintain
this rate at least until January 1,
The company builds an aver-
of six 55,000-barrel steel oil
storage tanks a month;
Ife of 3000 tons
monthly
7000 tons by1!^.-^ *’
As the original coh.x_
under Mexican
amount of work
San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 14.
The Colorado River will flood
lowlands at Columbus and be-
low, according to warnings
sent that section tonight by J.
H. Janboe, meteorologist in
charge of the United States
weather bureau here. Heavy
rains were reported along the
river from Austin almost to
the coast.
Points below Austin report-
ed the river rose rapidly yes-
terday. On top of a 10-inch
rain at Austin, La Grange re-
ported b.oo inches within the
past 24 hours and SmuHviii,,
three inches.
C. L. Smith of Ashwood wTho is
member of the Van Vleck Boys’ Agri-
cultural Club, and Mathew Ottis
Wadsworth, a member of the Wads-
worth Boys’ Agricultural Club, left
Monday for the three-days’ encamp-
ment at the State Fair for agricultu- their guest, Mrs. E. E. King of Beau-
ral club members.
These boys won the trips with all
expenses paid on their club work.
The encampment is under the super-
vision of the Extension Service, A.
and M. College, and the State Fair
Association.
mont, were visitors in Bay City Tues-
day. ; I?
Mrs. M. E. Isham and daughter,
Mrs. Wilkinson King, of Beadle, and
©©©©©©©©©•©*V9«^
©
©
©
«•••••©•©••••©••
p.
Yesterday saw the final touches
put to the proposition of paving the
square, when representatives of the
City Council and citizens met with
the county commissioners and secur-
ed from them an agreement to join
in on the proposition to give the
public square a first class pavement,
the work to begin just as soon as it
i is possible to complete all details
, and make contracts with some relia-
i ble firm or firms. At Thursday
When the board held its last
lar meeting Secretary Duson laid
tain bills before the body with the
request that they be paid. Mr. Dick-
son asserted that he wanted time to
look them over before he would O.K.
them, giving as his reason that it
was his opinion that some of the ex-
pense accounts presented by the en-
gineer were not authorized either by
law or under the contract that Mr.
Markham had with the board, and
until he was convinced that they
were, he would withhold his ap-
proval. It was suggested by the other
members that he resign, and Mr.
Dickson declining to do so,
Duson and Borden appealed to the
commissioners’ court to remove him.
The commissioners met
to have a hearing in the case, and
. after the purpose of the meeting was
stated by Judge Norris as being one
in which it was hoped to iron out dif-
a pre-
Mr.
El
favor each little guest re-
ceived a tiny little basket filled with
candies.
James Barker received many nice
gifts from his little guests who were:
Mary McDonald, Helga Johnson,
Wenona Wynn, Batty Reba Wynn,
Mary Alzada Johnson, Lavern Smith,
°"me Smith, Willie Mae McGinnis,
Virgie «’^T1gOn, Baby Wendt, Hoyt
Johnson, Simm* ATcDonald, Guy Wynn
Jr., Horace Whiddon, „.lly and Jack
Wendt, Lloyd Yeamans, ^yvar(]
Wendt, Conga Hale, Koy McGiniu_
Pat McGinnis, Bertlow iBinderwalder,
Clyde Crenshaw, Junior Segrest.
, LIBRARY REPORT.
Mrs. Newrich; “I want to buy a
piece of music for my little girl who
is learning to play the piano.”
Clerk: “Yes, madam. Here is ‘Twi-
light for twenty-five cents. How
would that suit?”
“Oh, she’s farther along than that.
Why, last week she played a piece
that cost fifty cents. Haven’t
got something for a dollar?
met, jrantiier.
board. “Why not get some other en-
gineer? Surely Mr. Markham is not
the only one in Texas,” he asked.
“There are many other engineers,”
replied Mr. Duson, “but we are per-
fectly satisfied with Mr. Markham.”
Several sarcastic references were
made to Mr. Dickson’s business abil-
ity when it came to handling a big
thing, to which he paid no attention.
He assured the court and the other
commissioners that he wished to get
along harmoniously with them and
that he felt sure that if Markham
was let out there would be no fur-
ther cause for discord. That he had
no intention of resigning and that he
would always accord the other com-
missioners the courtesy due one gen-
tleman from another; hut he felt that
he, too, was due some consideration.
Thus far he had only been insulted
by Mr. Markham at such times as
they had met, and in the interest of
harmony he asked that some other
engineer be employed. “Even if
Markham is retained, I shall exert
every effort to act with the other
gentlemen of the district for the
good of the district, but I shall cer-
tainly see that all accounts allowed
are in strict compliance with the law’
and the orders of the commission be-
fore I approve them for payraent,”
he concluded.
The court took the case under ad-
visement and was to determine what
recommendations it would • submit
Wednesday.
As a result of the deliberations of
the court in the matter, Wednesday
afternoon the following resolution
was adopted and ordered spread on
the minutes of the commissioners’
court:
Whereas, on the 7th day of Octo-
ber, A. D. 1925, the Commissioners’
Court of Wharton County, being in
special session, and all members of
the court being present, and it being
brought to the attention or tne court
that there now prevails some dissen-
sion among the commissioners of
Wharton County Conservation and
Reclamation District Number One,
Whereas, the court having care-
fully considered the matter, and be-
ing of the opinion that said commis-
sions ,A. P. Borden, W. W. Duson
and D. A. Dickson, have upon them
the responsibility of co-ordinate ef-
fort toward assisting in the removal
of the raft from the Colorado River,
and,
Whereas, it appearing to the court
that said commissioners, each of
them, have the confidence of a ma-
jority of the citizens of Wharton
County, in the responsible work for
which they have patriotically volun-
teered their valuable assistance, and
should act in harmony with the
in the expedition of the work at hand,
and that they harmoniously work to
solve the problems confronting our
county, in the most importtant recla-
mation project in the county’s his-
tory, to the end that the raft in the
Colorado River, which is now a men-
ace to the citizens of this county,
may be removed With the consequent
benefit to the county and honor to
those commisesioners, and
it further resolved that this
court rec^mends to commission-
ers of Wharton County Conservation
and Reclamation Disuw j^0 ■£
they carefully examine, beiu.^ ap_
proving, all claims presented in con-
nection with the contract of employ-
ment with J. P. Markham, civil engi-
neer for said district, to the end that
no claims be paid to said J. r. Mark-
ham, except those that may be due
for service rendered and for actual
expenses incurred in connection with
the performance of engineering work
of said district, in strict compliance
with the contract entered into by and
between the Wharton County Con-
servation and Reclamation District
No. 1 and the said J. P. Markham on
June 24th, 1925, and,
Be it further resolved that
clerk of this court send a copy
these resolutions to Messrs.
Borden, W. W. Duson and
Dicksori, commissioners of Wharton
County Conservation and Reclamation
District No. 1.
Examined and approved in open
Court, October
JOHN NORRIS,
County Judge.
river had reached 30 feet at Colum-
bus and was continuing to rise.
This report also stated that the
heavy rain which had fallen on the
river shed in the Austin section had
not reached Columbus. The papers
reported the Austin rains to have
been nine inches. Tremendous
rains also fell at Elgin, Bastrop,
Smithville and LaGrange, it is re-
ported.
This rise, however, need not be
with alarm, for no • equally the cost,
rains of any consequence fell above
Austin, and the river is low here.
In other words, without additional
rains, and especially on the head-
waters, the levees will hold all of
the present rise and more.
-------o—o------
CLUB BOYS ATTENDING
STATE FAIR AT DALLAS
ferences existing, he invited
sentation of these differences.
Duson, the commissioner from
Campo, rose and stated that Mr. Dick-
son had declined to honor accounts
presented; that he had been asked
why, and had said that he wanted
time to see that they were author-
ized; he had been asked if he would
be ready to pass on them the next
day, and he did not know; if he would
he ready to pass on them next week,
and he did not know. He further said
that Mr. Dickson had had time to as-
certain the justness of the accounts
but seemed determined not to act,
and to put the other commissioners
to the trouble of returning to Whar-
ton time after time to accomplish
nothing, therefore, he joined by Mr.
Borden, asked the court to remove
Mr. Dickson from the board and ap-
point someone in his stead with
whom they could act in harmony.
Mr. Borden was asked if he wished
to say anything, and replied that Mr.
Duson had stated the case.
Mr. Dickson was then invited to
state his side of the case. He began
with his appointment, which was
made at the request of a number of
the most prominent property owners
and citizens of Wharton, and without
solicitation on his part. He had
never taken a very active part in any
public work and was reluctant at first
to act, but having been prevailed
upon to accept the appointment, de-
termined to do the best he could, and
in order that he might render serv-
ice worth while, immediately started
in to familiarize himself with what
had already been done and to see
that progress was made. In pursu-
ance of this policy he made a trip
to the camp then maintained on the
river by Mr. Markham to go over the
plans with him, but failed to see him.
He inquired for the boss of the gang
of workmen, but failed to find any
in charge; he asked for the time-
keeper, but got no information that
was definite. He made other trips
and finally found Mr. Markham,
whose attitude towards him was any-
thing but cordial, and who appeared
to resent his presence and assumed
attitude toward him that was an-
^tagonistic, as though whatever was
being done was none of his business.
He observed that the laborers were
walking a distance of over two miles
to work morning and noon, and that
there was a general lack of system.
He took this matter up with the oth-
er commissioners and was assured by
them that Mr. Markham’s work and
his methods were absolutely satis-
55,000-barrel steel
handles an
of material
river transportation and
1 . ’ transportation.
7"x"nv could not,
law, the
being contra^. 4
two other companies were organized.
Martin is president of all three, with
Thomas Williams first vice presi-
dent, German jBertran secretary and
Sherman D. Baker treasurer. Gen-
eral offices are in TAmpico, with
branches at Monterey, Mexico City,
Torreon, La Quemada, Parral and
Aguascalientes. ■
JHntngnrda (Coillltn Cl ibimc
O COUNTY, OUR VvHOLE COUNTY, AND EVERY SECTION OF OUR COUNTY TO Ottt?
U1- UUK v-UUJNIY. TO OuK IN ITg past AND OUR HOPE FOR ITS FUTURE, ADD VIGOROUS
----- — _____________________ -'‘'THERE IS NOTHING TOO GOOD FOR OUR FRIENDS”
A Birthday Party.
Master James Parker Medford, son
of Mr. and Mrs. Parker Medford, en-
tertained Tuesday afternoon at his
home in Markham, with a deli^h+f”1
yicvx.t;.-, ixx anon . of his sixth
birthday anniversary.
. After all little guests had arrived
a shooting and fishing game, and
pinning on the donkey’s tail were
played in the house. James Parker
led the guests out on the lawn where
a number of outdoor games were
enjoyed.
The little folks marched into the
each of them, be urged to co-operate ‘dining room where delicious refresh-
ments of ice cream and cake were
served, on a beautifully decorated
table. Pink and white were color
schemes carried out.
A large pink and white
cake was placed in center of table.
After candles were blown out the
cake was cut.
As a
WORK IN
THE LIVING
------o—o---
Some Berlin traffic cops now wear
red circles on white wristbands to
aid them in making their signals
visible.
eJfeCt the jnishhe meeting of the City Council
' all of this will be arranged for and
advertising for bids will begin.
Thus brings to an end the fond
dream of every business man on the
square and of the citizens in gen-
eral. It has been a question for
months and years and those who are
responsible for bringing it all to such
a successful close deserve much
j credit.
The proposition is for the city, the
county and the citizens to share
It is estimated that
this cost will be from $25,000 for one
class to $40,000 or $50,000 for other
classes of pavement. The kind to be
selected will, of course, be after the
bids will have been rece’ve l and the
kind of Avork proposed properly in-
testigmed.
But, the news that the square is
actually going to be paved will be
received most joyfully by every citi-
zen of Bay City.
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Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Smith, Carey. The Matagorda County Tribune (Bay City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 33, Ed. 1 Friday, October 16, 1925, newspaper, October 16, 1925; Bay City, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1304283/m1/1/?q=%22%22~1: accessed August 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Matagorda County Museum & Bay City Public Library.