La Grange Journal (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 60, No. 9, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 2, 1939 Page: 1 of 8
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day fi-
be
directory for the year.
—G-------------------
Honor Guest
The Journal is requested to state
that a local committee will explain
the operation of the 1939 cotton pro-
gram at a meeting to be held at each
of the following places:
Thursday, March 2, Ross Prairie
school, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 3, at Plum public
school, 7:30 p.m.
La Grange, courthouse, Saturday,
March 4, at 1:30 p.m.
All Texas Headed
For Old Washington
Thursday, March 2nd
Foot Ball District
Designated—LaGrange
Member Diet. 3 I -A
Governor O'Daniel To Dedicate
Monument, Thursday, March 2d
There’s always a comeback; reference to the weather that
prevails at this time in this section, and which reference was
made two weeks ago, has caused some of the Filling Station
bunch to tax their memories. “Seems to me that there has been
a switch somewhere,” said one, as he drew from his pocket a
quill toothpick and teased his stomach. “Way back when I was
a kid, February was the coldest month in the year, always. Why,
I can remember back in 1898 when- the river surface was frozen,
and one of our citizens, a Mr. Van Nostrand, walked from bank
to bank on the ice.”
Well, what of it? The Rambler can recall that there were
better days in business, when “patronize home industry” was a
slogan worthy of the name, and printing was done at living
prices. Rat bidders were unknown and their influence on print-
ing was a foreign misnomer. The weather is like the chamelon,
put it on the spot and it assumes the same coloring. Spring
was trying to force an entrance and came near to succeeding;
but the robins that had migrated to this section had become so
numerous the vanity of old man Winter was offended.
Yes, February formerly was a harsh month, but we did not
give it any more than passing attention; youth and the age that
identifies you with the old-timers, have different notions; what
seemed to be brisk weather when you were less than *30, now
seems like a cold blast from the regions of Greenland. Doesn’t
matter at all, Spring is lurking and will make a rush within a
short time. Robins are here by the thousands, and their presence
is welcomed. The Rambler’s two pear trees, covered with blos-
soms has caused some of the automobile passengers to draw
rein and admire.
Printed in this issue of the Journal is the Annual Report:
of the County Auditor. It may be surprising to some of the Jour-
Put out your flags this Thursday (March 2) as you did on
Tuesday of last week, and let the floating zephyrs toy gently
with the 3-colored fabric. On this day, 108 years ago, there was
gathered at Old Washington, 59 Texas patriots who had tired of
the edicts issued and the tyranny practiced by the self-styled
Napoleon of the West, and decided that the die should be cast.
Those old boys wanted you and your children to live in a free
country. And when George Chambers Childress, at the head of
a committee to draft the document, wrote the Texas Declaration
; of Independence, a document that was both classic and bold, the
first step to free Texas was made.
La Grange should be represented at the celebration that is
I \
John H. Brooks who, for the past
half century has been either owner
or half owner of the Weimar Mer-
cury, closed a deal with his partner,
R. H. Yoder, and sold his interest in
the paper last week. The paper will
be continued, as heretofore, with Mr.
Yoder in charge. Retiring from the
Mercury by Mr. Brooks was made ne-
cessary because of ill health.
Few may know what the parting
of father and child means; Mr. Brooks
regarded the Mercury as his child,
and ’though he surrendered, two de-
cades since a half interest in that
child, yet was his influence for the
good of his community ever outstand-
ing. He was loyal to his little city,
watched with paternal interest, its
growth; he basques now in the sun-
The Board of Trustees of the La
Grange Independent School District
will officially open the new school )
auditorium-gymnasium to the public
in connection with a program which
will be held in the new building on
Tuesday evening, March 7. It is
planned to have representatives of
the Public Works Administration, the
architects, and the contractor assist
the Board of Trustees in the opening
ceremonies. The high school band
and choral club will assist in the pro-
gram.
The people of La Grange and vi-
cinity are cordially invited to attend
the opening ceremdhies.
—■ o
PIONEER TEXAS EDITOR
RETIRES FROM SERVICE
Friday of last week, in the old
Z i community near La
Grange, the body of an aged negress,
Texas citizens, appreciating the ef-
forts put forth by the immigrants to
this Grand State and recalling that
they had gathered at Old Washing-
ton-on-the-Brazos, March 1, 1836, and
there commissioned George Chambers
Childress, elected as chairman of a
committee of five to draft the Texas
Declaration of Independence, will
make a pilgrimage to that old his-
torical spot on Thursday, March 2,
and witness the ceremonies attending
the unveiling of a monument erected
to the memory of the author.
Governor W. Lee O’Daniel will de-
liver the chief address in the fore-
noon, shortly after the program will
have begun. The Governor’s hillbilly
band will also be present and render
several selections of popular melodies
and the Governor will personally di-
rect the singing of patriotic songs by
school children.
Miss Harriet Hall Dowe of Melrose,
Mass., granddaughter and only living
descendant of Childress, will unveil
the monument erected to the memory
of the author of that great document.
An interesting program, beginning
at 1:30 p.m., will follow the luncheon
at noon, and immediately after the
ceremonies will have begun, B. F.
Harigel, publisher of the La Grange
Journal, w’ill speak as the represen-
tative of the Texas Press Association.
George Chambers Childress, prior to
immigration to Texas, was editor of
the Nashville (Tenn.) Banner, and
because of his newspaper activities
a tribute will, by the Texas Press, be
paid to him.
Educated to become a lawyer, and
continuing his practice in addition to
his newspaper editing,- the Texas Bar
Association has commissioned Judge
Ben H. Powell of Austin to deliver
an address also, during the afternoon.
Sons and Daughters of the Repub-
lic of Texas and the Descendants of
the Signers of the Texas Declaration
of Independence, American Legion
and Auxiliary of Brenham will also
be present and assist in the program.
------o-------
Official Opening
Gym-Auditorium
At the opening of the football sea-
son in September, 1939, the new clas-
sification of the schools of the State
for football will go into operation.
The Bureau of Public School Extra-
curricular Activities of the Univer-
sity of Texas has revised the classi-
fication of schools so as to bring
about many changes among the foot-
ball districts of the State. This re-
classification has been worked out in
an effort to place the schools in dis-
tricts on a more equal basis accord-
ing to high school enrollment.
Under the new plan, ail schools
having an enrollment in the high
school of 500 or more shall be placed
in Conference AA; all schools having
an enrollment between 200. and 500
in the high school shall be placed in
Conference A; and all schools having
less than 200 high school enrollment,
except those schools which
man football, shall be placed In Con-
ference B.
La Grange has formerly been in
District 34, Conference B, which in-
cluded Bastrop, Columbus, Elgin, Fla-
tonia, Giddings, La Grange, Schulen-
burg, Smithville and Weimar. Of
these schools, only La Grange, Smith-
ville and Elgin will be eligible for
membership in the Conference A di-
vision, so it has become necessary
that these schools be placed in a new
district with other schools of similar
classification.
Superintendents of the schools
which had formerly comprised foot-
ball districts 34B and 35B met with
the State Executive Committee of the
Interscholastic League in Austin on
January 11 in an attempt to keep the
old district organizations as near as
possible when the new plan goes into
effect. Nothing was accomplished in
this direction, however.
Under the new plan, La Grange,
Smthville, Elgin, Brenham and Bell-
ville were designated to comprise Dis-
trict 31A. At the close of the con-
ference with the State League offi-
cials on January 11, the superinten-
dents of these schools met and com-
pleted the initial organization of Dis-
trict 31A.
The following officers were elected
for the newly created district: Supt.
S. J. Makeever of Bellville, chairman;
Supt. Mitchell of Smithville, vice-
chairman, and Supt. L. W. St Clair
of La Grange, secretary-treasurer.
At the same meeting, the applica-
tion of Caldwell for membership in
District 81A was presented and acted
upon. It was voted by the Executive
Committee to receive Caldwell, sub-
ject to the approval of the State Ex-
ecutive Committee. A notice has re-
cently been received from the State
Executive Committee stating that the
transfer of Caldwell to this district
had been approved.
The Executive Committee of .this
district met in the La Grange High
School Monday evening, February 27,
for the purpose of scheduling next
season’s football games.
* * » « *
What may be regarded as a fraternal demonstration, by fact, j
is the friendly feeling encouraged by the various societies of La
Grange. Exceptions will, as a matter of fact, prevail. As a
whole, however, the manner in which one of the societies co-
operates with the other, in order that there may be a success
MISS HARRIET HALL DOWE
Melrose, Massachusetts,
Granddaughter of George Chambers
Childress, author of the Texas De-
claration of Independence, March 2,
1836.
Miss Dowe will attend the celebra-
tion to be held at Old Washington-on-
the-Brazos, on Thursday, March 2—
Texas’ Independence Day—103rd an-
niversary. The program will begin
at 10:00 o’clock in the morning. Miss
Dowe will be an honor guest.
------o------
1939 COTTON PROGRAM
WILL BE EXPLAINED
newspaper i
charge would be, if submitted to him—or a report of his county I
with the same amount of composition—and memorandum his re-
ply. Then, take the bid of the Journal, $70.00 and compare it j her^statementa—this”
with the amount your informant has given, and see something ■ born in Alabama, and
you have never seen before. Brought to realize that the printing j as a slave,
and publishing of the report, is a right secured only because you ■
are able to underbid the other fellow.
Nothing set down in an unfriendly manner against the Com-
missioners’ Court which had authorized the County Auditor to
accept the lowest bid; there is this, however, the report is being
published at a price that is very low. You get the explanation,
all right. Method in every madness that is brought to your at-
tention. This report, a copy thereof, and the price paid, will be
used by the Rambler when he takeiMhe floor of the convention
at the April meeting of the South Texas Press Association. And
with that, will also be submitted the prices that are charged for
the printing of stationery and legal blanks for the county, a con-
tract not in charge of the Journal at this time.
Over the State meetings of retail grocers have been held, in
the legislature price charge resolutions have been introduced.
What for? Price-fixing is illegal, believe it or not. Yet these
other State organizations are seeking just that. Why? Because
the retailer wants to make a profit on his merchandise, sold over
the counter. He has to acquire a profit so that the excess of
charge over the wholesale price, will enable him to provide money
with which to pay the man he has employed as a salesman.
These retailers regard that as just and fair, and they want to
stop the price-cutting in their business.
Strange as may seem to the reader, these same retail mer-
chants do not want the printer to make a profit, and want him j
to employ rat labor, denying the printer employee the right to I
live like other experienced, capable and efficient mechanics. Be
generous please, in your criticism, what is sauce for the goose is
sauce for the gander. Business men who employ competent help
in their institutions, should be fair enough to prevent their em-
ployees who may not be given full-time work, from engaging in
soliciting printing orders from merchants. /
who know of such, and buy their stationery from these employee
solicitors should not complain when they witness the arrival of
merchandise packages, destined for use by local citizens, coming
from the mail order concerns.
Whether this comment is considered fair or unfair, it is im-
material. Service rendered at the Journal office is service that
pleases or you do not pay. What more can you expect? Hence,
while, as stated, the Rambler attaches no unfriendly card to the
tray of the Commissioners’ Court or to the County Auditor in
this instance, he does bring to the attention of his readers a con-
dition that exists in no other city or county. Who asks the tele- ‘
phone company for a reduction on telephone service ? Thte printer '
pays the same price that all do, yet the telephone company wants
shine of love his neighbors and many,
many "sincere friends bestow. He will
be missed from the old shop, and is
to be pardoned if the mist gathers in
his eyes. May the Great and Supreme
Editor spare him to his family for
many years, and his health continue
to improve.
R. E. Yoder, with his son to assist
in both the reportorial and editing
section, and a charming daughter to
operate the typesetting machine
(under the direction of her father, •
competent mechanic) will continue to
give Weimar and surrounding section
a good weekly newspaper. Good luckl
-----o — ■■
Wm. Mennike of Austin spent Fri-
day evening with relatives in La
Grange.
naal’a readers to find this report in the Journal, as years have Negress, 1 20 Years
Old Dies Wednesday
South of La Grange
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to be held at Old Washington on this day. Thousands are cer-
tain to be there, the celebration would not be a success unless
the La Grange crowd was added to the multitude. The program
for the day will be found in another part of the Journal. And,
by way of passing, the Rambler mentions that be Will deliver the
first address in the afternoon, because President Deskin Wells
of the Texas Press Association made the demand, seconded by
the Legion boys of Brenham.
♦ i 1 • •
Changes in business occasionally occur; and frequently men-
tion of such is an “old item” by the time it appears in the Jour-
nal as news. Not the RambleFs fault, he is just mean enough
to say that the deal, consummated last Wednesday afternoon,
was held up until the Journal was taken to the postoffice. The
Rambler may be mistaken about this, but late Wednesday items
should happen in the forenoon.
Reicherts, since the death of F. H. Reichert, has been con-
ducted at the same old stand by Mrs. Verna Reichert, widow of
F. U., and both the furniture and hardware section and the Fu-
neral Home as well, have remained active. By a deal closed late
Wednesday and the result telephoned to the Journal, Walter
Kneip, in the furniture business in the Heintze building becomes
owner of the stock of furniture and hardware, and Geo. L. Kroll
becomes owner of the funeral supplies.
Announcements by the two purchasers will further inform
the readers. The purchase of the furniture stock by Mr. Kneip
removes one institution from the city.
jured by the mention, everyone seemed to appreciate the idea
and bless your peanuts, the greater majority of the Lions Club
membership was “among those present” when the banquet was
held.
Another matter: The Boosters—which in brief means the
parents and friends of the youngsters who are in thy La Grange
High School, and who have become organized into a band—read-
ily consented to take charge of the menu for the banquet. You
may conclude that such is not a new wrinkle; perhaps not, and
----------,------------—, .____—_____________—j ------- so admitted. But the Boosters are not an organization, such as
you to “cut your throat” in order to get the job of printing their' the Auxiliary of the Legion, Church Missionary Workers and
other local prevalence. They are, these Boosters, merely trying
to relieve an expense encumber, and pay for the paraphernalia
essential for the High School Band. Candidly, these good moth-
ers are to be praised. y
made of an effort, social and otherwise, is to be commended. The
Rambler may bring to your attention several instances, but that
takes too much space.
La Grange Chamber of Commerce staged its annual banquet
at the new gymnasium last Tuesday night, and according to the
opinion of those who were there, it was a success; it generally
proves to be. What’s the idea? Simply this, when the Lions Club
held its weekly luncheon on Tuesday of last week, mention was
made that the annual banquet would be held the following week,
and that it “was hoped the Lions would attend.” No one was in-
passed, with one exception, since the report has been found in
these columns. There is a reason for all things. The Journal!
was asked to bid, and with that same old characteristic that has
dominated the Rambler since acquiring reason, the mention is
now being made. The right to publish the report was secured by
offering the lowest bid. Now take notice: z ■ Bethlehem
Submit the copy of the Journal of this week to any reputable Lucy" Kinder Shelton, was buried;
publisher in this part of Texas and ask him what his . she died Wednesday afternoon, Feb-
u « _..i—ixA.j x- — — ------l _j» vj_-----ruary 22d.
I From what facts could be obtained
1—and the informant was emphatic in
negress was
I was brought,
as a slave, to Texas 90 years ago,
exact date not given. The date of her
I birth is said to have been June 30,
11818.
Her granddaughter, Alvera Sv Wad-
dles, gives the information that Lucy
Shelton came to Fayette county 13
years after the battle of San Jacinto
was fought by Houston’s ’ army
against Santa Anna’s, and that she
could tell of many interesting stories
of those early Texas days. “I came
to this county after the Texas colo-
nists began their fight against Mexi-
co, and can remember every war since
then, in which Fayette county people
had a part,” she told inquirers a short
time since.
Recently her memory began to
fail; more the regret that she was
not interviewed a few years ago, and
her stories, broken in recital as they
may have been, reduced to writing.
She, was the oldest living citizen of
Fayette county.
.j
JIS
Texas will honor the memory of ment just erected to him, will
George C. Childress, author of the dedicated by Governor W. Lee ODan-
Texas Declaration of Independence, iel at Old Washington-on-the-Brazos
[on March 2, when the above monu- State Park near Brenham.
------ o------
RETURNS FROM OKLAHOMA
C. G. Hunter returned to La
Grange last Wednesday from Okla-
homa, where he had spent several
weeks. One reference made may in-
iterest the cotton growers: Mr. Hun-
jter stated that the farmers of that
| State plant one variety, long staple
i cotton, which made the sale more
■ easy than several grades, long and
I short staple. Also that the ginners
have cut out jute bagging and make
their own, which is more economical.
_ _ _ ------o--
And the merchants G. E. Schultz of Fayetteville, Route
’----u-------1----- 3 wag a brief business visitor in La
Grange, Thursday afternoon.
I
B. F. Harigel, Proprietor
12.00 Per Year
Volume 60
Number 9
Democratic in Principle and a Worker For La Grange and Fayette County
U'<i(f>r<uuu
Opposite Masonic Building. Published Every Thursday Morning-and Entered at the Post Office aa Second-Class Matter
3
LaGrange, Fayette County, Texas, Thursday, March 2, 1939
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Farm-
toes on
Federal
Ime tax
roes on
;erstate
le Tex-
correct
in the
lies be
»gue.
Texas
>urdan-
:oes on
id just
rm Se-
i needy
plant-
in cot-
lots in
n near
heap to
(6-4t)
EL
on, Tex.
n bag-
n bale
r bag-
1 basis
pes on
I in the
ks that
e Kelly
n the
ies and
red as
I stands
lies tax.
Iruly re-
li be to
Is as its
cil and
ague in
not be
, to be-
the or-
ier and
Dept.
THE RAMBLER
Light Flashes On Neglected News
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La Grange Journal (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 60, No. 9, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 2, 1939, newspaper, March 2, 1939; La Grange, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1348951/m1/1/: accessed June 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives.