The Mercedes Enterprise (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 73, No. 9, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 27, 1985 Page: 3 of 14
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The Mercedes Enterprise — Page 3
Rome-
This Series Made Possible by
These Business Firms and Individuals
Who Support Our Right to Worship Freely.
THE EQUABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY
OF THE UNITED STATES
DARIUS W. HEROLD
1101 S. Missouri
565-4555
565-3026
1306 S. Missouri-Mercedes
Private security,
investigations, asset
searches, security alarms,
alarm monitoring and
security equipment.
ROBERT NUNLEY
State Lic. C-415 1
Seen‘n Heard
In Mercedes...
Second class postage
paid at Mercedes, Texas
78570. Published each
Wednesday at Mercedes,
Hidalgo County, Texas.
Office of publication 230 S.
Texas Ave. Subscription
rates $7.50 per year in
Valley, $9.50 per year out
of Valley. Single Copy
price 25 cents.
Security Building
Suite #101
530 S. Texas Blvd.
Weslaco, Tx. 78579
[512] 969-1176
MOST MERCEDES PEOPLE today are going about their
business with not much thought to what happened downtown early
Saturday morning. For those who were there, however, it’s hard to
put it out of their minds.
Some may think we’re attaching more significance to this fire
than it deserves, just because it hit so close to home.
But it was big -- total losses may approach half a million dollars
and 32 people are now without work -- and it could have been
much, much worse.
Ken Eilers, down at Borderland on the north corner of the
block, says they were told about 6:30 a.m. Saturday to be prepared
to start moving things from their building. The Ellers were told, he
says, that “they don’t think they can stop it.”
The Mercedes Enterprise
USPS 177-100
VanBerg
and Flores
Looking back...
...at an Enterprise from 45 years ago
INTERNATIONAL
INTELLIGENCE & SECURITY
565-1696
Mercedes, Texas 78570
oCPoc 24
BRE TRUE HOUR
BAIL BONDS
565-9128
Rios of Mercedes
BOOTOUTLET
565-2460
Corner of Vermont & Business 83
marshall arrives. Window frames on
that side were burned out and
smoke caused some damage, but
much was due to the seepage of
water from the Western Auto
building.
The Enterprise building’s dam-
age was limited basically to smoke,
with clean-up costs estimated at
$2000.
The blaze left the 32 bootmakers
employed by Mr. Patrick out of
work for the 90 days that he hopes
it will take him to gt back into
business. He admits that he is
considering relocating outside Mer-
cedes. And there is, he adds, “no
salvage. Nothing.”
The city is already assisting with
Mr. Patrick’s plight - a public
hearing has been set for March 5 at
6:30 p.m. for consideration of an
economic development grant applic-
ation to the Texas Community
Development program to help put
Mercedes Boot “back in oper-
ation.”
Damage to the building occupied
by Reynold’s Jewelry and Mercedes
Super Drug was estimated by
insurance representatives at be-
tween $5000 and $6000, though
damage to the north side has yet to
be fully determined, due to the
restriction on access until the fire
WE’RE STILL COUNTING BLESSINGS and saying prayers of
thanksgiving around this smoky smelling office. It’s hard to say
just how thankful we are to God and a bunch of firemen, and how
sympathetic we feel for Rod Patrick and his 32 bootmakers.
That sympathy is sincere, because it looked for a while like we
were sinking in the same ship as he.
Shouts and the pounding of our door by a frantic neighbor
awoke us before dawn on Saturday morning. She told us, “the
town is burning.” From our part of Mercedes, it looked that way.
When you see huge tongues of flames from four blocks off,
there comes a feeling of despair that isn’t easily shaken. After
getting close enough to see what was really happening, it looked
sure enough like the Enterprise building was soon to share the fate
of its two neighbors just south.
Mr. Patrick, who owned Mercedes Boot Company, was one of
the first we spoke to in that pre-dawn darkness that had turned
all-too-bright. We offered some lame comment of sympathy and he
looked back and said: “Yours is gone, too, Cowboy.” At that
point, we agreed with him.
For our part, however, things took a favorable turn. The arrival
of additional manpower from out-of-town fire departments, the
coming of dawn and the dropping of what had been a vicious
south wind were the breaks that firefighters needed to stop the
conflagration.
And were still saying thanks. To God Almighty and his
propitious calming of the wind; to Mrs. Wilmer Engel, who helped
us pray, and to Mayor Gilberto Dominguez, who offered reassuring
words; to Jody and Trainor Evans, who offered manpower if we
needed to empty the building and to Mrs. Martha Andersen of
Weslaco, who would have helped us put out a paper if needed.
...and thanks, guys and gals, to about 100 people in firemen’s
uniforms who braved terrible heat and choking smoke to save this
happy building - and the rest of the block.
* * *
THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING .. ." Ecclesiastes 3:1, The Liying Bible, Tyndale House
GOO’S Five MINUTES
The Valley’s newest cash
crop-livestock-will be properly in-
troduced at the Rio Grande Valley
Livestock Show at Mercedes March
15 and 16. The livestock exhibition
will be held in the large building
formerly occupied by the Concrete
Brick Plant, north of the railroad
tracks on the block just back of the
REA office. This building is over
300 feet long and is well adapted
for a livestock show barn.
Mercedes entries in the Rey-
nolds Trophy matches include the
following Mercedes members of the
Mercedes Rifle and Pistol Club:
W.A. Heller, Ray Schmitter, O.J.
Schaeffer and J.F. Baingo. Merce-
des Legion Junior Rifle Club
members and David Campbell, Jr.,
Billy Paul Green, Bob Schaeffer,
James Settles, Bill Boller, Bill
Seibert and Ralph Powell.
From Page 2:
In the first sports event staged
in the Rio Grande Valley for the
Finnish Relief Fund, the Mercedes
Tigers will meet the La Feria Lions
in a non-conference basketball
game here Thursday night.
According to information re-
leased by Clay Everhard, County
Tax Collector, Edinburg, there were
approximately 1,465 poll taxes and
16 exemptions issued in the two
Mercedes precincts. 14,021 poll
taxes were issued throughout the
County and .427 exemptions on
account of being over, the age limit
of 60 years.
Society:
Among members of the Needle-
craft Club motoring to Harlingen
last Friday for a meeting in the
home of Mrs. E.M. Crockett,
formerly of Mercedes, were
Mesdames E.G. Smith, E. B.
Witmer, Harry McNeil, A.D.
Squires, Geo. Squires of Spring-
field, Missouri, Joe Ward, J.R.
Barry, E.V. May, Alden Wade, Ed
Yates, Graften Burdette, C.A.
Tucker, M.M. Grove, J.H. Christ-
ner, A.K. Phillips, F.L. Griffith,
J.P. Dawson, Ocie McNeil, J.H.
Hipp and Mrs. Robert Crockett, a
guest.
/ Mrs. Floyd Langford has been
elected president of the Mercedes
Library Association, the organ-
ization having been perfected at a
respresentative meeting of local
organizations held this week. The
perfecting of the organization is the
culumination of plans which have
been under way for many months,
by the G-Women’s Literary - Society
and the Mercedes Business and
Professional Women’s Club in the
establishing of a fee public library
for the city.
A Valentine theme, in colorings
of vibrant red, was observed for the
enjoyable bridge party of last
Thursday evening, when Mr. and
Mrs. F.R. George entertained their
bridge party in their home on Palm
Heights Drive. Mrs. A.W. Tullis
was high in the games of contract.
A dainty plate was passed late in
the evening.
Mrs. Myrtle Lee advertised her
services as a public stenographer on
Page 4. Her office is in the
Chamber of Commerce office at the
City Hall; her phone number, 88.
From page 5, the ‘School
Notes.’
Joaquin Fernandez, former
Mercedes high school student, was
featured on the assembly program,
Monday, February 12. He played
five piano numbers, including his
first composition.
Mrs. Maurine Phillips, sponsor
of the Commercial department,
announces' that four students are
trying out for the Interscholastic
League typing Contest. They are
Melvin Brust, Kathryn Schwarz,
Norine Giddle, and Elvira Martinez.
[Editor’s Note: This is one
in a series offering readers a
glimpse of Mercedes history as
recorded in the Enterprise 45
years ago.]
From the editor’s column,
‘Harps & Horns,’ on the front page:
The fine Mercedes school plant
proves very useful to various Valley
organizations, especially when the
time comes for a large gathering.
Within recent weeks Cultural Arts,
Inc., and other groups have met in
the spacious high school auditori-
um. Tuesday night approximately a
thousand members of the Magic
Valley Electric Cooperative con-
verged on the auditorium and held
their annual directors’ election. The
willingness of local school officials
to co-operate with such important
organizations by offering the
facilities of the school plant adds
another to the long list of Queen
City assets.
Drive for funds needed by the
Boy Scout Council was started here
last Monday when some 25
businessmen of the city assumed
responsibilities of raising approxi-
mately $1,000 for Mercedes’ quota.
J.H. Davis, chairman of the
financial campaign, reports that real
progress is being made by the
workers.
News from Page 1:
[Continued from Page 1.]
Owner Rod Patrick says that he has
been told by counsel to make no
statements concerning damage
amounts. He has however, offered
statements to the effect that
contents of the building far
outweighed the value of the
building itself, that some $300,000
in materials alone were inside (a
remark he made at the height of the
blaze) and, on Monday, he said,
“What gripes me is that I could
have removed $200,000 worth of
boots and materials between the
first fire and the second.” The
building also held a large amount of
machinery.
THE CROSS AND EMPTY TOMB ARE FOR YOU
All the immensity of the universe is focused on the cross of Christ. The crucifixion of Christ,
and His resurrection, are the central facts of all of history, for God cast this entire universe- ′ .
along redemptive lines. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,will draw all men unto me."
When we feel dwarfed by our solar system, when insignificance overwhelms us to the point where
we begin to think or feel that either God doesn't know or he doesn't care, read the 19, 20 and 21st
"chapters of John. The cross and the empty tomb are for you!
++++++++++++++++++
ATTEND CHURCH THIS WEEK
This column belongs t0 our readers. We will acceptptintadietints thdphytsstot ttr tch item ©Community Advertising
published. In case of quotations, the name of the author and the title and publisher of the book
must be given. Address items to "God's Five Minutes," P.O. Box 18012, Asheville, N.C. 28814
Matt’s Appliance Repair
•Ranges • Washers & Dryers
Amu •Window Unite & Refrigerators
Is "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
0 knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and
_ instruction.” Proverbs 1-7
6 THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
8 Church school starts at 9:45 a.m. [classes for
all ages], and church services at 11 a.m.
• We work for God, so we are an equal
John Carr, pastor opportunity church. 16th and Ohio
THE GOOFIEST THINGS GO ON IN AUSTIN when the
legislature is in session. .
Most of the problems come from elected officials who have
been thinking about getting their name on a bill or two,
Take Paul Ragsdale, Democrat from Dallas, for instance.
Rep. Ragsdale has introduced a bill to allow school board
members to pay themselves. Guess who will set the pay. scale
under Ragsdale’s plan?
Board members, that’s who. His bill would “...allow the
trustees of independent school districts to set a level of
compensation for themselves that is reasonable in relation to the
duties and responsibilities of service as a trustee.”
A recent haphazard poll indicated that at least 85.714284
percent of trustees are alive, well and responsible. They wouldn’t
touch anything like this with a 10-foot pole, miu
But the rest???
Probably be a case of Ragsdale to riches.
* * *
ONE OF THE VALLEY TELEVISION STATIONS has been
proudly announcing the fact that it’s providing four scholarships to
a journalism/communications seminar later this year for some
fortunate high school students.
A great idea, but...only ‘minority’ students may apply.
C’mon, TV people. Why can’t anyone apply? If only ‘majority’
students were eligible, the whole Valley would (rightly) come down
on you hard.
The truth is that until we can start looking at all people based
on abilities, prejudice won’t ever be over.
* * *
THE SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION in Texas may turn
out to be a sale-a-bration, too. 1
You’ll find everything from ‘gimmie’ caps to pins to plates
being offered with the SQ logo before it’s all over.
Lest you think it’s all going to be moderately priced, consider
the purchase of the “Model 94 Sesquicentennial Set” that consists
of a caliber 38-55 commemmorative carbine plus a rifle in the same
caliber plus a Bowie knife...all appropriately engraved.
The cost: $7,995.
But remember there are only 135 available for the general
public. Better get your order in soon.
♦ * *
NEXT TIME SOMEONE ASKS YOU about the potato (it
happens to some more often than others) give them these facts
courtesy of the Food and Drug Agency.
Spanish conquistadors invading the Andes about 1530 observed
the Incas growing potatoes. These were far different from the
varieties we eat today, says FDA. Besides the usual red and
brown, the spuds of the Incas came in various shades of black,
white, pink, green, yellow, purple and coral. Some were long and
thin and curved like a banana.
The conquistadors introduced potatoes to Spain from Ecuador in
1539. The Spanish re-exported them to Florida in 1560.
Other countries were slow to accept the potato. They were
known as a curiosity in the Netherlands in 1588 and didn’t catch on
as a food item there until a hundred years later.
It took 250 years for the English to start eating them with any
regularity. Many Germans refused to eat them as late as 1744.
By the beginning of the 19th century, however, the potato had
caught on in both Europe and America. Today, in many countries,
no dinner is considered complete without potatoes.
Those FDA folks must be thinking of the words of John Tyler
Pettee. He wrote:
“Pray for peace and grace and spiritual food,
For wisdom and guidance, for all these are good,
But don’t forget the potatoes.”
* * *
TA
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
Mercedes, Texas 78570 Wednesday, February 27, 1985
FROM DOWNTOWN FIRE
Damage figures incomplete
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The Mercedes Enterprise (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 73, No. 9, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 27, 1985, newspaper, February 27, 1985; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1614003/m1/3/: accessed July 10, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library.