Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 17, No. 6, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 14, 1924 Page: 1 of 12
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For a Greater, Better Palacios Country—Agriculture, Industry, Commerce, Living
SUBSCRIPTION $1.50 PER YEAR IN ADVANCE
PALACIOS, MATAGORDA COUNTY, TEXAS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1924
VOLUME XVII NUMBER 6
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A TENDERFOOT'S STORY
OF A TEXAS RIDE
SAYS CALIFORNIA HAS NOTHING
ON THE GULF COAST OF TEXAS
By CHET KENDALL
Written Especially for the Palacios Beacon
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I had just finished reading a
letter from my brother, back
home, in which he chatted about
a pleasure trip he had just taken
with a party of our mutual
friends. His letter mentioned the
snow that had added much to the
merriment of the party.
As I looked out of the window
of my room which was on the
16th floor of the Rice Hotel in
Houston, I noted the bright, clear
sky, the beaming sunshine, and
then I noted that through my
room there was a constant de-
lightful breeze that was right off
of the Gulf of Mexico.
There was certainly some dif-
ference in the surroundings of
my brother at the time he wrote
that letter and those of myself
just at that time.
Here from my room I could
see whole families in open tour-
ing cars, pleasure bent, evidently
preparing to enjoy a day's outing.
I was wishing that some kind
soul would take pity on a stran-
ger and take me along.
Then I remembered that I had
an acquaintance in the real es-
tate business in Houston, Carroll
Lewis, whom we used to call
"Texas" when he lived in Iowa.
It didn't take me long to get him
on the wire.
"By the way, Chet," he said,
"I have a bunch of men in town
from Illinois, whom I am taking
out through the fig belt about
Houston. There is room for you.
Come along."
Well, it didn't take long to get
under way. The roads were fine.
Smoothly leveled off and paved
either with shell or macadam all
ohe way. It was easy to do, so
'uewis drove at a steady gait of
about 35 miles an hour in perfect
/ comfort."
In a short while we began to
see things that reminded me of
the orange and grape vineyards
I saw several years ago in Cali-
fornia. We were driving past
some fig orchards.
I had always thought that figs
grew in Italy, or California, or
some other foreign country (apol-
ogies to California), but I soon
found that I was muchly wrong.
There we were—figs on all
sides of us—nice wide rows of
trees, literally loaded with fruit,
Some of it was ripe, some just
ripening, some half-grown, and
other figs at the ends of the
1 , branches, just coming out of the
'limb.
They don't come from a bloom,
but just apparently grow out of
the trees, like a wart on your
finger. This, they told me, was
why the heavy rains they have
down here help the fig instead of
hurting it. The fig needs the
moisture and there is no bloom to
• wash away.
I was impressed with the clean
middles between the rows of fig
trees. They were just as clean as
a floor. Not a weed to be seen.
Reminded me of the corn fields
in Iowa.
We thep stopped at Mr, Blume's
orchard, near San Leon, and oh,
boy! Mr. Blume was under the
packing shed directing the work
of packing fresh fruit for ship-
V:
ment to the hotels in Houston
and other nearby cities. His son
was as busy as could be with get-
ting the other fruit ready to go
to the preserving plant.
They had crates of figs stacked
everywhere. Buckets of figs
were coming in, one after anoth-
er, brought in by the help on the
farm. Great big luscious figs,
with sweetness just ready to ooze
out when once the skin was bro-
ken by a sweet tooth. I might
add here that there were many
sweet teeth brought into play
about this time.
I have ofter heard of the hard-
ships of the South Texas farmer.
Believe me, there wasn't any-
thing that I conld see among
these fig growers to denote pov-
erty.
There would be one, two or
perhaps three nicely painted
homes, on each fig farm, well
built quarters for the help, spa-
cious barns, new, bright, shiny
automobiles, tractors and plows
for cultivating the fig farms.
On entering one farm, we first
passed an immense garden of
fragrant cape-jasmine, then a
nice home, and I noticed that
they had an immense sleeping
porch; then we saw about a dozen
orange trees, loaded with fruit;
next were two big grapefruit
trees, both loaded down with
grapefruit as big as my two fists.
In the barn was a limousine for
the family, a roadster for the
boss man, and a trailer for car-
rping fruit to town. Tractors,
plows, and in fact everything
most that a farmer could wish
for.
There was a man with a forty
acre farm, easily worth $100,-
000.00. He told us he started
there in 1911 on just about as
near nothing as a man could start
on. I wouldn't call that poverty.
It looks to me like prosperity.
We had passed several pre-
serving plants during the day,
but we then decided to stop at
one of them. I thought I had
eaten enough breakfast never to
want to look another waffle in
the face, .but man, when I saw
those preserves I wished for an-
other plate of waffles.
The foreman of the plant took
us about, thoroughly explaining
the route the fig takes after it
reaches the preserving plant.
They are first weighed in and
credited to the account of the
grower who sent them in, Then
they are scalded with a secret so-
lution that takes the outside skin
off. Then they are thrown into
the immense cooking vats and
cooked by steam heat at a stated
temperature for a definite length
of time, a portion of sugar ayrup
having been added. Beside that
cooking vat was where the bunch
stuck. Those big juicy figs, cook-
ed to a preserve, every fig keep-
ing its original pearlike shape
and coooked to a fluffy fulness,
saturated with a clear amber col-
ored and delicately delicious syr-
up dripping frqm them, were too
tempting for us to withstand.
Every man in the crowd seemed
to have an appetite that grew. I
never in all my days in the
trenches wished for one of moth-
continued on Page 4)
SPORT COLUMN
Friday night, Feb. 8th, Palac-
ios wrestling fans witnessed one
of the best matches seen here for
some time. Harry Mamos, of
Boston, Mass., weight 180 pounds
and one of the best of the light
heavyweights, agreed to beat
Mike Polo, weight 163 pounds, of
Oklahoma City, Okla., two falls
in one hour and fifteen minutes.
The boys went to work in ear-
nest from the sound of the gong,
Mamos realizing that he was up
against a big job, and this made
the match very fast, both boys
wrestling close and guarding ev-
ery avenue of defeat. Polo car
ried the contest to his opponenr
all the time and was as much on
the offensive as the defensive
The bout went the hour and fif-
teen minutes without a fall and
consequently Polo won.
Mamos is a bright, well-kept
fellow and made many friends
here, offered no excuse, and gave
Polo credit for being one of the
best men in the game. The writ-
er has seen many of the top mid-
dleweights and does not believe
there is one in the country can
defeat Polo two matches out of
three—if at all. Polo has every-
thing a wrestler needs—speed,
strength, science and wonderful
endurance, and will'be seen here
again soon against one of the
best middleweights in the world.
M. C. Billings
Recovering From
Hiccough Attack
It is with pleasure that we are
able to tell our readers this week
that Mr. M. C. Billings, who was
in a critical condition from an at
tack of hiccoughs the first of the
week, is very much improved
and now on the rnad to recovery.
A notice of Mr. Billing's ill-
ness appeared in several of the
leading dailies on Tuesday and
since then he has received 26
letters, 4 telegrams and two long
distance call, all giving remedies
for this unusual malady, which
goes to show that brotherly love
still exists in the hearts of many
of this old earth's inhabitants.
New Candidates.
Mr. Billings desires to say
that he greatly appreciates the
kindly thoughtfulness and sym-
pathy of all the persons who so
kindly sent remedies and sug-
gestion of remedies, but through
the skill and untiring persever-
ance of the physicians, and faith-
ful nursing he received, the dis-
ease had been overcome before
any of the remedies were receiv-
ed. Too much! credit can not be
given to the energetic persever-
ance of the attending physicians
in this case.
Le Roy Antony, of Louisiana,
who has been here two weeks
visiting with his mother, Mrs.
Pearl Antony, left Tuesday for
California where he will spend
some time with relatives. Moss
Antony left at the same time for
Orange, Tex., for an extended
visit with an aunt.
Friday night was the scene of
a gay iz party when Mrs. M. K.
Feather and Mrs. E. E. Burton
received their friends to the
number of twenty-two tables of
players, in the spacious dining
room of the popular Hotel Pala-
cios. Red hearts were used freely
in the decorations and also as
table pads. Ice cream, cakes
and coffee furnished the satisfy-
ing refreshments at the close of
a very happy evening.
Mrs. Chits. Luther was hostess
to the Y. W. A. girls of the Bap-
tist church and a few other
guests Tuesday night. The pop-
ular theme of the week—that of
the Valentine season—was given
due recognition, the rooms being
made very attractive with their
decorations of red hearts. The
game of Hearts furnisned the
diversion, six tables were ar-
ranged for the players and the
score cards were dainty valen-
tines. An elaborate luncheon
was served at the close of the
evening. The hostess was as-
sisted by her sister, Miss Jose-
phine Callaway.
Tompkin's Cafe.
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The cleanest, nicest place in
town for a lunch. The best of
service and the best of eats.
Merchant's Lunch a Speciality.
If it's a hot lunch, cold lunch,
good lunch, a good cup of coffee,
(real coffee) or a piece of pie
that you want, this is the place
to get it. No order too small;
on order too large. All receive
prompt attention at the
Tompkin'a Cafe.
Ladies Meet.
Pursuant to the call of Carlton
Crawford, president of the
Chamber of Commerce, more
than fifty ladies met at the city
hall Saturday afternoon and an
organization formed that will
probably be known as the Pala-
cios Civic League. Miss Caddie
Wolf was elected president, with
Mrs. Robt, L. Price, vice-presi-
dent and Mrs. Arthur Matthes,
secretary; and treasurer.
Another meeting is culled for
Saturday, Feb. 16, at 4 p. m.,
when the organization will bo
completed, constitution and by-
laws adopted and work discussed
and planned,
James W. Moffett, of Barton,
No. Da-, who has been here
since before Christmas, visiting
his brother, J. G. Moffett and
family, left Sunday morning for
California where he will visit rel-
atives. He was accompanied by
his nephew, Arthur Moffett, who
plans on spending several months
in that state. They will make
the trip in Mr. Moffett's Ford
coupe.
A. H.Millican, Tax Collector.
Mr. A. H. Millican authorizes
the Beacon to make public his
announcement as a candidate for
the office of Tax Collector, his
candidacy being subject to the
action of the White Man's Un-
ion primaries.
Mr. Millican is a native Texan,
was hnrn in Brazoria county and
has made Bay City his home for
a number of years. In making
his announcement he states that
no one has asked him to run for
the office and that he is making
a clean an open fight for the
place and is making the race as
a citizen, while his competitors
are both ex-office holders, and
this is his first time to ask for a
public office. He also wants it
known he does not belong to a
secret society or organization and
is a member of the Episcopal
church.
Mr. Millican is well qualified
to fill the position, having stood
Civil Service competitive ex-
amination, receiving the highest
grade, and was appointed U. S.
Federal Collector and Inspector
of Customs at Velasco, and if
elected the duties of the collect-
or's office will be carefully and
faithfully looked after. He so-
licits your support and vote.
Bert Carr For Tax Collector.
In another column of the Bea-
con this week appears the name
of Bert Carr, who authorizes us
to announce him as a candidate
for the office of Tax Collector of
Matagorda County, subject to
the action of the White Man's
Union primaries.
Mr. Carr has served the coun-
ty in public office for a number
of years and four years ago com-
pleted four years as sheriff of
this county, He is well and fa-
vorably known throughout the
county. Is familiar with many
of the duties of this office and if
given the preference by the vot-
ers, will look, after the interests
of the county in a capable man-
ner. He solicits your support
and vote.
C. E. Moser For Sheriff.
The Beacon takes pleasure
this week in announcing C. E.
Moser for the office of Sheriff
of Matagorda County, his candi-
dacy being subject to the action
of the White Man's Union pri-
maries.
Mr. Moser has been a resident
of Matagorda county for four-
teen years, living near Blessing
until a few years ago when he
moved to Wadsworth, where he
now resides and where he has
been successfully farming rice.
He is well and favorably known
throughout the county, and pos-
sesses all the qualifications re-
quired of an officer of the law in
tITe capacity of sheriff. He so-
licits your support and vote, as-
suring the voters that if he is
their choice he will discharge the^ urn s0011,
duties of this office to the very
best of his knowledge and ability.
Robin Hood, a former editor
and proprietor of the Palacios
Beacon, who has filled several
important positions under the
Farm Bureau since leaving here,
continues to climb upward in his
work and is now editor of the
Indiana Pool News, the official
organ of the Indiana Wheat
Growers Association, published
at Indianapolis. He was in
Washington, D. C. last week,
and made a speech before the
National Council of the Farmer's
Co-operative Marketing. Robin's
many Palacios friends are pleas-
ed to learn of his rapid strides
on the road to success.
Wednesday night of last week
the members of the Methodist
congregation played a real sur-
prise on Mr. and Mrs. J. E. An-
thony, who have moved to
Wharton. There was the usual
prayermeeting service at the
church, which perhaps was bet-
ter attended than usual, and aft-
er the close the congregation in-
vited themselves to the Anthony
home. There was music and con-
versation. some games and the
always much enjoyed lunch.
Palacios loses a mighty good
family when Mr. Anthony and
family move away and the Meth-
odist church loses some especial-
ly good workers. Their going is
very much regretted the only ray
of hope being that they may re-
Masons, T ake Notice
At the regular meeting
on Friday, Feb. 15th,
special exercises com-
memorative of Ceorge
Washington, the father of our
country and a devoted Mason,
will be held, in lieu of special
meeting called for Keb. 22nd.
Everyone urgently requested
to attend. Remember the date,,
Friday, Feb. 15th.
By order of Worshipful Master
NOTICE.
We have moved our marKet to
the Kellar building, where we
will be prepared to serve the
public with fresh and cured
meats and such other goods us-
ually carried in a first-class mar-
ket. We thank you one and all
for your liberal patronage in the
past and hope to receive a fair
share in the future.
Respectfully,
Phone 37 Paulk & Townsend
Cara Nome Compacts, all
shades $2.00. Nester Drug Co.
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Wed.-Thurs., Feb. 20-21
W. D. GRIFFITH'S
Birth of
A Nation
THE GREATEST PICTURE
OF ALL TIME
To Be Shown Here At Popular Prices
Admission,
25 & 55 Cents
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Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 17, No. 6, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 14, 1924, newspaper, February 14, 1924; Palacios, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth411822/m1/1/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Palacios Library.