Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 78, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 9, 1985 Page: 4 of 16
sixteen pages : ill. ; page 22 x 16 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Page 4-Palacios Beacon, May 9,1985
This Week in Texas History
lla WCCIV III A CAUJ 1
Explosive riot at Grayson County Courthouse
Ftnnnic Parker dead in their the second assault, but the poured into the courthouse base- surfaced of the hasty resi^_atio„ ““f"
BY BARTEE HAILE
' -May, 5, 1930, a frenzied mob
fought hand to hand with home-
town peace officers and Texas
Rangers in the Sherman town
square. Before the National
Guard quelled the rampage, the
rioters burned down the Grayson
C6unty Courthouse, lynched a
dead man and put the governor
on the political hot seat.
The previous weekend a local
white woman was molested by a
black attacker, electrifying news
in the North Texas community of
16,000. The swift apprehension
of the culprit, a black man named
George Hughes who immediately
admitted his guilt, did nothing to
calm the townspeople.
Amid rumors of a vigilante plot
to seize the prisoner, worried
officials called in the Rangers. A
quartet of the khaki clad state
lawmen arrived headed by Capt.
Frank Hamer, who four years
later stopped Clyde Barrow and
Bonnie Parker dead in their
tracks.____
The court convened Friday
morning, May 5, 1930, with
defendant Hughes flanked by the
stern faced Rangers. A motion
for a change of venue and the
appearance of the distraught
victim suddenly ignited the tense
crowd.
Scuffles broke out but the
Rangers and Grayson County
deputy sheriffs quickly cleared
the building. On the courthouse
lawn, however an enraged mob a
thousand strong demanded the
surrender of the confessed ra-
pist. Despite the blood curdling
threats that rang in his ears,
Capt. Hamer refused and the
battle began in earnest.
The first rush was repulsed
with fists, pistol butts and billy
clubs, but the mob merely shook
•its collective head and came right
back for more. Tear gas and high
pressure water hoses drove back
the second assault, but the
rioters regrouped and again
charged the battered lawmen.
During the third round of
fighting, several lighted sticks of
dynamite were tossed under the
building. With only seconds to
spare, fast thinking Rangers
defused the explosives.
As the meW raged on,
Hughes was placed for safe keep-
ing inside the records vault on
the second floor. According to
several witnesses, Capt. Hamer
then telegraphed Gov. Dan
Moody for instructions and sup-
posedly received the reply,
“Hold him if you can, but don’t
shoot anybody."
Whether of not the governor
issued such an order, the rioters
thought he did and that was all
that counted. Believing the Ran-
gers hands were tied, the mob
went wild.
On the fourth and final charge,
ten gallons of gasoline were
poured into the courthouse base
ment and set afire. In minutes
the blaze reached the second
story and transformed the entire
structure into a roaring inferno.
Forced to flee the flames, the
Rangers tried to free Hughes
from the records vault but found
the giant safe locked. A frighten-
surfaced of the hasty resignation
of Sheriff Arthur Vaughan. A
telephone inquiry got an honest
answer. “I don’t know,” Vaugh-
an replied regarding his career
plans. ‘‘They’re storming my jail
right now. I’ll talk to you later.”
Deciding their prey was cower-
ing in the fire proof vault which
National Guard rolled into Sher
man and qpforced a strict martial
law. Four hundred troops occu-
pied the town for several weeks
while a thorough investigation
was conducted.
Mayor Jess Eubanks claimed
the riot was the work of outside
agitators. ‘‘It is regrettable that
ed6 clerk had disappeared with SS undamaged in the smoking *X^emP iUmembe^ wem
the combination leaving no way rubble, the rioters devoted the and others of its members were
to release the prisoner. In the
sanctuary that had become his
tomb, Hughes met his grisly fate.
With the courthouse reduced
to smoldering ruin and Hughes
nowhere in sight, the rioters
marched on the jail defended by
the first National Guard unit on
the scene. After enduring a
bombardment of rocks and bot-
tles, a nervous citizen soldier
opened fire and wounded two
teenagers. The shaken Guards-
men retreated into the jail and
awaited reinforcements.
During the siege, rumors
steelwalls! Neither* Snamitfno! of them were from other towns on
blasting powder put a dent in the ‘his andadjoimng counties,
huge depository, but an acety- The findings of the post-riot
lene torch finally did the trick. probe did not reflect the mayor’s
When Hughes was pulled civic optimism. Of the 14 men
through the hole in the vaujt indicted on charges ranging from
door, ne already was dead from arson to attempted murder, ten
offru-atinn The mnb. however, were Sherman residents.
As for Gov. Moody, he ada-
mantly denied disarming the
Rangers and belatedly was back-
ed up by the Associated Press,
which originally reported the
alleged no-shoot telegram.
suffocation. The mob, however,
would not be robbed of its
revenge. The body was hanged
from a prominent tree in the
city’s Black district and then
burned along with several small
businesses.
At dawn the next dav, the
Palacios Beacon
Editorial/Qpinions
Letter to
the Editor:
Losing valuable person
Dear Editor:
When moving to Palacios, over
19 years ago, one of the first
persons I became acquainted
with was “Coach” Holst. Upon
an inquiry, 1 found out that many
people referred to George Holst
as “Coach". During these 19
years, I have known him as a
friend, worked under him as a
principal and as a superinten-
dent. I never worried about
finding answers to questions
because he could always give me
the answers 1 needed. 1 never
had to worry about support,
because he is a man who
supports his teachers, keeping in
mind the best interest of the
students.
As-time went on, 1 found out
that the school system was, more
or less, his life.
Yes, there have been a few
times we have disagreed. But,
we were always able and willing
to talk things out. Ninety-nine
percent of the time he was right.
He has always had his door open
to all who would come in. He
believes in his dreams and will
fight to the end. However, if
proven wrong, he was man
enough to admit it.
1 truly hope the people of
Palacios realize what a valuable
person we are losing at P.I.S.D.
Many schools would gladly trade
superintendents with us.
The road has been a rough one
to travel but he has helped
smooth out the way for many
students who will have, and even
now have a better future, be-
cause of a concerned man’s
efforts.
Thank you, Mr. Holst, for all
the years of devotion which you
have given, so that others might
have greater opportunities in life.
May God richly bless you as
you enjoy these years of re-
tirement.
Betty Jean Ramsey
Very special Mother
Editor:
On Mother's Day 1985 1 would
like to pay tribute to the memory
of a very special mother-Miss
Thelma Batchelder.
Although Miss Batchelder had
no biological children, she adopt-
ed many of us in her heart. Her
loving concern, teaching, guid-
ance and support throughout the
years was given in a way that
caring mothers do so well.
As a second grade teacher, she
mothered each of her students
with a loving touch that nurtured
a positive affect on the entire
family for generations. She mo-
thered our grandparents, our
parents, our siblings, our child-
ren and each of us in times of
sorrow, as well as times of
happiness.
Miss Batchelder was proud of
our accomplishments, yet, also
helped us through disappoint-
ments just like a mother. He
notes of appropriate personal
messages and Biblical scriptures
were an inspiration and provided
strength for many years.
Those of us who knew and
loved Miss Batchelder were very
fortunate to have been a part of
her large family.
Becky Brandon Bolling
"IF MADE INTO PAPER IT COULD SUPPLY THE EWTiRE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR SIX MINUlfeS”
Beacon ‘early files
20 YEARS AGO-1965
Hamilton Brown & Associates
of Houston had been selected as
architects for the new library
building.
The Palacios Art Guild will
hold its annual Art Exhibit
Saturday and Sunday.
Mobil Oil Company had begun
drilling a wildcat well some 10
miles off Matagorda Peninsula.
Mrs. Monica Forrest, secre-
tary at Maddox Motor Co. was
honored at a luncheon in Hous-
ton and presented a gold ac-
countant award by Houston
District of Ford Motor Company.
Mrs. Ray Bowers was selected
as Catholic Mother of the Year of
St. Anthony’s Parish.
Mike Seaquist was promoted
to Captain in the U.S. Army.
Mr. and Mrs. John Wesselman
were parents of a baby boy born
May 4.
25 YEARS AGO-1960
Dickie Kubecka, a member of
the Round-Up 4-H Club, won
first place in the District 11
Tractor Operator’s contest in
Richmond Saturday and the
club's square dance team won
second place.
Drag races at the Palacios
Drag Strip Sunday afternoon
were a success with an estimated
1500 spectators watching more
than 170 cars compete in differ-
ent classes.
Tom Slone, one of the donors
of the property where the Little
League diamond has been con-
structed, was presented an in-
scribed bat during the opening
ceremonies Tuesday night. Mrs.
John T. Price, the other donor of
the property died Wednesday
morning after an illness of
several months.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry M.
Barrett celebrated their Golden
Wedding anniversary Sunday
and all 10 of their children were
home to make it a memorable
day.
Parents of baby boys were Mr.
and Mrs. John Ressler on May 1
and Lt. and Mrs. Byron King on
April 26.
Dickie Kubecka, tossing the
discus 133'feet 10 inches, placed
6th in the State Meet in Austin
Friday.
30 YEARS AGO-1955
A total Of 1.99 inches of rain
was registered at the local
C.A.A. station Wednesday and
early Thursday morning.
The first annual meeting of
the Texas Mid-Coast Water
Development Association will be
held in Port Lavaca at 7 p.m. May
Mrs. J.L. Koerber was elected
president of the newly organized
Women’s Division of the Cham-
ber of Commerce.
Honor graduates of Palacios
High School were Carla Ehlers,
valedictorian and Patsy Wessel-
man, salutatorian.
For the 9th straight year the
Hornets won the softball champ-
ionship.
35 YEARS AGO-1950
Jimmy Douglas will receive a
BS degree in Electrical Engineer-
ing at Texas University.
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Elder were
in Ancon, Canal Zone.
The Junior High Hornets won
the softball championship for the
fourth straight year.
Mrs,May Callaway celebrated
her 74th birthday Sunday with a
family reunion at the VFW Hall.
40 YEARS AGO-1945
The elementary School child-
P
e-
Pick
It
Up!
STATE CAPITAL
M6HLIGHTS
By Lyndsll Williams
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
AUSTIN — The surprising
Texas Legislature last week
departed its humdrum style
and set off on a course of ad-
venture, advancing horse and
dog race gambling, alimony,
and the Texas Water Plan.
The House of Representa-
tives partially butchered a
sacred cow with an overwhelm-
shrimpers, despite a 20-hour
filibuster by opponents that
collapsed only just before
dawn.
The bill tightening regula-
tion of bay shrimpers will prob-
ably be known more for the
tempers provoked by the fili-
buster around midnight.
When one of the filibuster-
ren presented a gala outdoor
May Fete pageant Friday night,
tjie theme of which was "Flags of
the United Nations".
Palacios observed V-E Day
quietly. A thanksgiving service
was held in the city park.
Mrs. J.R. Wagner and Mrs.
Muriel Harris were appointed to
fill the vacancies left on the board
of directors of the Chamber of
Commerce when A.E. Burton
and J.L. Koerber resigned.
Miss Laura Trull had been
cited for her scholastic standing
on the winter semester honor roll
at the University of Texas.
Priorities had been given the
city for the construction of the
Quick Freezing Plant.
45 YEARS AGO-1940
Plans for the Port Lavaca
Centennial celebration were
nearing completion.
Audry Sullivan took over the
Magnolia Service Station at 3rd
and Main.
50 YEARS AGO-1935
Mother’s Day, May 12, was
observed in all churches.
Palacios merchants, with the
Chamber of Commerce, were
working for a Trade Day program
to begin May 18..
The Mopac House, a commun-
ity center for Collegeport, was
opened.
The Palacios Community Can-
ning Kitchen was opened.
"Crashing Society” was pre-
sented by the Senior Class under
the direction of Mrs. Myrle
Burton.
Ip^clurlBftR^Tnl
PUBLISHER
NICHOLAS M. WEST
ing vote to repeal the Texas ing senators, Carl Parker of
blue laws. Port Arthur, responded patron-
Amid the legislative activi- izingly to an interruption by
ties, two senators scuffled dur- Hugh Parmer of Fort Worth,
ing a filibuster, a House mem- Parmer reacted with a remark
ber went on trial for influence alluding to the cocaine and por-
peddling, and rumors circu- nography indictments Parker
lated that former Democratic is facing back home in Jeffer-
congressman Kent Hance son County,
would jump political parties to Parker invited Parmer to the
run against Gov. Mark White, back hall where the scuffle
All this from a Legislature occurred, reportedly throwing
some have called boring. Parmer against the wall and
Meanwhile, the Senate Fi- knocking off his glasses. An-
nance Committee approved a other senator intervened, and
$6 increase in the Texas driv- they returned to the chamber,
er’s license fee and to tax long where Parmer apologized on
distance phone calls within the floor and to Parker person-
Texas, a measure that would ally,
bring more than $42 million to
state coffers depleted by the
dwindling price of domestic oil.
Parimutuel Gambling
The parimutuel gambling is-
sue, pronounced dead a few
weeks ago by the House lead-
ership, was revived by a Sen-
ate committee which also ap-
proved greyhound racing for
Texas.
The Senate version returns
the compromises forged in '83
and omitted this session, lead-
ing to a stunning defeat in the
House earlier this spring.
The bill calls for a November
referendum on betting on horse
and dog races, with county op-
tion elections required later.
The state’s share, almost $30
million over the next two years,
will fund welfare, local parks,
agriculture and water assis-
tance.
New Alimony
The full Senate voted to
bring limited alimony pay-
ments to Texas, the only state
not allowing such divorce pay-
ments.
The proposed law adds a new
twist, alimony payments col-
lected by men. Other provisions
hold payments at $1600 a
month and only in marriages
which had lasted 10 years or
more and where a hardship is
proved.
Except in special cases, the
court would presume that ali-
mony could not be ordered for
more than three years.
Blue Law Repeal
Finally, after years of try-
ing, advocates of the Texas
blue law repeal won a stunning
victory in the House, a 102-40
decision to scrap the ban on
selling certain merchandise on
consecutive weekend days.
If the House version passes
the Senate, the ban would con-
tinue only for car dealers.
Proponents argued that to-
day’s two-paycheck families
needed Sunday shopping time
as an alternative.
Filibuster, Scuffle
The Gulf shrimping industry
won a Senate victory over bay
OFFICE MANAGER
ELAINE TEMPLEMAN
Second Class Postage Paid At
Palacios, Tex. 77465
Published each Thureday by
THE PALACIOS BEACON
450 COMMERCE
P.O. BOX 817
PALACIOS, TEXAS 77465
1512| 972-2610, 972 3009
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE
(Includes applicable tax]
One Year In-County...$7.68
1-Yr. Outside County..$10.50
1-Yr. Out of State...$12.50
WE STOP ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
AT EXPIRATION DATE.
.til “Letters to the Editor”
musi be signed by an individual
or Individuals. The Palacios
Beacon retains the right to edit
all letters and articles due to
space limitations. Letters are also
subject to review by Beacon
regarding libelous or slanderous
content.
Wedding sloifos am limited to
two typed, double spaced pages.
A $3.50 fee Is charged on all
plcturea submitted for pubUca-
lion.
The Beacon Is not responsible
for any pictures not picked up
within two weeks of publication.
Pictures must be picked up at the
Beacon office.
DEADLINES FDR ALL
ADVERTISING AND NEWS
2 p.m. MONDAY
OFFICE HOURSi
Thunday-Tuesday 8:30 a.m.-5
p.m. Closed Sat., Sun. A Wed.
| Press D*y]
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 78, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 9, 1985, newspaper, May 9, 1985; Palacios, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth724680/m1/4/: accessed June 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Palacios Library.