Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 74, No. 35, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 2, 1981 Page: 7 of 12
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PT3
PALACIOS BEACON, WED., S£PT;Trl981.EA6E7
some forced to attic safety
i Continued
No organ ' • ' *xmi> , .!■ iW
more than Mrs. Murphy s was that
night; she put it on her bed and
covered it up to protect it. In the
end it fared far better than Mfs.
Murphy.
By this time, Blanche was
soaked, but with their son, Jimmy,
the Claybourns, Spruiel and Mur-
phys head for the hospital. When
they arrived, press photographers j)
were there and for the first time in
her life, Blanche had her picture
taken as a bathing girl, dripping
wet, hair stringy, no make-up and
in shirt and jeans.
As the water began coming ip
the windows of the Brandon home,
Thomas Sr. gave each member of
the family their mop-up stations by
various windows. Becky reported
she spent three- hours wringing
towels.
Duncan remained in his home
too long to leave and when the
water gof so high into his attic, he
crawled out the window and swam
over to the Clarence Cox home.
Only the urge for a cup of coffee
and cigarette made him come out
the next;morning after the water
receded someTHe said later that he
would never have to be told twice
to leave ifthere ever is a next time.
Mrs. Mabel Lane, who had lived-
in Palacios 58 years at that time
and had worked with the PVFD
seven years taking emergency and
fire calls at her home, remained
on duty during the storm to carry
out that duty.
Miss Helerr Ward remained with
her, altlMugh the Highway Patrol
had requested they leave. Even
though Hel'-n was afraid of-water,
with the able assistance of a good
strong flashlight, she stuck the
storm out like a trooper.
Mrs. Lane’s phone was one of
the only ones working and the
Highway Patrol made frequent
stops at her home to make long
distance calls reporting conditions
here and finding out what was
going on elsewhere.
The winlows were boarded, and
the house rather well protected so
they could not see just how much
damage was being done in town.
The water was about three feet up-
in the yard and the wind was
lashing the water up on the porch.
Fourth Street took on the appear-
ance of a creek rolling down it.
Mrs. Lane said she and Miss
Ward were not frightened even
though the wind was high and
howling. Miss Ward kept close
check on the water and her
flashlight did double duty that
night when Helen "checked on the
water’s comings and goings”,
Helen being best satisfied with the
going.
The only time Mabel was a bit
jittery was when she saw the
library floating off. She thought
perhaps they might have to move
upstairs. This turned out not to be
necessary as by 9:30 Monday night
Helen opened the door and flashed
her light outside and could finally
see the grass.
Right after the midnight call for
the Fabuion fire, the phones went
out tor the first time. They came
back again, and went out a few
times before service was restored
completely.
Joe Anthis arrived home from
work at the Aloca plant Monday
morning at 1 a.m. and as he turned
down East Bayshore Drive toward
his home, the road was sparkling
and well lit from the transformers
throwing sparks like the Fourth of
July. He made it homeanddecided
the best thing to do was go to bed.
The next morning about 10 a.m. he
looked out and the air was full of
reddish mud being blown around
by the wind and the water had left
the bay like it does during a hard
norther.
He got into his car and headed
for a hrftpr Inrntinn than Palaeios
appeared to be at the present. He
had to get out often to wipe the
sticky wet clay from his windshield
in order to see.
Mrs. Anthis meanwhile had the
rest of the family with relative in
Temple, and like others, returned
to find their home had vanished.
Carla cut a wide swath, not only
through our city, but in the
surrounding areas as well. Mrs.
Kenneth Peterson, who came tff
Carancahua eight years before the
storm, was a dry lander from
Central Texas and perhaps did not
realize the dangers of as vigorous
a storm as Carla proved to be.
The family lived several miles
Sight brings "lump to our throat'
inland from the bay. $gst of the
Carancahua school. Their windows
were well boarded and they had an
attic to go to as a last resort. About
9 a.m. Sunday neighbors-began
comtngin and at 1 p.m. there were
10 adults, two of them-expectant
mothers, and six children. Among
them were Jane Chamberlain,
the Ralph Robinson family, Charles
Peterson and Ludwig Peterson
families and John Frankson.
There were only two beds, but
lots of dry floor space for tempo-
rary beds. When the water began
to seep in, -they decided to go into
the attic, which had an outlet in the
garage. The opening, however,
was toa small for the expectant
mothers so Kenneth cut a hole in
the ceiling. Food, water and
bedding were put there, but it was
not necessary to use as the water
soon receded. The Peterson’s dog
got on the kitchen stove to watch
the children wading in the water
inside the house. They could see
rattlesnakes trying to climb the
fence outside to get out of the
water.
Mr.-and Mrs. Glen Claybourn of
Glendale Courts- felt certain their
home and courts would withstand
the predicted force of Carla, so
they got their mother, Mrs. Ruby
Redmon, 83, who was living in
their house trailer at the courts,
and brought some of her belong-
ings to their home for the duration
of the storm.
What a duration! What ordinar-
ily might have been a few short
hours seemed like a lifetime in that
short period! After the windows
HIpw niit in thpjr fhpy
hurried to what they called Unit 12.
Not quite like jumping from the
frying pan into the fire, but
almost. In Unit 12 the windows,
door and outer protection blew
inwards, and the rain water
dripped all night. They had the
mattresses up on tables, and even
managed to get some sleep. They
talked of moving over into one of
the brick units and were grateful
later that they changed thrir
minds when they viewed .he
wreckage the next morning.
Glen had to take a door jam to
push the live and dead cattle and
ether debris away from the door.
Howard and Grace Campbell had
Vast destruction greets returnees
|The following was written by
Lorraine Basford on what they
encountered upon returning to
Palacios Immediately after Carla
had hit. The Basford family had
travelletfinland for safety before
the storm. Mrs. Basford wrote
regular articles forthe Beacon and
reported most of the accounts of
various families during Carla In
her weekly column.)
By Wednesday morning, no
word of Palacios even being on the
map.
i Wffhad been told and warned it
Was awful, but as we neared
Palacios and were passed by the
guards, we came to the hospital
and a lump came in our throats.
These scenes were bad enough
but nothing compared to what was
ahead. We put off turning off to
Grassy- Point and rode through
town.
Thr Yacht Harbor Basin, Allen
and Silver Courts, Bayside homes
on First Street, Spree’s Garage and
other homes and businesses, al-
most complete shambles, with
debris piled high along each side of
the highway into town.
We went past the ravaged
Baptist Encampment, along South
Bay Blvd., to what was once the
Pavilion-now beyond recognition.
A! block further towards Dr.—
Wilcox's home, the Shrimp Net,-
Crawfords, and business spots at
the Turning Basin, the stench was
unbelievable, skunk odor, dead
animals, cats, dogs, etc., along
with that rotten odor of sodden cow
pastures filled the air.
Martha took pictures of shrimp
boats, high and at precarious
angles on dry land, miles from
their original docking spot.
On one street, it was impossible
to believe that the sight we saw
was once the homes of happy
families. Household furnishings
scattered-in the yards, all begging
for a bit of sunshine to touch them
and dry them out so once again
they could be part of the home they
belonged in. Mattresses, so sodden
and dirty, that they looked a bit
down hearted as if they felt they
never would be clean, dry and
fluffy again.
' The inhabitants of these homes
Were busy, even smiling though
dry tears, as they went about the
tremendous task ahead of making
their home a fit place to live in.
[ The beautiful Foley Village
nomes had suffered; windows
proken, roofs damaged, lumber
find debris that didn’t belong
there, scattered in once beautifully
landscaped yards.
Oretha Standley was talking to
peighbors by their over-turned bait
Stand. Mrs. Oglesby’s yard was
carpeted, not in its usual green
velvet, but wan to wan carpeting.
Some homes I did not readily-
recognize. The Hulen home and
furniture out drying and Ray Baltar
was upstairs busy washing win-
dows at his home, after having
cleaned the Skalla’s home for
them. Fall cleaning was done a bit
early tm account of Carla.
The dead cows-six or more-that
may have been washed over from
Collegeport, who knows-and had
been along the bayfront by Grassy
Point Bait Camp, had been cleared
away in the morning. We heard
there were 37 or more tows on the
highway from Palacios to Olivia,
also. Many will be found sooner or
laterm cow pastures on little used
side roads.
As we came to the curve by our
camp, it was like seeing a
completely strange place. Carla
had swept our ‘front porch "clean!
We caught the lump in our throats
and went completely around the
curve, where we could see down
the whole Bayshore Drive to the
highway. Here, Carla had not
wrecked—the homes, she had
completely stolen them and then,
like a spoiled child, wasn’t satisfied
with the spoils so she dashed,
smashed and tossed the pieces to
the four winds! And with 100 to 150
mile winds or more, the pieces
travelled!
The Padgett bayside buildings,
Mozach boys homes, Louie Smith’s
and Peterson’s cottage just vanish-
ed.
Two more shells of homes stood
on their piling foundations-the
Earl and Henry LeBlanc places.
Down the line to the Yacht
Harbor-nothing.
The Joe Friedman’s, George
Rohrer’s, Sorenson’s, Richard’s,
Bill Sisco, Harter's, Budeau, Light
and Johnston homes are scattered
all over the south end of Palacios
from the description of locations
where portions have been found.
The Charlie McConnell home, onr
of the oldest along the left side is
just a memory, as is the R. K.
Duncan home. — -
The Jensen home got some
water in it, but Padgett and Joe
Kalas homes next door were not
harmed in any way, in spite of the
terrific amound of lumber, debris
which included full deep freezes,
boats, heavy tools, butane tanks,
etc. that blew or washed into their
yards or against their homes.
At Henry LeBlanc's placer one
could lpok up where the outside
walls were gone and see the China
cupboard with China cups still
hanging on the hooks and saucers
on the shelves and the inside
cupboard doors closed.
The EatlLeBlanc cottage had the
bay front wall ripped completely oft
and somehow all the furniture
swept out and away.
Joyce’s hone wasJifted off of its
foundation and set down again
about two f«et over, and about
eight small ktick-knacks on a high
shelf didn’t even move, yet large
pieces of furniture were broken and
badly bent in the same room.
The Joe Friedmans found a
picture of their daughter at Tan-
ner’s Service Station. Part of their
home was loeated a-mile away at
Dr. Sanford’s home.
The lovely home of Junior and
Dorothy Collins and their two
children, decided to pull away from
its foundation and took off with the
wind to visit Bill Hasley’s back
yard for a spell.
If you plan to visit the George
Wickham's in their new brick home
in the Turtle Bay vicinity, better
put if off for > while. Their home
went AWOL ahd didn't even leave
a brick behind for rememberance!
The brick home next to it, did the
same, except It left a few tokens
behind. The Arnold home landed
smack in the middle of Turtle Bay!
Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Heard and
family-had gone to Bay City and
couldn't believe their eyes on
returning homt, Yes, it was home
even though in an unnatural state.
But their hearts went to their feet
when they looked down the street
to find their neighbors' homes
were no more. At least five homes
on 11th Street were completely
gone, perhaps: more after a close
check up.
OTHER AREA REPORTS
Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Junek and
family of Palacios, -whose home
was destroyed are renting a house
in Blessing.
Mrs. Elizabeth Herreth and Mrs.
Robert Rickaway of Blessing went
with Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Rickaway
to Kerrville to stay-during the
hurricane. Mr. and Mrs. W. M.
Epperson and Ginger, MrrandMr.-
H. L. Powell and Sammy,-and Mr.-
and Mrs. Jimmy Rickaway also
staved in-Kerfville.
CARANCAHUA AREA REPORTS
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Abra-
hamson and the J. D. Greenawalts
lost their home- and all their
belongings.
All the rantjhers are busy from
daylight to dark trying to locate
their cattle, as all fences were
blown down during the storm.
Cattle have be?n found in Port Alto
and up to Danevnng.
Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Baimertand
family are living in Point Comfort.
The Bannerts lest their home in tho
storm.
Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Solomon
lost their home and all their
belongings-
Mr. and Mrk. "Doodle” Evans
of the Turtle Hay community are
staying with Mr. and Mrs. Ludvig
Peterson. The Evans’ home and
barns were completely destroyed.
Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Frankson are
staying with their daughter and
family. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph
Robinson. The Frankson home was
badly damaged.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Abra-
hamson and Ricky are staying in
Port Lavaca since the storm
destroyed their beautiful new brick
home.
Mr. Waller, who occupied the
David Frankson home, sat on the
refrigerator with his dog during
the tidal wave and quite a
harrowing experience it was.
Mrs. John Cavallin and-son,
Ivan, are occupying the Arvid Lott
rent house temporarily as their
home was destroyed.
Ludvig Peterson lost the roof off
of his house.
The F. M. Franksons were in the
upstairs of their home and the
waves were lapping against the
upstair windows. A five foot tidal
wave went through the house
completely destroying all furniture
and appliances. It was an awful job
to clean out the slime and hay
along with the jelly fish, snakes
and dead bullfrogs and drowned
rabbits. The Franksons are still
killing alot of snakes.
Brands of Monroe Sells and his
sister’s cattle from Olivia have
been seen in Carancahua. Some of
the Frankson cattle and their
neighbors were found at Olivia
having swum Carancahua Bay.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Eggemey-
er amt family are living in his
brother’s cottage at Lewis Home-
sites as all their buildings and
belongings are gone.
None of the summer cottages on
the west Carancahua Bay are left
and of the 50 houses at Schicke
Point, only two appear to be
unhurt.
The Guy Stovall place is com-
pletely gone as is the old Turner
place.
Fred, and Connie Huitt as their
’storin' guests. When the water
began coming m the doors, win-
dowS and every direction in about
15 minutes, they donned rainwear,
collected food and went to the
garage where the climbed a ladder
up to the attic. No one could sleep,
and amid the terrific howiing of the
wind and other terrible sounds,
they could hear what sounded like
cows in the house.
When the storm abated, they
went downstairs and were con-
fronted with piles of debris and
more snakes than they ever cared
to be friendly with. There were also
signs of a cow or two having been
their ground floor guests.
’ All Naomi Jensen wanted to do
after two solid hours of hanging
onto the opening to the roof of the
old ice house at Camp Hulen the
night of Sept. 11 was to wash
"Carla” out of her hair.
Bernard, Naomi. Bernard Hou-
ston and Andy Jensen found their
home at Camp Hulen was not going
to weather the storm as well as
they thought it should or would.
When the water began coming in,
Bernard knew that snakes would
move in also before long. They got
bedding, lanterns, food and pre-
pared to rough it out on the top
floor of the old ice house. Even that
got too rough, so the fouT of them
crawled through the opening at the
top, laid flat on the roof and hung
on for dear life.
The roar of the wind, rain and
crashing noises were bad enough,
but at one time Bernard could
sense another sound, and said it
was a cyclone hitting dose by.
Some of the others who remain-
ed in Palacios during the storm
were Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Harbison
and before the storm was too bad,
they went and got "Aunt Belle”
Robinson. 91, and kept her with
them until it was safe for her to
return to her home.
Aunt IJelle and her hostess were
playing dominoes, when they look-
ed out the window and saw the
water rolling in between their
house and the neighbors like a
river. She and J.J. never knew how
fast they could dir things until that
time, when they took dresser
drawers, rugs, furniture and what-
ever else they could manage up to
the attic.
The Harold Bell family had
locked all their doors before
seeking shelter out of town, yet
every door was open when the
returned!
Mr, and Mrs. L. A. House and
the Alton family remained in their
homes until matters got a bit
hectic, so they spent the remainder
of the storm in the Church of
Christ.
Richard Ottino, wife and three
children rode out the storm at the
American Legion Hall in Blessing
where some 300 other refugees
kept them company. Each one took
their own bedding and as no one
could sleep very well, some shared
their pallets with others who did
not bring the "comforts of home".
They were given hot meals,
lunches and coffee and drinks. Just
one door was left open iff the
building, and water came in that
part of the time. Richard said that
it got pretty rough at times, but no
one got panicky or scared.
Before Connie PenlaniHeft for
safety with relatives in Ft. Worth,
she watched the storm from her
home on the bay front and the
yellow phosphorous glow on the
water looked like little ghosts
dancing making an eerie picture.
On Tuesday the worst was over
and those who had rode out the
storm in Palacios had their first
real opportunity to see the havoc
wrought by the September visitor
called Caria. The destruction was
awesome and almost had an unreal
quality about it. Many had lost all
their belongings and even their
homes, yet the went forward with
the task of rebuilding their lives
and Palacios.
In a letter to an aunt in Indiana
after the storm. Connie Penland
expressed her situation clearly and
simply:"All 1 have left is an acre of
land, two cows and a tired
husband."
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Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 74, No. 35, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 2, 1981, newspaper, September 2, 1981; Palacios, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth726135/m1/7/: accessed June 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Palacios Library.