H istory • South Texas
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
Celebrating
the rich culture and history of South Texas...
MARCH 27, 2013
Jim Hogg County
A Publication of the Jim Hogg County Enterprise
A.C. JONES FIRST JIM HOGG COUNTY JUDGE IN THIS ISSUE:
Pena Station: Where horse thieves and murder were commonplace
The house the Garza’s built
Remembering Hebbronville An abbreviated history of
the Jim Hogg County Independent School District
J.T. Canales and the 1919 Ranger Investigation
Featuring: Alfredo E. Cardenas Cynthia Gutierrez Antonio Bill And the Enterprise Archives & More
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
STH VOL. 1 NO. 4 PUBLISHER Poncho Hernandez Jr. enterprise78361@aol.com
March 27, 2013
On The Cover ...
A.C. Jones,
First Jim Hogg County Judge in a black & white 16 x 20 portrait by artist Julissa Hernandez.
PAGE 2
If you would like to own the original 16” x 20” acrylic on canvas painting, dial 361-730-5706 to speak to the artist. Sale Price only $90.00. Framed: $110.00
NEW YORK STORE TAILOR SHOP - Circa 1930.
If you are interested in receiving South Texas History Magazine contact us at 361-460-9493 or email us at enterprise78361@aol.com. You can also fax your requests to 361-256-2015 or 361-527-4545. To submit articles and/or photographs for publication, please send to: sthistory@aol.com or by mail to The Enterpise, P.O. Box 759, Hebbronville, Texas 78361.
South Texas History Supplement to The Enterprise Wednesday, February 27, 2013 Volume 1, No 3 SUPPLEMENT TO THE JIM HOGG COUNTY ENTERPRISE 304 E. Galbraith, Hebbronville, Texas 78361 Copyright 1998 by the Jim Hogg County Enterprise All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express permission of the publishers. Entered as Second Class Matter at Hebbronville, Texas under May 5, 1926, at the Post Office the Act of March 8, 1979, Second Class Postage Paid at Hebbronville, Jim Hogg County, Texas 78361. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
Jim Hogg County Enterprise 304 E. Galbraith, P.O. Box 759 Hebbronville, Texas 78361. Poncho Hernandez Jr. Editor/Publisher 361-460-9493 Subscription rates are $35.00 per year. Call (361) 527-3261 for information. Base advertising rate is $6.00 per column inch. Volume and frequency discounts available. Contact us by email at enterprise78361@aol.com Social Media: facebook. com/enterprisenews PHONE: 361-527-3261 FAX: 361-527-4545 PHONE; 361-460-9493 FAX: 361-256-2015
MEMBER
Texas Press Association
From the Editor:
Welcome to our fourth issue. We hope you will enjoy the history and tales
contributed by our writers and correspondents. Whatever your tastes — for adventure or quiet contemplation — we thank you for joining us once again, and hope you will continue to do so for many issues to come. After all - as each day brings us more history - we invite you to experience the moments that made our history special.
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
March 27, 2013
PAGE 3
Pena Station: Where horse thieves and murder were commonplace P
By Alfredo E. Cardenas Correspondent
ena Station was horse and cattle country so it was not unusual for crimes committed in the area to involve livestock. Everyone in the area walked around with a big six-shooter and carbine attachments. In August 1885, Nueces County Deputy Paulino Coy, whom the Corpus Christi Caller called “one of the best officers on the frontier and who has a wonderful ways of finding out things,” arrested Gumersindo G. Fuentes and Juan Salazar near Carrizo on charges of horse theft. To the locals, especially the Mexican American citizenry, Coy was seen as a ruthless thug. The two suspects were taken to Pena by Sheriff Pat Whelan. About the same time Ramon Alvarado, a Mr. Lane and a Mr. Woodall also had horses stolen. Alvarado lost two horses and the other two men, one horse each. A total of seven to eight horses
were stolen and were recovered at Guerrero. It was not surprising that in this untamed frontier, matters sometimes got out of hand resulting in the untimely deaths of individuals. On the night of Oct. 23, 1886, Leonardo Saenz was killed about four miles from Benavides. Six days later the Caller reported from Pena that Carlos Gutierrez of Concepcion was found murdered in Starr County, having been shot three times; “first in back, fell, then in body and head.” The newspaper reported that Gutierrez appeared to have been going for his sidearm. In September 1887, Deputy Coy returned to Corpus Christi from San Antonio with Santos Salazar who was accused of robbing the Pena and Rio Grande City stage. In addition to Coy, another wellknow lawman in the area was Judge James O. Luby from San Diego, who travelled the country roads with his gun close by. He went after the robbers as far as Pena.
A map of territory belonging to the San Diego Catholic Parish shows towns and villages circa 1917, but makes no mention of Pena Station.
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Simply email your article with your name, address and phone number to sthistory@aol.com. Be sure to include any photos and captions along with the author’s name. All content must be original. Once our editorial staff reviews and approves your submission, we’ll publish in our next edition. Your articles can then be read by interested readers garnering you increased exposure and noted professionalism. And remember, “If you don’t bring it, we can’t print it!” Articles can also be mailed to The Enterprise, P.O. Box 759, Hebbronville, Texas 78361. Please send stamped envelope for returned content.
Time to Remember ... ...Join us next month for original articles researched and written exclusively for South Texas History. On the stand and delivered to your door April 25, 2013.
...Only in The Enterprise
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
March 27, 2013
The house the Garza’s built of religious persecution known as Mexico’s Cristero War (1926-29) brought seven exiled “Capuchin nuns” who found sanctuary at the historic Garza home.
Old sillar home traces origins to 1893
H
ebbronville’s oldest house is commonly known as the Old Garza Home. The roof had a typical 19th century Dutch style gambrel roof which in its early years collected rain water. This two story stone house was quite visible, durable and unique in height during the mid 1890’s and early 20th century. This house still baffles architects and historians. The homes’s spacious three downstairs rooms and two upstairs rooms had a northern room addition in later years. The Garza house was also called La Casa de Cuatro Aguas (caidas), due to the four sided pitched roof. Don Bonifacio Garza was a legendary casa de sillar (limestone block) home builder who customarily had a poetic greeting. Mr. Garza traveled extensively along the historic ox cart route from Pena Station area to Rio Grande City trading with historic ranches along the way. The railroad completion (1881) from Corpus Christi to Laredo enhanced commerce for the area. Don Bonifacio started building his casa de sillar home in 1893. The home was well known for its coolness in the summer
See HOUSE, Page 7 TOP: Marker text prepared for the Old Garza Home or “Casa de Cuatro Aguas”
A model of craftsmanship, the oldest house in Hebbronville remains a powerful connection entwined in tejano history and the state’s western past and warmth in the winter. Its mesh screen windows above all four entry way doors has shutters that open and close for weather protection and convenience at night. The foundation walls are made of limestone blocks (sillar) 18 inches to two feet thick. These walls have a combination sillar (limestone blocks) with caliche rocks bonded and covered with stucco mixture for quality, smoothness and insulation. In 1898, Don Bonifacio Garza sold the Garza house to Jose Angel Garza who was not related but was a well noted Hebbronville pioneer and profitable entrepreneur. Initially, the Historic Garza Home was built with a straw thatched roof. This material was
later replaced by wooden shingles. Unfortunately, both of these materials sporadically caught fire by embers from neighboring chimneys. After five fires and years later, the roof material was replaced with metal (repeated in 1970s & 2009). Throughout the 1900s of the Historic Garza Home, numerous area pioneer ranching families and college professors became residents. The Mexican Revolution period (1910-1921) brought seventeen nuns exiled from Mexico to the Historic Garza home for sanctuary and political asylum. A famous Mexican Revolution Colonel Rafael Gonzales also lived at the house after the revolution. Another occurrence
BOTTOM: A letter written by Mrs. Jose A. Garza to the State Historical Survey Committee
PAGE 4
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
March 27, 2013
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County Pharmacy of Hebbronville, Texas
Wishes Jim Hogg County A Happy 100th Birthday! Owners, Joe L Peña, RPh & Rosie Pena, CPhT
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Closed Sunday & Most Holidays
Prompt, Courteous Service
Accepting Most Insurance
Diabetic Supplies and Footwear
Pharmacy Compounding
Flu Vaccinations
After-hours refill requests
Seasonal & Holiday Fare
Photo printing
Gifts
Come have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny!
Accepting: Private Insurance Workers Comp Medicare & Medicaid SSI & Private Pay
Meet our Team: Rosie Peña, CPhT, Debra Gonzalez, CPhT Irma Elizalde, Front End Mgr Joe Rendon, CPhT (not pictured)
Come see us at 602 E Galbraith Hebbronville, Tx 78361 800.846.8200 or 361.527.3231 Fax: 361.527.5574 countyrx@sbcglobal.net
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
March 27, 2013
PAGE 6
REMEMBERING HEBBRONVILLE WHEN ... local pharmacies were everywhere By Cynthia Gutierrez South Texas History The local family-owned drug store has been a part of Hebbronville for more than 100 years. As long as we have had doctors, we have relied on our local pharmacists to serve our medicinal needs and provide a meeting place where friends could socialize over a cup of coffee or a milk shake. Dionicio and Narciso Pena were two of the first merchants who re-located from Pena to
• On April 1, 1970, President Richard Nixon signs legislation officially banning cigarette ads on television and radio. In 1969, Congress had passed the Cigarette Smoking Act, requiring warning labels that stated: “Cigarette Smok-
Hebbronville before the turn of the century and established a pharmacy. Later in 1914, Dr. Thomas Stetson helped organize one of the first drug stores in Hebbronville. One of the first home-grown pharmacists was Aristides Barrera, who graduated from H.H.S. in 1924 and attended Danforth School of Pharmacy in Ft. Worth. Aris Drug Company, located at the corner of Galbraith and Elm, sold sandwiches and provided a full-service fountain,
ing May be Hazardous to Your Health.” • On April 2, 1513, near present-day St. Augustine, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon comes ashore on the Florida coast and claims the territory for the Spanish crown. Ponce de Leon
along with home deliveries of prescriptions. Another local graduate, Raul P. Montalvo, attended the University of Texas and soon opened his Corner Drug Store on Galbraith and Hickory. The third pharmacist of that era was E. J. Lunz, who was born in Illinois and lived in Mirando City, before moving to Hebbronville and opening Lunz Pharmacy, also on Galbraith Street. All three drug stores offered fresh-made fountain goodies like milk shakes, cherry cokes, ice cream
is credited with the first recorded landing and the first detailed exploration of the Florida coast. • On April 3, 1776, because it lacked sufficient funds to build a strong navy, the Continental Congress gives privateers permission to attack British ships. Any goods captured by the privateer were divided between the ship’s owner and the government. • On April 4, 1949, the United States and 11 other nations establish
sodas and root beer floats. Of course, the pharmacy’s main job was to provide medicine for the community. These local pharmacies were compounding pharmacies, specializing in the preparation of medicine by mixing raw ingredients. Joe Barrera from Laredo also operated a drug store in the 1970’s and 80’s, first on Elm Street, then re-locating to Smith Street across from the Post Office. Aris Barrera, who was also serving as the County Judge,
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a mutual defense pact aimed at containing possible Soviet aggression against Western Europe. The signatories agreed, “An armed attack against one or more of them ... shall be considered an attack against them all.” • On April 5, 1951, death sentences are imposed against Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, after they were found guilty of conspiring to transmit atomic secrets to the
Class of 1964 50th Reunion July 4 weekend of 2014
died in 1961. Raul Montalvo and Mr. Lunz both died in 1975, with Lunz Pharmacy becoming the County Pharmacy. When Barrera’s Pharmacy closed its doors in the early 90’s, County Pharmacy remained as the only local pharmacy, and eventually moved to its present location on East Galbraith. Here, pharmacist Joe Pena operates a shop that is part pharmacy, part boutique where gift items are sold, along with quality medications.
Soviet Union. The only seriously incriminating evidence came from a confessed spy who was given a reduced sentence to testify against them. • On April 6, 1968, Stanley’s Kubrick’s science-fiction classic “2001: A Space Odyssey” makes its debut in movie theaters. The film clocked in at around three hours and contained less than 40 minutes of dialogue, with long stretches of absolute silence or of the sound of
human breathing. • On April 7, 1873, John McGraw, one of the winningest managers in baseball history, is born in Truxton, N.Y. McGraw’s career total of 2,763 wins ranks second only to Connie Mack. Between 1902 and 1932, the New York Giants won 10 pennants, came in second place 11 times and won three World Series championships. (c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.
Did You Know!
If interested in attending, please contact the following class members Dalia Montalvo Johnson 361-319-2503
Adriana Zuniga Rivera 956-286-6663
Grace Morante Perez 361-296-4443
Juve Morante 956-286-9440
Israel Hinojosa Israel@fnbhebb.com
Was once an incorporated community.
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
EDITOR’S NOTE: The attached editorial, published in April of 1935 in the Jim Hogg County Enterprise, reflects the views of university professors on education.
How bad are our schools? Education, to hear some folks talk about it, is in a bad way in America. Mrs. Virginia Glidersleeve, head of Barnard College, said the other day that superficiality and slovenliness prevail in many colleges, a lack of thoroughness and clear thinking. Right on top of that the professor of education in the University of North Dakota, Frederick Weltzinn, came out with a survey of rural education in which he said that, on the whole it was about as bad as it could be. Americans have taken a good deal of pride, generally, in our system of wide-spread free educational facilities. We are inclined to boast about the school privileges which every American child and youth enjoys, It is rather a slap in the face, therefore, to be told that the whole system in inefficient and lowgrade, from the one-room rural schools to the great universities. Maybe it would be a good idea to look into the matter. Most folks take it for granted that any school is a good school. But as professor Weltzinn points out, thousand of rural communities treat the school teacher as something less than human. There is an inclination to hire not the best teachers but the cheapest, and to look upon contempt upon the man or woman who makes teaching a life-work, because, as everybody knows, there isn’t any money in it. We don’t think that is true, generally, but it is nearly enough true in many places to make the accusation hurt. Somehow, with all our pride in our schools, most of it seems to be for the buildings, rather than for the teaching that goes on inside of them. We have not yet reached the civilization of the European countries, where the school teacher is the most honored and respected citizen of the community.
HOUSE - From Page 4 The academically renowned Colegio Altamirano *1897-1958) was southwest of the Garza home. Many college professors taught Spanish, English, reading, writing, arithmetic and social graces while living at the Garza home. The last occupant of the home was Professora Emilia Davila until 1968. Jose a Garza owned the Central Furniture Store in the historic strip of downtown Hebbronville. His descendent, Sergio Garza and family still own Central Furniture and majority of the block where the Historic Garza House is located.
March 27, 2013
PAGE 7
Originally presented in the May 30, 1963 edition of The Enterprise
An abbreviated history of the Jim Hogg County Independent School District According to the information to be found in old board of trustee minute books dating back to April 4, 1921 the school district in Hebbronville became an independent district about that date. The new district was made up of one of the common school districts in Jim Hogg County and a small part of the then Benavides Independent School District. Judge A.M. Brumfield called the first meeting of the new trustees for April 4, 1921 and those meeting with him at that time were Robert Hinnant, J.C. Draper, H.C. Yeager, Oscar Thompson, Rubin Holbein, and C.W. Hellen Sr. J. FRANK MCGEE FIRST SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
One of the first actions of this group was to call an election for May at which time the patrons in the district voted to school tax of $.50 per $100 valuation by a vote of 22-0. Mr. J Frank Mickey was offered the position of first superintendent of the new school district. It is unfortunate that no records can be located of the actions of the Jim Hogg County Schools from around 1913 to 1921. It is our understanding that a number of small schools were operated around on various ranches depending on the number of children living there at that time and all of which came under the control of the County school Board. Also during this first summer the board authorized the addition of a new classroom to the existing school building on a bid
of $1025.00 and the board also authorized the cutting of brush from the ground and around buildings. In 1922 Miss Mary Stroman was appointed to take the school census and reported a total of 398 children residing in the district. The school building was located during these early days on the block now occupied by Post Office and Piggly Wiggly store. Traffic must have been some problem even then as an order was passed by the board authorizing four danger signs at the four corners of the grounds. VIGGO ANNEX RENTED
Some increase in the number of children must have been experienced in 1924 as the minutes of the November meeting report that the front end of the building known as the Viggo Hotel Annex was to be rented for $35 per month to be used for a classroom. Later in this year a number of meetings were held to discuss the need for additional room and buildings. Finally it was agreed to purchase the three blocks where the present school stands from Mr. Viggo Kohler for $2250.00, and soon after this a bond election was called for the purpose of issuing $20,000 in schoolhouse bonds to build a new school. This election carried by a vote of 55-0. $40,000 BOND ISSUE
The school census in 1927 showed that there were now 875 children living in the school district, so it can be seen that the scholastic count had about
doubled since 1921. In 1928, another bond issue was called as growth was continuing and more children had to be taken care of, particularly at the high school level. The issue at this time was to be $40,000.00 and this carried by a total of 180-1. The total values in the district at this time were approximately $2,000,000., with a budget for the year of $23,891.03. (The currently monthly payroll is just over $30,000.00)*1963* Total salaries in the 28-29 school year were $18,283.34, the janitor received $525, the utilities for the year were budgeted at $225, with stationery and supplies amounting to $97.86. The electric bill in December was $7.60, and the gas bills for the same month was $23.50. (The school bill for electric service during the December just passed was $431.13 and the gas bill was $221.01) *1963* Early in 1930 trustees from Randado met with the Hebbronville Board and asked that the 6 high school students and 5 elementary students living in that district be accepted by Hebbronville to go to school here, and this was agreed to. About 1937, the talk was started again concerning the need for a new high school plant, and an election was called in November of that year to build the high school plant that is presently in use. *1963* This building was composed of the gym-auditorium, and the classrooms as far as the offices in the center of the building. In 1951 the east half of the building from the center door was added to the building to take care of growth. See HISTORY, Page 11
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
March 27, 2013
PAGE 8
J.T. Canales and the 1919 Texas Ranger Investigation By Antonio Bill Correspondent The January 26, 1919 issue of the Austin Statesman, reporting on the status of legislation at the state capitol, noted that “there is another special order set for Monday afternoon, also at 2 o’clock, in the House, being the Canales Ranger bill. This measure has so far been the only bill which has furnished any sensations, as its consideration may lead to the investigation of the Ranger force.” The Canales Ranger Bill that the Statesman was referring to was introduced by Representative Jose Tomas Canales from Brownsville, Texas. The bill called for an investigation of “outrages perpetrated by Rangers” against Mexican-Americans as well other citizens of the state of Texas. The bill also called for a reorganization of the Ranger force. J.T. Canales was born on May 4, 1876 at the “Veladeros Ranch”, near Premont, Texas in what was then Nueces County and is now Jim Wells County. His parents were Andres Canales, Sr. and Tomasita Cavazos Canales. Through his maternal lineage, J.T. Canales was “descended from Jose Salvador De La Garza”, recipient of a Spanish land grant, “Espiritu Santo”, that occupied a large portion of Cameron County. Interestingly enough, Canales “was the grandnephew of Juan N. Cortina, who is considered a Mexican folk hero by the people of the Lower Rio Grande Valley.” On the flipside Cortina was considered a bandit by the Texas Rangers. In 1878 the Canales family moved to “La Cabra Ranch” also near Premont, Texas. During his childhood J.T Canales spent a lot of time with his paternal great-grandparents in Bustamante, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. In 1885 his parents decided to send him to school at Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He stayed with
“In 1892 Jose Tomas Canales is probably the most traveled and best educated sixteen year old in South Texas. And he’s about to embark on a life changing adventure. “
the step-daughter of his grandmother while attending school “in a building called Colegio de San Juan.” Two years later J.T. Canales returned to the brush country and attended the public school at the Santa Fe Ranch. He recalled “that was the first school in English and the first Public School in Texas that I attended.” In 1888 He was back in Mexico, attending school in Mier, returned to Texas, where he registered at the “County Public School in Palito Blanco” and then in 1890, 1891 and 1892 he attended the Texas Business College at Austin. In 1892 Jose Tomas Canales is probably the most traveled and best educated sixteen year old in South Texas. And he’s about to embark on a life changing adventure. In his memoirs Canales noted that in 1892 a severe drought “forced his father and grandfather to ship a large number of cattle, perhaps 2500 head, to what was then known as the Oklahoma Indian Territory.” More than fifty years later, Canales would recall that “during the latter part of May or early part of June 1892 after I left school at Austin and returned home, I was sent to the Oklahoma Indian Territory with a shipment of
cattle and I stayed at a camp which was located near Pawhuska and Hominy in said Territory until the Fall when I went to Kansas City Kansas with the first shipment of cattle.” During his stay at the cattle camp J.T. Canales met D. F. Wallace, the man in charge of the camp. Canales made quite an impression on Wallace, who in turn persuaded J.T.’s grandfather to leave him in the custody of his family so he could attend high school in Kansas City. Two years later Mrs. Wallace became ill and J.T “moved to another family by the name of S. B. Powers in whose home I stayed until I graduated in 1896.” During his stay in Kansas City, J.T. Canales “took a great deal of interest in football.” And in the Fall of 1895 he attended a college football game between the University of Michigan and Kansas State University. He recalled that he was so impressed with the “superior ability” of Michigan “that I determined then to study law in the University of Michigan instead of going to the University of Virginia where I had originally intended to go.” Canales recollected that in the Fall of 1896 “I left for Ann Arbor Michigan and attended the University for three years graduating in June 1899 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. I returned home in the month of June in 1899 and after spending a few weeks vacation at my father’s ranch, in September of
that year, I was admitted to the Bar at Corpus Christi, Texas.” During the first quarter of the Twentieth Century, Jose Tomas Canales, was the only Mexican-American elected to the Texas Legislature. He served five intermittent terms from 1905 to 1920. In January 1919, he introduced a bill that would cement his presence in the state legislature. The Ranger Bill brought Canales phrase, respect and credibility. He also received the wrath from some fellow state legislators as well as citizens across the state, who were outraged with his proposed investigation into what they presumed to be the greatest body of law enforcement in the history of Texas. The astute assessment of the Austin Statesman, familiar with the modus operandi of the state legislature, accurately predicted the sensation that the Canales Ranger Bill would generate. The chamber of the House of Representatives seemed animated as its walls echoed the lively debate over the Canales Ranger Bill. Representative Barry Miller of Dallas, “the acknowledged leader of opponents of the Canales bill,” waved a handful of “letters and telegrams from prominent men from different sections of Texas urging that the Ranger force be not crippled or destroyed, citing instances in their respective localities where the Rangers had served nobly, bringing order out of chaotic conditions.” On the other side, Representative D.J. Neill of Eastland County said “he was prejudiced against the Rangers… that the Rangers had wantonly killed a citizen of Eastland County, were indicted, released on bond and turned loose. He said that the people of his county were expecting the Legislature to do something for their protection.” Representative Walter “Uncle Elmer” Pope, whose district involved the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells and See CANALES, Page 11
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
March 27, 2013
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SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
March 27, 2013
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SIDNEY SHARP CONTRACT GAUGING, LLC and all the Sharp Families Congratulate Jim Hogg Co. on her 100th Anniversary!
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404 W Gruy St.; Hebbronville, Texas 78361 P: (361)296.4628 F: (361) 527-4357
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
March 27, 2013
PAGE 11
HISTORY- From Page 7 COUNTY-WIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT
In the spring of 1947 the Hebbronville School District with the help of a special bill sponsored by Senator Rogers Kelley of Edinburg voted to become a countywide school district and assume the control of all school districts in the county. An election was held and this was accomplished, with little opposition. Growth in school attendance continued with notations in the minutes that additions were needed both in the present in the building facilities and number of faculty members. JIM HOGG COUNTY VOTERS APPROVE COUNTY-WIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Jim Hogg County voters approved by a substantial majority the creation of the countywide school district in Saturday’s election. Hebbronville Independent School District approved the consolidation by 191-3 according to the unofficial returns. Results from Randado Common School District had not been received yesterday but not more than 20 votes are expected, not enough to change the outcome of the election. A special meeting of the commissioners court will be called by County Judge F.B. Guerra when the Randado returns are received and canvassed by the court. In an election held in Brooks County last Wednes-
day voters approved a similar countywide school district plan. Both were authorized by an act of the legislature signed by Gov. Buford Jester last month. Judge Guerra will name a board of five trustees to administer the new district, one from each county precinct and one from the county at-large. The board will act until next April when normal election procedure will name future members of the board. FINANCIAL TROUBLES
During 1955 some mention was made of concerning the difficulty of meeting the monthly payrolls of the school district, and finally in the summer of 1956, the low point in the history of the school district was probably reached with the District unable to meet its financial obligations. Several public meetings were held and finally through gifts and loans of gifts and loans of a number of individuals and pre-payment of taxes by some larger taxpayers, the school schools were finally opened. The financial condition of the District has gradually improved since 1956 due to increased values and tax income and to careful handling of the money available. Current text values exceed $26 million in the district which furnishes a tax income each year of close to $390,000. The budget for the 1962-63 school fiscal year amounts to more than one half million dollars which
does not include the costs of the new building program. During the school year of night of 1961-62 a careful study was made by a committee of teachers concerning the needs for additional buildings. Various other individuals were called in to meet with the committee several times and a report was finally prepared and delivered to the Board of Trustees. This report called for a new high school plant, additions to various old buildings, and renovation areas that had run down. A bond issue was called for the spring of 1962 and in May the issue was passed after a hard campaign. The new plant is under currently under construction on a plot of ground purchased by the board adjacent to the old school campus during last year. Twenty-five additional acres of land were purchased from Mr. Joseph Gruy Jr. It is hoped that with the completion of the new high school plant which includes the gym and an auditorium that it will then be possible to construct a new stadium. Present plans call for the high school students to move into the new classroom area about 1 September with the present 6, 7 and 8 grade moving to the present high school building and grades 1-5 occupying the present elementary and junior high campus. Some repair work was done in each of these buildings last summer it is planned to do some additional work this summer as finances permit.
CANALES - From Page 8 Duval, commented “that there had been only five people killed in his county in the previous year and that three of those had been killed by Rangers. He demanded that the legislature do something to protect the innocent citizens from the Rangers.” The consensus of the House of Representatives can perhaps be characterized best by the comments of Representative Stewart of Reeves county when “he said that he had not taken the Canales bill seriously; had thought no one else would, but that now the matter had assumed its present proportions, he could sit still no longer.” Representative Stewart continued, “my home is seventy-five miles from the Mexican border and God only knows what would have become of many citizens and their property in that section of (west) Texas had it not been for the presence or nearness of Texas Rangers.” Stewart concluded that “he was not a Mexican hater, by any means. He knew Mexicans; in fact, had worked Mexicans for years and that his foreman was a Mexican. But he did not want the Ranger force crippled or done away with. If there be bad individual Rangers, get rid of them, but leave the sound ones, permitting the organization to go forward unhampered.” After considerable debate the momentum of the issue seemed to swing in
favor of the opponents of the bill and former District Judge Felix Johnson McCord, a transplanted Mississippian, “moved that further consideration of the Canales bill be postponed until Friday morning at 10 o’oclock.” This was a Parliamentary procedure that would eventually kill the bill. Canales aware of the objective of the motion by McCord promptly jumped on his feet and proclaimed “you know that postponement is sought on this bill in order to kill it.” He challenged the bill’s opponents, “if you want to be men, why come boldly out and be men; do not attempt to kill my bill by subterfuge, as you are now doing. Be brave, vote what your wishes may be…but have a straight, fair vote on such a motion as that, but do not seek the death of my bill by innuendo. In brief, don’t be a coward and do by indirection that which if you must do, I ask that you do by direction.” Canales then asked that his bill, House bill No. 5 be recommitted until a “thorough investigation of the Texas Rangers had been made.” A joint committee composed of four House members and three Senate members was then appointed to conduct the investigation. Continued in the April 24 edition of South Texas History
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
2 Trustees Re-elected To Serve on School Board Last Saturday the people of Hebbronville went to the polls and named the two trustees who are to serve on the Jim Hogg county school board for the coming term. Joseph Gruy and T.S. Perez were re-elected to serve another term. Mr. Gruy received 140 votes out of 155 cast and Mr. Perez received 123. Mr. Quilliam who was a new candidated received 43 votes. Mrs. Monroe Corkill received two votes her name having been written in. Voters turned out fairly well to determine this very important matter of selecting trustees to manage the school affairs. Judges of the election were Judge A.M. Brumfield and Russel Houston. The election was held in the main entrance to the high school building. News articles taken from the Thursday, April 11, 1935 edition of the Jim Hogg County Enterprise.
March 27, 2013
First National Bank Statement Chronicles Excellent Condition Since publication last week of the Financial Statement of the local First National Bank, we have heard many favorable comments with regard to the excellent conditionof this enterprising financial institution. The statement shows that total Quick Assets of $400,149.91 are more than sufficient to pay Demand Deposits which ammount to $377,392.91, a condition which shows not only conservatism but safely coupl with good banking practices. Likewise, such a strong condition cannot be found in banks many times larger than our own banding institution. The management of the bank is placed in the hands of men with keen business acumen who are ever eager to help the community progress and do all in their power to advance the good will of the surrounding trade areas.
Celebrating 100 Years
First National Bank of Hebbronville
The
“A century of Strong and Independent Community Banking� 1913 - 2013
Congratulations on your 100th Anniversary Jim Hogg County
Banner from Thursday, April 11, 1935 Edition of The JHC Enterprise
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News from the Jim Hogg County Enterprise 1935