San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-05-05
FROM OLD KARNES.
THE PANA MARIA AND ITS SCHOOLS
SAN ANTONIO ENTERPRISE.
The Sherifl's Accidsnt-Other Interesting
Notes From Our Regular Corrre-
spondent-Helena and
Kennedy, Etc.

CHELENA, Karnes County, Tex. May /, 1856
| Editor San Antonio Light.
As stated in my last communication, dated
! April %. in which | promised TO give further
| information regarding this county tKaTnesJ,
there is one place, distant Ave miles north
of here, which deserves particular mention,
and that is the beautiful and prosperous Polish
settlement, Pana Maria, of 1000 people, whose
pursuits are purely agricultural. They are
very successful, and by thrift aud economy
have made themselves good and comfortable
homes They have two fine rock churches
and two elegantly finished schooi-hOuses.
Their spiritual wants are supplied by Father
Ladisas Tckwizcy, genuine Polish Count,
who shows his hereditary qualities in Il hand
some person, accomplished manners and rare
scholarly attachments.
Six sisters of the lnCaTnate Word have
charge OF the schools, which are as thorough
rs the community demands and fully up 10 the
present needs of Pana Maria this being the
Polish name for Saint Mary. On returning to
Helena, your correspondent visited the court
house and jail, and in the latter place found
only two prisoners, and in the case of one it
was doubtful whether conviction could be
had. This fact certainly speaks well for karnes
County.
Twelve free schools are taught in the
county, six months each in the year.
The state and county tax in 1885 was % cents
on the 500.
The county has a very good courthouse,
good jail, but the jail is very seldom occu-
pied.
There are only three doctors in the county,
but they spend most of their time grumbling
about the distressing hcalthfuIness of the
county.
The legal profession is well represented
here by +. r. Graves, County Attor-
Wilson, with Mr.. John Archer as County
Judge. All or any of these gentlemen will be
found by strangers coming into this section OF
country extremely courteous and obliging,
and will render all assistance in their pOwertO
impart any information which may be re-
quirCd.
The Sheriff of this county, J. l.. Elder who
is very popular man in this country, met with
"A very severe accident Il few days ago while
working in his garden which came very near
costing him his life. While pulling some
weeds he was bitten by rattesnake on the
middle finger of the right hand, but, fOrtu-
nately for him, local option did not exist here,
and whiskey being near at hand, the same was
freely administered until II had the desired
effect. Although suffering very much, your
correspondent was informed by his physician
that he Is now out of danger, but IL will be
some time before he can resume his duties
There are here two good hotels, one board
ing-house, one drug store, one saloon, five
general merchandise, one saddlershOp, one
blacksmith shop and two livery stables, all of
which seem 10 do very safe and profitable
business.
During his stay here your correspondent
received an invitation to attend a dance given
e. X. Pyle Esq, where we had an opportunity
of seeing Helena's fairest daughters trip the
light fantastic toe to music furnished by two
gentlemen on yiOlins, and whose names we
failed to ascertain; every one seemed to enjoy
themselves, but this WAS principally due to
the good management of Mr.. ID. NJ Mayfed
who OBLIGATED a. master of ceremonies
Among the ladies present were Mrs. Ang-
ling and daughter, Miss Minnie May
field, Miss MOie Booth, Miss Lila
Booth, Miss Ida Bridges, Miss Sallie Tom
Miss Dillia Tom, Miss Sophia Weber aud Miss
Blanche Tom; the party broke up at O'Clock
in the morning, each one expressing them
selves delighted with the evenings amusc-
ment and after returning thanks to the
hostess the ladies dispersed for their different
homes, accompanied by their gallant escorts.
AS this town is only distant from the new
town of Kennedy seven miles, which is situated
on the railroad, the impression seems to pre-
vail among many that the business of this
place will eventually go over there, as your
correspondent was reliably Informed, that one
or two merchants of that place were making
arrangements to that effect, but whether they
do or not we do know that business men from
other places are now looking uD locations
with a view to build on.
The extensive lumber firm of Martin Il
Schryver is also contemplating putting up a
lumber yard there (Kenedy), similar TO the one
at FlOresville, owned by them; and the fact
that firm with such business experience
making such a large investment there goes to
show that they have some confidence in
Kenedy's future.
In my next / will endeavor to give some
more information as regards the line of road
between this place and Beeville. G..