Ellsworth American., 1907-02-13
CORPUS CHRISTI.


Wrttssn for TIE Anssrsca~ By 3. A. g., formerly
of Bixehiii.l
On Holy Corpus Christi Day, June IA,
1886, La Saile's feet sailed through small
inlet into the waters OF beautiful bay.
In honor Of the day he named these peace
ful waters Corpus Christi. History tells
US he supposed this to be the month OF
the great Mississippi. Before his depart
ure, however, he located . small colony Of
his followers. Later these colonists were
the victims of bloody indian massacre.
The SpaniArds disputed the claim OF
France, and in 1870 Texas was firmly
united to Catholic Spain, both religiously
and politically. The beginning Of the
nineteenth century sawa number Of white
settlements along the Gulf coast, from the
Sabine river to the Nueces. Then cams
the period Of colonization. In 1880, 10000
Americans we're residents Of Texas. most
OF them living in the coast country.
A dark period OF strife and oppression
followed in Texas history, from which
the brave pioneers were only released by
an heroic struggle, and succeeded in be-
coming free and Independent from the
tyranny Of Mexico, and soon after this
became q part Of the United States.
In point Of attractive location, the town
OF "Corpus," as the natives term it, sur
passes any other spot on the gulf. Its
shore curves about the bay like horse
shoe, and within this deep hollow lies the
business section Of the town. quarter
OF q mile back from the waters edge, rises
| long cliff. The touch OF prosperity
hovers over this part Of the town, and
many elegant homes have been built re-
Gently.
Corpus has population Of nearly 5000.
There are ten church editices, three news
papers, two solid national banks, several
hotels, electric lights, three railroads,
good schools. automobiles, steam launches,
hacks and other vehicles galore-and they
boast of the highest "blun' on the Texas
coast, safe from floods and storms. It is
an ideal health and pleasure resort, cool
and delightful in summer, mild and
enjoyable in winter. The people are kind
and hospitable, often sacrificing their own
comfort for the stranger within the
gates''. This trait of character, SO
peculiar to Southern people, we see exem-
plitied every day, as hotel accommodations
are inadequate, not only here but in San
Antonio, and every day visitors are
Obliged to seek temporary Judgement in
some home.
The outlook for Corpus Christi in the
future is singularly bright, for here are all
the elements necessary for the making of
large city. But this lack of hotel accom-
mediation cannot fail to make bad inn
preston upon the visitors who leave the
North at the first touch of cold weather,
but for whose reception here no prepara-
tion has been made.
To-day there are few signs to mark the
historical events of an almost forgotten
past, for this old town is not without its
traditions, and like many of these border
towns, there still remains an atmosphere
| Of mystery and gloom. 1t may be foolish
to believe everything we hear, but cer-
tainly it is just as senseless to close our
ears against everything beautiful and
strange and stupidity refuse to believe
anything outside of our own experience.
1t is interesting to listen to these "old
timers" as they relate events of early
days. The country was full of murderers
and thieves. Stealing herds Of cattle,
killing any one who seemed to have few
dollars on his person, were of every day
occurrence. In those days, cattle Of
untold thousands grazed on these i'm
mense plains. This wild life on the bor-
der continued for many years, and the
plains were free pastures.
In the sos the land was placed on the
market and was soon bought up by wealthy
cattle owners. Later, O law was passed by
the legislature, called the "herd law"
which compelled men to fence in their
vast acres and keep their cattle on their
own land. This caused much trouble and
great expense. The lumber for fencing
was brought from Florida, and often cost
thousands Of dollars. Things went from
bad to worse. Those days were filed with
revolving horrors and blOodshed, and the
mixture of the adventurous, money
making American and the ease-loving
Spaniard lends charm to the early days of
Texas. Superior intelligence, shrewdness
and untiring energy of the Americans
overcame the Incidence and manana (put-
ting of till to- morrow) Of the Mexican.
The class of Mexicans here are mostly
descendants of the Indians, as jealous and
superstitious as their ancestors, perfectly
contented if they have enough for the
present. To some extent they have be-
come Americanized, and their nature has
been somewhat changed by coming in
contact with enlightened people and liv-
ing in better surroundings.
The Mexican settlement of this town is
in the rear of the 'sBluff" and stands out
in striking contrast to the elegant build
ings overlooking the sea. This squalid
settlement consists of many weather.
beaten shanties, covered with old, rusty
tin cans, matched roofs, an occasional
adobe to remind one Of ancient days.
The streets are white with sand and
l. IL - =