The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-04-08
Commercial Club visits Mercedes.
CONTINUED from Page y

work done in those states during the
past six years had established the
Importance of drainage in connec-
ton with irrigation, and proven the
best methods of applying the same,
furnishing valuable object lessons for
the irrigationist in this newer field.
Six years ago, he said, people were
ignorant of the necessity of drainage,
and the best methods of applying ir-
rigation. but today the results OF ex-
periments and practice would enable
any intelligent farmer TO avoid mis-
takes which might prove disastrous.
He also announced that the agricul-
tural department would shortly send
an irrigation expert. Prof. Hattingen,
to Brownsville, who would pay special
attention to the subject of irrigation
and drainage in the valley, and whose
services should be invaluable to the
entire valley.
Prof. e. C. Green of the South Tex
as Gardens at Brownsville, spoke
briefly on the great work of this i'm
portant enterprise.
On motion of Judge Noah Allen,
Col Bryan was then made an hon
orary member of the club, following
which the great Nebraskan was pre-
scented to the gathering.
Col. Bryan's Address.
A few words of appreciation for the
reception rendered him, and the hon
or Just conferred prefaced one of Mr..
Bryan's most delightful talks. He was
glad to be here. he said, because he
was interested in the valley. In ad-
dftion to his election to honorary
membership in the Lower Rio Grande
Valley Commercial Club, Col Bryan
announced that he had just been
elected ar officer in the youngest
commercial club in the valley. This
was the Mission club, which he and
Mr.. Conway had Just organized,
since taking their seats on the plat
form Col. Bryan explained how he
happened to become interested in the
valley. how Congressman Ellis of
Missouri had met him and Mrs. Bry-
an on the train shortly after the last
election as they were on their way to
Mexico, where he was going to get
away from politics. after the election,
and insisted that he come to Corpus
Christi and attend the waterways
convention. At this convention ne
had met the people from the Lower
Rio Grande Valley, among whom
were his friends, John J Conway and
Robert J. Kieberg, and was induced
by them to see something of this
much talked of valley.
Speaking of real estate men, Col.
Bryan said that, if he should ever run
for Office again. he would stay at
home and hire real estate men to con-
duct his campaign for him and he
would feel sure of his success, for
they were the most eloquent and con-
vincing takers on earth.
He had made allowances when Mr.
Conway told him about Mission, but
upon arriving there he found that all
of the things that had been told him
were not overdrawn. that he had
bought land there and that today he
would not sell it for the price he had
given for it. Enumerating the vari-
Gus trees which were being planted
on his place he caused his hearers to
laugh when he stated that his list was
headed with so pecan trees of the
President variety, because he liked
the name.
Col. Bryan stated that he was even
more pleased with the valley now
than on his first visit. He had al
ways wanted to own land in an irri-
gated district and he was glad that
he had found this spot down here.
While he did not expect to become
permanent resident of the Valley, he
would spend part of each winter here,
and so far as he could, would help
in the upbuilding of the Valley. At
ter expressing thanks to the people of
Mercedes and Brownsville for the
pleasure given him on this occasion,
he concluded with the announcement
that he would come to Brownsville
the latter part of this week
Prolonged applause followed the
address of Col. Bryan When it had
subsidized. DR.. Hallam extended the
clubs thanks to him for his encour-
aging words and then declared the
club adjourned.
The remainder of the evening, until
the hour of departure of the train
for Brownsville was spent by Col.
Bryan at the hotel, where he met
many of the representative citizens
of the valley and conversed informal
~ with them.
For the entertainment of the
younger people. a dance was given at
the warehouse of Messrs. Bishop and
Brennan. which was just completed
today. The excursion train left Mer-
cedes for Brownsville at 11.30 p. m.
Col. Bryan remained at Mercedes
last night, returning to Mission today
by auto with Mr.. Conway. and visit
ing the various large irrigation enter
prises in this section of the Valley on
the way
He expects to visit Brownsville
Friday and Saturday, and will deliver
an address there Friday night Sun
day. he expects TO visit Point Isabel