davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-21
Valley folks have strawber-
ries with their Christmas din
ner. Just before the big tur-

to depend entirely upon the open ditch
Tor drainage. The open ditch presents
such a handicap to cultivation and is
expensive tc maintin; and furthermore
only ac%complishes a part of the drain
age. Tile drainage offers the most ideal
manner of draining the irrigated farm
and wherever salt, in the soil, is evid-
ent, becomes an absolute Necessity to
the successful cultivation or raising
of crops or orchard
Few drainage districts lave been or
ganized in the upper Valley, though nat
urally as the acreage of irrigated land
increases, it will become necessary to
supplement the natural drainage. :
Fine Drainage Districts
At present there is one drainage dis
trict in Hidalgo County and four in
Cameron County. These drainage dis
tricts have accomplished a great deal
and many miles of bitches are furnish
ing drainage for a large territory. Cen
orally speaking, the best drainage could
be secured by a comprehensive drain
age system that would cover the Low
er Valley. Individual drainage districts
are in the main good, but often one or
several districts must secure outlets
through other districts, sL<h outlets
often requiring larger mains than
would be necessary for the smaller
drainage area of some single district.
The situation is one that calls for CO.
operative construction along plans that
are comprehensive enough to include all
of the lands within a given area, and
not the lands only which are bounded
by the lines that comprise a given drain
age district. Drainage districts often
find it necessary TO construct bitches
on locations that are not most advant
ageous, in order to stay within their
boundary Lines. The same condition ap-
plies to tile drainage; it is often diff
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-21
key is taken from the oven
they step out into the patch
and pick a few ripe berries

ficult for a land owner to tile drain
his land without securing an outlet
across one or more adjoining farms, and
in IA measure must drain the lands Of
others at his expense. Tile drainage
systems covering several farms can of
ten be constructed much more advant-
ageously and at a much lower per
acre cost.
Many individual land owners are
beginning to appreciate the Importance
of tight line irrigation system and to
realize the benefits derived by the elm
ination of the earthen irrigation ~laterls
in the fields. Tight line systems elimin-
ate the excess seepage of water thereby
aiding the drainage situation. A number
of tracts of land have been tile drain
ed, greatly benefiting the land, some Of
these systems near Brownsville and
San Benito were installed several years
e and results have been very salts
factory. Some lands have been reclaim
ed on which it was practically impos-
sible to grow crops.
Ell Jardin Progressive
The land owners of the FL Jardin
Tract near Brownsville in Cameron
County are especially progressive and
appreciative Of the value Of tile drain
age. These owners are not waiting until
the ninth hour. but are taking time by
the forelock, so to speak, and are in
surfing the productive value Of their
lands by the installation of compre-
hensive tile drainage systems.
In conclusion the drainage situation
is; there is approximately a half mil
lion acres Of the most fertile lands in
the world comprising the Lower Rio
Grande Valley; at the present time
there a.e about a dozen man pumping
plants discharging an enormous amount
of the waters of the Rio Grande into a
network of canals, extending through
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-21
DRAINAGE need
OF VALLEY,
CIVIL ENGINEER
Excess of Water Must
Be Removed From
Land After Irriga ion,
Is Claim
Rx Bruce Gentry

OF course it is no new statcmcn. to
say that drainage is jus. ~ iaiporta-t
as irrigation to the Lower Rio Gr.adc
Valley. Drainage is absoletely essen
tial to the successful cultivation Of all
irrigated lands and natural drainage
channels cannot take care OF the excess
hat comes through the successive ap-
plications of water to produce crop
after crop. The planning OF ili~at;on
and of drainage systems should 20
hand in hand, and the drainage bitches
should be constructed at the same time
that the irrigation canals are buil,.
The topography of the Lower Y Hey
is rather flat. The land ranges in Gle
walton, above sea level, from 10 feet
near Mission to about % fee. tear
Brownsville, the air line distance being
rs miles. The Lower Valley is of a t ue
delata formation and the banks OF the
Rio Grande are higher thar the sur
rounding land, so that the river does
not act as a drainage channel; the same
is true of the old river channels or re-
sacas, many of which are little more
than disconnected depress.ons. The Ar
royo Colorado furnishes the pr ncipal
uraiHaSe outlet.
The soils of the Lower Valley range
from light sandy to heavy black soils.
Some soils are porous, others vely tight
There seems to be no true alkali in
these soils, only neutral salts.
The average annual rainfall of this
area is about 26 inches, though the an
nual precipitation has been as high as
go inches, while during a single storm
5 inches of rain has fallen. To the pres
ent time most of the irrigation systems
consist of unlined earthen canals and
laterals. As it is necessary to keep mile
after mile of these canals filled with
water, during most of the year, there is
an enormous amount of seepage con-
stantly passing from the higher to the
lower lands. The total amount of water
entering the soil through the watering
of crops, seepage and natural rainfall
SIS large, and the drainage system
must be designed to remove this wat
er before the land becomes water log
ged or before an excessive amount of
salts has been accumulated in the soil.
bitches Form Problem
Drainage is accomplished by dredg-
I'M. the main bitches along the low ly-
ing land between ridges, other smaller
bitches bringing the excess water to
these outlets. The maintenance of these
bitches is quite a problem; as the
bitches become overgrown with vegeta-
ton which retards the flow Of water,
holds the sediment and prevents the
ditch from fulfilling its purpose. Much
damage is often wrought by the care
LOGS manner in which many land owners
discharge their excess water into ditch
es, causing caving of the banks and
the washing in of loose soils from the
fields.
1t is difficult for the individual farm
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-21
Sunday, Dec. q, 1924.

5. W. Y~arbrough, agent of the Gulf
Coast lines, Almost 1000 bales of cot
ton were shipped from the 1924 crop.
Weslaco Lands Fertile
Two thousand acres of land were de-
voted to the raising of truck in the dis
trict last year, it is estimated, and this
has been enlarged almost a third this
year. 1t is estimated that there will be
at least $500 cars of produce shipped
from Weslaco during the present sea-
son. The principal crops, are cabbage.
beets, carrots and beans, but small ship
ments of several other crops will be
made in addition to the shipment Of
citrus fruit.
Thirt.+thousand acres Of fine land
are in cultivation in the Weslaco dis
trict, irrigation being furnished by the
American Rio Grande Land and Irriga-
tion company system, on whose tract
the town was established.
Here, as in all other parts of the
Valley, citrus fruit growing is coming
to be the leading industry and while
there are not many bearing orchards
in the immediate vicinity just now
there are q number of young orchards
and others, are being planted at a rapid
rate.
Although Weslaco was started many
years after most Of the Valley towns,
it already has come to be one of the
leading industrial centers Of this section
and if it continues to grow at its present
rate soon will distance many of its
competitors in size, for it has the spir-
it of youth and enthusiasm which will
carry it far.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-21

system and plans are being made for
a sewerage system to cover the town.
A special election likely viii be cali
ed in the near future to vote bonds
for this purpose. A survey of the town
already has been made and estimates
Of the probable cost Of such a system
are being prepared.
This and many other projects for the
advancement of the town are being
backed by a live Chamber Of Commerce
of which E. c. Couch, banker. is presi-
dent and Leslie Neal, secretary.
Although the town is only 8 years
old, a wonderfully efficient school sys-
TEN has been built up in that short
time. The district has five modern build
ings which cost approximately $175,oo0
to build and equip; and a faculty of 80
teachers is employed.
Fine School Buildings
r. A. Deem is superintendent of the
system; W. T. Barbee, principal of the
high schools; r. H. Brandon; principal
of Stephen F. Austin grammar schools;
Miss Bessie Emery, of the Ebouy
Heights school; and Miss Olivia Hay
wood of the school for Mexican child
rem.
The enrolment of the entire system
is 1850 this year, an increase of 300
over the enrolment of $50 last year.
New buildings nave provided for this
big enrolment but a like increase next
year will require still more room.
The high school building was erected
- -. fnOo --A 80
$11O,0 900 and is one of the most modren
and completely equipped in the Valley
containing a fine auditorium, neces-
sary laboratories for teaching vocation
al subjects and study rooms, in addition
to the regular class rooms. Ten teach
ers are employed in this school, all but
three of them holding a degree from
an accredited university. Vocational
home economics and agriculture are
taught and the school offers a COM
plete course in Commercial art. The
equipment for the last named course
is especially complete.
The high school has 10 credits Of af-
filnation and is offering six additional
units this year.
A new grammar school erected at a
cost of $4,000, is just being complet-
ed. This building eribodies all the lat
est ideas for the modern school and
will be first class in every way.
Big Shipping Center
Weslaco is one Of the leading ship
ping centers of the Valley and there
are IL cash buyers Of produce who
maintain offices in the town, the Tex
-- |
Samuels Co., having located offices
there this year.
There were la17 cars of vegetables
and fruit shipped from this station dur
ing the season of 1923-24 according to
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-21
RAPID GROWTH
MADE TO MEET
SECTIONS need
Continued from Page One)

Continued from Page One)
& NJ. Mississippi college. Georgia Tech.
University of Georgia. Illincins. Michi-
gan Wisconsin. Ohio State. Tulsa. Cal
~ifornia. Leland Stanford. Boston Tech.
Princeton and Columbia, Club directors
are: NJ. F. Armstrong. j.. F. r. Will
liams. q. f. Thompson. +. L. Hughes
ana Ed. Kendall.
A football team composed of excel
lege stars Is another unusual feature Of
thu town. Until the end OF the season
had met scme of the strongest city
teams of the state and were undefeat-
ed.
Big Building Concern
The Texas Builders and Supply COM
rany. a $4,000 corporation, has just
been formed to take over the Weslaco
Planning Mill, recently destroyed by
fire. according to an announcement of
Albert s. Wright. 1t is the plan of the
company to handle a complete stock Of
all builders supplies. including plumb
ing fixtures. hardware, electrical APP
pliances, mill work, roofing sheet met
al paints, oils, store fixtures and cab
met work. The firm will design, erect
and furnish materials for any type of
building. A $4,000 fireproof building
to house the enterprise is to be erect
ed at once. Incorporators Of the firm
are Harry l.. Stebbins, T. F.. Stone, j
5. Phillips and nine others.
More than so residences of all types
have been built inside the city limits
during the past year, all of them sub
s%tantial buildings and many of them
fine homes. There are several homes
under construction now and the total
Of building projects for the year is ev-
expected to almost reach 100.
This growth is not a boom, according
to Leslie Neal, secretary of the Cham
Der of Commerce, but the town is mere
ly building to meet the demands of
the surrounding territory for an ade-
quate trading center. Development of
the land about Weslaco mas been so
rapid that the town had fallen behind
and has just been catching up. There
is not a building nor a business in the
town that there was not a real need for
long before it was supplied " Mr.. Neal
said.
Weslaco has an adequate water works
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-21
Valley Must Be Seen |
To Be Appreciated

1.-THE wonder of the Lower Rio
Grande Valley must be seen to be ap-
preciated," says r. +. Stewart of Tiskil-
wa, H., salesman of road machinery,
who has been here for the past several
weeks on business. ~ will not be able
to tell all of the story of the Valley
when | get bach home for it is beyond
belief" he continued.
Mr.. Stewart has seen the fine or
chards fertile farms beautiful homes
and thriving towns from Mission to
Brownsville and although he had heard
many good things of this section before
he came here, "it all has been amazing
he said.
II nave travelled through II states in
the past few months. but nowhere have
/ found such wonderful development, he
concluded.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-21

out the Valley. Added to this amount is
the natural rainfall, which averages 25
inches annually. All of this water finds
its way to the lands. A small amount
evaporates, the excess must be removed
by drainage, as the natural drainage
is insufficient We must plan and cons
truct adequate drainage systems and
then maintain them in order to secure
a succession of bOuntiful crops.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-21

Twelve years ago the Valley was a land
of opportunity, and while this opportu-
nifty has been realized, in it's realization,
bigger and better opportunities have open
ed. The Valley is a land Of opportunity.
, 1924-04-16
HOUSE PASSES ON
new RECLAMATION
CHARGE MEASURE

Washington, April S.-The house,
as substitute for a senate bill today
passed a measure deferring for three
years reclamation charges due from
settlers on western lands.
AS passed by the house, the bill
would provide for interest charges a
five instead of six percent as fixed
by the senate. The secretary of the
interior also would be given authori-
ty, should applications be made prior
to January 1925, to distribute pay
ments over the contract period, which
in no case would exceed 20 years.
Passage of the measure va urged
in the committee report "to enable
the secretary of the interior to fur
nish water to settlers on irrigation
projects who are in arrears in pay
ment of construction charges"
, 1924-04-16
POWELL SHRINE CLUB
MINSTREL PLEASES
A LARGE AUDIENCE

The Powell Shrine Club Minstrel
Show, presented last Friday at the
Temple Theatre, was greeted by a
large and appreciative audience, ev-
cry seat in the house having been
sold out long before time for raising
the curtain. The entire proceeds will
go to charity.
From the first number on the pro-
gram, dreams of India" by the en-
tire company, until the curtain fell
on the final chorus, there was not
one dull second, and the crowd was
kept in a continuous uproar at the
end mems gags" especially those on
some of the local business men,.
Numbers on the bill that were ex-
%ceptionally good and, we believe, de-
serving of special mention were:
the rendering of "Sunset Trail of
Cold" by the ensemble, with a solo
by John King; and interpretive
dance by Miss Dorothy Attebery; a
solo dance BY Arilla Wasden, a little
Miss of nine years old, which was one
of the best received numbers of the
performance; "a Dream" by l.. R.
Ness; "When Clouds Have Vanished"
by w. S. Sha; 81 Didn't Ask-He
Didn't Say" by Jack Young; and
"That's a Plenty" by 1. B. Hosig.
Chris. Fessenbeck acted as inter-
, 1924-04-16
JURY'S LAST BALLOT
TO FOR ACQUITTAL
Continued from Page ~

he had his gun on at the time of the
first assault, had carried the gun in
Cody on account of a prior assault
committed by other parties upon him
with a gun in February preceding.
Sanda and Robertson both corroborat-
ed Simpsons statement as to the
communicated threats on the part of
Rains to which Simpson had testified.
Albert Felsheim, a witness for the
State, who runs the Mint Cafe, testi-
fled that he observed Rains was at
the cigar case talking to Pool for five
minutes and stood with his face in a
northeasterly direction partially fac
ing the door when Simpson came in.
Thus flatly contradicting Pools testi-
mony that Rains had just came in and
asked for a cigar, and that he did
not look at him.
His testimony was born out by the
evidence of DR.. Whitlock of the Pow
ell hospital who testified that the
bullet which went through Rains
came out an inch and a half lower
than where it entered so he could
not have been killed by the shot
which lodged in the wall nine feet
and seven inches high, as was the
States contention.
The evidence was all in and both
sides rested at noon on Thursday, and
the afternoon was devoted to the
arguments of counsel.
1t may be said in this connection
that Mr.. Goppert tried the case for
the State with more judgment, re-
straint and better taste than he some
times shows when bent on a victory.
Few better speeches of its kind are
often heard than that made by R. B.
West who made the opening speech
to the jury for the defense. Without
s%uperflurous words, he marshalled
his facts and presented them in a
logical, incisive and forceful manner
which won high praise for the Basin
Attorney from those who heard him.
Mr.. Enterline, recognized as one of
the most brilliant trial lawyers in the
State, made an imprisoned plea for
his friend and client BILLY" Simpson,
frankly telling the jury that it was no
ordinary case to him because of his
long friendship for the man he was
defending. He declared vehemently
that he did not believe a mar who
had been the victim of such a vicious
and cowardly assault as had William
L. Simpson should be sent to the peni-
Tertiary for protecting himself
against "a repetition. The State had
the final speech and at its conclusions
the jury was locked up until $50 on
Saturday. 1t returned a couple of
times for further information in e
gard to some evidence of the impeach-
ment Of Henry Pool, but, as the day
passed, it became fairly plain that it
v would be able to reach an
agreement since those who held out
for acquittal were as stubborn in their
stand as those who were set on rend-
ering a verdict of guilty.
, 1924-04-16
BOY SCOUTS TO STUDY
FOREST PROTECTION

The local Boy Scouts organization
will take up a study of forest pro-
lection during the coming week,
which has been designated as Clean
up Week for the town of Cody.
This step is taken by the local
scouts in cooperation with the presi-
dental proclamation in which a de-
sire is expressed for a general OBJ
, 1924-04-16

A Pretty Woman is a Joy to Tired
Eyes, a Balm to Starving Hearts and
a Benediction to the Soul. Make
early appointment with the Marinello
Shop. 36-2t
, 1924-04-16

great deal of hard work and training.
and the crowd that turned out to the
show here proved that their efforts
were not in vain in so far as Cody
was concerned.
Immediately following the Minstrel
a dance a held, which was well at
tended and lasted into the early hours
of the morning.
, 1924-04-16

Beet Planting Started
Improved Field Work Shown

Several thousand acres beet land are already planted in
Great Western districts. And beet soils are rapidly being
fitted to receive seed.
Fieldmen report that so far farmers have shown COM
mendable care in performing the spring field work, avoiding
wet blowing, firming the seed bed to the desired elasti-
city, conserving the moisture and drilling the early seed
not more than one inch deep.
If the same care is exercised in the great number OF
fields still to be prepared and sown the seasons fair prom
Use of good beet yields will be well started toward realiza-
ton.
Good farmers appreciate the Importance of packing the
soil properly, OF a sharp drill shoe and uniformly firm press
wheels running squarely behind the shoe, of straight rows.
of ditcher attachments on the drill in windy localities and
of frequently examining the drill tubes to see that out
lets are not clogged.
These essentials have repeatedly been emphasized and
need not be detailed further in this space unless later re
ports indicate a general falling off in field practice.
But the desirability of growers accepting early ship
ments is again to the fore. The Company's labor depart
ment could fill all contracts this month and in early Nav
with a good class of beet help if the growers would accept
the shipments.
Later on, if still without labor, beets may get behind
on thinning and possibly lose tonnage. The advisable course
to adopt, if a grower is in any shape to care for his help. is
for him to accept his beet family this month or surely not
later than May IS.
, 1924-04-16
GREAT WESTERN SUGAR CO.

l~ocutor, and the ends we're very ably
taken by Jack Young, Harry Atte-
berry, Ole Johnson, Art Carpenter,
Wilbur Krell and 1. B. Hosig.
The Powell Shriners are to be high
ly complimented on the whole pro-
duction, as the manner in which the
performance was put on, devoid of
hitch or blunder, was evidence of a
, 1924-04-16

grams. The study will be under the
direction of Scout Master Carl Vic
tor Brown, minister of Presbyterian
church.
, 1924-04-16

Enterprise Want Ads. Bring Results
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-15
LIONS AND LADES
ON GAYETY
BILL

They are "Runnin' Wild" at the
Gayety this week Ed Daiey's
fast-stepring collection Of bur
lesquers ran thrnngh the two acts
and twenty scenes which make
up the entertainment at express
speed and received a fair amount
Of applause. The major part Of the
show Is devoted to dancing, there
being dearth OF vocal talent In
the company.
Frank Harccurt, well knownsto
Gayety audiences, and AL Hitler
furnish mort of tire comedy, and
while they are somewhat handi.
capped by lack Of material to
work on, they managed to get, by.
Babe Healy got lot Of applause
for her dancing numbers. while
Jessie Reece and Rose HeInely
won favor with their songs and
dances. John o. Grant, the
straight man, was effective.
Charles Hitower and Jimmie
Jones, two colored lads, registered
a hit with their dancing. while
Jimmie Hazard and Jack Spell.
man ran them close second for
honors.
Vallecita's leoparis furnished an
interesting trained animal act,
reaching the 'high spot in musical
bell sLene with Vallaceti at the
piano. III. w.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-15
SOTHERNPL VERSO OPEN
IN "TWEL Eth NIGHT

Mr.. Sothern and his most
capable company's performance
Of Twelfth Night at Poli,s last
evening proved anew that. d
modern audience can and does
enjoy Shakespeare.
Mr.. Sothern's production ID
marked by good acting, pictur-
esque cOstqming, tasteful staging
4 and splendid direction. sThougS
long, as are all Shakespearian
dramas, his script shows wise cut.
ting. Some of the music might
be omitted, however,
Because of Miss Marlowe's I'LL
ness we had as new Viola. the
role being altogether, Charming
; in thee hands ON Miss Lenore.
Chippehdale. n Miss ChtbpeIfdale
has q most pleasing personality
and n splendid voice. and swaS ali
! that could be desired. AS usual
Mr.. Sothern did splendid work.
His Malyolio is most artistic.
His voice. his walk, his gestures,
all lending to perfection of char
acter.
a Shakespeare's keen insight into
character is best brought out In
this play by his deIineation of
the three drunkards, Sir Toby,
Sir Andrew and the Clown, played
by T. G. Bailey, France Bendtsen
and Albert Howson, respectively.