Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-21
HOME OF THE
GRAPEFRUIT,
IS AT MISSION
Some of Oldest Orchards
in Valley and Many
New Ones Located in
Mission, ~Sharyland

Mission advertises herself to
the world as the "Home of the
Grapefruit and the quality and
quantity of her citrus fruit
shipments prove that this is no
misnomer.
Some Of the oldest orchards in
the Valley are located in the Mis-
sion territory and many young
orchards are being planted year
ly. The Mission-Sharyland district in
1873 shipped az per cent of the fruit
to leave the Valley and bigger ship
ments IN proportion to the growth of
the industry in other parts of the Val
ley are expected this year. The fruit
from this district will be of the same
uniform quality, says T.. NJ. Melton.
booster for the Valley in general and
Mlsslon-Sharylani in particular.
Mr.. Melton is secretary-treasurer for
the Texas Citrus Fruit Growers ex-
change, Incorporated, which maintains
its home office at Mission. John Fl.
Shary, one Of the gratest individual de-
veiopers in the Valley, is president Of
that organization and other officers are
Ben +. Keith, vice president; H. Ray
mond Mills. field and plant superin-
tendent, and in addition to those above
nameS. Larry l.. Seay, j. A.. Hickman
ana Homer D. Johnson are directors.
mission and all the surrounding ter
ritory is on a firm foundation and this
IS indeed the "city of golden promise,
according to Mayor Willard Ferguson,
to whose executive ability recent dew
elopment is in a large measure attribut-
ed by the citizens. Serving with him
are A. S. Broyles and Franklin Ewers.
city commissioners.
The growth of the city has been cos
slant and rapid since it was dedicated
IN l9o9, until today it claims a popula-
Ton OF approximately 5000 people.
scores OF prosperous business firms
housed in imposing brick BUILDINGS.
pretty homes, paved streets, sidewalks.
Weil-kept lawns, splendid schooix and
we'll attended churches.
4 total Of 6S building permits have
been issued by the building inspector
during the past II months, five of
these for mercantile establishments j..
costing many thousand dollars. at least
a dozen for pretentious homes and the
balance for more modest improvements
"o new produce packing plants are in
Guided In the permits, Brown White and
Wade-Newton.
ne town now has a little more than
Two miles OF paving and plans are nm
ger way for the laying of an eoraI
amount additional in the near future.
ms VIII be firt class rock asphaft-.
Plan Sewerage System
Plans and specifications now are be-
ing prepared by the city engineer TO- !
sewage disposal plant which VIII cost
approximately 100000 and which will
meet all requirements of the st,,a
board of health.
A franchise recently has been gram.
cd to the Valley Electric and Ice COM
pany 70 supply current for the street
i,ehtlhg system Of the town, the use of
'his additional current making available
+ sreclai>power rate to manufactures
anu motor operators in the town.
Plans for the construction Of an i'm
pressive Masonic temple and a large
methodist church are underway and
contracts for both are to be let in n
short time.
A commercial, club which it attempt
ing to perform a real service for the
town and its members has recently been
organized. DR.. A. L. Brasher ia pres:d-
ent Of this organization and Rev. Ross
a. Marcus, pastor of the local Christian
church is secretary.
This body, composed Of live boosters
Tor their home town, in addition 10
DONG the regular work expected Of
sucn an organization, has undertaken
some rather unusual activities. These
include the employment of "A night pol
iceman, the upkeep and development of
city parks and the handling of all dona-
tons made by the town to charity.
Club Stops Peddlers
Started only a few months ago with
az members the club has grown to al
most a hundred, applications for men,
bership being received at practically
every meeting, No canvassing is done
for members. Another unusual feature
is that no action is taken on any SUBJ
ject without a vote of every member.
The voting is done by mail and not in
the regular meetings.
A statement of expenditures made by
the secretary for the period from jan
uary 1, 1924 to August Is reveals the
many worthwhile activities in which
the organization is engaged. Advertis-
ing, including publications, newspapers
and billboards, cost $1121 .33. CThis adj
vertising included booster material for
the entire Valley.) Night policeman.s
salary, $3.50; secretary's salary $525;
| support Of local band, 5000; on upkeep
Continued On Page Sd