Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-01-29

ed on the American side Of the river
opposite the older town, Matamoros,
explains that both of the above en-
tries refer 10 payments made in
Mexican money, the only existing
currency i'm this section at tina.
time. The reference Is from a cash
book used in 1892.
Shipped by Steamer
II had been in Roma for some two
weeks doing dental work" the doctor
recalls, "and was preparing TO re-
turn to Brownsville on the Bessie.
A sudden rise in the river caused
Capt. Jessie Thornham "a decide TO
cast off earlier than ID first planned
in order TO take advantage Of the
rising waters on the downward trip.
| had intended to bring the chair and
lathe along with me, but the early
sailing defeated this plan. IL was
forwarded later and the above entry
represents the freight charge" Capt.
Thornham is now a Valley rancher.
"The entry concerning payment for
the Herald recalled our daily paper
of that time, when news was re-
ceived by mail in very irregular
iAaiAllGA anu AWAY many ANNH AlLGI
the events related had happened.
THAT was the year of the Blaine
Cleveland election and probably was
the only time democrats on the bor-
der have had the last laugh so eff
fectually.
Republicans Celebrate
News reached US soon after the
general election not more than a
couple Of weeks at least, mat Blaine
had been elected president OF the
united States by the republicans.
There was great Joy in local re-
publican ranks and equally great
gloom in the democratic camps, for
we democrats had had great hopes
for a victory that year and we took
our politics seriously in those days.
The republicans staged a big rally
and torch light parade while we
democrats looked on gloomily.
But a few days later a rider ar
rived from San Antonio with word
that Cleveland and the democrats
had won after all. This report was
confirmed a few hours later by the
arrival of a mail news dispatch to
that effect.
Then we democrats were happy.
Hastily we prepared to stage a
demonstration that would make that
put on by the republicans a few DAYS
before look cheap. Range horses
were about the only mounts avail
able then and ! remember that NY
self and two friends succeeded in
securing three fine fat mules to ride
in the parade. And ride them, we
did.
Different Now
But after all, the parade wasn't
what it should have been. A saloon
keeper rolled a barrel Of whiskey
onto the sidewalk and invited all
and sundry TO partake. Some Of our
torch beareys were so thirsty they
could not wait for the tin cups
which were being passed around.
They pulled the wicks out Of their
oil torches, poured the kerosene on
the ground and used the tin con-
tainers for drinking cups. This
greatly reduced the number OF
lights in the parade and, ! am afraid
the oil mixed with the whiskey was
100 much for some Of our brave
democrats.
I'VE always did suspect that saloon
keeper Of republican leanings and
a desire TO mar our parade.
But things are different now.
With the Associated Press deliver
ing news from all parts of the world
by wire within a few minutes after
the event happens and with the
pumping plant lifting so much water
out of the Rio Grarde for irriga-
ton that there isn't enough left 70
float q good skiff 10 the mouth Of
the stream, I suppose we are all go
ing 20 have 70 take TO the air to keep
up"