davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

prize at the battle of San JacintO
on April n, 1886, through the heroic
struggle Of the Texas forces under
the command Of General Sam Hous-
ton. Texas remained a sovereign
and independent republic until she
became a state or the American
union on February 10. 1864. Mexico
becoming jealous of this act, her re-
lations with the United States be-
came strained until war broke out
between the two countries in April
Of the same year.
State Confirms Title
The state legislature, by an act
passed at q regular session and en-
titled AN Act to relinquish the
rights OF the state to certain lands
therein named" approved OH Feb
ruary 10. 1852, secured, confirmed
and patented both Of these por-
clones TO their respective grantees.
and by authority vested under said
acts. Governors r. M. PeaSe and n.
II. Runnels issued patents therefor.
Beginning with the history of the
cradle OF Rio Grande City. / must
not omit the names Of the founders
of the town:
Captain de IN Cara Falcon had
been an original settler on Porcior
so. where he had founded in 1862
"Carnestolendas Ranch" the first
attempt by white man to found 4
settlement in what is now the
southeast section of Rio Grande
City. and on which land he had
heretofore pastured his cattle and
other livestock. Captain de la
Cara Falcon married Senorita
Leonor Mendez. at Camargo, Mex
leo. on April 10, 1774, and died en-
August 20. 1874, at Camargo. After
his death, his widow Dona Leonor
Mendez, according to a statement
Of Captain de Ia Cara Falcons
nephew, Jose Manuel de la Cara
Falcon, sold said Porcion so IN
verbal transaction to the latter
The purchaser, don Jose Manuel dc
Ia Cara Falcon, in turn on March
Is. 1919, sold Porcion so to don
Francisco de la Cara Martinez
successor to Captain de Ia Cara
Falcon in his efforts to continue tC
occupy a settlement In what is to-
day the southwestern section of Rio
Grande City.
Senior de la Cara Martinez, used
and enjoyed these lands by pastur-
ing his cattle and other livestoct
thereon from 1903 to 1921. Durine
that time he lived at Camargo. but
made periodical trips to said Car
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
WOULD ADOPT THEE

MANCHESTER. Eng.-The trial
or James r. Farron for theft was
halted when a woman offered 20
adopt the 19-year-old prisoner.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

nestolendas'' Ranch which. to be
exact, stood west Of the present site
of the Central Power and Light
company's plant.
Slain by Indians
His trips we're made every morn
inc during which he would attend
TO his daily chores and would over
see his cattle, goats. sheep and live
stock. During one Of these trips.
the Indians made an attack on his
ranch, and while he bravely at
tempted to defend himself and two
daughters who had accompanied
him on what was to be his last trip
to the ranch, he was killed on June
IL. 1921. His daughters were taken
captives, but were later rescued. His
wife and the remaining children
continued TO live at Camargo for
fear Of Indian raids on the place.
Henry Clay Davis, the founder OF
Rio Grande City proper. was a nat
i've OF Georgia. and a son Of Amos
@. G. Davis and Catarina Riguidon.
His adventurous spirit answered the
call of Texas for patriots TO liberats
her from Mexico. and in quest 81
the adventurous life of the roman
tic West, he came to Texas in 1888.
After the close Of the Texas revo-
luton, Davis came to Camargo,
across the Rio Grande river from
Rio Grande City, and on March "A.
1886, married Senorita Maria Hi
laria de la Cara. a granddaugh-
ter Of don Francisco de Ia Cara
Martinez.
In the meantime he founded
Rancho Davis by settling In a
tent at the south end of the east
line OF what is now Britton avenue.
the spot having been, up to recent
years. marked with a small circular
brick Enclosure surrounding an his
, toric ebony tree. After his mar
| rage, ne joined General Taylor's
/! forces TO render his service in the
Mexican war.
After the close or hostilities Davis
built. within a stones throw Of
what was then the stream-bed Of
J the Rio Grande, the Davis home
stead, a two-story brick house and
terraced-roof annex, TO this day
standing in good condition. Rancho
Davis" was the rendezvous OF
American ~ex-service men who served
in the Mexican war, and was ex-
tended and built up till 1t became
one settlement with Carnestolen-
das Ranch on the east
Davis Acquires Land
Davis and his wife became owners
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
Rio Crande City Has Played Prominent Part In History Of u S and Mexico

forces I'm the Civil war; General
ULYSSES >. Grant. then "a lieuten-
ant, and afterwards president of
the United States, Colonel Jeffer-
son Davis. afterwards president Oh
the Confederate States Of America,
and Lieutenant John u. PershinEr
afterwards commanding general OF
the American expeditionary forces
i'll the world war This list could d.
augmented by others Of the ma
tons military heroes.
"A Modern City
Rio Grande City is the county
seat OF Starr county. and has been
such since the county's organiza-
ton Its courthouse. now old and
dilapidated but still serving as Its
temple Of justice. was built in 1883
ri has two churches. Catholic and
Methodist. It has two banks. nu-
merous stores, two picture shows
two hotels, several restaurants, sew
eral filling stations, two motor sales
agencies, an Ice. water and power
plant, soda factory. four lumber
yards, two brick yards, cotton gin.
tourist camp. public a. well a. a
Catholic school. and two printing
offices, one OF which publishes "A
combined English and Spanish Lam
guage weekly paper. and the other
publishes IA Spanish-language week.
II. It Is on state highway l2-B.
graded and graveled TO the bound
airy line OF Hidalgo and Starr coun-
ties on the east and as far as Roma
on the west.
Rio Grande City was, az one time,
the largest town i'm the United
States without "A railroad, but lost
that unique distinction on Angus
20, 1925. when the first locomotive
puffed its way into the city. Miss
Lille Monroe, daughter OF the late
j. =. Monroe. was the sponsor who
christened. with a bottle OF Rio
Grande water, the first train that
ever pulled its way into Rio Grande
City.
On September 20. 1926. the town
Of Rio Grande City. incorporated,
by vote of its inhabitants and II
has remained under such status
The voters also elected a mayor and
two city commissioners, MI Guerra
Jr., and Demetrio Garcia and En-
rique G. Gonzalez, respectively.
Starr county has, according 10 the
last United States decennial census
reports, a population of 1909. Rio
Grande City has "a population oi
5000, the majority Of whom are d.
rect descendants III the Original
) Spanish settlers and colonizers.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

The town has "a natural drainage
system. The streets are graded, ana
owing 10 a natural gravel bed
thereon, miro is not excessive when
~ rains. Notwithstanding the fact
that Rio Grande City is on the
river, IN has been but once flooded
by the waters of the stream and that
was when the natural river bed was
as near the town as the south enc
of Britton avenue and other streets
running parallel thereto The flood
waters inundated the town as far as
the plaza" on 20 a point near
Main and Second streets. This Was
on May II, 1864.
Negro Troops Mutiny
Like Brownsville. Rio Grandc
CITY. had. early ON the night o.
November 20. 1899. "a shooting af-
fair" at the hands Of the personnel
of a squadron OF the Tenth United
States cavalry. a colored regiment,
at that time stationed at Fort Ring
gold. There was only one casualty
which resulted in a flesh wound on
the part of a resident OF the town
who Is still living here "A complete
investigation was ordered by the
war department. and the guilty
parties we're punished accordingly.
The investigation also revealed that
the volley Of fire turned on Rio
Grande City with machine guns by
members Of the squadron was the
result Of unfounded resentment
held by the negro soldiers against .
certain deputy sheriff for the action
Of the latter in incarcerating sew
eral Of the formers comrades on
charges or drunkenness and diSor-
DERBY conduct on the streets Of the
town.
Old Military Post
Rio Grande City is adjacent on
the west to Fort Ringgold, a United
States reservation and army post
which was founded In 1848 and at
present g~arrisoned by the Twelfth
cavalry. 1t is one of the most beau
! tiful army posts on the American
| Mexican border and has a very in
teresting history. Fort Ringgold
was named after Major David Ring
gold. Fourth field artillery, who was
killed In action on May 8. 1916, IN
the battle OF Palo Alto. near
Brownsville. Texas. at the beginning
Of the Mexican war. Several noted
army officers who occupy eminent
places i'm the history Of our country
have been stationed at Fort Ring
gold, including General Robert E
Lee, then colonel, but later COM
] handing general Of the Confederate
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

area at a very reasonable rate. We
propose to economic in every way
possible, but that does not signify
that we are going to withhold funds
such water as may seep through
where funds are needed. We have
made a thorough survey Of the
lower Valley districts and have
learned where we can economic in
many ways without impairing the
efficiency Of our system"
The pumping plant VIII be locat-
cd at Roma Immediately below the
international bridge, where a rock
ledge which jutted into the river
for centuries forms a perfect foun-
dalton. Four pumping units will
be installed, and the board has not
decided the type Of power that viii
be use. The maximum lift will be
Az feet. with an average OF approx
imately 80 feet. The main canal
viii follow the highest land, paral-
Icing the Rio Grande 10 a point Is
miles below Rio Grande City.
Approximately $4,000 acres have
been included in the district. all of
which, with the exception Of a feH
knobs, can be watered by gravity
from the main canal. 1t is believed
that within a few years a total OF
$4,000 acres. the amount for which
the water permit was issued. viii
be brought under irrigation. Sec
ond lifts. averaging from 5 TO Is
feet. Will be necessary To water
some of the additional acreage
when it is brought into the district,
but as all this high land will be
particularly well adapted to fruit
culture its final inclusion In the
district is deemed almost certain.
Sites for water storage are avail
Continued on page IA
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
BY r. OOsTERVEEN. l.. /. d..

by r. OOSTERVEEN, L. i. D..
Is the early part Of 1857. the
Spanish viceroy i'm Mexico and he
territorial dominions. the Marquis
de Croix, acting IN obedience 10 q
decree issued by Charles III, then
king Of Spain. proclaimed that n
certain date would be set for the
distribution, by lot. Of lands in New
Spain by n Spanish royal council
headed by the Marquis himself, and
composed OF Don Juan Fernando
dc Palacio, governor Of the Province
Of Nuevo Santander. and of the
counselor for the council. Licenci-
ado don Juse de OSSorio v Llamas.
They were appointed by the Span
ish sovereign TO distribute lands
amongst his faithful subjects who
had bravely defied death at the
hands of hostile Indians in order .
colonize crown lands in New Spain.
The preliminary proceedings hav-
ing been complied with. such as the
presentation OF the petition, its con-
sideraticn by the council. the APP
plication Of don Juan CiSneros, n
Spanish subject and original settler
on what now constitutes and COM
prises Porcicn 10, was heard, and OIL
August IS. 1867, the council. hold
ing its sessions in the City Of Mex
leo, voted unanimously 10 grant 20
don Juan CiSneros. said Porcion 70.
On the same day, the council also
voted to grant to Captain don Jose
Antonio dc Ia Cara Falcon, Por-
cion go, contiguous on the east. to
Porcion 70. the southeastern and
the southwestern tips Of which
P~orciones 70 and 80. are now oc-
cupied by Rio Grande Gty.
Mexican independence
Throughout the years following
Texas remained a Spanish province
under the immediate domain Of the
Spanish viceroy In Mexico. until
Mexico in 1910, by a manifesto OF
revolution issued by don Miguel
Hidalgo Y Costilla. a Catholic priest,
declared her independence at Do
lores Hidalgo. in what is now the
state Of Guanajuato. Mexico. This
war Of independence lasted until
1921. ending with the Consumati0n
Of Mexican independence and with
don Agustin de Iturbide on the
throne as Augustin T., emperor or
Mexico.
In the years following, Texas re-
NAMED under the Mexican flag I'm
I'll the and day Of March. 1886,
when she declared her indepen-
dence, winning this much-coveted
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
2 WOMEN APPOINTED
TO CONSULAR W

WASHINGTON. Sept. 22--fPl-
Two young women. Miss nellie III.
Stogsdall of South Bend. Ind, am
Miss Margaret Warner or Lincoln
Mass. have been given plums III
the consular service
They will 10 abroad, soon, I'D take
up their new duties a. vice-con-
suIs, Miss StOEsdali at Beirut, Sy-
ria, and Miss Warner at Geneva,
Switzerland. Both posts are con-
sidered important.
They took the examination for
foreign service "a few months ago
and passed the written and oral
tests. They were assigned 20 tbs
service school In the state depart
ment conducted for new members
of the consular service
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
ATZ SHOWS
FANS ARE SENTIMENTAL

FORT WORTH, Sept. 22-tFi-
The reaction of Texas league fans
to the discharge or Jakey Atz as
Fort Worth pilot overturns a pop
ular belief that c0mmercialization
Of baseball has robbed the game o.
sentiment
Not only III Fort Worth. but
throughout the state. fans and play
ers regretted the passing Cf the vet
eran manager. Although rivals
loved I'd ride" him, they respected
hts ability Rs a manager. He was
perhaps the leagues most colorful
figure. HE brought six straight pen
nants To Fort Worth.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

grotto. City water carried in pipes
to the top Of the shrine provides
the replica for the miraculous
spring OF the world-famous shrine
Of Lourdes. The entire shrine is
lighted with colored electric lights
and a large spotlight. the lighting
effects at night enhancing the
beauties OF the rocky grottoes and
the stream of water which flows
down the face Of the rock to a pool
Immediately in front of the struc-
ture.
The pool is one Of the features OF
the shrine. In the center. the
North American continent is con-
structed of concrete in the form Of
a large relief map. symbolizing the
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

of several hundred acres IN these
porciones by purchase from some Of
the heirs of their respective gran
tees. Donna Maria Hilaria. Davis
wife. having been a granddaughter
and heir of don Francisco dc La
Cara Martinez. owner OF Porclon
80.
The first child born I'm Rio
Grande City was Miss Louisiana
Georgia Davis, born on March IL.
1847. She lived to the ripe age o.
70 in Spinsterhood. When the first
locomotive puffed its way into Rio
Grande City, on August %, 1925,
Miss Davis was the honor guest O.
the day and was hailed as the
baby Of Rio Grande City. having
seen many changes wrought here,
from the wild frontier to a town on
the Missouri Pacific lines. All Of
the children OF Henry Clay Davis
and Dona Maria Hillaria de Ia
Cara Davis are dead. with the ex-
ception Of one Of the youngest. Mrs.
Kate Rosa Davis Vizcaya, who IS
still occupying part Of the old Davis
homestead.
Henry Clay Davis contributed In
many respects. and In fact played
the leading role in organizing Starr
county as a political subdivision Of
Texas in 1848. as well as in having
Rio Grande City selected as its
county seat. At the first election
after the organization Of the coun-
ty. he was rewarded with the po-
sition Of county clerk. In the same
year Rancho Davis became Rio
Grande City.
Quaint City Of Border
Rio Grande City Is still the
quaintest town Of the American
Mexican border. For many years il
was a port for small steamboats,
and barges plying the Gulf Of Mex
leo on coastwise trade and ascend
ing the Rio Grande river as far al
Alamo, a ranch on the American
bank OF the river. about 2 miles
west OF Roma. The steamboats,
which most frequently locked alonH
the Mexican and the American
banks of the Rio Grande river were
the Alice" the "Camargo" and tho
Bessie These barges or small
steamboats, were Of American regis
try and ownership. The last voy-
age TO Rio Grande City by these
boats was in May, 1903. The lot Of
the swan song of this dual freight
and passenger service fell TO tn
steamboat Bessie" captained by
J Captain Kelly.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

bringing Of the faith from the old
world to the new. The relief map.
like all other parts Of the shrine,
is remarkably accurate as to detail.
Construction OF the shrine start
ed in February. 1927, and practical
~ all work was done by Father
Goolbach. Owners Of trucks do
mated their services in bringing the
rock from Monte de la Cruz. and
others assisted Father Goolbach in
setting them in place. When the
structure was completed 1t was ce-
mented. colored cement being used
10 duplicate the natural colors Of
the rock Of the LourdeS shrine.
According to the traditions sur
rounding the French shrine, q
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

small peasant girl. while gathering
wood near the grotto saw an APP
partition or the Virgin. The follow
ing day she visited the place and
again saw the ~apparition. The
story OF the girl spread among the
peasant folk Of France, and the
crowds gathering In the vicinity Of
Lourdes resulted IN the church and
civil officials taking Cognizance Of
the girls story. The bishop in
formed the girl that # her story
was true she should ask a sign from
the Virgin. The girl visited the
grotto the next day, and asked for
a sign. the Virgin telling her 70
touch the rock and water would
flow therefrom. The sign was &C
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
~ SUICIDES EVERY HOUR
AROUSE POLICE IN BERLIN

BERLIN.-The Berlin police are
urging drastic laws 10 curb the wave
Of self destruction that j. sweeping
the city. but in the same breath
practically admit that such laws
may be useless. During the present
period the suicides here average 12
every hour. or one every five min
utes. This Is the highest suicide
rate every reached here OF I'm any
other German city, ever during the
dark war days.
Hyder weekly herald., 1929-12-28
ALASKA COPPER
 OUTPUT GROWING
 STEADILY SMALLER

The annual report of Govern or George A. Parks states that the copper production of the Territory is declining and fur ther decreases in production are inevitable unless new ore deposits are discovered.
 The report says that the total mineral production of the Ter itory in 1928 was $14,128,00O, or $176,000 less than in 1927, due to the decline in quantity and value of copper product ion, but gold production ad- vanced from $5,927, ,0O0 to $6,775,O00, the output from lodes exceeding those from placers. Copper production in. 1928 was valued at $6, 100, 900 as compared with 7,250,O ,O00 Tn 1927. Referring to the out look for future copper product ion, the report states that the more promising deposits in the Copper River district have yielded satisfactory results from extensive prospecting and there is a possibility that new mines may be developed be- fore present known ore bodies are exhausted.
 Coal production amounted to 125, ,289 tons,valued at $624,- 900, an increase of 20 per cent for the year. The report also refers to the possibility of pro- ducing marble at minimum ex- pense frem large deposits near tidewater in many places in southeastern Alaska.
Hyder weekly herald., 1929-12-28
CHRISTMAS TREE
 ENTERTAINMENT
 PLEASING AFFAIR

The annual community Christ mas Tree of the Moose lodge, held in Pioneer Hall Tuesday evening, was the high spot in local Christmas observance and was attended by practically everyone in the camp.
 Lack of, sufficient space for bids a complete resume of pro- ceedings and the Herald sim eerely regrets it's inability to present details of the splendid program given by the school children under the capable di- rection of Miss Geraldine Tor rance. Especially in the play, Farmer Browns Christmas" the juvenile actors and actress es displayed most surprising histrionic ability and carried the action with display of self-possession worthy of the professional stage. Following the stage program, Santa Claus appeared. .eSnG personally dis tributed the large and varied array of gifts from the big and ornately decorated Christmas tree. Every child received at least two gifts, while not a few were the recipients of veritable loads of packages,
 The entertainment was a com plete success in every way and the "Howdy Pap's" handsome ly sustained their reputation as patrons of childhood,
Hyder weekly herald., 1929-12-28
SEVEN ALASKA VOLCANOES ARE
 SHOUTING FLAMES

Seven of the largest of the Alaska volcanoes are in active eruption and spouting flames and immense volumes of sul- phurous smoke, according to reports from Dutch Harbor.
 The list of active peaks inclules Katmai, whose eruption some years ago was one of the great est in history; Pavlov, Mageik, Magamil, Akutan, Chiginagak and Shishaldin, all located on the southern coast of the Alas ka Peninsula or on the east ern Aleutians.
 The various peaks are said to have shown unusual activ- ity shortly before Christmas.
 The outburst is the first gen. eral eruption in that region since 1927 and is believed to indicate that the island and coast contours are again un- dergoing alterations. This view is sustained to some extent by the recording of a tremendous earthquake in the neighbor- hood of the Aleutains a few days ago. the shock being felt over a large part of the world.
Hyder weekly herald., 1929-12-28

The Alaska Washington Air ways will offer greatly inn proved air transportation facil- ities to the people of Southeast ern Alaska next year, accord ing to a recent announcement by Major G. c. Frame, divis- ional manager of the company.
 Included in the various inn provements contemplated will be a direct Seattle-Juneau ser vice operating twice a week, at least one plane stationed at Ketchikan, Juneau and Wrang- ell for local service, and also the maintenance of a training school. Nationwide publicity for Alaska is also planned by the company.
Hyder weekly herald., 1929-12-28

Charged with violation of the prohibition laws, Rad Guizina, Dan Mulini and Pete Samovich, Serbian miners, were taken in- to custody Monday evening by immigration inspector D.. J. Mulcare, who apprehended the men while they were -enroute to Premier in a taxi. Guizina and Muhna, neither of whom can converse in English, ad- mitted their possession of the liquor when haled before U. s. Commissioner Chas. K. Sand ford, but claimed they had been induced by a resident of Hyder, B. C., known locally as Chick" to take the liquor to Premier under the under standing that it would not be illegal to take intoxicants from Canada through American ter citory to Premier during Christ mas week. Both pleaded guilty.
 Samovich pleaded not guilty and disclaimed any connection with the liquor or his compan- ions on the journey. He also offered testimony showing that he had arrived from the south on the Catalla only an hour or so before his arrest. Samovich, who has been resident of Al- aska for many years, was se- verely injured recently by fall ing down a stope in the Pros perity mine and has been un- i dergoing medical treatment in Vancouver.
 Pending a closer investigat- ion of the case, sentence of Guizina and Mulina was de- ferred until Monday, when the trial of Samovich will also take place.