davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

worse. The Federal domination
gave security of person, If not Of
possessions. but now we are sur
rounded by savageS. We are in a
reign of terror. those savages.
these rabid beasts. raised in the
wilds Of Texas, entrenched behind
their inyIncihle and implacable pre-
JUDGES, with no understanding OF
how religion civilizes and softens
manners, how 10 make them listen
TO reason. I have just spent q
month among the few families that
are left, and i have been an eye
witness OF the exactions and bar
barities Of these men They sweep
over the villages. piliaging. stealing,
burning everything. Their only
answer to a remonstrance is a six
shooter. Many = victims OF their
cruelty"
The ranches were deserted, with
the few who remained like grapes
after a frost"
With a personal glimpse Of Bag
dad, the city that was unheard OF
by many local citizens until recent
IN, we will sign off for the day.
City Born Of War
The city was born Of war, priests
say, and was the rendezvous OF all
colors, sects, and nationalities. The
people spoke at least ten idaoms. OF
which French. English and Span
ish were the most popular.
Parisot calls the town a "mush-
room city," and Father Gaudet says
il was a city OF confusion. a true
Babel"
The latter describes it as follows:
Vice Is rampant, vice OF all kinds.
There are cantineS by the hundreds.
Our Mission has been q purgatory,
now 1t Is a hell. for that Is what
Bagdad is called. IL is a city OF
wood. which a sea could wash away
in a day or flames devour in an
hour
The truth Of his statement Is re-
allied when II is known that a ter
rifle gulf storm utterly demolished
the town in two days. with the loss
or approximately 1000 lives.
Parisot tells of a stage robbery
between Bagdad and Matamofos In
those days. The coach. loaded to
capacity, was stopped by two arm
ed men. who demanded, in true
robber fashion, either the pasen-
gers lives or their money. Parisot,
who was a passenger, attempted TO
talk them out Of the robbery, and
in answer the head robber attempt
ed TO shoot him. Fortunately, the
pistol hung, and refused to fire.
During the confusion, the coach
managed to escape.
Ragdad authorities were notified,
and a band of 25 men returned 10
the Gene or the holdup TO find the
robbers testing the truth OF the
maxim IF at first you don't sue
coed, try. try again" They were In
the act OF robbing a second coach
when they we're captured. The
leader was executed the following
day, shot at sunrise.
Now the Future
Il adjusted the bandage around
his eyes and turned TO leave. I had
barely taken six steps when the
shot was fired that launched him
into eternity" Father Parisot writes.
The rapid growth Of Matamoros
was due 10 the conditions In the
United States, the Mary Immacu-
late magazine says in the January
issue. Americans from Louisiana
and TeIr.s we're forced to seek n
haven across the boundary. Yet
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

torn land" Ges Oblats de Marie
Immaculee, Vol.ID
The people were unusually super
stitious. and this characteristic was
exploited by several pseudo mir
acle workers. One in particular
made Reynosa his headquarters.
and in 1853 Father Parisot was sent
by Bishop Verea to GUST the hy-
pocrit. AT the risk Of his life, the
priest managed to unmask the I'M
scrupulous thaumatuggist.
The natives OF Reynosa were so
infatuated with the man that Par
isot had to be protected by the civil
authorities from the angry mob.
Parisot gives an intimate picture
Of one Of the greatest missionaries
in his "reminiscences. He said that
when he would return from a pas
toral visit his coat would be faded
and torn, his hat and shoes in tat
tiers, having slept out OF doors.
waded over flooded prairies. ridden
over Scorching planes. in penetrat-
ing where no priest had ever been.
Fifty Churches Founded
He lived in an old shed and slept
in arude bunk. AT Bishop later he
live on 81 a week in a rambling
frame building, along with iour
priests. In twenty years. he had
faunded so churches, 20 priests. a
college, and 4 academies.
Hidden. while new to the border.
was amazed at the conditions here.
He wrote that be could not see how
a remnant Of religion had been
retained by the natives.
Il went with Olivier 10 a hamlst
last Sunday where he was to say
mass. The misery OF these peoplel
My bed was a table covered with
q blanket. / could not sleep on ID
and finally lay down beside Father
Olivier whose bed was less hard
than my table"
In 1882 the yellow fever epidemic
struck Brownsville and Matamoros.
killing more than 500 in 3 months.
So little was known OF medicine,
so few doctors were here. that when
a person showed signs of the fever.
he was considered dead.
River Flooded
"A Or. Main was one or the Lead
ing physicians in Brownsville, and
worked day and night in a vain
attempt 10 save a few lives. DR..
Hernandez from Matamoros. aided
him. st. Joseph's College on Eliza
beth street, was converted into a
hospital. for there was none in
Brownsville at the time.
When a person died, a rude cof-
fin would be obtained from Juan
Pesina, who specialized in collins
at the time, or from Cardenas. an
other coffin maker. and then bur-
led Immediately. The sooner the
better.
To further aid in the terrible
destruction of life. and to add to
that horror the loss Of property
and buildings. the river flooded,
drowning many helpless invalids
and infants. washington Park
was under 10 feet Of water. old tim
ers state.
The cemetary was a scene OF ac-
tivity day and night. The dead
would be taken in boats and buried.
Brownsville and Matamoros suf-
fered terribly. and many years Ia
ter, church records show that dur
ing a drought when the country
was famine stricken, meat would
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

Confederate soldiers fought fierce
battles on local prairies. how cid
people live? How did they think
act? What were living conditions?
And above all, what were their Gus
toms?
Letters written by Catholic mis-
sionaries who were stationed in
Matamoros and Brownsville wildly
describe their life here, and answer
the above questions.
In January 1861 Bishop Verea Of
Monterrey, with a number of faith
ers, selected q residence in Browns
vile alongside the church. The
building was described as being 80
by 81 feet in size. and "a feet h:gh.
A spacious arched gallery was add
cd TO the main building with the ef-
feet of an ancient cloiSter, and
reached to the second story. The
roof was terraced and from its
height could be seen a broad view
Of Texas and Mexico.
Building on Large Scale
Architects built on a large scale
G those days. and ceilings were
high. rooms wide. and windows
large. Size gave a dignity to the
buildings that present day struc-
lures lock. In an attempt 70 con
serve space and utilize all available
corners. twentieth century builders
are killing one Of the prerequisites
0f ancient architecture.
The fathers took up their resi-
dence In March. Father Guadet was
one Of the first TO live In the new
home. and later played a prominent
Ipart in the religious history Of the
section.
The new home was soon crowded,
housing the illustrious guests and
practically the whole community
with the exception Of two fathers
who chung to their posts in Mata-
moros. 1t was this time Victoria
was closed to the missionaries.
The majority Of the Mexicans in
the Valley had been born and sais-
ed here, and their parents before
them. True native sons who knew
little Of the world. The Ameri-
cans, on the other hand, were
strangers as a rule. from the north
or east or southern United States
who arrived as pioneers.
Priests. too. were mostly from
Europe sent here to remain indefi-
nitely. Some died here-others re
turned home. April IS Bishop We
rea and his suite left Brownsville
for Rome and Jerusalem, intending
to stop at Marseilles on the way.
During his stay here he c~onsecrat-
ed the Holy Oils for five dioceses OF
Mexico, which brought all the prin-
cipal Mexican ec~r'esiastics TO
Brownsville for the occasion.
First Convention
This was possibly the first "con-
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

Pauline: Oh, look at the poor
old man all bent over with rheu-
matism.
Paul: Rheumatism, me eyel
It's Jack coming back from a
ride IN a rumble seat
/ -ArisonG Kitty-Kct !
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02
Edinburg Woman
Pilots Airplane

Especial 70 The Her1ldJ
EDINBURG, March miss
Exam Angel. prominent young hrsi-
ness and society woman OF Edin-
burg. is the first woman I'm Edtn-
burg who. 20 far as is known. hAA
attempted TO pilot an airplsne. Miss
Angel and Mr.. John Tfllnfan made
a plane trip 20 Donna and return
last Sunday. and on "Wednesday
made another flight I'm which Miss
Angel successfully piToted the plans
during O portion Of the flight.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02
Letters Of Missionaries
Picture The Yesterdays
BY A c

Previous articles appearing in the Herald have told Of some OF the
highnghts of local history-ths one will show what living conditions were
like long ago.
During the dim past when bandits terrorzed the border. when blood
was q common sight. when Bagdad was a den Of iniquHy, when boats
navgated the Rio Grande for hundreds of miles-during the days when
Matamoros was much larger than Brownsville, when floods and yellow
fever killed hundreds OF Mexicans and Americans and when Federal and
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

Their q spirit Of cooperation between
the highschool and college.
Last week marked the close OF the
first term Of the second semester.
Tests were the order OF the day,
and practically all OF the students
were busy with last minute review
ing. Grades will not be sent out
until Thursday Of next week.
-
"A college assembly wa held IN
Wednesday Of last week. Mrs. Eas~
com Cox. representing the Lions,
club, spoke to the students III be-
half Of Eleanor Richardson, capdi-
cate for queen OF the Matgmoros
four day festival. Dean Caldwell
added force to the remark made by
Mr.. Cox by congratulattng the stu
dents upon having had a candidate
selected from their midst. The
election was holly contested. and
Ayliffe Cobolini was elected BY .
majority of little more than two
hundred votes above Miss Richard
son.
"A few OF the college students at
tended a party at Boca Chica last
Saturday afternoon
Mrs. Pauline Landrum Goode will
give an illustrated lecture on Mex
leo Monday to a joint assembly or
the high schools and college.
VIM. l.. Rigdon. poet and reader
Of Topeka, Kansas, was a visitor 40
the school last week.
A party had been planned for
the college students Saturday night.
but was called off on accent or
the de1sH Of Roswell Monsees.
An atmosphere OF gloom had
settled over the college Wednesday
with the death OF Buster Monsees
who vas one Of the best liked stu
dents In the college Buster vas
not only "a splendid athlete and a
natural leader, but his good nature
made him one of the most popular
boys on the campus. In addition Co
these characteristics, Buster had
discovered one OF the greatest sec
rets OF success. Anything that hs
undertook was done wholehearted-
ly and to the best OF his ability
The funeral was held Saturday af-
ternoon at three o'clock at the Wrist
Methodist church, Rev. Lovett Of
ficiating. Scores or friends turned
out to pay their last respects to
he who. although his life had Just
begun, had already endeared him
self to all of his acquaintance.
The various organizations Cf the
college and high school sent flowers
as a last token Of their respect and
admiration.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

&1 A&TaS4
Travelling Salesman Hubby:
Darling. I stayed at the most
wonderful hotel In Cleveland
His Wife: Finel Are they
plain or embroidered?
IT'S to be a battle of wits"
How brave of you, Gerald,
to 60 unarmedr"
-Goblin.
Wipe off your chin"
Cant. It's fastened on"
Somewhere the sun is shin
ing, somewhere laughing chill
dren are at play.)
-ReSsyve Red Cat.
Then, again, some Of the
brave deserve the air.
You're the tenth college boy
who's had his thumb bandaged
in here today" said the oblig-
ing doctor.
Those Chi O's always serve
their tea too hot" cursed the
tenth college boy.
Put two and two together and
the result is always the same:
Bridge.
-Yole Record.
What happened to your new
carr"
1T joined a fraternity"
STAFFORD ChoppayrGl.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02
Brownsville Junior
College Domgs
These Days

On Monday of last week the sec
ond year education class, or which
K c. Dodd Is instructor, had an
interesting period III the Grammar
school auditorium. I'D. w. johnson,
OF Austin. gave a demonstration les
son in Texas geography TO the
fourth grade. The latter half OF the
hour was taken up by a talk in
which Mr.. johnson brought out the
value OF visual instruction. Mr..
johnson is a representative Of the
Keystone View company. and has
a thorough knowledge Of his sub
ject. lee IS also an interesting speas-
err.
On Monday OF next week Miss
Annie Tucker. director of the Col
lege glee clubs, will sing at the
meeting of the Texas University
alumni to be held at the III Jardln
hotel. Miss Tucker will be accom-
panied BY Mrs. Lois Hughes who Is
head OF the education department
in the csllege.
The sick list for the week includ-
ed Margaret HughStOn. Nancy
Stringfellow. and Pauline Marler.
All Of these young ladies r very
active students and are missed from
their classes. None Of them was
very seriously iii.
G. w. Gotke will return from
Atlantic City Tuesday. President
Gotke has been attending the meet
ing Of the Southern Association Of
Colleges.
With the basketball season closed
athletics were practically at a
standStill during the past week. The
Scorpions had an excellent season
and were barely nosed out OF sec
ond place in the lower bracket Of
the Amateur league. The lull will
not be or much duration. however
The college and high school will
jointly organize a baseball team.
Practice will begin next Monday,
Such a move viii do much to fur
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

"Pity is akin to love"
Maybe, but my girl will &C
cept no substitutes"
Vvgi-;d Reel.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

Some professors seem to en-
Joy disturbing those who read
in class.
Carolina BaccdHcey.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

T HALL
"Corking good lecturerl
He's been lecturing for thirty
years"
Wed better get out: he'll
never STOP"
c. c. N. Y. Meye1y. :
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

not be allowed in the city for fear
Of starting another epidemic.
Curious Boats
An amusing means of transport
alton was a curious boat made OF
hides stuffed with straw. A man
would sit in il or astride Ii, and
an Indian would draw it by means
Of a rope fastened around his body
while he used his legs and arms to
swim. The least movement and q
man astride the clumsy boat would
caPSizc.
Father Clos relates a tale depict
ing the misery Of the Mexicans. He
SAYS:
For some days I had been
preaching in a village Of six huts.
AS i saddled my horse to leave. a
woman called me. To describe the
misery Of the woman who wished to
see me is impossible. Six or we
children around her, all clothed in
their own skins, two more at her
breasts fighting for food.
The woman called me for a
very curious thing. She asked If
those who we're married before a
priest without holding lighted can
dies were we'll married. Perfectly
I told her.
She said that everyone told her
that she was living out OF wedlock
because she did not observe that
custom"
Many Privations
Later letters tell of the numerous
privations that priests. as well as
natives, had to undergo. The priests
complained OF lack of sleep. We
rarely get TO bed before midnight
when the insects make 1t impossible
to close our eyes. We twist and
turn on a couch which Is usually a
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

City Visitor: Which is cor
rect, to speak of a sitting hen
or a setting hen?
Farmer: Don't know and
don't care. What I'd like to
know is, when q hen cackles,
has she laid or lied.
-CdyoEind Bneeoreer.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02
TRY IT YOURSELF

No longer do long winded In
dividuals accost me on trains
and inveigle me into converse
ton. I've found an unfailing
way to cut short would-be
friends. For instance, take the
way ] handled one of the type
the other day.
He came into the club car
where I was seated and sat down
beside me. Taking a deep puff
on his fat cigar he said: well,
I see Ruth socked the old apple
again this year pretty well"
Ruth? ! said, looking at
him with arnazement. What's
her last name?"
That alone was enough to
floor him, but with a certain
bulldog tenacity he kept on.
Grover Whalen's been pretty
quiet lately hasn't he?" he ven
tured.
"Whalen? Grover Whalenl
Never heard of him" / said.
My newly found friend took
a deep breath and was silent
for a while. Then he tried
again.
What's Lindberg doing with
himself nowr" he asked.
"Lindberg!" I replied.
"Lindberg?? Who is hei"
For some reason this seemed
to exasperate him.
Say" he said, have you
ever heard Of George Washing
toni"
Pleased to meet YOU" I
said sweetly. my Nance"
But with a yell my friend had
grabbed his hat and left the car.
Try it yourself some time. II
always works.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

Artist: This is my latest pic
ture, Builders at Work. 1t is
very realistic.
Friend: But they aren't at
work.
Artist: | know. That's the
realism.
Goblin.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

What makes you so ner-
vous? Are you a cigarette
fend!"
mo. I'm editor of the col
lege comic"
Temple O1vl.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

This was possibly the first "con-
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

First Collegian (singing):
Do-de-da-ump-bumpl
Roommate: That reminds
me: ! ment to buy a gun today.
Penn. State Fyoth.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

II nm not against marriage.
only up against t." was the re-
mark of some one whose identi-
ty has long since been lost to Is.
Bosfon Bsortof.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

Landlord; This room was
formerly occupied by q chemist.
lie invented q nav explosive.
Prospective Boarder: sup
pose those spots On the wall are
results OF his experiments.
landlord: Well indirectly
yes. You see, that's the chemists
Penn. Stote Fyoth.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

A party had been planned for
the college students Saturday night.
but was called off on accent or
the de1se Of Roswell Monsees.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

"A few OF the college students at
tended a party at Boca Chica last
Saturday afternoon.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-02

VIM. l.. Rigdon. poet and reader
OF Topeka, Kansas, was a visitor al
the school last week.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-24

HARLINGEN, March 24-Organ-
ization Of a Harlingen Country club
with a SIS. 900 clubhouse located on
a small tract Of land at the Har-
lingen municipal course. is being
planned, and Will be discussed at
q meeting TO be held here on the
latter part Of this week.
The country club would buy or
lease about five acres Of land from
the city at a point adjacent to the
municipal golf course. now under
construction.
The membership dues would be
probably 500 each, to finance the
club building. and at least $50 men,
bers will be required. Residents
OF Hnrlingen and other Valley
towns will be included, as the club
will not be confined TO this city.
The club building viii be similar
to other country club buildings in
the Valley. having lockers, showers
dining room, dance floor and other
accommodations.
Use Of the golf course will be
open to all residents Of the city.
and members of the country club
will not have any additional rights
there but will merely be entitled
to exclusive use Of their club build
ing and grounds.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-24

cline from January construction.
which "a very small. only 2 per
cent.
The Texas total. including
cheering construction, was almost
as much as all Of the New England
states, and only a little below all
the Southeastern states. the Caro-
linas. Georgia, Florida, Alabama
and eastern Tennessee.
The Texas total was sls,257,3 800,
while that Of New England states
was s~le.434.S0O. and that OF the
Southeastern states. s20.65o.I 100.
However, the Texas total for both
January and February did exceed all
the New England states for the
same period being s~31.434,2oo to
s37,2s5.1o0
The Straus company quotes AM
erican Federation OF Labor to the
effect that in the building trades
AZ per cent Of the union workers =
out Of work.
This Is said to be 80 per cent
above 1929 and 10 per cent above
1923. The unemployed In New York
City is 40 to so per cent Of the
10000 union men.
This Is easily Understandable
when ii Is noted that the work or
metropolitan New York shrank from
slO6. 296 1886 IN February last year to
S~23,757,921 this year.
San Antonio was among the only
16 cities to show an increase over
January, which carried more than
its usual quota Of the years total.
or was higher than usual compared
with December.
The cities listed by the Straus
company as showing increases over
January are: san Antonio, Milwau-
kee, Cincinnati, Baltimore. Oklaho-
ma City. Pittsburgh, Tacoma, Oak
land, Houston, Kansas City, Tope-
ka, Jersey City ana St. Louis.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-24

Local Building And Real
Estate NeWS OF the Week

struction industry, with its $780,
600 workers, ranks second in point
OF employees.
while II per cent OF the en-
ployes OF the 20 leading industries
are engaged in the gigantic So
00o. 600, 900 construction industry.
building activity means prosperity
to thousands engaged in other bust
nesSeS.
More business for railroads and
steamship lines results. Electrical
equipment and furniture manufac-
turers. even the growers OF cotton,
wool and silk are benefited by new
building.
The year 1880 promises to be
one Of the biggest building years
in the history Of the country. This
renewed activity Is certain to mean
better business in every community,
and among all classes OF people.
Stone orders received in January
showed a marked increase over the
previous month. and there has been
a steady improvement"
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-24
Countryside Leads
In Building

Only a little more tan q third
of the country's building IS repre-
sented by the cities. according TO
the report of T. w. Dodge Corpora
ton. which includes engineering
construction This Is better repre-
sentation Of the San Antonio region,
where irrigation and power projects
dot the area.
The 81 states east OF the Rocky
Mountains report s317,o53.000 70
the Dodge agency. while the CEN
ters Of all the states report only
S125. 521 .973 to the Straus agency.
The Dodge report says 81 per
cent OF the entire country IS repre-
sented, which would make the to-
tai for all states S345. 1887 ITO.
Oddly enough, both the agencies
report the same percentage Of de-