davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27
In
HOMICIDE CAS-
Chesire Trial May Go O.
To Next Term
OF Court

With the jury unable To conc
an agreement after ar all nir
session. a mistrial was declared
the case OF John Cheshire, nev
paperman charged with neglgFr
homicide as the result Of a traf
accident near Harllngen which (,
suited in two deaths. The case w
tried in the Cameron county CO,
at law. before Judge John I. Kil
Der.
Unless attorneys agree upon a Y.
ting. the case will be carried OF
to the next term Of court.
According TO evidence, CheshIr
automobile was parked on
south side OF the Highway a III
distance out OF HarllnFen. "A tru
driven by Henry Tompkins and
automobile driven by Frank Rea
don crashed as the truck atterr
ed TO 20 around Cheshire's car
Tompkins was tried on . char
Of negligent homicide I'm the A
ond degree and was declared n
guilty.
r. p. Hill and W. w. Martin. q
cupants or the Reardon automobi
died as a result OF injuries they y
ceived IN the crash.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27

ton I'm Brownsville. It had been
previously agreed In caucus TO
nominate Henry Kahn for sheriff,
but when the convention met and
kahn's name was nominated. some
one in the crowd arose and nomi-
mated J. G. Browne for the same
office.
Just as the vote was 10 be taken
as to which of the two would be
elected sheriff. In walked Cortina
with enough Mexican voters to de-
feat Kahn and elect Browne.
Horse Thief
Cortina was a horse thief and a
vagabond. according to history Of
the period.
After his election escapade. he is
next heard Of in a shooting scrape.
The city marshal. while conduct
Ing a prisoner to the city jail, was
shot down by Cortina and the pris-
oner aided In escaping. This hap
pened In broad daylight. and the
daring Mexican rode off with the
prisoner behind him on a horse.
"A warrant was issued for his ar
rest. but was never served.
In the year 1853 came the noto-
rious raid OH the city. 1t happened
II September. during the annual
September is celebration delayed
several days at that time). On the
morning Of the 2Sth Cortina with a
band of 200 men began TO shoot up
the city early in the morning.
Citizens at first thought that the
shooting was merely the over-ex-
huberent outburst Of several cele-
hraters returning from Matamoros.
and nothing was done for defense.
The bandits were we'll drilled and
had received instructions as 10
what to do. When Brownsville
woke up to the fact that IL was be-
Ing raided. horsemen, well mount
cd. stood guard at every corner OF
the streets and would not permit
any two men to Join company. This
precaution prevented citizens from
gathering in defense.
Several were murdered in cold
blood. and stores plundereG.
Aid finally came from Matamor-
os. the federal troops dispensing the
raiders. They reiterated in good or
der, however.
No Troops
For many months after the raid
the band fired upon the city ever
night. and the men in Brownsvillc
banded together behind barricades
There were no federal troops nor
militia here at the time.
Finally. a troop was organized
which was called the Brownsville
Tigers. They decided to attack Cor
tina in his stronghold Che had aug
mented his forces by the addition
OF ruffians from Mexico and from
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27
Bloody Era characterized BY Pistol Dueb and Deuastahe Confaqahons

this side until he had quite an ar
my but nothing was ever done.
Much difference of opinion pre-
vailed among the officers-and that
was the main body. for they were
nearly all OF them colonies. cap
tains, and majors" Mr.. Neale re-
lateS.
During the years between 1861
1894 Civil war was in progress. and
Brownsville. at various times. was
in the hands of both Federals and
Confederates.
Brownsville's second large fired
occurred in 1858. MI. Neale de-
Scribed 1t as follows:
General Bee and staff. after
partaking of an excellent dinner pre-
pared for them, and having drank
an abundance OF champagne, told
the landlord, Henry Miller, that he
had better get all the carts he could
hire and 60 to the commissary
stores in the garrison and take
whatever he chose, In payment for
their entertainment as they had no
money to pay him.
Buildings Burned
They went TO the garrison, pref
ty high from the effects Of the
champagne, and orders were imme-
diately given to fire the quarters.
The order was obeyed. and all the
buildings except two were soon en-
velopd in flames. I hurried my wife
and children to the ferry. TO pass
them over the river for safety. II
was difficult to get through the
streets. for the cavalry were rush.
ing at a gallop in all directions.
"A strong south wind was blowing
at the time. and when we got 10 the
ferry a dense black cloud Of smoke
was already spread over the whole
city and its entire destruction ap-
pared inevitable.
Hundreds of men. women and
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27

children crowded the ferry attempt
ing to get across. and I knew that
the flames were close 70 two hogs
heads Of damaged powder. within
a hundred yards OF the ferry.
The explosion took place. It was
terriblel Immense masses Of burn
ing timbers were hurled In all d.
rections. the ferry flatboat was set
on fire in the middle of the river.
and so violent was the conclusion
that the gable end OF the Garita
on the other side OF the river was
crushed in. IL is most wonderful.
that out Of that multitude. not q
soul was injured.
"A few houses in the city. near
the garrison. were burnt down, but
by the exertions OF the citizens un-
der the directions Of Mayor Dye.
the flames we're extinguished and
the city saved"
A third fire occurred In 1865
when Mr.. Kowalski's clothing store
was entirely destroyed.
The railroad company. a local af-
fair, wa organized In 1878. Tele-
graph lines we're put up at about
the same time. In 1875 the city
relinquished its old charter and adj
opted a new one. The Protection
Hook and Ladder company No. I
vas organized the same year.
Public Schools
Public schools we're started, with
an enrolment Of approximately
200 students.
At the close of the period de-
scribed. Brownsville had q total Of
less than 5000 persons, but had
three newspapers. the Oldest be-
ing the Sentinel. first started IN
1850.
Mote: Full credit for the infor-
nation used In this article poes 70
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27

william Neale. Brownsville. who
compiled q brief history OF Browns
Vile from ls46 to 1876. and deliver
ed II In the form of a speech July
4, 1870
But this article will deal with
the period covering the years from
the birth OF Brownsville to the day
on which Mr.. Neal delivered his
centennial grafton.
The first charter, according to
Mr.. Neale, CHS address was pub
lished verbatim in the Evening
Ranchero July 8, 1876. and this pa
per has been carefully preserved By
Rafael Cowan. Jr.) was issued by
the state legislature in 1850.
Brownsville, UP 70 rs. had had
three charters.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27

BROWNSVILLE, named after Major
Brown. who lost his life in the Dor
der trouble. was off to an auspi-
cious beginning In the year l84S.
During August OF this year George
Lyons and S. p. Gelston the site
Of the present city was first survey
ed and laid out.
Horizon Clouded
1t wasn't long before a cloud
crossed the horizon, however. the
cloud vas a number OF unScrupul-
Gus men VINO maze claims to land
donated to the city by the state
legislature, and that lay within the
corporate limits.
There was. naturally, doubt as to
the legality Of certain claims and
investors were discouraged from
bringing their money here.
These rival claims discouraged
many persons who had intended
TO settle here. and prevented them
from doing so; it also deferred those
who did stay here from putting up
good and substantial buildings, and
this accounts for the very inferior
class OF buildings that grace or to
speak more truly, disgrace some Of
our public thoroughfares,T Mr.. Neal
said long ago.
This class Of humanity not only
deters a city in its being founded.
but In its later growth, as has been
evidenced In more recent times
when greedy and grasping men
came here and tried to bleed the
country, holding back its natural
progress.
And the men long ago, in the
nineteenth century, what class Of
men were they? Pioneers, of
course. reckless and daring, with
little respect OF human life and who
lived with a single guiding law
force.
Human life was cheap and held
In slight regard. One man said:
Il believe that more men Of des-
perate character, desperate fortunes
and evil propensities were congre-
gated here on this frontier from
l646 to l848 than ever got together
In any other place. When I say any
other place. OF course I mean on
earth, since the deluge."
They we're utterly reckless. ard
an example Of IN incident that
actually occurred will convey the
correct impression.
Used Guns
Two men. fast friends. were seat
ed at a gambling table. drinking.
One refused the other a loan of
$500 and q challenge was passed.
The following morning. after a
hearty breakfast, (Which they con-
sumed together and told jokes they
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27

went to settle their dispute-with
SiX-ShOoterS.
Seconds paced off the customary
10 PAGES, and the men took their
places. The word was given and at
the first fire, n of the men fell
with a bullet in his ribs. This did
not end the fight. On the contrary.
the man who was shot got mad"
and demanded that as he couldn't
stand. his second should hold him
up while the principles took the
balance Of the five shots. His sec
ond refused To act as a prop, but
suggested that as the man was
wounded, he would assume the
quarrel and take the place Of the
wounded man. He offered to shoot
the other mans second, or the
other principle, or in a spirit OF
generosity and as an accommoda-
ton to the wounded friend, to shoot
both Of them together.
The unreasonable man with the
bullet IN his ribs was ~unsatisfied
with this arrangement, and still
demanded that the other continue
the fight. 1t was not until his
friend threw away his pistol and
said to blaze away that he could
be persuaded 10 relinquish the
fight. And the men remained
friends.
The peculiar part Of this was.
neither OF the principles were
drunk. Fights like this could pos
sibly occur at the present time,
but both men would doubtless be
drunk before they would consider
any such absurd scrap. But in those
days on the border men were ut
terly reckless. and cared nothing
for human life.
Stage Lines
In 1850 stage lines and steam
boats piled between Brownsville and
the outside world. The river was
navigable. and boats sailed from
Brownsville TO Brazos Santiago and
Point Isabel. Boats also floated be-
tween Brownsville and Rio Grande
City, taking several days to navi-
gate the winding stream.
In that year. great excitement and
much prosperity was experienced in
the city because OF the discovery
OF gold in California. and the great
numbers Of travellers who passed
through Brownsville on their wav
to the Pacific coast by land. These
adventurous men-and fast women
expended considerable amounts az
money here in purchasing outfits
from local traders and stock raisers.
Brownsville's first political dis
sention occurred in approximately
the same period. The party that
supported the city's claims we're the
Blus, and their opponents. who
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27

Two men. fast friends. we're seat
ed at q gambling table, drinking.
$500 and q challenge vas passed.
The following morning. after a
hearty breakfast, (Which they con-
sumed together and told jokes they
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27
R~aymondville Girl
10 Champion Typist

RAYMoNDvILLE, April 26-Hel-
en- Shrader. of the Raymondville
high school, shattered the Texas
high school girls tipping speed rec-
ord during the University Inter-
scholastic Leagues meet nc Austin
when she wrote a net GIL words per
minute. In all she wrote 1872 gross
strokes, 20 errors, penalties go
words, with the net Gil.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27
Case Dismissed

Upon application OF attorneys for
Paula Garcia for a new trial, the
case was dismissed for lack OF evil
dence In the Cameron county court
at law Saturday. The new trial
was granted.
Previously the woman had been
convicted and fined $50 for prac-
ticing medicine without a license.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27
Gun Ponder Supplies Explode
In Terrible Fire of 1857
Ry JACK

Young Is or city is, it has passed through more tribulations and
trials, storms and tempeSts fire, war. and desoattng epdemics, during
It's brief existence, than has fallen to the lot of many European cities
ooasting a antiquity Of a thousand years" William Neale said on the
Fourth Of July. 1876.
1886 to 1880, much more "a in store for it in the form of
bandit raids. more epidemtcs. negro uprisngs from the very fort supposed
to protect it, and floods.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27
INEXPENSIVE FIBRE RUGS THAI
LOOK LIKE HIGH PRICED
WOOL RUGS

If you have been looking for a low priced rug that combines
both quality and beauty, don't fail to see these new Napara
rugs. Their soft, pliable surface looks just like a real high
priced wool rug. They are made in a variety Of popular colors
such as rose, green, blue, gray, or brown. These rugs NAV be
had with either plain or figured designs. Come in and walk
on these rugs. Feel how deep and soft they are.
These are the ideal inexpensive rugs for the home. apart
ments, or offices.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-27

More home buyers each year
arc carefully checking up the ma
terials Of which the entire walls
arc built.
They are conscious Of the
many savings effected BY Clay
Tile wall construction and of its
greater comfort and safety.
You'll find Clay Tile con
structcd homes easitr 10 tsiL--and
you'll be giving an added value
TO your customer, too.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-28
HE Was Right There

II don't overlook that bat" Mary
retorted. Once Is enough for me-"
When we had drawn the curtain
stealthty aside. we knelt, one on
each side OF the window and peered
out at the yard below. Just o.
posfte our window and but a few feet
from It was the highest point OF n
grassy hillock. Anyone standing on
Il would be almost on a level with
our windows. and two or three large
bushes we're sufficient to shield a
person 30 stationed from anything
but the closest observation.
He was right there. between
those bushes" Mary whispered, point
ing. Then she shivered. and I
reached Up my hand and pulled down
the curtain.
But he isn't there now, nor ary.
where else In the yard" / told her as
l lifted her W and drew her back
TO her chair. "And-dearest-mirht
you not have been mista ken about
his watching this o This moon
light night Is so beautiful, almost
anyone might yield 10 an impulse to
climb that little hiliock and look ut
the mountains"
But he wasn't looking at the
mountains" she persisted. He had
field glasses and he had them trained
directly on this window. The moon
light glinted on the lenses and I saw
them and him almost as plainly as
l see you now"
Continued Tomorrow
cssyrrht. iass. Ksrpspsr Feature ssrviss. Ise.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-28
HOme-Making
Helps

By ELEANOR ROSS

A T noontime Elaine. aged five.
IN sullenly refused her custard.
No amount OF persuasion
could make her bulge. neither
threats. nor promises nor tempte-
tons. She made n WY little face.
puckered UP her button moss con
t~emptuously and nuttered with mad
dening repetition her i~nflexi6le No.
No. No.
But at fire o'clock, when brother
spooned up his custard with great
gusto. Elaine demanded SONS But
you don't like custard." protested
her mother. You wouldn't eat It
at lunch-time." Elaine smiled her
most amiable little smile. "Oh. that
was because you coaxed me-" she re-
torted, with Illuminating candor.
She does not always reveal her
motives.
This one, however, can hardly be
regarded as an original or exclusive
reaction. Certainly. a large proper
ton OF the overly-coaxed youngsters
persist in refusing food that they
really want because It's 80 much
more interesting to observe a grown
UP plead and coax When Elaine
visits her young cousins there's not
a single No" heard from her at any
meal. Because she knows from ex-
p%eriencs in that home that there
would he no discussion OF tbs sub
Ject-her single mo" would be
taken seriously. II happens that her
cousins have robust appetites. SO
lusty indeed that their mother says
NO" more often than any Of the
youngsters.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-28

AAGs
And II was true.
I You locked your own door
and then got so excited you
never even thought of unlocking
1t again.
And all the fuss and fury
about nothing.
1t took you months 70 hear the
last of that locked door-and as
long as you live someone will re-
member il, and tel about it and
smile, and you'll feel such a
futile, useless fool.
And yet we are all locked in,
all the time and we lock the
doors ourselves.
| know a woman who hates
cats. So much so that she can
not stay under the same roof
with a harmless striped, kitten.
She used to be ashamed Of this
popularity, but now. she is rather
proud of it, and before she goes
into a restaurant she stops at
the door and asks the head
waiter il he is quite sure there
Is no cat anywhere in the place.
| know a mar who hates a GER
tain nationality and twice to my
certain knowledge he has cheated
himself out of a delightful
friendship because he was afraid
there was a trace of the blood
he so disliked in a new acquaint-
ance.
| know a woman who hates
religion and religious people.
/ know a man who thinks that
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-28
-APeeplng Tom.

~. ~Ieam or Mary's light showed
sraneath her door an ! cache the
80 ~ the stairs. At my knock l
snsrd her cautious "Auntie Madge?
-nd I added her name 10 my al
-<srvnative answer that she might feel
fn,,hIv secure In opening the door.
m knew that she had been shaken
80 she mesa ge concerning Jack Les
NE which MI. Underwood had bade
ma rive her In lieu OF his real reason
fnr wishing 70 keep her close TO me
we were away from home.
lEuf 7 was not prepared for the fev-
*erish haste with which she drew me
ssrto tfe room ard locked the door
soh. Auntie MadEe." she gasred'
n& Thought you'd never ret back.
trsvs been so frightened"
Her nervousness was contagious
.esut I drew a taut rein on my own
<,sfnr excitement and patted her
Amhoulder reassuringiy.
sBut I'm here now" / told her
nd nobody can get you. So sup.
rose you tell me what frightened
"A man-watching our window
aha answered. and I sat down In the
nearest chair. staring at her.
"You are sure" I cueried. ai'
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-28
"Love's Beauty Secrets %
By LALUNA de SERRANO.

to Us the most beautiful PaeanIan
maiden Of history.
o
Never let a night 70 without pat
ting some n~ourishing cream ever 80
gently above and beneath your eyes.
For that r. the way to keep away
crows feet.
One-thlrd ammonia % two-thirds
peroxide OF hydrogen. full strength.
applied with absorbent cotton, Will
both bleach and eventually rot away
su%perfluous hair. This In especially
good for the face. However. BE sure
to prepare It fresh for each days
use.
You expect this TO smart. but
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-28
Loves

By ADELE GARRISON

fM IRIS. HAsBRoUcK's percep-
tons are ms keen as her
A eyes, and I was uncomfcrt-
abby conscious that she guessed my
Eismay-of course. u~naccountabie to
hsr-at hearing OF the motorist who
Rad taken a lodging for tbs night.
but che made no oral comment and
II achieved a lame sentence 70 the
effect that carr Of the make she had
named rarely broke down.
They all break down." she re-
torted n littls Rrimly. I'm right
Eere on the through route and have
- Rood chance to see them. Now Is
there anything else I can do for you.
kFs. Graham? You are sure you
need nothing more for Mrs. Under
wood? OH / haven't had a chance
10 tell you before. Your niece wanted
20 10 for q moonlight walk. but. &C
roraing TO your instructions. / made
m excuse TO keep her inside. She
fidn't say anything. but / don't think
she liked II very weil-probably
Thought I was an impudent old
hussy"-she laughed comfortably
ssbut I couldn't help that"
.She couldn't understand your
hrrohibitien. that was ALL i an
Fwered. "She told me about ~. and
rvhen / had explained things to her
<he was content"
Il am glad OF that and I hope
rvou can get some rest now. You
<nust be terribly tired, rushing
around as you have done"
Il ives. I am tired. butt faced
Ner with sudden resolution will
wou wait up for me ten minutes? |
swant 10 come down and talk 10 you"
ssIt won't be my bedtime for an
<our vet" she said. land Ill he only
go clad or a little talk. II gets lone
koms up here In the Winter tme."
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-03-28

Journeys
By TEMPLE MANNING
"A Tisif 70 The Island Of
Sunidfrd.

A LONG the western edge OF the
"a Island OF Sumatra IN the
A& Dutch East Indies there ex-
tends q chain Of mountains which
rtss quite rapidly from the coast
line. II Ia IN interesting country
the home OF the Menangkabau peo-
pie. q black race.
To reach this territory from the
west, n goes to the city OF Pedang
and from there takes the little rail-
road that leads into the hills. The
train chugs and strains as II starts
UP the grades toward the highlands
and finally the engine Is switched
around TO the rear Of the train and
begins to push. Cogs have been
placed between the tracks es a safety
precaution in case the load ever be-
ONE too great for the engine.
One OF the centers OF this hin
country IL Fort dc Kock. which viz
tually sits on the Equator. Just
outside the city In enc Of the beauty
spots OF Sumatra, known M Water
Buffalo Gorge. Years ago a river
flowing down from one OF the neigh
boring mountain peaks. ernpded into
a lake on the site OF what IL now
Fort de Kock. In time, the waters
OF this lake found an outlet and 40
they escaped they uncovered this
beautiful valley, through which there
now runs only q shallow stream.
The cliffs on either side OF this
gorge rise 10 a height Of 400 feet in
places. Parts OF the walls n bare.
eroded sandstone. while other parts
are covered with luxurlant foliage.
The floor az the valley IL naturally
extremely fertile. Much OF Il II de-
voted to rice fields.
To appreciate theps people or the
Sumatra hills, one should see them.
Words fail TO describe the rainbow
effects found in the dress OF the
women. Color, color, color. Physi-
cally. both the men and women are
admirable specimens. They r
strong and well proportional and
usually have bright. intelligent faces.
There is O. peculiar social system
among the Menangkabau tribe. The
women are the rulers OF the house
hold and control not only the chill
dren but the family goods. II a man
dies. his possessions pass on to his
sister, not his wife. The men are
supposed to work the rice fields and
provide the wherewithal for their
family's sustenance. But once X 81
provided. the women are responsible.
Thus. on market days. one can see
the women s~currying along the roads
with huge bundles OF produce or
what-not. while the men will bring
UP the rear-lolling along as II Il
were Just r holiday.
In the sams chain OF mountains.
but farther 70 the north. lives an
other tribe. They are the Bataks. r
shall tell you OF them next time.