Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-30
Man Who Surveyed Brazos
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Island in 1880, Returns
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To Scene After so Years
Especial to The Herald.l

MERCEDES. Aug. 22-When A.
J Driver, OF New York, a Valley
visitor during the past week, walked
down the beach at Brazos Island,
1t was for the first time in more
than so years. The trip from Browns
vile TO the now popular resort was
taken slowly, to permit the visitors
70 "see the country" The time from
the hotel entrance along the new
concrete road. TO its termination at
The waters edge, was As minutes.
Was Long Trip.
And Just TO think" exclaimed
Mr.. Driver, il used to take me all
the way from II TO "a hours. There
was not ever a COW path then.
Much OF the land down here was
under water most of the year, and
impossible for any known means Of
transportation-not even water for
boats, and too much for man or
beast. W. lived in Brownsville over
two years and my wife never got
to see the scene OF my work On
Brazos."
In 1880 the Mexican Telegraph
and Gable Co. an organization Of
American capitalists. later known
as the All American Gable Co, de-
cided to extend its service into
Vera Cruz, via Tampico, and ii was
found necessary to establish a cable
way-station some where on the gulf
coast. Brazos Island was selected
as the site, and a young English en-
gineer. "A. j. Driver, was appointed
hom the New York office 10 super
intend construction
Left in 1880.
He took boat al New York CITY.
Christmas Day 1880, leaving his wife
and infant son 10 follow on the next
loaf.
IN those days, landing a boat close
enough 70 Point Isabel 10 unload
was an engineering feat. When a
norther was blowing II was frequent
II necessary. he said, to lie out N
the gulf three days. often longer,
Tor a change OF wind.
Early in January. the young n
gineer and his cable and building
supplies, were ii htered across from
the old steamer. /. G. Harris. and i
survey or the situation was made.
Brought Ferry Boat.
The only means Of reaching the
island was from Point Isabel, by
water. Part OF the company equip
ment, brought from New York. was
a small but sturdy ferry boat. Con-
structiOn materials, camping sup
plies and laboreTs were loaded on
this boat and carried across 10 a
spot on the island close 70 where
the jetties end today. There was not
ever j burro on the island. The
engineer and MS men made the rest
of The way on foot. transporting
supplies and building materials on
their shoulders to the chosen loca-
ton. about where TIE newly COM
pleted dance pavilion stands today.
II was a back breaking and disheart-
ening task. but the work was COM
lleted. cables laid and communica-
ton establish
Brought House Along.
Among supplies brought 70 Point
Isabel on the old I. @. Harris. We're
the engineers household goods. aud
his house. Not many people know
that one Of the nations first port
able houses was erected in Browns
vile. For the cable company. know
ing nothing of housing conditions ! n
this distant country. decided TO take
no chances. and had cut and partly
put together in a New York lum-
Der yard. then loaded on the YES
sci in sections. a one-story cottage.
Point Isabel had little to offer the
young people in the way Of society
in these days, SO II was decided 70
erect the home IT'D Brownsville. near
the Fort. The lot selected was on
Elizabeth Street. jusmt below the
end OF the present Gateway bridge.
Settle In Brownsville.
A lunch stand now occupies the
exact location. The house was brought
from the wharf at Point Isabel on
the old "wood-burner' TO Browns
vile. reloaded on 10 mule wagons,
and hauled to the Elizabeth Street
lot.
After the house was started, Mrs.
Driver and the baby Son we're
brought from New York. They had
a very hard trip and were kept out
IN the bay for several days by an
unusually severe coast storm which
made landing impossible.
The question Of adequate water
supply caused much worry. The rlv-
er was low IN the spring OF 1881,
and there were few dependable
wells. Boys brought up muddy wat
er from the river selling 1t to cit
liens of Brownsville for a picayune
per barrel. 1t was necessary TO strain
this water and settle ID even be-
fore il was fit for laundry purposes.
Drinking water was carried from a
well.
Builds Own CiStern.
The young pioneers determined 20
have q cistern. A barrel tank was
erected on stills and a crude wood
en- pump attached. This was design
ed 10 catch rain water from the
river through a wooden trough or
pipe. when 1t failed to rain with
sufficient regularity.
The summe was dry. the river
was nearly dry. and the tank re-
manned empty through the first few
months. The heavy rains on the
water sheds TO the west, caused a
sudden rise in the Rio Grande. A
boy was put on the pump. But the
sun of the semi-tropics had done
it's work on the wooden slaves. Wat
er leaked out about as fast as II
was pumped in and before the wood
was sufficiently soaked up to gain
the support OF it's hoops the whole
structure collapsed upon the dis
gus.ad pumphand. and flooded the
tard u~f+h MUDDY u-otor