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

young people on several occasions.
Mrs. Driver relates a story about
the lack Of lemons in this land Of
Of citrus" Shortly after her arrival
owing to change of climate, poor
water supply and general unsani-
tary conditions, she contracted a
severe case Of chills and fever. Re-
covery was slow and food was scorn-
ed. She wanted something sour. The
doctor suggested a lemon, and there
were no lemons. Owing TO forms,
the supply steamer was late. Finally,
after three weeks Of waiting, anX-
ious friends located two, far from
fresh, specimens in the bar Of Celes-
tine Jagou.
Planned Postoffice.
The visitors were interested in the
plans for Brownsville's new post
office. They described at length the
crude boxes in the corner Of the
towns stationary store, where they
received their mail in 1872, and
the mail, as well as it's delivery was
very uncertain and unsatisfactory,
depending on stage coach and in
frequent steamers. Brownsville
boosted a telegraph station, however,
where messages could DE received
and sent, when the ore operator was
on duty or could be located.
When Mr.. Driver fell a victim 70
toothache, he had to persuade a
soldier at the fort, 70 perform the
extraction. Needless to say, he was
far from an expert. However, there
we're two or three doctors. The visi-
tors mentioned DR.. Combes and DR..
Wolf.
Remember Pioneers.
Asked about other Brown. sville re-
sidents OF that day, Mr.. DrivIr men
toned Col. Clayton, az the fort,
Mayor Carson, and the TrCtttS,
(they said Mrs. Carson was a MSS
Truitt); Bonnie Kowalski, the Mex
mayor; Mr.. Mains, collector OF GUS
toms OF the port; Capt. Kimball and
his family. and Mr.. GOm.lla OF the
Morgan line. operating the Rio
Grande Valley Railway-the mar
row gauge line between Brownsville
and Point Isabel.
Standing on the lovely, hard-pack-
ed sand beach Of BrazOs Island, so
years later. Mrs. Driver said: i
aways felt disappointed that I never
got to see the cable station here,
but Mr.. Driver always said II was no
trip for a woman, especially one
with a little boy. You see, even
though he started early in the morn
ing. by the time he got 70 Point
Isabel on the old wood-buTner. and
got his men gathered up and the
boat ready, over half the day was
gone, and If a storm or some acct
dent delayed him. he couldn't get
home the same day.
Saw Matamoros.
But / did get to MatamOroS, and
1t vas very interesting. We took the
old ferry to Santa Cruz, then the
tiny horse a now displayed on he
chamber of commerce grounds al
Brownsville, and went up the river
to Matamoros. Some OF ouT Browns
vile friends were Mortified and said
ID wasn't safe, but we had a good
time"
IN The young people became attached
to their little home in the extreme
tip OF this adopted country and made
many lasting friendships. A second
child, a daughter, was born here,
then the cable company decided that
Brazos Island was too inaccessible.
ii was difficult TO get employees 10
the island, and still harder 10 keep
them there, especially in the winter
months. Mr.. Driver was ordered 10
pull his cables. and restabliSh his
station at Galveston.
Sees Great Changes.
With such vivid r-ecollections Of
BrazOS Island in 1902, Mr.. Driv-
C. found II hard to realize that over
a thousand cars, and three 10 five
thousand people. from all over the
country, are 10 be seen now, every
weekend, camped along the lovely
beach, from the ~jetties 70 the rivers
mouth. o. more comfortably quarter
ed In the many attractive beach cot
tages, which have been built this
past season.
Listening 70 the strains OF dance
music from the pavilion at our
backs. he said, watching the moon
rise out over the gulf. painting a
path OF gold to this beach. I used