Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-30
(Soecial to The Herald.O

A. 49, -
than so years. The trip from Browns
vile TO the now popular resort was
taken slowly, to permit the visitors
TO "see the country" The time from
the hosel entrance along the new
concrete road. to its termination at
the waters edge, was IS minutes.
Was Long Trip.
And Just TO think" exclaimed
Mr.. Driver, IL used 10 take me al
the way from IL TO "a hours. There
was not even 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. We lived in Brownsville over
two years and my wife never goo
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 On
gineer, A. j. Driver, was appointed
fIom the New York office TO super
intend construction
Left in 1880.
He took boat al New York City,
Christmas Day 1880. leaving his wife
and infant son to follow on the next
Loaf.
In those days, landing a boat close
enough TO Point Isabel TO unload
was an engineering feat. When a
norther was blowing IL was frequent
IN necessary, he said, TO lie out n
the gulf three days, often longer,
for a change Of wind.
Early in January, the young en-
gineer and his cable and building
supplies, were lightered across from
the old steamer. /. G. Harris, and a
survey OF the situation was made.
Brought Ferry Boat.
The only means OF reaching the
island was from Point Isabel, b.
water. Part OF the company equip
ment, brought from New York, was
n small but sturdy ferry boat. Con-
struction materials, camping sup
plies and laboreTs were loaded on
this boat and carried across 70 a
spot on the island close to where
the ~jetties end today. There was not
even a burro on the island. The
engineer and his men made the rest
Of the way on foot, transporting
supplies and building materials on
their shoulders to the chosen loca-
ton. about where the newly COM
pleted dance pavilion stands today.
II was a back breaking and dishea-t-
ening task. but the work was COM
pleted. cables laid and communica-
ton establish
Brought House Along.
Among supplies brought to Point
Isabel On the old i. q. Harris. we're
the engineers household goods. and
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 IN
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 10 offer the
young people in the way OF society.
in those days, so II was decided 70
erect the home in Brownsville, near
the Fort. The lot selected was 9n
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 To 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 whlcn
made landing impossible.
The question Of adequate water
supply caused much worry. The riv-
er was low in the spring OF 1881,
and there were few dependable
wells. Boys brought up muddy wat
or from the river selling IL 10 cit
liens OF Brownsville for q picayune
per barrel. III was necessary TO strain
this water and settle Ii even be-
fore It was fit for laundry purposes.
Drinking water was carried from a
well.
Builds Own Cistern.
The young pioneers determined TO
have a cistern. A barrel tank was
erected on stills and a crude wood
en- pump attached. This was design
ed to catch rain water from the
river through a wooden trough or
pipe, when it failed to rain with
sufficient regularity.
The summer was dry. the river
was nearly dry. and the tank re-
NAMED 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 IL
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
gusted pumphand. and flooded the
yard with muddy water.
Underground Water
After that experience an under
ground cistern was put in which re-
manned in service for many years.
Brownsville in 1881
Mr.. and Mrs. Driver have a vivid
memory IF PrOu-n cvf1fa ard ~ tha