The Caldwell News and The Burleson County Ledger (Caldwell, Tex.), Vol. 45, No. 45, Ed. 1 Friday, February 13, 1931 Page: 1 of 8
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. <1
And The Burleson County Ledger
Burleson Co. Lodger, Vol. 45, Nik 48.
A Weekly Newspaper Devoted Unreservedly to the Development and Upbuilding of Burleson County.
CALDWELL, BURLESON COUNTY, TEXAS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY13, 1931.
The Caldwell Now , VoL 4,
Editor's Column
The news of the nation this week
dealing with the economic situation
of the country sounded more re-
assufing than any for many weeks.
Extra-ordinary reports for the times
are eminating daily and they are ap-
parently on the increase. ,
9 • * *
The Chevrolet company recently an-
nounced confidence in the future of
American business and reported that
it is putting thousands of men back
to work in anticipation of building
one million cars this year.
• * * *
This w eek the Ford Motor Company
of Detroit, Michigan, announced it
in returning over 100,000 men to
work, getting ready for future de-
mand of automibiles.
• * * *
The U. S. Steel Corporation of
Pennsylvania, booked the largest
orders of building construction
material it has received in several
months.
* * * •
The front page of the big dailies
told about the flurry in the stock
market, cited rises in a number of
stocks and firmer tones in commodity
prices, such as cotton and wheat. This
proved to be one of the best news
features of the week.
• * * •
Things in general over the country
presages better times coming. A
number of things indicate a gradual
return in the direction of normalcy.
• • • •
Many iines oi* business are pre-
puung for added business that cus-
tomarily follows periodical business
depressions. They are getting steam
up to l¡e ready to share in the re-
turn of prosperity on its arrival.
* • • *
Gardening over the city and coun-
ty is developing splendidly. There is
i|uiU* an amount of activity every-
where In'tween rains. There will be
lots of vegetable seed planted, and
yard beautifieation will be normal
if not increased. It is to be hoped
the family tables, and city and rural
yards and surroundings will not be
neglected.
• * • •
A day or year lost at anything
worthwhile in Burleson county would
hurt. The headway made the past
five years is entirely too valuable to
lose. All may not be in position to
do what they would like to do, but
nearly everyone can do something
that will help provide the living this
year, and make the city and county
more attractive.
• • • •
The rural boys and girls are to be
congratulated for the fine manner in ^
which they have responded to_ the ,
solicitations of Mr. G. C. King, i
county agent, by joining the 4-HI
Clubs and commencing to conduct
various gricultural demonstrations
and experiments during the year.
• • • •
They arc already good citizens, but
they will become better and more use-
ful ones in the future. They could
receive no better training, and we
feel confident they could find no bet-
tor instructor and leader than they
find in Mr. Kir.ff.
• • • •
After they have half tried, and the
year is over, many will wonder, as
well as the older people of the coun-
ty, why clubs were not organized be-
fore.
• • • •
4-H Club work means much to the
rural boys and girls. It means much
to the county. Mr. King is to be
commended for the efforts he has
put forth in that ('section. It takes
effort to organize anything. Difficul-
ties have to l e met. Considerable
traveling has to be done.
• • ♦ •
He started out to organize a few
clubs with a few members and is
winding up with several organizations
with several members. Enrollment to
date has been three times his ex-
pectation.
The teaohers of the rural schools
where the clubs are organized are to
be commended for cooperating. They
arc largely responsible for the
general organization success.
o ■
Young Daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Tom Jackson
In Temple Hospital
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Jackson went to
Temple Tuesday night overland due
to a severe illness of their little
daughter, Janie. Mrs. Jackson re-
mained and will probably be away
for two or three week?. Mr. Jackson
returned Wednesday, stating that he
had hopes of the child's recovery.
The little girl is suffering with
laringal diptheria. Below is a report
received since her arrival there:
February 11, 1031.
"The Jackson l>aby is today doing
nicely, and I will let you know from
time to time concerning her progress.
I did a tracheotomy soon after her
arrival last night, and as yet I have
not found any complications in the
case."
Blanche, the oldest daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Jackson, who has been ill
with pneumonia for several days, we
are glad to say, is now well on the
road to recovery.
i o
Dr. and Mr*. T. L. Goodnight went
Dallas Sunday to see Dr. Good-
it's mother, who it iU.
EARLY MORNING
FIRE DESTROYS
S. NEAL HOME
Land Mark of the City Con-
sumed by Flames Early
Monday Morning
Fire early Monday morning com-
pletely enveloped and destroyed the
large two-story residence of S. N.
Neal, of this city, located in the
heart of the down town residential
district. Little was saved as far as
could be ascertained.
Fanned by a brisk north wind, the
flames spread rapidly. All efforts to
extinguish the fire failed. All occu-
pants were forced out hastily in
their night clothes.
Six thousand dollars insurance was
carried on the residence, it was
stated and $2,500.00 on the furniture.
The home was the former home of
the late A. G. Jenkins. It was con-
sidered one of the land marks of the
city. It was built more than forty
years ago and had been remodeled
and enlarged at different times. Mr.
N'eal purchased the property about
four years ago.
Rodent Control
Schools Held In
County Recently
Don Spencer, representing the U.
S. Department of Agriculture, and G.
C. King, county agent, held a num-
ber of demonstrations in trapping and
poisoning salamanders in the county
the past week and reported unusual
interest in practically every section
visited. No large crowds were
present, but most everywhere they
went they had good meetings and
found people interested. Monday
morning a demonstration was held at
F. C. Lehde's. Six were present. In
the afternoon a demonstration was
held on J. G. Shanklin's farm at
Second Creek. Ten were present. The
same afternoon one was held at R.
O. Flippin's. Eleven were present.
Two meetings were held Tuesday.
One at Mr. Gasper's farm near
Chriesman and the other at Wm.
Loehr's. Twenty-two children attend-
ed at the latter meeting.
Valuable information on salaman-
der control was obtained during the
meetings.
r
Editor Gets $1,000 4 Year for life
W .é
Ú- ' Í- '
j CONTRACT LET
FOR TELEPHONE
BUILDING HERE
Construction Work Commenced
This Week by Local
Contractor
••¿-A-
1. H, Sefton, editor of the Colfax, Cal., Record, wrote the essay
which won first priae in a recent contest, for which the chief reward is
an annuity of $1,000 a year as long as he lives. Walter P. Chrysler,
motor magnate, donor of the prize, (right) is handing Editor Sefton the
certifícate on which he can cash in every twelve months.
City
's Financial Condition
Shows Improvement Over 1930
COLLECTIONS
THIS YEAR SHOW
SMALL GAIN
Funds For Interest and Sinking
Fund For Bonded Indebted-
ness Safe
'fought at the cost of $225.00. A safe
to protect the city records had to be
nought. Half payment was $185.00.
The city never has had any protection
at all for its records from either fire
or theft. A constant risk was taken,
so the officials bought a nice safe for
the use of the secretary, to protect
the city's valuables and records. It
is proving a great convenience. Cable
to connect a white way system in the
business section had to be provided
last year under the pavement. That
cost $425.00. That was paid. About
$500.00 worth of sewer pipes had to
be bought last year. Another tractor
The citizens of Caldwell are to be wsu, bought for street working pur-
poses. A new outfit would have cost
TEACHERS WORK
OUT TRACK MEET
DETAILS HERE
Advance Meeting Held Saturday
To Create Greater Interest
In Coming Event
Details of the Interscholastic School
Meet to be held here next month were
discussed at a special called meeting
of the rural school teachers held here
the past Saturday in the County
School Superintendent's office in the
forenoon. Several teachers were
present, and an unusual amount of
interest was shown.
Schools proposing to participate
in the spring track meet agreed to
contribute the sum of $1 per teacher
that will go to help defray the ex-
penses of the meet and towards pur-
chasing loving cups to award for ex-
cellency in special classes of entries.
Five cups will be bought. Two cups
will be donated by individuals, it was
announced. Coach Bright of Somer-
ville, it was stated will give one and
J. Malvin Hare, county school
superintendent, will contribute the
other. Mr. Hare's cup will be offered
the school winning the Three "R"
contest. The Burleson County Cham-
ber of Commerce will help bear the
general expense of the meet.
The question of selecting com-
petent judges for the literary con-
tests was discussed and it was de-
cided to obtain them from nearby
colleges. The judges will be secured
from the public speaking departments
of some of the colleges, if possible.
The coming spring athletic event
was considered from several angles
and efforts are being made to create
added interest throughout the county
to help make the event one of the
most interesting and beneficial meets
held in several years. J. Malvin Hare
is giving considerable time and
thought to it and together with his
co-workers is striving to make it
worthwhile.
The Burleson County Chamber of
Commerce is supporting It financially
and morally and intends to help out
in different ways.
The event brings a large number
of the rural school children together
and provides numerqus ways for
them to compete with one another in
physical and intellectual contests.
They are regular annual events over
the State in the counties.
■o
Mr. T. C. Buntyn and son, Kelton,
of Tyler, are spending this week with
Mrs. Buntyn and fondly, sad
muI lire. Howard
Mr.
congratulated for the fine manner
in which they met their tax payments
for the past calendar year. A
thorough tabulation and check of
collections and various bond funds
Monday showed the city's financial
condition to be in excellent condition.
The general fund balance increased
from approximately $1,200.00 to over
$2,700.00. Funds to pay off bonds
and interest is entirely sufficient to
meet those obligations this year. The
city will not have to worry about its
finances for another year at least.
Administrative affairs and the schools
will go on uninterrupted as far as
the local citizens are concerned.
The tax collection situation in Jan-
uary that looked ultra unpromising
turned out at the last moment co be
exceedingly favorable. The only bad
feature about the city's condition is
about $10,000 worth of delinquent or
unpaid taxes that have been brought
forward the past six or seven years.
Some taxes have not been paid regu-
larly. The matter is receiving con-
stant attention ctf the city officials
and will be worked out ont way or
another this year. The rolls have been
brought up to date and notices have
been sent out asking delinquents to
pay. A number have responded. Other
notices will be mailed in the next few
days and those that are not paid,
will be placed in the hands of an at-
torney to collect by law. Back taxes
must be collected the officials realize,
and every effort possible to shape up
this part of the city's business will
be put forth. The taxes are needed
to take care of sinking funds In the
four bond issues to bring them up to
their proper condition. The school
house bond sinking fund shows a
slight deficiency because of the de-
linquency. The city has been striving
to make the collections without added
costs to the delinquents. Several
months notice have been given. A
number have paid, but there are sev-
eral yet to pay. If the taxes are not
paid soon, legal proceedings will have
to be instituted, the city officials
realize. They desire to avoid suits if
Kossible for they harm rather than
enefit
Tax collections in the city up to
February 1, for all purposes for the
past year, approximated $34,724.10
compared with $32,666.24 on the
corresponding date in 1030.
Interest on the various bonds have
been provided. The general funds
show increased amounts. This fund
has been badly in arrears for a num-
ber of years account of necessary ex-
penses and improvements that were
made. Today, it looks like the officials
might go through the year without
entirely depleting the balance. With
economies made, it appears by next
year the fund will be in excellent
condition. Another $1,000.00 or
$1,500.00 gain will place it where it
belongs.
' The city officials were called upon
to make several unusual expenditures
last year that will probably not be
needed thia year. Last year extra
street work moving gravel and clean-
ing sewers in connection with the
paving called for extra expense. A
supply oí now fin. Ijqm had to be
around $2,300.00. The officials picked
up a fairly good second hand machine
for $50.00 and spent $75.00 on paint-
ing, repairs and concrete for weight-
ing the rear wheels. That was
$125.00 extra expense. The tractor
runs good, is strong in power and
frame and will probably serve two
or three more years. The city was
saved several dollars in this one in-
stance. Upkeep has been far less
than the old tractor.
The city administration has saved
many dollars by cutting here and
cutting there. The difference is go-
ing to the people in street pavement
more and larger sewers, better drag-
ed and kept streets, etc. One full time
man is kept constantly busy six days
in the week. He is charged with
practically all upkeep of the streets.
No money is disbursed for extra
teams and labor, except in extreme
emergency. With the city team, $75
per month for street man and about
$35 per month for gas. oil and grader
blades, about covers the expense now,
except in emergencies where an extra
hand or two are required for extra
work occassionally.
The general fund of the city has
to bear the costs of many things dur-
ing the year. Salaries of the
secretary, fireman, marshal, mayor,
aldermen, street foreman, has to
come every month. Cost of stationery,
elections, fire fighting equipment,
street lights, power, gas and oil for
tractor, and many things during the
year has to come out of the general
fund. There is a demand regularly.
Some improvements have to be made.
During a year with a very limited
amount to draw from, care has to be
exercised in handling. Before any
dollar is spent, a good worthy cause
must be shown.
In connection with the financial con-
dition of the city, it might be interest-
ing to know that next year approxi-
mated $25,000 or $30,000 worth of
school house bonds will be paid off.
The ten year option comes next
February and at that time provision
will be made to retire at least one
fourth of the amount. The amount
of the issue outstanding is $125,000.
The contemplated reduction in the
principal will net a saving after this
year in interest alone of about
$1,000 annually, until more are paid
off. That would be equivalent to about
10 cents in the present tax rate. In
other words after this year, $1,500
less will have to be paid out. Unless
some necessary things will have to
be provided for, there will be an op-
portunity to make some reduction in
taxes. This saving will be carefully
safeguarded and will be used to re-
duce taxes or to make some improve-
ment that is urgently needed. It will
be the first time in some time since
the city will have shown a fair mar-
gin in It*, statutory tax limit. For
several years it has been kept within
three cent of the limit. By paying
off the bonds next year, it should
show a margin of 13 cents.
Negotiations terminated early this
week when a lease contract for
n plot of ground and a new building
for a telephone exchange was let.
Mr. A. F. Grabow is the leasor and
the Southwest Telephone Company of
this city was the leesees.
The lot leased is the one of Buck
-treet adjoining the S. G. Ragsdale
home on the southwest. The building
to be erected will be of cottage de-
sign, a frame structure with nec-
essary conveniences. Erection of the
building was commenced Wednesday
and is to be completed a* soon as
possible. Otto Berndt, a local con-
tractor of this city, was awarded the
contract for the mechanical work.
The improvements to be made are
in line with improvements contem-
plated several months ago. Officers
of the local telephone company are
out of the city and complete line on
contemplated improvements was not
definitely learned.
o
Lady In Farm
and Ranch Asks
About Local Band
In the last issue of the Farm and
Ranch, a lady in the Household
Column, writing about her trip to
the A. & M. College during the Far-
mers' Short Course last summer
made an inquiry about the local band
and another band she heard there.
She wanted to know what had be-
came of it. "It was sure fine," she
said. "Come and grace this page with
a tune, I am sure you would make a
hit."
She did not call it the school band.
She said: "The Caldwell boys and
girls band." That is the way she re-
membered it.
The school band made an afternoon
trip to the college last summer and
gave a concert on the campus for the
benefit of the visitors from ovei the
state attending the short course.
Several hundred people were in at-
tendance. The trip was arranged by
G. C. King, county agent.
-jP
Desperadoes "Easy"
For Woman Sherlock
COUNTY AGENTS
JANUARY WM
WAS HEAVY
Breaks Record For Service
Rendered Farmers Thruout
Burleson County
EL PASO, Feb. 12. (UP).—Men
are easier to arrest than women—
particularly by a woman city de-
tective.
So says Mrs. Callie Fairley, who
has followed the art of Sherlock
Holmes for three years here. "There
are a few men who feel a certain
sense of chivalry, ever toward a wo-
man who is arresting them, but the
majority of them come along easier
because of fear," said Mrs. Fairley.
The Soutnwest's only woman de-
tective carries her pistol in a holster
strapped to her knee, she confided.
o
Mr. and Mrs. Beverly Wilson of
Waco visited Mr. and Mrs. Howard
While politicians in Washington and
Austin and various other agencias
over the country were arguing and
contending for various measures to
relieve the farmer, scores of farmers
in this county were steadily engaged
in various activities laying founda-
tions 4o benefit and bring relief them-
selves.
The County Agent broke all past
records for service rendered farmers
durng January. He was on the go
throughout the month, both in the
field and in his office on Saturdays
and a few spare momonts during the
balance of the week days. Many
farms were visited and a considerable
amount of information was dissemin-
ated. When the month closed, his
working calendar was still full of
engagements for this month and
bookings have been daily almost
aince^
His activities during the past
month folow:
January 1—Thursday: New Year's
Day. Holiday.
January 2—Friday: Caldwell office
answering mail and making annual
reports.
January 3—Saturday: Caldwell
office. Gave out information and ar-
ranged future engagements.
January 4—Sunday: Rest.
January 5—Monday: Chriesman.
Terrace work for E. L. Gasper. Also
terrace work for Henry Marek. vis-
ited Chriesman school in interest of
club work. Arranged for orchard
school for Chriesman community
January 30, 1931.
January 6—Tuesday: Visited His
school in the forenoon. Talked to
children in behalf of club work. Left
cards for them to sign. In the after-
noon visited San Antonio schooL
Talked in behalf of cluh work and left
cards. Then went to Deanville school
in interest of club work. Left cards.
Interest good.
January 7—Wednesday: Terrace
work in forenoon for R. H. Clampitt.
Afternoon terrace work for Henry
Worthington. Both of Cooks Point
community. Terraced 35 acres.
January 8—Thursday: Club meet-
ing at Birch at 10:30. Elected officers
and completed organization of Birch
club. Afternoon ran terrace lines on
12 acres of land for F. O. Weichert.
Also visited Mr. John E. Sobotik.
January 9—Friday: Visited Prairie
Dale school in interest of club work.
Completed organization of club bjr
electing officers. Also visited D. C.
Cowen, a demonstrator.
January 10—Saturday: Caldwell
office; two meetings, Co-operative
Marketing and poultry meeting. At
tendance of both meetings 38.
January 11—Sunday: Rest.
January 12—Monday: Visited
Providence and Volney schools. Com-
pleted organization at Providence and
elected officers. At Volney talked to
the children and gave out cards. Total
attendance at both meetings 27.
January 13—Tuesday: Visited
Cooks Point school in interest of club
work. Talked to children in interest
of club. Gave out cards. Interest
good. Attendance at meeting 38.
January 14—Wednesday: Visited
(ContinueJ on last pag*)
H0B0 MENACE AWAKES POLICE
VIGILANCE IN BORDER TOWNS
DEL RIO, Texas, Feb. 12. (UP).— ,hatc to feed you. Why listen: this
Economic depression may be causing business depression—that's my meatt
starvation, grief and anxiety in ¡ I can step out and pick up two and
various quarters but there is one I three dollar
especial species of humanity which
"as
stem.' I save the money and beg my
eats at back-doors and spend the
money for shoes an* clothes."
"Yeah, that's what I say!" chipped
in another, rattling a few dimes and
quarters he had just mooched. "Hard
times is gravy for the bum. When
times are good that's when it's tou|
on the road. Lookit, we ride
trains to beat the band today. Brakies
know times are bad and that there
isn't any work going on. They let ua
ride free. When times are geod, they
want a dollar a division before they'll
let you ride. Huh—
_ "By the way," anothr spoke up aa
band and loaded on the first out-go-. he poked at the jungle fire. "I hear
ing freight. they're opening up some road work
Whether the next train out is go- ovcr El Paso "
ing the way the hobo is, does not "The devil with that!" cried out
matter. "Get rid of them," is the «till another. "I'm lookin* for work
order. Many a Wearv Willie finds an' prayin* I won't find any! Let the
himself riding back und forth with- f?uy who made the road in the first
out ever reaching a destination. ¡place fix it up—shucks, we don't
The ramblers of twin rails, going ¡ never get no use from a good higtv-
openly declares itself heartily in
favor of "business slumps."
Border towns thruout the south-
west are feeling the pinch as cities
and towns inland ana visited by
sterner weather during the winter
season do not feel it.
It is caused by the hobo menace.
Every freight train along the bor-
der carries from 10 to 50 tramps.
Into small border towns they roll,
swarming out of freight yards to
bombard back-doors. City authorities
in many border towns have ruled that
hobos be herded together, kept in a
no where and with all of the time on
earth to go there, do not mind
economic depressions.
"What, hard times!" chuckled one
huge, shabbily dressed tramp as he
shuffled into the hobo "jungles" at
the edge of town and from each poc-
ket began dragging out "handouts."
"Shucks, herd times are what I like!
Say, when times are hard and there
ain't no work, you can beg plenty
A, - - —; . ,of food. It's when times are good
The other outstanding bonds are, that it's hard begging. When every -
the sewer bonds, the paving and body is working and dragging down
(Ceatfavod oa last page) 1 big salaries, then is whoa housewives
way, do we? I'm not interested in
highways where you have to work
on them."
Border towns have been over-bur-
dened with hobos coming in flocks
and droves. At El Paso the American
Legion feeds from 250 to 600 a day.
Army cots are given the rovers at
night in the armory. As freight
trains pull out, the sergeant in
charge calls trains. Bands of hobos
leave the armory under guard, are
marched into the freight yards and
placed upon out-going traína. Trampa
stay in El Paso hut 14 «ouq.
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Cromartie, C. E. The Caldwell News and The Burleson County Ledger (Caldwell, Tex.), Vol. 45, No. 45, Ed. 1 Friday, February 13, 1931, newspaper, February 13, 1931; Caldwell, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth174937/m1/1/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library.