Mercedes Tribune (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 10, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 23, 1923 Page: 1 of 10
ten pages : ill. ; page 22 x 15 in. Scanned from physical pages.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
m
Do Your Duty Now!
Duty delayed
spells failure
-J
WxxbttM
Do Your Duty Now!
Duty delayed
spells failure
VOLUME X
MERCEDES, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1923
NUMBER 15
RURAL ENCAMPMENT
PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
Hundreds of Women Expected to At-
tend Hidalgo County Meet at
Stewart Club House Next
Week.
Hundreds of women, members of
the rural clubs of Hidalgo and Cam-
eron Counties, are expected to meet
at the Second Annual Encampment
to be held on Thursday and Friday
of next week, M^ay 31 and June 1, at
Near End of
Truck Season
Vegetable shipments by freight
continue to hit the toboggan, a total
of only 79 cars leaving- the Valley
during the past week. While some
considerable shipments are going for-
ward by express, due to the opening
of the canteoupe deal in some sec-
tions, it is expected that vegetable
shipments from the Valley will con-
tinue to decline until the fall move-
ment begins.
Of the total number of cars leav-
the Stewart Club House near Mer-^
cedes. Interest in the encampment ^ yapey the past week, Mer-
is keen, following the very success-'
ful meeting which was held last year
at McColl’s Club House near Pharr,
the first meeting of the kind to be
held in the Valley.
The following program has been
arranged by the committee in
charge:
Thursday, May 31st, 10 to 10:30 a.
m.—Registration.
Song—America.
Invocation—Mrs. Fred Taylor.
Address of Welcome, Mrs. G. C.
Pritchard.
Music—South Sharyland Club.
Business Session.
Woman’s Exchange —Miss Kate
Kelly.
Amusements—Miss Myrtle Love-
lace.
Song—Mrs. 0. D. Card.
12:30—Luncheon.
2:30 p. m.—Piano Solo—Miss Wal-
den.
Lecture — Miss Helen Higgins,
State Home Demonstration Agent.
Informal Discussion—Club Work.
Recreation—Led by Mrs. Kate H.
Dougherty.
3:30—Music—Selected.
County Library—Miss West, State
Librarian.
Discussion by members.
Talk—Miss Kate PI. Daugherty,
Dist. Home Demonstration Agent.
Music—Quartet — South Sharyland
Club.
Reading—Miss Bowe.
Banquet, 6:30 to 8:00.
8:00—Study Party.
Friday, June 1st
9:00 a. m.—Song Contest.
Reading—Selected.
Election of Officers.
Recreation—Led by Mrs. Kate H.
Daugherty.
Decision of Judges and Singing of
Encampment ,-Song.
Building and Beautifying the Home
—Mrs. E. M. C-ai’d.
Reading—Selected.
12:30—Luncheon.
1:30—Encampment Song.
Poultry—F .W. Kazmeier.
Music—Selected.
HIDALGO COUNTY JUDGE WOULD TAKE“GAMBLE"
GEO. BROWN RESIGNS
111 Health Thought to he Eeason-
Was Strong Man in Democratic
Circles.—Successor Not
Yet Announced
La Feria! Man
FROM CITRUS INDUSTRY DrownsinArroyo CONCLUDE IN OVATION
TO MISS N. M. BUCK
President Hickman of Citrus Ex-
change Says Necessary to Sign
Up 75% of Yalley Tonnage to
Sleet Competition
cedes shipped 20 and Weslaco 8.
San Benito led the Valley with 26
cars. Brownsville and McAllen each
shipped 7. A feature of the past
week has been the rather large to-
mato movement, 22 cars of this com-
modity leaving the Valley, chiefly
from San Benito, although Browns-
ville and Harlingen contributed to
the total.
Other shipments were: onions, £
cars; mixed vegetables, 15 cars;
corn, 17 cars; bee,ts and carrots, 10
cars; carrots, 2 cars; beets, 1 car;
cabbage, 2 cars, and beans, 1 car.
PROPOSEAGBICULTUBAL
COURSE FOB SCHOOLS
The introduction of a course of vo-
cational agriculture into next year’s
school curriculum was the subject
of considerable discussion at the ad-
journed meeting of the school board,
Monday night. It is hoped to have
a man from A. & M. here during
the next month or so to aid them
in making a decision. The Board
authorized the purchase of some $300
worth of equipment for chemistry
which will he offered next year in
place of physics, it being planned to
alternate these two science courses.
A committee composed of C. R.
Wood and D .H. Kennett was ap-
pointed to see. to making some re-
pairs at the Harriet Claycomb School.
A number of contracts which have
been signed were accepted, and the
salary offered T. J. Fikes, Jr. was
raised from $90 to $100,
■The following two names should
have been included in the list of
teachers elected, given in a previous
issue of the Tribune: Gordon H.
Potts, $100, and Lester Swaney, $100.
George P. Brown, for the past sev-
eral years County Judge of Hidalgo
County has tendered his resignation
to the Commissioners’ Court to take
effect immediately, according to ad-
vices reaching Mercedes from Edin-
Burg. Judge Brown has been in ill
health for some time, suffering from
a nervous breakdown, and it is un-
derstood that his resignataion has
been given for that reason. His suc-
cessor will be appointed by the Com-
missioners’ Court. Due to the ill-
ness of the judge, county court
which was scheduled to begin on
Monday of tliis week, is not in ses-
sion, and no announcement has been
given as to whefi tfia session \
start.
Judge Brown has been generally
popular throughout the county since
his assumption of office, having lead
the Democratic ticket in the 1920
and 1922 campaigns. In 1922 he had
no opposition, the Republicans re-
fusing . to put a man in against him.
At the time of the Republican county
convention there was a strong at-
tempt made to endorse the judge
w’hich failed ,to pass. It is predicted
throughout the county that the re-
tirement of Judge Brown from Demo-
cratic politics will weaken the coun-
ty machine in the 1924 election, as
he is conceded ,to have been the
strongst man on the machine ticket.
Just who will succeed Judge Brown
is problematical1. The names of L.
J. Polk of Pharr and A. W. Cameron,
assistant county attorney of Edin-
burg have been suggested as two pos-
siblities. Mr. Polk is understood to
be an active candidate for the ap-
pointment from the governor of the
new district judgeship, and perhaps
would not consider the county posi-
tion on that account. The county
office pays a salary of $3,500 per
year in Hidalgo County.
“Absolutely the only way of tak-
ing the citrus industry in the Valley
ing the gamble out of the citrus in-
dustry in the Valley is to line up
at least 75% of the tonnage of our
production in order to control the
distribution and maintain our price
level,” is the statement made by J.
A. Hickman of Rio Hondo, president
of the Valley Citrus Exchange in an
interview given to the Valley press
this week. Mr. Hickman, in citing
the advantages to the citrus grower
of marketing his fruit through the
citrus exchange states that the presi-
dent of the largest carlot distribut-
ing organization in the United States
has expressed his preference for the
exchange as a source of supply.
The exchange is about to embark
upon a membership campaign
throughout the Valley, endeavoring
to line up at least 65% of the Valley
tonnage for a period of three years,
in order that the exchange may be
properly financed. The exchange
plans to operate its own packing
plants in the future, and for the pur-
pose of financing these plants it is
proposed to put aside 25 cents per
box, in addition to the packing costs,
this amount to be returned to the
grower later by the exchange with
interest, from its earnings. In 'ad-
dition to the regular membership,
associate members are provided for
at the rate of $5.00 per annum.
In speaking of the exchange and
its purposes, Mr. Hickman says:
(Continued on page 10.)
Lee Prosser, about 36 years old, a
well known and popular business man
of La Feria,<lWas drowned last week
in the arroyo south of La Feria, af-
ter having rescued his sister-in-law,
Miss Lambeth of McAllen, from
drowning. Prosser is said to have
become exhausted in the rescue, and
to have collapsed in comparatively
shallow water. His body was later
recovered and sent to his old home
in Missouri for interment. Mrs. Pros-
ser is reported to have been pros-
trated following the tragic death
of her husband.
Mr. Prosser has been a rsident of
the Valley for a*® number of years
following his discharge from ,the
army, in which he served during the
World War. He first located at
Pharr and about two years ago
moved to La Feria where he was en-
gaged in the grain and feed busi-
ness.
FIRST SOLID GAR
CANTALOUPES LEAVES
GRADUATION EXERCISES
Is Presented With Loving Cup as She
Retires from Schools After Eight
Years of Efficient Work
Reading—Souther 'Star Club.
Clug Work—Mrs. J. C. eGorge,
Dist. Federation President.
Song—Blest be the Tie.
Wholesale Resignations Given
From City Fire Department
Taking effect June 11th, resigna-
tions of the entire city fire depart-
ment, with the exception of the chief
and two members, were signed last
Friday night and handed to Chief
Menton. The resignation of Mr.
Menton will be handed to .the City
Council at their first regular meeting
which comes on June 11th, he an-
BILL BOOSTER SAYS
DOG:
^ OW 'THE GIVE U\S
WAIL SOME EKERCASEl SLAP
WUE CHAP VMO \s DOVJki
OKI WUE BAa\A \ THAT KAAV
BE ALL HE MEEDS WO GTAKt
H\WV BACK UP\ u
J
cwApte
AuCrHPcB
nounced.
Four reasons for the wholesale
resignations are given by the mem-
bers of the fire department as fol-
lows: 1—Lack of recognition and
cooperation from ,the mayor and city-
officials; 2—Lack of adequate equip-
ment; 3—Insufficient fire plugs; 4
Failure of mayor and city officials to
investigate the turning in of false
alarms. Until June 11 the depart-
ment will function as usual, it is
announced.
According to statements made by
various members of -the department
it seems that the local fire fighters
feel that their services which have
been given to the city on a volunteer
basis without pay, are not appre-
ciated. Remarks alleged to have
been made by members of the city
council referring to the department
in a slighting manner concerning
the work done by its members at the
time of the Alex Hamuei fire are
also among the grievances of those
who have resigned. It is further
maintained that false alarms have
been turned in at various times,
forcing the department out at all
hours of the night, and that no
attempt has been made by the city
officials to apprehend those guilty
of turning in these alarms, though
in at least one instance it is alleged
that a member of the council knew
that a false alarm was going to be
turned in.
Just what action will be taken
in the matter by the city council
at its next meeting is a matter of
conjecture.
Interesting Program Marks Gradua-
tion Exercises of Future Class
of 1927, Mercedes High School
A class of 31 was graduated last
week from the Grammar School of
the Mercedes Independent School Dis-
trict and will enter the High School
next fall as the class of 1927. A
most interesting program was given
by the class last Thursday afternoon
in the Harriet Claycomb Grammar
School auditorium. The address oi
welcome was delivered by Lucile
Hooks, followed by a playlet, “Sun-
beam Club,” in which practically
every member of the class partici-
pated.
Following a song by Annie Lee
McManus with a' pantomime by Golds-
by Poag, the certificates of promo-
tion to the High School were pre-
sented the graduates by Miss N. M.
Buck, retiring superintendent of
schools. The program was given un-
der ,the supervision of Miss Afton
Smith and was thoroughly enjoyed
by all present.
The following members of the class
were given promotion certificates:
Lucile Hooks, Goldsby Poag, J. C.
Boyd, William McLennan, Lucinda
Prince, Jewell Fox (Heidelberg) Jar-
relt Hogan, Hazel Neil, Eleanod Mae
Smith* Emma Styles, Vera Barry,
Jack Fikes, Frank Moffett, Francisco
Hinojosa, Salvador Solis, ‘Packard
Barton, Robert Rowland, George Ap-
plegate, Agnes McManus, Bernice
White, Marie Emerson, Fausteena
Heidrick, Marie Burris, Gertrude
Heidrick, Martina Herrera, Ruben
Lavios, Gradie Lowrie, Frederick
Olils, Susie Trevino, Melvin Wolfe.
—--o--
SIGN MANY UP UNDER
FORD SAYING PLAN
Yesterday was “Ford Weekly Pur-
chsae Plan” day, and salesmen of
the Tolson Motor Co. succeeded in
signing up 13 purchasers for Ford
cars under this newly inaugurated
plan. F. W. Duncan led the list and
won the $5.00 gold piece offered by
the company for the salesman secur-
ing the greatest number, having sold
8 Fords during the day.
Will Close Memorial Day
The banks of Mercedes announce
,that they will be closed all day Me-
morial Day, May 30. It is expected
that most of the business houses will
follow the example set by the banks
land remain closed next Wednesday
also.
H. S. GRADUATES
RECEIVE DIPLOMAS
Prize Winners of Essay Contests An-
nounced and Medals Given Inter-
scholastic Winners.
Before a crowd that filled the Bap-
tist Church , memoers of the class
of 1923, Mercedes High School re-
ceived their diplomas last Thursday
night, following an interesting pro-
gram.
During the evening the prize win-
ners of the various essay contests
were announced and the prizes
awarded. In the contest conducted
by the Music Club on the subject
“History of Mercedes,” Floyd Lang-
ford was declared winner by Mrs. O.
E. Van Berg, president of that or-
ganization. As president of the Mer-
cedes Chamber of Commerce, H. B.
Seay presented Packard Barton and
Miriam Wade, in the High School sec-
tion and Wm. Trousdale and Irene
Bolton, in the grammar school sec-
tion, with their prizes as winners in
the essay contest on the subject,
“The Three Things that Mercedes
Mlost Needs.”
Medals were presented to the Mer-
cedes winners of Ihterscholastic
Meet events, Marion Hughes and Wil-
bert Sippola, . debators and Lucy
Vining, tennis singles, by Mrs. I. S.
Chadick, president of - the Parent-
Teacher Association.
The events not on the scheduled
program.; expressed appreciation for
work done by individuals of the com-
munity for local schools. The first
was when Miss Agnes Jones, repre-
senting the teachers of the Harriet
Claycomb School, expressed to Mrs.
M. H. Pennell ,their appreciation of
the splendid work which she had
done among the chidren during the
year in conducting her clinics. The
second came when Judge L. T. Hoyt
presented Miss N. M- Buck, retiring
superintendent wijth a loving cup,
given by her many friends in appre-
ciation of her services for 8 years as
the head of the Mercedes school sys-
tem.
Those receiving their diplomas
Thursday night were: Andrew Por-
ter, Salutatorian; Floyd Langford,
(Continued on page 10)
The first solid car of canteloujes
to leave Mercedes is being shipped
by express this afternoon by the
.Texas Producers Union to New
York City. The car will be handled
there by the California Vegetable
Union. Growers whose canteloupes
are included in the car' are W. S.
Bradbury, C. I. Trott, J. S. Moyer, J.
T. Me Cannon, I. R. Stahl, F. V
Lehman, Carl Allen, L. Chavez, G.
C. Harbert, A.. Hofer, F. J. Harden,
S. H. McLain and W. F. Shaw'.
Local canteloupes are a little be^
hind those of the western section of
the county which has been ship-
ping in quantity since last week
Mission and Pharr making the bulb
of the shipments. The Imperial
Valley of California is expected to
ship its first car about the 25th of
this month.
Cotton Crop
Looks Good
A survey of the cotton acreage on
the Mercedes system shows that the
30,000 acres of the staple planted in
this community is in fine shape.
While the boll weevil has already ap-
peared in a number of local fields,
growers are making a determined
fight against any possible damage
from that source. More farmers than
ever before are spraying their cot-
ton with calcium arsenate, while
many are trying one ar more of the
different varieties of weevil catch-
ing machines offered on ,the market.
Commercial poisons are also being
used.
The cotton on this system is per-
haps further advanced than any in
Hidalgo oCunty due to the fact that
little or no damage has been suffered
from the .cu,t worm which spoiled
many stands in the western section
of the county.
-o-
Teachers’ Examination
An examination for teachers’ state
certificates will be held at the Coun-
ty Superintendent’s Office, ■ Edin-
burg, Texas, on Friday and Satur-
day, June 1 5nd 2, 1923.
OUR ADVERTISING ALPHABET
' is for ADVERTm N6
» #
Zjour store or your place,.
rJeJJ ’em and fell 'em
newspaper spate,!
The graduation exercises of the
class of 1923, Mercedes High School
last Thursday night were resolved
into an ovation for Miss N. M. Buck,
the retiring superintendent of the
Mercedes public schools, who re-
tires this month after completing-
eight years of faithful work in the
community.
Following the conclusion of the
scheduled program of the evening.
Judge L. T. Hoyt presented Miss
Buck with a silver loving cup, ex-
pressing the esteem in which Miss
Buck is held by the community and
the appreciation and regard with
which the community views the work
accomplished by her in the local
schools. Throughout his remarks
Judge Hoyt was interrupted by
rounds of applause from th'e audience.
In making the presentation the
judge addressed Miss Buck as fol-
lows
Miss Buck:—I have been delegated
by your many friends in Mercedes to
publicly express to you their ap-
preciation for the efficient manner in
which you have conducted the pub-
lic schools during the past eight
years and for the splendid results
which have been accomplished due
to your efforts.
We wish you to know that we ap-
pieciate your agility, your untiring-
energy, your devotion to the inter-
est and advancement of the schools
and the children under your charge,
and for the efficient system which
you inaugurated and have main-
tained.
I remember well eight years ago \
when you entered upon your duties
as superintendent. Then there were
300 pupils and 11 teachers as com-
pared to 1,300 pupils and 29 teachers
now. At that time Mercedes High
School was a high school of the -
second class, without recognition or
affiliation of any kind. In less than
two years such progress was xnade
under your supervision that the Mei’-
cedes High School was officially
recognized by tbe State Board of
Education as a High School of the
first class, a matter of which we
were very proud at the tim^ especial-
ly as Mercedes, with the exception" of-
the larger Brownsville School was
(Continued on page 5.)
Legion Discusses
Building Plans
Plans for building a suitable Amer-
ican Legion Club House in Mercedes
were discussed at greai length at;
the regular meeting of the local post
held Friday night of last week. The;
concensus of opinion was that it
would be advisable to wait definite
action until a committee bad haoi
time to thoroughly investigate the
matter and propose plans of financ-
ing the work. This committee was
appointed by the post commander
and will report at tbe next regular
meeting of tbe post.
Messrs. Ed Olsen and Mankoff en-
tertained tbe members attending the
meeting with a number of instru-
mental musical selections.
---o-
Spraying Bill
to Be Introduced
Representative A .L. Lewis of
Harlingen, who was in the Valley ort
business last week, has stated that
he believes the Compulsory Spraying
Bill so much desired by VXalley
passed ,the house in the last session
by a big majority, but died on the
Senate docket.
J
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Holland, W. D. & Buell, Ralph L. Mercedes Tribune (Mercedes, Tex.), Vol. 10, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 23, 1923, newspaper, May 23, 1923; Mercedes, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1002912/m1/1/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Library.