Stephenville Empire-Tribune (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 1, Ed. 1 Friday, December 21, 1934 Page: 1 of 16
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Empire Established 1870
EMPIRE, Vol. 58, No. 36; TRIBUNE, VoL 88, No. 80.
AWARDED BBXiO OUT Uf 1938 BT TBXAB PEE88 ASSOCIATION, AND JUDGED BEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER IN TEXAS
STEPHENVILLE, ERATH COUNTY, TEXAS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1934.
Tribune Established 1890
SIXTEEN PAGES—Vol. 64, No. 1
MERCHANTS TO GIVI FREE PRIZES FRIDAY NIGHT
—-t--1 r V
_________________. — — - *•****>######
Another Quota ot Cattle Given Erath
'J’WELVE . short and happy
months have passed since The
Empire-Tribune wished for its
readers a Happy, Merry Christ-
mas. As the years come and go—
and they seem to pass by at a
faster clip as we grow older—
there seems to be a more mellow
feeling around Christmas time.
More* and more this department
has come to sense a definite duty
in thinking about the welfare and
comfort of friends and associates.
One good thing about living in a
small city like Stephenville, and a
county like Erath, is that most of
us know each other personally. We
like to think that we know each
and every penon in the city and
in tho county. Generally that is
true.
JJEFORE another edition, Christ-
mas will have come and gone.
It is true that we are still in the
midst of an economic turmoil and
prosperity is still absent, yet there
are many good things that have
come to bless us. For one thing,
citizens qf Erath county have been
enjoying mighty good health;
there has been little severe illness,
even though the blight of drouth
and weather conditions has been
about as bad as it could have
been. But we can stand a lot of
adversity when we are sound of
mind and member. Good health
perhaps means more than all the
other blessings combined. In this
one respect Providence has smiled
on us and we should be thankful.
J^S the season of Christmas rolls
around it is quite natural for
many of us to think back on the
days of- our childhood. Even
though this contributor grew up
in obscure poverty, without any of
the attendant luxuries of a pros-
perous home, still it was a happy
situation. For one thing, what few
little trinkets we did receive on
the night before Christmas were
cherished and enjoyed. A kind
father and the most precious
mother a son ever had did the
best they could for a brood of
children who must have under-
stood some of the unkind dealings
of Fate. The point about it all is
that we must have gotten along
in those days just about as well
as anybody else. It is the same
today. Unfortunately all cannot
enjoy the full fruits of nature.
Some must pass along undernour-
ished until a better day. That is a
part of the program of the Great
Redeemer.
JN casting about for a thought of
this Christmas the one comfort-
ing satisfaction is that we have a
government that is trying, to the
utmost of its resources, to take
care of its people. Civic leaders
and others here in our own midst
have put forth every physical ef-
fort to see to it that no child, or
any family, goes through Christ-
mas without some form of cheer.
There will ,of course, be some who
will not enjoy this recognition but
it will not be because they were
purposely overlooked. In any
event, if we could have one single
prayer answered this night it
would be that these chilrren, here
and everywhere, could be properly
cheered at this one Christmas.
That sort of a prayer would be
one that we should like to see
answered.
T ET the Christmas spirit prevail
to its very best advantage and
may each and every reader enjoy
n full measure of happiness and
joy. Next week we are going to
wish for everybody a prosperous
New Year and another twelve
months of good health «lnd all that
goes with it. In the meantime, we
shall sound off because this Wed-
nesday night is a late one—this
newspaper is being printed and
placed in type long after most of
the people in Stephenville and
other parts of the county are
sound in sleep.
Bluff Dale Is
Elated; Building
of Road Started
With workmen actually engaged
in moving equipment on the
ground and other details being
completed for beginning the re-
building of a part of Highway
No. 10 in the Bluff Dale area,
citizens of that city are highly
elated over the situation.
, District Engineer Wellbome be-
lieves that the work program will
be in full operation within a very
few days. About two months’ time
will be required to finish the five
miles of roadway and at least 80
men will be employed on the pro-
ject.
Warnings Are Issued
On Christmas Season
Fires; Caution Is Lrged
The following pertinent warn-
ing is issued from the office of the
State Fire Insurance Commission-
er relative to safety measures to
prevent Christmas fires and con-
flagrations :
Some of the facts pertaining to
special fire hazards that everyone
should acquaint himself with dur-
ing the Holiday season, are as fol-
lows:
That evergreen trees decorated
with highly inflammable mater-
ials often igr)ite.
That cotton or lighted candles
should never bp placed on the
Christmas tree.
That the cotton beard of a Santa
Claus frequently catches fire with
serious results.
That the old Yuletide custom of
placing a lighted candle in the
window near curtains has cast
many a cloud of gloom.
That small children should never
be permitted to handle fireworks.
That wrapping from packages
should not be allowed to accumu-
late.
That toy electric trains, motors
and other appliances should not be
attached to light sockets until all
fuses and connections are in per-
fect order.
That pennies or wire should
never be used in replacing blown-
out electric fuses. The fuse is the
safety valve on your wiring sys-
tem to protect you against fire.
Barring any catastrophe losses
between now and the close of the
year, the fire loss in Texas will be
lower for 1934 than it has been in
any year since 1919.
ALL DETAILS
FOR NEW CAMP
COMPLETED
After a two-weeks’ effort of com-
munication with Washington offic-
ials of the War Department, the
Department of the Interior and
other agencies with authority over
CCC camps, local leaders were as-
sured by Congressman Blanton
that the Stephenville State Park
would be turned into a Transient
Bureau Ca^P- This means that
at least 300 and perhaps 600 men
will be consigned here within the
next ten days, probably by Janu-
ary lBt.
Before authority was granted
for the use of the barracks and
equipment of tljj local CCC camp
could be secured it was necessary
to contact every bureau and com-
mission in Washington. Thomas
L. Blanton, congressman from this
district, kept in close touch with
local civic leaders and at the same
time used every possible influence
to bring about a settlement with
those who held the responsibility
of the equipment at the camp in
Stephenville.
Advices received from Austin
Wednesday afternoon were to the
effect that the transient bureau
would be established here just as
quickly as the CCC men vacated.
There are now about fifty men re-
maining at Garner Park and they
will probably leave for a camp at
McGregor before the beginning of
the New Year.
All subsistence for the new camp
will be purchased locally, at least
five men will be employed to sup-
ervise the new set-up and in many
bther ways the arrangement will
be to the advantage of Stephen-
ville. It has been estimated that at
least $600 per week will be requir-
ed to purchase food for 300 men,
while if there are to be 600 men
the amount will be doubled.
It is quite likely that new bar-
racks, or perhaps floors and sid-
ings for tents, will be installed
with the coming of the new con-
tingent. As a matter of fact there
will be several thousand dollars
released in circulation at Stephen-
ville by reason of the transient
camp.
After the men arrive they will
be put to work on various govern-
ment projects, structures that will
be agreed on by local citizens and
officials of the Texas Relief Com-
mission.
A report from the Chamber of
Commerce Wednesday said that
the first assignment given the men
would be the building of the fen-
ces on Highway No. 66, and re-
building the local road that runs
from Stephenville to the camp site.
L. W. Phillips, manager of the
Chamber of Commerce, was elated
over the success of the campaign
to bring the camp to Stephenville
and said that It would mean much
to local retail and wholesale deal-
ers.
To Have Christmas Guests
Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Simpson and
daughters, Fay Paul and Wanda
of Fort Worth will visit here dur-
ing Christmas holidays with hia
mother, Mrs. O. C. T. Simpson'
While here they, with his mother,
will drive to Waco to visit another
son, 7oe P. Simpson, disabled
World War veteran, who is in the
government hospital there.
Visited Here Last Week ,
Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Hart of'i
Plainview, visited here last week
as guests in the homes of her sis-
ter and brothers, Mrs. Edgar Bar
ham and Virgil and Oran Fi
son.
COUNTY BUYS
CEDAR POSTS
FOR HIWAYS
Erath county closed a deal the
past week for 6,000 cedar posts
and sufficient wire to take care of
the fencing on rights-of-way for
Highways Nos. 10 and 66. Esti-
mates on the requirements indicat-
ed that these purchases would take
care of the mileage on the propos-
ed improved roads that are under
consideration by the State High-
way department at this time.
A crew of men was engaged the
past week to start operations of
removing fences along Highway
No. 10 directly west of the city. A
similar project will be started in
(Continued on page four)
TOTAL SALES
WILL REACH
16,000 HEAD
Grover Hill, regional director of
government cattle sales, granted
ETath county an additional 2,000
head quota in a wire to County
Agent Mark Buckingham late
Wednesday afternoon. The latter
quota is in addition to the allot-
ment of 3,000 head that was gran-
ted ten days ago and brings the
last quota up to 6,000 head. Buck-
ingham was busy arranging de-
tails for making purchase of the
cattle Wednesday and with two
appraisers and two veterinarians
he hopes to wind up the program
not later than December 31st.
Buckingham advised that all cat-
tle producers who believe they
will be unable to carry their herds
through the winter because of no
feed or other necessities contact
his office in Dublin or call at his
office in the court house at Steph-
enville. Buckingham also said that
this would absolutely be the last
buying program to be instituted
by the government.
Buckingham Makes Appeal
It has been known for several
weeks that Erath county cattle-
men were in dire straits and that
many of them would be unable to
take care of their herds when win-
ter weather arrived. The cold wea-
ther of the past week served to
emphasize this condition and as a
result Buckingham was in totnft
with Hill, at Mineral Wells, all of
Tuesday and Wednesday. A wire
came from Hill late in the after-
(Continued on page five)
Tom Blanton Renders
\aluable Aid to County
From W ashington Office
The entire government program
of cattle buying relief and other
contributing benefits arranged for
the distress of the citizenship in
general has had the unstinted sup-
port of Congressman Thomas L.
Blanton from his Washington of-
fice during the past four weeks.
Scvores of telegrams to the
Department of Agriculture and
personal visits to the office of
Secretary Wallace have been only
a part of the service that has been
rendered Erath county by Blan-
ton. He has kept up a constant
correspondence iwith leaders in
this county to ascertain if the peo-
ple were getting what was coming
to them in the way of government
relief.
During the past ten days Mr.
Blanton put over one of the big-
gest benefits to the county in the
way of arranging for the transfer
of the local CCC camp property to
the Texas Relief Commission tran-
sient bureau. This transaction en-
tailed the most trying difficulties
but a wire received from the office
of Blanton made it known that his
efforts had been rewarded with
success.
Scores of letters from people in
the county have been sent to Mr.
Blanton thanking him for his ser-
vices "and congratulating MW* on
the success he had gained m the
various undertakings he instituted
for the benefit of Stephenville and
Erath county.
BRAZOS RIVER
PROPOSAL MAY
HELPERATHCO.
Erath county is almost certain
to get ore or more dams built
across streams traversing the
county in the event the Brazos
River water reclamation project
is given the approval of federal
authorities in Washington. This
much was learned at a mass meet-
ing held in Granbury Tuesday
night when a delegation of citi-
zens from Stephenville and Dub-
lin made inquiry into the proposal.
The meeting was brought about
through the efforts of J. Manley
Head, member of the legislature
from Erath and Hood counties.
John A. Norris, engineer of the
State Water Board, accompanied
by members of his staff were in
Granbury early Tuesday after-
noon and made a close study of
the Cordova Bend site, where it is
proposed to build one of the major
structures. This site is about eight
miles south of Granbury.
Norris, who has given several
years* close study to the proposed
reclamation of the Brazos, was
frank to admit that all his surveys
and plans were preliminary but
(Continued on page 8)
1
Free! $125.00 In Merchandise
\
On Friday, December 21st the business institutions of Stephenville whose names are listed below,
will place in their show windows merchandise at attractive prices.
At 6 P. M.‘, Friday, December 21st, 50 cards, each bearing a letter, will be displayed in these win-
dows, one letter in each window. These letters, properly arranged, form a sentence containing the 50
letters, and composing 9 words. The first word of the sentence is “STEPHENVILLE.”
Preserve this circular and write the letter opposite the name of the business institution in whose win-
dow the letter .is displayed, then contract your sentence and present it at the Chamber of Commerce
immediately because the first 10 correctly constructed sentences will be awarded prizes.
In competing for these prizes you must write the letter opposite the name of the business institution
in whose window the letter is found.
It is not necessary that you use this circular, but you must show in whose window you find each letter.
Ellis Insurance Agency, Broom and Mop.
Brown & Pearcy Service Station, % gallon Conoco Oil.
City Electric Co., Thermont Hot Pad.
Armstrong Cleaners, Suit or Dress clean and press.
R. E. Cox Dry Goods Co., Blanket.
McDonald Drug Store, Mantel Pottery.
Latham’s, Suit or Dress clean and press.
The Radio Electric Shop, Assortment Victor Records.
Novelty Studio, One 8x5 Photograph.
Service Drug Store, Large Alarm Clock.
G. M. Carlton Bros. & Co., Bath Robe.
Majestic Theatre, $1.00 worth of Tickets.
Majestic Barber Shop, Bottle “Master” Tonic.
Texas Power & Light Co., Wall Lamp.
Dick’s Barber Shop, Free Hair Cut.
Beene’s Tailor Shop, Suit or Dress clean and press.
Palace Theatre, f 1.00 worth of Tickets.
Hub Beauty Shop, Shampoo and Finger Wave.
Southwest Gas Co., Cooking Utensils.
Novit’s, Ladies’ Hat.
Compton Drug Store, Colgate Toilet Set.
Plggly Wiggly, Fruit, Nuts and Candy Assortment.
Onyx Cafe, Plate Lunch.
Barham’s Confectionery, Box Cigars.
New Postoffice Market, Meat and Fruit.
Williams Grocery, Irish Potatoes.
Baxter & Co., Dress Shirt.
Paul Howell Men’s Shop, Sweater.
Cross Drug Store, Water Set.
Moser’s Grocery, Sack Flour.
Minter’s Grocery, 3 pounds “Monarch” Coffee.
Mel’s Cafe, Oyster Supper.
Hokus Pokus Grocery, $1.00 worth Sugar. ^
Martin’s Filling Station, 1 gallon Anti-Freeze.
Henson’s Grocery, Crackers, Oats, Coffee, Com Flakes.
Hoffman’s Fruit Store, Assortment of Fruit.
Compton’s Cash Store, Butcher Knife.
T. A. Cox’s Grocery, Fruit.
Higginbotham Bros. & Co., Wash Tub.
Perry Bros., Glassware Set.
Ladies’ Store, Wash Dress.
Siddons Auto Parts, Floor Mat.
Dandy Bakery, $1.00 worth Mother’s Bread.
Baxley’s Studio, One 3x5 Picture.
Stephenville Tire Store, One 450x21 U. 8. Tube.
Marr’s Service Station, M gallon Sinclair Oil.
City Barber Shop, Hair Cut.
Shiels Bluebonnet Shop, Child's Rain Coat.
Blakeney Dry Goods Co., Muffler.
The Frances Shop, Ladies’ Scarf.
WINDOWS IN
ALL STORES
DECORATED
Fifty Stephenvilla business
firms have arranged a big party
for the people of this area on the
downtown streets of the city Fri-
day and Friday night. The affair
is rather ingenious and should at-
tract one of the largest night
crowds of the season. All partici-
pating firms are offering extra
special bargain sales for the af-
ter supper trade, thus hoping to
make it possible for a large num-
ber of people to get their Christ-
mas shopping out of the way and
avoid the rush of Saturday and
Monday.
The plan is rather simple, yet
it will require acumen and thought
on the part of those who expect to
.share in the prize awards. In all
there will be $150.00 in merchan-
dise given those who show quick
thought and close application in
inspecting the windows of the fif-
ty participating merchants. The
plan is thoroughly explained on
another page and readers should
make close investigation of the
plan before coming down town
Friday night. All awards will be
made from the offices of the
Chamber of Commerce in the
basement of the court house. The
first ten people who complete the
puzjfle and make proper returns
to the Chamber of Commerce will
be given the prizes.
Each merchant who is partici-
pating in the program has his
name listed on this page, as well
as the prizes that he will contri-
bute to the pool.
Much advertising has been sent
out all over this area in an effort
to place the plan before all the
people in this territory. There are
no strings to the offer, but it is
something different to any other
plan that has ever been tried here
before. Shoppers should give
strict attention to the window
displays of all the merchants dur-
ing Friday and acquaint themsel-
ves with the idea as much as pos-
sible before coming down town
Friday night and attempting to
win the prizes. It ig not necessary
to make purchases in order to
share in the prizes.
The class and quality of mer-
chandise that is being shown in
Stephenville this Christmas sea-
son undoubtedly excels that of any
other year in the trading history
of Stephenville. All merchants re-
port added stocks and a wide var-
iety from which to choose gifts
nnd practical contributions to the
cheer and satisfaction of the
Christmas season. In many in-
stances the shopping advantages
of Stephenville are equal to those
fouhd in all the larger cities of
Texas.
In planning the affair for Fri-
day night merchants first con-
ceived the idea of arranging
something that would add to the
cheer of Christmas season. Within
a very short period of time the
premiums were subscribed and
the campaign thus assured.
In other years local merchants
have tried to put over something
that would appeal to all classes
and the idea of a contest this year
was decided on as a method of not
only providing amusement and
pleasure but to also make it pos-
sible for the shoppers to have an
opportunity to win valuable priz-
es.
Light Rains In
Erath Bring Aid To
Grain Farmers
Light rains that fell in scat-
tered sections of Erath county
Sunday afternoon, and Monday,
brought some relief to grain men
in this area. It will also be of
benefit to farmers who have land
turned in preparation for the crop
of 1936.
The rainfall in Stephenville, as
gauged by the Farmers-First Nat-
ional Bank was about one-tenth of
an inch. However, southeast of
Stephenville a heavier rain was
reported. It is believed that one-
half inch fell in the Pony Creek
country.
Farmers have been in dire need
of rain for weeks and even though
the showers Sunday and Monday
wore light they were welcomed.
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Stephenville Empire-Tribune (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 1, Ed. 1 Friday, December 21, 1934, newspaper, December 21, 1934; Stephenville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1120343/m1/1/?q=%2522dewey+redman%2522: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dublin Public Library.