Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 56, No. 11, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 14, 1963 Page: 1 of 8
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EARLY TIMES
By JACK STEWART
CATTLE COUNT
One time, while in Kansas and
after selling a large herd of cattle
Shanghai Pierce was induced into
putting one hundred thousand dol-
lars into bank stock. With the high
interest rates then charged and
visions of more wealth to come,
this was right down old ShangTs
alley. But dividend time came and
no dividends.
At once realizing that banking
was not as he had thought, and
fearing for his money, he decided to
outsmart the smart ones. One day
he ran into the bank telling of a
great herd still on the trail and
^ just a short distance from town.
The owner was a good man for bad
whiskey and ole Shang had a live
one on the line, indeed.
Cash his bank stock, and as they
% were all partners, everyone would
share in the great coup to-
gether as he could buy the herd
real cheap before it reached town
and the regular cattle buyers. The
bankers were invited to come along
/for the ride. The money was secur-
ed, placed in a small satchel, and
Shang, one banker and Shang's
driver were off in a buggy to meet
the herd. Perfect timing brought
them to a railroad siding just as a
itrain was pulling in. The buggy
driver took the banker behind the
station for a drink of water and
upon their return were greeted to
the sight of the train as it was
leaving the station. Standing on
f the back platform was the huge
(figure of Shanghai Pierce, waving
this hat and the satchel containing
$100,000.00, and shouting parting
insults about the bankers and bank-
^ ing business in general.
This was the same Shanghai
Pierce who had standing orders at
Jlancho Grande that any cow found
dead on the prairie was to be roped
<ind dragged upon the railroad
tracks and payment would then be
collected from the railroad for their
deaths.
One time he sold 1000 head of
cattle to the army for use in feed-
ling the Indians on a reservation.
Shang, one of his men, and two
army officers were to make the
pount. The count was made on the
open prairie, the cattle were quite
wild, and came through at a fast
pace. Shang would lose the count
tfrom time to time but would con-
tinue as though nothing had hap-
pened.
Finally he shouted that exactly
1000 had passed through. The army
officers, with their West Point
education and not ones to let a
trancher think that he could count
A Letter than they, readily agreed
twith the count. Afterwards the
tally was found to be 118 head
(Short. When questioned about this
shortage, Shang replied that some-
one must have stolen them during
the night, besides hadn't the army
Jielped with the count and the same
total was agreed on?
Recreation Assn. To
Meet Thursday Night;
More Finances Needed
The Palacios Recreation Associa-
tion will hold an important meeting
Thursday, March 14 at 7:45 p.m.
at the Palacios Recreation Center.
All members and others interested
ere urged to attend this meeting.
^ Many are of the opinion that
the Recreation Center is completed,
iit isn't. There is still a great deal
of work to be done but to do ft,
, money is needed. In order to raise
this money, a limited amount of
bonds, which pay 5%% interest
will go on sale soon. If you would
like to help the Recreation Asso-
Iciation complete the beautiful, new
Irecreation center, buy a bond. Con-
tact R. C. Shelton for a bond or
additional information.
Henderson H. Lewis
Makes Announcement
For City Council* Seat
, Henderson H. Lewis, a resident
of Palacios for four years, has
authorized the Beacon to announce
w' that he is a candidate for one of
the three city council posts subject
to the City Election on Tuesday,
April 2.
Mr. Lewis is married and has one
child.
In a statement announcing his
candidacy he said: "I am not back-
ed by any political group, only by
individuals desiring the progress
of Palacios. I feel my experience
in life to be sufficient to work to
this goal.
"If elected, I will work diligently
[for the growth of Palacios, striv-
ing to make it a better place in
which to live."
Quiet Talks With
God In Lent . . .
GOD SAYS TO US: "The Son
of Man is come to seek and to save
that which was lost." Luke 19:1:0.
WE PRAY TO GOD: Heavenly
Father, prevent me from drifting
through life until it runs out. Keep
my life fixed upon You in Jesua
Christ. Amen.
* * •
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VOLUME LVI NUMBER 11
PALACIOS, MATAGORDA COUNTY, TEXAS
THURSDAY, MARiCH 14, 1963
Local Trail Riders On Their Way
J. F. Barnett, Native
Texan, Leader, Dies
JOHN FRANKLIN BARNETT
ThreeWellsSlaked
In County Despite
Hindered Industry
By BOB WILKERSON
Member American Association
of Petroleum Landmen
Blessing, Bay City, and Nance
drew new drillsites this week in
the domestic industry's slowed-up
Isearch for oil and gas.
Pan American Petroleum Cor-
poration has staked one in the south
part of the county seat. J. P. Owen
and Harry Hurt have slated a 11,-
000-footer at Nance, just north of
Bay City, and Tenneco has No. 2
R. B. Trull on deck at Blessing.
U. M. Harrison and C. C. Gilger
have plugged their No. 1 C. E. Hud-
son in Markham Field as a failure,
but they have another test going
called 1-A Kountze-Stewart.
Mid-Century Oil & Gas Com-
pany's duster at Pledger, No. 1
Florence Howard, bottomed around
11,000 feet.
Digging ahead in Matagorda
County are Southern Natural Gas
Company's No. 1 John Camp north-
west of Markham, Union Texas Pe-
troleum Corporation's and Colorado
Oil & Gas Company's No. 1 Kil-
bride southeast of Bay City, Kirk-
wood & Morgan's No. 1 Susie Le-
Tulle Rugeley southwest of Bay
City in Lucky Field, and Skelly
Oil Company's 1-A Galen Savage
northeast of Bay City in Van Vleck
Field.
Over the county line in Jackson,
Anderson & Fullilove Petroleum,
Inc., potentiated No. 1 Mauritz in
Northwest Francitas Field for 102
barrels of 47-gravity oil plus 10
per cent salt water'from 7,156-62
feet, registering a gas-oil ratio of
1,360-1.
In west Matagorda County's
Trull Field, Tenneco Oil Company
was last reported testing 1-D J. W.
Gresham, which bottoms at 11,446
feet.
Waiting on potentials are So-
tony Mobil Oil Company's No. 1
Carrie J. Burkhart in South Pheas-
ant Field, Texaco's No. 70 Blessing-
Hammond - Dorsey in Blessing
Field, and Michel T. Halbouty's
No. 2 McDonald Gas Unit No. 2i in
Pheasant Field.
Potentials of two others at Bless-
ing, Texaco's No. 12 H. H. Thomas
and No. 5 H. H. Thomas, also are
to be announced.
In other news, Matagorda's Bill
Ryman, one of Humble Oil & Re-
fining Company's top geologists,
has been transferred from the
Houston office to Durango, Colo-
rado. Ryman is married to the
former Jo Ann Horn of Bay City.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bell and
daughter, Karen and Miss Gaye
Rogers will leave Thursday morn-
ing for Bethany, Oklahoma where
they will take part in the Motor-
cade at Bethany Nazarene College,
which is held each year to acquaint
Juniors and Seniors planning to
attend the college with college life.
No opportunity is ever lost. The
other person takes those you miss
Palacios lost one of her greatest
friends in the passing of J. F.
Barnett. He was a native Texan
Who had watched Palacios grow
from a salt grass prairie to an in-
tegral part of the "Golden Crescent
of the Gulf Coast."
Jack Barnett was the last of a
small group of men who caught
the vision of the possibilities of
this country when most people saw
only the mosquitoes and referred
to it as "the land which God for-
got". Mr. Barnett was always on
the side of progress and was will-
ing to use his time, his influence,
and his ability to further the
growth of Palacios. The Hug-the-
Coast-Highway, the seawall, Camp
Hulen, Palacios Baptist Encamp-
ment, Palacios Baptist College and
Academy, and the first public
schools were largely guided by him.
He was born April 2, 1883, a son of
John Edward and Carrie Emma
Threadgill Barnett.
In 1906 young Jack Barnett came
to Palacios as manager of the
Grant Lumber Company. Eventual-
ly, he purchased the business of
the Price Lumber Company which
he has since conducted under the
name of the Barnett Lumber Com-
pany. He retired in 1956 from the
active management of the firm.
For many years he was president
of the Palacios State Bank and
Trust Company.
A life long Democrat, Baptist
and Ancient Scottish Rite order
of Free Masonry, Mr, Barnett has
'served each of these organizations
on local, county and state levels.
In 1960 Jack and his wife Grace
Letitia Menefee Barnett observed
their fiftieth wedding anniversary
with a reception in the family home
in which they set up housekeeping
at 309 Welch Avenue. Friends from
through out the state were present.
Children of this union are Mrs.
Thomas M. Ferguson, Price M. and
Sunshine B. Edwards. A son, John
F. Jr., lost his life in line of duty
in World War II. Grandchildren are
Thomas M., Jr., John Franklin, Le-
titia Ruth and Leonard Price Fer-
guson of Bryan, Susan Marie and
John F. Barnett III, Mary Evelyn
and Michael Lance Edwards of
Palacios.
Mr. Barnett passed away Sun-
day afternon at 3:10 p.m. in the
Wagner General Hospital. Services
were held from the First Baptist
Church at 3 p.m. Tuesday conduct-
ed by the Rev. Rayford Harris.
Jack Seaquist Awarded
OurTimes Scholarship;
Places In Houston Show
Congratulations to Jack Seaquist
who received the second place Our
Times Scholarship award and third
place in the Boys Fat Steer divi-
sion at the Houston Fat Stock
Show.
Jack has been informed that he
won an Our Times Scholarship
Award of $100 for his essay on
"Why I Want To Go To College".
Craig M. Pearson, senior editor,
wrote Jack, "that hundreds of stu-
dents were nominated for the
awards. Essays came from 28
states, Brazil, Venezuela and Cana-
da. The students nominated and
the essays submitted were of very
high caliber. You can take pride in
the fact that you excelled over
such a select group of young peo-
ple from all over the nation."
In the recent Houston Fat Stock
Show, Jack exhibited his 815 pound
Braford to third place; lightweight
division. The steer was out of a
registered Brahma cow and regis-
tered Hereford bull and bred by
Bill Rogers of Mason, Texas.
Jack said the show was unusual-
ly rough this year, and that several
calves that could have won the
show most years failed to place
this year. The Crossbred Champion
of the show came from the same
class in which Jack's calf was en-
tered.
Twenty-four percent of US fam-
ilies live in towns of less than 2,-
500 population, have a much higher
rate of home ownership, own more
cars per family, and are more loyal
to hrand favorites.
TO LEAD RIDERS—Chief Marshal Gordon Starr
and Trail Boss Jimmie Shearer are shown in a typipal
trail ride pose. Mr. Shearer is also president of the Pa-
lacios Trail Riders Association.
L. L. PARK SIGN
PAYMENTS DUE
Merchants and advertisers who
have signs at the Little League
ball field are urged to send their
checks in the amount of $20 for
sign renewal to V. J. Kahlich, 712
Second Street.
Dick Gullett Enters
Race For Councilman;
Seeks Two-Year Term
Dick Gullett, a relative newoom-
cr to PaIacio3, announces his can-
didacy for alderman and earnestly
solicits the vote of the people of
Palacios. Gullett and his family
.have lived in Palacios for approxi-
mately a year and one half. He, and
his wife and three children live at
1705 First Street. Gullett's wife,
Rosemary, is a teacher in the Pa-
lacios schools. Dick Gullett is a
local businessman.
In addition to being a homeown-
er, Mr. Gullett owns and operates
a farm west of Palacios. He is very
active in civic affairs and is a
member of the First Methodist
Church. He states that he is not
obligated to any person, firm or
organization so that his actions
or voice would be controlled. His
main interest and reason for enter-
ing the city council race, he says,
is to attempt to benefit the city and
community and thereby himself.
He is for improving the city in an
economical manner. He states that
if the people and voters desire cer-
tain changes and improvements,
and are willing to pay for them,
then the city should provide for the
needed changes and improvements.
Mr. Gullett states that he knows
he needs to make the acquaintance
of many people since he has not
lived in our city too long. He hopes
to contact as many voters as pos-
sible before election day.
Local Legion Post To
Celebrate Anniversary
With Supper Sunday
This week is the 44th birthday
of the American Legion and posts
all over the country are celebrating
it. So will our local Post 476.
Next Sunday afternoon from 4:00
to 6:30 p.m. there will be a Covered
Dish Supper for Veterans and their
wives at the Legion Hall, Sec-
ond and Commerce. Families are
asked to bring one covered dish
(or more) and we will eat family
style at 5:30. Come early to get
acquainted and talk over some big
things the Veteran organizations
should be doing in and for Palacios.
The Veterans gave everything
during the time of war. The Vet-
erans' organizations are the voice
of the veterans in peace time. A
grateful country has bstowed many
benefits upon veterans of which
most veterans still do not know
about. The American Legion took
the initiative largely in getting
these benefits and is still doing so
today. Veterans should keep close
to the organization working for
them. Veterans' wives also have a
great stake in these benefits and
should learn about them.
All veterans and wives are invit-
ed to this informal social gathering.
New Board Plans
Recreation Center
Program At Meet
The re-organized Palacios Youth
Board met Wednesday, March 6 at
7:30 p.m. at the Palacios Recrea-
tion Center, to plan forthcoming
activities for the Palacios Youth
Club.
Ten persons are serving on the
board including U. S. McMillan,
president; John Raasch, vice presi-
dent, Mrs. Melvina Koerber, sec-
retary. Mrs. Rose Treybig, director,
Mrs. Lois Dismukes, Mrs. Grace
Hart, Mrs. Thelma Seaman, W. L.
Wilson, S. W. Wilson and Abel
Pierce, Jr., members.
Any boy or girl, age 13 to 19
years, interested in joining the Pa-
lacios Youth Club are invited to
attend a meeting Thursday, March
27 at 8 p.m. at the Palacios Recrea-
tion Center.
The Palacios Youth Club was or-
ganized as a recreation center for
the teen age boys and girls of our
community. It is non-denomina-
tional and is governed by an ap-
pointed adult board and elected
teenage members.
Membership is $1.00 per year for
youth living within the boundaries
of the Palacios Independent School
District and $1.50 for out of town
members.
Walter J. Milam Seeks
Re-E!ection To Post
As City Councilman
Walter J. Milam, elected as al-
derman two years ago, has author-
ized the Beacon to announce his
candidacy for re-election to the
City Council.
In announcing for the position of
City Alderman, Milam stated, "I'm
announcing as a candidate for re-
election as one of your council-
men and using my past record as
the basis for re-election.
"I'll be the first to say that no
spectacular things have been done
but with the best interests of
the town in mind I have tried to
help do those things most bene-
ficial for our town with the very
limited budget we have.
"I've been a property holder in
this town or county for 34 years.
I believe that any one seeking an
elective office should be a property
owner.
"My record will show that I have
voted as an individual and not as
one of a clique. I also consider the
people of this town as my friends
and I don't know of any enemies.
I have always voted for the issues
which meant progress for our town.
"I'm very interested in getting
,our garbage disposal problems
Vorked out and this is now being
done by city council.
"The state highway department
has offered to pave highway 35
through our city if the city can
curb and gutter this route. I believe
this should be done to make our
tity more attractive to tourists
and our towns people. I'm on a
committee working with the Cham-
ber of Commerce to see if this can
toe done.
"If you feel that I am working
for the best interests of Palacios
then I want your vote."
Over 300 On Annual
Trek To County Fair
Over 300 riders will participate
in the Palacios Trail Riders' As-
sociation's trek to the Matagorda
County Fair and Rodeo.
They left Palacios Wednesday
morning a little behind schedule
heading for their lunch hour in
Blessing by 12 noon. They will
V.F.W. Aux. President
Makes Official Visit to
Local Post Mon. Night
Mrs. Virginia Strommen, of Gal-
veston, President of District 16,
Ladies Auxiliary V.F.W., made her
official visit to the Ladies Aux-
iliary of Lt. Wm. Lloyd Queen Post
No. 2467, Monday night, March 11.
Ten members were present.
Mrs. Strommen gave an interest-
ing talk. Then we listened to a
record sent to Fannie Mae Stallard,
president, from Mrs. Elfrieda Tice,
National President of the Ladies
Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States. The
National organization is celebrat-
ing their 50th anniversary. Mrs.
Tice gave a brief history of the
Auxiliary. Milton Cross, noted tele-
vision commentator, congratulated
her on the great success and growth
of the Auxiliary in the past 50
years.
We plan to order a series of
/records entitled, "The American
Trail". This is a set of seven 10-inch
long playing records. There arc
13 chapters and the stories cover
/different parts of the country and
tell of the trail-blazers in explora-
tion, government, science, inven-
tion, manufacturing and agricul-
ture. When we receive this series,
we plan to make it available to the
.schools in Palacios.
Following a discussion, it was
decided to donate $10 on a $100
.savings bond to be given away at
the next meeting of District 16.
Mrs. Ruby Chamblee served re-
freshments on lime pie and coffee.
Everyone enjoyed a very inter-
esting meeting.
Hugh Wallis Seeks
Two-Year Term As
City Councilman
Hugh Wallis, a property and
business owner, filed as a candi-
date in the April 2 City Council
election for a two year term and
has authorized the Beacon to an-
nounce his candidacy.
Wallis, a 34-year old employee of
Alcoa for 11 years, has been a
resident of Palacios for six years.
He is married and has three child-
ren and they reside at 404 Moore
Avenue. He is half owner of the
Palacios Marina.
He listed as the first issue in a
three-plank platform "progressive
tity government". He is also inter-
ested in and would work for the
promotion of tourist trade and in-
dustry.
In announcing, Wallis stated "I
am offering my services to my com-
munity and if they are accepted,
I will work for its best interest."
District 589 Rotary
Conference In Houston
The annual conference of Rotary
District 589 is scheduled this year
for April 26 and 27 in Houston,
with the Rotary Club of Southeast
Houston as the host club.
Ed Bracher, district governor,
said that the conference will be held
at the Shamrock Hilton Hotel, and
expended an invitation to all local
Rotarians and their wives, or "Ro-
tary Anns," to attend.
A panel of outstanding speakers
is being secured, Bracher said, but
emphasized that several social
events also will be highlights of the
two-day program. Included are a
poolside luau and the annual Gov-
ernor's Dinner.
Kenneth Brandon visited his sis-
ter, Miss Ann Brandon, in Corpus
Christi, over the week end.
Nearly all drivers know right
from wrong in traffic, but some of
them just hate to make a decision.
camp at the Pet. No. 4 County
Barn at El Maton Wednesday night
where a dance will be held at El
Maton National Hall.
They will ride again Thursday
morning with lunch at Le Tulle*
Park and finish their ride Thurs*-
day afternoon at the exposition
grounds after participating in the
Western Parade.
Local riders will be accompanicd
by a chuck wagon and 10 riders of
the Victoria Trail Riders Associa-
tion, and other riders will join the
group as they near their destina-
tion.
Jimmie Shearer is the Trail Boss
and Gordon Starr the Chief Mar-
shal.
The weather is a great contrast
from last year's rainy, cold ride.
important Litiie
League Meeting
Scheduled Mar. 19
All adult men and women who
are interested in the success of
the Little League program for this
year are urged to attend a meet-
ing at the new recreational build-
ing on Tuesday night, March 19,
at 8 p.m.
In addition to setting datc3 for
try outs, player auction and league
play, the ladies of Little League
will organize and elect officers
for a Woman's Auxiliary.
Please make arrangements to at-
tend this meeting as the success
\of the Little League program de-
pends on the adult leadership.
Athena Club Awarded
First Place Certificate
At District Convention
At the San Jacinto District
Texas Federation of Women's
Clubs Convention held last Mon-
day and Tuesday in Galveston at
the Galvez Hotel, the Athena Club
of Palacios received first place
certificates for its outstanding In-
ternational Affairs program and
support to the Latin American
Scholarship Fund.
The highlight of the two day con-
clave was the address of Martin A.
Byrnes, manager of the Houston
NASA Space Center, entitled "New
Horizons in the Space Age".
Others from Matagorda County
receiving awards were Mrs. Vera
Crow and Mrs. Ella Mielsch, who
deceived a blue ribbon for their
entries in the Art Exhibit.
1
Fishing Boats Added
To Boat Race Program
The Lone Star Boat Racing As-
sociation has added the fishing boat
class, such as the local people run
in the races here, to their regular
sanctioned boat racing program.
The first stock sanctioned race
will be Straight-aways to be held
at Bayshore Boat Club, Houston,
April 16-17. Starting time 9 a.m.
to 15 p.m. on Saturday, April 16tb
and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday,
the 17th. Registration fee is $2
per boat for the two days. The
purpose of this race is to set state
speed records.
This Sunday, March 17, there
will be a two hour marathon race
in Rockport. Weather permitting
practice runs will be held for this
Saturday on the local East Bay.
Anyone interested in entering and
wanting additional information is
asked to contact Gene Koerber.
The Weather
Date
Max.
Min.
Pree.
Mar.
6
68°
37°
0.00
Mar.
7
69°
42°
0.00
Mar.
8
71°
45°
trace
Mar.
9
80°
58°
0.00
Mar.
10
69°
66°
0.05
Mar.
11
82°
64°
0.10
Mar.
1(2
86°
64°
0.00
Total rainfall for year 2.01
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Dismukes, Jesse V. Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 56, No. 11, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 14, 1963, newspaper, March 14, 1963; Palacios, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth411782/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Palacios Library.