La Grange Journal (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 56, No. 49, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 5, 1935 Page: 1 of 8
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Fayette County Area Newspaper Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives.
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*£*“ Hatcher, Archivist
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Opposite Masonic Building. Published Every Thursday Morning and Entered at the Post Office ns Second-Class Matter
B. F. Harigel, Proprietor
Democratic in Principle and a Worker For LaGrange and Fayette County
$2.00 Per Year
Volume 56
LaGrange, Fayette County, Texas, Thursday, December 5, 1935
Number 49
With The Old Guard
Where Citrus Fruit ,
And Hospitality Grow
JContiftued from last ireek)
Continuing with our resume of what
transpired during the annual conven-
tion of the Texas Editorial Associa-
tion at Edinburg two weeks ago, and
following up the promise made in
the first installment last week, the
Journal editor will endeavor to cut it
short. Impossible, even at that, as
the memories that burn will also dic-
tate. What we did and what we saw
are two distinct incidents; we shall
try and amalgamate the issue.
When these articles are written,
there is no pecuniary motive encour-
aged; in addition to the minutes kept
by the assistant to the president of
the Association, there is also kept,
for future scanning, the articles that
come from the pen of the attending
press members. These articles are
filed with the proceedings, to be
scanned at some future day, and for
the-purpose of giving information.
The Valley folks, as a matter of cour-
tesy, are remembered; in the files of
the secretary of the Chambers of
Commerce these articles will be found
later.
Appreciation of courtesies extended,
the manner of reception, the whole-
hearted hospitality, without frills, is
something that creates an obligation;
for many years the Old Gu*rd has
met with these good people in the
Rio Grande Valley, and they have
asked us to be back next year, to meet
at Brownsville. This pleasure, how-
ever, will have to be forgone, as the
consensus of opinion, expressed at the
Edinburg meeting, favored a trip to
another part of Texas; next year, the
good Lord willing, the Association
will meet at Fort Davis, with the hos-
pitable citizens of that part of Texas,
dividing time in wishing us a hearty
welcome.
Having been asked by local readers
whether the Valley has recovered, and
what the present conditions are, gen-
erally speaking, the writer simply
answers: These folks have the happy
faculty of adjusting themselves to
the hour; in driving over the citrus
orchard sections one has the oppor-
tunity to make his own observations
and to draw his own conclusions. In
this connection it may be said, with
accuracy, that there is much to ob-
serve. Some of the citrus orchards
show dire neglect. Interrogated as to
the reason, the Valleyite answers that
such orchards are owned by Northern
capitalists and individuals who have,
for reasons best known to themselves,
left the matter of cultivating the crop
to some local party. Such orchards
create an unfavorable impression.
Small orchard owners, interested
in the progress of the Valley, giving
their attention to the cultivation of
the citrus fruit, and also the excellent
truck gardens, keep account of their
year’s ^trork, expense attached and
taxes paid, together with water rental
paid, and invariably they show a pro-
fit. In submitting a statement of
that nature at a banquet in Weslaco,
Banker Smith of that city was the
reader of the report; said report cov-
ered a period of five years, including
the years of depression, storm dam-
age of 1934 and freeze, the following
year, and a summary total for the
period showing a profit. This for the
small grower; the extensive grower
had a more substantial report to
make. , '
These people, as a whole, work in
unison; the many cities and loading
stations vie with each other for the
purpose of giving the Valley section
the necessary prestige; assuming,
from what we saw and was told, the
average of the Valley places the re-
turns on the profitable side of the
ledger. Annually they have the Val-
ley Fair at Harlingen (which was
held last week) and at these Fairs
the entire Valley citrus growers, from
the smallest to the largest, have very
attractive exhibits. Conclusions here
given are based entirely on what we
saw and were told. Every year is
not a golden harvest year, five year
averages seem to be the basis of re-
port.
School buildings in the entire val-
ley, with buses running on schedule
time, carrying school children from
(See The Old Guards, Page G)
Hon. J. C. Speckels
Died at Family Home
Monday—Aged 88 Yrs.
Ill since September 1933, when
stricken with paralysis, Hon. John C.
Speckels, aged 88 years, 2 months and
12 days, died at the family home on
LaFayette street, Monday afternoon.
Funeral services were held Tuesday
afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, with inter-
ment at the new cemetery.
Deceased was born in Oldenburg,
Germany, September 20, 1847, and
when only nine days old, his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. John Speckels, Sr., emi-
grated to America. The family set-
tled at Frelsburg, in Colorado county,
where they remained for one year. In
1849 they removed to Fayette county
and settled on a farm near Warren-
ton. He was practically, a citizen of
Fayette county all his life, with the
exception of the day of his birth and
emigration, and the year the family
lived in Colorado county.
Farming as a young man and en-
gaging in the mercantile business
later in life. What education he pos-
sessed he obtained in the schools of
Warrenton and Waldeck. At the age
of 14 years he substituted for his
father, when the civil war was in
progress, and hauled cotton to Mexi-
co. His stories of those exciting days
were ever interesting.
February 9, 1871 he was united in
marriage with Miss Pauline Aschen
of Waldeck, the couple establishing
themselves on a farm near Warren-
ton. To this union there was born
eight children, one a son, Otto, died
at Coupland; the living children are:
Mrs. Joe (Clara) Weikel of San An-
tonio; Mrs. Johanna Carter of La-
Grange; Albert, farmer neaT Coup-
land,^Williamson county; John of near
San Antonio; Alvin and G. G. Speck-
els of Austin, and A. F. Speckels of
Yoakum. His widow also survives.
In 1891 deceased established a mer-
cantile business in LaGrange, with W.
L. Shaw under the firm name of
Speckels & Shaw, and continued in
that business, enjoying extensive pa-
tronage until 1895, when the business
was sold to H. C. Heilig & Co. In
1898 Mr. Speckels was elected, on the
republican ticket as representative
from Fayette county, to the Twenty-
fourth Legislature.
Prior to'his entry into the mercan-
tile business, and removal to La-
Grange he was elected as County
Commissioner from Beat No. 2, and
served in that capacity for ten years,
from 1880 to 1890. After locating in
LaGrange he became also interested
in two of the leading corporations,
the LaGrange Compress Company,
serving as a director for several years
and the First National Bank of La-
Grange, serving as a member of the
Board of Directors for several years.
Young Woman Injured
As Automobile Turns
Over And Is Ditched
Miss Martha Chovanec is a patient
at the LaGrange Hospital since Sun-
day evening, being injured when the
automobile in which she was an occu-
pant, turned over as it left the high-
way.
Four young people were in the au-
tomobile at the time of the accident;
Mr. Holec and Miss Chovanec occupy-
ing the front seat and Mr. Polasek
and Miss Slansky occupying the rear
seat. How the accident occurred is a
matter of conjecture, the automobile
suddenly left the highway and reach-
ing the ditch, turned turtle.
Upon examination at the Hospital,
Miss Chovanec was found to have in-
jured her spine. The other occupants
escaped with minor bruises.
BALES COTTON GINNED
Census report shows that there
were 12,158 bales of cotton ginned in
Fayette county from the crop of 1935,
prior to November 14, 1935 as com-
pared with 22,226 bales ginned to No-
vember 14, 1934, cnpp of 1934.
C. W. MEYER, Special Agent.
W. S. Robson and family returned
Sunday from a trip to Sulphur, Ok-
lahoma and other points.
E. C. Weige and family of Houston
spent Thanksgiving day and the
week-end with relatives here.
Young Couple Wed
Thanksgiving Day
In Welcome Church
Thursday afternoon, November 28,
at 3:00 o’clock a beautiful church
wedding was solemnized in the Luth-
eran church at Welcome, when Rev.
Monsuer united Miss Nettie Nitsche
and Albert Linke in the holy bonds
of matrimony.
The bride is the young daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Hy. Nitsche, Sr., of the
Burton section, and the bridegroom
is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Lin-
ke of Bleiberville, both are popular
among their many friends.
The bride wore a lovely white silk
crepe ankle length gown, and a long
veil and lace cap, caught with orange
blossoms and waxed buds, and carried
a bouquet of white roses and fern.
She was attended by Misses Violet
Schiller an<f Earlene Schulz who wore
lovely ankle length gowns of blue and
pink taffeta, and carried bouquets of
pink roses and fefn. The bridegroom’s
attendants were Messrs Adolph Linke
and Henry Nitsche, *Jr.
After the ceremony a reception was
held at the home of the bride’s par-
ents, with only close relatives and
friends present for the wedding sup-
per.
Mr. and Mrs. Linke will make their
home in the Bleiberville section, where
they will engage in farming.
The many friends of the young
couple wish them a long and vhappy
married life throughout the years.
—A GUEST.
Increase In Gas
Usage Announced
By Local Manager
A total of 10,205 new residential
customers have been enrolled by the
United Gas Sustem from January 1,
1935, to October 26, according to the
announcement today by H. H. Beau-
champ, local manager, LaGrange.
This increase in new business for the
first three-quarters of the year repre-
sent a 9.2% gain of total residential
customers served.
“These figures reflect two definite
trends,” Mr. Beauchamp said. “One
is that business in general is on the
increase—the other that new families
are moving in m this section of the
country.
“Nowhere else in the world are
people offered the modern home com-
forts at such low cost, as are the
users of cheap natural gas in this
territory. The rest of the world is
beginning to realize that this south-
land of ours is fortunate to have such
cheap natural gas service. Other
people envy us. Many cities in other
regions have natural gas, but it is
not cheap as ours is.”
Commissioners’ Court
Makes Awards For
Various Jobs—1936
Commissioners’ Court, in monthly
session Monday of this week, made
the following contract awards for the
year 1936:
A. T. Bardin, manager County Poor
Farm and Hospital.
Mrs. Leonie Barden, matron of
County Poor Farm and Hospital.
LaGrange Drug Store, furnishing
medicine for Hospital and Jail.
LaGrange Journal, printing of sta-
tionery, legal blanks, etc.
Dr. T. A. Searcy, County Health
Physician.
Fr. Koopmann, janitor courthouse.
Bond of |500 required from each
successful bidder.
Commissioners Geo. Brauner, Beat
No. 4, apd I. Vrana, Beat No. 8,
granted seven days’ leave of absence.
Court ordered the purchase of a
filing cabinet and desk chair for
County Judge’s office.
Upon motion a County Home De-
monstration Agent (colored) was
voted; salary $300 per annum, pay-
able monthly.
Geo. Adamcik of near LaGrange
returned from a week’s visit to De-
troit, Michigan and Canada.
Miss Una Mae Rodgers went home
to Willow Springs, Sunday; having
been on the sick list for several days.
LaGrange C. of C.
Endorses Growing Of
Tomatoes—Will Help
When the LaGrange Chamber of
Commerce held its regular monthly
meeting Monday night, the most im-
portant of the evening’s ptogram was
the reading of the report of the com-
mittee in charge of the tomato glow-
ing program, and the adoption of that
report without a dissenting vote.
Mayor C. G. Robson, chairman of
the committee, with Louis Giese of
Wards and County Agent Yeary as-
sisting, gave to the members—more-
in number than usual—some interest-
ing facts, and left with them the in-
formation that there was 86 acres
pledged by the farmers of near La-
Grange, Nechanitz, Dubina, Prairie
Valley and other precincts.
In this report, as read and dwelt
upon, it was brought to the attention
of the members that financial assist-
ance would be needed in some in-
stances, and that cold frames, seed
and fertilizer would have to be pro-
vided. Discussing the report Chair-
man Robson stated that the commit-
tee had been received with welcome
wherever they had a meeting and that
the agricultural agent for the South-
ern Pacific lines had been a most valu-
able assistant, especially in his ex-
planation of the soil, rainfall in this
section and the culture of tomztoes.
Discussion followed; the motion
was made that the report be adopted,
and that the matter now be handled
by the Board of Directors, with in-
struction to “not fall down on their
job. And that if they failed to car-
ry on the project to maturity, they
wpuld have nothing to boast about.”
Sam* of the suggestions were a trifle
more forceful, and were entered as
the consensus of opinion of those
present.
For the benefit of those who Were
interested, tomato culture was again
discussed; the financial problem was
left to the Board to handle, and the
urge made to get busy and not de-
lay, as the seed would have to be
planted during the holiday week, and
that land intended for growing toma-
toes should be ploughed now, so as to
have the soil in good shape for the
transplanting from the cold beds. All
set well with the members.
Courtesy extended to the Fayette-
ville and Ellinger visitors who were
present and were much interested in
having the LaGrange territory repre-
sented in the tomato belt of South
Texas. Facts worth knowing were
brought out, and the statements made
that business in these two communi-
ties—Ellinger and Fayetteville—was
better with the merchants of those
towns during May and June, because
of tomato marketing, than at any time
during the year, except Fa)l, when a
good cotton crop brought more money
into circulation. Something to think
about.
R. B. Spacek, grower and buyer of
tomatoes, from Fayetteville, present-
ed to the meeting a box of Fall raised
tomatoes; “lug” of tomatoes, if the
reader prefers, and opening thit lug
and unwrapping several of tne fruit,
he explained, in detail, the picking,
and the marketing, giving in full ex-
planation about the ripeness of the
(See Chamber of Commerce, Page 8)
WILL REMOVE TO SEGUIN
The Next Day After ™
You Ate The Turkey
This could not have been written on any other day than the
day after the turkey was eaten. Inspiration is necessary at and
upon all occasions; without that inspiration one merely draws at
visions. The day prior to this writing the entire bunch was
parked around the large dining table, and what they did to the
fifteen pounder can be imagined. These days it is not necessary
for an explanation.
There was an abundance of sunshine, the air was crisp and
everything was in order, including the pumpkin pie. But this is
another day; what a difference! Old man Morpheus is waging
a battle that the best of reserve can hardly overcome; mint tab-
lets have been used by the box, deliving into the medicine chest
began at daybreak, in order to get that night before taste from
off the tongue. It was a great thanksgivingL
Worked until the noon hour, at least tried to; now and then
a sympathetic friend called and left the price of a year’s subscrip-
tion, and a word of good cheer. Had the thought been enter-
tained that it would be just a family day, it would have been
promptly smothered. Fact is. we had no idea that anyone was
interested. What a pleasure to the manipulator of the keyboard
to know that there has been a few who had waited for the day
to dawn, in order that their good wishes could be expressed.
Nice to have these thanksgiving dinners; the wife gets up
early, rules the witchen with an iron hand, and compels everyone
to walk sideways as she piles up the dishes that have to be washed
and issues orders to get out the best table cloth, count the silver
and place the forks and knives about the table. Even unto mak-
ing the cauliflower palatable—as though the tuber was fit to eat.
Hell raised if you seek to call the plumber while the cauliflower
is cooking. And then, at the appointed hour, the guests arrive
and politely inform you that they have the appetites of wolves.
That was a week since; the advertisements (?) that ap-
peared from sections, reminding the reader to eat sparingly but
eat that which was good, have been forgotten, these people are
looking down the path of passing events, and note that the sign
of Christmas is not far away. New preparations are in the mak-
ing, another homecoming is being planned, arrangements are
made for the next gobbler; that gives us the nausea. What ails
us humans?
liast Thursday the highway through LaGrange, in fact the
two of them, were “kept hot” all morning, automobiles came
through as if there was a parade, only they rolled faster. Some
of the occupants slowed down for gas, others merely waived the
hand and yelled something about football. Eventually we got the
drift and essayed not to interfere. The tourists were headed for
College Station to witness the annual Thanksgiving day foot ball
game. When they made the return trip, some were happy, some
had the grouch. Both teams could not win.
And now it is the day after; every car belonging to a non-
resident, that passed through LaGrange this morning and after-
noon seemed to be rushing to a Are or the hospital. Another
illustration of what happened to the occupants of thp cars on the
day before. School children the only ones to be considered, the
teachers having gone to attend the annual convention. The
school children can at least roam about in the sunshine, if they
can’t play foot ball.
Gosh, but its tough to have to write this afternoon, the day
after Thanksgiving. No one to come in and jolly you about the
hash for the second day, no one to tell you that he was sorry
he did not have room for you at his table, no one to tell you that
his turkey weighed more and that it tasted better. Left to your-
self with the mockery of the running presses and a grouchy force
that wanted something to put them in a better humor.
After all, it was a nice day; mellowed with the thought that
almost everyone hereabouts was happy, and that many of the
prodigals managed to come home for the turkey dinfier. Cheer-
ful greetings from the homecomers, and other visitor*; a full
dinner pail always makes a man feel charitable* Actually, we
treated one of the visitors after shaking his hand, and felt that
it was a good deed. •
But that was yesterday; right now the bells are ringing and
the breath is coming in short pants; there is a desire to grab the
digestive tablets and empty them into the proper receptacle and
get some relief. The next man who says turkey to us, will have
to take the consequences.
I
wSi
Kryl Symphony Band
Will Be Heard At
Col. Station—1 5th
An announcement that will please
the music loving people of LaGrange
and community has been made by J.
D. Metcalfe, Director of the Texas A.
& M. College Entertainment Series,
REMOVE TO AUSTIN
Mr, and Mrs. H. O- Howard, who
have lived in LaGrange since last
May, have removed to Austin; Mr.
Howard has been associated with the
Texas Public Service Company, as
salesman of utility merchandise, and
during his stay in LaGrange made
many friends. Mrs. Howard al$© en-
deared herself to her new found
Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Beauchamp will
remove to Seguin next week where
Mr. Beauchamp will have charge of
the district in which Guadalupe coun-
ty is a part, for the United Gas
Company. They have been citizens for a Sunday evening concert on De- ! remain with the Texas Public Service
of LaGrange for near to three years, cember 15. j Company, at Austin.
This great Bohemian conductor and
that the famous Kryl Symphony friends, all of whom expressed regret
Band would appear at College Station at her departure. Mr. Howard will
and have really "become one us.”
Mrs. Beauchamp has been an active
worker with the ladies of the Baptist
church and has served as organist, at
the church. The transfer to Seguin,
is a promotion for Mr. Beauchamp.
The Journal wishes them well in their
new home.
Joe Kaye, in
charge of
rrr, iisr**
Kryl-White, violin soloist; Miss Nell back ^ ^
Kinsrd, soprano, and Mrss Ruth Tem- #tin hoMj) . „ <or
pieman harp soloist m a program \ ,nd „„ f#llow countrym^.
that includes the best in classical mu- | ^ gu ^
si^For the comet solo. Mr. Kryl ^ hi, ^mphony ^nA
the Gas | will play a number of his own compo- be the)r on}y conMrt in ^ ^
tlon of Texas. The concert wUI be
Company’s office at _____
I’”1 year, will assume charge the j When Mr. Kryl was on the campus ^ in Gui<m on th,
company’, business at UGrange. ! h.a summer, he expressly stated that fw ^ ,nd ^ wfit be
business at
With Mrs. Kaye he expects to be here
next week.
it was his hope that his audience
75 centa and 26 coots, respectively.
would be made up of a large number
--- -a— jof Bohemians. He also demanded | Hy. Miller of Flatonia was a busi-
Miss Helen Huebner and Mrs. G. .that prices be made as low as posst- ness visitor In LaGrange, Monday.:
‘ with ble so that all who wanted to hear th# Henry always finds a hearty welcome
: $
Albrecht and children visited
friends in Bastrop, Sunday.
I concert would he able to do so. Al- in LaGrange.
.El
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La Grange Journal (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 56, No. 49, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 5, 1935, newspaper, December 5, 1935; La Grange, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth998338/m1/1/?q=speckels: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives.