January 3, 1930
Foreign Programs Received by Radio
Fortunate indeed did many radio owners of this section consider themselves when on Christmas day they “tuned in” and listened for several hours to programmes of music, songs and speeches from Holland, Germany and England, same being made possible through efforts of the National Broadcasting Company of New York City.
The Holland program came in first and was good and strong throughout, as was the one from Germany, but the program from England met with difficulties and was far from being perfect. It was a wonderful achievement, coming through in the daytime. We understand some of the foreign programs were timed at 3 o’clock in the morning, although received here at noon.
The achievement proves the possibility of exchanging programs with foreign countries and will doubtless be done at frequent intervals in [the] future, weather permitting.
Weimar Mercury
Transcribed by Judy Talkington*****
January 10, 1930
Noted Lion, "Leo," Visits Our City The trade mark of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture corporation is a lion. The real live, actual trademark of this corporation visited Weimar last Saturday afternoon and as lion's visits are "few and far between," this naturally attracted lots of interest and excitement.
Headed by a calliope playing lively tunes of music, "Leo," the lion, actual living trade mark of the picture corporation, in his gaily bedecked cage on wheels, rolled into Weimar at 2 p.m. and in a few moments had the attention of everybody in hearing and seeing distance.
His cage was parked in front of the Palace Theatre, and here for an hour or more his keeper, in uniform, put the gigantic beast through the various stunts in his repertoire. "Leo" is a very large specimen of his tribe, and weighs something like 750 pounds. While considered "tame," he showed an inclination at various times to revert to savagery, and it was noted that his keeper never took his eye off of him. Also that when he left the cage at the close of the performance, he lost no time in doing so as "Leo" was right at his heels as the door of the cage slammed shut.
It is said that "Leo" is fed 25 pounds of raw meat daily. From here the red-and-gold painted caravan wended its way to Schulenburg, on its reported tour of the world.
Weimar Mercury
Submitted by Judy Talkington***** April 12, 1934
Underpass Construction To Begin At Early Date Austin Bridge Company has a quantity of machinery on the ground for work on the underpass on highway 71 in the city, and is awaiting the arrival of a pile driver from San Antonio to begin construction work. The job is expected to take some 60 to 70 men for a period of three to five months.
Commissioners Court Tuesday made final settlement with property owners in the part of town affected, and everything is now in readiness for the work.
Colorado County Citizen
***** March 1, 1935
Joe Kasper Gets Arm Broken Monday Late Monday afternoon as friend Joe Kasper was quitting work for the day at the "Bill" Hopper residence, where he was doing some papering, he cranked his "trusty" Ford as usual, with the view of taking the back-track for home, but his "trusty" steed, probably from standing out in the cold, was in a bad humor, kicked back and broke his right arm, a good, clean break. With a big lot of work on hand, Joe feels that he was not treated right, but he proposes to "grin and bear it", as there's nothing else to do. However, he does regret having to lose at least four weeks' time when he might be at work.
Arm Broken In "Back-Fire" A little 10-year old son of Joe Martinez, section hand living at the section house in this city, while in Columbus last Saturday endeavored to crank the family Ford and when it back-fired his right arm was broken in two places, inflicting an injury that will put his arm out of commission for several weeks.
Weimar Mercury
***** September 19, 1930
Four Weimar People Have Very Narrow Escape From Death
About 5 o'clock Monday evening as Mayor and Mrs. Henry J. Laas and Mrs. Eddie Ratliff and Mr. Tom W. Hill were returning in the Laas Buick car from a business visit to the Cuero section, and while only a few miles this side of Cuero, they happened to an accident, through no fault of theirs that came in an ace of causing the death of all these good Weimar folks.
The Weimar party were crossing a concrete culvert spanning a creek when they noted another big Buick car driven by a woman, afterward identified as Mrs. Will Gabrel, bearing down upon them, and apparently the driver had lost control of the car. It is evident now that the woman in descending the steep hill noted the other car at the culvert, lost her presence of mind, and pressed her foot on the accelorator [sic] instead of the brakes, with the result that she came toward them at a fast rate, apparently panic stricken, and before they could turn out of the way her car crashed into theirs with terrific force.
All that saved the Laas car and its occupants from crashing over into the creek below was the concrete abutment of the culvert, which held the car. The Laas car was badly damaged by the impact. As quickly as possible the occupants of the Laas car were taken out. Mrs. Eddie Ratliff was found to be the most seriously injured, having sustained a bad gash on her head, besides numerous cuts and bruises all over her person. The cut on her head required several stitches to close. She bled profusely from this injury. Mrs. Hill sustained some bad cuts about her nose. Mrs. Laas fell between the seats and aside from a few bruises was uninjured. Mr. Laas was uninjured but the narrow escape from death he and his party so unnerved him that he was practically a sick man. We understand that "Miss Eddie" will be confined to her bed for several days as a result of her injuries.
Manager Henry Brasher of the Brasher Buick Company was notified of the accident and went at once to the rescue, bringing the Weimar folks home that night. The Laas car will have to undergo considerable repairs before it can be used.
The farmer's wife who caused the accident is a renter's wife living in the Cuero section and was en route home with her two little children on the seat beside her and the rear filled up with feedstuff, etc. The big car she was driving was one her husband had recently traded a Ford for, and she was not accustomed to driving the big car, she admitted.
It was an unfortunate accident in some respects, but in other respects turned out quite fortunate that none of our folks were killed.
Weimar Mercury
Submitted by Judy Talkington***** August 3, 1939
Shaw Warns of Street Lamp Breakage
Joe Shaw, local manager of Central Power and Light Company has requested The Citizen to ask boys to refrain from breaking lamps in street lights about town. Not only is it a great expense to the company in replacing lamps, Mr. Shaw said, but it is a dangerous practice. Broken wires may lead to accidental electrocution of someone, he said.
Numerous cases have been found recently where as many as half dozen lamps were broken on one street. Violators when apprehended, agreed to pay for damage and the light company agreed not to prosecute.
Colorado County Citizen,
Submitted by Judy Talkington***** June 23, 1932
Car Badly Damaged By Reckless Horse
George Martin experienced a peculiar accident last Thursday night which might easily have proved serious.
Driving his car down the highway in the city, he collided with a horse which was running at full speed toward him, demolishing the windshield, ruining the radiator and damaging one of the headlights.
Seeing the horse approach, George had brought his car to a practical stop when the impact occurred. The horse evidently was blinded by the lights and threw itself with all its force into the car, his forefeet penetrating the windshield and narrowly missing the bodies of George and Clarence Hastedt who was riding in the car with him.
The horse fell off the car and was pretty badly bruised and scratched by the encounter, but was able to navigate. The car had to be taken to the garage for repairs. The radiator, hood, one light and the windshield were ruined, but not a mark appeared on the fenders or other portions of the car.
Colorado County Citizen,
Submitted by Judy Talkington***** February 22, 1935,
Walker Lumber Yard Makes Timely Offer Through its manager and proprietor, Mr. J. F. Walker, the Walker Lumber Yard makes the people of this city and section a truly wonderful offer. Mr. Walker announces that he has purchased a solid carload of the famous Devon paints, than which there is no better and in an effort to get our people to paint up, he will furnish the paint with which to paint your residence and pay the painter for his work all on a 5% basis, you to repay him on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis.
That is about the finest fairest proposition for painting your residence that could be thought up in a month of Sundays. Mr. Walker furnishes the pint and pays the painter for his work and you only pay him 5% above these costs and he gives you the privilege of paying the debt either on monthly payments, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.
You people who have long wished to paint your premises &endash; and Weimar is full of such &endash; here is your chance.
We think Mr. Walker is indeed to be commended for his enterprise. Read his ad and see what he offers.
Weimar Mercury, Front Page
Transcribed by Judy Talkington
July 21, 1939
Osage Home-Coming Last Sunday Quite a gathering of folks met at the old Osage grounds last Sunday for the home-coming event.
Services were held in the morning at 11 o'clock, then a fine basket dinner was spread on the grounds and greatly enjoyed by all present. In the afternoon another service was held and a general meeting of old friends took place. The "old-timers" enjoyed the getting together and talking over many big times they enjoyed at the historical place.
Quite a number of out-of-town folks were present. Of those in attendance we learned of the following. J. L. Neal and J. C. York of Wharton; Van N. York of San Antonio, W. H. Young of Columbus, Mrs. C. P. Allison and baby of Corpus Christi, Mr. and Mrs. U. S. McMillan of El Campo, Ellen E. Martin of Garwood, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Taylor and Fay Beth of Garwood, Earl Davis of Garwood, Mrs. Sam Clapp of El Campo.
Quite a number of people from Live Oak, Oak Grove and other communities in this section were present.
Weimar Mercury
***** March 10, 1939
NEGRO BREAKS LEG, FEELS NO PAIN, IS OKAY
Johnnie Green, Weimar negro, broke his leg her this week.
No news, you say.
Well, you haven't finished reading yet.
Johnnie felt no pain.
He needed no doctor.
He's losing no time walking around.
In a few days he'll be fully recovered.
How?
In the dark, Green stumbled into a ditch, fell, broke his leg.
It wasn't the "best limb on his family tree",
It was the wooden one!
Weimar Mercury
***** February 14, 1935
Columbus Band Invited To Play in San Antonio
Through the efforts of A. P. Hinton, Spanish War Veteran, the Columbus Municipal Band recruited to full military strength is invited to attend the coming National Encampment of the United Spanish War Veterans at San Antonio, Texas, September19th to 22nd and participate in the grand military parade on the opening day and perform at other required functions. While in the city the boys will be entertained and taken care of.
The band’s well known record and splendid music made it possible to have this invitation extended and it is a well deserved compliment to the band boys and the town.
Spanish War Veterans and their wives from all over the United States, and its insular possessions will be in attendance and it is expected to make this the banner Encampment of them all. No less than twenty thousand Spanish War veterans and their wives are expected. It will be a gala event well worth attending
Colorado County Citizen,
Transcribed by Judy TalkingtonFebruary 4, 1933
The Problems Of Schools
(Texas Tax Journal)The Texas Teachers’ Association holds its convention in Fort Worth at a time when the responsible heads of public schools of all classifications are confronted with the problem of declining school revenue and the prospect of large scale losses in the state apportionment after the recently adopted homestead exemption amendment goes into effect.
The problem would be serious enough were the latter factor not involved. Falling values have reduced tax assessments and inability of tax-payers to pay has increased tax delinquencies. There is not a school in the state which in not faced with the certainty of less money next year for school operation. The addition of the homestead exemption amendment to the adverse conditions affecting the immediate future of the schools is a major complication, bringing in as it does the problem of how to obtain from other sources the revenues which will be lost through elimination of $3000 of the value of every homestead in Texas from the tax field from which the state apportionment is derived. The problem is the more discouraging because of uncertainty clouding various issues relating to the amendment.The final word – which can be spoken only by the courts – has not yet been said on the question whether the exemption applies only to state taxation, or whether is applies likewise to school district taxation. If the latter should prove the case, the schools would suffer a double loss from the amendment – one in respect to the state apportionment and one in respect to the district’s own tax revenues.
It may be seen at once that the schools face the certainty of hardship in the next year. Adequate compensatory measures will require more time than is available, even if it should be found possible to devise at an early date measures which will restore all that the schools have lost. Most school districts are already at the constitutional limit of direct taxation. There are available no local resources which may serve to bridge the gap. Moreover, it is certain that the pathway of greatly increased state appropriations for the schools in the next legislature will be one not free of difficulties because of the great public need for specific economies in government which will reduce taxes.
Thus the problem of the schools become one of academic administration as well as one of financial administration. In this field, the most beneficial services are to be expected from those most expert in that field – that is, from the men and women who run the schools. If it becomes necessary to institute drastic economies in school operation, those economies may be carried out with less injury to the community and the cause of universal education if they are devised and directed by the school superintendents, principals and teachers.
Needless to say, there is not lacking among school men and women either the devotion or the intelligence to make the best of a bad situation. The state can confidently rely upon them, and it does so. For this reason, the present convention of the teachers is of great interest to the general public, after all it is more closely touched by school matters than any other in which the government is engaged.
Eagle Lake Headlight, February 4, 1933
Submitted by Judy TalkingtonJanuary 3, 1935
Another Residence F. C. Kloth and a force of builders began work on a fine six room Duntile residence for Mr. Lowak in the southwest part of town yesterday morning. The residence will be plastered within and stucco outside and will be modern in every respect.
Duntile, the material used, is a product of the Columbus Concrete Products Works of this city, and is strong, durable and of a very satisfactory service as proven by its use in many buildings in this section, both for business and residence purposes.
The new structure will be rushed to completion.
Colorado County Citizen
***** January 17, 1935
Building Activities Contractor A. W. Willrodt and force are erecting a nice six room residence for Mr. Ignaz Zatopek on his lot in the southeast part of town, the old Jerry Barak home. The house was sold and removed from this building site. The new residence is of brick and tile and will be a valuable addition to our residence section
Mr. A. R. Fehrenkamp has had the house formerly occupied by H. H. Cordes moved to a center lot immediately west of its former location, and the corner lot will be used for a residence for Dr. H. C. Moeller. This house will be of brick and tile construction and thoroughly modern.
Contractor Gus Hennicke is building a five room frame residence for Jim Toland, colored, on his farm about two and a half miles northeast of town on highway 71.
Plans for a two story modern residence for Mr. W. G. Dick are in the hands of contractors for bids which will be received by Feb. 1st. This will be brick veneer or[sic] frame construction, and will be on the lot recently purchased by Mr. Dick from Mrs. India Duncan, on the southeast corner of the block and across the street north from the Dr. W. W. Gunn home.
Colorado County Citizen
***** December 29, 1933
Drunken Car Drivers Do Serious Damage Saturday night as a Herder Truck Line freight truck was coming in from Houston and near Sugar Land, the truck being operated by Emil Kubesch, a careful driver of said line, it was run into by a car operated by two drunken Houstonians, the truck damaged considerably, and it came near resulting seriously to the three people riding in the truck as well as the drunken men themselves.
As it happened, Mrs. Minnie Shimek (Sister of Mr. Chas. Herder, owner of the truck line), and her daughter, Miss "Tuttle", boarded the truck in Houston and were en route to spend the holiday season with old time friends and relatives. These two, the driver, Emil Kubesch, and the two men in the other car were all injured. Mrs. Shimek had one rib broken, "Tuttle" was cut by flying glass, Emil had two ribs broken and the two men sustained bad cuts about the head and face.
All had to have medical attention. A bottle with some whiskey in it was found in the men's car. Both were undeniably drinking. Their car, we are told, was practically ruined. Investigation proved they had been on a fishing trip and were returning home; also that they had nothing by which the injured parties could recover any damage. It is likely charges will be filed in the courts against them for operating a car while in an intoxicated condition.
The Herder truck was in the garage for several days undergoing repairs. It is fortunate that no one was seriously injured, as all undoubtedly had narrow escapes from death.
Weimar Mercury
Submitted by Judy Talkington***** September 19, 1930
Value of Athletics To School Children
Play is Nature's method of education. Athletics rightly conducted are of incalculable value to any school. Physical education should hold an important place in the curriculum because of the great good that may come of it. Though real school spirit is derived from the desire of the student for an education, athletics develop and give an outlet for it.
Games for the school give a better understanding among the pupils and afford pleasure. Inter-scholastic contests encourage closer relations among the students. The members of the school become one unit; each is fighting for the glory of his school. Cooperation is established.
Athletics are of service to the school in that they advertise it. They furnish a medium of entertainment for the citizen. A fast hard fought game of football, basketball or baseball is always enjoyable. Athletics may be a means of securing the interest of the townspeople in their school. Clean sports require respect. A school that plays fair will create friendly relations with other schools, that will not be limited to athletics. Thus athletics provide a very effective means of advertising.
Athletics promote health and recreation. Being out in the open air is good for one because he gets fresh air. The muscles develop and grow strong by athletic activities. Playing in games afford a very keen enjoyment to any normal child.
Athletics offer a means of forming good character habits. Competition leads pupils to perform feats that he would otherwise avoid. Thus his physical courage is developed. Moral courage usually follows. Rules of the game exercise honesty and fairness in competition. They teach that it is more important to play fair than to win. Loyalty to the team and co-operation with it is necessary for it to win. Sportsmanship is the idea of athletics.
Thus athletics are valuable to the school in four ways: First, they develop school spirit; second, they advertise the school; third, they promote health and recreation and fourth, they promote the physical and moral courage of the child.
Those are some of the reasons why the state of Texas is encouraging as well as demanding that athletics be in every school in some form, should be clear to us all. R.
Weimar Mercury
Submitted by Judy Talkington***** October 10, 1930
Correcting Possible Erroneous Impression
In a phone conversation with Mr. Claude Paulus of Houston a few days ago he stated that an impression had gone abroad, based possibly on the account of his car being burned on the highway recently a few miles west of Weimar, that there was something "shady" about same. He has asked us to correct so far as possible said impression.
He states that on that occasion he was en route to Hallettsville, where his parents, Hon. And Mrs. Dave Paulus, live. His car caught fire and was rapidly being consumed. As we understand it now, two state patrol officers came along, one of whom was a warm personal friend of Mr. Paulus, and these officers shot holes in the gas tank to prevent a possible explosion. The car being a complete wreck, Mr. Paulus accompanied his friend, the patrol officer, to Schulenburg, there being nothing else to do. The fact of him being seen in the company of the state patrol officer doubtless caused some to think he was under arrest, but this was an erroneous impression.
We are glad of the opportunity to correct so far as we can this wrong impression that to a certain extend prevailed in this section regarding Mr. Claude Paulus, son of our old time, good friends, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Paulus of Hallettsville.
Weimar Mercury
Submitted by Judy Talkington***** February 22, 1935,
Local Stage Show With Local People The palace Theatre will present a very unusual attraction on Thursday and Friday of next week in their gala "Hollywood Premiere," with local people impersonating your favorite movie stars in songs, dances and dialogue. The manager, MR. Moore, expects this event to be one of the most outstanding attractions of the year, as there will be thirty or more people on the stage for your entertainment, which will include comedy, beauty and pageantry.
In this "Premiere" the "Wampus Star of Weimar" will be chosen by an audience ballot vote, when local girls, in a parade of youth and beauty appear on the stage in the form of a style show. The pageant will be judged on stage appearance and beauty. A cash prize will be awarded the winner.
An added attraction of the "Premiere" will be the arrival of the stars in front of the Palace Theatre. Arrangements made by the management with city officials will provide roped off space in front of the theatre in order that the crowd may witness this spectacular attraction. High-powered lamps will be used for lighting the streets, as well as the platform, equipped with broadcasting microphones, through which means the stars will be introduced individually and address the public as they leave the new automobiles in which they will be escorted and enter the theatre for the performance and the judging.
The stage will be decorated with flowers furnished, and you will see the stars in all of their youth, beauty, glamour and sophistication, not unlike that of the cinema.
Who knows? We may have a movie star in our midst, and your choice may determine a movie career for your local favorite. Also you can be sure of high-class entertainment for the entire evening. More particulars of this wonderful event in next week's paper.
Weimar Mercury, Front Page
Transcribed by Judy Talkington
September 14, 1933
SCHOOL BUYS LAND FOR PLAY GROUND Entire Townsend Block Purchased by School Board Will Furnish Ample Range for School PE Program
A deal was closed last week whereby the Columbus Independent School District acquired the Townsend residence property consisting of a full block of land with buildings and trees. The block is located diagonally southeast of the school grounds. The consideration was $6,000.
For some time the school board has been making efforts to secure additional land for school purposes, and only recently opened negotiations for this land. Funds for the purchase was supplied from the last school building bond issue, together with accrued interest.
Buildings on this block will be torn down and the grounds put in shape for use as a playground immediately.
At the request of the former owners the grounds will be known as "the Townsend Playground".
Colorado County Citizen
***** 50 Years Ago (April 25, 1930)
At a joint meeting of the city council and the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, the council was urged to again take up the matter of establishing a sewer system here in Weimar, the city to finance same.
The Goodyear world's largest tire was here last Thursday afternoon and was greeted by hundreds of people from all over this section, who flocked to the Brasher Buick Company to see it. The tire is 12 feet high and 4 feet wide. It is valued at $5000.
The two-story building occupied by the Harvey Hope store and post office at Glidden was destroyed by fire Tuesday night.
As part of building a city park east of the city hall, the city is going to erect a band stand near the center of the park for the use of the Chamber of Commerce Band. City authorities have decided to move the foundation of our old standpipe to the park and use same as foundation for the proposed band stand.
Several carloads of logs have recently been shipped from this point. Just where they are destined for we do not know.
Weimar Mercury, April 24, 1980
***** September 11, 1930
“The Big House” at Orphic Study of Prison Conditions
Prison, its grim brutalities, its riots, its thrills and its heartbreaks, are shown with stark realism and utter fidelity in “The Big House,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s drama of penitentiary revolt, playing at the Orphic Theatre Thursday and Friday.
It bares underlying causes of prison riots, shows one in which a thousand men participate, and follows through three prisoners, one a gangster, one a forger, who finds redemption in the melee, one a new offender whose soul is wrecked by association with hardened criminals.
Chester Morris, Wallace Beery and Robert Montgomery play these central characters, about whom the story revolves, and give splendid characterizations. The love interest is between Morris as the forger and Leila Hyams, and the friendship of Morris and Beery, who plays a vicious killer is vividly worked out.
George Hill distinguished for “The Flying Fleet” and “Tell It to the Marines,” directed the new picture, an original by Frances Marion. Other notable players in the cast are Lewis Stone, Karl Dane, George Marion, DeWitt Jennings, Matthew Betz, Claire McDowell, J. C. Nugent and Robert Emmet O’Connor.
Actual machine gun fire was recorded for the first time by a new discovery. The jail yard riot, with a thousand men scattering under gun fire, the thrilling riot in the mess hall, and the dramatic end of the riot, when the army tanks quell the revolt, are shown on a huge scale. The intimate touches were directed with deft skill by Hill. The dialog is specially forceful and realistic with its prison jorgon [sic] and criminal argot giving it a vivid actuality.
Colorado County Citizen
Transcribed by Judy Talkington*****
September 11, 1930
Lon Chaney
The death of Lon Chaney is a genuine loss to the world. He was an entertainer of the first order, alike in his proper person, in which he appeared in “Tell it to the Marines,” and in marvelous disguises and contorted make-ups which he used in other films.
Chaney’s career was a demonstration of the American belief that opportunity awaits every boy or girl who is able to seize it. His youthful handicaps were tremendous. His parents were deaf-mutes, his father a barber on small wages. Whatever he was to accomplish he had to do for himself. He struggled for years on the stage and won his first great success in pictures when he was nearly forty. But he brought to pictures a knowledge of stagecraft and the art of acting learned by years of poorly paid apprenticeship. No man or woman ever became a great artist in any field without such a background of uninteresting drudgery.
From “Today and Tomorrow” a column by Frank Parker Stockbridge
Colorado County Citizen
Transcribed by Judy TalkingtonApril 29, 1933
Newspapers
Newspapers are like women. They are thinner than they used to be. Back numbers not in much demand. If they know anything they generally tell it. They have a great deal of influence. Every man should have his own and not run after his neighbor’s.
Eagle Lake Headlight,
Transcribed by Judy TalkingtonSong Of The Lone Star State
Rev. J. C. Wilson of Edna, formerly pastor of the Eagle Lake Methodist church for a number of years, has composed the following acrostic “dedicated to Texas heroes,” to be sung to the tune of “America.” It was composed especially for a Rotary program at Edna, but has since been used a number of times at Texas gatherings with marked enthusiasm and effect.
G-rand, noble Patriot Band
O-n honor’s mount ye stand
L-ike heroes free;
I-nspired with courage high,
A-nd shouting Freedom’s cry
D-ared ye to do or die –
A-ll hail to thee.
L-aid on War’s altar-fire
A-ll Freedom’s fond desire;
M-ore men ne’er gave!
O-n Fame’s immortal scroll
S-hall we your names enroll
A-nd o’er each Hero-soul
N-ew Laurels wave!
J-ustice shall guard each name
A-nd in the Halls of Fame
C-arved busts shall stand.
I-nspired with deathless love,
N-ations shall onward move
T- [line left out by newspaper]
O-’er ev’ry land.
T-ime paints with brighter glow
E-ach dauntless martyr brow –
X-anthic their foes’ –
A-nd as the stars of night
S-hine on with peaceful light
A-mong them none more bright
R-efulgent glows!
E-ast, West or North or South,
P-raise bursts from every mouth,
U-ttered afar!
B-eacon of Liberty,
L-ight all men up to thee
I-ntrepid high and free
C-elestial Star!
Eagle Light Headlight,
Transcribed by Judy TalkingtonDaring Robbery at West, Texas, Ends In Double Murder
Robbers suddenly appeared at the doors of the State National Bank at West. McLennan county, Friday and looted it of about$2000. They fled in a car, after kidnapping Mrs. Cam Gunter of Mexia, whose car was taken by them when they wrecked their own car in a get-away. Those taking part in said robbery are believed to be Clyde Barrow and his woman companion, the notorious Bonnie Parker, and Raymond Hamilton, former Fayette county bank robber and escaped convict and a girl companion.
Hamilton and his companion are said to have taken Mrs. Gunter to Houston Saturday and released her. They then turned back to rejoin Barrow and his companion.
However, before they rejoined Barrow, state patrol officers from Fort Worth noticed Barrow and his companion in a side lane near Grapevine, Texas, and rode up to them. As the did so, Barrow and his companion came out of their car, guns in hand, and shot to death the officers before they could draw a weapon in defense.
The entire state police force is in an uproar over this brutal crime and if these murderous desperadoes can be located there'll be a battle that will not end until each of them is cold in death
$1500 Reward Dead Or Alive
A reward of $1500 is offered for the capture dead or alive of either Clyde Barrow or Raymond Hamilton, the noted bank robbers and murderers. Turn the entire State Ranger force loose on their trail and we’ll bet there will be something doing if they remain in Texas.
Weimar Mercury, April 6, 1934
Transcribed by Judy TalkingtonFebruary 22, 1935
Killing Songbirds A Weimar lady has called our attention to the fact that small boys are in the habit of shooting and killing song birds here and there in our city, especially as concerns mocking birds and red birds. She says these youngsters deliberately come into people's yards in their quest to wantonly destroy these birds. As there is a state law with severe penalty attached to the killing of song birds in Texas, we would suggest that she warn these boys of it and if the act is repeated to file complaint in the courts against them.
Weimar Mercury
Submitted by Judy Talkington***** March 1, 1935
Most Terrible Dust Storm In History The most terrific dust storm in history so far as this section is concerned, was witnessed last Friday afternoon. Practically unheralded it came up from the north about mid-afternoon, like a great cloud rolling along, onward, ever-onward. Within a few moments everything was enveloped in dust. It was so fine that it sifted through windows and doors and coated everything it touched with a fine, feathery dust. It lasted for several hours, and disappeared almost as suddenly as it came. It was a mystery to our people where it came from and what caused it. Some were honest enough to admit that for a brief moment they feared the earth was coming to an end! However, by midnight practically all signs of the dust had disappeared.
Later papers gave explanation of the dust storm as it was called. It enveloped six states -- Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas, and in some sections was so dense that people were compelled to turn on the lights, motorists were compelled to slow down to ten miles per hour due to the fact that they could not see but a few feet ahead of them, while in a few instances it grew so dark that chickens were fooled and went to roost in midafternoon!
At San Antonio government authorities sent up a balloon to ascertain the extent of the dust from earth upward and had to go a mile skyward before they passed out of the cloud of dust.
Weimar Mercury
Submitted by Judy Talkington***** October 10, 1930
Good Will Dramatic Club to Entertain Friday, Oct. 17 The Good Will Dramatic Club will present its first play on Friday night, Oct. 17, at St. Michael's Hall. The first play bears the title, "Civil Service," and is a delightful comedy, which will be aptly portrayed by eleven members of our home talent.
The plot includes all the excitement of a postoffice robbery, which may cause Goldie Wex a great deal of trouble. Goldie is the country boy, who wishes he were back on the farm.
This is the club's first presentation, and they are making every effort to make it a successful one. They represent your town, and it is a great asset to any town to have such a club studying the dramatic art. On such grounds they appeal to you to assist in every way you can to make their first attempt a success.
The cast of characters is as follows:
Old R.F. D -- Mr. Joseph Kasper.
Kate Kenyon -- Miss Agnes Vacek.
Steve Audaine -- Mr. Oscar Schindler.
Jake Reynolds -- Mr. Edgar Anders.
.Octavia Reynolds -- Miss Bertha Ulrich.
Simpson Peavy -- Mr. Joseph Verunac.
Inspector Cochran -- John Miksch.
Goldie Wex -- Johnnie Barta.
Birdie Bivins -- Miss Leona Wanja.
Mrs. T. R. Jeffs -- Mrs. Edm. Barta.
Miss Goldstein -- Miss Roselle Van Beveren.A small admission fee will be charged. R.
Weimar Mercury,
Submitted by Judy Talkington***** August 3, 1939
Colorado County Courthouse Sees Many Changes Recently; Basement Is Occupied
County agent's and Colorado County Agricultural Conservation Association's offices were back to the county courthouse this week, but in much different headquarters than the ones they previously occupied in the county Capitol.
These offices along with others are located in the newly constructed basement of the courthouse, final touches of which are being put this week.
The basement and its modern offices are so attractive that they must be seen to be appreciated. Not only has the basement provided additional space which has long been needed in the courthouse, but it has made the whole structure of the building stronger according to H. A. Lindsay, WPA engineer.
The offices while not tops for lighting and ventilation facilities are comfortably cool and are easily reached by two flights of short steps, one on each the east and west entrances. Lighting and ventilation will be corrected, it is understood.
Two modern rest rooms also occupy the underground floor.
So impressed with the basement construction were members of the Austin County commissioners court on a recent visit here to inspect the floor that the body voted at once to build a similar system of offices in the Bellville courthouse basement.
County agent's and ACA offices completed moving into the basement this week vacating former offices in the Oddfellows Building.
Work was completed recently on repairing and painting the courthouse dome and painting the exterior of the building. The exterior now has a refreshed appearance and is very attractive.
A special type of cement paint was used to paint the structure, a kind of covering which is guaranteed to protect the surface for ten years.
Colorado County Citizen,
Submitted by Judy Talkington*****
August 11, 1939
ALLEYTON, LONG UNRECORDED, IS "ON MAP" NOW
Had you searched the county records prior to this week, you would have found no official map of Alleyton, Colorado County a town of some 200 residents.
Alleyton's residents figured something ought to be done. So they petitioned for an order authorizing County Clerk Edgar L. Litzmann to record officially the map of Alleyton.
Colorado County commissioners agreed. Back into the records of a county abstract company went the officials in search of Alleyton's map. It was resurrected, dusted off and recorded.
A certified copy made by a former county surveyor, H. F. Dittmar, the map had lain dormant for several score years. Now, however, Alleyton is officially Alleyton.
Colorado County Citizen
***** June 9, 1939
WOMAN'S CLUB DIVIDED INTO TWO DIVISIONS At the annual meeting of the Woman's Club held at the home of Mrs. B.B.Braun on June 2, it was decided to form two independent clubs.
The Garden Club elected Mrs. Laure Brasher as president, Mrs. W. J. Black, vice-president, and Mrs.Wilbur Seydler as secretary-tresurer. Dues will be seventy-five cents a year and meetings will be held monthly beginning in September. Anyone desiring further information will please call Mrs. W. J. Black.
The Study Club elected Mrs. Jack Brasher as president, Mrs. Cora Thatcher as vice-president and Mrs. Francis Brasher as secretary-treasurer. This group is planning to hold night meetings instead of afternoon meetings as has been the custom. Discussions and book reviews of current books will comprise the programs. Anyone desiring membership in this group will please call Mrs. Cora Thatcher.
It is the objective of the Woman's Club to meet the interests and needs of the community better with the two separate clubs than with one. However, there will be two joint meetings a years, one business and one social, so that the two groups will not lose contact. R.
Weimar Mercury
***** August 19, 1937
Hallettsville Pastor to Take Vacation Rev. A. Guyon of Hallettsville was in the city Tuesday and during his visit to the Citizen office it was learned that he and Mrs. Guyon and children, Raymond and Daisy Lee, will leave next Monday for a two weeks visit in New Mexico, where he has brothers and sisters living. They will go via El Paso, visit at Demin, and see Carlsbad Caveran on the trip.
Their daughter, Miss Loretta will be married to Mr. Cecil King at the Methodist church in Hallettsville next Sunday morning at 9:00, Rev. Guyon performing the ceremony. Mr. King is a teacher in the Belton school.
Brother Guyon says this will be the first vacation he will have had in many, many years.
Colorado County Citizen,
August 4, 1939
BOMBING PLANES PASS OVER WEIMAR WEDNESDAY A. M. The eighteen big army bombing planes passed over this city at exactly 11 o'clock Wednesday morning as scheduled.
Yes, there were eighteen of them. Flying in perfect formation, they passed directly over the business section, flying at a low altitude. Leaving San Antonio at 10 a.m., it was figured they would reach here around 11 o'clock and people were on the lookout for them. Suddenly at the appointed hour a roar could be heard and before you could hardly get on the outside the planes were directly over the city.;
It was a wonderful sight. The big planes were in formation, three of them forming a triangle, and then three of these triangles forming a larger triangle. The other nine machines following closely did the same thing.
The formation was kept throughout the flight on to Houston. The demonstration was in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of airplanes being used in the army.
Weimar Mercury
***** January 20, 1939
Weimar Negress Prefers Iodine To Young Husband Ruby Sefas, young Weimar negress, prefers iodine to her "hubby".
Ruby didn't say that, but what Ruby did Saturday made it rather obvious that the foregoing statement is true.
Saturday her husband of two months treked to Weimar with the intention of taking Ruby back with him to Houston. But evidently she didn't like the proposed "set-up".
And so she did a strange thing.
She sent a friend to town for a bottle of iodine. And then, at an opportune moment, she drank the contents of the bottle.
In the emergency, a Weimar physican administered proper remedial steps.
She'll recover.
And hubby?
Well suh, minus Ruby, he's gone back home. It was too much iodine for him.
Weimar Mercury
***** July 22, 1933
Old Time Dance Here Next Thursday Night
Ilse’s orchestra of Warrington [sic] will furnish music for an old-time dance here on Thursday night, July 27th, at Austin’s Hall. The Ilse orchestra is a musical organization not known in this vicinity, but comes to the committee well recommended
There are plenty of electric buzz fans in Austin’s Hall, which keep the large hall cool for summer dances and the cold water fountains in the hall furnishing ample ice water for all dances is an improvement and accommodation that is furnished by none of the other dance halls around this section.
Eagle Lake Headlight,
Transcribed by Judy TalkingtonJanuary 3, 1935
County Officers
For those who wish to clip and preserve the roster of officers in the county the following list is published:
W. C. Papenberg, District Clerk.
H. P. Hahn, County Judge.
John Hastedt, County Clerk.
Otto P. Moore, County Attorney.
F. F. Hoegemeyer, Sheriff.
E. H. Rabel, Assessor-Collector.
Mrs. John Kunetka, Treasurer.
F. N. Davidson, Surveyor.
J. H. Wooten, School Supt.County Commissioners:
R. R. Hadden, Pct 1.
F. A. Seifert, Pct. 2.
P. H. Kansteiner, Pct 3.,
H. L. Reading, Pct. 4.Justices of the Peace:
E. C. Thrower, Pct. 1.
W. M. Griffits, Pct. 2.
W. D. Obenhaus, Pct. 3.
J. Ratliff, Pct. 4.
D. G. Vogelsang, Pct. 5.
Alex J. Jones, Pct. 6.
W. G. Dick, Pct. 7.
Max Conner, Pct. 8.Constables:
J. R. McMahan, Pct. 1.
Will Struske, Pct. 2.
B. H. Poppe, Pct. 3.
Harry Lee, Pct. 4.
Ewald Stein, Pct. 5.
Andreas Fuchs, Pct. 6.
J. L. Wendel, Pct. 7.
Harry Johnson, Pct. 8.
Public Weighers:
W. W. Robertson, Pct. 1.
N. L. Coffelt, Pct 2.
Emil Maiser, Pct. 4.
Fritz Emshoff, Pct 8.Colorado County Citizen,
Transcribed by Judy TalkingtonFebruary 4, 1933
What’s The Matter With Texas
By S. W. ADAMS
Driskill Hotel, Austin, Texas
Capitol Rats
One of the most astounding discoveries I have made here is the Capitol Rat. This animal has such eductive powers that it can charm an official, squeak him to sleep, and within 90 days gnaw the last vestige of a backbone out of him.
It is said that no governor, even, has ever held out over 90 days; that he must meet his promises within the 90 days, or forever be lost to the people.
I wonder why this animal is known as the Capitol Rat, for it has many characteristics of a beaver – it dams up the stream of human justice, shuts out the flood waters of home influence, turns on the victim the dark waters of cunning, deceit, greed, graft and dishonesty, until he is submerged and soaked into inervation. Then the Capitol Rat gnaws out his back bone and leaves his promises to the people buried in the slime of politics.
Work of Victims
Here are some of the things the victims do after the Capitol Rats gnaw out their backbone;
A special session transferred $3,000,000 from the highway to the pension fund last year. The Capitol Rats victims paid out $260,000 of this fund to certain banks holding Confederate warrants, leaving millions unpaid; then used the balance $2,740,000, in paying off the capitol employees.
A Senator who fought (for home consumption) for $8 a day, had a niece for two years on the payroll of a State Asylum here, with full subsistence and$150 a month, with small duties, while she attended the University – he now has a nephew in same institution drawing $40.00 a month and full subsistence, while he attends the University.
Sales Tax Hit
Mrs. Sarah Hughes of Dallas has hit sales tax a solar-plexus blow. She has introduced a graduated income tax bill. Solon Hester, a graduate student in governmental economics, has declared that the sales tax is iniquitous, promotive of revolutions, and wholly unsound.
Adjournment May Mean Work
Legislative adjournment for one or three days does not mean no work for some legislators, while legislative sessions do not mean work for others; some work all the time; others never work
The stream of bills pouring in to the hopper would do credit to a common-wealth with not one statute. Over 400 are in the mill.The lifting of the tax burden is like this: The master says, “Rube, that 50 pounds of clay you are carrying is too heavy a burden, from now on you will carry 100 pounds of brick.” The people wee promised in the campaign bread; they are handed a stone.
Eagle Lake Headlight, February 4, 1933
Submitted by Judy Talkington