From the Matagorda County History & Genealogy page
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second installment of our occasional review of newspaper articles about Bay City and Matagorda Count .
We pick up from The Bay City Breeze - the city’s first newspaper - in 1895 and continue through 1896.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.
Up to Tuesday noon the following real estate transfers had been filed with County Clerk Austin since the records have arrived in Bay City:
Cornelius Davis and wife, to J. Gordon Brown, warranty deed to 703 acres of land out of the Lawrence Rainey league, on upper Caney.
David Boaz to W. Boaz, warranty deed to 320 acres out of section No. 554, G. C. & S. F. R. R. survey, west side of river.
V.L. LeTulle to Irvin Rugely, quit claim deed to 25 acres out of the Wm. Rabb league on lower Caney.
W.F. Neal and wife to Eugene Haralson, warranty deed to 20 acres out of Jacob Bells league, north of Bay City.
Hamet Graves, et al, to W. C. Braman deed to undivided interest in Grand tract No. 5, Matagorda town league.
David Swickhimer to J. J. Shirley, et al, lot 1 block 77 Bay City.
David Swickhimer to Sallie H. Sims, lots 9, 10, 11 and 12, block 49 Bay City.
David Swickhimer to W. E. Sayers, et al, lot 14, block 78 Bay City.
David Swickhimer to E. S. Rugeley, Sr., lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 block 88 Bay City.
David Swickhimer to W. T. Kuykendall lot 17, block 75 Bay City.
David Swickhimer to Fannie P. Hamilton, lot 11 block 65 Bay City.
Bay City Breeze,
January 31, 1895
Alvin Henderson, deputy head consul, Woodman of the World, instituted a camp here last week of that order with twenty members.
The following officers were elected and installed: T. J. Hamilton, consul commander; R. A. Mathis, advisor lieutenant; J. D. Moore, banker; E. E. Scott, physician; W. C. Carpenter, clerk; J. W. Gaines, Jr., watchman; H. M. Greene, escort; D. A. Shannon, sentry; D. P. Moore, J. M. Sims, J. W. White, managers.
PERSONALS
Ira G. Lord and family are spending a few days on the beach.
Mrs. Dr. Scott is visiting her father on lower Caney this week.
Roland Inglehart and wife returned from a two weeks visit to friends at Matagorda.
C. H. Williams was a member of the party who went to Velasco Tuesday on the railroad mission.
Mrs. J. S. Teel, of Willis Point, sister of Druggist J. W. White, is here on a visit for a few weeks.
J.C. and Frank Faeckney, contractors, of Columbia, were here Monday bidding on the bridge contract.
Assessor Steve Hill and E. J. Inglehart were up from Matagorda in attendance upon commissioners court.
Henry Williams, Jno. Wendell and E. H. Rowold are spending the week on the beach, near the mouth of Caney.
R.A. Mathis leaves to-day for Navasota on a short business trip He will meet his mother at Hempstead and accompany her here, where she will spend several weeks on a visit.
Dr. J. C. Mayfield, of Alvin, and J. W. Sprowles, of Brazoria, were in the city Tuesday. Dr. Mayfield was looking after the closing up of the business affairs of his son, the late Herndon Mayfield, deceased.
W. E. Matkin, of Howell, Ark., was in Bay City Monday looking over our county with a view of locating here. He was highly pleased with our lands and general prospects, and he at once departed for home to arrange matters to move here during the coming fall.
Frank Blizarde, who was engaged in the merchantile business here a few months last spring, returned from Keith, N. C., yesterday and says he is coming back to his first love to stay. He does not at present know just what he will engage in, but says stay he will, and that he is very sorry he ever left. We welcome him back.
Judge W. C. Carpenter and G. M. Magill left Tuesday for Velasco to confer with the members of the Boston syndicate on a railroad west from that place. They will be joined by several of the planters from lower Caney, who are taking a deep interest in the proposed road. The meeting was arranged by the citizens of Velasco and our people invited and urged to be present.
John Hagerty, of Ft. Worth, accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Fred Vogg, of Matagorda, passed through the city Monday on their way to Ft. Worth, where Mrs. Vogg will visit for some time at the home of her brother. This is the first visit of Mr. Hagerty to our county for twenty-five years, this being formerly his home. They were both delighted with Bay City, expressing great confidence in her future.
W. C. Brown left Monday moring for Dallas and New Orleans, where he goes to purchase a big stock of boots and shoes, which he will run in connection with his saddlery establishment. Mr. Brown is a honest, sober, and industrious young man, and by his gentlemanly conduct he has built up a fine business and the Breeze congratulates him upon his success, and hopes his new venture will likewise prove successful.
Bay City Breeze,
August 15, 1895
BAY CITY SCHOOL REPORT
Second Month
The second month ended on Dec. 9th. Up to that date we had enrolled 39 boys and 49 girls—total 88. There were 307 cases of absence and 260 cases of tardiness during the month. Corporal punishment was administered in two cases.
The pupils are graded by a scale in which 10 is perfect, 9 excellent, 8 good, 7 fair and any grade below 7 is considered poor.
All who reach a general average for the month of 9 or over, in both lessons and conduct, have their names placed upon the roll of honor for that month. Honorable mention is made of all who average 9 or over in conduct but fall below that high average in lesson.
Some pupils are endowed with brighter minds than others; some have had better school advantages than others; some have more time to study at home than others; and some have better assistance in home study than others. Hence, it may not be possible for all to get on the roll of honor. But every one can behave properly and thereby win the honorable mention for good conduct. We hope that all parents will urge their children to strive for this honorable distinction.
In making out the roll of honor, the names are grouped by grades, and the one making the highest average in each grade heads the list of that grade, and the next highest is placed second and so on; the lowest being last.
Following is the
ROLL OF HONOR—2 MONTH.
(Principal's Room.)
GRADE C. Ernest Bond, Minnie Hull, Emma Lee, Nettie Hull, Stanley Gillett, Oliver Franz, Matt Johnson, Joe Treat, Sarah Hicks, Nettie Elliott, Annie McIntosh, Fred Gillett.
GRADE B. Willie Melliourne, Daisy Fisher, Jimmy Hicks, May Ladd, Maggie Lee, Jay Applegate, Jeff Mangum, Oliver Wallace, Lewis McIntosh, Grover Moore, Ed. Lee, Elmo Lee.
GRADE A. Walter Gillet, Annie Hamilton, Florence Lee, Edna Hull, Eula Sims, Martha Turner, Susie Hill, Katie Gillett, Walter Baxter, Stanley Lee, Allen Stokes, Archie Franz, Emma Franz, Grover Mangum, Willie Wofford, Hallie Lee, Robt. Baker, Olivia Franz, Olga Benedict, Philip Watkins, George McIntosh, Jane Galbraith, Effie Wofford.
HONORABLE MENTION. Richard Johnson, Maud Sisk, Unnie Mangum, James Sisk.
PROGRAME CHRISTMAS
ENTERTAINMENT
Under the auspices of the literary department of the Epworth League, Miss Ladd and Mrs. W. C. Carpenter are preparing a splendid musical and literary entertainment to be given in the school house on next Wednesday night, Dec. 25th. A small admission fee of 35 cents will be charged for adults and 10 cents for children, net proceeds to go to the Epworth League in order to procure some new song books. The entertainment promises to be a rare treat. Following is the programe:
Music by the band—"Corn Flower Waltz." Misses Ladd, Applegate, Moody and W. C. Brown.
Song—"The Star." Miss Ladd, May Ladd. Tableau.
Instrumental duet—"Sleigh Bells." Misses Ladd and Applegate.
Song—"Comrades. Twenty little boys. Tableau.
Instrumental solo. Miss Baxter.
Song duet—"Life's Dream is O'er." Misses Moody and Ladd.
"Veiling the Novice." Misses Elouise Moody, Anna and Shirley Rugeley, Ollie and Annie Lords, Mabel Ladd, Lida Franz, Mrs. R. A. Mathis and W. L. McCamly. Tableau.
"Christmas Chorus." By all the performers.
Recitation. Miss Estelle Ladd.
Instrumental music—"Over the Waves." Misses Moody, Ladd, Applegate and W. C. Brown.
Song. Mrs. Jno. W. White.
"Woman's Rights." Tableau.
Song quartette—"Come Where The Lillies Bloom." Misses Ladd, Moody, Judge Carpenter and J. A. Sullivan.
Guitar duet. Misses Ladd and Applegate.
"Artists Studio." Tableaux. Pictures, Annie Hamilton, May Ladd, Mabel Ladd, Elouise Moody, Edgar Bramlett, W. L. McCamly.
Song—"Jockey Hat and Feather." Lillian Ladd.
Instrumental music. Misses Ladd, Moody, Applegate and W. C. Brown
"Gypsy's Warning." Tableau. Misses Anna Rugeley, Ladd and L. J. Gartrell.
"Visions of Paradise." Tableau. Misses Anna, Shirley and Alice Rugeley, Lida Franz, Mabel and Estelle Ladd, Florence Applegate, Maud Hill, Mesdames W. C. Carpenter and R. A. Mathis. "Sleeping Girl," Elouise Moody.
Song. Judge Carpenter and Miss Ladd.
Song—"Won't you be my Sweetheart," Florence Baxter. Answer, Mellie Sims.
"Night and morning." Tableau. Miss Ladd, Mrs. Carpenter, May Ladd, Eula Sims.
Bay City Breeze,
December 19, 1895
PERSONAL
T. J. Hamilton attended Masonic Lodge at Demings Bridge Saturday.
Ike Kuykendall, of Ashby, was admiring the new court house Tuesday.
W. H. Huffaker, came up last week from Matagorda to work on the court house.
Miss Ada Keithly, of Willow Springs, Mo., arrived last week to visit her sister, Mrs. N. H. Rowlett.
Col. A.H. Pierce was in town Tuesday and Wednesday looking after his extensive interests in this county.
Major McReynolds, of the K. O. Ranch was in the city a short while yesterday looking after their large interests.
G. B. Culver, of Matagorda, was in town fore part of week and bought W. C. Williams' cattle at good figures.
Geo. Beckelhymer, a contractor from Corpus Christi, accompanied by his wife, arrived in the city last week and they may locate here.
Judge Rugeley passed through fore part of week en route to Wharton, where he goes after his family who have been visiting in Wharton for sometime.
Michael O'Connell, Sr., was in town yesterday on business. He got a fall that frightened him and his friends for a little while, but Dr. Bouldin soon brought him around all right.
T. J. Proctor, of Groesbeck, Texas, came in yesterday prospecting for a lumber yard. Mr. Proctor is a very pleasant gentleman and we hope he will decide to cast his lot with us, for a lumber yard we badly need.
Dr. L. B. Creath, who has been looking over the county for a week, left Tuesday with Henry Rugeley for Lake Austin and Lower Caney. The Doctor is much pleased with our county and people and seriously contemplates locating. We hope so, for he will make us a valuable citizen.
H. D. Applegate left with his family yesterday morning for their home in Victoria. They have been spending the winter in Bay City in order to be with Mr. Applegate, while he was building the court house. Mrs. Applegate and Miss Florence made many friends while here, who regret their departure, and they will all be accorded a warm welcome whenever they may return.
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Work on the court house is progressing very nicely considering the continued rains. They are now putting on the slate roofing.
As soon as that is finished the inside finish work can go right ahead. About all the frame work of the roof and tower is up. The steps to the entrances are also being put in.
Even now the building presents an imposing appearance and is visible as far as the eye can reach from all parts of Bay Prairie. Mr. Applegate informs us that with favorable weather the building could be completed now in 6 to 8 weeks.
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A GOOD WINDFALL
George Austin informs us that C. W. Sterry and Mrs. Chas. Nulty, of Matagorda, are in receipt of late information that a rich uncle had recently died in Maine, leaving them a large legacy.
Jim Sterry, of Port Lavaca, is also an equal heir with them. Mrs. Nulty is a sister of the Sterry's. Chas. Nulty had come up to work on the court house, but Oscar George came up after him yesterday to bring him the good news and take him back to Matagorda to meet another one of the heirs from Maine, who is here to take steps looking towards the settlement of the estate...
Bay City Breeze,
January 30, 1896
BAY CITY
Rev. A. J. Anderson preached here Monday night.
J. M. Sims was among the people of the west side the past week.
W. J. Phillips and Arthur Stewart were up from Matagorda Monday.
Jno. C. Underwood and W. J. Shelton were over from Columbia Tuesday.
E. W. Pendecrest, of Elliott, Iowa, is in the city prospecting with a view to locating.
T. F. Baldwin, of San Antonio, has accepted a position with the W. E. Austin Abstract Company.
A SPICY ADVERTISEMENT
The following we clip from "The New Test," a weekly paper published at Lockhart in the interest of the colored people, which gives a vivid description of the festivities here on the 19th of June:
"Attention, citizens! All citizens of Matagorda and surrounding counties are invited to attend the great reunion of ex-slaves and their descendants at Bay City, Texas, on June 19th.
"Come and hear ex-slaves tell of the sudden change from slaves to citizens; hear them make the chains of slaverydom rattle once more.
"Oh that lamb! A free dinner will be provided for all; come and eat mutton, pork, beef and cakes once more on that day the grandest of the nineteenth century; come and hear Judge Wego Jones express himself and sing that good old song about
"After old Sabine has left this world!"
"Prof. B. T. Richardson will tell of slavery from its birth; Prof. N. B. Moore will tell of the rise and progress of the slaves from 1865, to the present time; Rev. John Sidney will trace the Negro from Adam down through the generations of Ham, Solomon and the Queen of the South, while Prof. A. G. Hilliard will tell of the Negro as a Soldier. Those great and eloquent orators, Rev. Thomas Roberson, Rev. O. Dorse, Hon. Jeff Robbins and Bro. Richard Ruffin will tell of the fidelity of the slave during bondage and of his past and present manhood.
Deceitful ways. Come and see our new court house and jail; hear our city clock strike the hours, as they are second to none in the state. Brother Jefferson Robins says he is very willing to whoop that in less than ten years Bay City will be the hub of the solid south.
The great Colorado is only two miles away. Go to the livery stable and hire a span of Norman horses (rates low) and drive your lady love out to the river that she may behold the greatest catfish stream in the known world.
The Grand March will take place at one o'clock sharp commencing at the corner of Avenue L and Moore street thence southward to Hamilton Plaza, thence westward to Austin street and thence northward to Sims' Avenue, under command of grand field marshal Harris Anderson and forty aides de camp, and the far famed Eagle Lake Silver Cornet band of seventy-five pieces and a mascot.
A Grand Emancipation Ball will take place at night in Hamilton Hall. Come one and all, both young and old and witness the wonder of the 19th century!
Bay City Breeze, May 7, 1896