Matagorda County History & Genealogy page
EDITOR’S NOTE: Given the regular schedule of at least some rainfall, it’s interesting to note that wet weather has long been on Matagorda County residents’ minds.
Around a century ago, weather dominated all discussion - although it seems that way now - because so many activities were planned for the outdoors.
Matagorda County historian Carol Sue Gibbs helped assemble some observations about the rain and mud.
Rainy weather turned dirt roads into quagmires which bogged down the new-fangled automobiles.
Residents often delayed planned trips around the county if there was even a threat of rain. After all, they had to be able to get home.
Farmers who had good crop results, couldn’t harvest them, much less get them to a market over the muddy, rutted roads.
Housewives washed their clothes in wringer washers, but had to have good weather to dry them on the line. Weather dictated most aspects of life.
In the late 1920s, four 9-foot-wide paved roads were built reaching to Sargent, Pledger, Collegeport and Clemville, but getting to the roads or getting home from the roads was often impossible during rainy weather.
Harry Austin Clapp jokingly called the Collegeport road the 9-foot-sidewalk as it was being constructed, but later wrote in his Matagorda County Tribune column how beneficial the road actually was.
A Palacios resident, Nellie Webb, lived in Matagorda County during the 1920s and 30s.
Though her residence was in Palacios, she often spent time at Buckeye with Laura Stoddard and at Blessing with the family of Abel Brown Pierce, Sr. and his wife, Adelaide. Nellie was a seamstress, but also served as a companion, babysitter, house sitter or in any position which would help her friends.
When Abel Pierce presented her with a blank 1929 diary, Nellie began recording her everyday activities which continued yearly until she left Matagorda County in 1938.
Almost without exception, the first entry every day was the weather.
Following are some entries in which Nellie noted how their every-day lives were dictated by the weather.
Thursday, May 16, 1929 - Blessing
Another hard rain today. – Roads full of water.
Saturday, June 1, 1929 - Blessing
Much rain has made the roads so bad that I could not go home today.
Wednesday, January 2, 1930 - Blessing
Weather moderating, but cold yet and water everywhere. - Streets are almost impassable.
Tuesday, January 7, 1930 – Palacios
Cloudy day, some rain fell. We truly appreciate the cement road when it is rainy weather.
Thursday, March 13, 1930 – Blessing
Rained some today. - The guests got stuck in the mud coming over from Collegeport tonight.
Monday, May 19, 1930 – Buckeye
Rained quite hard this forenoon. - Mrs. Stoddard has a car to use during her stay in Buckeye and intended to drive out today, but the rain caused slippery roads so we came on the train.
Wednesday, May 28, 1930 – Buckeye
Cloudy all day and a slow rain this P.M. - We were going to Bay City, stay to see the Pictures and then bring Mrs. Stoddard’s car out, but the rain spoiled the plans.
Tuesday, July 15, 1930 – Buckeye
Both cloudy and sunshiny this forenoon. Mrs. Stoddard and I started to Bay City this P.M. for her inoculation but the sky was so threatening that we turned back at the Knowles house.
Tuesday, July 22, 1930 - Blessing
Went to Bay City this forenoon. Rain threatened. Came home with chains on the car, but were glad not to need them.
Tuesday, October 28, 1930 – Blessing
Rainy day. - Odell came to wash, but had trouble getting the clothes dry.
Friday, March 20, 1931 - Blessing
Rained hard after midnight. Muddy streets. – Mr. Farwell brought Mrs. Farwell as far as the hotel and William met her there in the white steamer. – I was to go to Palacios and take some of my boxes home, but the rain prevented.
Friday, November 20, 1931 - Blessing
Not such a beautiful day. A rain last night made the streets muddy.
Wednesday, December 16, 1931 - Blessing
Such a rainy day. I expected to drive to Palacios if the roads permitted, but the Blessing streets are very muddy.
Thursday, February 4, 1932 – Blessing
Mrs. Smith has been out of doors all day. Is having dirt and shell hauled into the street between the Bank and Hotel.
Friday, February 19, 1932 – Blessing
Rainy day. Mr. Duller came over to attend a school board meeting, but none of the other members were present. Muddy roads being one cause.
To read more about Nellie’s life, visit http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txmatago/family_webb_nellie.htm