"Bay City caught in fury of 1909 ‘Velasco’ hurricane

   Headlines from Houston Post over its news articles tied to 1909 hurricane impact in Matagorda County.  Fifty Per Cent of Business and Residence Section Damaged and Loss Will Total $250,000  Under Martial Law  Army of Constables Sworn In to Protect Property  But One Loss of Life Infant of Mr.

Kuykendall began ranching career at age 10

   Wylie Martin Kuykendall was born in Fort Bend County, Texas on Oct. 22, 1839, to Robert H., Jr. and Electra Shannon Kuykendall.     He was named for the family friend and prominent colonist, Wiley Martin.     Robert H., Jr.

County newspaper gave Kuykendalls a close look

   EDITOR’S NOTE: We thought this feature newspaper article on the Kuykendalls - four years before their deaths in 1920 - provided anecdotes about their personal lives. PEOPLE WE KNOW     Mr. Wiley M. Kuykendall is a native of Fort Bend county, born on the Brazos river 77 years ago.

Bailey Hardeman: Matagorda’s Republic of Texas statesman

   Bailey Hardeman, War of 1812 soldier, Santa Fe trader, mountain man, a founder and officer of the Republic of Texas, thirteenth or fourteenth child of Thomas and Mary (Perkins) Hardeman, was born at the Thomas Hardeman station or stockade, near Nashville, on February 26, 1795.

Edward Peareson was Matagorda’s only doctor, newspaper editor/publisher

Dr. Edward Adolphus Peareson    c 1816 - December 29, 1865    Dr. Edward A. Peareson (Pearson or Pierson), son of Philip Edward and Rachel  Peareson, was from Fairfield District, South Carolina.

Proposed City of Portland location at head of the raft

   The proposed city of Portland (at the head of the raft on the Colorado River approximately twelve miles above the town of Matagorda) is an interesting account of one of the early promoters who came to Texas during Stephen F. Austin‘s era.     Born in Philadelphia in 1766, Nicholas Clopper, Sr.

Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church celebrates 119th homecoming, church anniversary

   Members of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church at 394 Ave. B in Markham will celebrate their 119th Homecoming and Church Anniversary at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6.

LeTulle’s legacy long-remembered in Bay City

   Victor Lawrence LeTulle, Bay City businessman, farmer, rancher and philanthropist, was born in Columbus, Texas, on July 5, 1864.     His surname was derived from the family’s place of origin, Tulle, France.    He was the son of Victor D.