This Week in Duval County History — March 18-2
POSTED BY: CARDENAS.AE@GMAIL.COM MARCH 18, 2019
March 18
Corpus Christi Caller, March 18, 1883
March 19
Considerable cotton was shipped through Corpus Christi via the Texas Mexican railroad. Seventeen bales were grown in Duval County.
Corpus Christi Caller, March 19, 1887
March 20
Weekly Corpus Christi Caller, March 20, 1908
March 21
M. C. Spann accepted agency for Ready Fire Extinguisher in San Diego.
Corpus Christi Caller, March 21, 1886
March 22
Corpus Christi Caller, March 22, 1901
March 23
March 24
San Antonio Express, 1889
11 COMMENTSON "THIS WEEK IN DUVAL COUNTY HISTORY — MARCH 18-24"
BLANCA ROSALES | March 21, 2020 at 7:14 pm | Reply
My grandfather worked and lived in a ranch they called Rancho Canai and another called Rancho Aquas Prietas. I was wondering if you had heard about them or knew anything about them. The Ranches were located past Benavides. I love reading your history information. Thank you so much for all the work you do to make our history known.cardenas.ae@gmail.com | March 22, 2020 at 10:12 pm | Reply
Thank you Blanca. I have not heard about these ranches, but will put out a word to see if anyone else has.Tony Villegas | March 18, 2019 at 2:13 pm | Reply
William Tinney was my great-great grandfather i have his desk and clock he had in his office as district clerk. After he left the court house he sold it to my great grand JM Salinas who had a mercantile store in benavides. After his death in 1979 it was passed down to my mother who has Tinney blood,cardenas.ae@gmail.com | March 18, 2019 at 2:28 pm | Reply
Thank you, Tony, for sharing. Good hearing from you.Amando Gonzalez | March 18, 2019 at 1:26 pm | Reply
Thanks you for the info. Alfredo, I posted this article on facebook two weeks or so ago. I found it interesting.
Article from Austin-American-Statesman (Austin, Texas, United States of America) 19 Jun 1891, Fri- Page 5
SOUTHWEST TEXAS
SAN DIEGO, DUVAL COUNTY AND THE SPLENDID MEN LIVING THERE June 13, 1891
Your correspondent, continuing his trip through southwest Texas, soon arrived at San Diego, -which is the county site of Duval county. This city has a population of from 2000 to 2500 and is situated on the line of the Mexican National railroad in one of the finest agricultural regions of the state.
San Diego is about seventy miles from the Gulf of Mexico. The surface of the country is generally level or what is better known as high rolling prairie, and its health giving breezes from the Gulf of Mexico continually sweeping over the town and prairies, render this beyond doubt one of the healthiest counties in the state. It is situated near enough to the Gulf of Mexico to derive all the benefits from a coast climate. San Diego has a large commodious court house building and the county commissioners are now in session, preparatory to letting out the contract tor building a jail with all modern sanitary appliances. They are also preparing to erect a large and comfortable school building with all modern conveniences, which will be used for a graded school.
DUVAL COUNTY
This is one of the second tier of counties from the Gulf, from which it is separated by Nueces County. The soil is a sandy loam and is well adapted to the growth of all kinds of crops, fruits, vegetables, melons, cotton, corn, etc. Along the line of the railroad in Duval County I saw some of the finest agricultural lands in the state. Cotton, corn, and all kinds of crops growing luxuriantly, large ripe watermelons are plentiful here, I was shown cotton bolls already opened, ready to be picked. This cotton was grown on stalks that were planted last year, the winter, being so mild that they were not killed by the frost. Duval County claims to be the first county in the state to offer a new bale of cotton on the market. The yield of cotton is from three-quarters to one bale per acre; corn, thirty to forty bushels; grapes, peaches, plums, pears, melons and all kinds of vegetables, etc.’, do well here. This county has heretofore been given up entirely to stock raising until 1887, when farming was commenced on a limited scale, producing only 40 bales of cotton the first year. The next, or second year. 409 bales; the third year, 1500 bales and last season, 3385 bales. The acreage has been greatly increased and this season they expect to gather 7000 bales around San Diego alone. Other sections of the county have also engaged largely in raising cotton. This is beyond question a paradise for poor men, where they can secure land cheap and on long time, and where they can raise everything that is needful for their comfort and in great abundance. The winters are so mild here that stock thrive and fatten the year round.
There are thousands of acres of the finest agricultural lands in the state around San -Diego waiting to be developed by industrious farmers. The people of Duval county are very kind and hospitable and express themselves as being willing to aid all good people that come here in securing good homes and will assist them in developing the agricultural resources of the county. Farmers looking for fine locations and those paying high rents will not be doing themselves or their families justice without coming to San Diego and inspecting the lands of this county before purchasing. The following are the leading business men of San Diego who will take pleasure in answering inquiries from parties wishing to come to San Diego or Duval County to live:
F. GUEYDAN & CO.
This live, wide awake, progressive firm is composed of Messrs. F. Gueydan, George Bodet and Claud Tiblier. The last mentioned Messrs. Bodet and Tiblier are the active members of the firm. This enterprising firm deal largely in dry goods, notions, ladies dress goods, gent’s furnishings, ready-made clothing, etc. In fact they make it a point to keep everything for which there is a demand. This is one of the largest mercantile houses in southwest Texas. Mr. Claud Tiblier gives his whole time to the business and is general manager. Mr. Tiblier is one of the most progressive men of southwest Texas. Mr. George Bodet is the junior member of the firm and is bookkeeper and cashier of the firm, a most energetic man. Mr. George Bodet is also treasurer of Duval County, which office he has held for a number of years. Mr Bodet, by his courteous and gentlemanly deportment, has gained the esteem and unlimited confidence of the people of San Diego and Duval County.
The firm of F. Gueydan & Co. are also of the firm of the Gueydan, Parkman Gin and Milling Company. This company has one or the finest and best equipped gins, with a rapacity equal to any gin in the state. They have also a bank in connection with their store and do quite an extensive banking business. Hon. James O. Luby, who is one of the most prominent lawyers in the state, is located here and has an extensive and lucrative law practice in Duval and the surrounding counties. Mr. Luby is also president of the Southwest Texas Abstract Company who have their headquarters at San Diego. He was for several years the collector of customs at Brownsville and was for a number of years county judge of Duval County and has by his honest, upright way of dealing with his fellow man gained the unlimited confidence of the citizens of Southwest Texas. Mr. Lubv is also extensively engaged in the land business here and says he will sell in tracts to suit purchasers and on easy terms. In addition to his own lands, he has large bodies of land in hand for sale for others, and he informs me that the citizens of San Diego and Duval county welcome all good citizens and will do all in their power to aid them in getting good homes and in developing the agricultural resources of the county. Mr. Luby will take pleasure in answering any inquiries from parties desiring to secure homes in Duval County or Southwest Texas. Mr. Lipman Levy is a dealer in dry goods, notions and ladies dress goods, gents furnishing ready made clothing, etc., etc. His stock is complete in every department. This is one of the largest stores in San Diego. In addition to his store at San Diego, Mr. Levy recently bought out E. Morris of Corpus Christi paying him $30,000 for his stock, which makes him the proprietor of two of the largest stores in Southwest Texas. Mr. Levy is an enterprising, progressive merchant and keeps well abreast of the times. It is said that he has at San Diego and Corpus Christi, two of the best selected stocks of goods in the state. Mr. Levy thoroughly understands the mercantile business and knows where and how to buy his goods at bottom prices. To this may be partly attributed his great success, as “goods well bought are half sold.”
Mr. Levy is a public spirited man and is ever on the alert to promote the growth of his town and county.
C. L. Coyner is an attorney and counselor at law. Mr. Coyner also deals largely in land, and has a complete abstract of title of lands in Duval County and San Diego. In addition to his own he has large bodies of land for sale for others, which he will sell in tracts to suit purchasers, and on easy terms. He has, by strict attention to the interests of his clients and by his honest, straightforward way of dealing with his fellow men, built up a practice here of which he may justly feel proud.
Mr. Coyner is a native of Virginia, but is a thorough Texan, having practiced law in this state for 15 years. He has been elected county attorney of Duval for three terms, and is chairman of the Democratic executive committee at this place.
Mr. John Buckley, sheriff of Duval county, is one of San Diego’s most progressive business men. He has lived in San Diego for a number of years, and during that time has been engaged largely in merchandising. When elected sheriff he sold out his mercantile business, and has since engaged in raising stock on a large scale, and has some of the largest ranches in Duval County. Mr. Bucklev is ever kind and courteous to all with whom he comes in contact and is highly esteemed by the people of San Diego and Duval County.
Mr. William A. Tinney is one of the representative business men of San Diego, and is largely engaged in farming and raising stock. He has one of the biggest ranches In Duval County, and is also largely interested in the Piedras Pintas ranch, one of the best ranches in the state. Upon this ranch are some very fine Sulphur springs. which can, and no doubt will be made at no distant day a great summer resort, as well as for those seeking health. Oil has also been discovered on this ranch, but has never as yet been developed. Mr. Tinney is the district clerk of this county. The citizens of Duval could not have selected a more enterprising or progressive man to look after their interests.
Austin D. Smith is a dealer in stoves. Tin ware, agricultural implements, etc. His stock is complete in every department. Mr. Smith has been in burners in ban Diego for a number of years, and hag by his honest way of dealing gained the good will and unlimited confidence of all who know him. Mr. Smith is a leading member in the Methodist church, and his neighbors say of him “that he is one of those who believe in carrying their religion with them in their business, and that he never loses an opportunity of directing others in the right path.” Mr. Smith is a public spirited, enterprising man, and is always ready to advance the interests of his town and county.
Mr. S. H. Woods was born in Grayson county, from which place he moved to Haskell County, and was attorney for Haskell for several years, and, like a great many others, he was attracted by the great future of Southwest Texas and moved to San Diego. M r. Woods is an enterprising and progressive young man, and has, by his courteous and gentlemanly conduct, gained the esteem and confidence of the people of San Diego, Duval and the surrounding counties. He has built up a practice here of which he may well feel proud. Mr. Woods is also engaged in the land business and has large tracts of land In hand for sale which he will sell in tracts to suit the purchasers and on easy terms. He will take pleasure in answering any inquiries in reference to Southwest Texas.
K. G. Perez & Sons are dealers in dry goods, notions, ladies dress good, (????) furnishing, ready made clothing, and in fact everything that is usually kept in a first class general merchandise store.
This is one of the largest stores in San Diego. This firm also has one of the best equipped steam gins in the state. This is one of the largest store in San Diego. They are largely interested in farming and own some of the largest and best stocked ranches in Southwest Texas.
This enterprising and progressive firm is composed of Messrs. K. G. Perez and Francisco Garcia Tovar, both active, go-ahead men.
Mr. Pedro Eznal is tax assessor for the county of Duval. He is a live energetic, progressive man and keeps well abreast of the times. The citizens of Duval and San Diego could not have selected a better man to represent them as tax assessor. Mr. Ezual is a well-educated and accomplished gentleman, and withal is one of the most public spirited men of San Diego and Duval County.
Mr. Severiano G. Perez is a dealer in dry goods, notions, ladies dress goods, gent’s furnishings, ready made clothing, etc., etc. Mr. Perez is one of the most enterprising and progressive merchants of San Diego, and is largely interested in farming and owns some of the largest and best stocked ranches in southwest Texas. He is one of the most public spirited men of San Diego and is always ready to aid in the growth and development of his town and county.
Eusebio Martinez is a dealer in dry goods, notions, ready made clothing, etc.,, etc., Mr. Martinez is a wide awake, progressive merchant and is well posted in his line and knows where and how to buy his goods at bottom prices. He is largely interested in farming and has one of the most extensive ranches in Duval County.
Mr. Guadalupe D. Garcia is one of the most active and pushing young men of Duval County. He is largely interested in stock raising and has extensive ranches In Southwest Texas. Mr. Garcia is also one of the county commissioners of this county. Mr. Garcia is well educated and is one of the representative business men of San Diego and Duval County.
Hon. J. Williamson Moses, County Judge of Duval County, is a thoroughly representative Southwest Texas man. Judge Moses is also an attorney-at-law, and practices in all the courts of the Twenty-eighth judicial district and in the Supreme Court. He takes a great interest in all matters pertaining to the education of the youth of his County. He showed me a diagram of a large school house which they are going to build. This will be an elegant structure when completed and will be used for a graded school. Judge Moses has been a resident of Duval County for about eighteen years. He has held a great many offices of trust and is highly esteemed by the citizens of San Diego and Duval County. He was at the organization of Duval county, elected county attorney which of office he held for only a short time and was afterwards elected county assessor and at the next general election was elected county judge, and was afterwards, in 1890, deputy inspector of oils for this oil district which required him to be the most of the time in Laredo and in the year 1890 was again elected county judge, which office he now holds. Judge Moses is ever on the alert to advance the interest of his town and county.
Mr. Juan Puig is a dealer in general merchandise, etc. He is also largely interested in farming and owns some of the largest and best stocked ranches in Duval County.
J. W. Shaw has one of the best equipped livery, feed and sale stables in this section or the state and is prepared to furnish first class teams and vehicles on short notice.
Martinet hotel of which Mrs E. Martinet is the proprietress is one of the best kept hotels in southwest Texas and is the home or commercial men who often come here to spend Sunday.
It is well furnished and is a model of neatness throughout. Mrs. Martinet is assisted by her beautiful and accomplished daughters, Misses Clara and Lizzie, thoroughly understand how to provide a good table and surround their guests with home like comforts.cardenas.ae@gmail.com | March 18, 2019 at 2:28 pm | Reply
Thank you, Mando.NEWELL ATKINSON III | March 18, 2019 at 9:08 pm | Reply
GREAT ARTICLE FROM ” Austin-American-Statesman (Austin, Texas, United States of America) 19 Jun 1891, Fri- Page 5″
SOUTHWEST TEXAS– I enjoyed it very much. Newell W. Atkinson IIIAlonzo Byington | March 18, 2019 at 9:51 am | Reply
My wife’s aunt, Felipita Garcia, was a switchboard operator in San Diego for many years.cardenas.ae@gmail.com | March 18, 2019 at 10:43 am | Reply
Thanks, Alonso for sharing. I remember the old telephone office, across the street from Dr. Dunlap.Lisa Montague | March 18, 2019 at 9:07 am | Reply
Paul Henry, brother of Julius Henry and uncle to Lena and Jenny Henry, is buried with his wife Frederika, in Corpus Christi. Paul Henry died while he still had very young children, leaving Frederika with 3 children, Herbert, Leo and Lily. Frederika went to Laredo no long after to help care for the sick children of a Mr. Wormser, a widower, in Laredo. She became ill herself and died, leaving their 3 children orphaned. Herbert went to serve in the Spanish American war and there is no information about the other children, who must have been adopted by other families. Almost a century later, my father received a letter from a descendant of the Wormsers, telling my father about a family story about how close Mr. Wormser was with Mary Henry, but I suspect it must have been either Frederika or Lena Henry, who also was something of a practical nurse and helped sick people. One of the Wormser’s daughters attended my grandmother, Theresa Montague’s wedding in San Diego in 1910. Apparently, the daughter (Herietta) of Joseph Rudolph and his wife, who were friends of Mary Henry, married one of the Wormsers and they all left San Diego to live in Laredo. Joseph Rudolph was a baker in San Diego before making that departure. He came from Prussia as did the Henry family.cardenas.ae@gmail.com | March 18, 2019 at 10:44 am | Reply
Thank you, Lisa or sharing your family’s history. Very interesting.
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