"𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗" 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗙𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗕𝗬𝗚𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦

 

Compiled by Rene Torres

Dates represent when the briefs were published.

December 20, 1892

$50 reward was paid to any person or persons giving information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of fence cutters, who have been lately cutting our pasture fence at Rancho Viejo—J.S. and M.H. Cross

July 6, 1892

Miss Isabel Yturria, secretary of the Ladies Charitable Association, was out this morning collecting the regular monthly subscriptions for the poor.

September 2, 1892

Mr. J. L. Putegnat has decided with Mr. Cummings, to have the Phonograph exhibited at his Drug Store on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of this week from 6 to 10 p.m. 

In order that everybody can get a chance to hear this most wonderful talking machine, the charges for admission have been put at the lowest possible figures. 

For ten cents you may hear three pieces and a quarter will entitle you to eight. Mr Cummings has a fine assortment of musical selections played by the best bands in the country; songs and sermons and better than all three of four of the Brady records. 

Go and see how Brady administers justice as a police judge and then ask for his election speech. Some of the numerous candidates might get pointers if they take in the phonograph.

December 10, 1892

There is a baseball game going on this afternoon between the St. Joseph’s and the Public-School Boys.

October 22, 1893

Don Nicolas Lerma and Senorita Paula Tamayo, two young people belonging to Brownsville’s best Mexican society, were united in marriage at 7 o’clock last evening.

February 14, 1893

It would be a good idea to have electric lights in our streets, and especially in some of the suburban parts of the city. Calcium lights are a great enemy of crime.

February 28, 1893

It’s somewhat strange that none of the young men of Brownsville ride bicycles. The bicycle is fast becoming popular throughout the south.

Cycling is considered fine exercise—much better than riding horseback.

Another advantage which the wheel possesses over the horse is that it does not require oats.

April 5, 1893

Do you want a sewing machine for nothing? To anyone sending us ten yearly subscriptions ($10.00 a year each, Mexican coin) The Herald will present them with a new $45 American Union Sewing Machine.

March 16, 1893

The seashell which has been placed in the yard around the depot building is decided improvement. It would be a good idea if this shell could be used instead of bricks for the sidewalks of our little city.

May 3, 1895

The Literary and Musical Society will meet this evening at the residence of Mrs. Krausse. This will be the last meeting of the society for the summer.

Also, on the same date—Quite a few our society people expect to go away to spend the summer either in the north or at Point Isabel. Brownsville will almost be deserted, as soon as the hot season begins.

June 11, 1895

St. Joseph’s College and the convent schools were closed today on account of the death of Rev. Father Gaudet. The flag was displayed at half mast in respect for the founder of the college.

July 4, 1895

Spanish Consul Simon Celaya hoisted the Spanish flag today, and Mexican Consul Longoria also displayed the Mexican flag, while our French friend Celestin Jagon had the colors of France on his roof top, in honor of the Glorious Fourth.

February 5, 1902

What’s wrong with the town clock? The clock keeps getting ahead of time.

On Sunday it had to be set back 25 minutes and people, who had been setting their time pieces by it, were surprised to suddenly find themselves so far ahead.

February 20, 1902

The reading room at the Episcopal rectory is now supplied with good reading matter, such as current numbers of various leading magazines, etc.

The reading room is lit every evening and anyone to wish to spend the evening reading good literature will be welcome.

February 25, 1902

The water carts now sell water at 8 to 12 centavos a barrel, the price depending upon distance from the river. Formerly it sold at six centavos all over the city.

July 30, 1902

The Herald bill collector will call on subscribers and advertisers tomorrow for their dues and we trust that everyone owing the paper will be prepared to settle.

It is quite an expense to keep a collector several days to collect the rather considerable amounts due us, and it is also aggravating to send to the same house several times for a Mexican dollar. Be prepared to settle.

July 3, 1902

Tomorrow the boys from Fort Brown will cross bats with a team of town boys in an Independence Day contest. As far as can be told now, the town team will have on its roster—C. Tamayo-pitcher, R. Miller-first base, V.S. Fernandez-second base, M. Alonso- third base, G.A. Champion-centerfield, G. Rentfro-left field, E. Cortez-shortstop, and P. Sanchez- Right field.

The winning team will take home $10.00. The Fourth of July game at the post attracted a healthy crowd and it was a sweeping victory for the soldiers.

January 1903

The city tax rate is 50 cents on the $100 valuation. The intelligent compositor yesterday made a complete jumble of the paragraph reporting the city rate, which was no doubt apparent to all readers.

January 1903

A grand masquerade ball will be given at Market Plaza tomorrow night, by the impresario, Jose R. Villalobos. 

There will also be dancing, en masque, in the council hall over the market building.

February 12, 1903

The workmen engaged on the repairs at the garrison, for which Mr. S.W. Brooks has the contract, have gone on a strike, which is very unfortunate at this juncture, as Mr. Brooks is still seriously ill and unable to attend to business.

March 23, 1903

Our friend Frank Champion had the misfortune a few days ago to have a fine gold watch stolen from him. It was taken from his vest pocket while he was taking a siesta after dinner. 

Suspicion fell on a laborer who was employed to wash the floors, but a search failed to recover the watch.

January 15, 1903

Something should be done by the city authorities to keep the cows off the streets. Many people are complaining about these animals getting into their yards and playing havoc with the gardens.

January 20, 1903

A complaint has been filed with Justice of the peace H.J. Kirk, one woman charging two men with unlawfully milking her cows.

January 28, 1903

Brownsville is growing so fast in a desirable class population, and being visited by so many strangers, that it behooves us to clean up the city and improve the streets somewhat. The late rains have left Elizabeth Street, our main thoroughfare, badly cut up with holes. Filling low places with city garbage is both unsanitary and ugly.

May 31, 1918

Showing at the Dittmann Theater: Dorothy Phillips in “The Flashlight,” The Dittmann is the largest and coolest theater in Brownsville… 22 fans—Count ‘Em.  Also, Best Music.

March 18, 1919

The first arrests of their kind in Brownsville occurred Saturday night when federal officials arrested two women on charges of violating the president’s proclamation against the operation of houses of ill fame within five miles of an army camp.

August 27, 1921

A Ku Klux Klan parade, in which 104 knights of the invisible empire, led by a fiery cross and United States flag, was the startling conclusion to a civic celebration held in Harlingen last night.

December 25, 1932

The Kiwanis Club completed planting palm trees for three miles along Palm Boulevard when 35 members planted the last 35 palms to complete the distance. The palm planning was the Kiwanis club’s part in the city-wide beautification plan.

January 1, 1941

The historic Port Isabel& Rio Grande Valley railway, which served the Valley for 68 years and 10 months, is no more. On a Wednesday, the Missouri Pacific railroad took official possession of the P.I. & R.G.V.

December 24, 1944

Valley Moviegoers, as revealed by a Herald poll, selected “Going My Way,” starring Bing Crosby and Gerald Fitzgerald as their movie of the year. “Going My Way” received 40 per cent; “Song of Bernadette” came in next with approximately 20 per cent of the votes. 

Other movies that followed the leaders included: Janie, Madame Curie, A Guy Name Joe, Lassie Come Home, The Adventures of Mark Twain and others.