By STEVE HATHCOCK
Steve Hathcock has an extensive background in historical preservation and writing focused on South Texas. He has served as Chairman of the Cameron County Historical Commission for two terms and Vice Chair for two terms, having been a member since 2004. He is also a founding member of the Historical Foundation of South Padre Island and will serve an active role in presenting the history of South Padre Island in the foundation’s new museum which will open sometime in late spring/early summer 2025. Moments in Time is a collection of recovered newspaper briefs and other publications, compiled by Hathcock, offering a look back at the history of the Rio Grande Valley.
LOST IN THE NORTHER
In the late Norther, the splendid lighter Bravo, worth $5000, belonging to Messrs. Jo Cooper and Company, was lost at the Bagdad anchorage. The Bravo was partly loaded from the ship Anna from Liverpool, and the Norther coming out from the Northwest was unable to make the mouth of the river or the beach and therefore made fast to the stern of the Anna and went down. The captain and crew got safely aboard the Anna before the Bravo sunk. A few more hurricanes and northerners and Mr. Cooper and company will be able to find out how poor folks enjoy life. Aint that so, Jo? (Daily Ranchero, Brownsville Texas, Jan. 3, 1868)
ARRIVALS
Mr. Tom Kenedy arrived from La Parra Ranch last evening, having made the trip of 100 miles in 10 hours. Pretty good traveling. (The Daily Cosmopolitan (Brownsville Texas) Feb. 7, 1885)
Mifflin Kenedy, who was a steamboat captain and rancher, purchased a large ranch in 1882. Located in the so-called “Wild Horse Desert,” it was situated about 100 miles north of Brownsville. He named the ranch La Parra after the wild grapevines that were so prominent to the area. Over the years, Kenedy’s sons Thomas, James and John were active in managing the vast piece of land. Thomas died a few short years later and was buried in Brownsville, Texas.
THOUGHTS ABOUT UPCOMING WORLD WAR 2
“The next war may come with the awful rapidity of a Midwestern tornado. We must make our plans in peace to offset the shock of that impact.” ~ Secretary of War Harry H Woodring.
“The administration has steadily spread the idea that government should control labor, capital, and agriculture. It has set up such controls. It has taught our people to look to Washington for a living.” ~ District attorney Thomas E. Dewey of New York, in a campaign speech at Cheyenne, Wyoming. (The Brownsville Herald Gary 28, 1940.)
CIRCUS COMING TO TOWN!
SELLO BROS. Big Three Ring Circus 25 Big Circus Acts!
All New This Year! See The International Congress Of Oddities!
Parade Of Rollicking Jesters. Trained Horses,
Lion, Ponies, Dogs And Monkeys!
Aerialists Clowns, Acrobats.
Jo-Anne And Her Elephant “Roomba”
The Only Trained Animal Circus Coming This Year
Show grounds on Brownsville Highway opposite American Legion.
Plenty free parking spaces, popular prices.
February 9 twice daily, 2 and 8 p.m
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