The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 15, 1988 Page: 2 of 8
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RIO GRANDE HERALD RIO GRANDE CITY, TEXAS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15,19N PAGE 2
Historical Society Notes
By: GEORGE H. EbGERTON
The weekly "EL GENIO"
published in Rio Grande City
during the 1870s has an interesting
financial statement for Starr Coun-
ty for the year ending December
31st, 1877.
This item furnished to me by
Mrs. Estela Contreras was a
reprint in an issue of the Starr
County Democrat which was
published in the middle 1930s by
Jose Ma Longoria of La Grulla.
At that time a new political
faction called the Frw Voters
Party had been organized opposed
to the "Old Party" then in power.
The Starr County Democrat was
the voice of this new political
party. The Editor, J.M.L., told us
that to his knowledge this was the
last financial statement published
by the County, thus failing to
comply with the law.
Incidentally, this writer does not
recall seeing such a statement
published.The Longoria family
happened to have preserved other
copies of this paper (El Genio).
Incidentally, the Free Voters
Party was soundly defeated by the
incumbents except in La Grulla
which has always been an in-
dependent minded community.
Eventually, after the war,
numerous former "Old Party"
people joined with the original
"Free Voters Party" elements and
formed the "New Party" which
succeeded in taking over the
county and school systems.
The financial statement shows
that a mere 111 years ago Starr
County's entire financial operation
did not exceed $5000 for the whole
year though the county covered a
substantially larger area then.
The total net receipis were
$4973.64 and total expenditures
were $3481.67 leaving a surplus of
$1491.97. The sheriff's salary for
the year was $150, and the county
judge earned $300.
James Barbour was paid $63.
"for working on public roads."
That name is familiar to me
because the Barbour family oper-
ated a dairy here around the turn
of the century.
This writer's mother attending
school here at about 12 or 13 years
of age was boarded with the
Barbours and in payment my
grandmother, Pilar, furnished a
rotating herd of thirty fresh cows
for the dairy. Pilar was very
independent, owning cows and
money and even her own land
separately from her husband Alex.
Mary was boarded because her
parents still lived at their 10,000
acre "Miramar" ranch in Hidalgo
County.
Back to county finances. By 1935,
fifty three years ago, the total of
assessed taxes was $64,594. The
county's population was then (1930
census) 11,409. Our population has
tripled today while our county
expenditures are around 50 times
higher. Times do change.
The population of Rio Grande
City was 2283, up from around 1000
in 1911. It is interesting to compare
that year with McAllen which had
400 inhabitants.
Many of us here are still not too
comfortable with political dis-
cussions and respecting that, I
tread lightly in that area. Still we
should recognize that our history
does include periodic political
turmoil. We had the Reds (Demo-
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crats) and the Blues (Re-
publicans).
There were parallel political
bouts in our neighboring county of
Hidalgo. I have a letter dated
December 5th, 1881 to W.H. Russel,
Esq. in Brownsville from A.M.
Headley at Miramar Ranch, Hidal-
go County, stating in part" 'One by
one of the roses fade!' I have just
heard of the killing of Sheriff
Martin and his friend, Henry.
Terrible, ain't it?! How long will it
be before my or your turn? The
outlook is gloomy to say the least."
James B. Wells of Brownsville
was the political kingpin of the
entire Valley area ten years before
and after the turn of the century.
A good book covering this period
is titled, "Boss Rule in South
Texas" by Evan Anders and
published by the University of
Te\as Press in 1982.
This South Texas area has had
an extraordinary influence far
beyond its boundaries because of
block voting patterns. Wells put
John Nance Garner in Congress to
become House Speaker and later
Vice-President.
Some of us, expecially women,
dislike politics, but it runs the
country from the White House to
the precinct. We could not be a
democracy without politics. The
history of Starr County politics has
unfortunately been dominated by
factions which retain power too
long as in the case of PRI in
Mexico.
We will try to provide some
political history in a future column,
hopefully not stepping on some-
body's toes. The subject is after all
a very major part of history.
Vela Completes
Army Basic Training
Army Reserve Pvt. Rolando
Vela, son of Zaragosa Vela of 166
San Elogio Street in Rio Grande
City, has completed basic training
at Fort Campbell, Ky.
During the training, students
received instruction in drill and
ceremonies, weapons, map
readings, tactics, military
courtesy, military justice, first aid,
and Army history and traditions.
Preceptor Iota Chi Ends
Summer, Starts New Year
By: DIANA PETERSON
The Texas Preceptor Iota Chi
Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi gath-
ered for pool-side activities and a
"Yummy" salad luncheon at the
home of Tissa Peterson in August.
Members spent a relaxing af-
ternoon exchanging stories and
highlights of their summer vaca-
tions. Others recounted the adven-
tures of sending a daughter or son
to college for the first time.
Much fun and laughter were
enjoyed by all. The gathering
ended with the announcement of
the Beginner's Day social which
was set for Aug. 29, 1988 with
Socorro Canales serving as hostess.
The first regular meeting of the
1988-89 year of Texas Preceptor
Iota Chi of Beta Sigma Phi was
held Sept. 5, 1988 at the home of
Alma Gonzalez.
President Martha Gonzalez
opened the meeting with the
traditional reciting of the "Opening
Ritual." Program chairman Tissa
Peterson distributed the program
books for the year, and necessary
revisions were made. The pro-
grams for the year will be First
Ladies in the White House.
Possible projects for the year
were discussed and agreed upon.
Plans for the Valentine Sweetheart
Dance decorations were in-
troduced, and the members plan to
work on them beginning this
month.
Martha Gonzalez gave the pro-
gram for the evening. Martha
Curtis Washington, wife of our
nation's first president, was the
topic. She was the first lady from
1789-1797.
During the was with the British
while her husband fought at Valley
Forge, and at the camp battle in
Morristown, N.J., Mrs. Washington
was with her husband. Her time
was spent making bandages, and
supporting the troops as best as she
could.
At the time of her death in 1802,
she was buried at Mr. Vernon
'reside her husband. Other inter-
esting facts about her life with
President Washington before they
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became the "First Family" were
presented.
After the program, Mrs.
Gonzalez served a delicious meal
which was enjoyed by all.
The next meeting will be held
Sept. 19, 1988 at the home of Elia
Perez in Roma.
Ruth Adella Circle
Holds Meeting
The first regular meeting of Ruth
Adella Circle o' St. John United
Methodist Church was held at the
home of Mrs. Boone LaGrange for
a covered dish luncheon and
business meeting.
Special guests were from
McAllen, Weslaco, Lyford, La
Feria, and local guests from First
United Methodist Church in Rio
Grande City, First Baptist Church
in Rio Grande City, and Immacu-
late Conception Catholic Churchin
Rio Grande City, and Mrs. Lynn
Allison from Zavalla, Texas.
Rev. Joanna Mortimer of Lyford
Methodist Church brought the
program for the meeting. She
spoke on Jesus' parables and
modern parables showing the
Kingdom of God and how they join
together. She stated that the
church is in reality a parable, it
lives, is a promise of God's reign.
Mrs. Bill Page opened the
meeting with prayer before the
luncheon. Mrs. Oralia Pena, presi-
dent of the Circle, presided during
the business meeting
She stated that the bazaar for St.
John Church will be held on
Saturday the 3rd of December.
Mrs. Page reported that
workshops for the handwork of the
Bazaar will be held on Thursday
mornings at the church and invited
all to attend and help with the
work. Dorothy Anderson closed the
meeting with prayer.
Rio High Students
To Take Exit Level
TEAMS Test
On October 25 and 26, juniors and
seniors will be taking the Exit
Level Texas Educational Assess-
ment of Minimum Skills Test in
Mathematics and English language
arts at the Multipurpose Center,
High School Auditorium, or High
School Library.
Texas state law has mandated
that students must pass both the
mathematics and English language
arts sections of the TEAMS test by
the end of their 12th grade year in
order to receive their diplomas.
Each of the TEAMS test evaluates
student knowledge on 18 objectives.
Students who fail all or part of
the test may retake the necessary
portions on May 2 and 3 and, if
necessary, two more times during
the senior year for the juniors who
do not pass in October or May.
Marriages
The following persons have re-
cently obtained marriage licenses
in Starr County.
Rogelio Hector Martinez, 29,
Monterey, Nuevo Leon, Mex.; and
Maria Elena Ramos, 20, Corpus
Christi, Tx.
Luis Javier Guerra, 20, Cd. Mier,
Tamps; and Leticia Garcia, 20.
Roma, Tx.
Jose Armando Vidal, 26, Rio
Grande City; and Santa Rufina
Garcia, 29, Rio Grande City.
Benito Luera, Jr., 19, Falcon
Heights, Tx; and Silvia Hernandez,
18, Zapata, Tx.
Primitivo Garza, Jr., 30, Rio
Grande City; and Aucencia Reyes,
28, Rio Grande City.
David Contreras, 20, Rio Grande
City; and Adriana Lamar Cortez,
18, Rio Grande City.
Efrain Arenas, 22, Roma, Tx.;
and Sandra Salazar, 19, Roma, Tx.
Gerardo Sarabia, 22, Roma, Tx;
and Elena Flores, 16, Roma, Tx.
Baldemar Flores, 24, Sullivan
City; and Juana Soto, 30, Nuevo
Leon, Mex.
Juan de Dios Torres, 24, Houston,
Tx.; and Silvia del Rosario Garcia,
23, Houston, Tx.
Victor Miguel Ramirez, 22,
Roma, Tx; and Guadalupe del
Refugio Rodriguez, 19, Roma, Tx
Norberto Alfaro Gonzalez, 32, Rio
Grande City; and Idolina
Olivarez-Garcia, 26, Rio Grande
City.
Enrique Alanis, 25, Miguel
Aleman; and Bertha S. Bazan, 21,
Tamps Mex.
Armando Ortiz, Jr., 21,
Garciasville; and Susana Elizondo,
17, Rio Grande City.
Jose Everardo Gomez, 40, Miguel
Aleman; and Rosa Elvia Garcia,
30, Roma, Tx.
Roberto Hinojosa, 31, Rio Grande
City; and Angelica Maria Morin,
15, Comales, Tamps Mex.
Juan Flores, 41, Roma, Tx; and I
Lydia Tamez, 26, Roma, Tx.
Jose Luis Barrera, 23, Roma, Tx;
and Ignacia Elizondo, 23, Rio
Grande City.
Fidel Salazar, 37, Rio Grande
City; and Maria Yolanda Garza,
33, Rio Grande City.
Domingo Salinas, 32, Alvin, Tx.;
and Blanca Marianela Villarrea!,
27, Nuevo Leon, Mex.
Guadalupe Garcia, Jr., 15, Rio
Grande City; and Alejandra Bar-
rientos, 14, Rio Grande City.
Martin Manuel Mascorro, 20,
Roma, Tx; and Maribel Vela, 24,
Roma, Tx.
Jesus Mata, 18, Cd. Camargo;
and Maria Magdalena Mata 16,
Rio Grande City.
Juan Sanchez, 27, Houston, Tx.;
and Idalia Ayarzagoitia, 19,
Houston, Tx.
Eloy Aquiles Garcia, Jr., 26, Rio
Grande City; and Odalid Ramos,
18, Roma.Tx.
Mario Alberto Martinez, 29, Sul-
livan City; and Merida Salinas, 22,
Sullivan City.
Juan Aguilar, Jr., 29, Rio Grande
City; and Maria del Rosario
Barrera, 25, El Azucar, Tamps
Mex.
Ruben F. Villarreal, Jr., 20, Rio
Grande City; and Sandra McKee,
16, Rio Grande City.
Gabriel Talamante, 19, Falcon
Heights, Tx; and Maria Cristina
Mendez, 14, Salineno, Tx.
Jose Leonel Zamarripa-Morales,
17, Rio Grande City; and Consuelo
Teresita Cavazos, 17, Rio Grande
City.
Order Of Alhambra To
Hold Golf Tourney
El Cid Caravan No 106, the
"Order of the Alhambra", a
fraternal organization of Catholic
men in Starr and Hidalgo Counties
that works to help retarded chil-
dren, will be holding their annual
golf tournament in Mission on
Sunday, Oct. 2.
The event will take place at the
Martin Country Club Golf Course in
Mission beginning with the
"shotgun start" at 12:30 p.m. on
Oct. 2.
The tournament will be played
under a Florida Scramble type
format, with four-man teams. The
$35 entry fee includes the green
fees, the golf cart, and a barbecue
after the tournament Women are
encouraged to participate in the
tournament.
The winning teams will receive
certificates for merchandise and
trophies. The first place team
winners will receive $400, second
place, $300; third place, $200; and
fourth place, $100. Prizes will be
awarded on each par-3 hole.
The deadline for registration is
Monday, Sept 26. Only the first 72
players will be allowed to
participate
Anyone seeking further informa
tion should call tournament chair-
man Chico Larralde of Rio Grande
City at 487 2468
Sheriff Dept.
Monthly Report
The Sheriff's Department has
issued its monthly report for
August 1988
A total of 18 papers were served
through the civil process, with a
total of $515 being collected A total
of three calls were made to
attempt service, with a total of five
in unaccounted service from the
county.
A total of 496 calls were carried
out, with 148 arrests being made. A
total of 12 traffic tickets were
issued by Justices of the Peace.
A total of $402 was collected by
the Sheriff's Department and
turned in to the County Treasurer
A total of 150 calls were taken
inside the office
I
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 15, 1988, newspaper, September 15, 1988; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195150/m1/2/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.