Editor’s Note: Moments in Time is a collection of newspaper briefs and other publications recovered by historian, Steve Hathcock, that offer a look back at the history of the Rio Grande Valley and the rest of the world.
Return Padre Island treasure or else
Some time ago, a judge in Kingsville ordered State Land Commissioner Sandler to pack up all that Spanish treasure recovered off Padre Island and turn it over to the University of Texas for restoration and safekeeping.
But the judge, Paul Martineau, learned last week that Sadler still has part of the treasure in his offices. Today, he gave Sadler until tomorrow night to get rid of it. (Editor’s Note: This was originally broadcasted by WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth on Oct. 20, 1969.)
Brownsville’s best-known tin lizzy is to be replaced as fire chief, buys new wagon with all ‘41 trimmings.
The best-known tin Lizzie in Brownsville will fade out of the local picture next week when Fire Chief W. C. Walker gets a new car. Lizzie is a 1933V8 with 260,966 miles on the logbook. With the exception of one trip to San Antonio, where she was a pride of a fireman’s convention, Lizzie has run miles over the streets of Brownsville. Her successor will be a Ford two- door sedan, painted a brilliant red, with a siren, fire extinguishers, inhalator and all the other stuff fire chiefs are asked to have handy. In addition to a new car, Fire Chief Walker will get 600 feet of new hose, enough to provide a change for two trucks. The hose will replace worn sections bought in 1932. (Editor’s Note: This was originally published in the Valley Sunday Star-Monitor-Herald on Oct. 2, 1940)
Misunderstood him
A lecturer who protested against people going to sleep during his disquisitions on heathen lands would, if he perceived any tendency in that direction, introduce some queer or startling statement to revive their flagging attention.
On one occasion, when his audience seemed rather somnolent, he thundered out, “Ah, you have no idea of the sufferings of Englishmen in Central America, on account of the enormous mosquitoes. A great many of these pests would weigh a pound, and they will get on the logs and bark as the white men are passing!” By this time, all ears and eyes were wide open, and he proceeded to finish his lecture. The next day he was called upon to explain his extraordinary statements.
“But I didn’t say one mosquito would weigh a pound,” he protested, “I did say a great many of them would. I think perhaps a million of them might also do so.” “But you said they bark at the missionaries,” insisted his interrogator. “No, no, my dear friend. I said they would get on the logs and on the bark. You misunderstood me.” (Editor’s Note: This was originally published in The Brownsville Daily Herald on Oct. 31st, 1899)
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