Moments in Time

Editor’s Note: Moments in Time is a collection of recovered newspaper briefs and other publications, compiled by local historian, Steve Hathcock, that offer a look back at the history of the Rio Grande Valley and the rest of the world.

PENSIONED HORSES LEFT BEHIND ON TRIP
BROWNSVILLE—Some 300 horses and men left Fort Brown this week for division maneuvers in West Texas, and three aged veterans watched them go. Two did not much care, because their life of ease was very satisfactory to them. The third, age approximately 90 years, was a little sad, because he remembered many previous maneuvers. The three were Fort Brown’s pensioned horses, Dobbin, Major and Roco.
Dobbin is 33, which is equivalent to nearly a century in a human being. Old Dobbin has been in the army 30 years and has been in service on the border all of his army life. He is retired now on a pension of three squares meals a day, no work, and a clean bed to sleep in.
DOBBIN VERY SAD AS YOUNGER MOUNTS LEAVE POST
Soldiers say Dobbin gets very lonesome, when other horses are away. Until two years ago, He was taken on hikes by the troops. His last hike was 700 miles, and he stood it as well as the younger horses. Dobbin was a trooper’s mount, and the other two horses, Major and Roco, two inseparables, still are used in light work occasionally, mostly for exercise. (Editor’s note: this was originally published in the Valley Sunday Star — Monitor — Herald on March 20, 1938.)

NEW ISLAND MOTEL
Construction is moving right along on the new 77 unit Sea Island Resort Hotel on Padre Beach, with the new business scheduled to be open in time for summer trade. Included in the new hotel is a private club, a swimming pool, dining rooms, 500 feet of private beach and an air conditioned lobby. The units will have TV and there will also be a dress and gift shop in the lobby area. (Editor’s note: this was originally published in the Port Isabel Press, on March 18, 1960)