By Steve Hathcock
Special to the PRESS
Moments in Time is a collection of recovered newspaper briefs and other publications, compiled by local historian, Steve Hathcock, offering a look back at the history of the Rio Grande Valley.
Steve Hathcock is a local historian and a regular columnist for the Port Isabel South Padre Press. He has spent many years collecting and sharing the history of the Rio Grande Valley, as well as treasure hunting and formerly owning an Island-based bookstore.
A Mammoth Oyster
With a shell almost eight inches in length, the giant creature was taken at Tarpon Beach yesterday by John P. St. John, president of the Padre Island Development company. This is one of the largest oysters ever pulled out of the Laguna Madre, and as Mr. St. John put it, was a “square meal” in itself. (Brownsville Daily Herald (Brownsville, Tex) April 23, 1908)
Stole a wood-saw
On trial, the fellow told the judge that he took it in joke. “How far did you carry it?” asked the judge. “Two miles,” answered the prisoner. “That’s carrying the joke too far,” remarked the judge, and the prisoner was committed for further examination. (Bandera Americana. (Brownsville, Tex.), May 15, 1852 )
Two Mail Riders Have Been Murdered Within Six Weeks Between Fort Gibson And Fort Washita
The Fort Smith Herald, of the 2d, records this incident, connected with the first murder. “It is said that the mule the first mail rider was riding when killed, did not leave the body, but stayed and fed around it for ten days when it was found by some persons passing by. The mule had to go over a mile to get water, and the faithful animal would return from his watering place to the body every day. The fact was discovered by the beaten track the mule had made going to and returning from the watering place.” (Weekly Ranchero. (Brownsville, Tex.), Dec 14, 1867)
By our telegram from Brazos, we see that four clergymen came as passengers by the steamer Austin. We are glad to see this step taken and shall regard it as one in the right direction. There is any amount of room for preachers here. We never saw a country where there was more.
Though the yellow fever is over and the hurricane past, there is still some danger here; and we would advise the new comers not to go outside of town without first saying their prayers.
Perhaps the new clergymen are coming to help build the destroyed churches, and perhaps they are sent out by the Harper Brothers to preach miscegenation. We say, let them come; the more the merrier. (Weekly Ranchero. (Brownsville, Tex.), Dec. 14, 1867)
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