Texas News Briefs Highlight Checks and Cotton Receipts
Old age assistance totaled 122 059 recipients averaging 15.95 dollars with 936 more than December and 1 699 751 dollars paid. Cotton Bowl receipts from the Texas A M and Fordham game in Dallas reached about 124 000 dollars. 84 077 Texans visited Carlsbad Cavern in 1949 per New Mexico State Tourist Bureau. Safest Texas cities by traffic fatalities in 1940 were Dallas Amarillo and Tyler. A wool top mill near New Braunfels Comal county will produce high grade worsted yarns. Dorothy Bridwell of Forestburg Montague county owns Texas smallest paper See it 24 page bi weekly 3 columns by 9 14 inches with circulation 400.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Braunfels
Comal County
Philadelphia
Texas
Dorothy Bridwell
Forestburg
Montague County
Marriage Fee Hot Check Reported in Palestine
Justice of the Peace Burton A Walker of Palestine was the victim of a hot check for 2.50 dollars presented as a marriage fee by an unknown man.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Justice of the Peace
Burton A. Walker
Palestine
Shortest US Highway 219 Runs Two Blocks to Sam Houston Grave
State Highway 219, called the shortest highway in the United States by the Highway Department, is located in Huntsville. It spans two blocks and leads directly to the grave of Sam Houston.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
The
Highway Department
Huntsville
Sam Houston
Texans Employed by U S Government End of 1939
The Civil Service Commission report shows 30 585 Texans, nearly half a percent of the state population, were employed by the executive branch of the United States government at year end 1939.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U.S
Texas
Executive Branch
United States
Civil Service Commission
Little Woman Beats Thief After Clothes Snatch
Francis G. de Harris of El Paso, a small woman under 100 pounds, confronted a thief stealing her clothes and beat him with a chair until police arrived. The assailant suffered torn garments as a result of the struggle.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Francis G. de Harris
el Paso
Highway workers at risk as motorists strike slowing signs
State highway officials warn road employes at work face fatal danger from careless drivers. Despite signs barricades and flagmen, about four workers die yearly in such incidents, underscoring ongoing safety concerns.
Bat may disappear from Texas prison system
Dr Sidney M Lister chairman of the Prison Board says a committee is investigating substitute disciplinary measures after the leather strap known as the bat may be eliminated from Texas prisons due to ongoing reform efforts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
Sidney M. Lister
Lightning Hits Twice In Tyler Burglary Return
A local youth nicknamed Lightning, released after a two year term for box car theft at a Tyler grocery company, is jailed again for burglarizing a box car on the same siding.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tyler
Pearl Found in Oyster Brings Big Value for Woman
Mrs. George Henley of Loraine in Mitchell county bought a 15 cent can of oysters. In one oyster she discovered a pearl valued by jewelers at 75 to 100 dollars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mitchell County
George Henley
Loraine
Ferocious wolverine added to San Antonio Zoo
The San Antonio Zoo welcomes a wolverine, a carnivorous wild animal captured in Alaska and believed to be the sole wolverine in a Southern zoo. Fort Worth hunter George Calvert, who previously killed one in Alaska, calls the species exceptionally ferocious.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Antonio Zoo
Alaska
George Calvert
Fort Worth
Daughter of Austin's First Colony Dies at 88
Mrs. Lula Bell McCormick, aged 88, daughter of Stephen F. Austin colony's first child, died in Dallas on January 5. She was granddaughter of Josiah Hughes Bell, one of Austin's original 13 colonists who laid out Bell's Landing, later Columbia, the Republic of Texas first capital.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austin
Lula Bell McCormick
Stephen F. Austin
Texas
Dallas
McCormick
Josiah Hughes Bell
Bell's Landing
Columbia
Republic of Texas
Illegal use of protected bird feathers on hats warned
State Game Warden A. W. Lewis warns Dallas hat stores that plumes from protected game birds cannot be used on hats or for any purpose. He notes hens roosters ducks and tame pheasants are not restricted and identifies 15 nonprotected wild bird varieties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Milady
A. W. Lewis
Dallas
Lewis
UT Records The Hitler Blues At Navasota
University of Texas archivist William A Owens records a folk song titled NY Hitler Blues near Navasota sung by Brazos River bottom African Americans who call the author The Grey Ghost The last stanza envisions peace after Hitler's death with references to Mussolini and a warning to do one best.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
University of Texas
William A. Owens
Navasota
Brazos River
Hitler
Mussolini
Texas records 1737 traffic deaths in 1940 total
State Police report the final count for 1940 Texas traffic fatalities is 1,737, up 174 from 1939. The data quantify road losses and reflect yearly trends in fatalities for the state police record.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
Defense contracts and expenditures in Texas rise to 210 million
National defense contracts and expenditures in Texas up to January 30 totaled 210,898,884 dollars, stated B. Frank White, acting State director for the government.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
B. Frank White
Military Population in Texas to reach 65207 by February
The Eighth Corps Area headquarters announced Texas will have a military population of 65 207 by mid February with planned increases each following month.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
Eighth Corps Area Headquarters
Indian Fighter Samuel J. Parker Dies at 95
Celina resident Samuel J. Parker age 95 a Confederate veteran and early day Indian fighter trail driver and peace officer died January 1. Parker helped capture Belle Starr the famed woman outlaw.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Samuel J. Parker
Celina
Grayson County
Parker
Belle Starr
Beeville man crafts 24K wood checkerboard
C. P. Lee a woodcraftsman of Beeville Beeville county has built a 20 by 20 checkerboard from 24000 pieces of 16 varieties of Texas wood. He values the board at 1000 dollars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
C. P. Lee
Beeville
Bee County
Surplus Commodities Distribution to Texas Families
The Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation reports distributing 55,597,448 pounds of surplus commodities to 102,443 Texas families in the last fiscal year ending June.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation
Texas
200 Year Old Dictionary Unearthed Near Normangee
R V Holleman of Wealthy area Leon County owns a leather bound dictionary two centuries old. He says it was compiled by his great great grandfather Joseph Swann in 1769 when Britain ruled the country and Swann, a leatherworker, likely made the cover by hand.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Centerville News
R. V. Holleman
Normangee
Leon County
Holleman
Joseph Swann
Swann
Clarintha Draper Celebrates 103rd Birthday in Llano County
Mrs. Clarintha Draper marked her 103rd birthday at her daughter Mrs. Katie Session’s home in the Field Creek community Llano County. She came to Texas from Tennessee at age eight.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Clarintha Draper
Katie Session
Field Creek
Llano County
Texas
Tennessee
Checks Instead of Flowers Placed on Graye Grave
Mrs Lena Howard 85 who died at Littlefield Lamb county requested checks instead of flowers for her grave. Checks amounting to 200 dollars were mailed to Buckner Orphan Home near Dallas for a worthy cause.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lena Howard
Littlefield
Lamb County
Buckner Orphan Home
Dallas
Lubbock Repeats as Texas Cleanest City Trophy Winner
For the 11th straight year Lubbock wins the National Cleanup Bureau trophy in Washington DC, recognizing the city as the cleanest in Texas. The award underscores sustained citywide sanitation efforts and community involvement behind the honor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lubbock
National Cleanup Bureau
Washington, D. C
Texas
Small Town Freshmen-UT Texas Draw From Rural Areas
A UT Texas survey shows 777 of 1615 freshmen from state high schools hailed from small towns and villages, 48.1 percent. In the same period metropolitan area freshmen rose just 7.4 percent, indicating rural roots remain prominent among incoming students.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Univerity of
Texas
State salvage drive aims to recycle 900 tons of plates
Texas units launch a nationwide hunt to collect 900 tons of discarded automobile license plates from scrap heaps. Plates will be shipped to Britain for shell casings and other munitions, with garages urged to pile plates for pickup by DAV chapters and transport to British consular directions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Britain
DAV
Mile of Dimes Raises Over Three Thousand in Dallas Charity
The mile of dimes along a platform built in Elm near Akard Street in Dallas by the Salvation Army and the Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce gathered $3,184.20. Citizens donated the coins to bring happiness to underprivileged children at Christmas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Elm
Akard Streets
Dallas
Salvation Army
Puncture-savers clear miles of highways in 1940 roll
During the months ending August 81, 1940 the two magnetic nail picker machines operated on state highways covering 5 770 miles. They collected 80 755 pounds of metal at an average of 14 pounds per mile with a cost of about 9 10 cents per pound. The metal includes nails tobacco beer cans bolts screws spikes wire nuts and horseshoes.
Safety record compare for Tex major cities in census report
The Census Bureau report lists motor-vehicle death counts for 1989 and 1940 in major Texas cities. It shows El Paso 72 in 1940 and 81 in 1989, Houston 95 in 1989 and lower in 1940, San Antonio 66 in 1989 and 53 in 1940, with other cities showing varied figures.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
Census Bureau
Sadantian Wieder Vies
el Paso
Eagnecenane
Houston
San Antonio
Oldest Texas banker refuses to quit after sign
Angus McMillan 82 Johnson county's oldest banker runs a small private Joshua bank that he opened years ago. A notice on the bank door declared liquidation last year, but depositors kept coming and borrowing. McMillan said he cannot quit as friends rely on him and he will stay as long as they want him.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Angus McMillan
Johnson County
Joshua
McMillan
One Dollar Investment Nets $3450 in Oil Deal
J W Truss of Tyler made a $1 land purchase in Hawkins Wood county in 1917. He has sold a lease and half royalty for $3450 and may receive $2400 more for the remaining royalty. The oil development spurred the gains from a tiny stake.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shreveport Times
J. W. Truss
Tyler
Truss
Hawkins
Wood County
Co-eds Rank High in Learnin at UT Experts Say
Sour Lake visitor reports University of Texas officials note co ed students surpass men in grades. Registrar's figures show girls averaging 1.345 grade points versus 1.134 for boys.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sour Lake
University of Texas
Odor Drives El Paso Family to Consider Moving
For a month a strange animal under the Savage home disturbed the family in El Paso. Despite repeated digging and scratching no glimpse was seen. A neighbor suggested trapping it, and they discovered a skunk. Mrs. Savage quips they may have to move bag and baggage to escape the odor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Savage
el Paso
Salt Deposits of Rio Grande Reported by Engineers
The Rio Grande and its tributaries deposit about five tons of salt into the Gulf of Mexico each minute, according to a survey by engineers of the International Boundary Commission.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rio Grande
Gulf of Mexico
International Boundary Commission
Bill to Set Up Home Defense in Texas House Passes
Texas House approved a bill to create home defense units to serve when the Texas National Guard is on active duty. Nearly 200 cities already organized Home Guards, now to be legalized under the adjutant general. Federal government pledges arms and uniforms to these units soon.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas House of Representatives
Senate
Texas
Texas National Guard
Noted Wolf Catcher Dies at 65 in California
John R. Abernathy known as Jack, a pioneer Texan who captured wolves bare handed for Theodore Roosevelt on the 101 Ranch in Oklahoma, died of a heart attack in Long Beach California at age 65.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John R
Jack) Abernathy
Theodore Roosevelt
Oklahoma
Long Beach
California
Italy city marks 25 years without highway crash fatalities
Italy in Ellis County celebrates a quarter century with no fatal auto or truck accidents on its main street and adjacent interurban line district. The record notes traffic conditions include a federal and state highway and a busy interurban line dividing the street. The milestone reflects safety efforts by local authorities and residents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
City of
Italy
Ellis County
Legislators Get Headache Remedy Coffee Gifts
A Houston Chronicle report notes each Austin legislator received a pound of coffee from a coffee company. A wag teased the gift as a remedy for upcoming legislative headaches.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Houston Chronicle
Austin
Mexicans See Record Tourist Influx Through Laredo Port
A 1940 tally shows 26,406 motor vehicles crossed into Mexico via Laredo, carrying about three people each, totaling roughly 79,218 American tourists, as reported by Charles Mumm of the AAA branch in Laredo.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mexico
Laredo
Charles Mumm
American Automobile Association
Truck Demolishes $25,000 Bridge on Rural Highway
A $25,000 bridge on the Taylor Lexington highway in Williamson County was demolished when struck by a truck. Neither the truck nor the driver suffered damage or injuries.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Taylor-Lexington
Williamson County
Flying tackle brings down thief in Dallas jewelry heist
SMU players Lynn Bostick and Bob Maddox tackled a fleeing thief in Dallas who had stolen diamonds worth 2200 dollars from a local jewelry store. The dramatic stop halted the escape and secured the scene.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lynn Bostick
Bob Maddox
Footsball
SMU
Dallas
55 Prisoners Escape From Texas Prisons Reported
J. S. Ellington, head of the Texas prison system, said 1940 escapees total 55.8 percent below the five year average. He added that 28 of the escapees have been recaptured.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J. S. Ellington
Texas Prison System
Texas
Piano Disappears In Tornado Near Madisonville
A tornado that destroyed the George Franklin home in Madisonville, Madison County, killed Mr. and Mrs. Franklin and a daughter. The piano was carried away and remains missing, though the piano stool has been found. Debris blew two miles. a wood stove traveled 100 yards with its legs still burning.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Big Spring Herald
George Franklin
Madisonville
Madison County
Texas Memorial Museum Receives 200 Varied Gavels
Gavels totaling 200 were presented to the Texas Memorial Museum in Austin by former Vice President John Garner. They are crafted from wood metal horns leather and rock. One gavel uses 50 different Texas woods and another uses timber from a pecan tree planted by General Sam Houston.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Garner
TMM
Texas Memorial Museum
Austin
John Garner
Texas
Sam Houston
Two Teachers Meet at State Convention in Fort Worth
Miss Minnie Behrns of Huntsville and Miss Minnie Behrns of Arlington, not related, both teach mathematics and science at their respective schools. They met for the first time recently while attending the Texas State Teachers Association annual convention in Fort Worth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ripley
Minnie Behrns
Sam Houston State Teachers College
Huntsville
Walker County
Arlington High School
Fort Worth
Texas State Teachers’ Association
Ancient bed of historic lineage in San Antonio home
John Shaffer of 407 Adams Street owns a four poster mahogany bed said to predate the Declaration of Independence. The heirloom was carved by a slave on the Avondale plantation and is held together with wooden pegs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
San Antonio
John Shaffer
Adams Street
Young Shaffer
Avondale
Beware of Tularemia Tulare ia alert for Texas hunters
The State Game Department warns hunters to handle wild rabbits with care to avoid tularemia also called rabbit fever. Avoid cleaning rabbits with open cuts and watch for signs such as slow movement or tiny white spots on the liver indicating infection.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
State Game Department
Texas
Also Mentioned on This Page
BRIEF
Texas News
State
Texas A. & M
Fordham
Carlsbad Cavern
New Mexico
Amarillo
Wolverine
Small Town” School
Terra-Firma
Fort Sam Houston
Bill
Mac
Boughner
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!