Special to El Rrun-Rrun
Not only did the enterprising ladies at the meeting decide to take prompt and vigorous steps to abate the dust nuisance, but the preliminary steps were taken toward organizing what eventually became the Brownsville Civic League.
* Did you know that a descendant of “Sitting Bull,” - the Hunkpapa Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance to United States government - spent the last days in a Brownsville charity home?
It was at this site located at Madison and Sixth Streets that Princess Wildflower Kihuee, granddaughter of the chief, was treated by the Sister of the Holy Ghost. In 1947, the Princess told her story to Gene Barton, Herald staff writer.
* In 1930, Valley law enforcement were advised to be in the lookout for Detroit and Chicago gangsters in the area. The mission of these bad men - according to our overzealous law enforcement types - was to kidnap prominent valley men for ransom. One of these proposed victims, was C.P. Barreda, one of the best-known business men in the RGV, and one the largest land-owners in this section. The other target for ransom was Juan Cross of Matamoros, possessor of a larger fortune.
* Night football was a feature of the 1935 season. Football soared to a new high through the medium of night football electric plants which opened this field of entertainment to thousands who could not attend afternoon games. At least eight high school teams played under the floodlights and more
plants more were added before the season got into full swing. All the three “A” teams, Brownsville, Harlingen and Edinburg - played under the lights, as well at McAllen, Weslaco, San Benito, Raymondville, Mission..
* One of the Valley’s singular armed services record for active participation on the battlefields of World War II was held by the Walter Blanchard family of Brownsville. The Blanchard’s lived at 744 Ringgold Street when all six sons joined the war effort. They were Fred, Basil, Frank, Robert, Lester and Walter.
* In the 1945 Charro Days a new feature took the stage with a bang. The bombing of “Tokyo” took place at the high school football field with a firework display prior to the bombing activities. The Tokyo set went up in flames as miniature airplanes gilded over their target and unloaded a
barrage of bombs.
* The Brownsville Junior High football team of 1927 played a brilliant game from the outset, defeating a Palestine, Texas, team in a thriller. The victory gave the city team a state title at the time, news accounts say that the stadium was filled with of the largest crowds ever assembled for a football game in Brownsville. Herald headlines read: “Victors Annex Texas Title by 13-0.”
* An incident in Brownsville in 1929, according to some who lived near Washington Plaza, fueled a religious end-of-the world craze in the city. While a congregation near to the park was deep in prayer, flashes of colored lights penetrated through the open windows. This followed with a holler, “Repent ye, sinners; the world is coming to an end. Well! It just happened that they were testing the light-play of the Washington Park fountain, which was confused for a life-ending event.
* A lot of belief in magic and the supernatural clung to the Washington Park fountain over the years. Curanderas and other little old ladies would go to the fountain at night and fill small bottles full of the magic water. By the next day, they’d vent their disgust when they noticed the magic water had turned colorless. “Another one of those gringo tricks,” they’d mumble bitterly.
*A new Brownsville youth center is born. It was 1945, when “El Aguila” club opened to Brownsville High School, Saint Joseph Academy and Junior College students. The center was in the Masonic Temple, the lower floor and grounds being furnished free of charge. The purpose of the El Aguila was to furnish a place for teen age boys and girls to “have fun.”
The club room consisted of a game and reading room, ping-pong room, soft drink bar and dance hall with juke box. Outdoor diversion was furnished by miniature golf, badminton and horse-shoe pitching. All these were made possible by the Junior Service League, in cooperation and financial support of Brownsville organizations, civic Clubs and individuals. This was an era when we all got along.
* Play Hour Arranged for "under-privileged” youngsters in Brownsville made its debut in 1927. Play was important then as it is now, but today, it’s not “in to be out.” Regulated playground activities along with team sports was made possible by J.W. Irvine, athletic director of all Brownsville
schools. Every child in the city was invited to come out to the high stadium every Saturday morning from 9 until noon. No child was left behind, as the director declared, “It matters not if you do not attend school."
* Did you know that a descendant of “Sitting Bull,” - the Hunkpapa Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance to United States government - spent the last days in a Brownsville charity home?It was at this site located at Madison and Sixth Streets that Princess Wildflower Kihuee, granddaughter of the chief, was treated by the Sister of the Holy Ghost. In 1947, the Princess told her story to Gene Barton, Herald staff writer.
* In 1930, Valley law enforcement were advised to be in the lookout for Detroit and Chicago gangsters in the area. The mission of these bad men - according to our overzealous law enforcement types - was to kidnap prominent valley men for ransom. One of these proposed victims, was C.P. Barreda, one of the best-known business men in the RGV, and one the largest land-owners in this section. The other target for ransom was Juan Cross of Matamoros, possessor of a larger fortune.
* Night football was a feature of the 1935 season. Football soared to a new high through the medium of night football electric plants which opened this field of entertainment to thousands who could not attend afternoon games. At least eight high school teams played under the floodlights and more
plants more were added before the season got into full swing. All the three “A” teams, Brownsville, Harlingen and Edinburg - played under the lights, as well at McAllen, Weslaco, San Benito, Raymondville, Mission..
* One of the Valley’s singular armed services record for active participation on the battlefields of World War II was held by the Walter Blanchard family of Brownsville. The Blanchard’s lived at 744 Ringgold Street when all six sons joined the war effort. They were Fred, Basil, Frank, Robert, Lester and Walter.
* In the 1945 Charro Days a new feature took the stage with a bang. The bombing of “Tokyo” took place at the high school football field with a firework display prior to the bombing activities. The Tokyo set went up in flames as miniature airplanes gilded over their target and unloaded a
barrage of bombs.
* The Brownsville Junior High football team of 1927 played a brilliant game from the outset, defeating a Palestine, Texas, team in a thriller. The victory gave the city team a state title at the time, news accounts say that the stadium was filled with of the largest crowds ever assembled for a football game in Brownsville. Herald headlines read: “Victors Annex Texas Title by 13-0.”
* An incident in Brownsville in 1929, according to some who lived near Washington Plaza, fueled a religious end-of-the world craze in the city. While a congregation near to the park was deep in prayer, flashes of colored lights penetrated through the open windows. This followed with a holler, “Repent ye, sinners; the world is coming to an end. Well! It just happened that they were testing the light-play of the Washington Park fountain, which was confused for a life-ending event.* A lot of belief in magic and the supernatural clung to the Washington Park fountain over the years. Curanderas and other little old ladies would go to the fountain at night and fill small bottles full of the magic water. By the next day, they’d vent their disgust when they noticed the magic water had turned colorless. “Another one of those gringo tricks,” they’d mumble bitterly.
*A new Brownsville youth center is born. It was 1945, when “El Aguila” club opened to Brownsville High School, Saint Joseph Academy and Junior College students. The center was in the Masonic Temple, the lower floor and grounds being furnished free of charge. The purpose of the El Aguila was to furnish a place for teen age boys and girls to “have fun.”
The club room consisted of a game and reading room, ping-pong room, soft drink bar and dance hall with juke box. Outdoor diversion was furnished by miniature golf, badminton and horse-shoe pitching. All these were made possible by the Junior Service League, in cooperation and financial support of Brownsville organizations, civic Clubs and individuals. This was an era when we all got along.
* Play Hour Arranged for "under-privileged” youngsters in Brownsville made its debut in 1927. Play was important then as it is now, but today, it’s not “in to be out.” Regulated playground activities along with team sports was made possible by J.W. Irvine, athletic director of all Brownsville
schools. Every child in the city was invited to come out to the high stadium every Saturday morning from 9 until noon. No child was left behind, as the director declared, “It matters not if you do not attend school."
1 comment:
Interesting reading!
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