Wilson County News, June 22, 2016
By Lois Wauson
Rainy Days and Starry Nights

I found an old newspaper in my cedar chest. It was in a box with other things I saved. I loved reading the Floresville Chronicle-Journal back in the 1940s and I especially loved reading the Local and Personal items. You could catch up on all the news in the county — who was visiting who. I wish we had that type of news now.

I read where O.J. Bomba, a popular druggist from Poth, was visiting in Floresville that week, and dropped by the newspaper office. Also, Superintendent Jack Lane from Poth was in the office with commencement exercises information for the paper, for Poth High School.

You could call Pat Groves for water-well repair, and buy husky AAA baby chicks for only $11.90 per 100 from Rainosek’s Hatchery in Sweet Home, Texas.
I read where Mr. and Mrs. Milton Haese and Charles Haese of La Vernia were in Floresville visiting that week. Now in 1947 that was news! And people liked reading it. It was personal and real.
Commencement news for Floresville High School made the front page, and Joan Varnon was valedictorian and Ethel Sellers was salutatorian. There were nearly 1,000 people at the event. With 34 high school seniors receiving diplomas, the whole town must have turned out.

Since I went to Poth High School, I didn’t know many people from Floresville, but lots of my friends did. They also liked to date the Floresville boys. In those days I didn’t date. No one asked me on a date, but I was very picky, and probably would not have gone, unless it was the one boy I had a crush on.

My favorite article in the paper was an ad for a farm for sale. It was in the Local and Personal items column. B.B. Sawyer, who I didn’t know at that time and was a realtor, had a farm for sale. His daughter, Lessie Wauson, became my sister-in-law when I married her husband’s brother, Eddie Wauson, in 1950. Her husband, Richard Wauson, had just become the principal and teacher at the Kasper School. I didn’t go to Kasper School anymore, but my brothers and sisters did. I didn’t know that I would marry Richard Wauson’s brother some day. I had just met Richard and Lessie that school year, when they first moved to the house beside Kasper School called the “Teacherage.” It was right up the lane from our house near the school.

This farm that B.B. Sawyer was advertising was a great buy. It was a 100-acre stock farm, 2 miles out of Floresville, and had an 8-room house with electricity. It had a well, mill, two underground cisterns, three barns, chicken house, tenant house, 13 acres of corn, 23 acres of melons, and 55 acres of hegari (for those who don’t know what that is, it is a sorghum or grain), all that for only $8,750. Of course, that was a lot of money in those days. What would that farm be worth today? Several hundred thousand dollars? I wonder what happened to that farm and who bought it? Wouldn’t it be interesting to know?

As I read the ad about the big country sausage supper next Sunday at Sokol Hall, and then the dance later that night, with music by Mac’s Orchestra of Floresville, my thoughts went back to 1947, and I was that 15-year-old girl daydreaming about the weekend ahead of me, with a break from the fields — if I got enough money — for the movie matinees on Saturdays and the dances and sausage suppers that were my highlights in the doldrums and hard work of our family on the farm.

But I didn’t go to the dance at Sokol, because I didn’t even know where the dance hall was. I just knew it was close to Floresville. I had never been there, but some of my girlfriends went to the dances and always had a good time. So I probably stayed home that Saturday night and listened to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio.

A 60-year-old newspaper reminded me that I did leave that life behind. But I am glad to have these memories to remind me where I have come from, my heritage and a strong loving family, and when life and values were different and simple. In those days we appreciated the little things of life.
Editor’s note: The Sokol Hall is now the SPJST Hall.

Lois Zook Wauson is the oldest of eight children who grew up on a farm in Wilson County in the mid-20th century. After many years living in other parts of Texas, she now lives and writes in Floresville. Her two books are available from the Wilson County News office.  (Courtesy is Wilson County News.)  https://www.wilsoncountynews.com/articles/old-newspaper-makes-memories-local-and-personal/  )

By Barry Koch

Wilson County News | Aug. 22, 2023
 

Growing up in Floresville in the 50s and 60s brought many simple pleasures. Yes, my family and I did venture to San Antonio also, but for the most part we stayed in and around the Wilson County area enjoying the small town atmosphere.

 

If you are from Floresville and were born in the mid 50s, this should bring back many memories beginning with this adventure on Third Street, starting with the Floresville Lumber Company and the smell of new lumber, somewhat noxious. I can still see the long double decked tin building that seemed to extend forever. The large building and property were purchased by Howard Ware and turned into a wash-a-teria and dry-cleaning business.

 

Directly across the street was Smith Pontiac and Appliance Center. Ahh, the smell of those "huge" early model new autos. Who can forget the 1964 Pontiac Bonneville? By today's autos you could live in it!

 

Up the street the smell of leather flowed through the air at Trujillo's Boot Shop. Directly across the street, the heavenly smells of Carleen's Dairy Dream. Who can forget those nighttime adventures at the busy, bustling hamburger and shake "joint"; stepping up to the outside window you were quickly overcome with the smell of grease cooking your future meal. By today's standards in healthcare we should all be dead or have had cardiac bypass surgery. The shakes and malts were to die for.

 

Directly up the street was the Dismukes property. If you ever walked there in the morning you were overcome by the pungent smell of those cottonwood trees with those pesky blooms that seemed to go billowing through the air. It was a necessity to walk fast or get "overcome by the fragrance and plastered by the blooms"!

 

A short trip northwest and you were at Sheehy Chevrolet Company. Bill Sheehy was a great man and always let us sit in those "new" cars and trucks; of course it seemed to help that our dad was a mechanic there. The oil and grease in early auto shops like this had an odor you could never forget and not transformed into today's pristine auto dealerships. The smell continued at Sheehy's until it burned flat to the ground in the 60s.

 

On the same side of the street was another exciting place, especially on Saturdays – "Arcadia Theatre". Who can forget the smell of hot buttered popcorn, sweettarts, and large sodas – need I say more. We were all sorry to see it close BUT today it has been revitalized and restored allowing for future generations to once again enjoy movies and take their dates to a local establishment.

 

I'm sure I'm missing some smells from places but those that are brought to the readers attention were the ones I remember most.

 

Up and around the corner heading west on "C" Street, one would again get a "whiff" of the smell of leather at Frank Vela's Saddle Shop. There you could see saddles made and repaired as well as have your boots or shoes fixed. That location also housed Wolfe Johnson's Tailor Shop – the first dry cleaners in Floresville, "I think". This area now houses the Wilson County News - a great place to visit and get a paper. It was one of the first places I had business cards and copies made. Great people. Always willing to help.

 

Proceeding further west you were overcome by the "out of this world and never to be copied" Trevino Bakery. I couldn't resist those warm glazed yeast donuts, spectacular cinnamon rolls, baked bread – so soft it melted in your mouth and last but not least, a pastry that had a red jelly topping with coconut sprinkled on it. I have since forgotten the name, but never the taste. I can still see the "sweets" being handed to me over the glass counter by Ms. Trevino. She had a smile a mile wide and always had a friendly, positive message that made you right at home and wanting to come back.

 

Directly across the street was the "old" fire station - a location I remember all too well. It had a smell I will never forget. Our family spent a lot of time there. My dad was a volunteer fireman and we spent many Saturday afternoons and evenings washing hoses and stringing them up on the drying racks under the siren; along with moving each truck out to the street, and giving it a good washing, drying and polishing. Dad was a real stickler that it was done right. Mom, my brother and I followed suit. The best part was when we got to sit in those trucks, as when they were finished, dad would drive them, with us, around the block.

 

Up the street heading east you would come to I.D. Flores Drug. You just had to go in there for sodas and candy. If the fragrances didn't overpower you, the sights of all the different bottles, medications, wheelchairs, crutches and walkers would. In the back Mr. Flores, "NASH" as he was known, always had a friendly smile and would talk to us and give us a sweet treat. Always free. Go to the modern day chain pharmacies and see if that will ever happen....

 

Moving on and going back north on Third Street you came to Conoly Herry Drug. This was owned by Dan Conoly and Mike Herry, the pharmacists. Once you opened the door, the smell of perfumes, powders and pharmaceuticals hit you. Besides the smell, there were gifts and glassware - every shape and color. As you went to the back you could smell the fresh coffee brewing and see the morning local men's group conversing and enjoying a hot cup, or two, or three. They were solving the problems of the day. In the afternoon it was a great place to get a scoop of ice cream - yeah, buddy!

 

Further north was the White House Cafe -- a great places to get a meal. Everyone went there for food and fellowship. If the problems of the day were not settled at Conoly Herry Drug, they were certainly at White House Café. Who can forget "Uncle Fritz" Teltschik, the owner and one of the first Band Directors at Floresville High School. Another friendly local face.

 

Across the street and farther south was Merchant's Grocery - the largest grocery at the time. A multitude of aromas came from here - the Merchants, as well as J.C. Turner always made sure the merchandise was fresh and visually appealing. 

 

Around the corner and to the  north on "C" street again were some small restaurants and some of Floresville's first "Beer Joints" as they were so called. At nighttime they were some of the only open establishments and were very alive and active.

 

Proceeding further we can begin to inhale the smell of fried food. It overpowers us and draws us into Hilda Dunn's Café. Who can ever forget the owner, Hilda Dunn; a jovial, friendly mainstay in both Floresville and Wilson County. A person could drive a short distance and enjoy a lunch or dinner that was to die for. Yes, she was always very friendly, especially to firemen as the grease on her stove frequently required a response from the fire department. Once the call came in that "Hilda's" was on fire, it seemed like every volunteer fireman in Floresville responded; something that NEVER occurs with any volunteer fire department today. This establishment was not only a Café but also the Greyhound Bus terminal, but that's another story. Many a traveler would consume a quick cup of coffee before or after their trip to San Antonio before they headed home.

 

Let's not forget the "ICE HOUSE" in the Floresville Electric Light and Power building where "Pete" would befriend you with his smile and attention and the journey "into the cold" would begin. Once the heavy door would open, the adventure ensued. The alluring smell of the old damp wood that housed all those ever so clear, glistening blocks of ice began to overtake one's senses and made you think you were at the north pole for a short moment. Today this would never happen – taking someone to pick out a block of ice and walking with your shoes on. Now, once you exited, the health department would shut this establishment down for good. It was good to be able to reminisce for a moment though. Once a block was picked out, Pete would carry the block out, escorting us from the "land of the cold" back to reality where the block could be crushed if we so desired. I can still smell the damp wood and hope I never forget it! 

 

And, so ends the journey. I know I have missed the sights and sounds of some businesses, but these were the ones that stood out in my mind. A time missed, but never forgotten.

 

(NOTE: Barry Koch is a Senior Nature and Wildlife Writer interested in preserving both. He grew up in South Texas and has since married and brought his family to East Texas. His occasional columns appear in the Wilson County News.)

 

Cooking was very simple on the farm. We had cornbread and milk at night for supper. Daddy took our corn to get it ground into cornmeal. Mother also used the cornmeal to make mush 

our corn to get it ground into cornmeal. Mother also used the cornmeal to make mush for breakfast in hard times. I really didn't like it that much, but when you are hungry it tastes very good!

 

During the summers, we had lots of fresh vegetables. We had fresh green beans, with bits of bacon, boiled until tender. We kids had to snap the beans first. We always had lots of white summer squash. Mother made fried okra, dredged in cornmeal. She made okra gumbo, using fresh tomatoes and onions. But when she would boil the okra, which is the way Daddy liked it, we kids would have to choke it down. We hated that stuff. We ate spinach, carrots, fresh sweet peas, black-eyed peas, and pinto beans. They made us eat turnips and turnip greens, collard greens, and something called Swisschard. I hated to eat that stuff. When I grew up I loved it. Mother canned all those vegetables so that in the winter we would have vegetables. She canned tomatoes, and even made homemade catsup. We grew our own potatoes too, and after harvesting them, we kept them in a cool, dark place.

 

One of the favorite things we had to eat was macaroni and tomato sauce. That was it, plain and simple — boiled in water until tender, with only salt and pepper, adding tomatoes or tomato sauce ... usually homemade. I still like it, and so do some of my kids and grandchildren. When I want some kind of comfort food, that's what I fix.

 

Homemade noodles were one of my favorites. And I really mean homemade egg noodles! Mother didn't make them often, as it took awhile, but when she did, I was in heaven.

 

But then there was corn, which all the kids liked, either corn on the cob, or scraped from the cob, and cooked with butter and a little cream or milk. I think all kids like corn.

 

Mother made the best tomato preserves, and we would go through quart jars of that wonderful stuff, spreading it on fresh hot biscuits and fresh churned butter. I still love tomato preserves and Margaret and I try to make some every summer. My son Trent learned to make them also. He once won a blue ribbon at a county fair with his tomato preserves. Did you know tomato preserves is a delicacy? Try to find some at the grocery store. She made great peach preserves from the peaches off our tree. Another delicacy was Agarita berry jelly. Those were picked wild from the pasture.

 

For breakfast, besides the cornmeal mush, we ate oatmeal. Mother bought the largest box for us, and she would cook a large pan of oatmeal and we devoured it with fresh milk and sugar. Winter was the best time, because sometimes we would have bacon and biscuits to go with it.

 

When Daddy joined the Meat Club in the '40s, we started eating more meat. Every Saturday one of the farmers in the community would butcher a calf and take it to the central location up at Dewees. We would have beef until it ran out by the end of the week. Every week you got different cuts of meat.

 

But, then there was the bread. We had to bake bread every other day. We had to make several loaves of bread and two large pans of rolls. We girls had to make the bread. Margaret and I took turns. But what we really liked was "store-bought white bread" or "light bread." But we had to eat that home-baked bread! The only time we got to eat "light bread" was when we bought it during peanut-harvesting time, to make "lunch" for the peanut-thrashing crew!

 

Even during the Depression of the 1930s and when there was no money, there was always food on the farm. Sometimes Daddy would go hunting and shoot rabbits and we never went hungry. I think those who lived in a town or city had it worse. Especially if they could not have a garden or chickens. Feeding a family of 10 was hard for my parents, but we never went hungry, even if we didn't have pretty clothes or had to live without shoes or a nice house. For that I am so grateful.

 

Letter from Wilson County in 1873 .... compiled by Alfred Menn back in 1873, one "Saxet" — which is the name Texas in reverse — wrote an interesting letter:

 

"Colonies of Freedmen settled on the Cibolo, Several years ago and numbers of them purchased a considerable tract of land from Doctor Houston, went to work and put it in cultivation. From what I understand, they have paid the last dollar of the purchase money. They are now the landlords of good farms and comfortable houses to live in. Some of them have gardens, flowers and orchards."

 

"The merchants in Wilson County in 1873, do a good business, mostly for cash. We have three small towns in the county: Floresville, Sutherland Springs and LaVernia. We have no railroad running through our section."

 

"The wine presses of the Houston brothers were able to produce some 1,200 gallons of wine last season. This wine commands a ready sale at $3 per gallon."

 

"We have both black and white sulphur springs at Sutherland Springs."

 

"My orchard has furnished me this year with peaches, plums, grapes and figs in the greatest abundance."

 

"The corn crop I noticed on Hugh Wiseman's place, near LaVernia, would almost hide a person on horseback. Saxet."

 

Wilson County in 1876: The editor of The Frontiersman visited in Floresville in 1876, 80 years ago. He had this to say:

 

"First passing through the assemblage of Mexican habitations known as Lodi, the traveler takes his choice as to which of the two villages is the superb of the other, they being located only a short distance from each other."

 

"Floresville, in 1876, is a young town of board structures, unfenced and incomplete. There are two or three hotels, two or three stores, and a number of temporary-looking houses. There is also a town well."

 

"The blessed Sunday law is in operation in Floresville, and no hungry and weary traveler has a chance to buy refreshments for himself, or feed for his horse, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m."

 

"Wilson County had been drenched by frequent heavy rains, and the local farmers were sure that Wilson would be one of the banner counties in this section. Heavy rains!"

 

The following is reported just as we found it (1876): Sutherland Springs is getting to be quite a village in 1876. The town was laid out in 1854, by the late Dr. Sutherland, sometime before the County of Wilson was organized. At one time the place was the county seat of Wilson County, until Floresville became the county seat in later years.

 

D. and A. Oppenheimer, of San Antonio, own a fine mill here, consisting of cotton gin, sawmill and gristmill.

 

There are many excellent orchards here.

 

Landowners have cut up over 20,000 acres of good land into small tracts, within six miles of Sutherland Springs, and put it on the market at from $2 to $3 per acre.

 

On crossing the Cibolo, on whose banks the town is built, one can smell the immense Sulphur Spring, ten feet in diameter, boiling up with gas, like a large cauldron; and, to add to his surprise, he finds, on jumping into this tempting bath, that the human body floats around, and is tossed about like a cork. He is astonished to find that to sink beneath the water is impossible.

 

To the left of the road, and about opposite, at a distance of some one hundred yards, is the beautiful White Sulphur Springs, ten feet in diameter, four feet deep, and discharging two or three hundred gallons of water per minute, as clear as crystal and as cold as ice!

 

Leaving these mammoth springs and driving into a dense forest over a level road, in about one mile and a half you come to the Famous Sour Spring.

 

Floresville, in 1876, had a commodious courthouse. The jail alone is said to have cost $6,000. The following were then being built in Floresville: A two-story tavern a lumberyard, three stores, gin house, a blacksmith shop and a steam mill.

 

Back in 1876 the tournament at Sutherland Springs was a popular affair. A large crowd had attended. A fine barbecue was enjoyed under the live oaks, after which 14 gaily-dressed knights, on prancing steeds, with banners flying, and music playing, appeared on the grounds. They formed in line and naturally went for the rings.

 

The first tilt was opened by Mr. Martin, Knight of the Second Sergeants, and was followed in quick succession by the other knights in the following order: Dr. Williamson, Knight of the Mutilated Heart; James Wyatt, Knight of the Sable Plume; Frank Yelvington, Knight of Mexico; Martin Covington, Knight of the Red, White and Blue; Will Hammond, Knight of the Wax Rosette; Will Warren, Knight of the Centennial; Emerson Warren, Knight of the Lone Star; Pat Craighead, Knight of the Golden Fleece; Charles Stevenson, Knight of the Cibolo; Will Loomis, Knight of the Lost Chance; T. Veery, Knight of the Spring; and Orin Stevenson, Knight of Love.

 

After an hour one of the closest contests ever witnessed in a tournament, the herald announced that the Knight of the Centennial, and the Knight of the Second Sergeants had tied at eleven rights each, for the honor of crowning the queen; the Knight of the Red, White and Blue won third honors.

 

In a few minutes after the result of the tournament was announced the crowd greeted with cheers the appearance of the beautiful Miss B- (no name given) on the platform erected for this purpose, followed her maids of honor. The sir knights on foot promptly formed a guard around the throne, when each lady in succession was crowned with appropriate ceremony.

 

During the late 1870s, the two potteries at La Vernia supplied not only all of this section of Texas, but, they also shipped a good deal of the material east of the Colorado River. And barbed-wire was being introduced to uneasy Texans. It wasn't until a few years later that serious troubles started between the large and small cattlemen in Wilson County.

 

Wilson County as described in 1876, eight years ago: Wilson County, in 1876, contains something over 900 square miles of territory, and have a population of about 5,000 persons. Wilson County has a voting strength of about 1,000.  The county seat is Floresville. The town in 1876 is improving. Floresville now has a population of about 500 persons, of whom more than one-half are Mexicans. Improved lands, in 1876, can be bought from one to three dollars per acre. In this section, in 1876, can be seen in operation, the system of large pastures, which is rapidly gaining ground as the cheapest way of raising stock among the stock-raisers.

 

Thomas Dewees has enclosed about 25,000 acres; John Camp, about 10,000 acres; Rosser, Mitchell and Presnall, about 40,000 acres; and J. Ellis, about 6,000 acres of the richest prairie land, covered with mesquite grass that furnishes food summer and winter for their stock.

 

Oats and wheat have been grown with much success.  Their acreage, in 1876, is double what it was last year. Millet, sugar-cane, peas, potatoes, Irish and sweet potatoes, melons, and pumpkins all grow and produce well.

 

A large number of persons were seeking health at the famous Sutherland Springs. Quite a number of persons had come from Galveston. Colonel Robert Houston, who lived near the springs, was then known as one of the greatest fruit-raisers in this section of Texas. He cultivated every imaginable kind of fruit.

 

We wonder how many people down here ever heard of Bill Longley. He was then one of Texas worst desperadoes. He was a cold-blooded killer. He once came into this section of Texas, but he left when life became too tame. He wasn't happy unless he was triggering his pistol

 

[This article by Alfred Menn was found in the Wilson County Texas Historical Commission Archives. Submitted by Gene Maeckel.]

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COURTESY / Wilson County News

HELENA, May 15, 1882, San Antonio Express — On leaving Fairview Wilson County Texas Sunday evening, I ran down to Graytown, called on my old friend Newton Young. I found him in his garden, hard at work. Right here let me say, give Mr. N. Young two years more experience, and old Bexar will have no better farmer. This is another of Mr. Greeley's predictions: note result. Young was stacking his oats, which was fine straw, rank, coarse and fine body, but he says they are not as heavy as they should be, because they were not sown quite early enough.

 

Oats should be sown in October or by the first of November. His oats should thrash out some fifty or sixty bushels to the acre, his onions were from sets, planted in January, they should have been planted the 1 of October. Newton showed me his watermelon vines; look promising. Said he had killed out two rows, following my advice to kill off the insects, used carbolic acid, little too strong. Instructions were ninety parts of water to ten parts of carbolic acid.

 

Planted the 1st of October. Newton showed me his watermelon vines; look promising. Said he had killed out two rows, following my advice to kill off the insects, used carbolic acid, little too strong. Instructions were ninety parts of water to ten parts of carbolic acid.

 

Mr. Young has plowed his corn over four times; he will plow again to kill out the cockle burrs, as his field was grown up in cockle burrs. I told him not to bed his corn but cultivate until level. Old Graytown will bloom again. It is entirely settled by Mexicans, perhaps 100 Mexicans. Young enjoys their confidence, he can control all the labor he wishes, and at reasonable rates. His example and advice is worth much to these Mexicans. I told young he had done wrong in sowing down his peach orchard in oats; potatoes is better. As much as I love to look at the growing crops of the farm, I never forget to notice the ladies. I must say for Mrs. Young that her milk, honey, buiscuit, coffee and yellow legged chickens, left a favorable impression with me as a housekeeper.

 

Monday morning I drove down the San Antonio river to Floresville. The prospect for a corn crop was as fine as I ever noticed in Texas. It is fifteen miles from Graytown to Floresville.

 

I called on Mr. Stout, who runs a mill and gin in Lodi (steam.) I was pleased with him, an acquisition to the country.

 

At Floresville, I called on Mr. Pickett and the Polly family. We talked Johnson grass and grapes. Old Col. A.G. Pickett asked me if I ever saw grapes growing beyond the fifth leaf on the stem from the mail vine. I told him I had not noticed. I commenced counting and added another wrinkle we live to learn until our long slumber blots out all.

 

Wilson County is a fine county, fine mail facilities, and not properly appreciated. Tuesday morning I started for Mr. C.A. Whetstone's farm. I believe next season will find more small grain sown than ever before. Here I saw a fine patch of Nicaragua wheat, from four to five feet high and large bearded heads from five to seven inches in length, wet tilled, without rust and will thrash out thirty bushels to the acre. I told Whetstone to sell this only for seed to his neighbors; he said he would sell for a dollar per bushel, and sell a 1000 bushels of oats, rust proof for thirty-five cents per bushel. I told him he could get from forty to fifty cents, he said he could make money by selling oats at thirty-three cents per bushel. Mr. Whetstone has some forty-five acres in oats looking well. His orchard had like all the balance I have seen, no fruit. Mr. C.A. Whetstone is considered the best farmer in Karnes county, and his section of the country (near Panna Maria.)I have named the Egypt of the west. Mrs. Schultz tells me her people sold more than 10,000 bushels of corn that was raised last year.

 

The stock interest brings the money and my people feed them. I tell you this Texas is a great country, and I have never seen her more prosperous. Whetstone killed twenty-five head of fine Poland China hogs. (they are fat large) and saved all with the bones in it. Whetstone planted a little late this year; he said if he planted earlier would have done better His Tennessee corn is small. Tobin, hotel man, says he had roasting ears for dinner yesterday, from native corn planted in February; corn at $1 per bushel, will be seventy-five or fifty cents.

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COURTESY/ Lost Texas Roads    Every person and place deserves their own history, and "Lost Texas Roads" chronicles a history that you can touch, history that exists around you ... it is your history.

Memories of Christmas past, 1943   .... Lois Zook Wauson is the oldest of eight children who grew up on a farm in Wilson County Texas in the mid-20th century. In the story, Lois takes us back about 80 years to a Christmas celebration.

 

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

 

The wind was icy and cold as it whipped around my legs in the cow pen as I milked the cow. My fingers grew numb and cold as the wind hit them, and I nudged my hand farther into her udder to warm my hands. It was Dec. 23, 1943. I finished milking and then went over to milk the other cow, while Junior finished up with his two cows. Then we headed for the house with our buckets full of milk sloshing out onto our jeans.

 

It was dark by then, and we had to have a kerosene lantern with us. After all, it was December and it got dark early. As we headed toward the house, we could see the glow of the light in the kitchen and the bedroom window. I could smell the wood smoke drifting up from the house. We came in and the smell of hot bread and rolls filled the house. Mother was at the stove frying ham. The smell was so good. Daddy had butchered a hog a couple weeks ago, and we would be eating ham, pork chops, and sausage for a while.

 

We would have scrambled eggs, and ham and hot rolls for supper. With the big glasses of fresh milk, we would all go to bed with full stomachs tonight. We set the long table and all the kids sat on the two long benches on either side, with Mother and Daddy at each end. The kitchen felt warm with all the people in it, and the potbellied cast iron heater gave out waves of heat as we shed our coats and prepared to eat.

 

The little kids began talking about Santa Claus coming tomorrow night. I looked around the table with seven of us kids (this was before Sammy was born), and Mother and Daddy, and knew that Santa Claus had a lot of work to do. I had quit believing in Santa Claus quite a while ago, but when I remembered those times I used to believe, it made me happy. I wanted the little ones to believe too. I helped them with their imagination.

 

When I was very young, there was always a doll for each of the girls, if only a little rubber doll, under the tree on Christmas morning. I loved the smell of the new baby dolls every Christmas. But this year I was too old for dolls, and wanted my very own Nancy Drew mystery book, (one I wouldn't have to take back to the bookmobile), and an autograph book.

 

I knew things were a little better this Christmas. The peanut crop was better this year, and Mother was able to order some things from the Sears Roebuck catalog. I saw her one night, from my bed in the bedroom, and the door was ajar into the kitchen as she sat at the table, a cigarette in her hand, writing things down as she pored over the big thick catalog. She brushed her hair back from her eyes, looking tired, and picked up her coffee cup, took a swallow and then a puff on her cigarette.

 

Later, it was quiet in the bedroom and as I lay next to my two sisters in bed with me I shivered with the excitement of Christmas Eve tomorrow. I heard Mother and Daddy talking about going to town to get a Christmas tree tomorrow. I could hear the wind whistling through the cracks in the house, and snuggled down under the big quilts Mother had spent so many hours piecing together and quilting. I heard Daddy banking the coals in the stove, in anticipation of starting a new fire in the morning, and the house got quieter, as everyone settled down to sleep. I could feel the cold creeping in the room, as the kitchen was the only one that got any heat. The bedroom was cold, but at least the door was open to let in some heat from the other room.

 

The next day, Christmas Eve, Mother and Daddy went to town and bought a few things along with a tiny tree. Excitedly, we did our chores, and ate supper and then we all helped Mother decorate the tree with homemade ornaments of colored paper garlands and strings of popcorn and cranberries, and a few priceless glass ornaments and little candles that clipped on the branches of the tree. We found some icicles saved from last year, and hung them on the branches. Mother made some eggnog and let us all have a cup. Then the candles on the tree were lit, and we turned out the lights. I sat there staring at the little tree with the lights flickering on it, the icicles glistening with the lights on them, and everything in the world seemed so far away. I sat there with my younger brothers and sisters on the benches next to the wood heater as Mother handed out sugar cookies. Mother and Daddy sat at the kitchen table smoking and drinking their eggnog and Mother got up to make a pot of coffee, as someone said, "Let's sing 'Jingle Bells' and 'Silent Night.'" Our voices rang out in the little house as we all sang. I wished time would stand still and the feelings would last forever.

 

Time did not stand still, but the memories lasted forever. And they are still there today. I thank God the good memories are clearer than the bad memories of a large family growing up during the Depression years trying to survive. I have lots of good memories. Christmastime holds some of my favorite ones.

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COURTESY / Lois Wauson  from her "Rainy Days and Starry Nights" column that appeared  in the Wilson county News.

 

Simpler times in Wilson County: 1878-79 ...The old Floresville Academy. Ever hear of the old Floresville Academy? It was for males and females. Back in 1878, the Floresville Academy was in a flourishing condition. Professor John Washburn was the principal. The school year was divided into two terms of five months and three days each, making 206 days. Rates: In the Preparatory Department, $2 per month; in the Academical Department, $3 per month; in the Collegiate Department, $4 per month. The Board of Trustees consisted of: Colonel A.G. Pickett, president; A.C. Staudt, secretary; W.C. Rhee (Agee?), treasurer; Judge W.L. Worsham, R.C. Houston, Job Foster, Bennett Johnson, John Griffith, and J.F. Pruett.

 

Wilson County in 1879: 

 

You could have bought a good horse for $10. This had been the year of the severe winter. Sheep-owners in Wilson County had seen heavy losses. C.B. Stevenson and J.W. Anderson were ready in 1879 to start to Kansas with a drove of horses they had purchased from Don C. Delgado of Floresville, 100 head, 50 horses and 50 mares, at $10 per head.

 

At this time in 1879, it was reported that a well-organized band of horse thieves was operating full force in an adjoining county. People had to watch their horses, or they would suddenly disappear.

 

People were urged to join the Floresville Literary Society. Local citizens were warned not to become alarmed because only few cases of smallpox were reported in Floresville.

 

Moving from Yorktown to Floresville in 1879, F. Metting opened a first-class saddle shop.

 

County records had just been placed in the new county safe — Captain Lem

 

Hughes reported that, should the courthouse burn down, he believed the county records would now be safe.

 

Corn was selling in Floresville at $1 per bushel.

 

A flatboat was being used as a "bridge" across the San Antonio River.

 

The business house of J.C. Wallace on the north side of the public square was completed.

 

The water holes in the suburbs were full once more.

 

At this time in 1879, prayer meetings were being held in the Wilson County Courthouse.

 

Eggs were being sold at 10 cents per dozen.

 

It seems that the "dog tax" had just been repealed. Consequently, there were now plenty of canines on the public square.

 

The Rev. Dibrell preached an eloquent sermon at the courthouse on a Sunday morning.

 

A.G. Thomas, proprietor of the Plaza Hotel in Floresville in 1879, decided that the dry weather had produced stock that was too poor for good meat. Since he always had a reputation of serving the best at his tables in the Plaza Hotel, he decided to serve quail on toast.

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COURTESY / Wilson County News

Letter from Wilson County in 1873 .... compiled by Alfred Menn back in 1873, one "Saxet" — which is the name Texas in reverse — wrote an interesting letter:

 

"Colonies of Freedmen settled on the Cibolo, Several years ago and numbers of them purchased a considerable tract of land from Doctor Houston, went to work and put it in cultivation. From what I understand, they have paid the last dollar of the purchase money. They are now the landlords of good farms and comfortable houses to live in. Some of them have gardens, flowers and orchards."

 

"The merchants in Wilson County in 1873, do a good business, mostly for cash. We have three small towns in the county: Floresville, Sutherland Springs and LaVernia. We have no railroad running through our section."

 

"The wine presses of the Houston brothers were able to produce some 1,200 gallons of wine last season. This wine commands a ready sale at $3 per gallon."

 

"We have both black and white sulphur springs at Sutherland Springs."

 

"My orchard has furnished me this year with peaches, plums, grapes and figs in the greatest abundance."

 

"The corn crop I noticed on Hugh Wiseman's place, near LaVernia, would almost hide a person on horseback. Saxet."

 

Wilson County in 1876: The editor of The Frontiersman visited in Floresville in 1876, 80 years ago. He had this to say:

 

"First passing through the assemblage of Mexican habitations known as Lodi, the traveler takes his choice as to which of the two villages is the superb of the other, they being located only a short distance from each other."

 

"Floresville, in 1876, is a young town of board structures, unfenced and incomplete. There are two or three hotels, two or three stores, and a number of temporary-looking houses. There is also a town well."

 

"The blessed Sunday law is in operation in Floresville, and no hungry and weary traveler has a chance to buy refreshments for himself, or feed for his horse, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m."

 

"Wilson County had been drenched by frequent heavy rains, and the local farmers were sure that Wilson would be one of the banner counties in this section. Heavy rains!"

 

The following is reported just as we found it (1876): Sutherland Springs is getting to be quite a village in 1876. The town was laid out in 1854, by the late Dr. Sutherland, sometime before the County of Wilson was organized. At one time the place was the county seat of Wilson County, until Floresville became the county seat in later years.

 

D. and A. Oppenheimer, of San Antonio, own a fine mill here, consisting of cotton gin, sawmill and gristmill.

 

There are many excellent orchards here.

 

Landowners have cut up over 20,000 acres of good land into small tracts, within six miles of Sutherland Springs, and put it on the market at from $2 to $3 per acre.

 

On crossing the Cibolo, on whose banks the town is built, one can smell the immense Sulphur Spring, ten feet in diameter, boiling up with gas, like a large cauldron; and, to add to his surprise, he finds, on jumping into this tempting bath, that the human body floats around, and is tossed about like a cork. He is astonished to find that to sink beneath the water is impossible.

 

To the left of the road, and about opposite, at a distance of some one hundred yards, is the beautiful White Sulphur Springs, ten feet in diameter, four feet deep, and discharging two or three hundred gallons of water per minute, as clear as crystal and as cold as ice!

 

Leaving these mammoth springs and driving into a dense forest over a level road, in about one mile and a half you come to the Famous Sour Spring.

 

Floresville, in 1876, had a commodious courthouse. The jail alone is said to have cost $6,000. The following were then being built in Floresville: A two-story tavern a lumberyard, three stores, gin house, a blacksmith shop and a steam mill.

 

Back in 1876 the tournament at Sutherland Springs was a popular affair. A large crowd had attended. A fine barbecue was enjoyed under the live oaks, after which 14 gaily-dressed knights, on prancing steeds, with banners flying, and music playing, appeared on the grounds. They formed in line and naturally went for the rings.

 

The first tilt was opened by Mr. Martin, Knight of the Second Sergeants, and was followed in quick succession by the other knights in the following order: Dr. Williamson, Knight of the Mutilated Heart; James Wyatt, Knight of the Sable Plume; Frank Yelvington, Knight of Mexico; Martin Covington, Knight of the Red, White and Blue; Will Hammond, Knight of the Wax Rosette; Will Warren, Knight of the Centennial; Emerson Warren, Knight of the Lone Star; Pat Craighead, Knight of the Golden Fleece; Charles Stevenson, Knight of the Cibolo; Will Loomis, Knight of the Lost Chance; T. Veery, Knight of the Spring; and Orin Stevenson, Knight of Love.

 

After an hour one of the closest contests ever witnessed in a tournament, the herald announced that the Knight of the Centennial, and the Knight of the Second Sergeants had tied at eleven rights each, for the honor of crowning the queen; the Knight of the Red, White and Blue won third honors.

 

In a few minutes after the result of the tournament was announced the crowd greeted with cheers the appearance of the beautiful Miss B- (no name given) on the platform erected for this purpose, followed her maids of honor. The sir knights on foot promptly formed a guard around the throne, when each lady in succession was crowned with appropriate ceremony.

 

During the late 1870s, the two potteries at La Vernia supplied not only all of this section of Texas, but, they also shipped a good deal of the material east of the Colorado River. And barbed-wire was being introduced to uneasy Texans. It wasn't until a few years later that serious troubles started between the large and small cattlemen in Wilson County.

 

Wilson County as described in 1876, eight years ago: Wilson County, in 1876, contains something over 900 square miles of territory, and have a population of about 5,000 persons. Wilson County has a voting strength of about 1,000.  The county seat is Floresville. The town in 1876 is improving. Floresville now has a population of about 500 persons, of whom more than one-half are Mexicans. Improved lands, in 1876, can be bought from one to three dollars per acre. In this section, in 1876, can be seen in operation, the system of large pastures, which is rapidly gaining ground as the cheapest way of raising stock among the stock-raisers.

 

Thomas Dewees has enclosed about 25,000 acres; John Camp, about 10,000 acres; Rosser, Mitchell and Presnall, about 40,000 acres; and J. Ellis, about 6,000 acres of the richest prairie land, covered with mesquite grass that furnishes food summer and winter for their stock.

 

Oats and wheat have been grown with much success.  Their acreage, in 1876, is double what it was last year. Millet, sugar-cane, peas, potatoes, Irish and sweet potatoes, melons, and pumpkins all grow and produce well.

 

A large number of persons were seeking health at the famous Sutherland Springs. Quite a number of persons had come from Galveston. Colonel Robert Houston, who lived near the springs, was then known as one of the greatest fruit-raisers in this section of Texas. He cultivated every imaginable kind of fruit.

 

We wonder how many people down here ever heard of Bill Longley. He was then one of Texas worst desperadoes. He was a cold-blooded killer. He once came into this section of Texas, but he left when life became too tame. He wasn't happy unless he was triggering his pistol

 

[This article by Alfred Menn was found in the Wilson County Texas Historical Commission Archives. Submitted by Gene Maeckel.]

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COURTESY / Wilson County News