The Brownsville Herald from Brownsville, Texas • Page 17

Sunday, November 20, 1938 VALLEY SUNDAY STAR-MONITOR-HERALD PAGET Development of Port Brownsville Is Exceeding Early Expectations SIX MILLIONS Af EPUT INTO PROJECTS Excellent Faci 1 i i Gradually Building Deep Water Traffic In This Area BROWNSVILLE-- The port of Brownsville was opened to shipping May IB, 1936, with three ships In port. Since then It has developed into a nromlnent Gulf port, exceeding Initial expectations. The opening of the port culminated years of effort on the part of Brownsville and Valley leaders. The Brownsville Navigation District had been formed several years before, and was instrumental in securing the Public Work; Administration allotment used i- constructing the channel, turning basin, and other shipping facilities. Total outlay at the port is well in excess of $6,000.000.

The turning basin is located four miles north- cast of Brownsville at the end of a channel capable of navigation the entire length by all ships with a. maximum draft up to 25 feet. Basin 1,300 ft. by 1000 The turning basin where the warehouse, storage, and loading facilities are located is 1,300 by 1,000 feet in size. There is one reinforced concrete dock on the north side of the turning basin, 1.240 feet in length, of steel construction, with concrete-floored transfer sheds, equipped throughout with automatic sprinklers.

Adjacent on the west Is an open dock or reinforced concret construction, concrete floored, providing on additional 100.000 square feet for open shipslde storage. At the west end of the turning basin is the pre-coding plant, completed last year anU in full operation, serving several ship lines during this year's citrus season. In addition, but separted from the general cargo wharves, is an oil dock or pile and timber construction with pipe lines laid underneath and fronted by a row of five timber pile clusters. BROWNSVILLE RANKED AS PROMINENT GULF PORT MANY 'Aims The ship shown above, the SS Vermont, of the French Line, Is loading cotton at Port Brownsville. She is one of the hundred or so ships that have called to pick up the large cargoes Brownsville of- fers foreign and domestic shippers.

Shown are the turning basin, part of the channel, the modern, concrete docks, and in the rear the Port Compress. There Might Not Be Pirate Gold on Padre But There Is $100,000 of Singer Fortune Cannibal Indians Died Out On Valley Isle BROWNSVILLE Discussions among ths legal fraternity recently over validity of land tltltes to Padre Island have re-aroused interest in old legends and history concerning this long, narrow island which lies along the coast of Texas. Among these legends is that of the mystery of the disappearance of bands of pirates and survivors ot shipwrecks who were cast upon its sandy shore. The solution of that mystery apparently was solved some structures are to the north of the, turning basin. The compress room research concerning with r.eTm "Lost City of Padre Island" al- TM an average capacity of ,,100 bales an hour.

The two warehouses can store 25,000 bales of cotton. Headed by Fageol The Port Compress company Is headed by F. R. Fageo' president of the Twin Coach Company, Of Kent. Ohio.

S. E. Walker is vice- president nnd general manager. F. W.

Hofmokel has been general manager of the Port of Brownsville since Its opening two and one half years ago. Members of the navigation district board are G. E. Dood. H.

W. Bell, nnd W. E. Mc- Dnvltt. Miss Laura Pollock is collector for the district.

tax One of the port's excellent facilities is the pre-coollnj; plant In- stalled a year ago In the warehouse ides" aSTwell as Tome "human" bones. only real cannibals among the North American Indians, When Charles Hardln. Brownsville, first found the remains of a settlement uncovered by the winds nnd drifting sand, he brought in many souvenirs consisting of old brass sword handles similar to those used by the Vikings in the tenth century, old coins of foreign nations, rings, bullets, arrow heads and other articles which created so much interest that expeditions were organized to search for further relics and information. The expeditions uncovered the remains of tin old black-smith shop, several corrals for livestock and many more coins, rings and similar art- can Transportation Chicago. at the west end of the port.

The plant, which has 100 carload capacity, wns Installed by ths General American Pre-Coollmz Corooratlon, a subsidiary of the General Amerl- Company of The equipment consists of two 70- ton refrigerator plants, each powered by a 125-horscnowcr dlesel motor. Air is forced through the brine snray and blown by fans through a duct with nlr vents, which can br opened nt any nnrt of the pre- coolln; room nt the rate of 8.00 cubic feet a minute- The air may be nt any controlled temperature within wide ranees. The brine spray is kept at designated temperature, usuallv nhout 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Return nlr Is sucked In by a fan arrangement, cooled, nnd through the rooms agnln. The nlant enables to load perishable vegetables and fruit into holds already cooled.

Latest Processes The processes embodied at the Brownsville plant are the newest dcvelODecl. and In a general way consist of the holding room, storage, cooling and water bath cooling, developed for certain vegetables. The prc-coollne plant Is housed in a warehouse that was itself a 1637 Improvement to the port. The $250,000 project wns fin- Story Cleared Up Conjectures nnd theories waited Impatiently for any hapless victim of a shipwreck who would furnish them with a meal. It is not known exactly when the Indians moved onto the Island but It is known that they were there during the years shortly preceding 1850.

At that time there was a great number of ships wrecked along that section of the coast for various reasons, among them being the frequent storms and the small size of the ships. Ships would Just disappear with their crew and although sometimes parts of the wreckage were found no survivors ever returned. Appsrently it would have been easy to walk along the beach to either Point Isabel or north to one of the other white settlements but until the information concerning the settlement of Cnrancahuas historians were puzzled as to the total disappearance of shipwrecked persons in that part of the coast. Treasure Said Buried One of the stories, either legend or fact, tells of fleets of pirate ships which after being in a fight with Spanish warships tried to make Point Isabel to escape a heavy blow but missed the bay and went ashore off Padre Island and were battered to pieces, carrying much loot of gold and silver with them to bottom except for some was gotten shore and buried. Several expeditions have Tailed to find the sunken ships although the finding of some coins on "Money Hill" apparently gave credence to the story.

Incidentally the pirates were never heard from again Vnend" the day and now it is believed that they iurnlshed the principal part of a Carancahuas banquet. The Indians built a considerable village near the center of the Island, Fund for Patent On Machines Is Given Here if there is no basis for the story of the pirate gold. Mr. Singer said he had a very vivid recollection of visiting the site of the battle between the Com- anches and the Carancahauas and also the site oT their settlement. He said that there were many things still there that time whlob, showed that the Indians had had women and children with' them, and and that they' had evidently lived there for a number of years.

Following the departure from Padre Island of the Stagers their ranch house was used by various people and for a time it was the house for the Kins and Kennedy ranch interests but finally time and storms and tides gradual-, ly washed and blew it to pieces and it disappeared. Prior to t'he coming of the Car- ancahuas to Padre Island they had made a last raid Into Matagorda county and not far from the present site of Bay City massacreed family where the men had gone on a hunting trip. The sole survivor being a girl about 10 who hid in the bushes.and watched the Indians kill ancl scalp her mother, sister and neighbors who had come over to according to Alexander Singer, it was about 27 miles north of the flew! sl nger home, which was known as thick nnd fast; arguments waxed Santa Cruz and was 27 miles from loud and eloquent, ranging from the i the southern Up of the island, contention that it was an old pirate The refuge which the Caranca- settlement to that which claimed nuas sought when they moved to A group of settlers was organized and gave chase to the rading Indians caught up with them close to the coast where the band was practically wiped out. A few survivors of that band and a few scattered remnants of a onoe powerful tribe then left the country and were not heard of there again, wns the remains of the lost citj of Santa Cruz nnd including the one made of it the last home of the Carancahuas. Historians from all parts of the state aided in the study and added to the conjectures and theories.

However, it was not until Alexander A. Singer was located a the solution was reached and definite information concerning the "Lost City" and a vanished race was secured. Alexander Singer was a son of John V. and Johanne Shaw Singer and was with them when the Alice Saclell, on which they were going forced south went to pieces off the coast in 1847. He.

it was, who told the story of the "Lost of buried gold that is still there, of shipwrecked pirates whose clean picked bones told of cannibal rites and of the final extinction of the Caran- cahuas. The story goes back to the days before American influx of Texas began; goes back In fact to the time La Sails landed in Mttagorda Bay in 1665 and found the Caranca- huas a tribe of tall, lighter colored Indians who usually went naked but covered themselves with mixture of mud and grease as a pro- anced by the PWA. The construe- tectlon against insects and were job kept over 100 men busy over six months. The warehouse Itself is 120 feet by 400 feet, with concrete flooring and Is built of sheet Iron. An automatic sprinkler system provides it with the latest in protection methods.

More than 700 concrete piles were used for the foundation of the construction. With the warehouse or shed was constructed a concrete wharf, similar to the ones exlstlne at the Txirt feet. edge As they were pushed farther end farther along the coast by the white migrations they found only fierce opposition and hatred from the other tribes because of their cannibalism. Their most implacable and strongest enemies being the warlike Comanches who never missed an opportunity to exterminate any small bands which they found and finally the tribe become so depleted and weak one legend says they decided to give up the fight for existence and killed all their women and children and the men retired to Tadre Island to live out the last few years of their tribe's existence. However Mr.

Singer said trie 'nnvisation district to the Rio I that when they were living on Pa- nt the time. Length is 440 Width between the water's and the shed 178 feet. Other work done Includes construction of a 1,200 foot concrete highway approach to connect with other pnved approaches of the port terminal, and the laying of 1.500 feet of railway track to provide double ship trackage as on the other docks. A more recent addition to port facilities is a yacht basin now under construction. The basin is on a five-acre plot of land east of the port's turning basin, granted by cannibalistic, not as some tribes were which were known to eat the heart of certain sacrifice! victims but from preference for human flesh.

They were of a lower order of civilization than surrounding tribes but were strong, fierce fighters and roamed the territory between the Brazos and Colorado rivers. Killed by Comanches EVER-PRESENT FAIR NEW YOBK--The separate art- Padre Island was not found there iclcs, cf almost every conceivable Yacht Club. The yacht basin when completed will have accomodations for approximately 200 boats, officials said- yacht club I dre Island they apparently had their women with them and instead of "watinlg patiently for that death which would wipe out forever all trace of their name and race" they however as the Comanches, in an effort to exterminate them because of their cannibalism, invaded the island and attacked them there. The Carancahuas, with no other retreat open and fighting for their lives put up a desperate battle and finally drove the invading Coman- ches from the island and back to the mainland. The victory did them little good, however, and they did not long en- Joy the fruits of their successful repulse of the plains Indians.

Soon after the battle the cattle of the tribe became ill from some plague and all died. The Indians, nearly starving, at some of the meat from these plague infested cattle and contracted the disease themselves and soon they too were all dead with the exception of one lone survivor whom the whites called "Indian Tom" who told the story to the Singers. Singer Fortune Found According to Alexander Singer, the family built a small house after the shipwreck which cast them on Padre Island in which they lived Tor four years and then they purchased the Santa Cruz ranch which had been established by Padre Ball! in 1827. It was also about this time that John V. Singer sent a loan of $500 to a younger brother, Merritt.

in New York to cover the cost of patenting the sewing machine which was the basis of the immense Singer fortune. The first sewing machine in Texas was sent to Mrs. John Singer as a present from Merritt. i Later, In 1860, as an outgrowth of the original loan made by John to Merritt, Merritt was able to loan his brother $150,000 from the rapidly growing sewing machine fortune to enable him to enter the shipping business but the Civil War interfered. When the war did start the Singers were ordered otf the Island by the Confederate officials because of their Union sympathies.

Because of the haste in which they had to leave their ranch home it was necessary for them to bury nearly $100,000 in gold and silver. When they returned for it after the Civil War they were unable to locate the place it was buried because of the shifting oT the sands and the changes of the landmarks. So, Mr. Singer pointed out, there really la gold on Padre Island even kind ancl use, bearing the Insignia of the New York World's Fair 193B licensed for commercial production, now number more than 3,000, They include hats and shoes, dresses, scarfs and cravats, flags, food, china, glass, pottery, lamps, mirrors, nursery equipment desk sets wall paper, rugs and hangings, leather goods, costume jewelry and dinner favors, luggage and' containers for toilet articles. $10,000,000 UNDERFOOT NEW YORK--Ten million dollars worth of invisible work has been completed at the New York World's Fair 1939.

This underground expense has provided 30 miles of sewers, 15 miles each of electrical ducts and water mains and 13 miles of gas pipes. OBSERVED IN BROWNSVILLE All Major Christian Units Represented By 1 5 Organizations In City BROWNSVILLE --As rapidly as the Lower Bio Grande Valley has developed economically, financially, agriculturally and culturally, the religious development of this sec- tiotj has kept pace with every-step of progress made in other respects. In the beginning the preponder- ent religious faith of the people living on the north side of the Bio Orande as well as across the river was Catholic and the first church to be built In Brownsville was that of the immaculate -Conception at the corner of 12th and Jefferson streets: Construction started on this church July 6, 1856; with the laying of the corner stone which was blessed by Father Berdet. It was completed June 12, 1859, and blessed by Father Jaudet. Soon after that people of other denominations came into the Valley to make it their home and with them they brought their own ideas of religion.

These ideas grew into concrete form as our present day churches until there is hardly a denomination of the Christian religion to which a new-comer may belong that he may not find represented in Brownsville. Fifteen Groups Here The original buildings, in many I cases small frame houses that I would hold the mere Handful of members with ease have been replaced by edifices of brick and stone with stained glass windows, mighty organs and all the various activities of such an organization with many hundreds of members. Most of them make extensive use of the radio In broadcasting their services. Today there are fifteen church bodies in Brownsville. They represent all denominations including three of the Catholic faith, a Christian Society, and Temple Beth- El, an organization for those of the Jewish faith with Sam Perl as lay-leader.

Among the many denominations represented by church bodies or organizations of some kind in 'Brownsville are; Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Catholic, Christian i Presbyterian, Baptist, Church of Christ, Church of Christ I of Latter Day Saints and the Assembly of God. Churches Listed The First Methodist Church at 10th and Washington streets with Rev. Bay N. Johnson as pastor holds its service every Sunday and maintains a Fellowship Bible class at the El Jardin hotel at 9:30 a. m.

on Sundays. Leo T. Allbritten is superintendent of this Bible Class. For those of the Episcopal belief the Church of the Advent on West Elizabeth street just west of the High school holds all of the regular services of that denomination with Bev. Penrose W.

Hirst as rector. Tending to the religious needs' of the Catholics are three churches, the Immaculate Conception, Bev. I Francis Balsola, pastor; the Sacred 'Heart, 600 E. Elizabeth, with Rev. Williams J.

Moore, pastor; and Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1200 Lincoln street, with Rev. E. de Anta as pastor. Then there Is the Mexican Lutheran church of the Missouri Synod with Bev. Harry H.

Smith as pastor. This church features a broadcast over radio station KGFI every Sunday at 9:30 a. m. First and third Sundays the services are in Spanish and second and fourth Sundays are in English, The Church of Christ at 14th and Grant streets with Rev. H.

D. VALLEY FOOD SHOWN IN NORTH Pink grapefruit from the Lower Bio Grande Valley recently displayed in the above attractive booth at the Philadelphia Food Show. Larry Lishtner, Brownsville shipper, announced. The fruit displayed is of the Texas Banger brand. "The Fancy Fruit House of Texas" Sends You GREETINGS from the Beautiful RIO GRANDE VALLEY Desel- Boettcher Co.

WHOLESALE FRUITS, PRODUCE, GROCERS SUNDBIES AND FOUNTAIN SUPPLIES BROWNSVILE, TEXAS Jeffcoat as minister conducts a radio Bible school every Sunday at 8:30 a. as well as all the services of that denomination. Programs Broadcast For the followers of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Boston, there is a Christian Science Society in Brownsville which maintains home at the corner of Elizabeth and West Second streets where the usual Sunday and Wednesday services are held. They also announce the Christian Science program over radio Station KRGV in weslaco every Sunday at 3 p. m.

A Mexican branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is maintained at 15th and Polk streets with Donald A. Maynes and Lester R. Porter in charge of the meetings. The First Baptist church at 537 Elizabeth street with Rev. Charles S.

Pierce as pastor conducts all the usual services of that church and the other church activities and also maintains a Mexican Baptist church on Adams street between 1st and 2nd streets. The Assembly of God. Rev. O. T.

Finch pastor, has its church at Second and Levee streets where it holds its regular Sunday services and week night services on Tuesdays and Fridays. Several other churches besides those mentioned also maintain Latin-American branches. College Conducts Vitamin A Tests Effect Of Deficiencies On Cattle Is Studied COLLEGE One of A. and M. college's outstanding contributions to the wealth of Texas was the ascertaining by the agricultural experiment station of tho effect of vitamin A deficiencies upon the animal body and animal products.

It also approximated the tamln needs of animals aud outlined practices that must be Tollow- ed in maintaining vitamin in a sufficient quantities. Associated with the experiment station bred vitamin A deficiency of certain varieties of white corn by changing them to yellow, carrier of vitamin A. The new varieties, rapidly replacing old strains, will contribute materially to tha value of this feed and enable manufacturers to include vitamin A in animal feeds that do not have access to other sources ol the vitamin. The experiment station has shown that the so-called "cottonseed meal poislonlng" in beef cattle is in fact a vitamin A deficiency and that by supplying this necessary element irom other sources beef cattle can be fed on cottonseed meal for at least two years without ill effects, usually evident in less than a year. The efTects of this was to break flown the prejudice that existed against cottonseed meal among northern feeders and to expand and increase milling and marketing of this product.

Another discovery was that dusting with finely ground sulphur is a specific control of cotton Tlea hoppers, and eggplant yellows. These findings explained use of sulphur one oT Texas' most valuable natural resources. YrtRK NFW York the at the New York World's Fair 1939 NEW YORK-- r-ew Y01K, scnt the cntlrc city of City of Light, a diorama nearly a New ork both above and below t- gj-ound. The model of the Empire State Building is shown 22 feet high. city block in length and taller than a three-story building, is to be one of the dramatic exhibits Texas Seeks Session Of National Grange COLLEGE STATION-- (fP)-- The Texas state grange has adopted novel campaign tactics designed to bring to this state in 1939 the seventy-third session of the National Grange.

The seventy-second session will be held November 16-24 at Portland, but instead of journeying to the Pacific coast with a pocketful of praise and promises from the Lone Star state, Texas Grangemaster Ralph W. Moore has arranged for the delegates to break their homeward journey for a day to sample entertainment available in Texas. PROGRESS The policy of our company is a progressive one! We have done our share in the past to make Brownsville and the Valley a better place in which to live and we will continue to do so in the future. Forward Brownsville and the Valley I Coulter Machinery Co. 186 General Machine Work Electric and Acetylene Welding Goodrich Don't To Visit Snakeville AT BROWNSVILLE The World's Only Snake Farm Exotic Species of BIRDS ANIMALS REPTILES Your Visit to the Valley is Not Complete Unless You Visit Snakeville SNAKEVILLE AT BROWNSVILLE is the Winter Headquarters MANUEL KING The World's Youngest Wild Animal Trainer JUST COMPLETING A LONG STAND IN MEXICO CITY.