Menard County Texas

Ft. McKavett Breeze, August 3rd 1889:

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We happened to some bad luck recently. We instructed our brother who is now with us, to burn old rags to run mosquitoes out of our quarters. He not knowing the extremity to which editors become reduced his consigned to the flames some of our choicest apparel. But we'll make out while the hot weather lasts and build our hopes on some new double column ads this fall.

 

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A drive to the county seat and return since the recent rains is a delightful one. It is very reasonable to say that grass was never better, and that stockmen were never more hopeful.

The senior part of this concern, the junior part having left two weeks before, last Saturday in company with our fellow-townsman, Mr. Jno. Erskine, left for that point.

We found everything quiet with business moderately good. Dr. Wiggins was packing his drugs preparatory to going to Mason with them.

It was rumored that the building formerly occupied by Dr. Wiggins had been rented by Bourland Bros. of Junction City, where they would establish a newspaper.

We found Assessor Callan and Sheriff Russell on a trip to Austin.

The thresher has been doing good work lately, making up for lost time caused by the excessive rains a short time ago. At one time it was thought the oats were greatly damaged, but as they are being threshed it is found they are only slightly injured.

Corn and cotton are doing remarkably well. If the flume over the Las Moras, is replaced before the dry weather hurts the cotton, the prospect is good for a large yield.

Recently there has been considerable improvements made this side of Menardville in the way of fencing.

Mr. O. Streigler has one of the prettiest little farms on the San Saba river. He has in cultivation, and which he irrigates, 12 acres of land. He also has one of the most beautiful young orchards in the county. In short, he has the most beautiful and beautifully located places in the county and we know him to be a man to enjoy all such.

Our trip was of short duration, that we didn't see much of the country, but saw enough to know everything is promising around Menardville.

The building that has been offered to the county to be used as a calaboose here, is the property of F. Mayer instead of Jonathan Miles, as was reported in the Breeze last week. It was our mistake.

The Bandera ranchmen have gone the right way to work. The Lord helps those who help themselves, and they are preparing to protect their flocks by simple, if expensive, method of paying for wolf scalps out of their own pockets. It is impossible to bring home to the eastern legislator any realization of the conditions which prevail in the west, nor can he be made to understand the tremendous loss to West Texas flocks through predatory animals. Every country in the west should follow Bandera's example and spare an effort to exterminate the pests---San Antonio Times.

 

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Miss Ada Hurst, of Sonora, has been visiting friends around McKavett for several days. She accompanied Miss Maggie Herbert as far as San Angelo on her way to Austin.

J. G. Regenier left town last Tuesday in company with Jno. W. Reiley, for the latter's ranch, twenty miles from town, to erect a windmill over a well Mr. Reiley has recently had sunk.

The steam drilling outfit of Adams & Meinecke was moved yesterday from town and will be taken to Middle Valley where a well will be sunk on the Adams ranch. They have just completed Mr. Frank Barksdale's well here in town to a depth of 250 feet and 180 feet of good water. Mr. Barksdale is well pleased.

The new paper, the Menardville Record, as we learn it has been christened, will arrive in Menardville next week, and will be ready for business the following week. We certainly wish Mr. Bourland the best sucess in his new adventure.

Gus Noyes and Dr. Dorr were here last week shaking hands with the people of McKavett. Mr. Noyes is one of Menardville's most successful farmers. He informed us while here that oats raised on his place this year yielded as much as 80 bushels per acre. Mr. Noyes owns the best farm in the vicinity of Menardville, and is an experienced farmer. He was here negotiating sales with our business men.

Dr. and Charley Jones visited San Angelo this week. The doctor returned Thursday, and informed us that Charley would start out in a few days in the interest of Halfin & Rueff.

Miss Farmer of Madison county, has been the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Barksdale for several days. Miss Farmer is an accomplished young lady and desires a situation as teacher in the school here.

All parties indebted to J. T. Wiggins & Co. or Dr. J. T. Wiggins will please come forward at once and settle. Accounts are in the hands of Col. T. A. Gay for collection. We have accommodated the people and now must have our money.

Respectfully,

J. T. Wiggins & Co.

Joe Callan, deputy hide and animal inspector, informed this week that during the month of August he inspected nearly 1300 head of cattle and horses, for shipment, nearly all of which were cattle.

I take this method of notifying all parties that I have been legally authorized to rent all houses belonging to Jonathan Miles in Fort McKavett, collect rents and receipt for the same, the above taking effect July 23, 1889.

J. M. Brotherton

Newly threshed oats sold in town this week at 35 cents a bushel; large frying chickens 83(?) a dozen; peaches 35 cents a water bucket full; water melons from 10 to 20 cents, according to size, and some to give away.

For the past three weeks we have been acting as type-setter, ink-slinger, devil and general roustabout; and sometimes the paper may be late, but we'll get there, Eli, if a trace don't break.

From reports it is hard to tell where the most business is done, at San Angelo or McKavett, both places being trade centers.

Mr. Wallick received a letter from Mrs. Wallick a few days ago which states that her health is not improved any, and that she will probably remain at Lampasas during hot weather.

Frank Large is negotiating with J. M. Taylor and Stewart & Pool for two loads of mutton for shipment.

The first of this week Dr. Wiggins moved his drugs and groceries to Mason, where he will carry on business in the future.

Wednesday two men struck town with a cinnamon bear which was a great curiosity to many, especially the children. Thursday night at the Dodson hall they gave a performance. One of the men was armed with a horn, and on this occasion, blowed as never before, believing in the adage, "He that tooteth not his own horn, the same shall not be tooted."

One hundred and eleven head cattle belonging to Mr. Jonathan Miles, which he recently purchased in Kimble county, passed through this week en route to his Tom Green county ranch.

Miss Clara Champie accompanied Miss Maggie Herbert as far as San Angelo and returned the last of the week.

James Milligan has just returned from a three weeks' trip to Mexico.