Catarina FANTASY FICTION FACT (The rest of the book)

(a little note this morning before I start typing up the book, Leslie E. Vivion is my great Uncle and whom I am named after, except I am a girl. :)  Leslie Ann Vivian. )
               
  pages 30 and 31

            HERBERT WARD ---- A Lifetime of Service

  In 1980, The Texas Chapter of the National Wildlife Society presented Mr. Herbert Ward its highest honor, the Wildlife Conservationists Award, for his lifelong dedication to the wildlife resources of South Texas.
  Mr. Ward began his career early when at 16 he was placed in charge of all aspects of wildlife management on the 235,000 acre Taft-Catarina Ranch.  In 1923 he joined the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department as one of only 19 game wardens.  He married Miss Mamie Hinds of Asherton in 1925 and soon thereafter was promoted to Captain, covering a vast area of South Texas.
  After deciding that public education was the best way to promote wildlife conservation, Ward obtained special permits to gather bird specimens for scientific study.  He painstakingly mounted each one himself and these became the foundation for a program of "public relations" talks which Ward began delivering all over the state and continued doing for the rest of his life.
  Retiring from the state at 61, Mr. Ward took on the management of wildlife on the Briggs Ranch for another ten years.  Even then, he stayed busy giving talks all over Texas and continued along with his devoted wife, his lifelong hobby of collecting arrowheads and other Indian artifacts.
  We don't find many like Mr. Ward any more.  He was a "man of the old school" who knew his business and really stood by his convictions.  I am very proud to have known him.

Leslie E. Vivion ---  A Real Cowboy

  The first two-story wooden house built in Carrizo Springs by his grandfather, Ed. English, Sr. is where Mr. Leslie Edward Vivion was born and he spent his early years as a cowhand on his grandpa's ranch.   This "outdoors" beginning became his way of life.  

  Being the oldest (at age 12) when his Ma and Pa died, he took over the rearing of two brothers and three sisters with the help of Grandpa and Grandma.  They all concede that "Yup, Les hangs up the moon."

  Prevailed upon to go to college, Mr. Les graduated from Droughan Business College in 1910 with a diploma in banking.  His first --and only-- job indoors lasted only four months.  Cowboying was the only life for him until he finally got a spread of his own in Catarina which he later called "-the best improved ranch in Dimmit County--MINE!!!"

  In his fifties, Les met elementary school teacher, Miss Emma, and they decided to "git hitched".  He reluctantly bought a pair of "store" shoes, at eh insistence of "Miss Emma", but come time for the ceremony, he wore his boots -- but he did concede to wear his trousers outside his boots.  This, too, at the insistence of Miss Emma.  "No way for a cowboy to do.  -- tucked in is the only way any self- respecting cowhand would --".

  Adjusting his Stetson, letting that coiled spring of silver hair spring loose, he chuckled, "Nope, - never wanted to be a city dweller, - nor a sea trader, never wanted to be a builder of monuments, machines, nor empires.  --Just build my own fire, carve out my own life, worship my own God --".  Here was a real man, a breed of man disappearing rapidly.

  I enjoyed many cups of coffee with this friend, mine from a cup, his from his saucer!

Pages 32 and 33 

        Burns

  In 1907 - 1908, the W. L. Burns family moved from Caldwell County to Dimmit County with their cildren, Ira, Walker, Irma, Cecil, and Weldon.  While the family farmed near Asherton and later at Holland, below Cotulla, Ira established residence on land that became the Burns Ranch, now the Coffield Ranch.

  Eventually land was cleared and a water well was drilled by Floyd Trim of Big Wells (later moved to Catarina).  IN the early 1020's three homes were built -- the first one at the present site of the Coffield house and it was the parent's home.

  Following World War I, Ira married Marguerite Owen of Carrizo Springs.  After first living in  Valley Wells and then in Big Wells, they moved to the ranch in 1923 when the second home was built.  Cecil married Wilma McCarley of Valley Wells and they moved to the ranch when the third house was completed a short time later.

  In addition to the Burns onion farming, Cecil had a dairy on the ranch.

  During those early years the nearest post office was in Valley Wells.

  When the promoters came in to create the town of Catarina in 1925, the Taft ranch house became the "Club House".  Charles Ladd was the colonization agent and both Ira and Cecil drove their cars in the excursions that were organized to take the prospective land buyers all over the area.  they enjoyed telling the tall tales that were told to the people who had come down from the North.  One was about the ideal climate and in the middle of his spiel the promoter turned to a young boy and said, "You have always lived around here.  Have you ever seen it snow?"  the boy answered, "No, sir!  But I saw it rain once."  A frequent statement at the end of some exaggerated statement was "You know I'm lying!".  People believed everything the were told --- because they wanted to.

  The Burns families moved from the ranch to town during the years 1929 and 1930.  Marguerite became the Postmaster and Ira went from farming to being a beekeeper.  Cecil continues with his dairy business after moving to town.

  While the well was being drilled on the Burns Ranch, over 100 rattlesnakes were killed!!

  The water well at the Vivions was the first well drilled in the area and so it was always called "Number One". 

  Sims Dairy was outside of town -- other side of Artesia road.  About a half mile or so further was Mr. Benjamin's (Englishman) chicken farm.

 pages 34 and 35

Guerra

  

  Brigido S. Guerra, a native of Rialitos, Texas, was born to Eugenio Guerra and Isabel Soto Guerra in 1916.  Brigido came to Dimmit County in 1940.  He stared working at Briscoe Ranch fixing fences and later as a cowhand.  He recalls making one dollar a day working from dawn to dusk, or at least ten hours a day.

  One funny incident he recalls was when Merced Zamora, a very close friend, and a fellow by the name of Jose and himself were "chaparriando" (cutting brush) close to a pond.  Brigido acted like he was going throw a cup of water at Merced but he didn't because Merced pushed him into the pond.  Brigido got out of the water and ran after his friend Merced.  Merced thought his buddy was pretty upset, but Brigido wan't angry.  He started laughing and told Merced, "That's fine, because now you are going to keep on working and I am going to build a fire to dry my clothes!"  Which he did, and while his clothes got dry, Brigido stayed hid behind some bushes.

  Brigido recalls they were clearing this pathway near the pond which is now in the Stumberg Ranch.  This pathway was used to drive the cattle either to load them onto the train or unload them off the train and drive them to the ranches.  The cattle would be unloaded or loaded off the cattle pens which still stand off of Highway 83 and Farm to Market Road 2688 two miles north of Catarina.

  Brigido also worked for Mr. Alonzo Gates, Sr., Albert Gates, Lonnie Gates and Anita Gates Elliott's father.  This was at the Old Espejo Ranch.  He also recalls working at the Piloncillo Ranch for Mr. Dan Harrison, II.

  While he was working a Piloncillo Ranch, he moved his wife Guadalupe and four children to the ranch.  They lived on the ranch off of Highway 83 for eight years.

  Brigido later moved to Catarina and went to work for Mr. H.H. Coffield at the Diamond H. Ranch.  A job  he held until his retirement in 1978.  At that time he was making minimum wages.

  For a pastime Brigido has made many a quirt (horse whip).  A hobby he started when he was about fifteen years old.  In 1940, Former Governor Dolph Briscoe would pay him a dollar a quirt.  Brigido made the quirts for Mr. Briscoe's cowhands.  The quirts today sell depending on size for up to $50.00 each.  In the photo you can see Brigido at his stand in 1992 during the Camino Real Festival here in Catarina.  He displayed and sold a few quirts to our local cowhands.

  Brigido lives with his wife Guadalupe at the old telephone house near the Diamond H. Shed.  Their children are now married and/or live by themselves.  Florita Castro lives in Uvalde, Lupe Perez, Miguel Guerra, and Susie Ortiz live here in Catarina.  Margarita Barrerra also lives in Catarina and has been the Postmaster for 24 years.

pages 36 and 37

DOCKERY

  

  Mr. A.A. Dockery brought his family to the Catarina area from Uvalde in 1945.  He leased the Friday ranch first, and then the Dillon country.

  Legend has it that years ago Indians got after a wagon load of gold and the drivers buried it out there around Loma Dinero Hill.  When Allen was U.T., he and a group of friends brought gieger counters out to try to find the gold.  If they ever found any, they aren't telling anyone.  --There's also tales of a headless rider out around Catarina Lake which was on the Friday Place.

  After graduating, Allen joined his Dad in the cattle business.  They shipped most of their cattle out by train then.  This picture shows th last of the cattle being loaded onto the cars.  JoAnn helped her father drive them in from the ranch, about twelve miles away.  This was the last train to eave from the Catarina Station.

        Gardner

  Tom and Ethel Gardner came to Catarina in 1926 after working at the mines on the River Road between Delores and Eagle Pass.  He worked for Paul Giles and later for C.W. Beck.   Alice says "Papa was the first one to plant broccoli here."!

  Son Bill had the cafe here.  (the one the tornado exxed out.)  Mr. and Mrs. Gardner took over running it when Bill went into the service.  He was killed in action.

  Howard served in the Air Force during World War II.  He operated heavy machinery around the Catarina area for many years.

  Alice Gardner retired from her post as Postmaster in 1966 after serving 27 years.  Kathryn and her husband Kelly Vivion ran a grocery store here.  They one daughter, Sharon.

By Jim Parish Times Staff Writer Catarina - A small new post office painted in light spring colors adds a cheerful note to Catarina's palm lined main street.

  The concrete block structure was opened Nov. 1.  The cost of construction was only $4,000.00. However, the cheerfulness and good taste Miss Alice Gardner put into planning the building are winning compliments from both visitors and local residents.  Miss Gardner has been the postmaster the past 21 years.  She built the new post office and is leasing it to the government, under a program in which local investors are encouraged to construct post offices.

pages 38 and 39 

Garza

  Jorge Garza married Juanita Villarreal on May 31, 1918.  They had nine children.  1. Delfino (Sr.) 2. Victor 3. Secundino 4. Vicente 5. Margarita (Barrera) 6. Martin 7. Maria (Cisneros) 8. Rafael 9. Tomasa (Berry)

  The four oldest were born in Mexico, and the other five in Artesia Wells and Catarina, Texas.

  They left Mexico on August 11, 1928, first moving to Artesia Wells and finally to Catarina.

  First born Delfino (Sr.) married Aurora Garcia and they had eight children.  1. Domingo 2. Juanita 3. Delfino, Jr. 4. Miguel 5. Ernesto 6. Ruben 7. Diana (deceased) 8 Carlos

  Delfino, Sr. worked a a mechanic and welder before he operated the Texaco garage, which he had until the late 1950's.  They moved to Carrizo Springs in 1963.

Espinoza

  Leon Hale writing in the Houston Post, 1968 about a trip to Catarina ---

"Chester and I wandered over and looked in the padlocked front door of the Royal Palms Hotel.  WE struck up a conversation with a woman carrying a paper sack full of little palm trees, to plant in her yard.  I remember her because of her name Eulogia Espinoza.  I asked her to write it out for  me in my notebook.  The way she pronounced her given name just beautiful: Eh-oo-Lo-hee-ah.  First time I ever ran into that one.  The gringo way to pronounce it, I guess, would be Yew-Lo-gee-uh, which is ugly.  When Spanish names like that are gringo-ized, all the music goes out of them."

Schumann

  Adolph and Nettie Schumann left Albert, Texas in 1929 to move to Moore and start farming.  Chester (then working in Laredo), met them at Moore.  They still hadn't paid the rent on that big house there, so next morning, they just up and left.   Moore was so hot and dry, even the broom grass was dead.  At least, they knew they could get financing if they went on to Catarina.

  Schumanns first moved onto the old Fowler Place "--ways past Beazley's!"  Over the years, they farmed many different places growing mostly onions.

  When the "new" highway to Laredo was being built, Adolph dug the ditches for the culverts with his mules and a fresno.

  Having children and then grandson, Sonny in school here, Mr. Schumann felt drawn to serve on the school board.  He was president of that board for several years.

  Adolph and son, Carl ran the Texaco station and then he and his wife operated the John F. Grant Lumber Company here for several years until he retired.

pages 40 and 41 

  Long

  Jess Henry Long, Sr.  bought a piece of land just south of Catarina in 1929.  When he brought his wife, Lida Potts Long, and their children down here in 1931 they traded that for the place still owned by Jess, Jr.  Jess and four of his five sisters were born in Duncan, Oklahoma.

  Thanks to a very good sweet water well drilled on the place, the large orange orchard they planted in 1932 flourished.  Theirs, along with many others succumbed to the hard freeze on 1951.  

  The family moved to Carrizo Springs in August of 1936.  Later, Jess, Jr. came back to Catarina to the ranch to raise his family.

Photo is famous icicles of 1951

Burton

  Mr. Burton was known by many different names.  --As a young man running a trucking company, he was called "Buckshot".  Some called him Everett, and some called him E.L., but over the years, most people knew him as "Pete".

  He worked many jobs.  He helped build the new Highway 83 to Laredo when that was a W.P.A. project.  Two different times he was janitor for the local schools.  Back in '33 or '34 when one of his duties there was to mow the lawn, he was so blind that Wilma or Oeena would lead the mower around with a rope.

  Pete and Henry helped build the gym onto the High School after that end of the school had burned.  Wilma helped Pete when one of his jobs was to seal up the railroad cars after the cattle had been loaded.

  Henry delivered ice around Catarina when most households had "ice boxes" instead of refrigerators.

  Mrs. Viola Burton made many beautiful quilts and taught  many of us how to make them also.  She always kept a very pretty yard, too.

Cstilleja

  The Castilleja family moved her in 1935.  For nearly thirty summers, most of the family would go off to work in Colorado, leaving in early May and returning in October.

  Cirilo, Sr. and his wife had a very large family.  --Lorenzo, Ruperto, Margarita (and a twin sister), Ysabel, Trini Maria, Cruz, Hermenejilda, Manuela, Martin, Alberto, and Cirilo, Jr.   Most of these still live and work in the Catarina area.

Lansford

  The Ira Lansford family has been an important part of the Catarina community for many years.  Long ago when they worked on other ranches and on the Piloncillo, Julia would help bring the cattle to the railroad.  They would often drive them in in the morning, bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy after the loading was done.

  More recently, Harvey and his wife Jean operated the Catarina Grocery Store for several years  They and their children often come to visit Julia.

  Jula has been a member and very active participant in the Catarina Homemakers Club and also in the Catarina Community Club.

Los Perricos

  Vicente Barrera, Sr., born in  Santo Thomas, Texas in 1915 recalls playing on a baseball team name "Los Perricos", -- "The Parrots".  Every player wore a yellow cap.  Their coach was Francisco "Pancho" Lira.  Jose "Guero" Salazar was their pitcher.  Vicente played catcher.  His twin brother, Manuel, played center field and his brother Donicio "Nicho" was a catcher also.  Andres and Adan Lira, sons of "Pancho" Lira were part of the team too.  Their shortstop was Ramon Raosales.  Telesforo adn Antonio Gonzales, brothers, were players also.  Jesus "Guero" Barrera another brother of Vicente, was part of this team too.  Vicente also recalls tht Felix Trevenio played with their team.  They would get together and play against Asherton, "Cheto", Cotulla, and Millet.  Vicente was about nineteen years old during this time.

page 47

We are deeply grateful to all those who have contributed information to this booklet.  We're sure there are many more stories around.  If you'd consider adding yours for a possible sequel next year, please write to Louise Schumann, P.O. Box 6, Catarina.  78836

sources:

Dimmit County Mesquite Roots, Chapter 15

Catarina Pictorial News, Catarina Chamber of Commerce, @ 1929

A History of Dimmit County, printed in the Carrizo Springs Javelin, May 31, 1979 Crystal Williams

Mesquite Roots Column, Javelin, April 24, 1980 Laura Tidwell

Treasure of Dimmit County Senior English Classes. C.S.H.S

Catarina:  Desert Dream Town - Houston Chronicle June 24, 1956 -L.A. Wilke

Corpus Christi Caller-Times mid 1960's

Leon Hale - Houston Post - November 1, 1968

"Portrait of a Texans"  Carrizo Springs Javelin Nicholas Volpe

Mildred Burns Gilbert

Wilma Burton Weyant

Oeena Burton Allaire

Margarita Guerra Brrera

Marjorie Burnett Parsons

Jess Long

Vicente Barrera, Sr.

Dick Dobie

Alicia (Mrs. Fino, Jr.) Garza

Julia (Mrs. Ira) Lansford

Merle Burns

JoAnn Dockery Ryan

Kathryn Gardner Vivion

Lawrence (Sonny) Schumann

Catarina, Texas (Little history book I found in my dad's papers)

Before I start, I found this cool little book in my dad's papers.  I was looking for old photo's to upload to ancestry and found this. It does not have a date on it. My dad and his family did live in Catarina for a bit back in the day. Not sure for how long.  If you are reading this, and know about Catarina or this little booklet, let me know something.  I'm going to type each page on here to use as a keepsake spot and to share with others who like the history of a hometown.
I HAVE MY BLIND FATHER HERE WITH ME HIS NAME IS ERNEST VIVIAN.  I AM TYPING THIS UP AND HE IS TELLING ME SOME MEMORIES OF HIS OWN AND I WILL ADD THEM TO THE STORY, BUT THEY ARE NOT IN THIS BOOK.  I WILL HIGHLIGHT HIS STORIES IN COLOR.
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  CATARINA FANTASY FICTION FACT
Benefit of Catarina Community Club

CATARINA may have begun as a FANTASY but through all this FICTION the FACT remains WE'RE STILL HERE!!!!

Pgs 4-5

  There are many different stories about how Catarina got it's name, but it may date back to the latter 1700's.  Friar Morfi, A Spanish priest, traversed the Camino Real in 1778 and wrote in his diary that December of passing by the Aquaje (water-hole) de Santa Catarina, which appears to be near the area between the Catarina and San Rogue Creeks.

  Mr. Ward was told it was the burial place of the original "Catarina", last name unknown, who was thought to have been the first person to take up and prove a ranch from old school land's in Southeast Dimmit County during the latter 1880's. 

  One story has it that on the old Sinton ranch one day, everyone was out except the cook (whose name was Catarina) when a band of Comanche Indians came and killed her and burned down all the camp.  The ranch headquarters were re-built on the same site and quite often, on a bright moon-lit night, her ghost could be heard singing as she flew around the place.   Local children called the place the "ghost's" house. 
  It is also possible it was named for a Hispanic goatherd who was found dead on the ranch in 1913.  Still others claim that it was a famous Indian named Catarina...  At least, they all agree that "someone" was buried somewhere around here.

  The nearest rail service to the Catarina area in the beginning was at Artesia Wells, a distance of some twenty miles.  In exchange for railroad right-of-way through the Taft-Catarina Ranch, Asher Richardson, developer of Asherton, agreed to erect a set of shipping pens on the site where the town of Catarina was eventually developed.  On this line connecting Asherton with Artesia  Wells and Encinal, our stop was known as "Catarina Station". 

  Taft-Catarina Ranch headquarters were eventually re-located to the shipping pen area.  A commissary was built there and Walter Mitson of Encinal was hired to operate the business and also serve as the bookkepper, depot agent, postmaster, and even justice of the peace for the community.  Joseph F. Green, supervisor the the Taft-Catarina ranching interests, had a home built for Mitson and then a two-story frame hotel.  It was erected on the site where the present masonry hotel now stands.

  A one-room school house was built in the area to serve the children of nearby ranch families.  It was built in the same area where the telephone exchange was located for many years.  Miss Lee McCarley was the teacher of the first class of seven children in 1913.  Several other homes and a bunk-house were soon added.

STORY BY DAD, ERNEST VIVIAN.

THE PAINTING OF THE SCHOOL.  THERE WAS A PAINTING OF THE OLD CATARINA SCHOOL HOUSE, THE BRICK ONE, THAT HUNG OVER IN OUR HOUSE FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.  HOW IT GOT TO BE THERE IS, DURING THE DEPRESSION, A MAN GOT OFF THE TRAIN IN CATARINA LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO EAT.  MY DAD (OTHO DEE VIVIAN, SR.) BROUGHT HIM OVER TO OUR HOUSE AND FED HIM.  HE WANTED TO KNOW HOW HE COULD REPAY MY DAD, SO HE PAINTED A PICTURE OF THE OLD CATARINA SCHOOL HOUSE , A LARGE PICTURE, ABOUT 2 -3 FEET LONG, AND HE GAVE IT TO MY DAD, AND IT HUNG IN OUR LIVING ROOM, ALONG TIME.  WHEN MY DAD DIED, MY BROTHER, LAWRENCE EDWARD VIVIAN, GAVE THE PICTURE TO SKEETER TOLLET AND TOLLET GAVE IT TO THE LIBRARY IN CARRIZO SPRINGS. I GUESS THAT IS WHERE IT IS TODAY, NOT SURE.

pages 6 and 7

William Howard Taft was president from 1909 to 1913.  During this time, Charles Taft decided to build a winter home on the ranch.  According to some sources, the two-story mansion was prepared as a suitable accommodation for President Taft, should he ever decide to visit the area.  The over-sized bathtubs are often cited as evidence that the mansion was designed with the very large president in mind. 

The residence, known then as the Taft House, became a local landmark.

Old timers still tell of watching the ox drawn wagons bringing the finest materials available from the nearest rail-head at the time in Cotulla.  The old road came across from Cotulla this side of the river where it tied in to the Valley Wells road. 

Shortly after the end of World War I Charles Taft sold the ranch to S. W. Forrester from Topeka, Kansas.  Oilman Forrester became the first real resident of the Taft House.

Unable to find sufficient oil on his own property, Forrester sold the ranch in 1925 to a group of investors who were interested in large-scale land promotion, C. H. (Clint) Kearney, J. E. Jarrett, and H. V. Wheeler. 

Catarina was developed as a model town.  Laid out by engineer Kearney the town-site featured broad streets and modern conveniences with sufficient capacity for taking care of a population of 10,000.  ---water works, electric lights, telephone exchange, fire engine with a volunteer fire company, a well-lighted paved boulevarded main street, and a 14 acre park with concrete swimming pool and a bath house.

  The developers spard no expense, but their most brilliant move was the hiring of Charles F. C. Ladd as "colonizing agent".  They envisioned and even laid out a second town near here to be called "Kearney".

  Ladd, a master showman, dressed in 10-gallon hats, jodphurs, and knee-high English riding boots, always managed to be available for pictures with his prospective customers.

  Ladd and L. W. Baldwin, president of the Missouri-Pacific Railroad sponsored spectacular train excursions weekly during the winter months.   Entertained lavishly for several days, many visitors bought parcels of land.  Mr. Ira Burns was one of the "drivers" Ladd hired on to show people around.  He was instructed t tell everyone all the fine features of the place, but not to let them "catch on" to any of the drawbacks.

pages 8 and 9

(pictured above are home-seekers leaving Catarina on an inspection tour of Catarina Properties, Charles Ladd, Colonization Agent, Nov. 10, 1925.  The star marks the approximate location of the Royal Palms Hotel.  The building to the right of the star was used as temporary lodging while the hotel was built.  The old Club House Bldg.  can bee seen in the far background to the left.  Mr. Ladd supervised many of these excursions and sold many acres in the Catarina area.

The Taft mansion, used as somewhat of  a country club for the thousands who came, soon began to be nicknamed the "Club House" to entertain and feed these visitors became known as Wheeler Hall and was the scene of community gatherings and dances for many years.

Ladd's own home never failed to impress the prospective customers.  The Spanish style two story stucco house surrounded by exotic landscaping, training stables, and full-grown orchards had a large gateway with "A-Ladd-In-Garden" written above it.  Thanks to Ladd's showmanship and intensive advertising, by 1928 Catarina was a boom town.

pages 10 and 11

Now boating of three splendid schools, Catarina grew from nine pupils in 1926 to 125 pupils in 1927.  And exceptional pupils they were, too.  In 1933 twenty-some of the youngsters ages 6 to 9 performed in Mrs. Knox's Rhythm Band.

   Early on Catarina made a good name for itself in sports.  Track, basketball and baseball teams showed well.  For several years (probably '28 or '29 through the early 30's) they supported a full eleven-man football team.  Mildred Burns was "team manager" for some of those years.  And a championship football team (6-man) was fielded up until Carrizo Springs annexed our schools in 1948.  And then Catarina provided C.S.H.S.'s valedictorians for several years.
(caption under photo below)  1948 CATRINA'S DISTRICT CHAMPION 6 MAN  TEAM (l-r) front row, Martin Garza, Victor Martinez, Bobby "Redman" Jones, Arthur Zobal and Edward Ernest, coach.  Back rown (l-r)Vicente Ramon, Stephen Zobal, Joe Holden, Allen Dockery, Dee Roberts and Adan Lira.
1

      pages 12 and 13

  The Crystal City Sentinel in 1927 reported "Catarina has had a wonderful growth, which is shown by the number of buildings and business houses.  To date there are 135 residences and 49 offices and business houses.  It is hard to get a correct census, but it is thought to be around 800.  At its peak, in about 1929, Catarina may have had up to 2,500 residents.  "However, in 1932 there were only 592, and by 1940 it had dropped to 403.  Records for 1950 show 308 and for 1960 there only 160, near where it has remained ever since.
  Sunday School and worship services were held in the Club House for many years.  A pastor from Crystal City would come over to hold services at 3 o'clock in the afternoons.
  The Catarina Community Church was organized in November of 1928.  The first pastor, Rev. J. L. Davis, served 5 years, and the membership was very active, having a full choir, Sunday School classes, youth groups and women's circles.

   The large brick hotel would be a cred to a city many times the size of Catarina.  It is steam-heated and offers all modern conveniences. 
  The original water system with its fire hydrants and "silo type" water tower still faithfully serves Catarina's residents.   It is now owned and operated by Mr. Merle Burns.

pages 14 and 15

  The old original 1927 Model T Ford fire truck was still in use until the mid-1960's.  At present our needs are being met by our old army truck which we've recently fitted with a new 1,000 gallon fiberglass water tank.

  News Items from the Crystal City Sentinel in 1927:

  Mr. & Mrs. Alee Fowler of Port Arthur, arrived in Catarina with their household effects a few days ago and will occupy the Taggert residence until a home can be built for them on their 200 acre farm which is being developed and a well put down. 

  Dr. & Mrs. L. G. Mitchell of Oklahoma City arrived this week at Catarina.  Dr. Mitchell is a dentist and will open an office at once.
 
  Mr. & Mrs. P. E. Beck of Owaltoma, Minn. have let the contract for their new Catarina home to J. B. Turner.  Construction has begun.

  Mr. & Mrs. O. R. Parrett of Cooslville, Tenn. and Cecil Westerbrook of Linden, Tenn. are here to spend the winter.
 
  Earle A. Towne of Wichita, Kansas is here in Catarina in the interest of the Catarina Ice and Cold Storage Plant.  He is also a judge.

  pages 16 and 17

  Stuff gleaned from here and there:

  the telephone exchange was run by Linda and Pate Boaz, and Clarice SAles sang out "Number, Please".  Later on, Mrs. Thomas owned and operated the system.

  "Unlce" Ab Blocker was a trail driver.  A very colorful local character, he would never ride in a car.  Pictured years later in a San Antonio rotogravure magazine at a Trail Drivers Convention, he said he "still would't".

  The Catarina John F. Grant Lumber company run by Mr. Glasscock, was destroyed by fire on Christmas morning in 1926.  The Orange Lumber Co. on the main street was later part of the John F. Grant interests and was run by Mr. & Mrs. Adolph Schumann from the early '40's until 1955.  

  There was a Herring-Turner Implement Company, Alamo Lumber Company, Mitson Grocery, J. Austin-Hunter Produce Marketing Company, Smith Store, The Blue Quail Cafe, Domini Grocery, Bruggermann Laundry, Ladd's Packing Sheds & Shipping Company, a real estate company, The American Legion Hall, and a Doctor Watterman.  The Post Office was run by Frank Schrack.  Everyone enjoyed the good food prepared at the Mexico Cafe.

  Fannie Ray made the best hamburgers in town for all the kids hanging out around the swimming pool, dance pavilion, picnic complex.

  Catarina jail was B A D !!! One day spent in there was enough to cure the worst thief.

  A Mrs. Beazley had a real estate office here.

  Through the 1940's there was a multitude of citrus groves here in Catarina and many carloads of onions were sorted and shipped from here.

  Seems there was always a contest going to see who could come up with the stinkiest stinky fish bait.  Contestants in this and other hunting and fishing stories were Tom Hitchcock, Frank and Don McMains, Glenn Morton, Adolph Schumann, Tom Gardner, Bob Brown, Pate Boaz and the Cloud brothers.

pages 18 and 19

  Adolph Zobal and family ran the Catarina Bakery and later the Meat Market and grocery store.

  Bill Bamey could grow anything, and operated the Catarina Nursery.

  Ginger Rehyer owned and operated a beauty shop in her home and later, Winnie Chennault Bishop had one in the hotel building.

  IN the mid 40's, a tornado smacked Catarina taking the back of Mr. Barber's garage then destroying the  Gardner Cafe on the opposite side of the highway!  It continued on and removed all the chimneys from the Club House and up-rooted all the huge Athol trees along the south side of the Schumann's brick house.

  Hollis Ward started the Winter Garden Bus Line here in Catarina which later became a part of the Continental Trailways System.

  Mr. J. McKinney was head of the Catarina State Bank, organized in February of 1929 and closed in the early '30's, lived in a fine two-story frame house.

  Kermit Trimm worked at Harry Rehyer's Drug Store.

  Johnny Smith, who ran the lumber yard, was also an accomplished musician who played for local dances.  (And I hear he was a swell dancer himself.)

  Mr. Tanner entertained his neighbors with music on a violin he'd made himself from a cigar box.

  Mrs. Coleman was the telegraph operator and ran the Western Union and Missouri-Pacific Railroad Depot.

  The Texaco Service Station was owned at various times by Ed Sietz, Carl Schumann and Delfino Garza.  Frank Emerson's garage and Mr. Barber's Gulf Station also took care of the ever increasing numbers of automobiles coming through Catarina.

pages 20 and 21 

Floyd Trimm operated the Water Well Service.

  Albert Smith had a tractor and implement company in the red brick building.  --and also sold cars.

  Grocer Tom Stack, generous with penny candy, could "spit between any barefoot boy's two big toes." 

  And "Political Division"  is nothing new!  At one time, none of the trustees on the school board had any children.  Many parents felt that their choice young superintendent was -"not a good influence" on their children and campaigned to elect a whole new board.  It became a very hot issue and even the minister got involved.  One of the "old" board members came looking for him with a gun! The minister ran to hide and locked himself in the church bathroom.  He told later how thankful he was that they never tried that bathroom door. 

  The "old" trustees had already hired a full contingent of teachers, but the "new" board fired them all and hired their own.  Mrs. Muta Lee Brown was the only "old" teacher re-hired  --- and she was probably only twenty years old.  (She went on to teach in Catarina for over thirty years.)

  This division amongst the townspeople continued on for many years.  Finally, some silly prank by school children led to a law-suit being filed.  All the townspeople agreed that this was a "frivolous"  law-suit (even if that word hand't been invented yet) and seemed to bury their differences after that.

  IN 1947-48 Carrizo Springs consolidated our schools with theirs and grades 7 through 12 were sent to Carrizo school buildings.  Mrs. Muta Lee Brown and Mrs. Emma Vivion taught the lower grades in tow classrooms of the former high school building for another 10 or 12 years. 

  In the 1940's Catarina used to have a dance hall and restaurant owned by Jose and Otila Cruz.  This place was close to the old Castelleja residence off the road going to the Diamond H. Ranch.  Once or twice a month the Hispanics would get together to hold a dance at Jose and Otila's place.  That is when the ranch hands came to town and had a good time with the local people.

  Some of the local musicians were so proficient with their guitars and accordions that when someone would ask, "Do you know --- (name of song)?". they could answer, "You 'WHEEZZLE', we play."  And then they'd do it !!!

  Best onions in the country came from around Catarina!  Big, juicy, flat, sweet ones!  Boxcars lined up for blocks waiting to be loaded.  Many times the hands worked the graders all through the night to get the huge crops on the way to market.  When there were too many for the packing sheds, lights would be strung up on posts for half a block so men could see to sack up the onions.

pages 22 and 23 have no photos so i will just type what it says (Leslie Vivian)

  One visiting Grandfather, unaccustomed to Catarina's type of surroundings, exclaimed --"Punkin, I never saw so many tumblebugs in all my life".

  Although most homes in Catarina had "modern conveniences", for those who didn't, there was always the admonition, "Now don't fall in , Kafern!".

  One large group of grandchildren visiting in Catarina go back home telling their friends "We know what Santa Clause does in the summertime.  He drives around Catarina in an old yellow pick-up nd feeds cattle."

  Mr. and Mrs. Meitson (Mitson) built the brick house that became the Schumann's home.  Mr. Meitson was the first postmaster.

  Grandpa Gardner always wore a big wide-brimmed hat.  He didn't "sit" in a chair, he put his feet up in it and squatted.  And he could roll his smokes while driving down the highway and then strike his match all across the dashboard!!!  Look out!!!

  The first water stop east for the train was at the Vivion Ranch house.  "Number One!". called out the conductor as the train came to a stop.  The road at that time was on the north side of the railroad tracks.

  There were several houses and stores on the north side of the railroad tracks, too.  A dry goods store, furniture, variety, grocery stores, and even a barber shop.  And some rumor of a Catholic Church, also.  There still is a cemetery there.

  Catarina's 20 acre Community Cemetery was donated to the new town by the Catarina Farms Company.  

  Rumor has it that one of the cemetery's first occupants was one of the workers who'd been standing on top of the Taft House when somebody came riding up on a horse and shot him off of it. (all characters' names remain unknown.)  

  Headstones are still there for many Howards, Stewarts, and a McMurphy.  Others known to be buried there are Yarborough, Griffin, Jacoby, Burns, Ward, Beazley, Earle Townes, nd McGowan.

 St. Henry's Catholic Church, first built in 1984, organized by and named for Father Henry Moczyemba, is in its second building now.  In October 1990, the first building was burned, followed only six months later by the deliberate burning of the Catarina Community Church.

  Catarina Homemakers Club, established in 1975, won the second place award in the National Home, Farm and Recreational Safety Program in 1976 for their efforts to support the local fire department.

pages 24 and 25

  El Camino Real

  The Royal Road

The Kings Highway-

  Texas's most historically significant highway, passes directly through the town of Catarina on its way from Presidio del Rio Grande (one of the best fords of the lower Rio Grande River) to Far East Texas and beyond.

  It was more than just a route.  It was a complex set of relationships between travelers and nature, between buyers and sellers, and between governors and governed.  While it is hard to set a date for its beginning, it was definitely a recognized thoroughfare as early as 1691.

  The general route taken according to Fray Augustine Morfi in his diary in 1778 was used by Mr. V. N. Zively in placing markers from Pendelton's Ferry on the Sabine River to El Paseo de francia on the Rio Grande.

  In 1915 & 1916 Mr. Zively, a civil engineer, placed markers every five miles over the entire road.  There are ten markers in Dimmit County.  The road entered Dimmit County just north of La Cochina Hill and Ranch (Post 116); past Loma Alta, crossed San Roque Creek (Post 117); crossed Asherton-Gulf Railroad 3200 feet south of the Catarina Station; through Loma Blanca, Catarina Ranch (Post 118); crossed Catarina Creek (Post 120), then took a deep curve south of Toya Tank.  Most of these markers are still there although some have been moved slightly to more accessible places along the highways.  Mr. Herbert Ward helped to bring in and set up most of the pink granite monuments in the Catarina area.

  In 1991 a contingent of archaeologists and historians traveled the entire established length of the camino, encouraging celebrations in each of the towns along the way.  The Catarina Community Club decided to make El Camino Real Festival and annual celebration f the event.  Usually the first Sunday of April, this year's festival will be held on April 9, 1995. 

pages 26 and 27 have no pictures

BAD NEWS

  

  Old timers told that liquor for the saloon in Carrizo Springs came from Laredo by Mexican carts.  They camped on night on the San Roque Creek, close to where Catarina is now.  They tapped a barrel of whiskey at a sheep camp near there, and the sheep shearers got drunk and into a fight.  One was killed and several others badly cut up with butcher knives.  They buried the dead one on the bank of the San Roque Creek, and it was a long time before it was found out about.

  Comanche Indians in the 1860's were found throughout this area.  Many of these Indians would attack the people, whose only protection was the fort.  The Indians would shoot flaming arrows to the rooftops of the grass houses.  

  The tow most remembered Indian Battles were at the San Roque Lake (on the other side of Catarina) and the one at Copita Hill (3 miles south of Carrizo).  At these two sites, there were massive killings of people and horses.  After the San Roque battle, there were so many bodies left that there were maggots crawling on the ground everywhere.

  The Indians once chased a man to try to kill him.  He escaped by going into the vast grassland.  The Indians didn't give up easily.  He was saved, however, by hiding in a badger hole.

(The above tales were taken from the "Treasures of Dimmit County:, gathered by the students in Carrizo Springs High School)

GHOST TOWN???

  

  Corpus Christi Caller-Times Mid 1960's --- "Catarina was a town that never got a chance to fulfill the fantastic visions of its millionaire founders.

  --- came the depression:  the country recovered but Catarina never had a chance.  Gradually the weeds crept closer, the small farms reverted to wild ranch land and everyone gave up.

  The scorching West Texas sun slows all movement and the drams of the millionaire speculators fall in the dust.

  The few people who hesitate in the ghost town are vainly looking for a cup of coffee or a few gallons of gasoline."

  "Letters to the Editor" a few days later: -- "Catarina Overplayed!"

-----------------

Bah!!  What does he know?  !!!

---------------------

Leon Hale - Houston Post - November 1, 1968

  "When people stop here", Alice Gardner said, "they usually ask, "What Happened?".  What they mean is, what happened to the town of Catarina, which is the sort of place people are forever calling a ghost town.  The trouble is, travelers want to visit a ghost town so bad that they invent things.

  A few nights ago a couple of guys discovered Catarina is not populated by ghosts.  They spotlighted a deer, right there on the highway not a block from the hotel.  The gunshot waked Harvey Lansford he called Herbert Ward, game warden.  Ward drove over, caught the spot-lighters field-dressing their deer by the side of the highway and demonstrated he was not a ghost by arresting them.  In Dimmit County, even in a place people call a ghost town, it is considered bad manners to shoot a deer after dark,  -- especially before the season opens." 

  

pages 28 and 29 (no photos on these pages)

PETE AND OSCAR

according to Marjorie Burnett Parsons

  Pete, an enlisted mean, and Oscar, an officer, were killed Europe in World War I.  Their spirits found Harry Reyher's farm  a peaceful dwelling place.  Pete was (IS) the ornery one, who never did anything to hurt people, but scared the beejeebers out of many.

  Oscar was gentle and quiet.  He preferred to sit on the side of Harry's bed and converse with him than to play tricks like Pete.  Oscar was the straight man,  and often it was he who would tell Pete when his antics had gone too far.

  Well, Oscar never left Catarina as far as I know.  When Harry finally settled down in San Antonio, Pete lived with him.  However, when Harry would go to Arizona or Colorado to visit his relatives, Pete refused to go along, and refused to be left alone.  i always knew when Harry was out of town, because Pete would be at my house.  It was easy to know when Pete lace; knock something off a wall or some little silly thing, just to let me know he was there.

  When Harry died, I inherited Pete.  Now, my Mom says he sometimes goes to visit her and my step-dad.  Pete moves things - like an entire key ring with EVERYTHING on it which I had in my hand in order to get inside my house.  That was about six years ago, and I've never found them.

  For those who would doubt Pete, here is a true tale.  My ex-husband and I went down to the creek and set out some lines, and for no explainable reason, Jack almost fell in the creek.  He wasn't even on a slick spot or a slope.  I casually aid, "Pete did it" and we left it at that.

  We went back a few hours later to check the lines.  My line was broken.  Jack's line had a fish which had my hook and piece of the line hooked in his mouth along with Jack's hook!  Jack looked at me, puzzled.  I explained "Pete is telling you he's sorry he almost pushed you into the creek."  That was as acceptable explanation.

  Back at the house, my dad (my real one) was here for a a visit.  He was a very solemn person with very little sense of humor.  We were sitting at the dining table - it was summer, the doors wand windows were all open to let the breeze flow through.  We were telling him about Pete and the fish tale.  daddy was not smiling.  Finally, he said, "You know there's no such thing as ghosts!"

JUST AT THAT MOMENT, the wooden front door swung almost shut, and Jack said, "Pete, Open that damned door!"  And, JUST AT THAT MOMENT, the door opened back like it had been.  And just that moment, my Dad said, "I'm going back to Westoff!" and too a hasty exit.

  Pete's still around, but his antics are fewer.  Maybe he's finally happy and knows that I accept him.  He does still remind me he's here though.  A couple of months ago I heard a crash.  There weren't any ground tremors, thunder or anything like that going on, but a wooden frame holding horse shoes, antique keys, knives,etc., fell off the wall.  It had been handing in that same place for probably 10 years.  Luckily, it fell straight down and was resting on a shelf when I got in there.

THE NEXT FEW PAGES I WILL WORK ON TOMORROW. IT INCLUDES MY UNCLE LESLIE WHOM I AM NAMED AFTER, EXCEPT I AM A GIRL. :)  Leslie Vivian

Ornament Dough Recipe (Found this in my recipe box, dated 1989)

4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cups water

Mix flour and salt thoroughly; add water, mix with fingers to a dough, then knead until salt is melted and dough is elastic; cover all but portion being used as you make ornaments; to use a wire hanger, wet before inserting; place ornaments on foil and foil on a cookie sheet; bake at 250 degrees for 3-4 hours; cool; paint with acrylics; dip into liquid polyurethane and hang to dry.

Circa 1980 My Pa and our Brahma Bull "Toro"

Ok, keep up with me here. This is an old photo of my Pa, and our Brahma Bull whom we named "Toro". Toro was not a bull to mess around with. He was huge and big and had large horns. He used them horns for things that only bulls know why. I saw this bull chase kiyotes, strangers coming onto our property, cats, dogs, skunks, you name it. This bull chased anything that may threaten his popularity with the 'lady cows'. He was the grand poo ba of them girls, and he would not let anything stand in his way of being the "man bull".

Anyway, about this photo. I remember this like it was yesterday. It was a nice summer day and Pa was in the back messing around and Toro walked up on the scene, pretty close to our house. I was just to the left of the photo on the back porch at the time. I watched my dad talk to Toro, soft, and quiet. Toro would blow huffs out of his nose and toss his horns a little to the left or right. Pa walked away from Toro and came back with metal rake. Not the wimpy kind with the long teeth, but the iron rake, with the short iron teeth. The tough sons a bitches. My Pa started using it to scratch Toro with. I was thinking what the hell was my Pa doing? Looking to get his butt horned? I was not feeling very good about any of this. Toro would stand there while dad scratched that bulls belly, near his wefo ranchero's (thats what I call bull nuts), and his back. That bull was loving it. The loud nose blows turned into softer ones and then he went down on his front two legs, then his back two legs, then that bull rolled over on his side and laid there while my Pa scratched and rubbed him all over. Thats when I grabbed the camera and snapped this photo. I was floored by it all and thought my Pa was bomb.