The encyclopedia of Texas, V.1, Part 9

Author: Davis, Ellis Arthur, ed; Grobe, Edwin H., ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Dallas, Texas Development Bureau
Number of Pages: 1204

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In 1910 the first hearses on motor trucks were bought by the undertakers of the larger cities of Texas, the number increasing slowly on account of prejudice for the motor car. Popular opinion was changed to the extent that all well equipped undertaking estab- lishments have been motorized 100 per cent by 1920.

The first motor factory in the state of Texas was that of the Wichita Truck Company, at Wich- ita Falls, Texas, which began in a small way in 1911 and expanded rapidly until Wichita Trucks have been in use for several years in all parts of the world.

The Ford Motor Company estab- lished an assembly plant in Dallas in 1914. Also one in Houston in July, 1914, which in 1922 had a

capacity of 150 cars per day. However the Houston branch was established in 1910 as a sales and service branch only.

In 1917 the Texas legislature passed a bill creating a highway commission authorizing same to license automobiles, trucks, motor cycles, etc., and in 1920 the number of such licenses issued was 427,693, in 1921 approximately 475,000. During the period be- tween 1914 and 1920 there were approximately 1,500 automobile dealers in the state. In 1920 the volume of business was tremendous, amounting with the allied lines to $350,000,000 in the state. In 1918 many motor truck lines were established for trans- portation of supplies and produce between the large centers and the small towns throughout the state.

In 1918 the Texas Motor Car Association opened a manufacturing plant in Fort Worth for the pro- duction of Texan passenger cars.

During the world war and the year following the signing of the armistice the automobile industry, together with allied lines, prospered beyond expecta- tions in Texas, small towns as well as the large cities of the state taking on great activity. Many tourists remarked the fact that the greater number of better class buildings in even the smaller towns were erected and used by automobile concerns, hand- some salesrooms as well as well equipped service stations and garages.

In the beginning the automobile was looked upon as a plaything for the rich and considered an ex- pensive luxury and the citizenship of Texas did not dream that within a few years an automobile would be an essential and ordinary possession of the aver- age family. In the year of 1922 there is an average in Texas of one car to every ten persons.

MONTAOUL

NDERS

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TONE

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The Aren Inclosed in a Circle Described by One Hundred Mile Radius Around Dallas, is Rapidly Becoming Threaded with Good Public Highways.

MASONRY: ITS OBJECTS AND INFLUENCES By SAM P. COCHRAN, 33º Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Texas

T HE practical object of Masonry has been de- fined as to be "the physical and moral ameliora- tion and the intellectual and سر spiritual improvement of in- dividuals and society." Prob- ably the latest definition of Free Masonry is that given in the "Declaration of Prin- ciples" of the International Masonic Association, viz: "Free Masonry, a traditional, philanthropic, philosophical and progressive institution, being based upon the prin- ciple that all men are broth- ers, holds high in its purposes which are: The research of Verity, the study and the practice of Morality and of Solidarity. It exerts itself for material and moral improvements as well as for the intellectual and social perfection of mankind. Its chief duty is to extend to all mankind the brotherly ties which unite all Free Masons all over the Globe." Society can be improved only as the constituent individuals are made better; and Masonry seeks to accomplish this by inducing in each individual consciousness, a deeper and stronger sense of personal responsi- bility and a higher and keener appreciation of the things of moral and intellectual worth. This is character building, and this is the ultimate object and aim of Masonry. Therefore it is that our system of philosophy takes the homely and practical opera- tion of building a structure-a temple -- as a symbol, by means of which to illustrate, to those who nave eyes to see and ears to hear, those great truths and virtues which, woven into the warp and woof of life by practice and experience, clothe man with a garment of beauty and honor, and polish and adorn his true character. The cornerstone of the Masonic structure is Truth, which is declared to be a divine

The Scottish Rite Temple, Harwood and Young Streets; Dallas

attribute and the foundation of every virtue. From 'his cornerstone extend the foundation walls, con- "turted of the moral virtues and intellectual ex- .sliencies, and like the foundation of the metaphoric 'ity of Revelation "garnished with all manner of precious stones," chief among which are Temper-

ance, Fortitude, Prudence, Justice, Brotherly Love, Relief, Toleration and Patriotism. And as the physi- cal structure rises secure and faultless on its founda- tion of solid stones, so Masonry undertakes to erect on the foundation of these great virtues, in each individual consciousness, the Temple of Character- that temple where in each must dwell and serve, until, perfected by the process of God's alchemy, sweetened

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The Dallas Athletic Club. The Finest Club Building in the South, From Architects' Drawing Lang & Witchell, Ar- chitects

by suffering and sanctified by love, he is prepared to enter in, through the gate over which is in- scribed, "Holiness to the Lord," into that city, made without hands, eternal in the heavens, in which there is no temple, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." (Rev. 21:22).

The world needs today, as much as at any period in its history heretofore, men of sound, solid char- acter, like the foundation stones of a well built structure, and based on the great principles of our Order, to direct and govern its affairs, that justice may be done in the earth and the people no longer be oppressed. Is there not need for such men to lead and govern ? Look at Europe, where ambition, envy, hatred and greed, have drenched the earth with human blood, spreading devastation and woe everywhere, and almost proving the Brotherhood of Man to be a myth. If the Spirit of Masonry abode amidst those warring nations, human slaughter would cease and their differences would be readily composed on the Masonic basis of Justice, Right and Truth. Let us rejoice that in our own blessed land we enjoy the great right-which we should cherish and defend-of teaching and practicing Free Masonry without political or pontificial interference or restraint.

Let us rejoice that the foundations of our Craft- hood are co-extensive with our national domain, our

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

asylums planted in every community, and our prin- ciples so pervading the public consciousness and gaining such foothold among increasing member- ship, that all distinctions of sections of religions, or of races have been eliminated, the spirit of na- tional brotherhood born anew, and the possibility of civil strife forever banished. The Spirit of Masonry is making our nation great, and preparing it to play a great part in securing and maintaining an endur- ing peace among the nations of the world; and we need great nien, inspired by the principles of Masonry, and possessing characters built upon its foundation stones, to successfully achieve this grand result of humanity.

But look close at home: We see graft, bigotry and intolerance thriving and holding sway in our midst. Dishonesty in both high and low places goes unpunished because of fear and favoritism. Some churches, commissioned to teach and persuade alone, are insidiously or insistently thrusting themselves into public affairs, sometimes seeking to direct pub- lic or political actions, or control political patronage. Intolerance still blinds men as darkly as when perse- cution drove our hardy ancestors to settle a new continent, and seek to establish a land of religious liberty, or when the newcomers burned so-called witches at Salem. In our legislatures we find those sent to represent the people, who evince an entire willingness to imprison or expatriate others who have the temerity to differ with them in respect to political, religious or medical opinions or prefer- ences.

We find the rule of the mob threatening our very political foundations, in the great strikes that keep the country in apprehension, when great bodies of men, in contempt or defiance of law and ignoring all legal processes-setting their own desires above all questions of legal restraint-seek to enforce their own demands by power of numbers, often in actual revolt and open rebellion against constituted, lawful authority; ruthlessly trampling upon the rights of others not co-operating with them, and openly-as well as secretly-resorting to violence against per- son and property.

We find these great forces growing in aggressive- ness and fierceness because it frequently happens that the officers of the law fail to restrain, or even attempt to restrain them, through sympathy or fear, or because of the political weight of their numbers, and of their influence boldly asserted and used. We find state courts failing to punish or restrain the participants in such cases, for like reasons of politi- cal fear or prejudice, and refusing to protect in their legal rights those who are mercilessly trodden upon or injured by the revolters.

We see our legislatures quibbing over road laws, school districts and petty statutory offenses, or equally inconsequential matters, while the rights of the quiet, law-abiding and tax-paying element of our people are invaded. We see more laws enacted to hamper the law-abiding and the reins slackened on

the vicious and turbulent; laws passed to favor classes of citizens large in number, and against the fewer. And we see our paid officials zealously prose- cuting for alleged statutory offenses small bodies or numbers of citizens of particular trades or occupa- tions, while those of other callings who number niany voters in their ranks follow unlawful methods and practices in quiet security, seemingly unobserved by the official eye. In a hundred ways in less im- portant matters, but frequently to their great dis- comfort or annoyance, the rights of law-abiding peo- ple are invaded because no one individual has the courage or the time to protest.

Do we not need great men, strong men-men with strong, firm characters, built up on the principles and virtues inculcated by our great Order-to help in the battle against wrong, vice, usurpation and oppression.

I do not know whether J. G. Holland was a Mason or not, but he certainly has a very high concept of the principles and teachings of the Order, as beauti- fully expressed in the following poem, and which is worthy of every man's serious thought:

"God give us men. The time demands

Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and willing

hands;

Men whom the lust of office does not kill;

Men whom the spoils of office can not buy;

Men who possess opinions and a will;

Men who have honor; men who will not lie; Men who can stand before a demagogue

And dam his treacherous flatteries without winking;

Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog In public duty and private thinking.

For while the rabble with their thumb-worn creeds, Their large professions and their little deeds Mingle in selfish strife; lo-freedom weeps-

Wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps-"

A person only submits to wrong or injustice be- cause the individual has not the courage to stand forth alone; given trustworthy leaders the people will follow in every fight for liberty, justice and country. Masonry interferes with no religion, in- trudes into no political affairs, and claims no special favors for its votaries. It seeks to inculcate its great principles, that men may be made wiser and better, individually, and collectively, and that the welfare of humanity as a whole may be advanced through the agency of its teachings and practice.

Men imbued with its principles are qualified to lead the people in their struggle upward, and those not appointed to lead know how to follow and serve in every movement for Justice, Right and Truth.

To build the Temple of Character in men, that they might be fit to serve the Great Architect of the Universe and their fellow men, and may reap the reward of right-doing, is, I believe, one of the legiti- mate and laudable, one of the foremost, duties and missions of Masonry.

تمعمله:

AUSTIN, THE HOME CITY By AUSTIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

I N building a city of homes, homes which are al- ways a delight to live in, many conveniences must be added to the work nature has done for the locality in order that people may desire to live there.

Nature has given to Austin and its surrounding territory climate, sunshine, water and scenery, and the hand of man has done the rest.

In 1836, the Republic of Texas appointed a Com- mission whose duty it was to locate the capital of the Republic. A Republic whose area was more than one-twelfth as large as the present total area of the United States. This commission looked over the whole of Texas and then unanimously selected the present site of Austin. This site was near the cen- ter of the Republic and selected on its merit and nat- ural beauty.

The city is built on the edge of the Edwards pla- teau with the altitude ranging from 500 to 700 feet above sea level. The Colorado River flows through the south side of the city but the water never dis- turbs the inhabitants along its course. The banks of this stream are of limestone from 40 to 60 feet above the water.

Beginning at Austin and going northward, the Colorado has cut a canyon through limestone hills for a distance of 250 miles. This fact makes pos- sible the utilization of water power without any great engineering difficulties, such as are charac- teristic of nearly all other rivers. From six to eight dams could be built across the rives at a min- imum expense. The dam which has been built at Austin, when completed, will generate 6,000 H. P. per day. This dam now forms a lake 28 miles long where fishing, boating, swimming and other sports are engaged in throughout the year. This lake is ac- cessible by automobile and street cars. The lake is 65 feet deep.

There are a number of bathing beaches, such as Deep Eddy and Barton Springs which provide ad- ditional recreation for all visitors and residents.

The homes of Austin are beautiful throughout the

year by every type of flower which grows in the south. Each season of the year produces its abun- dance of wild flowers in the fields, along the road sides, and on the hills.

In making this a home city, the citizens of Austin have taken particular care to see that its water supply is maintained not only in abundance but of

Looking up the Main Thoroughfare of Austin towards the Capitol Building.

the highest quality. Street car service is provided to every section. The city being well drained there are rarely ever any mosquitoes.

There are within the city nearly 60 Churches, rep- resenting the principal denominations. There are also Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A organizations. The Country Club is one of the best to be found in Texas with beautiful grounds and scenery.

The area of the city is 16 square miles. There are 195 miles of streets, 35 miles of which are paved and tarviated. There are 69 miles of sewer mains and 64 miles of gas mains. There are a number of high class theatres and moving picture shows which con- tribute to the pleasure of all.

Surrounding Austin there are 340 miles of mac- adamized and tarviated roads which traverse the hills and mountains west of the city as well as the level farming land to the east. There are four na-

Lake Austin, only a Short Ride from the Heart of the City; A Popular Watering Place for University Students and Residents of Austin

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

tional highways passing through Austin, these are the Meridian Highway, The International Paved Way, the King of Trails and the Southern Highway.

The business men and other citizens of Austin have organized a number of clubs which are working for the upbuilding and beautification of Austin and its surrounding territory. The principal one of these clubs is the Chamber of Commerce which has been working for Austin for nearly forty years. The or- ganization has a permanent building on Congress Avenue in which center every activity of the city and surrounding country. This organization is backed financially by every leadling business con- cern of any importance in the city. The farmers and stockmen in the country are joining the organi- zation as a business proposition and are receiving many benefits. The Rotary Club, Lions Club, and Kiwanis Club are strong allies of the Chamber of Commerce in the work which it is doing. There is never any fraction between these organizations and the value of progressive spirit which these clubs in inculcating in the minds of the citizens of this city cannot be estimated. The Retail Merchants Asso- ciation and the Credit Men's Association are two of the most valuable assets the retailers and whole- salers have. Among the citizens of Austin of na- tional and international repute are Col. E. M. House, A. S. Burleson, T. W. Gregory, D. F. Houston, R. E. Vinson and Mrs. Percy V. Pennybecker.

Throughout the city are located many beautiful parks whose grassy slopes are dotted with live oak trees and mountain laurel in great profusion. Among these parks are; Woolridge Park, Pease Park, the City Park at Lake Austin. One of the striking beauties of Austin is the wide paved streets whose parked centers are carefully kept.

The public schools in Austin, numbering sixteen in all have the highest scholarship classification of any schools in Texas. There is also located in Austin the Texas State University which has an enrollment of 3,500. The Texas school of the Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institute, Wesleyan College, Presbyterian Theological Seminary and a number of private schools are located here.

Austin was one of the first cities in Texas to adopt the Commission form of government. The wealth of the city is estimated at seventy-five million dollars and the wealth of the country outside of the city is estimated at sixty-seven million dollars. The Post Office receipts for 1918 were $268,579.83. Austin has four banks and two trust companies. The clear- ings for 1918 were $185,372,224.38.

The State Capital of Texas located at Austin is the largest building of its kind in the United States. This building is constructed of Texas Granite and is surrounded by beautifully parked grounds. A number of modern office buildings notably the Scarbrough building, Littlefield building and the Austin Na- tional Bank Building provide offices for all types of businesses. Accomodations are found in the hotels for all the travelers and strangers who visit the city.

In the country surrounding Austin, the prospective home seeker will find any type of soil he desires. There is the rich alluvial bottom land which costs from $200 to $250 per acre. There is the rich fertile black prairie land which is worth from $125 to $200 per acre. In the western part of the county the hilly land which has some farming land on it can be pur- chased from $5 to $10 per acre. At the present time there are 5,697 homes in Travis county. The average rainfall in this county is 35 inches per year. This

is sufficient rainfall to produce any of the staple crops which are grown in Texas. The principal crops raised in Travis county are, cotton, corn, cane and a variety of hay crops. Peaches, plums and grapes produce abundant crops when properly cared for. One of the vegetable crops produced in winter is spinich. Austin ships annually from 200 to 500 cars of spinich. This is the largest producing point for spinich in the south. The climate and soil are especially adapted to the production of this vege- table which does not do so well at many other points where the winter is too severe or where the soil does not contain such essential elements as iron. There are many other vegetable crops as well as farm crops which pay well in Travis and surrounding counties.

The temperature of this section is maintained at a comfortable degree throughout the summer by gulf breezes which blow principally from the south or southeast.

The normal cotton crop of Travis county is sev- enty thousand bales, while there are approximately four hundred thousand bales produced in the trade territory of Austin.

The dairy industry is becoming an important fac- tor each year. The eradication of ticks is bringing into this county full blooded registered stock from the best herds of the nation.

There is marketed at Austin each year around two hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of turkeys. These are killed, picked and shipped to market in refrigerator cars. The field for raising chickens and turkeys is unlimited.

Among the industries of Austin are the following factories: Canning plant for chili; factory for gas engines; brick; candy; bottling; cigars; flour; cotton seed oil; mattresses, cots, beds; mill work; doors; soap; ice; trunk; monuments; also creameries and cotton gins.

One of the factories hardly needed to utilize the spare labor in Austin is a cotton mill.

The transportation lines with railroads to Austin are the International & Great Northern; Missouri, Kansas & Texas and the Southern Pacific. The freight tonnage of Austin for 1918 was 1,314,900 tors. The value of the public and High School prop- erty is $1,113,000.00. The minimum water rate is 50c for 2,500 gallons. The electric power rate is 21%c per K. W. for over 3,000 K. W.s.

Austin is one of the most attractive residence cities of the South. It particularly appeals to the highly cultured and educated class of citizens. A great many state officials often serving their term in office and becoming imbued with the charm of Austin make this Capital City their permanent place of abode.

Many well-to-do or retired business men from the . cities and ranchers from the rural district move to Austin to give their children the advantages of an education in the splendid schools or the University.

In close proximity to Austin are many attractive places to go for vacation time. The Colorado river, above the city is noted for its beautiful scenery. Motor boats can go many miles up the river through as fine a stretch of attractive scenery as can be found in the South. The Colorado river is teeming with fish which gives an unlimited field of sport to the angler. Lake Austin also is a natural vacation spot with facilities for boating, fishing, swimming and picnicing.

HISTORY OF DALLAS By E. J. KEIST

Proprietor of the Daily Times-Herald

D ALLAS was named for the Vice-President of the United States, George Mifflin Dallas under the president James K. Polk. It was formerly known as

Peters Colony which was established under the instru- mentality of W. S. Peters a colonizing agent who had a contract with the government as did a number of others for colonizing tracts of land in northern Texas.

The first family to locate on the site of the present city of Dallas was John Neely Bryan, a bachelor who was a native of Kentucky. He came here in the fall of 1841 with no other companion than his indian pony that he had secured from the Cherokees and pitched his tent on a spot near the present site of the County Court House. He was a man of sturdy physique and sterling character, he uved on bear and buffalo meat and such food as abounded in the forest and surrounding prairie. Six months later Captain Gilbert and wife arrived and a little later John Beeman with his family put in appearance. The lonely Mr. Bryan welcomed them with open arms and shared his provisions liberally with the new arrivals. Shortly afterwards the host was awarded for his hospitality by the gift of his former guests fair daughter, Margaret Beeman for a bride. This was the first wedding in Dallas. The three fam- ilies built rude huts of logs in which to live and W. H. Beeman was the first man to break the ground and start farming. The following year witnessed

Courtesy of Mrs. Charles Capy

First Brick Court House of Dallas, on Site of the Present Court House. Photograph Taken in 1857

the emigration of several families, most of whom settled on the land around Dallas and engaged in farming. Dallas was then a part of Nacogdoches county with the town of Nacogdoches the county sent over fifty miles away. The nearest shipping

point to Dallas was at that time Jefferson, one hundred and seventy miles distant, over a very poor road through the wilderness.

On March 20th, 1846 the Texas Legislature cre-

Main and Akard Streets, Looking East, Dallas, 1887

A View familiar to many Dallas Citizens

ated Dallas County with Dallas as the county seat. Judge W. B. Ochiltree held the first court ever con- vened in Dallas, he was the father of Tom Ochiltree, who became a prominent figure in Texas history. The first grand jury found sixty-one indictments, one for murder, four for assault and battery and the remainder for minor offenses.

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The encyclopedia of Texas, V.1, Part 9

Author: Davis, Ellis Arthur, ed; Grobe, Edwin H., ed Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Dallas, Texas Development Bureau Number of Pages: 1204

Author: Davis, Ellis Arthur, ed; Grobe, Edwin H., ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Dallas, Texas Development Bureau
Number of Pages: 1204