Moments in Time is a collection of recovered newspaper briefs and other publications, compiled by local historian, Steve Hathcock, offering a look back at the history of the Rio Grande Valley.
Steve Hathcock is a local historian and a regular columnist for the Port Isabel South Padre Press. He has spent many years collecting and sharing the history of the Rio Grande Valley, as well as treasure hunting and formerly owning an Island-based bookstore.
Later from the Rio Grande. The steamship Yacht, Capt. Ducy, arrived yesterday in fifty-six hours from Brazos Santiago, bringing $99,871 in specie, and Brownsville papers to the 19th inst. We learn from the Flag that Mr. J. M. Conrad has become associated with Mr. Scarborough in the publication of that paper. The Flag appears in a new dress and looks quite neat. It is certainly much improved. The Flag states that the imported goods alone which passed through Brownsville during the past year amounted, according to the Collector’s statement, to the large sum of five millions of dollars in value, and that the domestic manufactures could not fall short of that amount. This will give some idea of the trade done in the valley of the Rio Grande. The Flag says that owing to the praiseworthy exertions of Capt. Thompson, the steamship Cincinnati has been again got afloat. The schooner A.N. McKay, Capt. Downer, from this port, went ashore on Padre Island while entering the port of Brazos Santiago on the 14th inst. Through the efficient exertion of Capt. Wm. Evans, the entire cargo has been saved and much of it uninjured. The vessel will probably be gotten off. (The Times-Picayune New Orleans, Louisiana May 26, 1853)
Editor’s Note: The American Flag was a weekly newspaper first appearing in 1848 running until sometime later in the 1800s. It was published in Brownsville, Tex. by E.B. Scarborough.
HARLINGEN—A private plane and a Trans-Texas jet airliner brushed together in flight at the Harlingen Airport last night, and the smaller plane was destroyed. Its pilot, 28-year-old William Sandlin of Harlingen, suffered multiple lacerations but is reported in fair to good condition at a hospital. Officials said none of the 53 persons aboard the airliner was injured and the craft escaped with apparently minor damage. Sandlin was practicing landings when the accident happened about 10:30 p.m. It’s estimated the two planes were about 400 feet off the ground at the time. (WBAP-TV (Fort Worth, Tex.) February 7, 1969.)
Whale Washes Ashore at Padre
CORPUS CHRISTI, Tex. (AP)—A 14-foot whale weighing 3,000 pounds washed ashore off Padre Island south of Corpus Christi early Sunday. Jack Ward, a Marine biologist at nearby Aransas Pass, said the whale apparently died during the night, most likely from heat exposure since its native habitat is the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Ward said it was the first whale ever to be found in this area. He said it was of the beaked whale class. Its teeth were removed and taken for study at Trinity University in San Antonio. As much of the carcass as could be carried was taken to the University of Corpus Christi. (Abilene Reporter-News Abilene, Texas Mon, Aug 14, 1967)