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.
Blockade Runner Released From Yankee Prison
We are indebted to Capt. Nelson, formerly commander of a schooner which made several successful trips between New Orleans and Brazos Santiago, for a late New York Herald.
Captain Nelson was captured on his last trip from Brazos Santiago to Berwick’s Bay, last year, and he was sent to New York, where he got a ticket to stop at Fort Lafayette, where they set a mean table and keep very indifferent bedding.
After their late victories in Tennessee, the Yankees somewhat recovered from their big fright, and they let Capt. Nelson out, considering that they might catch him again if they wanted him. So he is now in Brownsville, perfectly willing to run the risk of another capture, but keen enough, he thinks to give the blockade the slip whenever he chooses to make the effort.
If anybody wants a bold and quiet captain to run a schooner, brig, barque or ship, the man is now in Brownsville. (The Fort Brown Flag (Brownsville, Tex.), April 17, 1862)
Editor’s Note: Construction of the fort began during the War of 1812 but was not completed until 1818. Originally named Fort Diamond, it was renamed Fort Lafayette in 1825 to honor the Marquis de Lafayette during his American tour. Built of brick in a circular, baseball-stadium shape, the fort featured thick walls, a central courtyard, and arched gun ports on multiple levels that provided a 360-degree view of the harbor. It was armed with 72 cannons, though they were never fired in combat. During the Civil War, Fort Lafayette served as a prison for high-ranking Confederate captives. At various times it held between 20 and 150 prisoners, including the mayors of Baltimore and Washington D.C., General William F. Lee (brother of Robert E. Lee), and Francis Key Howard — grandson of Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” In 1864, Confederate agent Robert Cobb Kennedy was imprisoned here after the failed plot to burn New York City. He was tried and hanged at the fort — the only execution ever carried out on the site.
The Sweet Grapes
We received this morning from Mr. John McAllen and wife a magnificent bunch of white grapes, raised at Santa Anita ranch, and weighing full two pounds six ounces. The grapes were as finely flavored as the best products of Malaga and show the capabilities of this country as a fruit raising district. (The Daily Cosmopolitan (Brownsville, Tex.) July 1, 1885)
Editor’s Note: Today, the Santa Anita Ranch is known as the McAllen Ranch and is a working commercial cattle ranch specializing in Beefmaster cattle (with some Angus, Brangus, and Akaushi crosses). James McAllen Jr. manages the operation, focusing on cow-calf herds, registered seed stock, and conservation practices like white-tailed deer management. John McAllen (in the late 19th/early 20th century) did experiment with grapes, citrus, figs, olives, date palms, and other exotic plants at the San Juanito headquarters. However, these were experimental efforts and not sustained commercially into the modern era. The ranch has remained focused on cattle for generations and is recognized as one of the oldest continuously family-owned cattle ranches in Texas (since 1790).