Ice Factory Baths, Social Events, and Excursion Train Trips

In January, Gonzales had twelve bales of cotton arrive, bringing the total to 636 bales on hand. The December school report showed that 286 students were enrolled, with four students sent to the Superintendent for misconduct. The edition of The Inquirer reported that the December 27th eclipse of the moon was viewed with great interest. The Inquirer announced the availability of report cards for purchase by teachers. The Ladies of the Park Association sponsored a social event where young ladies wearing pink bows were willing to marry, and young men wearing red ties were considered “courting danger.” March saw quite a number of ladies go “ferning,” and a monster eighty-pound catfish was caught in the Guadalupe River by Mr. Fred Taube. D.W. Heye purchased W.H. Kokernot’s saddle and harness shop, and the present-day Gonzales Fire Department was organized. On March 30, the Southern Pacific sold excursion tickets from Gonzales to San Antonio for $1.50 for the round trip due to the “Battle of Flowers” at San Antonio on April 21, San Jacinto Day. In April, W.H. Kokernot shipped eight carloads of cattle to Caney, Kansas, and J.B. Wells shipped four carloads to Kansas City. The I.O.O.F. celebrated its 80th anniversary with a parade and a basket picnic. In May, L. Burchard’s two-story building was erected at 403 St. George Street at a cost of $7,000. About thirty-five new incandescent street lights were added to the city, and Mr. Harwood and Mr. Walsh undertook a complete revision of the abstract of land titles of Gonzales County. The City also purchased three acres for a Mexican burial ground near the Scheske pool. In June, boll weevils were greatly feared by cotton farmers, and leather-top buggies were advertised for $55. Carl Reuter offered baths at the ice factory until 11 p.m. The City Council called attention to the ordinance against garbage disposal in the streets and trash burning in the City. Peck and Fly’s show windows displayed their Kodak supplies. The contract for constructing the main building of the Cotton Oil and Manufacturing Company plant was let to Henry Kane for $7,750. In August, Mrs. W.B. Houston’s beautiful works of art were displayed in the Houstons’ house, and David S.H. Darst was reported to possibly be the oldest Mason living in Texas.