Ottine State Park Efforts, Measles, the First Municipal Christmas Tree

In the early part of the year, Sheriff Hart was found shot in his home at the jail. On January 27, the Gonzales Production Credit Association was organized. The Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Alpha Psi Chapter, a teachers’ organization, was formed around this time as well. The Robertson and Seydler Funeral Home was also started at 906 St. Paul Street, which would later be known as Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. On May 7, 200 CCC workers arrived at the Ottine camp. A mass meeting was called on June 22 to save Ottine State Park, and the next day citizens pledged $2,000 to match the $2,000 appropriated by the Commissioners’ Court to purchase the land needed for the Ottine Park area. On August 17, the Guadalupe River Bridge at Santa Anna Ford was dedicated, replacing the 1874 bridge. The Riverside School was enlarged in Block 4, and on September 10, it opened with 1227 students. Later that month, on September 14, several hundred people attended a style show held in the two large glass windows on the front of H&M Toggery. The boll weevil was becoming a problem for cotton farmers, and on September 25, it was reported that 46,698 rats had been killed since March in an effort to control typhus fever. In October, several dances were held at the Breezy Roof Garden. On October 19, a working historical organization was founded to work in accordance with Centennial plans and assemble and preserve historic records of Gonzales County. G.H. DeWitt, great-grandson of Green DeWitt, was elected president. On October 23, a reported crowd of 10 to 12 thousand people watched the 1 P.M. parade that was the opening spectacle of the 13th annual Gonzales County Fair and Pecan Exposition. In November, many children reportedly fell ill with measles, and on December 5, Sheriff Sam Hart dumped 1,200 gallons of liquor in the street. The first Municipal Christmas tree, lighted, was erected on Confederate Square on December 18. CP&L furnished lighting and electricity, local electricians provided labor, and the ladies of the town decorated. George McVea donated the tree, a large native cedar. Several public programs were planned, including caroling.hn Mohrmann, Sr.).