YESTERYEARS: A century of first bales, Georgetown’s cotton tradition
145 Years Ago
(August 26, 1880)
1880: First cotton bale arrives
The first bale of new cotton came into Georgetown late Saturday evening and was bought by the merchants for 13 cents per pound. The bale classed good middling and weighed 645 pounds. It brought the owner, Mr. H. F. Stark, $83.85 cash and a one-year subscription to the Sun.
Search underway for missing young man on Berry’s creek
About 120 men were searching caves, water-holes, etc., on Berry’s creek for the body of a young man supposed to have been murdered. We are informed that it is one of Mr. Bauchman’s sons who is missing. The circumstances connected with his disappearance as related to us are about as follows: Several young men, the missing one among them, went to a meeting in the neighborhood of what is known as Little Arkansas, and on their return home, some person or persons fired on them from the brush. Young Bauchman disappeared and at last account had not been heard of. We hope some of our readers familiar with the facts in the case will contact us in regard to the whole affair in time for our next issue.
125 Years Ago
(August 23, 1900)
1900: First cotton bale arrives
The first bale of this year’s cotton crop was received in Georgetown. It weighed 449 pounds, was classed as strict middling, and sold for 10.25 cents per pound.
Finder of five dollars will be rewarded
Mr. W. P. McNeill was so unfortunate as to lose a $5 bill on the streets of Georgetown Monday. If the finder will return it, he will be suitably rewarded.
100 Years Ago
(August 21, 1925)
1925: First cotton bale arrives
The first bale of the present crop of cotton was received in Georgetown Saturday morning August. 15, it was ginned by the Griffith Gin Co. and sold on the streets bringing $113.00. The bale weighed 478 pounds and was grown on the Dr. B. Nowlin farm near Mankin Crossing.
Volunteer vine turns overachiever
Mr. D. K. Wilcox exhibited a 45 pound watermelon at his store Wednesday, which was grown in his back yard. The melon was of beautiful shape and color on the outside and we are sure that the heart “was as fair as the skin.” Mr. Wilcox states that he grew this melon and a number of others by accident, and that it was a volunteer vine and all he did was water it—and then water it again. He says, “just wait until next year and I’ll show you some watermelons right; I have just learned how it is done.”
Charlyne has seventh birthday
Charlyne Shaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Shaw, celebrated her seventh birthday Wednesday afternoon by inviting a number of her little friends to her home. After several games were played the little folks were invited into the dining room to assist in the cutting of the birthday cake. Pauline Sawyers received the dime, James Merle Cole the nickel, Doris West the thimble, Mary Vista Wilcox the button, Elverna Kinser the toothpick. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw served refreshments, ice cream and cake.
75 Years Ago
(August 24, 1950)
1950: First cotton bale arrives
The Georgetown merchants, through the solicitation of the Chamber of Commerce, presented Tommy Sandberg a $100 premium Friday, August 18, for bringing in Georgetown’s first bale of cotton for the current season.
The 448-pound bale was ginned at the C. G. Doering Gin and was bought by Mr. Doering for 40c per pound. The cotton graded strict middling and had a 15/16th inch staple.
New drive-in theater to open this week in Georgetown
A new 250-car drive-in theatre is under construction about two miles north of Georgetown on U.S. Highway 81, with a tentative opening date set for Sept. 7.
The theatre will feature individual in-car speakers with volume controls, a playground for the tots as well as a snackbar featuring such concessions as hot dogs, popcorn, cold drinks, scones, candies, cigarettes and cigars.
Florence citizen reports seeing flying saucer
Mrs. Ethel Thompson of Florence has reported seeing a flying saucer. She went to look for an airplane she heard when she saw both a plane and saucer. She described the saucer as being a different color from the plane and looking more like a moon. The saucer had a circular movement, was moving in a northeasterly direction and disappeared behind a cloud.
Mrs. Thompson declared she had nothing to drink that morning except two cups of coffee. Mrs. Thompson should not have had that second cup of coffee.
“She’ll stay there a long time” say Posse arena contractors
The Godwin brothers, D. D. and Tommy, take pride in their handiwork of the newly completed Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse arena in Georgetown. The arena is completely modern in design and construction. It is all steel and concrete, will hold nearly five thousand people, and ought to stand up under an earthquake. It is believed to be the finest out-door rodeo arena in Texas and one of the best in the nation.
50 Years Ago
(August 21 & 24, 1975)
1975: First bales arrive in Texas as growers hold out for better price
This week’s Natural Fibers Economic Research newsletter reports offers of 44 to 47 cents per pound for the 1975 cotton crop in the Rio Grande Valley, though most producers are holding out for closer to 50 cents. As in years past, the first bale signals the start of marketing decisions, and in Williamson County the 39,500 acres planted look very promising.
Georgetown to be
featured in TV ad
Georgetown will be promoted as a total shopping center through 15–20 TV commercials on Austin’s KTBC Channel 7 as part of “Old Georgetown Days.” The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the $450 campaign, which will feature a 30-second ad highlighting Georgetown as a trade center.
25 Years Ago
(August 23 & 27, 2000)
Sun City anxious for new H-E-B on Williams
H-E-B plans to open three new stores in Williamson County over the next year, including one at Williams Drive and Cedar Breaks Road in Georgetown, to open before the end of 2001. Sun City residents welcome having a store nearby and suggested features like a drive-through pharmacy, gas pumps and “a good selection of wines and produce.”
Since most of Georgetown is not “wet,” the only alcohol that can be sold in a store is beer. To be able to sell wine in a grocery store, voters must go to the polls to approve a change.