Tales from the Morgue

1928: Thousands See Dedication Of City Airfield

Sept. 9, 1928

Thrilling Maneuvers Staged By Kelly Field Aviators In Afternoon

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Marked by impressive and solemn ceremonies and by hair-raising maneuvers by 15 army planes, the municipal airport was officially dedicated yesterday afternoon.

The largest crowd that has assembled here since the visit of Col. Charles A. Lindbergh a year ago was present for the occasion. Rows upon rows of automobiles were parked in the vicinity of the landing field. City and county police, reinforced by 100 soldiers detailed by Brig. Gen. George V.H. Moseley, Fort Bliss commander, kept order and prevented the crowds from surging on to the field as aviators in the cross-country races landed.

At the dedication exercises, thousands of El Pasoans stood with bared heads while Mayor R.E. Thomason paid tribute to three El Paso boys who died in the air service.

“I think it is fitting at this time to pay tribute to three El Paso boys who gave their lives in the advancement of aviation,” he said. “First of these is Buster Biggs, who gave his life for his country in France. Second, is Lieut. Bruce Struthers, who was killed in Arizona, and third is Ben Jenkins, Jr. who was killed here. We should bare our heads in tribute to these brave men.”

“I count this one of the greatest days, in the history of El Paso,” Mayor Thomason said. "If I were to prophecy, I would say that in five years you will be surprised at the activities at this airport.

“This hangar and airport cost the city and county $25,000. If the plans of the city government are carried out, this is to be only the first unit of this great enterprise.”

He praised the county for its assistance in clearing the aviation field, and thanked the citizens airport committee and Aero club for their part in making the airport a reality.

The army panes, in perfect formation, paraded for the benefit of the throng after the speech-making. First flying high in the air and then swooping down on imaginary enemy lines, the aviators kept the crowd in a state of breathless suspension. The perfect training of the men was shown by the rapidity with which they changed formation.

The aviators came here from Kelly field especially for the dedication of the airport.

R.N. Mullins, former city alderman, who was to have accepted the airport on behalf of the people, was unable to be present. He sent a telegram from Denver instead, which was read.

A.M. Lockhart had charge of the dedication program. He and Frank B. Fletcher, former president of the Chamber of Commerce, made short addresses.

Mr. Lockhart traced the progress of aviation from the time that Orville Wright made his memorable flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., in 1903 up to the present time.

“Just as surely as the automobile took the place of the horse and buggy so will aviation take the place of all other modes of transportation when speed is needed,” he said.

“The people are rapidly becoming air minded. Just as they became automobile minded in 1908 to 1911, as are they becoming air minded now. A young woman has flown across the Atlantic and is now making a solo flight across the country. An 8-year-old boy of Kansas City is planning to make a trip in an airplane alone.”

Although the airport cost the city and county only $25,000, exclusive of the land, it’s real worth may be estimated at $1,000,000, Mr. Fletcher said.

“El Paso, due to its strategic position, will become one of the great airports,” Mr. Fletcher said. “Situated as it is on the southern air route and visited by many civilian and army visitors, its future in that direction is assured.”

The Rev. John R. Edwards, pastor of the First Methodist church, pronounced the invocation.

Gen. Martinez, commander of the Juarez garrison, was to have attended the exercise, but was ill and unable to be present. He was represented by Col. Salazar, Capt. Torres and Capt. Barrias.

Gen. Moseley was introduced to the crowd and thanked by Mr. Lockhart for his aid in all civic undertakings. Maj. A.D. Surles also was thanked for his co-operation.

Others thanked by Mr. Lockhart for their assistance in the work of building the airport were Stacy Hinkle, Malcolm Carpenter, Charles N. Newman, Don Thompson, president of the Aero club, H.C. Stacy, city engineer; Fred Wilson, county engineer; Walter E. Stockwell, W.E. Robertson and William R. Blair.

Amplifiers were installed for the occasion by the Radio Electric Service and the speakers could be heard plainly by everyone in the huge crowd.

The hangar at the airport was not completed in time for the dedication.

1914: S.H. Worrell: Small College Often Best For Ambitious Students1914

September 24, 1914

Immediate Contact With Head Professors Is a Decided Advantage; Mining Engineering One of Best Professions.

By S.H. Worrell, dean of the Texas School of Mines, El Paso

The question of where shall I go to college? is of very vital interest to every young man or woman who is planning to secure an education. Where there are no influences of sentiment involved in the selection, the main question that usually presents itself is: “Shall I go to a large college or a small one?”

There is much to be said for the small college, if by small we mean small in point of number of student body. The small college in the latter sense may have a splendid equipment for the special kind of work it is undertaking. The laboratory equipment per student may be better at the small than at the large institutions. For example, the equipment per student in the chemical laboratories of the Texas School of Mines is much better than at the University of California. The larger institution may have, generally does have, more money invested in equipment, but the most of it and best of it naturally is for the use of the post graduate or special student and professors who are doing research work. The undergraduate is seldom so well provided for. The money value of the equipment per student is generally larger in the smaller college. In the latter type of institution, there is seldom more than one man, a professor of ability, drawing a good salary, in each department of the college.

The following is quoted from a booklet issued by Center college, of Kentucky, founded in 1819, an institution that has produced many illustrious men:

“A small student body is of immense advantage to every student enrolled in the college and for the following reasons:

“Every student has the advantage of immediate contact with the head professor in each department. He is not relegated to the care of cheap assistants, the common condition in institutions with large student bodies.”

Taught by “Student Assistants”

The first year almost entirely, the second year in part, a student attending a large institution will receive his laboratory instructions largely or entirely from “student assistants,” upper classmen naturally more interested in their own work than in instructing others. Their salary is usually $250. He is fortunate if he receives instruction form a tutor ($600 to $900). His class room work, even in the largest and best institutions, may be under an instructor at $1000 to $12000. In the smaller college only, to continue the quotation, does he “enjoy the personal contact, advice and friendship of his professors an is a man and not a number to them. His instruction is personal and directly supervised from day to day. The professors charge themselves with the students’ character development as well as with his technical instruction. The small student body means a genuine college democracy. The individual is not submerged in a mass, but knows his college fellows as a whole, finds his place in the general activity and life of the college and plays his part in the rivalries, literally and athletic, of the college, and in such contact finds free play for the development of his individuality in the contest and competitions of a student body where he knows and is intimately known.”

A more Difficult Question

In addition to the question of where to go to college, the even more difficult question often presents itself of what profession to adopt. Aside from the fact that a course at the school of mines, like a course at many other institutions, provided the primary requisite of an institution of learning, namely, a good general education, it also fits a man in a special way for various engineering professions. The particular value of a course in mining is set forth in an article by Prof. G. M. Butler, formerly of the Colorado School of Mines in an article in the Student Engineer. He says in part as follows:

“Mining engineering is the broadest of all the professions. A good mining engineer must have considerable knowledge of civil, mechanical, chemical, and to a lesser extent, electrical engineering. He is often called upon to engage in sanitary, municipal, railway and hydraulic engineering operations; but if the apprentice period is long and sometimes tedious, the rewards are correspondingly great. They may be thus summarized:

“I. The graduate mining engineer may choose his life work from a varied assortment of activities. He can earn good wages as an assayer and chemist, a deputy mineral and land surveyor, a draughtsman, on the geological staffs of the great railroad, mining for exploration companies, in the mineral classification work of the government forest service, or in the geological or coast and geodetic survey, in actual mining, milling or smelting operations.

“II. It is possible for the graduate in mining to choose his environment.

Easy to Secure Employment

“III. It is comparatively easy for a mining engineer student to secure employment immediately after graduation. This is because so many lines are open to him.

“IV. The financial returns on an investment in a course in mining engineering are extremely satisfactory. It is doubtful if a worker in any other profession is as well paid at the beginning.

“V. The work is interesting. The mining engineer usually travels extensively in his own land, and, often in other countries. This broadens his sympathies and his outlook upon life and is in itself a source of recreation and enjoyment.

“VI. A mining engineer may be his own boss, he may develop his own prospect or mine or engage in leasing.”

“VII. The field is not over crowded. Work for the mining engineer is found the world over, in Asia, most of Africa, much of both Americas.”

Must be Trained to Succeed

The time has passed when unskilled, untrained men will be employed in mining enterprise. Some wonderful properties have succeeded in spite of their management, but it has been axiomatic that more properties have failed from lack of management than lack of ore. The time will come when a mining company will no more employ an untrained man, be his virtues ever so great, than a railway company would now employ a freight clerk to run a locomotive. The same outcome is to be expected in either case, namely, disaster.

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Wed. September 30, 1914

SCHOOL OF MINES HAS RECORD LIST

Opens With Larger Number Than Any Mine School on the First Day

The El Paso School of Mines opened Monday for its initial session. The registration on the opening day, 24, is the largest registration of any mines school in its opening year, according to S.H. Worrell, dean of the school.

During the summer extensive improvements have been made in the buildings of the old military institute and everything is in first class condition. Arrangements are being made to have the mines school enter the local sport filed with a strong football team.

A number of the students are working their way through the school. The authorities of the school are making efforts to assist these students in securing positions.

Those Who Have Registered

The following is the complete list of registration on the opening day: W.H. Farrell, El Paso; Fred Chesney, El Paso; H.M. Park, Alexandria City, Ala.; Lloyd Nelson, Santa Rita, N.M.; George Johnson, El Paso; P.W. Smith, El Paso; R.R. Barberena, Tampico, Mex.; Jack Ivy, Big Springs; W.E. Sharpe Jr., El Paso; D.K. Davey, Tucson, Ariz.; V. Leasure, Larned, Kan., and Harold Roman, W.D. Richmond, W.F. Race, James B. Briggs, O.B. Walker and H.D. Greer, El Paso.

1954: Radio Appointments Made at TWC; Sam Donaldson Appointed Station Manager

October 10, 1954

 

Photo: 10/10/1954 KVOF STAFF-Among those serving on the saff of Radio Station KVOF on the Texas Western campus are, front row, from left, Tom Ferguson, Mickey Dunnigan, Pat McDonadl, Virgil Hicks, radio instructor, back row, Bob Jones, Sam Donaldson, Richard Coleman, Sam Schneider.

Sam Donaldson, senior radio major at Texas Western College, has been appointed station manager for KVOF, Texas Western College radio station, Virgil Hicks, assistant professor of radio announced Saturday.

Other department heads appointed were: Tom Ferguson, program director; Cary Collins, sales manager; Mickey Dunnigan and Bob Jones, promotion and publicity; Pat McDonald, traffic director; Tom Rogers, chief announcer; Sammy Schneider, sports and special events; Richard Coleman, news director. The position of continuity director is yet to be filled.

KVOF features music, world and college sorts, special events, and college and world news in the programming. The station broadcasts until 10 p.m. on a frequency of 560 kilocycles. However, KVOF operates on the “campus carrier” system and can be heard only in the immediate vicinity of the campus.

Donaldson, from Anthony, N.M., is the pledge trainer for Kappa Sigma Fraternity and a member of Alpha Epsilon Rho, national honorary radio fraternity. He completed the military science course last spring with the rank of cadet major. He is also empoloyed by KEPO as a staff announcer.

Ferguson is a senior radio major from Tucson, Ariz., although a recent transfer student from Eastern Arizona Junior College, he has become active in Alpha Epsilon Rho, Kappa Sigma, and the El Burro staff.

Collins, a sophomore radio major from El Paso, is active in the DeMolay, College Players, and the TWC choir. He is also a membership representative of the American Automobile Association.

Dunnigan, a Zeta Tau Alpha, holds positions on the El Burro and Prospector staffs as well as on the KVOF staff. Jones, a sophomore radio major from Rankin, Texas, is a member of the Executive Council of the Baptist Student Union.

McDonald, a member of Delta Delta Delta and Alpha Epsilon Rho, is a junior radio major from Ysleta.

Rogers is a member of Alpha Epsilon Rho and is employed by KTSM. Schneider, a junior journalism major, holds positions on the Prospector and the Flowsheet. He is also active in College Players, Alpha Epsilon Rho, and the Newman Club. Coleman is a junior radio major and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

 

1953: Robber Holds Up Austin High School Office; Flees With $1700 At Austin High

June 8, 1963

Employe Faints; Doctor Called

A masked bandit today at 1 p.m. held up the Austin High School office.

The bandit, who had a dirty handkerchief over his face, fled with between $1500 and $1700.

Mrs. Jimmie Oliver, business agent, was in the vault counting the money when the bandit appeared with a gun leveled at her.

Ha scooped up the money and left.

Woman Faints

Mrs. Oliver fainted and was placed under a doctor's care.

The bandit was described as a Mexican, short in build, wearing khaki clothing, He was bareheaded and had bushy black hair.

Police flocked to the school area to hunt the bandit.

The bandit was described as about 32 years old.

Mrs. Oliver said. "I was alone in he office. I heard the door open but thought it was Mrs. J. E. Hardy, an employe. The bandit had a hood over his face. He pushed me on he chest and I fell to the floor and fainled."

Get fingerprints

Police took a cash box to the Police Station lo get fingerprints.

Mrs. Hardy went into the office and discovered Mrs. Oliver on the vault floor. She called Principal Appleby who was in his office nearby.

Mrs. Oliver is an expectant mother and planned to take a leave of absence soon.

1917: Famous Movie Star, Kerrigan, Drives Paige Car

January 2, 1917

Jack Warren Kerrigan, Foremost screen Artist and Handsomest Movie Actor, Sees El Paso

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Jack Warren Kerrigan, famous movie star and philosopher, who arrived in El Paso yesterday, and who will appear in person at the Wigwam theater today, is the proud owner of a specially equipped Paige roadster, which was presented to him as the winner of the most popular movie actor, in a “popularity contest,” which ran for six months and was voted on by thousands of movie fans in every state in the union. The winner was permitted to choose the car that he liked best and Mr. Kerrigan unhesitatingly chose the Paige roadster.

Sees El Paso in Paige Fairfield

When Kerrigan alighted in El Paso yesterday, he was greeted at the station by Manage Winch of the Wigwam theater, and was whirled away to the hotel in a closed car. After reaching the hotel, Kerrigan was told that the latch string of El Paso was hanging on the outside and that he was to make himself at home. He was offered the use of any make car handled in the city and after telling the story of his prize roadster back in Los Angeles he asked to drive a Paige. M.A. Compton, manager of the Toltek Motor company was then gotten on the pone, and said as Mr. Kerrigan wouldn’t use ay other make car, he would gladly donate the use of the big Paige Fairfield to the famous star while in the city.

This hospitality on the part of the Toltek Motor company greatly pleased the visitor, and as he settled back into the luxurious cushions and placed his hands on the steering wheel, a smile of contentment stole over is handsome face and the idol of fair young hears once more felt at home.

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WIGWAM-J. WARREN KERRIGAN

The Wigwam today offers a decided novelty to the engagement of J. Warren Kerrigan, who will personally appear at the theater at the conclusion of the showing of “The Beckoning Trail.” This picture is one of those red blood pictures which appeal to both men and women. There is a real man in it and there are situations trying him to the extreme. In one scene Mr. Kerrigan fights five men. He was knocked out in one of the fights and the pictures had to be retaken. That time three men went to the studio hospital. Mr. Kerrigan still wears a scar as a memento of that little scene.

After the picture has been shown the house lights will be turned on and Mr. Kerrigan in person and in the costume in which he appeared in “The Beckoning Trail” will stand before you. He will make a short talk on moving pictures.

The hours at which Mr. Kerrigan will appear are 12:20, 1:50, 3:20, 4:50, 6:20, 7:50 and 9:20. Today is the only day that Mr. Kerrigan will be seen at the Wigwam.

1935: Sunshine, Town's Pet Sleeps 'on Bed of Roses'

August 23, 1935

Red Persian Lives in Flower Shop and Has Friends All Over Southwest

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SUNSHINE-ls the town's pet.

 
He's the big red Persian cat who yawns insolently at the passersby who stop to talk to him
through the plate glass window of Hatfield's Florists, 212 Texas St.

He loves, to drape himself around a pot of tulips for his siesta in the window. He stretches his length, for night, in front of a potted geranium and for all the knocks on the glass, he won't open his
Oriental eyes.

Sunshine's real name on his family - papers is Pluto Baby. He is the 10-year-old grandson of the
blue-blooded $10,000 Admiral Vernon Vermilllon of Indiana.

Sunshine is friendly with everyone. But sometimes when he's out of'humor, if grown people annoy
him with too much petting or teasing, he swipes at them with his claws. He's crazy about children
and regardless of what they do to him he never tries to harm them, according to Karl Hatfield,
his owner.

When he was young the Hatfields entered him in the Cat Show, kitten class. "He was just beyond the kitten age limit and at the last minute, they transferred, him to the cat class," Mr. Hatfield said. "He won first and second prizes against the older El Paso and visiting Persians."

Sunshine stays day and night in the flower shop. He sniffs the roses when he gets a chance, is not interested in any other flower.

He has friends all over the  Southwest.

"Wherever I go—New Mexico, Arizona, West Texas—people will say to me after introduction, 'Oh,
you have the shop with the cat', Mr. Hatfield said.