La Salle

St. Theresa's Catholic Church Cemetery

St. Theresa's Catholic Church Cemetery on Find a Grave

LaSalle was originally named Benwest and then Bennview
 

LA SALLE, TEXAS. La Salle is on Farm Road 616 and the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway in southwestern Jackson County. In 1875 J. M. Bennett, with brothers Sol and Ike West, founded a ranch on a large spread purchased from John N. Keeran of Victoria and introduced blooded Hereford and Brahman cattle to the area. They shipped their animals from Inez, Victoria County, until 1909, when the Missouri Pacific Railroad passed through their property. The three associates named the station Benwest, after the surnames of the owners. In 1922 the name was changed to Bennview when the West brothers withdrew from the partnership. In 1924 local boosters surveyed a townsite, and Bennett promoted a land sale that attracted a number of Poles and Czechs. Bennview had a post office from 1928 until after 1930. In 1937 the citizens changed the name to La Salle (apparently after the Sieur de La Salle) and established a post office, a general store, and a rural school that enrolled five pupils. The population of the community grew from sixty in 1941 to 103 in 1971. Thereafter, however, a period of decline ensued, and by 1988 the number of inhabitants had dwindled to seventy-five. In 1990 the population was still seventy-five.  History from the Handbook of Texas Online
 

La Salle News Items
 

LaSalle P. T. A.

The LaSalle Parent-Teacher Association met in special session last Thursday evening. An excellent musical program was presented by Mrs Gwosdz, Mrs. Barta, Dorothy Valek, Bernice Gwosdz and John Gwosdz.

Mrs. Leissner gave a report of the Council meeting. During the business meeting, plans were made for a carnival which is to be given at the school on the night of Oct. 16th.

A very pleasant social hour was enjoyed, during which sandwiches, cake, pie and coffee were served.

Our Parent-Teacher Association has made decided gains this year. Thus far our enrollment and members are more reluctant to adjourn meetings. We are expecting many real accomplishments, this year.

Edna Weekly Herald, October 7, 1937
 

La Salle P. T. A.

The La Salle Parent-Teacher Association held a meeting on Feb. 7th at which time the following program was rendered.

1. Play: When Lincoln was a Boy. - Intermediate Grade Boys.

2. Report - Organization of Local P. T. A.- Altha Lee Leissner.

3: Our Coins.- Primary Grades.

4., Talk on Antonin Dvorak - Agnes Jane Volek; and a song of Dvorak's by Intermediate, Grades.

5. Recitation--Don't You "You Think So? - Albert Joe Barta.

6. Play - The Cherry Hero. - Primary Grades.

7. Talk on Stephen Foster.- Ata Lee Basak and a song of Foster's by High School.

8. Talk on Organization of National and State P. T. A.- Mrs. R. Davis.

(We are forced to leave out the community news due to a late rush of advertising work.)

Edna Weekly Herald, March 2, 1939
 

La Salle Items

Messrs. Fred and Mac Ward, Russell Brinkerhoffer and Wm C. Davis, were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Davis Saturday. Mr. Fred Ward and Mr. Brinkerhoff have purchased the Barta gin here at La Salle also the home. Mr. Ward and family will move down soon. They are fine people of which La Salle should be proud. Mr. Ward is a brother of Senator Jee Ward.

It is raining at La Salle and it looks very much like our big farmers are going to get lost In the grass. Chopping is now costing 50 cents per hour. What will it cost as a whole if this keep up.

During a rain recently lightening struck an outside house on the farm of J. V. Davis. Mr. Davis had one room half full of hay. And there was a Mexican cotton chopper in the house; also a bird dog. The man had come to the house because he was afraid of the wind just a few minutes before the house was struck. Mr. Davis seeing the smoke ran to rescue his dog. But the dense smoke blinded him. However he found the chain, but it must have been wrapped around a cot that the man slept on and in pulling on the hot chain, Mr. Davis seared his hands and was finally forced to let it go by the flames. No better friend hath any man than his dog. The house and other things lost were slight in comparison to his dog.

Fred Turner, Sr. came home from Virginia Saturday morning, and we are sorry to report he was rushed to a Victoria hospital at 4:00 o'clock Sunday morning where he was operated on for appendicitis. We trust he will soon be well again.

Edna Weekly Herald, May 23, 1946
 

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