By Myra Lee Adams Goff

“Stars and Stripes Forever”. Thirty seven stars, that is, for in 1876 when the United States commemorated the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, NB celebrated a glorious old-fashioned 4^th of July. There is an article in the Sophienburg archives translated from German by historian Oscar Haas from the Neu Braunfelser Zeitung describing that centennial celebration. Here’s howNB celebrated in the “old days”:

Citizens went all out to show their patriotism. (German Texans have been doing that ever since, which was a little difficult during the two world wars with Germany). Houses and businesses were decorated for the two day celebration with flags and wreaths of cedar and mountain laurel. The NB Academy (Mill St.) displayed a giant slate over its door on which was written in German: “Public schools cultivate loyal citizens”.

There were four triumphal arches downtown close to the plaza and a giant picture of George Washington displayed at the Zeitung printing shop.

The spot chosen for the festive events was in Comaltown where Eagles Hall is now. A dance platform had been constructed as well as tables and chairs shaded by the beautiful graceful oak trees.

On the eve of the celebration, a cannon on Sophienburg hill was fired 13 times in commemoration of the 13 original colonies. At the break of day on the 4^th, people were awakened by the rapid firing of the cannon, followed by trumpets heralding the beginning of the festivities (No sleeping in on that 4^th).

Soon thereafter, the Hortontown Germania singing society on saddled horses, and the Clear Springs band on a decorated wagon entered the town and were escorted up Seguin Ave. and San Antonio St. by the New Braunfels Band.

And now began a history parade of unprecedented magnitude. Headed by parade marshal F.B. Hoffmann, the pageant played itself out. In Spanish costume came Columbus (Valentin Pfeuffer) and his faithful Fernando (Bruno Voelcker). Then came George Washington (Johann Merz), followed next by a company of National Militia and finally prisoners of war in red uniforms representing English soldiers. At their side marched the boy drummer, one arm bandaged and a bullet riddled drum slung over his back.

Next, came the Liberty Bell float drawn by four beautiful white horses. There sat John Hancock, surrounded by John Adams, Robert Livingston, Robert Sherman, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin who presented the Declaration of Independence.

Then came floats of early NB pioneer years; Indians crouched in bushes spying on Prince Carl and next to him guards von Coll and von Wrede. Under a tree sat a pioneer mother and her family. Four Adelsverein soldiers hired by the Prince to protect the immigrants were played by sons of four men who were actually the original soldiers.

Miss Anna Rennert, as the Goddess of Liberty, was seated on a pedestal with 37 young ladies seated at her feet clad in white with blue sashes representing each US state.

The next two sections in the parade were from various organizations in town, followed by business floats, two of which were particularly interesting. The NB Woolen Factory had a loom powered from a wheel on the wagon demonstrating weaving and the Zeitung had a printing press with editor Anselm Eiband printing out “Song of 1776” to be distributed later.

Halting at the Plaza for photographs, the procession crossed the low water bridge and up the hill to Comaltown. After an opening speech by Hermann Seele, the festivities began and in the evening George Washington led the Grand March. Dancing on both days didn’t end until sunup. What stamina they had!

Don’t miss out on the Sophienburg’s July 4^th celebration this year. No cannon firing, no dancing all night, but lots of old-fashioned patrioticfun, promises Sophienburg board president Teresa Johnson and her sister Debbie.

A New Braunfels 50th anniversary show of patriotism from 1895. From left: Ottmar Guenther, Elfrieda Pantermuehl (Fischer), August Kirchner, Emma Heinemann (Schleyer) and Joseph Roth.

By Myra Lee Adams Goff

Doroteo Rodriguez and son Dagoberto have been doing research on their family that goes back to Mexico, where records are hard to find. To this point most of their history has been passed on byword of mouth, but as family members moved away from NB.it became harder and harder to keep up with them. Dago is computer wise and is working with several family search programs.

So far the search goes only to Teo’s grandparents, Senaido Lopez and Eusebia Quiroz. From San Luis Potosi, Mexico, their family came through Laredo in the late 1800s.They heard about the Walter Zipp farm in Schumannsville from friends and moved there in1906. Zipp’s primary crops were cotton and corn. The Lopez, Quiroz, Vasquez, Castillo, and Gonzales families who still have descendants in NB, all lived and worked on the Zipp property. They were sharecroppers and migrant workers. A sharecropper is one who plows the fields, plants the crops and then shares the profit with the owner. On the other hand, a migrant worker moves with the crops.

Benita, Teo’s mother, was born on the Zipp farm in 1906. In 1911, five year old Santos Rodriguez and his family arrived on the farm and Benita and Santos were destined to become man and wife. In 1922 they were married at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in a formal wedding ceremony. According to Teo, they probably had a large reception at their house and probably had a dance, since his dad’s brothers were musicians.

After grandfather Senaido Lopez died in 1927 (he is buried in the Zipp cemetery), Teo’s grandmother moved to Gruene with the four younger children. They lived in the little white house that is still standing across from Buck Pottery.

Meanwhile Teo’s parents left the Zipp farm and migrated all over South Texas according to crop availability. He was born in Centerpoint where there were fields of peanuts and tomatoes to be harvested. Migrating eventually led them back to the Walter Zipp farm. A large family of 10 children was a real asset to help with gathering crops.

When Teo’s dad died in 1945, his mother and all the children moved to NB and his mother kept the family afloat by doing laundry. The older brothers and sisters started working to put Teo through school. He started school at Lone Star, a country school, followed byNB Middle School and afterward graduated from NBHS in 1959. He was the first in his family to complete his education.

After graduation, Teo got a job in Gruene dusting, cleaning, and stacking wool and mohair in the present Adobe Verde building. Shortly thereafter, Teo and Antonia Alvarez were married and in 1960 he started working as a delivery man at City Pharmacy, Plaza, and Comal Drug for Fritz Scheffel and Herman Sabrsula. He was promoted to stock man and when Sabrsula began Herman’s Pharmacy on Landa Street and eventually Landa Pharmacy. He stayed there until 1973.

An opening at New Braunfels Hospital (McKenna) in the supply and purchasing department prompted him to get that job and eventually become the director of purchasing. When the hospital’s pharmacy was enlarged in 1976, he asked to transfer there. Thereafter he studied and passed the exam at Incarnate Word to become a certified pharmacy technician in 1998. He has now completed his 34th year at McKenna.

Teo Rodriguez’s philosophy will serve him well in the future. He began his search to get information on family because to him family is more important than anything else. He would like to get his whole family together for a reunion, but admits that it would take a pretty big place. Meanwhile, he has promised to give the Sophienburg a copy of his family history when it’s done.

Santos and Benita Rodriguez in 1922.