C olmnbia11-is1n in Texas
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Convention in 1950, the Committee on the home for boys reported that after examination of the deed to the property purchased by the Missionary Society, it recommended a clear title be obtained first to approximately 120 acres of the land, free of indebtedness, before the Knights of Colum- bus went on with the agreement, that the idea of renovating the old building be abandoned, that an entirely new one be erected, and that all funds contributed for this purpose heretofore should be held in trust, including the $5,000 already donated, until final plans were completed and approved. "These negotiations require time," declared the Committee, "but projects of this nature need caution to avoid disappointments and even complete failure in the end." The Committee on the Underprivileged Boys' Home reported again in 1951 at the Galveston Convention that the Knights were still interested and actively cooperating with Father Noebels, the Superior of the Mis- sionary Fathers of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In closing the report, it was declared that "great interest and much favorable comment is heard not only from members of the Knights of Columbus but by many others on this project. It has been rather slow getting undenvay; but ,ve would have it this way rather than make any mistakes getting started." Texas Kniglif.s •mid War Relief. The record of the services rendered to bring relief and comfort to the men in the service of their country, to help them in the preservation of their faith, and to foster courage and loyalty on every occasion is one of the most glorious pages of Colum- bianism. A country long at peace was suddenly aroused on March 9, 1916, by a raid led by Francisco Villa, a revolutionary leader of Mexico, who crossed the border at Columbus, New Mexico. Sixteen men were killed and part of the town set on fire. The war that had devastated Mexico for years had leaped across the border. A partial mobilization of troops was ordered that involved thousands of men for the first time since the Spanish War of 1898. Troop trains thundered across Texas carrying soldiers from the various States of the Union to the Mexican Border. From El Paso to Brownsville, numerous military camps sprang over night and hundreds of soldiers were stationed far away from home under the command of General J. P. Pershing. The Knights of El Paso sprang into action, taking the initiatiYe as they had done traditionally. Something had to be done to help the men in uniform; some token of friendship indicative of Christian sympathy should be offered, something that would make the lot of the men easier.
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