Wilson County News - Wilson County Sesquicentennial - Patillo ‘Pat’ Higgins turns grass into gold

Patillo “Pat” Higgins Jr. inspects his Buffel grass. A variety he discovered was named for him by a U.S. Department of Agriculture plant geneticist. COURTESY PHOTO

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October 20, 2009
5 comments

It’s not quite the stuff of fairy tales such as “Rumpelstiltskin,” where a maiden is asked to spin straw into gold. However, Patillo “Pat” Higgins Jr. found his fame in grass, not straw, in Wilson County.

Pat came to Sutherland Springs about 1937 in search of oil. He was the son of Patillo Higgins Sr., of Spindletop oil fame.

After drilling a few dry holes, Pat turned one into a water well. He eventually abandoned his search for oil and decided to make a cattle ranch out of his property, only to realize he knew nothing about farming.

In 1939, Pat began experimenting with various types of grass. He planted many acres of Rhodes grass, but found that it was not suitable for the soil in this area.

He also tried Buffel grass. This native of Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, and several other countries was introduced to improve cattle forage in tropical and subtropical regions, including the southern United States.

According to several sources, Pat discovered an unusual variety of Buffel grass in his pecan orchard, among some other Buffel-grass plants imported from Africa. E.C. Bashaw, a plant geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, confirmed Pat’s variety reproduced sexually, unlike other varieties.

Pat’s discovery of the parent plant led to a variety named “Higgins’ buffelgrass,” which produced higher yields and was more persistent than earlier varieties.

Pat was successful with growing and marketing Buffel grass for forage purposes. Buffel grass became a mainstay on the famous King Ranch in South Texas.

Pat became known as the “Grass King of the Southwest,” striking it big with grass seed instead of “black gold.”

All that remains of his renowned farm now is the faded “Higgins Grass Farm” sign on F.M. 539 north of Sutherland Springs, on property belonging to Higgins’ granddaughter, Tambria Read.

Sesquicentennial Committee members are LaJuana Newnam-Leus, 830-393-2166; Shirley and John Grammer, 830-947-3176; Maurine Liles, 830-393-4959; and Gene Maeckel, 830-484-2536.

The Sesquicentennial Committee is organizing celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Wilson County. Anyone interested in helping with one of the celebration committees is invited to contact one of these individuals.

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Your Opinions and Comments

Sutherland Springs Native
Austin
October 26 at 10:26am

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"Richard Autry", Have never heard of Ridout, but you might try to get in touch with Barbara Woods who lives in Sutherland Springs. She use to be in the local ... Read More

Sutherland Springs Native
Austin
October 26 at 10:16am

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Pat Higgins...I remember him well. Mr. Higgins was a very nice and really down-to earth guy. My family lived just down the street from his headquarters in Old Sutherland ... Read More

Richard Autry
October 26 at 9:44am

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I have been doing historical research on Wilson County for
a couple of years and would like some help with a question: There is a place listed by the USGS as a settlement ... Read More

Rabble Rouser Extraordinaire Adkins, TX October 21 at 3:20pm	Report Abuse Both stories are great!~

Ken Semlinger
Poth, TX
October 21 at 1:10pm

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This article brings back memories of my boyhood. Pat was one of my father's best friends. I would accompany Pat on trips to the USDA experimental grass station and help ... Read More

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