SOCIALIFE
COMMUNITY HISTORY
Was Pancho Villa in the Valley? Solving the M ysteries of History by Tom Fort, Senior Historian
When you hear the words Mexican Revolution, what comes to mind? Rifle-toting men on horses, wearing sombreros and draped with bandoliers full of bullets? Very likely. But for most people, one image and name symbolizes la revolución Mexicana: Doroteo Arango, better known to history as “Pancho” Villa.
42
SOCIALIFE
Villa is probably the best-known figure from the Mexican Revolution era. Riding with his bodyguard Los Dorados (The Golden Ones) and leading the potent División del Norte, Villa earned a reputation for invincible strength and courage. To many, he was a hero and patriot. To others, he was a thief and murderer. Known to millions around the world through books and movies, he still personifies the Mexican Revolution. Like many historical figures surrounded by legend and myth, Pancho Villa reportedly was seen everywhere—including here in the Rio Grande Valley. Popular stories abound that he visited Brownsville, McAllen, Mission and elsewhere.
WWW.SOCIALIFERGV.COM
