H istory • South Texas
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
December 19, 2012
Celebrating
the rich culture and history of South Texas...
A Publication of the Jim Hogg County Enterprise
100 Years
of Jim Hogg County history
Featuring
Original articles by • Alfredo E. Cardenas • Dr. Lino Garcia Jr. • Jim Hogg County Museum Foundation • Jim Hogg County Historical Commission
James Stephens Hogg 1851 - 1906
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SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
Cover design & artwork by Julissa Hernandez
about South Texas History
Enterprise readers will know that history is a regular part of our publication.
In the past two years, we’ve taken a keen interest in providing historical articles written by proven historians and have published them regularly in the pages of The Enterprise. With the 100th anniversary of Jim Hogg County quickly approaching, we believe the introduction of a publication focusing on our county and South Texas history and appearing once monthly would supplement the many events scheduled by our county commissions and their commissions. As such, South Texas Magazine will appear in The Enterprise once monthly and will be distributed both at the newsstand and to our subscribers at no additional cost. Our thanks to the Jim Hogg County Historical Commission, the Museum Foundation of Hebbronville, the Texas State Historical Commission (STHC), TexasEscapes.com and to the many contributors and writers that have provided and have agreed to contribute articles and photographs of our history for publication. We also invite our readers and subscribers to submit family histories and photographs to be included in the pages of South Texas History at no additional cost. We hope you enjoy our first issue and request that contributions for publication be emailed to enterprise78361@aol.com or by mail to: South Texas History, P.O. Box 759, Hebbronville, Texas 78361. The Editor
South Texas History Supplement to The Enterprise Wednesday, December 19, 2012 Volume 1, No 1 SUPPLEMENT TO THE JIM HOGG COUNTY ENTERPRISE 304 E. Galbraith, Hebbronville, Texas 78361 Copyright 1998 by the Jim Hogg County Enterprise All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express permission of the publishers. Entered as Second Class
Matter at Hebbronville, Texas under May 5, 1926, at the Post Office the Act of March 8, 1979, Second Class Postage Paid at Hebbronville, Jim Hogg County, Texas 78361. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Jim Hogg County Enterprise 304 E. Galbraith, P.O. Box 759 Hebbronville, Texas 78361. Poncho Hernandez Jr. Editor/Publisher 361-460-9493 Subscription rates are
MEMBER
$35.00 per year. Call (361) 527-3261 for information. Base advertising rate is $6.00 per column inch. Volume and frequency discounts available. Contact us by email at enterprise78361@aol.com Social Media: facebook. com/enterprisenews PHONE: 361-527-3261 FAX: 361-527-4545 PHONE; 361-460-9493 FAX: 361-256-2015
Texas Press Association
On The Cover
...
JAMES STEPHEN HOGG By Archie P. McDonald, PhD
H
istorian Joe Frantz observed that all Texas governors are judged by the standard set by James Stephen Hogg. Frantz said he knew this was true because the introduction of nearly every governor in the twentieth century said that the incumbent was "the best since Jim Hogg." Jim Hogg certainly was one of the best, and he claimed another distinction: the first governor born in the state. Hogg was born in Rusk, Texas, in 1851. He was tutored privately before attending a formal school in Alabama. Hogg returned to Texas and worked as a typesetter for the newspaper in Rusk before editing newspapers in Tyler, Longview, and Quitman. While working in Quitman, Hogg married Sarah (Sallie) Stinson. He served as county attorney for Wood County and then district attorney for the Seventh District. Hogg was elected attorney general of Texas in 1886, the year Lawrence Sullivan (Sul) Ross was elected governor. Ross supported Hogg's crusades against the insurance and railroad industries, which resulted in savings for policy holders and better transportation services. Hogg lost some, too. In the "Grass Lease Cases" he was unable to force renegotiation of "sweetheart" deals that allowed West Texas cattle raisers use of public lands for grazing without paying market value, and he See JIM HOGG, Page 6
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JHC Historical Commission announces 100th Anniversary Commemorative Book Jim Hogg County will be celebrating its cen-
tennial anniversary in 2013 and we are looking forward to a year filled with activities and events that will honor our county’s 100th birthday. To commemorate this special year in our county’s history, the JHC Judge and Commissioners appointed the JHC Historical Commission, in partnership with the Museum Foundation of Hebbronville, to organize events and presentations spotlighting the county’s history, people and places. The local historical organizations are currently in the process of completing the publication of a 100th Anniversary book which will highlight our rich history and culture. Included in this book will be the updated history and information form the 50th anniversary book along with full color and black and white photographs of the county’s buildings, landscapes, families and events. As a citizen or business owner in Jim Hogg County, you have the unique opportunity to be included in this once-in-a-lifetime publication through
Reserve your ad space now! a sponsor profile at a cost of $500 per page. Each profile will tell the story of your business or family and their part in the history and growth of our county over the last century. You will have the opportunity to design your page and include any information and pictures you feel are necessary to tell your story. You may also include a congratulatory message for the county in your profile. We encourage you to take this opportunity to highlight your family or business in this milestone event and publication commemorating our county’s history. The anniversary book will go on sale in the Summer of 2013 and will be featured at our County Centennial Celebration Banquet on June 15, 2013. Members of the JHC Historical Commission and the Museum Foundation of Hebbronville will be contacting you in the next few weeks or you can email us at hebbronvillemf@gmail.com if you have any questions. Thank you for your support. JHC Historical Commission Museum Foundation of Hebbronville
Azalia Perez, President Bert Martinez, Vice President Carmen Alvarez, Secretary Bryan B. Gonzalez Jr., Treasurer Members: Idalia Davila Toni Garza Patricia Gonzalez Cynthia Gutierrez Rudy Gutierrez
I.B. Gutierrez Humberto Martinez R.J. Molina Hernan Moreno Jorge Pena Tony Salinas Sylvia Vaello Jim Hogg Historical Commission Board Idalia Davila, Co-Chair
Full Page $500
Half Page $275
I.B. Gutierrez, Co-Chair R.J. Molina, Vice Chair Azalia Perez, Secretary Bryan B. Gonzalez, Treasurer Members: Carmen Alvarez Toni Garza Humberto Martinez Hernan Moreno Jorge Pena
Quarter Page $150
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SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
A history of
JIM HOGG COUNTY J im Hogg County (S-14) is in the Rio
Grande Plain region of South Texas twenty-eight miles north of the Mexican border and sixty-six miles west of the Gulf Coast. The county, named for Governor James Stephen Hogg, is bordered by Webb, Duval, Jim Wells, Brooks, Starr, and Zapata counties. Its center lies at 27°05' north latitude and 98°43' west longitude. Hebbronville, the largest town and county seat, is at the junction of State highways 16, 285, and 359, in the north central part of the county. Other communities include Agua Nueva, Altavista, Guerra, Randado, and Thompsonville. The county comprises 1,136 square miles of flat to gently rolling terrain vegetated with mesquite, scrub brush, grasses, and chaparral. Elevations range from 200 to 800 feet. In the east, soils are sandy, with areas of light color, or have loamy surfaces over very deep reddish or mottled clayey subsoils. The rest of the county has loamy surfaces over deep reddish or mottled clayey subsoils, with limestone near the surface in some areas. In the early 1990s more than 90 percent of the land was devoted to farming and ranching,
with 2 percent of the farmland under cultivation and 21 percent irrigated; only 1 percent of the land in the county is considered prime farmland. Mineral resources include caliche, clay, uranium, oil, and gas. Temperatures range from 44° F to 69° in January and 73° to 99° in July; the average annual temperature is 73°. Rainfall averages twenty-three inches a year, and the growing season lasts 305 days. The area of Jim Hogg County has been the site of human habitation for perhaps 11,000 years. Among the oldest artifacts found in the region are stone implements and human remains dating from the Paleo-Indian period (9200 to 6000 B.C.). During the Archaic period (6000 B.C. to A.D. 1000) the local Indian population seems to have increased, and many hunter-gatherers apparently spent time in the area. During this period the inhabitants subsisted mostly on game, wild fruits, seeds, and roots. They carved tools from wood and stone, wove baskets, and made rabbit-skin clothing. The hunting and gathering way of life persisted into the Late Prehistoric period (A.D. 1000 to the arrival of the Spanish), though during this time
the Indians in the area, who belonged to the Coahuiltecan linguistic group, learned to make pottery and hunted with bows and arrows. By the early 1800s the Coahuiltecans had succumbed to disease, intermarried with the Spanish, or been driven out by the Lipan Apaches. Because of its location away from the coast and primary trade routes, the future county was not immediately settled by the Spanish. Although land grants in the TransNueces region were made as early as 1767, not until the early 1800s was an effort made to settle the area. Some twenty-four land grants were made in the Jim Hogg County area between 1805 and 1836 by the Spanish and Mexican governments. The earliest on record was made in 1805 by the Spanish government to Xavier Vela and covered what later became south central Jim Hogg County. Those grantees who chose to develop their land found that it was best suited to ranching. Many ranchers, however, were discouraged by hostile Indians and the region's isolation and returned to Mexico. Between the Texas Revolution and the end of the Mexican War Jim Hogg County lay in the disputed ter-
ritory between the Rio Grande and the Nueces. Numerous grantees fled to Mexico to avoid the hostilities. Others, able to succeed where many failed, established themselves in the area. Among these early ranchers was Hipolito Garcia, who established the Randado Ranch on land granted him by the Mexican government in 1836. Other early ranches in the area included El Noriecitas, Las Animas, San Antonio Viejo, Las Enramadas, Las Vivoritas, El Baluarte, and San Javier. Initially, the advent of Anglo settlers in the early 1830s did little to alter the region's economic or social character. In most cases, the newcomers were integrated into the existing society, either by marriage into wealthy Mexican families or through land purchase. Moreover, unlike the situation in other South Texas counties, Anglo settlers in the area did not immediately displace resident Hispanic ranchers, many of whom kept their land and political power well into the twentieth century. The land grants in the future county were confirmed by the Texas legislature in 1852. Among the more important ranches in the late nineteenth century were Randado Ranch,
Reprinted with special permission The Handbook of Texas Online Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)
County Courthouse
First Jurors Las Noriecitas, San Javi- now known as Jim Hogg County was under the er, and El Sordo. Immediately after the jurisdiction of Brooks, end of the Mexican War Duval, Starr, Zapata, all of the land in the Live Oak, and Hidalgo disputed territory was of- counties. When Duval ficially made part of the County was organized state of Texas. At various times the area that is See HISTORY, Page 5
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HISTORY From Page 4 in 1875 it included what is now Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, and Brooks counties. Part of the area was included in Brooks County when it was formed in 1911, but in 1913, in an effort to free themselves from the political dominance of Edward C. Lasater, D. D. David, Reuben Holbein, Oscar Thompson, and A. C. Jones requested from the state legislature that a county separate from Brooks County be formed. D. W. Glasscock, in his first term as a state representative, sponsored legislation establishing Jim Hogg County, in order for his constituents "to get out from under the domination of the Mexican vote at the other end of the county." Advocates of the new county argued that they were too far removed from Falfurrias, the county seat of Brooks County, a separation that made it difficult for them and their neighbors to do business. Consequently, Jim Hogg County was formed out of Duval and Brooks counties; land from Duval County was included so that the town of Hebbronville, with its railroad station, could be in the new county. Jim Hogg County was organized and established that same year, and elections for county officials were held in July. At that time the school system was organized, and construction of a county courthouse
was started. Despite a growing influx of new residents around the turn of the century, Jim Hogg County was still only sparsely settled at the time of its formation. Before 1880 most of the inhabitants had lived on or around larger ranches. In the late 1870s, for example, Randado Ranch formed the center of a community of 300 residents. But around 1880 the heirs of Ignacio Benavidez sold their share of Las Noriecitas Ranch to J. R. Hebbron, who established the town of Hebbronville as a stop on the newly built TexasMexican Railroad. With the increased demand for beef cattle, the completion of the railroad, and the growth of commercial ranching, the population slowly increased. By 1920 the county had some 1,914 inhabitants, of whom approximately 500 resided in Hebbronville. On April 17, 1921, the first commercial oil well, Killam No. 3, came in at a depth of 1,461 feet, producing 100 barrels of oil per day. The well was located in the Mirando Valley field near Thompsonville. The discovery immediately brought new residents and businesses to the county. The economy nonetheless remained focused primarily on ranching. Largescale commercial farming failed to take hold as it had in other South Texas counties, and as late as 1920 only 501 acres of Jim Hogg County was
The first schools in the county began as oneroom schools on area ranches in the 1800s. A county school board regulated schools from 1913 to 1921, when the first Hebbronville public school was built. under cultivation. Ranching interests, on the other hand, grew steadily. In 1920 there were fortynine ranches in the county comprising 69,241 acres; by 1930 the ranches numbered 312, with 532,463 acres. The number of cattle in the county increased from 6,296 to 35,293. As a result of the fall of livestock prices during the Great Depression the number of ranches in the county declined by nearly a third during the 1930s, and the number of cattle fell to 22,323 by 1940. During the same period, however, the population steadily increased and at the beginning of World War II the county had a population of 5,416. Many of the new residents were recent immigrants from Mexico or Hispanics from the Rio Grande valley, who came to work in the oil industry. In the decades after World War II the county's economy continued to be largely devoted to ranching and petroleum production. Although the number of ranches continued to decline, largely as the result of consolidations, the number of cattle increased steadily, reaching nearly 50,000 by the early 1980s. Annual oil production in the early 1990s was around
800,000 barrels; total production from 1922 to 1991 was 106,003,324 barrels. In the early 1990s the oil and gas industry was the largest employer in the county, with agriculture running a close second. Most of the agricultural income came from livestock and livestock products. Grain sorghums were the principal crop. The first schools in the county began as oneroom schools on area ranches in the 1800s. A county school board regulated schools from 1913 to 1921, when the first Hebbronville public school was built. Hebbronville's school district operated from 1921 to 1946. In 1947 the Hebbronville school district voted to become a county school district. Perhaps because of the county's isolation, its education levels have generally been quite low. As late as 1960 only 10 percent of the adult population had completed high school. In 1982 the county had one school district, with one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. That year the high school graduated seventy students, of whom 64 percent planned to attend college. Between 1950 and 1970 the population of
the county fell from 5,369 to 4,654. It reached a high of 5,168 in 1980 and was 5,109 in 1990, when nearly 90 percent of the residents lived in Hebbronville. The population has consistently been at least 80 to 90 percent Hispanic, and in the early 1990s the county ranked near the top of all United States counties in percentage of Hispanic residents. Mexican Americans have generally supported the Democratic party. Consequently, Jim Hogg County has been staunchly Democratic; its residents voted Democratic in every presidential election from the time of the county's inception in 1913 to 1992. Local politics also continued to be dominated by Democrats. In the early 1990s community services for residents included the Jim Hogg County Public Library, three day-care centers, an ambulance service, a hospital, and a mental health clinic. Four physicians were practicing in the county. The county's thirteen churches had an estimated combined membership of 4,453; the largest communion was Catholic. The county had two volunteer fire departments. Hunting is the principal tourist attraction. The county is in the center of a whitetailed deer and bobwhite quail hunting area, and numerous hunters from around the state come to the county during the fall and winter. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Corpus Christi Caller,
March 11, 1883. Hebbronville Chamber of Commerce, Fiftieth Anniversary, Jim Hogg County (Hebbronville, Texas, 1963). Thomas Hester, Digging into South Texas Prehistory: A Guide for Amateur Archaeologists (San Antonio: Corona Press, 1980). Jim Hogg County Enterprise, Silver Anniversary edition, March 1939. David Montejano, Anglos and Mexicans in the Making of Texas, 1836–1986 (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1987). WPA Texas Historical Records Survey, Inventory of the County Archives of Texas (MS, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin). John R. Wunder, At Home on the Range: Essays on the History of Western Social and Domestic Life (Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1985). Alicia A. Garza Citation The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this article. Alicia A. Garza, "JIM HOGG COUNTY," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline. org/handbook/online/articles/hcj06), accessed December 10, 2012. Published by the Texas State Historical Association. Published by The JHC Enterprise with permission.
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JIM HOGG - From Page 2 lost the "Drummer Tax" case, or a tax on traveling salesmen. On the whole, though, he won the votes of a majority of Texans because they knew he was fighting for their interests. Hogg won reelection in 1888 and then was elected governor in 1890 and 1892. Governor Hogg introduced the Progressive Era to Texas. He persuaded the legislature to create the Railroad Commission, the first state regulatory agency in America, and institute a number of reforms in stock and bond transactions. After retiring from the governor's office in 1895, Hogg, who had not made much money while in public service,
became a millionaire through the practice of law and lucrative investments associated with the new oil industry. His daughter, Ima Hogg, used that fortune in many philanthropic ways until her own death in 1975. And no, there were no children named Ura Hogg or Hesa Hogg. All Things Historical August 27, 2000 Published with permission. TEXAS ESCAPES
(EDITOR’S NOTE: A charitable donation has been made to a Hebbronville charity in exchance for the right to publish this article.)
In observance of the Christmas holiday, the First National Bank of Hebbronville will be closing on Monday, December 24, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. Drive Thru and Lobby! Have a Safe and Wonderful Holiday!
Hebbronville
H ebbronville bears the name of a
man whose career at its twilight was more colorful than western skies. James R. Hebbron was bong in London, England in 1828 and spent most of his life in James R. Hebbron California arriving there in 1852. He was a pioneer miner, dairyman, sheep and cattleman. He was much interested in this section of Texas where he acquired a sizeable ranch which was managed by his son, Arthur. Mr. Hebbron was know as the “Father of the California Rodeo” and is said to have been the founder of the Republican party in Monterey County, California. He died at the age of 98, “the grand old man of Monterey County” who gave our town his name.
By Toni Garza The town was established in 1883, when the Texas-Mexican Railway Company built through that area. Francisco P. Pena, operator of Pena Station on that route, refused to sell land for a town site to the Texas-Mexican. The company then approached James R. Hebbron, a local rancher, who arranged for the sale of land for a new town site, near Pena. The old train station at Pena was then loaded on a flat car, moved 1 1/2 miles west, and named Hebbronville. In 1887 a school, the Colegio Altamirano, was established in the community with Rosendo Barrera as instructor. It was funded by prominent Mexican-American families who wanted their children to learn Spanish and Mexican culture and traditions. Between 1913 and 1921 several small private schools were conducted on ranches surrounding the town. A post office was established in 1895, and by 1896 the community had a general store and a population of 150. The first church, the Iglesia Catolica Mexicana, was organized in October 1899 and served by an itinerant priest. The First Baptist Church was organized in August 1909, and the First Methodist Church organized a mission in Hebbronville as part of the Alice mission in December 1912. The Hebbronville Gin Company was established in 1912. In 1913, Hebbronville became part of the newly estabSee HEBBRONVILLE, Page 12
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
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Peña Station was once thriving community By Alfredo E. Cardenas
In 1876, Lázaro Peña was actively involved in acquiring land in Duval and Starr Counties. Some of the land was obtained by purchasing rights to public land originally granted by the state of Texas to E. R. Beatty, E. J. Seale and J. M. Forwood for improvements to the Neches River in Jasper County. The state awarded the land scrip to contractors who made public improvements to state waterways. It was in this land, comprising some 2,500 acres, that Peña established the frontier post called Peña Station. The land was in an established trade route from Mier to San Diego and on to Corpus Christi. It was roughly this route that the Texas-Mexican Railway followed from Corpus Christi, before forking off to Laredo instead of Rancho Davis, later known as Rio Grande City. In 1881, Peña’s rancho became a station on the railroad and quickly began to flourish. On July 17, 1884, a post office was established with George F. Porter as the first postmaster. Peña Station soon developed into an important livestock shipping point. In 1885, for example, 15,000 head of cattle were loaded and shipped from that there. W. H. Jennings started a trail drive to Cotulla with 2,100 head of cattle. That same year, Antonio Vizcaya shipped 50 mules to San Antonio and Peña sold 50 mares and mules to a Mr. Wills at $15 each. The following year, Alejos Flores shipped 125 mares and potros to San
The old Pena store several miles east of Hebbronville Antonio. Ramón Guerra shipped three cars with 50 potrillos to San Antonio. Dr. J. Grant shipped 25 cars with 400 head of beeves and two cars with 28 saddled horses to Gainesville. A. W. Earnest shipped 49 mares to San Antonio. Earnest Bros. sold 500 yearlings to man from Pearsall and Ysidro Vizcaya shipped 95 mules, potros and mares to San Antonio. In 1887, 20 carloads of horse shipments were made within a week. Peña left for San Antonio with several carloads of horse stock. Antonio Gutiérrez took three carloads. Livestock had to be fed, and the settlement soon became a center for harvesting crops for the industry. D. and L. Pena had 4,000 acres of fenced pasture and also had machinery at work cutting, gathering and baling hay and expected 4,000 to 5,000 bales in the summer of 1888. A gristmill to grind up a large corn crop grown in the area was also built that year. Expectations ran high that a cot-
ton gin would be built the ensuing year. E. Vizcaya purchased an artesian well-drilling machine at a cost of $4,000 and committed himself to “bore until he gets flowing water.” While the railroad was the impetus for much of the activity, other transporAn old map details the location of Pena Station tation opportunities presented A. B. Farqueror owned and operthemselves. J. W. Orr was considering ated a stagecoach line, before selling it establishing a fast freight business to Ed Ray, who drove the line himself. between Peña and Rio Grande City John Hogan had been the “original where there was no railroad. The Corstage driver.” The route of the stage line pus Christi Caller reported “this port is from Peña Station to Rio Grande City full of prairie schooners loading for Rio Grande.” E. H. Caldwell came to town was changed in 1886 to the road passbaring a bundle of orders from the Rio ing through the Sordo and Randado Grande merchants and large consign- ranches. It also ran through the Earnest Ranch, San Antonio Viejo and Sauz. ments of freight left for the river. V. Veray & Co. of Benavides came The stage line was not immune from to Peña Station and Realitos to buy crime. In 1886, authorities arrested wool. Harris, Murphy & Co. of Laredo, Santos Salazar of Collins for robbing James Hebbron and D. and L. Peña the Peña and Rio Grande City stage. Crime of course was part and parcel were also buying wool in Peña Station of the frontier and Peña Station saw its and Los Angeles Station. share of lawbreakers. Being part of DuTwo eating-houses served the town val County it was also heavily involved and passersby. A Mrs. Walsh owned in the politics of the day, requiring the the Railroad House on the south end of stationing of U. S. troops in the town. the track and a Mrs. Gutierrez owned These aspects of the frontier town of the Fonda Nacional on the south side. Peña Station will be reviewed in an Later, Mrs. Walsh sold her business to upcoming issue. a Mr. Vela.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year! From the Jim Hogg Co Fair Assoc. SEE YALL AT THE FAIR!
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SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
Tejano patriots at the battle of the Alamo March 6th of this year marked the 176th anniversary of Texas Independence, however it should have been the 199th anniversary, as facts tell us that the first major skirmish leading to Texas Independence occurred at the Battle of Medina on April 6, 1813. The individual who spearheaded this movement was Col. Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara y Uribe, a Tejano, who first responded to Padre Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s call for freedom from tyranny against the Spanish Royalists proclaimed on September 16, 1810. The “ El Grito” resonated throughout the Texas of that time which was also part of the Spanish Empire, so much that the “ Cabildo de San Antonio de Béxar “, made up of Tejanos, issued a proclamation supporting Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s call
pendent state. By then, Tejanos had already done much of the heavy lifting, sacrificing and dying by the time Sam Houston and other Texian patriots crossed over the Sabine River. So that essentially the newcomers came Dr. Lino Garcia is an eighth generation Tejano with into the struggle and ancestral Spanish Land Grants on Texas soil since 1767. took over a work in He holds the Chair of Professor Emeritus at UTPA and progress. However, can be reached at: LGarcia@UTPA.Edu up until a few years ago, this part of pre1836 Texas History for liberty. Tejanos were in their quest for freedom had been completely obthe first to initiate the culminating in 1836. Col. Bernardo Gutiér- scured from the pages framework and ideals that later on lead to the Battle rez de Lara y Uribe be- of Texas history. Thus, of the Alamo of 1836, came the first President we must all recognize when the newcomers to of the Republic of Texas that pre-1836 Texas HisTexas simply took up , he wrote and signed the tory is a seamless part of the struggle first started first Texas Declaration of the history of our state . atthe Battle of Medina Independence on April Furthermore, the more on April 6,1813. At this, 6, 1813 and a week later all of us know about the the greatest battle fought signed the Texas Con- Tejanos’ role, the more on Texas soil, close to stitution, patterned after the general public will see one thousand Tejanos and the U.S. Constitution, and understand that the other volunteers perished declaring Texas an inde- Spanish/Mexican roots
New Year’s Celebration
in this state run deep, covering many centuries of active participation in the building of Texas. The siege of the Alamo (a Christian Mission built by Spanish Missionaries to instruct the Indian population in and around San Antonio de Béxar ), lasted only a few crucial days ending on March 6, 1836 , the day Mexican General Antonio de Santa Ana entered the Alamo Mission. Meanwhile a convention was being held that lasted from March 1st. to 17th. , 1836 declaring Texas Independence and writing a constitution , thus initiating the beginning of the second Declaration of Independence, the second Republic of Texas, and the second Texas Constitution. However, this 1836 declaration did not save the men entrapped at the Alamo. These brave
defenders of the Alamo hailed from many parts of the world, representing a multi – ethnic force, all gathered there for the common cause of freedom. Very few of the men were native Texans , as a great number came from such states as Kentucky and the Carolinas ,with some 32 of them coming from Tennessee, and from states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York also. Europeans were also presented, as ten of the patriots hailed from England, and eleven were from Ireland, and of the thirty or more Europeans, some came from Germany, Denmark, Scotland and Wales. Accounts differ regarding the number of individuals at the Alamo in 1836. Up to 1920 the See TEJANO, Page 11
The Jim Hogg County Fair Association and Jim Hogg County Vaquero Festival Association present Jerry & The Ruf Nex for a Pre New Year’s Dance Saturday, December 29, 2012 Jim Hogg County Fair Pavilion Dance from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. $10.00 per person Tickets can be bought by any Fair or Vaquero Board member Come and Celebrate with us!
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SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
The Hebbronville Story
HEBBRONVILLE - From Page 6
lished Jim Hogg County. An election that spring made that town the county seat by a unanimous Originally published: ‘50th Anniversary Jim Hogg County’ sponsored by the Hebbronville Chamber of vote of 176. The courthouse, school system, and Commerce Hebbronville State Bank were organized in 1913. A theatre was opened by Patricio Cruz in 1914 and the Viggo Hotel in 1915 by Viggo Kohler. In 1915 t was early in 1913 that Mr. A.C. Jones, D.D. Hebbronville had an estimated population of 44, a David, Reuben Holbein, Oscar Thompson, and Ralph bank, eight grocery stores, a drugstore, and thirteen McCambell went to Austin to petition the governor to cattle breeders. create the new county of territory taken from Brooks The Hebbronville school district was organized and Duval counties, and In July of that same year the in April 1921. In 1926, a newspaper, the Jim Hogg first county officials were duly elected. The history of this locale, before and since is County Enterprise, was established by M. Luther most interesting. It would be difficult to determine Dale. the exact date and location of the first settlement That same year, Scotus College, a Franciscan in this area, but long before the war between the seminary, moved to Hebbronville from Mexico to es- states the present Jim Hogg County was the scene cape persecution. It could accommodate up to twenty of extensive ranching. students preparing for the priesthood. The estimated Within our county are a number of old Spanish population of Hebbronville in 1927 was 1,800. grants of land donated to individuals while Mexico still belonged to Spain. Some of these old grants still retain their Spanish names. Among them are El Randado, Las Cuevitas, Agua Nueva, Las Vivoritas, Las JIM HOGG Animas, San Antonio Viejo, El Baluarte, San Jabier, COUNTY JUDGES Las Norias de Santo Domingo, and El Sordo - the first Anglo-American owned ranch and Noriecitas, A.C. Jones Aug. 11, 1913 to the only grant still in the possession of the original Sep. 12, 1913 family heirs. A.M. Brumfield Sept. 12, 1913 to Prior to 1860, the chief livestock industry was Dec. 31, 1928 sheep and goats with only a little horse raising. At this W. A. Dannelly Jan. 1, 1929 to time, there was no demand for cattle and no outlet. Dec. 31, 1940 Early settlers brought a few cattle with them, but only F.B. Guerra Jan. 1, 1941 to for meat and hides. Most were the old Longhorns Oct. 26, 1956 which were able to survive the periods of drought Aris Barrera Nov. 1, 1941 to and the scarcity of food. These cattle were left Oct. 26, 1956 much to themselves and they increased rapidly, but Ray Holbein Sept. 1, 1961 became wild to Dec. 31, 1962 and hard to Dr. H.T. Martinez Jan. 1, 1963 handle. to Dec. 31, 1978 The early Romeo J. Vasquez Jan. 1, 1979 to settlers had Dec. 31, 1986 their share Horacio S. Ramirez Jan. 1, 1987 to of cattle Dec. 31, 1998 stealing. Agapito Molina Jan. 1, 1999 Men moved to Dec. 31, 2006 a r o u n d Guadalupe Canales Jan. 1, 2007 First Hebbronville School the county to present slaughtering cattle - branded and unbranded - and many herds were driven into Mexico by bandits. With the advent of the Civil War, there came a SOURCE: 50TH Anniversary Jim Hogg County demand for hides and tallow, and a little later there as published by the Hebbronville Chamber of was a demand from the east for meat, so many people Commerce. turned to cattle raising in earnest.
I
Gang crew on Gang car U n d e r the outlet of the “Chis o l m Tr a i l ” great herds were driven to Kansas to the railroads and gradually the ranchmen gave up sheep First two Buicks delivered to entirely for Hebbronville via rail. Owned by cattle and the Henry Edds and R.R. Holbein. Texas Longhorn became famous. Many of our early residents remember the cattle drives down the main street of Hebbronville. This practice continued for so many years that some of cur “not so old” residents fondly recall the sight. In 1883, the Texas-Mexican Railway built a narrow gauge line from Corpus Christi To Laredo and the real history of Hebbronville begins with that old Pena station, a small community just east of our present site. When Francisco P. Pena refused to sell land for a townsite, the “Tex-Mex” made arrangements with James R. Hebbron for a new location for their depot. They loaded the old station on a flat car and moved it exactly 1 1/2 miles west. The people and the business moved with the depot. Some of the people who were here at that time or came shortly were Santiago Gonzalez, G. Olson, Jose Angel Garza, Trinidad Hernandez, Oscar Thompson, C. W. Hellen Sr., Henry Edds, Narciso Pena, Henry Yeager, Dionicio Pena, Mrs. Pilar Pena See STORY, Page 12
SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY
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Hebbronville’s Little League All-Star Team circa 1963 Pictured (front row, left to right) Primitivo Gonzalez Jr., Humaldo Vasquez, Pablo Munoz Jr., Felix Gutierrez, Henry Ysaquirre Jr., Mario Guerrero, Juan Alvaro Soliz, Benny Morales Benavides - bat boy - and (left to right, back row) Roy Cantu, Juan Perez, Hector Ramirez, Marcelo Hinojosa Jr., Perry Vaughn, Rodolfo Gutierrez, Joe Gonzalez - Manager.
TEJANO - From Page 8 number stood at 150, then to 183 in 1968, and finally grew to 189 today. Six defenders were known to have survived , among them Brigido Guerrero, who received a pension later on as a result of being a defender. Mexican officers who cremated the remains counted between 250 to 256, leading historians to believe that many of them were San Antonio residents who merely sought refuge at this mission as Santa Ana’s Army advanced, or perhaps they were Mexican soldiers who had deserted, or perhaps Tejanos and newcomers farmer colonists living in Texas at that time. Be that as it may, of the 189 or so individuals who perished at this battle, as many as eighty of them were documented residents of Texas, and of this only eight were actually born in Texas, and they were all Tejanos: Juan Abamillo, Juan A. Badillo, Carlos Espalier, Gregorio Esparza, Antonio Fuentes, Damacio Jimenez, Jose Toribio Losoya, and Andres Nava. The following is a tribute to those brave Tejanos, all heroes of the Battle
of the Alamo of 1836, who perished alongside David Crockett, William Travis and others. **** a.) Juan Abamillo: A native Tejano who volunteered to fight under the command of Col. Juan N. Seguin. b.) Juan Antonio Badillo: a native Tejano who also served under Col. Juan N. Seguin, and stayed on at the Alamo when Col. Seguin was called out to seek reinforcement among his Tejanos loyalist. c.) Carlos Espalier: He was a native Tejano and a protege of James Bowie, and was only seventeen years old when he perished at this battle. d.) Jose Maria Esparza: Also known as Gregorio Esparza was born in San Antonio de Bexar. He married Maria Petra Olivas with whom he had several children. He also formed part of Col. Juan N. Seguin battalion of Tejanos, and when General Antonio de Santa Ana arrived in San Antonio, he was advised to take refuge at the Alamo along with his wife, three sons and a
baby daughter, and could have left but decided to stay and perished along the others tending a cannon during the siege, but his family survived the siege. His brother Francisco Esparza recovered his body, and was given a proper Christian burial, a respect not given to most other defenders. e.) Antonio Fuentes: He was born in San Antonio de Bexar, and although he had a fallen out with Col. Juan N. Seguin, he stayed on and died alongside the others. f.) Damacio Jimenez: A native Tejano who also formed part of Col. Juan N. Seguin battalion. g.) Jose Toribio Losoya: He was born in the Alamo “ barrio” to Ventura Losoya and Concepcion de los Angeles Charlé. He deserted the Mexican Army to join Col. Juan N. Seguin’s Battalion of Tejanos. He perished at this battle, but his wife and three children who sought refuge at the Alamo’s chapel, along with other women and some slaves, survived the siege. h.) Andres Nava: A native Tejano who had enlisted for only six months
service under the command of Col. Juan N. Seguin. He died while defending the Alamo alongside the other Texas patriots. **** It is interesting to note that the Tejanos who perished at the Alamo were only a small representation of the thousand other Tejanos who also fought for freedom alongside the Texians ( not of Hispanic origin). Tejano ranchers and their families prominently provided ammunition, food, shelter, and horses to the freedom fighters during this tumultuous times in Texas history. During the beginning of the 20th century a revisionist approach toward depicting the Battle of the Alamo 1836 began portraying a different scenario, elevating certain individuals to an almost super human status, and almost completely erasing the valuable and significant role the Tejanos played during this period in Texas history. However, during the 21st century the Tejano Story will be told!
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Meeting the train
Old saloon
HEBBRONVILLE - From Page 9 de Gutierrez, W. W. Jones, Mrs. Josefa Mezza, Ralph McCampbell, D. D. Davdi, Ed Corkill, F.B. Guerra and his brother Rosendo, Policarpio Garza and Ascencion Martinez. All have descendants still in our midst. James R. Hebbron was a native of England who lived most of his life in California. He acquired many acres of land in this area and sent his son Arthur to take charge of his ranch. It was on one of his visits to the ranch that the new townsite was selected and Mr. Hebbron welcomed the station and settlers to his property. The townsite consisted of 20 blocks, each containing 12 lots. This are was north of the “TexMex” depot, extended east to the Pena residence and west to where the Rambler Motor Co. now stands. Lots on main street sold for $40.00, on the other streets the lots decreased in value
as the distance from the depot increased $20.00, $10.00, $5.00 and so on, and outside the town an acre could be had for 35 cents. From 1892 to 1894 this are experienced a terrible drought. Cattle and horses died by the thousands; some ranchmen lost their entire herds. As a result, ranches passed into new ownerships, and a new era of the cattle industry followed. The old Longhorn started on his way out to make room for better breeds, for by now there was a growing demand for improved beef. Much cross breeding was done and the results were striking, but finally, most of the cattlemen turned to Herefords and Brahmas. Hebbronville was becoming as one of the most progressive towns in the area, and much credit goes to the rail road. Coal and oil were not available then, but mesquite was plentiful
all along the road and it burned just as good and supplied enough steam to make the engines roll. Except for the horse and ox cart, the railroad was the only means of outside communication, and today the rail road with its modern equipment is fulfilling the dreams of those men who saw the steel highway as a necessary part of our growth. In 1906 a telegraph tool line was erected and Hebbronville could now reach the outside cattle markets for sure. We soon became the largest shipping point for livestock in the United State and we held this enviable position for many years. The first merchants in Hebbronville were Narciso Pena, Severo Pena and F. B. Guerra. In 1908 S. E Garcia started a mercantile business as the New York Store. Mr. Nicoles Benavides was the first post master and the post office occupied a small corner of the Pena store.
For several years beginning about 1912 cotton was grown extensively in this area and three gins were kept busy all season long. In recent years other crops have taken over. Many peanuts were produced in and around Hebbronville and still later it was sweet potatoes and watermelons. In 1913 the county was formed; the courthouse was built; our school system was established, and the First National Bank was organized. At that time, the bank was capitalized for $25,000 and was located in the brick building across the railroad tracks where Mr. and Mrs. Waters Corkill resided. The capital and surplus have since risen attesting to the profitable progress of the community. Presently, the bank is located in a lovely modern building. By now, new blood had arrived in our midst and among the civic
minded were the Dannelleys, Gomez, Hinnants, Rogers, Kohlers, Holbeins, Guilfords, Stromans, Stetsons, Briscoes, Ramirezes and many others. In 1914 the movies came to town, silent to be sure, but the best pictures of the day were shown in the theater owned by Mr. Patricio Cruz. Twice his movie houses were destroyed, by the storm of 1919, and by fire in 1923, but the Casino Theatre which he and his partner built in 1925 still stands. How fondly our early residents remember the fiestas in September, the music, the promenades, at the plaza. In 1915 the Viggo Hotel appeared. Mr. C.F. Luque built the center and north portions of the three story edifice for Mr. Viggo Kohler and its beauty and hospitality were known throughout the area. Later Mr. Joseph Gruy arrived and he added the south wind for
Mr. Kohler. The first franchise granted by the commissioner’s court was for the Telephone Exchange and the first telephone company was in the story of S.E. Garcia. In 1920 the first electric power plant was set up. In 1924 the Border Gas Company came in. In 1935 a water system was begun. In 1924 oil was discovered in our county and the black gold has meant much to economic growth. Hebbronville is also proud of its local paper, the Enterprise, established in 1926; of its Volunteer Fire Department organized in 1931; its county library, which was begun in 1936, of its Chamber of Commerce, organized in 1958, and its hospital opened in 1961. ***** Originally published in the “30th Anniversary Jim Hogg County.”