Soy de Duval

Early Duval County officials often engaged in a game of musical chairs, resigning posts and taking others. These activities occupied the Commissioners Court as 1878 opened. In February, Road Commissioner for Precinct 2 Rafael Saenz submitted his resignation, which the Court quickly accepted. Just as quickly, the Court appointed Alejo Perez to the fill the new vacancy. Perez, however, had to give up his post as Constable for Precinct 4. A couple of days later, during the same February term of the Court, John Vining resigned as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3. The Court accepted the resignation. The Court did not name replacements for Perez and Vining. The court also fined Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Charles Roach $25 for contempt of court for failing to make his report to the Court as required by law. The commissioners also faced a request by citizens in the form of a petition to delay the construction of a new courthouse and jail. Commissioners tabled the request until the ...

One year after its formal organization and first election, Duval County officials continued to wrestle with a number of issues concerning the new endeavor. Taxes, roads and public buildings were on the agenda for the commissioners December term. The court added to members to the newly appointed courthouse and jail committee. Charles Sullivan and William Hubbard joined County Judge James Luby, N. G. Collins and P. A. Matteson on the committee, which the court empowered to develop plans and specifications and to enter into a contract with the “lowest and best bidder.” The cost for the courthouse building was not to exceed $4,000 and the jail was to be no more than $2,500. The court also accepted the donation made by N. G. Collins of San Diego town lots in which to build the new courthouse and jail. They directed Judge James Luby to prepare the documents needed to complete the deed transfer. The court also continued to deal with transferring funds and documents from Nueces County to D...

On November 15, 1877, Duval County Commissioners Court fined the tax collector $15 for contempt of court. The action came because the tax collector failed to provide a supplemental roll of taxes as ordered by the court. The tax collector had no excuse for the failure. While court minutes do not name the tax collector, during the early years of Texas county government the sheriff of the county was the tax collector. In the case of Duval County, it was R. P. Fly. The sheriff may have been a little miffed at this turn of events for he resigned from office at the same meeting. On the other hand, he may have failed to produce the tax roll because he was planning on resigning. The commissioners court accepted Fly’s resignation “with regret” and gave him the thanks of the county for “his past good services.” The court tabled action on paying the sheriff’s bills. Two days later, the court settled accounts with the sheriff paying him $223.05 for keep and guard of prisoners, $180.75 for att...