This Week in Duval County History, May 13-May 19

 

POSTED BY: CARDENAS.AE@GMAIL.COM MAY 13, 2019

May 13

On May 13, 1883, the Corpus Christi Caller reported that John Woesner was accidentally shot by a dropped pistol at the Martinet Hotel in San Diego. Woesner received a light wound and remained confined to his room. Other boarders were scared by the commotion.

May 14

S.G. Smith was installing an electric plant for lighting in San Diego, which had a population of 3,500. Land by the side of the railroad sold for $50 an acre. Away from the railroad, it cost $15-$20 per acre. The minimum price of land in the county is $8-$10 per acre.

San Antonio Express, May 14, 1913

May 15

News arrived in San Diego that the horse and saddle of Don Evaristo Lopez were found near Rancho de la Muralla. In the horse’s saddle was found a memorandum book containing Lopez’s last will and testament. It was believed that he had been killed. Seven arrests had been made, including Leomita Zarzuela and Candido Bentancourt. Apolonio Vela, meanwhile, arrested Martin Trigo, Claudio Hintran, Bartolo Gomez, El Bravo, and Justo Carduna.

Galveston Daily News, May 15, 1878

May 16

The San Antonio Express reported that Nueces County Deputy Sheriff Pablino Coy, “one of the bravest and most fearless officers on the border,” would resign to accept a position under Collector Bailey in Zapata County.

Corpus Christi Caller, May 16, 1886

May 17

The Beeville Bee reported in 1901 that H. Keller’s company was drilling wells in Duval County. He was said to be a believer in the Duval County oil field. Drilling was going on at Duval Station or Piedras Pintas, 63 miles west of Corpus Christi. Oil mixed with water was coming out. Started at 45 feet. Starting to increase in volume. Indicates it is coming from the bottom up not from sides. Artesian water mixed with oil. Sixty-five feet from oil well is a gas well that has been burning since June. Flame visible for miles. Said to be a “great curiosity.”

May 18

On May 18, 1912, three Anglo gunmen, C.K. Gravis, Frank Robinson, and Dr. Sam Roberts shot and killed Candelario Saenz, Antonio Anguiano, and Pedro Eznal on the Courthouse grounds. The shooting was over in seconds. The three Anglos were arrested, indicted, and after a change of venue, tried and acquited in Richmond, Texas. This led directly to the birth of the Parr political machine as Archie Parr took up the cause of the Mexican American community.

May 19

Post Offices opened on May 19, 1879, in Borjas and Mindieta. The first postmaster in Borjas was Edward Harvey Caldwell. First Postmaster in Mindieta was Jacob William Toklas.

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