This Week in Duval County History, July 1-7

 

POSTED BY: CARDENAS.AE@GMAIL.COM JULY 1, 2019

July 1

On July 1, 1878, Richard King leased to U.S. Army, 8th Cavalry (2nd Lt. George Pond) for $1 per month for one year part of the two square leagues of land out of San Leandro, “comprising the military post or camp at or near San Diego…” The lease included 160 acres, including water privileges and fixtures except house occupied by John Humphries with right of way in and out.

Duval County Deed Records

July 2

Judge Wright bound Pancho Bazan to the grand jury for stealing a pair of boots. He failed to give bond and was placed in jail. There were 16 inmates in the county jail.

Corpus Christi Caller, July 2, 1887

July 3

In the city of Matamoros, on July 3, 1858, Zeferina Trevino and Juan Antonio Cassio declared before a notary public that they had authorized Gerardo de Leon, Trevino’s husband’s uncle and a citizen of Camargo, to act on their behalf and sell their rightful ownership in the ranch of San Diego acquired by inheritance or representation from the grantors by Maria de Jesus Flores y Garcia, legitimate daughter of Don Ventura Flores initial owner of said ranch. Consistent with how the ranch exists was at the buyer’s risk.

Duval County Deed Records

July 4

The San Diego Sun described the Fourth of July Celebration as having large crowds at picnic grounds. Judge J. O. Luby donated ammo for a 12-pound cannon. Ammo arrived by train and 21-gun salute was fired. Pedro Cruz was in charge of cannon. A band played. A.D. Smith made a short address. T.E. Noonan of Alice made one of his characteristic speeches, logical and eloquent.

Greased pole contest had only one contestant. Johnnie Nichols tried repeatedly to climb pole but failed. Someone gave him 25¢ for the effort. Frank Feuille Jr. won watermelon eating contest with a prize of 25¢. Willie Hoffman and Claude Tibilier tied in potato sack race. Willie Nichols carried off the 50¢ prize in tub race which provided the most amusement. Lawrence Tibilier easily won a swimming match and the 50¢ prize. George Lewis won wheelbarrow race. Eugene Spence won sack race. Jorge Rodriguez won the greased pig contest and the 50¢ prize.

Corpus Christi Caller, July 7, 1899

July 5

On July 7, the Corpus Christi Caller reported that Fifteen prisoners in the Duval County jail were awaiting grand jury action.

Rafaela Yzaguirre, an old and much-respected matron of San Diego died. Her funeral was accompanied by a large concourse of citizens on foot, on horseback, and on vehicles. She was survived by two sons, Encarnacion and Manuel Yzaguirre.

Lots of watermelons were on the vine.

Corpus Christi Caller, July 7, 1887

The Fort Worth Daily Gazette reported there were 15,000 to 16,000 acres under tillage in Duval County. Eighty percent was in corn with the remainder in peas, cotton, oats and other products. Little to no wheat was planted. The crop was almost a failure due to severe drought. A good crop of mesquite beans will yield fatten cattle.

Fort Worth Daily Gazette, July 6, 1887

July 7

H. Maas was shot at Benavides and died Tuesday morning, July 3. It was reported that two weeks previous to the shooting, Hilario Vela was drunk and abusive in the Tokias & Maas store and was ordered out of the house. Subsequently, Vela and Maas met on the Fiesta grounds and exchanged angry words. At that time Vela reportedly made threats that he would kill Maas, who he was advised by friends to be on his guard. Maas did not anticipate any further trouble, however, and said there was no danger. Monday evening, while Maas was standing on the Fiesta grounds, in conversation with an acquaintance, Vela allegedly approached Maas from behind and placing his pistol against him and fired. The bullet entered Mr. Maas’ left arm, near the shoulder, and passed entirely through him, coming out a short distance below the armpit on the right side. The shooter then made his escape. It was found that Vela had exchanged hats with a Mexican before committing the deed, and afterward claimed his own. The Mexican with whom he exchanged hats is now in jail in San Diego. The shooting occurred shortly after dark. Mass lingered until 7 o’clock the next morning when he breathed his last. His remains were taken to Corpus Christi for internment in the Jewish Cemetery. Mr. Maas had been a resident of the area for many years and at the time of his death had amassed considerable wealth. He had recently returned from a visit to his brother in New York and relatives in the old country. He was reported to be a good citizen and that his untimely death would be regretted by all. [CCC, July 7, 1883]

Corpus Christi Caller, July 7, 1883

4 COMMENTSON "THIS WEEK IN DUVAL COUNTY HISTORY, JULY 1-7"

1. Ronald W Charles | July 9, 2019 at 4:34 pm | Reply
   Mr Cardenas,
   On your blog from July 1-7, that picture of a garrison in the back ground, is that an actual depiction of the one you mention was in San Diego. If so, would you be able to show it on your next blog, but without the text in the foreground. Yes, some people analyze pretty much everything you put out.
   Thanks,
   Ron Charles
   Please keep up the great work, I thoroughly enjoy reading and re reading all that you put out. If it weren’t for your research, I would have never know that my Great Grand Pa tied ole Wiilie in a sack race and that his brother Lawrence was a good swimmer.

• cardenas.ae@gmail.com | July 9, 2019 at 7:52 pm | Reply
  Thank you, Ron, Unfortunately, the photo of the fort was a generic piece of art and not the actual fort. That is one of the weaknesses in researching this time period, photos are hard to come by. Thank you for your most kind comments of support. Know that they are truly appreciated.

2. Tomas F Molina | July 2, 2019 at 4:25 pm | Reply
   Enjoying the “this week in Duval County”. Re: the Army campground, I recall being told that was located where San Diego Creek and La Rosita Creek converge just W. of San Diego. Our scout troop trekked in there, with Scout Master Norman Hoffman, about 1955-56. I recall some finds of artifacts, an army belt and some horse hitches by some. Very Interesting.
   Tommy Molina

• cardenas.ae@gmail.com | July 7, 2019 at 5:29 pm | Reply
  Thanks for this Tommy. I have always wanted to do some exploration in that area, perhaps with a detector. Ojalá que se me haga un día.