Monday, November 20, 2017

1857 ~ Gunpowder Keg Explosion in Brownsville, Texas

Brownsville, Texas was the site of a major catastrophe 160 years ago when a large number of kegs filled with gunpower exploded near Charles Stillman's brick building on the Levee and 12th Street which spread to buildings on Elizabeth St.  Henry Miller was in the building adjoining miraculously survived the explosion which blew him through an 18" brick wall but two others did not survive.  Charles Stillman was with his family in Connecticut at the time it happened.  Below is a detailed account as it was reprinted from American Flag (Brownsvile's newspaper of the time) almost a month after it happened in the Galveston Weekly News November 10, 1857.
from 1885 Sanborn map - approximate site of explosion
 
A Mr. [Henry] Miller was. standing In the countingroom of the Stillman building, adjoining the burning store, and at the time of the explosion was hurled head first through an 18 inch brick wall. Mr. Miller miraculously survived but two other unfortunate citizens who were blown through the same wall were both killed instantly. "You may ask how I know he went head first," Mr. [William] Neale said. "He must have gone through that way--no other part of him could have withstood the shock, and I know that the quality and soundness of his head had been proven previously.  Another proof of his having gone through the wall head first was. that if his head was not broken, the bricks were, and several brickbats were extracted from under his scalp at different times during several weeks after by Dr. Watson, and I got these facts from him." Mr. Neale said that "my friend Henry was the only one in the crowd who could stand It. the others being killed." The actual number of lives lost in the fire, which spread all over the business section, has never been definitely ascertained."

~ quote borrowed from Bloody Era Characterized by Pistol Duels and Devastating Conflagrations Gun Powder Supplies Explode In Terrible Fire of 1857 By Jack H.Rutledge Page 12 Brownsville Herald 27 April 1930

1882 Our Lady of Visitation - Santa Maria, Texas

Photo of Our Lady of Visitation in Santa Maria, Texas from Old Military Road (US 281) is an endangered historic building worth preserving.   It was built by the Missionary Oblate Fathers of Texas from plans drawn by Father Peter I. Keralum twenty years after his death.  Keralum built the Gothic Revival Cathedral in Brownsville, Texas.  It was built using locally made bricks and wood from nearby trees along Rio Grande.  Its steeple was lost after the Hurricane of 1933.  Services were held here until the 1970s after-which it was occasionally opened by caretakers until 1991.  It has been permanently closed since 1995.  
2017 Oct photo of church boarded up with a "new" roof that was installed to protect the building form further deterioration.  Preservationists from Brownsville, Texas met with a representative of the Cameron County Historical Association and Brownsville Diocese to take a look at the inside.
 A pile of bricks waiting to be reused.  Note the bracing in arch doorway and framing along wall to support roof.  The walls were not deemed sturdy enough to support weight of new roof which was placed on it about two years ago.
 Extensive bracing to support archway shown here.
 The alter was miraculously undamaged by the elements which were allowed to seep in over the years.
 It appears as if someone tried to fill-in bricks with cement to prevent further deterioration.  Photo by Maria Salinas
 1977 photo by Joe Von Hatten showing church alter
 1977 photo by Joe Von Hatten
Pre 1933 photo record shared by Joe Von Hatten

Watch video of Santa Maria, Texas recorded in 2000 on YouTube.  Thanks to Leo Rodriguez for providing **LINK** 

Thursday, November 9, 2017

José Besteiro y Hermano - From the Corners of E Adams and 12th St in Downtown Brownsville, Texas

by Javier R. Garcia
A story of downtown businesses surrounding Market Square / Town Hall during the 1910's can be told by examining the names of families who had a stake in its continued development and progress.  The Besteiros was one such family that played a major role during that time and generations to follow.
--Beginnings
José N. Besteiro was born in Brownsville, Texas on November 10, 1870.  His father, Jose Besteiro y Trigo, was born in Spain and described as a “retail grocer” in the 1870 census for Cameron County, Texas, the same year he married Julia Perez from Mexico.  Their eight children were Jose (b.1870), Martin (b.1873), Eustolia (b.1879), Manuel (b.1881), Juan (b.1883), Baltazar (b. 1884), Maria (b.1888), and Rosalia (b.1890).   By 1910 the Cameron County census lists Bestiero y Trigo as a merchant in dry goods.
1907 May 3 ads for store fronting Market Square / Town Hall from 12 St (Manatou store would be built on the location in 1927 for Enrique Manautou which lasted forty years.  It remained property of heirs and was recently restored by a great nephew)
 According to the 1900 census, by the age of thirty José N, Bestero was a cattle dealer and purveyor of dry goods.  He formed a partnership with Miguel Sahualla (the form was M. Sahualla & Company) which was dissolved in February of 1907 after which he partnered with his brother Manuel to open “La Frontera – Jose Besteiro & Bro. – Wholesale and Retail dealers in Dry Goods, Notions, Shoes, Hats, Ready Made Clothing, Gentlemen’s Furnishing Goods and Jewelry” from what was known as the old Barreda stand near Market Square.  Like the Barredas, Fernandez’s and other families at the time, they acquired several pieces of downtown properties to do business from. 
1907 May 3 ad
 c1906 Barreda family business facing Market Sqaure / Town Hall from 11th St.
Catty-corner from Las Ultimas Novedades was the Fernandez Building built in 1882 called "La Villa de Llanes," a reminiscence to the family's origins in Spain. 
--The Next Generation Moves In
By May of 1907 the Besteiros moved into their building on the corner of E Adams and 12 St which they offered “Las Ultimas Novedades (which roughly translates to "The Latest Novelties”)  – José Besteiro & Bro.”
 c1907 Robert Runyon archives
 1912 December 13 ad
--The Tallest Building in Brownsville, Texas at theTime?
c1911 Park Hotel photo by Robert Runyon,  The brick building next to the Fernandez Hotel (later Hoyt Hotel) could possibly be another structure built by the Besteiros which became the Guarantee Shoe store.
In 1913 the brothers invested in downtown by building what is known today as “El Tapiz” building which was originally was the three-story Park Hotel across the street from the Besteiro building – both on corners of E Adams and 11th St. but that same year they offered the Park Hotel for the price of $35,000.  The architect of the Park Hotel was M.E. Tracy whose name is well-known among the architects whose work survives in Brownsville, Texas.  C.F.L. Bock was contracted to construct the building.  It was sold to Manuel Marquez but transferred back to the Besteiro brothers by 1923.  
1913 March 30 ad
In 1929 José Besteiro had a commercial brick building constructed next to the Plaza Hotel and purchased properties of Lot 4, Block 210 and Lot 3, Block 133.  The Park Hotel, which was renamed the Plaza Hotel, was renovated in 1929 and five-year lease was sold to Miss Lula Cofer by Manuel Besteiro.  The hotel had 32 rooms and the lobby was refurbished.  

--Besteiro Building During the Mexican Revolution 
 c1915 photo of Villista boy soldier by Robert Runyon
Of the numerous properties owned downtown by José Besteiro, one (which one exactly has yet to be determined) was used as a make-shift hospital for wounded.  Many of them were boys conscripted to fight in the revolutionary struggles of Mexico.  In a story transcribed verbatim by the late wife of Col Sam Robertson who was president of the San Benito & Rio Grande Valley railroad, Mr Robertson described the short life of Solomon (or Salaman) Lerma of Zacatecas, Mexico who was a twelve year old boy who once helped save his life.  Before the two met, Solomon fought for Pancho Villa to attack Matamoros and was severely wounded by machine gun fire.  It is from Mr Robertson’s story that we learned that the wounded were transported to Brownsville, Texas to be treated after all hospitals on both sides were filled.  Robertson cites the Washington Theater and “Besteiro Building” as being the two make-shift hospitals where the wounded were cared for.  It is very likely that either building on the corner of E Adams and 12th St owned by Besteiro interests are what Roberton was alluding to.  
1915 August 21 ad
By 1915 the Besteiro brothers sold their business to Mr R. McChesney and John D Ellis of San Benito who renamed general merchandise business as McChesney Dry Goods Co.  It was at this time that stucco was applied to the exterior of the building and the interior was remodeled and painted.  The store space measured 50 x 100 ft and storage space at rear of building measured 25 by 50 ft.  Jose had also been in partnership with Eduardo Leal in a general merchandising business at 1205 E Elizabeth St which was dissolved in 1921.  During the time the Plaza Hotel was reacquired by the Besteiros in 1923, they also transferred ownership of the “Guarantee Shoe Store” in the building to Manuel Marquez which would be managed by J.R. Garza and B.L. Cain.  The brothers owned extensive real estate including two dry goods store with the other on E Adams and 12th St, one block apart from each other.
1919 April 14 ad for former Park Hotel
-- His Last Business Venture
1931 August 1 full-page ad in Brownsville, Herald
By 1931 José N. Besteiro went into partnership with J.N. Acevedo (who had twenty-four years of funerary experience) to open Delta Funeral Home on 13th and E Harrison with all the modern equipment and services available at the time.  Today this business still exists at the same location.
Ownership and usage of the one story commercial “José Besteiro y Hno.” building has seen many changes but it is locally remembered by many who recall it as the “Edelstein’s Furniture Outlet” during the 1950’s.  

-- Civic Participation
Local newspaper items indicate that the Besteiros were progressive businessmen united with other like-minded partners downtown to see Brownsville grow and prosper.  As early as 1904 Jose got involved in a committee to insure that trash be hauled away from city limits and burned and that standing water in barrels be eliminated to reduce breeding conditions for mosquitoes.  In 1907 his name was included on petition asking city to construct waterworks for the city and deliver light plant which had been promised by city leaders years before and voted for the bond issue to provide that need for the city and was quoted as saying, “Jose Besteiro y Hno.:  We are in favor of everything that is good for the city, such as the city building waterworks and electric lighting plant.”  The Brownsville Development club was an organization he joined in 1909 and was listed among stockholders in the MidWinter Fair Association in 1911. 

In 1929 his brother Manuel Besteiro ran for city commissioner but lost election to George L. Deshna, Jr.

José Besteiro was a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason, member of the Woodmen of the World and honorary member of the Benito Juarez Society.  He died at his home at 744 Monroe St. the age of 65 on 25 December 1935.  His last rites were conducted by the Matamoros Aurora Lodge No. 14 (Masonic Order) and he was interred at Buena Vista Memorial Park.  

There is much more that could be told but for the time being - we'll honor Jose N. Besteiro for his role in the development of our downtown business center.  This story will be updated with additional facts as they become available.

Sunday, November 5, 2017

ca 1866 Brownsville, Texas - Barrate's Restaurant on E Elizabeth from 12th St

Shared from:  DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University.   For additional details from source see
http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/jtx/id/1083/rec/4
Barrate's Restaurant was on the corner of E Elizabeth shown here from 13th St looking toward Miller Hotel.  The restaurant was severely damaged by a hurricane in 1867 at which the business was relocated to Indianola and was again destroyed by a hurricane in 1875.

From stereograph by Louis de Planque, ca. 1866.  Source:  Jerry Thompson and Lawrence T. Jones III, Civil War and Revolution on the Rio Grande Frontier:  A Narrative and Photographic History (Austin:  Texas State Historical Association, 2004)

Source webpage suggests that part of tall building behind Miller Hotel still exists but that is no longer the case.  A new building was buillt on site in early 1990s (see Google maps image  below).

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

c1910 Campo Santo / Panteon Antiguo~ Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico year unknown tomb of don Leocadio Muñoz


A man standing next to the crypt of don Leocadio Muñoz 
Close-up of amazingly ornate ironwork gate fencing and iron posts.  Maybe the man in photo was an iron worker himself or family of person buried in that huge tomb.  If more photos are found they will be shared on this post (updated).
1909 "Matamoros Foto" postcard of old city cemetery in Matamoros showing the above ground crypts 
c1915 Matamoros cemetery postcard looks like match to top photo 
2017 11/19 photo contribution by Jesus Antonio Martinez Cornejo - Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Photo contribution by Jesus Antonio Martinez Cornejo - Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico

c1924 Boardwalk near old bridge Brownsville, Texas

We see very few photos of the old Brownsville & Matamoros International Bridge which was built in late 1910.  Rarer are photos of businesses, residences and ferry boat crossings that existed up river from downtown Brownsville, Texas. 
 This photo from the Brownsville Historical Association archives is simply described as "boardwalk old bridge rd" but let's see what else we can tell about it.  
You can tell right off the bat that it was right next to the railroad tracks.  Miriam Amanda, or "Ma" Ferguson, was the first woman to serve as the governor of Texas.  She served twice but that is probably a 1924 campaign banner on the roof of the store next to a ladder.  There's also San Antonio, Texas-based ads for Lobo Negro cigarette rolling papers and Pearl Beer signs on the left next to the 5¢ and 10¢ burger stand.  Next door was the Home Cooking Cafe which boasted its pure French drip coffee and meals for 35¢.  
Next door there's a man and boy standing outside a store with pottery on display but the signage is too minuscule to read.   The next building with writing on it is the store that sold "Genuine Mexican Drawn Work & Curios which probably sold locally hand made goods produced on either side of the border and its neighbor, the D.B. Villarreal Hardware Company.
That's all we can tell at a glance.  A telephone directory from the 1920s would be ideal to say, determine if identity of "D.B. Villarreal" was Daniel B. Villarreal or some body.
[photo and caption sent by Jose Cazares]
The Boardwalk in Brownsville was built around 1870 by Judge Emilio Forto, who was the manager of the Brownsville & New York Ferry company, which was the property of James Stillman. The boardwalk was about two blocks in length and it housed all kinds of businesses, including drygood stores, novelty sores, grocery stores, hardware stores and shoe shine parlors. The boardwalk operated for about 56 years until it was torn down in 1926.