1942 Arthur Rothstein photos in Brownsville, Texas

1942 Arthur Rothstein - Charro Days fiesta, watching the children's parade, Brownsville, Texas

1942 E Levee St with sign for Gateway Bridge for Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico from Brownsville, Texas.  This photo includes a rare view of Missouri Pacific Railroad station and El Jardin Hotel built in 1928.  The photo was taken during the annual Charro Days international celebration between Brownsville and Matamoros still held every February but bull fights in Matamoros are no longer part of the celebrating.  

1942 Charro Days band on E Levee St and 13th

Miguel J. Morales and a Lost Legacy

by Javier R. Garcia

Telling the story of one of Brownsville’s most prolific photographers without a supply of photographs is quite a challenge.  We take for granted that vintage photos taken in Brownsville by its most famous photographer, Robert Runyon, can easily be accessed by searching online.  Thousands of his photos spanning at least two decades beginning in the early 1900s are treats for the amateur RGV historian.  Another photographer who began at the same time and lasted much longer but is not as well-known was Miguel Morales.  Bronsbil Estacion will make a feeble attempt to preserve the memory of this forgotten pioneer but warns the reader, not many of his photos are available to the public.

He was born into a pioneering family of Brownsville, Texas, we presume, in 1880.  His grandfather Rafael Morales was a soldier in Santa Anna’s army while fighting against Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto (1836) and his great grandfather fought as a soldier in the Mexican War of Independence against Spain in 1821. 

As a boy he became a messenger for Western Union and received his education at St. Joseph’s College.  He was a life-long fisherman and loved swimming.  He shot his first deer in West Brownsville and could play billiards with the best pool sharks.  At the age of twenty-four he traveled the northern continent beginning at St. Louis where he witnessed The World’s Fair in 1904.  From there he wanted to look across Lake Michigan through a telescope from top of the Montgomery Ward tower in Chicago.  Wanting to achieve greater heights he traveled to Washington D.C. so he could go up to the top of the George Washington Monument.  From the Atlantic coast he made his way to the Pacific coast and from San Diego, California ventured into Mexico where, it was written in a 1936 Brownsville Herald article, he spent a great deal of time traveling the country.  He was also an avid dancer and life-long Catholic member of the Knights of Columbus and Woodmen of the World Society.

Two photos undoubtedly made by M.J. Morales are of the (1911) Ebony Band belonging to the Woodmen of the World and la "Coronacion de S. Majestag Madeline II, Reina de las Fiestas Patrias del 5 de Mayo de 1939"

In 1908 there were very few photography studios in Brownsville.  Robert Runyon is well remembered today but there were also the Gilhousens, a husband and wife couple who ran a photo studio and later bought a movie theater.  Other photo postcards published during this era can be identified by their store marks such as: Willman’s Pharmacy, The Texas Confectionary, Rutledge Curio Co., Variety Store and Cunningham & Co. but we do not know who the photographer for each was.  Another mark on vintage postcards that are rare is T.J. Barrett or Grombach-Faisans Co., Ltd from New Orleans.  There are probably others but other than names stamped on postcards, we know nothing else about them. 

When revolution forces came near our border with Mexico in 1913, photographer Robert Runyon took many photos like what we see above and theater owner Adolf Dittman took a movie camera and filmed Lucio Blanco's soldiers as they prepared for the "Battle of Matamoros."   Not wanting to miss his opportunity to capture such a historic event we can asume Morales contacted his old friend Mr Pressey by reading the back of the postcard below:   

“My Dear Mr. Prissy—This is one of 35 dead piles – 645 killed at battle of June 3/13 in Matamoros, Mex. 21 Federals killed in trenches & 25 executed. Where can I get a moving picture camera? The Federals will try to retake Matamoros in a week or so. Let me hear from you. I got married. When are you coming here? My address—M. J. Morales—Brownsville, Texas.

A seller on Ebay erroneously claimed that Morales was a "bronco buster" who tamed wild bulls, worked for the railroad and became a telegraph operator before becoming a photographer and also asked $149 for the postcard.  We copied it before it was sold.  

In 1906 Miguel J. Morales became associated with Fred Pressey and by 1908 brought his studio and equipment which was located at 1200 E Washington [Esquina de Oro].  During this time he took photos of President Warren G. Harding, William Jennings Bryan and Mexican Generals Jesus Carranza, Lucio Blanco and Pedro Gonzales.  All we know about Fred Pressey is that he owned a movie theater called “The Electric Theater” in Brownsville which was sold to Adolf Dittman who later sold it to the Mr. & Mrs. Gilhousen after he had the Dittman Theater built in 1911-12.

Morales family portrait (courtesy of Joe Hinojosa)

 1920s view of E 12th St and Washington from Market Square (photographer unknown) 

 1929 Decoration Day Parade  (photographer unknown).  Photo courtesy of Rod Bates - Port Isabel, Texas. 

This late 1930s to early '40s photo shows location of "Brush Court" set-up for Charro Days with Morales Studio sign barely visible.  It looks like the "White Kitchen" sign (see 1929 photo) was recycled and became "Anthony's Waffle Shop".  We have not identified the creator of this photo but will assume for now that it was taken by Miguel Morales.  Maybe his photos were marked with an "M" followed by a dash and three-digit number.  (Brownsville Historical Association photo)

1944-45 ads appearing in English and Spanish printed Brownsville Herald publications

By 1911 Morales established himself permanently at 540 12^th St in a small border-brick style commercial structure built by H.M. Field around the 1870s-80s.  It was from then on and into (perhaps) the late 1950s that he operated his studio.  Other studios in existence that year were Roger’s Studio, Burgess, Holm, K. Welch, Morales and Alex (all names ending in ‘studio’).  The damn troubling shame is that there are very few remnants of Morales photos available to the public today.  It can only be presumed the bulk of his photographs he surely would have preserved until his death in 1968 were scattered among miserly collectors, lost or destroyed after his death.

 Lilian Merking owned an insurance business on E Washington and 12th when she took this photo in 1938.  Notice the bilingual Morales Studio  signage behind her?  Photo courtesy of Rene and Lucy Torres.  

Lucy Tijerina in front of Morales Studio (photo Rene Torres)

 This "Market Place" photo taken less than a block from the Morales Studio may be attributed to Morales.  How do you ask?  His pronounced use of serifs in his lettering  of early photographs may be a dead giveaway for the discerning photo detective.  Compare writing on photo with "Ebony Band W.o.W." photo above and see if you agree or not. (BHA photo)

Here's another photo with an "M" and three-digit number we hope we can credit M.J. Morales with.  If our guesses are correct, we may have found a key to helping us identify sources of photos to be preserved for future teling of our history for generations to come.

Thanks to the Brownsville Historical Association and Jesus Trevino for their help.  Online newspaper databases yielded a great deal of information for this article.  This story was meant to inaugurate  BiciBistro as a truly historic business location added to or downtown development.  

1950 0101 Strange Facts About Brownsville

J.M. Morales - Brownsville Photographer

Most of us are familiar with photographs by Robert Runyon which give us a look at the streets and buildings or houses and people that lived in Brownsville, Texas at the turn of the last century but few have ever heard the name of his contemporary, J. Miguel Morales, who had his studio on E 12th St in downtown Brownsville which was built by Henry. M. Field across a string of building's once known as "Parker's Row" -- all of which may have been built anywhere from the 1860s - 1880's.  Bronsbil Estacion has been talking with Jesus Trevino, who recently opened his doors to BiciBistro with Chef Jorge Enrique Cruz, to add a little more history to Historic Downtown Brownsville.   Stay tuned for more about this very significant contributor to our photographic memory of Brownsville, Texas on Bronsbil Estacion blogspot.  

1810 November 4th ~ Happy Birthday Charles Stillman

1862 0802 Letter to Charles Stillman from Nat Mitchell

San Antonio,  Aug.2  1862

My dear friend

Your esteemed favour of ____ date, acknowledging receipt of the $550.00 came duly to hand & was glad to learn the money had gone safely to hand.  You must excuse my laziness for not having noticed at an earlier period the receipt of your very welcomed favour.  The fact is, I was kept pretty busily engaged during the month of July, electionessing, as I was a candidate for the respectable & heretofore lucrative Office of District Clerk for this County – and am happy to state, my efforts, united with those of nearly all the good Secessionists of the County, were crowned with entire success.  Our entire ticket being elected at the late August, electing notwithstanding the secret, though strong opposition arrayed against it, by the old Union party, who dare not openly avow such sentiments, but invariably put forth a ticket in every election in the County.  You will have heard, ere this reaches you of the fight St. McRea of Donahue’s Company, had with a party of 69 renegade Germans and a few Americans, in the vicinity of Fort Clark.  They left 33 dead on the field, asking no quarters and receiving none.  Therefore, no prisoners were taken.

9/35

We captured 33 st___es small arms, 13 Six Shooters, 83 head saddle horses & all their camp equipage & provisions – losing on our side 2 killed on the field & 18 wounded, one of whom has since died of wound.  This party was en route to the Rio Grande for the purpose of crossing into Mexico & there await the advent of old Abe’s hurlings [hirelings?] into Texas.  they were all well armed & fought with the most stubborn desperation. 

I have no local news of interest to communicate & as regards war news, you get the same I do and almost as soon.  The draught still prevails to an alarming degree.  Stock water is failing in many portions of the State & in some given out entirely.  Many Grist Mills have had to stop for the want of water, to the great prejudice of the inhabitants generally.

Crops of all descriptions, especially in the grain growing districts, have yielded about 1/3 of the usual amounts & as a consequence, breadstuffs are very high & steadily advancing.  Every thing to eat & __ __as, has attained the most fabulous prices.  Flour 18 to 20 cents pr lb.  Corn & Meal 2.00 to 3$ pr Bu.  Bro Sugar 25¢ pr. lb. Coffee $1.25 pr. lb.  Molasses $2.00 pr. Gal.  Soap, Saleratus, Candles etc none to be had.  Ten cent calies [?] @ $1.00 pr. Yd.  Bro & Black Dimities -75¢ pr Yd.  Denims $1.50 pr. Yd.  Whiskey $4.00 pr. Bottle, bad at that.  Brandy all gone.  Segars all gone.  Tobacco, chewing, 3 to 4$ pr lb.   Confederate money abundant & Shinplasters, still more abundant,  The Power Mills near this City, have not done much as yet.  They have a large supply of good material expect to be able in a short time to turn off daily at least 1000 pounds, which ought to kill a good many Yanks, expediciously &

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energetically applied.  Nearly all the troops in Texas are on the move for Ark. & Miss.  The reported capture of Baton Rouge by our forces, needs confirmation, although it is believed in official circles in this place.  The War spirit still pervades nearly all classes of our population & are resolved to fight it out with the d d cut-Throat Hessians to the bitter end, even though everything should be sacrificed in the resistance, as the hatred for the North is daily inter_______ , but at the same time, all would hail a proclamation of peace with joy & shouts of gladness, if upon honorable & just bases.  The Country West of us, has of late, been troubled by predatory bands of Indians, killing and stealing.  A suitable number of good men, are now in position to put a check [?] to their wunderous [?] & t___ing operations.  You have never sent me any Yankee papers, at least, if you have, they have never come to hand.  I would esteem it a great favour to receive one semi occasionally as I like to read their mordeful lust [‘mortiful’ or wonderful list?] & see their views in regard to the War.    On the last page of hereof please fine a Memorandum of articles much needed by your humble servant, & which he would like you to purchase for him & send by Genl. Wm. B. Knox of this place, who has a train of Mule Wagons loaded with cotton, no en route to Brownsville.  Genl. Knox will be in your City about the time this reaches you, whol I can recommend to your consideration as a worthy & intelligent gentleman.  If you can purchase the needed articles for Confederate funds, please do so & forward Bill & the amt shall be forthwith remitted

10/35

if not, please advise me as early as practicable, so that I may make arrangements accordingly.  Stamps for answer enclosed.  I would not bother you with this trifling matter, could the articles be had here.  Genl. Knox has promised to bring them in his Wagons.  Present my kind regards to friend Howlett & say to him I have never heard from him in relation to my dem_t from the Brownsville or Rio Grande Lodge & that I would be highly gratified if he would be kind enough to attend to it for me.

With many wishes for your health & happiness

I am as ever, most truly ______  Nat Mitchell

Memoradum

1 Rs. Bleached Domestic For [?] Shirts

5 or 6 Yds. Linen for Bosoms.  Not too fine

1 Doz prs Cotton ½ Hose   No 10 good quality

2 prs Merino Drawers,    Large Sizes

2 pairs Cassimere Pants.  33 In. Legs, 36 _o, Waist

1 ps. French Prints, Purple or Brown, small figures

1 Box Saleratus   [precursor to baking soda]

3 Silk Neck ties.  Black

1 pr Calf Sleeves – No 7

1 Merino Under Shirt –

If the Pants are not the be had, please send 6 Yrds. Cassimere, suitable for winter purpose [?]

Respectfully etc

Nat. Mitchell 

2016 Halloween Candelabra Dinner @ Gourmet Central by Chef Cel

Brownsville Estacion went into the kitchen and out to the table with Chef Cel Galindo at Gourmet Central in downtown Brownsville at 515 W. 4th & W Elizabeth St for a full-course Halloween Candelabra Dinner!  

 Olive bugs being brought to life.

 The kitchen staff applying wings to these "things"

 Sandy Stillman and Chef Cel add drops of blood to the green-eyed concoction

 There are never too many cooks in the kitchen at Gourmet Central

 Count Dracula loaned a few chairs and decorations for the party.  He has centuries of experience presenting formalized dining events and enjoys having guests over for dinner in his gothic fortress in Transylvania, Romania.

 Butter dish with spreader for the Salem Witch Freshly Baked Bread

 Salem witch decoration

Bar specialties included Black Martinis, Tequila Vampire Serum, Blood Shoot Lemonade and Mummy Eyeball drinks

A smoking concoction sure to put the most sober person under a spell.  Did you know the word "alcohol" comes from the Arabic word 'al-kuhl' which mean body eating spirit?  Neither did I -- I just Googled that but there are other theories as to why we call alcohol or liquor "spirits."

 Mini Love Bat Cheese Balls with edible eyes

Crepping Crawling Mounster "Caviar Mousse"

"Jalapeno Mummy"

 Frankenstain Eyeball Soup made from cream of poblano

 Halloween candy never tasted this good and the fun was in each bite.

 Transylvanian Tenderloin with Hallucinogenic Mushroon Sauce & Deep Sea Lobster Mollusk joined by Black Forest Asparagus, Ghostly Mashed Potatoes and carrots.

 Several decorated Tombstone Grand Marnier Blitzes!!  Mine is on top with a shot of Voodoo Coffee

 Francisco "Pancho" Galvan under the influence of Voodoo Coffee

 Ben Neece warming up his guitar for music and songs with Alexander Stillman

The presentation dinner was a delight of the senses and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Thanks again to Cel Galindo and kitchen staff and servers at Gourmet Central located on West Elizabeth and 4th St in downtown Brownsville, Texas.  In addition to the restaurant, Cel offers "Fine Catering for Any Event" and can be contacted in any number of ways listed below.  

(956) 543-5408

(956) 554-7502             Gourmet Central

(956) 312-8596             515 W. 4th St Brownsville, Texas 78520

(956) 592-7750             gourmetcentral8@gmail.com