Leno Zapata and the Last Days of the Pipero

by Rene Torres

It was perhaps one of the most colorful funeral processions ever seen in this city—and it all happened at the turn of the century.  Before the modern waterworks system in the city existed, the water cart was skillfully maneuvered through the streets of this city.

But on this particular day, the local piperos buried one of their own, Leno Zapata.   He was considered one of the most popular in the business, who after twenty years of ritual service, left behind his most valuable assets, his water cart and donkey.  

It was a majestic march to the cemetery—with burros, water carts and barefooted salesmen following the hearse to his last resting place. 

The piperos dressed in their daily attire with no frills and fancies, brought part of the city to a standstill.   As competitors, friends and family mounted their wagons, about 28 in all, gathered at the home of the deceased, a dilapidated shack, in the alley way close to the Cameron County court house.

After the viewing, began the slow, very slow procession of mourning.  The march was along 13^th street to Adams and eventually reached the Immaculate Conception church, where there were services for the departed.

The funeral movement toward the cemetery was tranquil as the hearse was followed by the plodding, faithful and patient little animals. All with heads lowered and mouths against the bottom of the water cart.  Their every step displaying explicit obedience and apparent sympathy with the mourners that followed the hearse.

It was an era when the affluent of this city got their water from a water well and stored it in cisterns (tank for storing water).  While the ones from the poor side of town depended on the pipero for their muddy water.   For a few cents, the household could have a barrel of Rio Grande water delivered to the back door and placed it in a special container—usually another barrel.

Speaking of the cost for water? in 1908, the piperos were accused of overcharging their customers.  Mayor Combe, gave them a free and forceful lecture on keeping their price at a reasonable rate. 

He informed them that they must conform to the city ordinance regulating the sale of water.  Placing the price at the limit for selling the barrel at 7 cents.   The mayor was hard on the voiceless, which also included the hack drivers.Leno might have seen his last ray of sunshine, but the business went on until the 1920s when the last pipero disappeared and became relics of the past.

Modern day water carrier downtown on 10th and E Elizabeth c2009 (photo by Javier R. Garcia)