1915 Olmito / Tandy Station Train Robbery

By Leo Rodriguez including photos compiled with Javier R. Garcia

On October 18, 1915, at about 10:00pm, around 60-100 Mexican bandits derailed and burned the Saint Louis, Brownsville and Mexico passenger train number 101 six and a half miles North of Brownsville. The bomb attack on the two-passenger car train occurred as it was on its way from Harlingen to Brownsville. Spikes and fish plates were removed from the track and then the bandits used a wire cable to pull the rail to one side just as the train approached.

When the locomotive hit this section, it tipped over and plunged to its side in a ditch. The throttle of the engine pierced engineer H. H. Kendall’s chest. The engine had to be cut in two in order to remove his body. Train Fireman Woodall was badly scalded from the hot steam which escaped from the ruptured boiler but survived. The stopped train was then riddled with bullets before the bandits boarded it. The bandits then entered the cars and began robbing the passengers. In the ensuing confusion one of them shot Corporal Albert T. McBee. McBee was traveling with friends, as a passenger, and was unarmed. While others hid, or cringed on the floor, McBee stood tall. He was shot in the heart and killed instantly.

John Peavy is name of man in photo.

John Peavey badge which sold on Ebay for $1,600

Morris Edelstein, a Brownsville merchant who was aboard the train documented what had occurred with the help of his son Ben. As the bandits had approached him, he addressed them in Spanish and asked that his suitcase be left alone. They took him for a Mexican and did so.

“There was another passenger, a traveling salesman, whom the bandits seized and were ready to kill, when my father shouted in Spanish, ‘Don’t kill him he is German!’ (Which he was not). In those days the people in Mexico had a high respect for Germans. Some of the generals in the Mexican army were of German descent. The Germans were also friendly to the bandits. They furnished the bandits with guns, ammunition and other necessities, hoping that the bandits would drive all of the Texas settlers out of the state. The bandits stole the black porter’s shoes forcing him to run some three miles barefoot [to the Cottingham Ranch] before he could spread the news of the train robbery.

The traveling salesman profusely thanked Dad for having saved his life but swore that he would never return to Texas. For as long as he lived, every year at Christmas time the traveling salesman mailed Dad a Christmas card.” Several other people were shot, including Dr. Eugene Shannon McCain, the deputy state health officer, who died the next day at his home on Elizabeth Street. His family came from Refugio County to claim his body.

The bandits were led by Cameron County ranchers Aniceto Pizana and Luis de la Rosa, leaders of the Plan de San Diego. One of the passengers on the train recognized de la Rosa and asked why he was doing what he was doing, as they were all acquaintances. De la Rosa was preoccupied with the robbery and did not hear his friend, and brushed past him.

PIZAÑA, ANICETO (1877–1957)

(click on Aniceto above for TSHA brief bio of Aniceta and photo)

After the robbery some of the bandits burned the trestle bridge a mile north of the attack slowing the arrival of the authorities.

The murder of an Anglo passenger caused pandemonium among Anglo Americans in South Texas. Lonn W. Taylor, a curator at the Nation Museum of American History, recalls the account given by his great-aunt who lived in Kingsville, about 50 miles northwest of Brownsville, at that time. She was attending Sunday evening service at the local Methodist Church when an armed deputy entered and walked up to the pulpit, spoke to the preacher briefly, and then turned and said to the crowd, "The Mexicans have revolted and are murdering people all over South Texas. I have arranged for the owner of the hardware store to open-up presently so that all of you can buy arms and ammunition to defend yourselves against these bandits."

(random Ranger murder pic to go with story: John-D.-Arntfield-1916-Near-Mexico-With-Army-Dead-Bandit)

Several of the bandits were caught within the next few days. Some were summarily executed (lynched), while others were jailed and held for trial. The day after the attack the bodies of four Mexicans were discovered in the brush near Tandy's Station. They may have been bandits killed in the crossfire.

Those dead as a result of the attack: Dr. Eugene Shannon McCain Corporal Albert T. McBee Sergeant Shaffer, Troop G, Third cavalry First Class Private Joyce, Company G, Signal Corps First Class Private McConnell, Company D, Signal Corps

Those wounded; Private Fred Behr, Troop G. Third Cavalry Private Paul lengland, Troop G, Third cavalry First Class Seargeant, H.R. Smith, Signal Corps Corporal Lewis Candalla, Signal Corps Private Ben Hallenbeck, Troop G, Third cavalry Below is a photo taken the following morning of the derailed train, and 3 photograph's of the soldier's and crowd that gathered to pay their final respects to Corporal McBee as his casket is carried onto a railroad car.

2017 0128 Bizarre Bazaar Artisan Pop-Up Market

This was an all-day event advertised as the Bizarre Bazaar & Frascadas presenting"Vintage Days" at the Half Moon Saloon (see previous post) where a fashion show with women wearing vintage clothing took place late in the afternoon.  Here's a quick look at artisans where coffee & tea, live music, original art, karaoke/open mic, handmade jewelry, massage therapy and all natural products were some of the products being offered to downtown shoppers.  Part of the San Fernando building complex is being used by local artists to promote local arts and culture.  E Adams was closed between 12th and 11th but the chilly weather probably kept most locals and winter Texans away.  

 There was a bouncer (not pictured at left) for the kiddoes courtesy of Kraken Lounge 1123 E Adams across the street where artists were hanging out playing pool and playing music with pizza ready to order.

 The great Tortilla Maker t-shirt and artist Gabriel Trevino were in the San Fernando complex on E Adams St this past Saturday open for visitors.   The t-shirts were selling for $20 

 Trevino had this and other art on display in the San Fernando building.

The artisan fair and pop-up market is usually across the plaza near the fountain but the Half Moon Saloon building was opened for art and business.  

 Comic book aficionados Miguel Mendo and JoAnna Uresti had their table set up in the back where everyone was at.

 Henna hand painting is an organic dye painted on skin which makes for a fashionable temporary tattoo which looks pretty and fun.

 Some serious cooking will be coming out of that back kitchen at the Half Moon Saloon.  This looks like the latest addition to the area.  Maybe we can get a closer look at this later and post some photos.

 Bettina Gomez and her sign say it all

 Artist Toni Antinori  looking sharp and ready for the vintage fashion show later.

Here's some Toni Antinori art I noticed when I ducked out to look in on the Kraken Lounge 

Artists from Carlotta Petrina Museum were there to meet with artists and visitors and share their talent with everyone.

If you stopped by the Carlotta Petrina Museum in the early afternoon you could have picked up a brisket sandwich lunch meal for $6 to help them support the activities they have there.  Kids were getting music and art lessons when I dropped in for a plate then it was back to the Bizarre Bazaar.

 Sorry I didn't get everyone's names but this is a small town and only a few people see this anyway so if you see anyone you know just copy link for this post and share with your friends.  I think this group are the Artisan Syndicate and are UT-RGV students.

 Play some Hendrix

Belly dancing entertainment livened the audience and they gathered in to see the fashion show (see previous post).

2017 0128 Vintage Days at Half Moon Saloon

Andrea Stover was Master of Ceremonies of the Bizarre Bazarre Vintage Days fashion show which was very well advertised.

 Farmertron Automatic warmed up the audience with some hip-hop dance music 

 Claudia Henry modeled and introduced models fashioning vintage attire from various decades past

 Models await being called to enter the Half Moon catwalk

 The first roundabout

 Daniel Alvarado relaxes before heading to The Kraken where he'll serve up cold beer and hot pizza  and  local artist Tony Antinori was on hand to assist models taking the stage.

 Bizaar Bazarr organizer Bettina Gomez of Bodyworks by Bettina called winning numbers for free door prizes

 

These ladies did an excellent job.  Local photographers Miguel Roberts and Martin Buitron were also  there taking photos so friend them on Facebook if you want to see some good-quality photos of this and other events they may be at as the future of downtown takes shape!