Henry Chappell

Jun 22, 2016 11:17 AM EDT

Does the author credit the Lino Ramirez family for developing and keeping this ranch active until Tom East forced them off at gunpoint in 1916? See Case #310 in Jim Hogg County District Court cases 1930-1931.

- E.S.

Jul 01, 2016 11:56 AM EDT

E.S., you can rest assured that I took great care in crediting Tejano ranchers as the true founders of San Antonio Viejo. In fact, we’ve included a photo of Lino Ramirez’s original deed as well as photos of his house in Roma and headstone at Rancho Viejo. For the benefit of other readers, allow me to point out the San Antonio Viejo in which the Ramirez family played such an important part consisted of several thousand acres amid a much larger tract owned by Manuel Guerra, a powerful figure in Starr County, scion of a great land-owning family that had long dominated South Texas politics. In 1906, the post office at rapidly declining San Antonio Viejo was moved to Guerra. The community’s decline may have been due to decreased importance of the route from Peña Station through San Antonio Viejo. When Manuel Guerra died on June 9, 1914, his widow, Virginia Cox de Guerra, began purchasing several small plots within the larger San Antonio Viejo tract from Hippolito Ramirez and others with undivided interests in the old community – no doubt to make her property more attractive to potential buyers. In December of 1914, Tom East purchased the entire 23,795-acre tract from Virginia Cox de Guerra – including land that made up San Antonio Viejo. After that, Tom East would have considered the land his and anyone who refused to leave trespassers. As for the appropriateness of armed expulsion, I can’t say for sure.

Do you live in the area? Wyman Meinzer and I will be at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg in October for a book signing, talk, slideshow, and discussion. I’ll post the details once they firm up. Come on by if it’s convenient. Perhaps you could contribute to the discussion.

- Henry Chappell

Sep 29, 2016 11:04 AM EDT

If you read the Jim Hogg District Court records, Virginia Cox states that "I do not own all these properties" so the Easts could not secure legal title. After Tom East went bankrupt and sold the ranch to Henrietta King ( his wifes grandmother) then Robert Kleberg had to file false adverse possession claims in order to gain title. This is the sad truth about Texas Property possession in the early 1900's and why so many spanish americans feel anger toward the anglo ranch owners and the Texas Rangers. I will have a book published in the near future presenting the facts and exposing the Easts actions.

- Edward Swidriski

Sep 29, 2016 11:50 AM EDT

Mr. Swidriski, thank you for stopping by. I look forward to reading your book. For the record, many Hispanic families in South Texas, including those with deep roots in Jim Hogg County, feel very warmly toward the Easts.

- Henry Chappell

Jan 19, 2017 8:38 AM EST

Dear Henry,

I am so PROUD of you! I can't wait for ANOTHER GOOD READ! Keep up the AWESOME WORKS!!

- Donna Hulsey

Jan 20, 2017 1:06 PM EST

Thanks Donna!

- Henry Chappell

Jan 28, 2018 12:03 AM EST

My grandmothers family grew up on San Antonio Viejo Ranch, My great grandmother Maria Antonia Gonzlaez was Lino Ramirez first wife, it is funny i ran into this article, Some of my cousins were talking about the ranch tonight. I mentioned to my cousins that i remember my mother Elva Falcon making a comment that her grandparents were removed at gunpoint. What a surprise you said the same thing. These are not the only ranches taken from our families. The only family i know of that were strong enough to keep thier land from being stolen was on my Guerra side. Alot of my De la Garza Falcon family incountered the same fate from the East and King Families.

- Maty Bullen Ramirez