Los Portales Newsletter

Transcription

1 Los Portales Newsletter President s Message November, 2013 Greetings members, I feel nothing but pride in preparing this message. It gives me great honor to be a part of an organization that truly cares about our community, our area and our organization. The San Elizario Historic District is officially a State Cultural District and one of only 24 in the state. This is an honor that all of us can be proud of. Our projects are underway. We have now completed the installation of our new Self-Guided Walking Tour signage. Visitors can follow the tour without a brochure at any time and the system is equipped with Quick Response Code for use with a smart phone, for the Spanish version. The new system is cost effective, user friendly and appealing to the eye. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped build and install the signage. Next time you visit the Los Portales Museum, be sure to notice our new doors throughout. The new doors are era appropriate. The building itself is being worked on by the county after the recent floods, and will hopefully be finished by years end. The Old Cemetery Restoration project is also underway. Be sure to look at the blueprint for the project that is displayed at the museum. That project is scheduled to get underway in the next few months. The Founder s Luncheon was again a great success! Attendance was down this year, but we are looking forward to a Bigger and Better Founders Luncheon next year. Thank you to all the volunteers that made it happen. Be sure to support the all-new Veterans Parade & Celebration. It s now a two-day event, bring out the family and friends. And we ll need help for the Luminarias and Posadas Celebration on December 21 st, so be sure to signup at the Portales. Have a great rest of the year and Thank You for your undying support! Al Borrego, President San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society

2 22nd Annual Founders Luncheon 2 The theme of the luncheon was Life in the Past Lane. Ms. Rachel Ortiz read a moving invocation and blessing of the bread. The attendance was 75. Helen Rojas was a very spirited Mistress of Ceremonies. Tito Lujan and Ricardo Marin delighted us with songs from our Mexican and country past during our registration and after dinner. Tito even asked for requests. The program was Genealogy for Beginners by Ms. Ana Maria Rodriguez, a docent from the Museum of History. She left a summary of internet sites for beginners so interested persons can obtain a copy. It is a five page document. There was a recognition of 26 persons 85 years and over. Helen Rojas asked each person to describe their family tradition. Each story shared was unique and very interesting. A display set at the History Summit last March was reconstructed so the members could see it. The purpose of the display was to publicize SEGHS. There was a timeline of historical events in San Elizario. displayed by George Sanchez. He also took some of the books published about the respective families. It has been a tradition for active members of SEGHS to bring a wrapped gift to the luncheon which are then offered as prizes to lucky persons. There were 15 prizes. Some prizes were from the San Elizario artists. The artistry of Kila Sanchez was also evident on the three wall hangings. She donated these works on which she dedicated many hours of her time. She also prepared the Victorian centerpieces which graced the tables. The winners of the drawings were: First prize went to Elisa Contreras daughter, second prize to Margaret Evaro of New Mexico and third prize to Karl & Dottie Sanchez. United Freedom Associates prepared a fine meal of brisket, B-B-Q chicken, mashed potatoes, potato salad, flavored corn, gravy, green salad, cookies, rolls, tea, sodas and water. They also decorated the table with multicolored tablecloths adding gaiety to the occasion. Different flower arrangements were placed around the halls at the reception table, table for the drawings and the cake table. The cake hostesses were Mary Lou, Gloria, and Emily Borrego. The cake was not scored, but they skillfully cut the cake and served it so no one would be left out. Lupe Gonzalez did a fine job of preparing and running copies of the program. Ruth and Lupe also accepted donations for the drawing that day. Donations from members who could not attend the luncheon helped us with the total donation of $ Aurora Bustos

3 3 Veterans Talk Edwardo M. Pedregon Veterans Museum: 1501 Main Street, San Elizario We have placed an Eagle sculpture on the corner of Main Street and Glorietta. The sculpture, was donated to the Veterans by Harvey Johnson. A dedication ceremony will be held sometime in October Veterans Memorial Walk: 1502 Main Street, San Elizario We now have 420 bricks on the ground and counting. Veterans Memorial Plaza: Plaza in front of the Church We have installed a 30ft flag pole to fly the US flag on all federal holidays. A ceremony to raise the flag for the first time will be held Saturday, November 9, 2013, during the Veterans Day Parade and Celebration Event. Cemetery Veterans Memorial: Thompson Road in San Elizario No damage to the memorial due to heavy rains and flooding at the cemetery, but there was significant damage to many graves and markers. Annual Veterans Day Parade and Celebration: Our Parade and Ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 9, This year we plan to make our event bigger and better by celebrating Veterans Day on November 9th and November 10th (Veterans Day falls on Monday, November 11th). We also plan to have food, arts & craft vendors, entertainment, live music, kiddie rides and other attractions, in order to bring more people to our event. San Elizario Veterans Committee: 1501 Main Street, San Elizario We hold our meetings on the first Tuesday of the each month, at 6:30 pm, at the Veterans Museum. We welcome everyone, veterans and non-veterans, who want to continue the tradition of remembering and honoring our veterans and current military individuals. Anyone wishing to help : in the museum, with the memorial brick walk, the parade, donations, military artifacts & memorabilia, and other items like sodas, bottle water and paper goods (paper towels, napkins, bath tissue, and paper cups). Other: The San Elizario Veterans participated in the following events: August 10thtwenty Veterans helped at the San Lorenzo Fiesta in Clint, August 18th-booth sales at the Art Market and October 20th-booth sales at the Art Market. Volunteering: No requirements, only the willingness to want to help the veterans and the community with the museum, Memorial walk, annual parade and other projects. We welcome high School and college students who need to do community service for school credit. Ray Borrego, Chair mail: rayborrego99@msn.com San Elizario Veterans Committee of the SEGHS

4 Alberto Lara Jr. Bertha Lara Daniel Lara married Senaida Salmon Married Luz Alarcon Armando Lara+ Raul Lara Maria Juanita Lara a Refugio sixteenth Lara Century tradition introduced by the Spaniards Elvira who lara settled what is now the Married Jesus Chuy Sanchez Flora Sanchez Daniel Lara, Jr. Silvestre Sanchez who was born to bring the world out of Ruben darkness, Sanchez the light of the world. David Sanchez Elena Madrid Christmas Eve was also the ninth Jose and Madrid+ final night of Las Posadas, a nine day novena 2nd husband - Alfonso Juarez Francisco Javier Juarez Edmundo Lara Edmund Richard Lara Mary. Married Each Josephine night, Dindinger they would be turned John Lara away. On the final night of the novena, Christmas Rosalin Lara Eve, the people would procede to the Church and ask to be given a room at the inn. On Cathy Lara that, the most holy of nights, the people would sing outside the church door again asking Randy Lara to be let in. The doors would be flung open with the joyous refrain: i.(welcome holy pil- Clara Lara grims) Married Entren Manuel Levario santos peregrinos. Juan Manuel Levario Lucila (Chila) Levario Jaime Levario Amelia Levario alive. The Posadas are still celebrated Benjamin among Levario the people, Mary and Joseph s journey to Bethlehem commemorated year after Arturo year, Levario a reminder that we are all pilgrims on this Rafael Lara Rafael Lara Bernard Lara SEGHS is sponsoring the Luminarias/ Patricia Posadas Lara + (2010) on the evening of Saturday December Roger Lara Isabel Lara Married Fco. Aristeo (Ari)Solis Luminarias / Posadas Our present day tradition of filling paper bags with sand and votive candles evolved from American Southwest. On Christmas Eve, small bonfires called luminarias were lit on the Elinora Sanchez Reynaldo Lara paths leading to the church where the traditional midnights Mass was to be celebrated. Gilberto Sanchez Mario Lara The trail of bonfires symbolically lit the way for believers to come and worship the child With the passage of time, the bonfires were replaced with lanterns akin to our present day Elfida Lara Alfredo Madrid + luminarias and though we have kept the word luminarias the more accurate word is actually farolitos which literally means little Married 1st husband- Conrado Madrid Alberto Edmundo Madrid lanterns. introduced by the Spanish missionaries in Mexico. The Posada novena re-enacted Mary Roberto Juarez and Joseph s search for lodging in the city of David. Each night of the novena, the people 3rd husband-simon Canales Juan Canales would gather and go house to house in a procession following images of Joseph and Today, along the historic district, the traditional Luminarias are still lit along the historic Pedro Levario area roads, plaza and around the San Elceario Chapel, keeping the traditions of the past earth, a reminder that we must rely on each other s kindness in order to survive the cold, Married Francisca Mercedes Garcia Albert Lara dark winter. 21st. at Veteran s Memorial Plaza in San Elizario. Children from school and church will Russel Lara participate. Sweet Adeline s will also perform. John F. Lara Attention: Ma. Cecilia Solis Sylvia Solis The start of Las Posadas is 4:30 pm. Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus will be here to greet the children with goodies. We will also have chocolate and cookies for the children. As Rene Solis usual, Hilda Solis there will be the traditional Christmas Irma Solis food. of tamales, menudo and champurrado for Ysela Shirley Solis sale. 4 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

5 Gift Store The gift store has cups, coins depicting the three churches: San Elceario Chapel, Ysleta Mission & Socorro Mission, a variety of books and the Census of 1841, 1692 & 1687, prints of the San Elceario Chapel, Ysleta & Socorro Missions, cookbooks, T- shirts, magnets and post cards. 5 New Members We welcome our new members: Daniel Carey Whalen Arlina Marie Palacios Maria Teresa Grijalva Ramona Saucedo Prayers for the Ill We ask for your prayers for our sick members: Felix Hernandez Richard Madrid Tony Alarcon Grace Sambrano Our Condolences We lost a faithful member of SEGHS when Erasmo Payan passed away on August 13th. He was the son of Lupe Torres and Tomas Payan, a pioneer family from San Elizario. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Lopez Payan and his sons: Alex, Albert and Victor Payan. Erasmo, a regular Sunday volunteer at the Museum for many years, also served as Vice-President and then President of SEGHS. One of his proudest accomplishments was spearheading the project to have a carreta built by the students of San Elizario High School. The carreta, an attraction for many visitors, has been on display behind the museum for almost fifteen years. Erasmo also enjoyed participating in the annual Luminarias Project where he played the role of Santa at the festivities. In the early days of SEGHS, he offered his talents to help with electrical, plumbing and janitorial needs at Los Portales. His service in many areas over the years made him a valued member of SEGHS. We also lost Margarita Ramirez, a longtime member of SEGHS. She is survived by her devoted daughter Ysela, wife of Ramon Holguin and one grandson. Margarita was from a pioneer San Elizario family. Her husband was the late Chilo Ramirez. We will miss these members and we join the families in mourning their loss. May they rest in peace.

6 6 Jesus Cobos Elected to Hall of Honor Pioneer San Elizario resident Jesus Cobos was named to the El Paso County Historical Society s Hall of Honor. He will be honored along with three other El Paso County residents at a dinner on November 3rd at the El Paso Country Club. Don Jesus was born in what is now Socorro, Texas (Mexico at the time) in 1834 to Vicente Cobos and Rosalia Cortes Pedrasa, who were also born in Socorro. His first wife, Francisca Montes, was the daughter of Telesforo Montes, another prominent citizen of San Elizario. One story about Don Jesus was that he was a rich man who brought bars of gold hidden in wagfons from Mexico which he hid in jacales or huts that he and Don Marciano Rey built in Fabens for the refugees fleeing the Mexican Revolution of The land on which the jacales were built was later sold to the Postmaster who demolished the huts and found the hidden gold. There were several variations of this story but all resulted in Don Jesus losing the gold. He also was involved in local politics. He was elected to the Texas State Legislature in He was elected as County Commissioner representing San Elizario on November 4, 1884 and served until November 1, In 1877, Don Jesus, Telesforo Montes and Gregorio Nacianceno Garcia I were determined to prevent the Salt War. Don Jesus, along with other citizens signed a bond for the release of Charles Howard, one of the men claiming title to the primary Salinas of the Guadalupe Mountains. Howard had intercepted a group of these citizens on thieir way to the Salinas and precipitated a riot. Howard was jailed for his actions but was released upon payment of $12,000 under the condition that he would leave the country. The daughter of Don Jesus, Rosalia, married Octaviano Larrazolo, who became Governor of New Mexico and later the first Hispanic United States Senator. Family lore states that Don Jesus objected to his daughter marrying Larrazolo who was a school teacher in San Elizario. In order to keep his daughter away from Larrazolo, Don Jesus sent her to school at Loretto Academy in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Despite his efforts to separate them, Rosalia Cobos and Octaviano Larrazolo were married on April 25, Don Jesus donated 60 acres of land in San Elizario to the Sister of Loretto so that they could maintain their school without having to constantly solicit funds from the townspeople. He helped establish the first public school in Fabens, Texas in 1913 and it was named after him. Around 1911, Don Jesus purchased land for and helped established the Santa Rosalia Mission Church on Main Street in Fabens. Jesus Cobos died in He was but one of the many lower valley leaders who emerged from San Elizario. Much of the information for this nomination was found in the Montes family website ( and the book Bells of San Elizario by Amelia Montes Skaggs.

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8 8 GRIJALVA My great-grandfather, Pilar Grijalva ( ) was originally from Carrizal, Mexico, as were many of the ancestors of San Elizario residents. Pilar traveled to San Elizario for business, where he met and married San Elizario born native, Maria De Los Santos Perez ( ). (Pilars parents were Hipolito Grijalva [died 1891] and Maria Miquela Hernandez. Hipolitos parents were Bisente Grijalva and Maria Gertudis Lucero. Maria Miquelas parents were Pedro Hernandez and Candida Alarcon. Santos parents were Teodosio Perez [ ] and Sotera Sambrano [died 1923]. Teodosios parents were Cosme Perez and Petra Caballero. Sotera parents swere Jose Maria Eligio Zambrano [died 1848 in San Eli] and Maria Felipa Alderete [ , who died in San Eli]. Jose Marias parents were Sotero Zambrano and Antonia Rodriguez. Maria Felipas parents were Pedro Alderete and Dolores Arroyos.) Pilar (age 24) and Santos (age17) married on They had nine children: Jose ( , died of smallpox), Anita ( , married Vicente Lopez & moved to LA), Maria ( , married Rosario Garcia & moved to El Paso), Francisco ( , married Anita Aranda), Josefina ( , married James Buchanan & died from childbirth complications), Adelaida ( , married Juan Villalobos & moved to El Paso), Natividad ( , married Benjamin Montes & moved to LA), Jose ( , married Juanita Gonzalez) and Candida ( , married and divorced Tony Salas {alleged mujeriego-womanizer}, moved to LA & later was killed by a stalker ex-boyfriend. He pushed her out of a moving car as they were fighting and her head hit the sidewalk. She died. The family brought her body back by railroad & she was buried in San Elizario Cemetery). Pilar died on July 4, He had a bad cold but went outside to water his crops, fell in an irrigation ditch, caught pneumonia and later died. Santos died in 1955 of diabetes. One of Pilar and Santos children, Francisco, was my grandfather. He married Anita Aranda, who inherited a lot of land from her mother through her stepfather, Jesus Cobos from Fabens. Jesus was one of the good guys in the Salt War and owned a lot of land between San Elizario and Tornillo. He was a widower with about 12 children and in his 70 s. My great-grandmother, Refugio Aldana, who originally lived in Aguas Calientes, Mexico, had married Manuel Aranda, a wealthy man but a heavy drinker and gambler. They had one child, Maria Ana (Anita), my grandmother. Refugio left her husband after he gambled her and her daughter in a poker game and lost. So Manuel became a fulltime drunk, dying at age 34. Refugio, now a widow, came to the United States to find a new life. She settled in San Elizario and found a job in El Paso, where she met widower Jesus Cobos. She was 34 and he was 78. They married and had a child, Rosita. In 1916, 15 year old Anita married 23 year old Francisco Grijalva. Jesus Cobos died in 1918 and his 12 children from his first wife inherited half of the property and his second wife, Refugio and their daughter, Rosita, inherited the other half. Three years later, in 1921, Rosita, who had a bad heart died at age eleven. In 1923, two years later, Refugio died of sadness, according to family history. However, her death certificate lists TB as cause of death. Refugio died just as her first daughter, Anita, was giving birth to Pilar, one of her 15 children. So Anita inherited half of all the land that her mother and Rosita had inherited from Jesus Cobos. The other half went to the 12 children from his first marriage. In those days, the husband controlled all the marriage property so Francisco ended up controlling the land he purchased, the

9 9 land he inherited from his father Pilar, and Anita s inheritance from Cobos. Francisco was a successful cotton farmer and used workers from the Bracero program. Those were workers from Mexico with special permission to work the farms in the US. Franciso and Anita had a total of 15 children: Francisco Oscar ( ), Efrain ( , married Emma Berru), Raul ( ), Antonio ( , killed in WWII and awarded the Silver Star, the highest medal for a San Elizario resident), Josefina (1924-present & my mother, married Antonio Trujillo, my father, [ ], later married Carmel Lara then married Jose De La Cruz), Maria Ofelia ( , married Javier Gomez), Margarita ( ), Francisco ( , married Ofelia Loya), Elceario ( , married Margaret Garcia), Jose Pilar ( , married Alicia Franco), Rosa (1934-present, married Rosendo Chavez), Catalina (1936-present, married Luis Ponce), Ruben ( , married Yolanda Lopez), Anita (1939-present, married Charles Berry) and Alfredo ( married Virginia Trujillo and died in car accident. 21 year old Alfredo [Freddy] was going to visit his mother at the hospital because it was her birthday. While driving on Socorro Rd., a horse ran into the road, causing Freddy to hit the horse and then the Alamo tree. In 1961, my grandfather Francisco died of a heart attack at age 66 and my grandmother Anita died in 1964 at age 64. She died less than two months after her youngest child, Freddy, died in the car accident. So the land went to the 10 surviving children. The home originally belonged to Jesus Cobos and Refugio Aldana Cobos. It later belonged to Franciso and Anita. After my grandmother died, Ruben and Anita inherited the house. Later their brother Pilar bought the house from them. He searched the walls and under the floor boards for Cobos gold but never found anything. Later Anita bought the house from the City of El Paso. Some of the land originally owned by my greatgrandfather Pilar was sold to the San Eli School District & now Enriquez-Garcia Middle School is located here. Lillian Trujillo Los Portales Office Hours & Information: Tuesday-Saturday: Sunday: Monday: 10 am to 2 pm 12 pm to 4 pm Closed Phone: Fax: sanelizario@sbcglobal.net Web site: sanelizariogenealogy.com

10 10 San Elizario Genealogy/Historical Society P.O. Box 1090 San Elizario, Tx