USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume I > Part 25
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"Castroville was founded by Mr. Henry Castro, a gentleman of Por- tuguese origin, still resident in the town, under a colony contract with the Republic, which passed the legislature February 15, 1842. The enterprise seems to have been under the special patronage of the Roman Catholic church. Every colonist was a Catholic, and the first concern was the founding of the church edifice, the corner stone of which was laid ten days after their arrival, by Bishop Odin of Galveston. By the contract with the colonists each person was to receive a town lot, and a piece of outlying land as a farm. By the contract with the state, two thousand per- sons were to be introduced within two years. An extension of two years was granted in 1845. Mr. Castro was to receive a quantity of land equal to one-half of the whole taken by the colonists, to be located in alternate sections, with the state's reserve.
"Seven hundred persons came first in seven ships. Assembling at San Antonio, the advance party started for the Medina, September 1, 1844. One board building was carried in carts, and in it were housed the tem- porary provisions. The settlers built themselves huts of boughs and leaves, then set to work to make adobes for the construction of more per- manent dwellings. Besides their bacon and meal, paid hunters provided abundant supplies of game, and within a fortnight a common garden, a church, and civil officers, chosen by ballot, were in being, and the colony was fully inaugurated. After struggling with some difficulties, it is now a decided success. The village itself contains about 600 inhabitants, and the farms of the neighborhood several hundred more.
"Beyond Castroville there are (1857) two small villages, settlements of German colonists, mostly from the west bank of the Rhine; one, Quihi, on Quihi creek, a branch of the Seco; the other, D'Hanis, upon the Seco itself. A third, Vandenburg, has been lately deserted by most of its in- habitants, after they had built themselves houses and brought a consider- able quantity of land into cultivation, because the creek on which they de- pended for water was found to fail in the summer. One of those who re- mained attempted to dig a well. He reached a depth of 135 feet, and then finding no water, gave it up. A few days afterward water was observed to have collected in the bottom, and the well gradually filled until it now
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stands constant within fifteen feet of the surface of the ground, enabling him and a neighbor or two to keep up their farms.
Quihi.
"Quihi is a scattering village, of ten or twelve habitations, one of them a substantial stone farmhouse, the others very picturesque, high-gabled, thatch-roofed, dormer-windowed, white-washed cottages, usually artis- tically placed in the shade of large dark live-oaks. The people seem to have been successful in their venture, to judge by various little improve- ments they are making and the comforts they have accumulated.
D'Hanis.
"D'Hanis, distant some twenty-five miles from Castroville, presents, certainly, a most singular spectacle, upon the verge of the great American wilderness. It is like one of the meanest and smallest of European peas- ant hamlets. There are about twenty cottages and hovels, all built in much the same style, the walls being made of poles and logs placed to- gether vertically, and made tight with clay mortar, the floors of beaten earth, the windows without glass, the roofs built so as-to overhang the four sides and deeply shade them, and covered with a thatch of fine brown grass. There is an odd little church, and the people are rigid Catholics, the priest instructing the children. This was a second colony of Mr. Cas- tro, established in 1846, but he here appears to have done little else than® point out the spot and assign the lands to the colonists. They suffered many hardships during the first year, depending partly on the government post for provisions, and for two years lived on game and weeds for the most part. Rattlesnakes were then common about the settlements, and were regularly hunted for as game."
Fort Inge.
"Fort. Inge, the military outpost of the district, is situated near the head of the Leona. There were no structures for defense, except a stock- ade of mesquite trunks surrounding the stables. There were perhaps a dozen buildings, of various sizes, as officers' quarters, barracks, bakery, hospital, guard room, and others. Here the United States mail train to and from the west has a station, and the San Antonio and Eagle Pass mail changes horses here."
Victor Considerant.
"At the head of the Sabinal are a number of non-slaveholding farm- ers, from northern states, engaged in sheep and cattle raising, settled to- gether upon a rich and sheltered tract of pasture. To the same place, if I am correctly informed, Victor Considerant has brought the remnant of his communist colony. His first position was a very ill-chosen one, upon Trinity river, in Dallas county, amid a population of planters, who looked with extreme coldness and jealousy upon such an incursion as that of a thousand French 'agrarians,' all foreigners and perforce free-labor men. The colony, which arrived in the winter of 1854-5 was already at the end of one season shattered and dispersed. A few remained upon the domain
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of the association, with some separate organization; a few were faithful to Considerant, and have followed him to this new and more hopeful po- sition, while the great body scattered, to try their own fortunes, over the state."
Edward King, writing in Scribner's Magazine for 1874, says: "On the river road from San Antonio to Concepcion (mission) stands the com- fortable country house so long occupied by Victor Considerant, the French free-thinker and socialist. Considerant, after his ineffectual attempt to found a community of the Fourier type in Texas, lived tranquilly with his family near the old mission for many years, going to San Antonio now and then for society and occupying his leisure with literary work. A strange man, strongly fixed in his beliefs and prejudices, he was not thoroughly understood, but was universally respected by the Texans who met him."
Considerant is still well remembered in San Antonio. Several mem- bers of the Maverick family studied French under his direction, and in aft- er years one of them met the old socialist in France. Considerant returned to France after his residence at San Antonio, and as a leader of his party at one time was an opposing candidate to Louis Napoleon.
Seguin.
"Seguin is the prettiest town in Texas; at least of those we saw. It stands on elevated ground, in a grove of shaggy live-oaks which have been left untouched, in their natural number and position, the streets straying through them in convenient directions, not always at right angles. How wonderful that so cheap and rich an ornamentation should not be more common. The hotel is large and good. A number of buildings in Seguin are made of concrete-thick walls of gravel and lime, raised a foot at a time, between boards, which hold the mass in place until it is solidified. As the materials are dug from the cellar, it is a very cheap mode of construction, is neat in appearance, and is said to be as durable, while protected by a good roof, as stone or brick."
Goliad.
"We soon reached Goliad, a settlement of half a dozen houses, two stores, a wheelwright's and a blacksmith's shop. While the horses were being shod, I rode to the old Meixcan town of La Bahia, or old Goliad, on the opposite side of the river, to visit the mission and fort, where the mas- sacre of Fannin took place. There are several of the missions in the neighborhood, of which this seems to have been the principal. The ruins I found quite extensive ; there are the remains of a large fort, with bas- tions, which appears to have been about two hundred feet square. Several stone buildings stand about it, all now in ruins. Behind one of the bastions, in a corner of the enclosure, is the church. It is also of limestone, and in a similar style to those of San Antonio. The modern village is composed of about twenty jacals, large, and of a comparatively comfortable charac- ter, scattered over two hills. The city was formerly one of some impor- tance, and is said to have contained some thousand inhabitants. It was the head of navigation on the San Antonio, and the port of collection for the hay of Espiritu Santo, whence its old name."
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Helena.
From Goliad to San Antonio Olmsted describes his journey as over "an undulating surface of very rich but light soil, covered with close, fine mesquite grass, and other shrubs and trees. Much of it is still uninhabited prairie. We passed but one American settlement-the little town of Hel- ena, which had just been built. About five miles above, on the west bank, a sort of religious colony of Silesian Poles has been established. One or two hundred arrived on the ground in February, 1855, seven hundred more in the autumn, and some five hundred additional in 1856. The site was chosen by the ghostly father who accompanied them, without discrim- ination, and the spot has proved so unhealthy as to induce a desertion of about one-half the survivors, who have made a settlement in the eastern upper corner of Medina county." This Polish settlement near Helena was called Panna Maria, and many descendants of the original families are found in different parts of Southwest Texas.
BERNARD KIOLBASSA, superintendent of the sanitary department in San Antonio, possesses many of the qualities of the successful leader and for many years has been recognized as a man of influence among the Polish citizens of Southwestern Texas. He was born in Prussian Poland August 16, 1846, his parents being Stanislaus and Francisca ( Burda) Kiolbassa. The father was a member of a good family of Poles and was a well educated man, thus being qualified for practical and respon- sible duties in life. In 1847-8 he was a member of the Prussian Reich- stag from Poland at Berlin. Seeking a home in the new world to enjoy the advantages of liberty in a republic, he came with his family to Texas in 1854, making the long tedious voyage in a sailing vessel. He settled at Panna Maria in Karnes county, being one of the pioneers who found- ed the Polish colony at that place. After raising one crop there he decided to make his home farther west because of the malarial and un- healthful conditions which prevailed at Panna Maria. There he established a farm and with the aid of his sons built a house which was unique, being the first and only one of the kind in the country. It was constructed of grooved mesquite blocks, mesquite wood being the most available build- ing material at that time, and there were no sawmills in the country to saw up lumber. Later he located at the head of Atascosa Creek in Medina county about six miles south of Castroville. Stanislaus Kiol- bassa and his family found the pioneer hardships of this section rather trying and although with kind and tactful treatment of the Indians they managed to get along without disturbance from the red men, a bad drought and consequent crop failure induced Stanislaus Kiolbassa to come to San Antonio. He removed to the city in 1858, establishing his home on Villita street and afterward on Presa street. Subsequently he removed to South Alamo street and thence to North street, where he died on the Ioth of May, 1862. His wife long survived him and passed away in this city in 1888.
In the family were six children and with the exception of the youngest all were born in Poland. These are: Thomas, now living in San Antonio ; Peter, who died in Chicago, June 23, 1905: Mrs. Josephine Seffell; Frank, living in Wisconsin; Bernard, of this review; Jacob,
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deceased; and Mary. Of this number Peter Kiolbassa enlisted in the Confederate army at San Antonio and participated in the campaigns in Louisiana and Arkansas in the early part of the war. He was taken prisoner at Little Rock and after being paroled decided to join the Fed- eral army, for he had come to the conclusion that the northern cause was the just one, and being a young man of independent thought and action he did not hesitate to carry out his honest convictions. Accord- ingly he joined the Union army in Arkansas and was transferred to a point east of the Mississippi river, where in recognition of his gallantry and meritorious conduct as a soldier he won rapid promotion from private to the rank of corporal, sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieuten- ant and lastly captain with the rank of major in command. During the last year or two of the war he was engaged largely in recruiting service, principally in Chicago, where his qualities of leadership and influence made his services particularly valuable in securing recruits among the Polish young men of that city. After the war he settled in Chicago and was married there. He became a business man of that city and from 1870 until the time of his death, in June, 1905, he was an active leader in Democratic circles in that city. He served as alderman, was also a representative in the state legislature, president of the board of public works and city treasurer. In the latter position it is recalled that he filed the largest bond ever given by a city treasurer, amounting to over fifteen million dollars. He was well qualified by' his natural talents and characteristics, being a leader in political circles and through several administrations his leadership among the Polish citizens of Chicago was undisputed. The Kiolbassas are all of strict Catholic faith.
On meeting with Bernard Kiolbassa one is impressed with the fact that he is an educated and cultured man, particularly well equipped as a linguist, for he speaks several languages fluently. On account of the pioneer experiences of his boyhood and the ensuing war he was deprived of much school training that he would otherwise have received. How- ever, he entered St. Mary's College at San Antonio, but the course of instruction seemed to him to cover so long a period and he was so anx- ious to get to work and make a start in the business world that he left the school after thirty days and accepted a position as waiter in the Menger Hotel. Instead of spending his nights in pleasure he read and studied, buying text-books and other volumes and becoming a close student, in which way he advanced until he was recognized as a man of scholarly attainments. He enlisted in the Confederate army as a drum- mer boy but was advised by Captain McAllister to remain at home and take care of his mother, as the other boys had gone into the war, and Mr. Kiolbassa followed this advice. After the close of hostilities he established a small mercantile business in Bexar county about eighteen miles from the city, but later moved into the city and went into business, for many years dealing in fancy groceries, first on East Commerce street and later on East Houston street, his last place being at the corner of Houston and Navarro, where Peck's furniture store is now located. He continued in trade until 1890, when he retired from merchandising. He had prospered in the undertaking and as the result of the large line of
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goods which he carried and his reasonable prices he had received and enjoyed a liberal patronage.
Bernard Kiolbassa possesses many of the qualities of leadership which were shown by his brother Peter, and for a long period has been recognized as a man of influence among the Polish citizens and other residents of foreign birth in San Antonio. In 1888 he was elected county commissioner, filling the position for two years. At present he is superintendent of the city sanitary department and it is largely through his energetic and efficient services in this connection that San Antonio has gained its splendid reputation as one of the cleanest cities, from a sanitary standpoint, in the country, this accounting to a large extent for its known healthfulness. Mr. Kiolbassa takes a public-spirited interest in all worthy institutions and enterprises and supports all measures which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.
He was married in San Antonio to Miss Louisa Seng, a native of this city, and they have three children: Bernard, Edward and Helena, the last named, the wife of William Heve. Mr. Kiolbassa has spent the greater part of his life in Texas, his residence here covering more than a half century, and for a long period has lived in San Antonio. From his boyhood days down to the present he has manifested many good qualities and is accorded a prominent position in public regard.
ED KOTULAA. To say of him whose name heads this sketch that he has risen unaided from comparative obscurity to rank among the capitalists of Texas, is a statement that seems trite to those familiar with his life. Yet it is but just to say in a history that will descend to future generations that his business record has been one that any man would be proud to possess. Beginning at the very bottom round of the ladder, he has advanced steadily step by step until he is now occupying a posi- tion of prominence and trust reached by very few men. Through his entire business career he has been looked upon as a model of integrity and honor. never making an engagement that he has not fulfilled, and standing today an example of what determination and force, combined with the highest degree of business integrity, can accomplish for a man of natural ability and strength of character. He is respected by the community at large and honored by his business associates.
Mr. Kotula was born in Poland. in 1844. and his parents, Carl and Elizabeth Kotula, were also natives of that country. In the year 1854 they crossed the Atlantic to America with their family, locating in the Polish colony of Panna Maria, in Karnes county, where was built the first Polish Catholic church in Texas. It was here that Carl Kotula died within a year of their arrival in Texas, after assisting in the es- tablishment of that colony and the building of the church. His widow. long surviving him, passed away in San Antonio, June 19, 1906, at the very advanced age of ninetv-three years and seven months.
It was in 1855 that Ed Kotula accompanied his mother to San Antonio, where he has since made his home. This has been the scene of his activities, resulting in advancement to a position of wealth and prominence. He acquired the greater part of his education in the old St. Mary's College, and when yet a boy began providing for his own support by working at any labor that he could secure. Thus he developed
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habits of industry, thrift and exemplary conduct that have served him well in all his subsequent life. During the war he was mail-carrier for the Confederate government between San Antonio and Boerne, Texas, and later between San Antonio and Victoria, Texas. His first regular work, however, was hauling rock and later he accepted a clerkship in a store, where he made a good start and gained practical knowledge of merchandising. This store was the famous old establishment of D. & A. Oppenheimer, which has for so many years figured prominently in the business history of San Antonio. Mr. Kotula proved himself such a valuable employe that his salary was raised nearly every month, and carefully husbanding his earnings, he started in business for himself, when he had saved a capital of fifteen hundred dollars. His services were greatly appreciated by the firm and he would have been given an interest in their business but he chose to branch out for himself, and
An Early Commercial House.
in January, 1869, opened a little stock of goods in an adobe building at the corner of Alamo and Commerce streets, where now stands the build- ing of the San Antonio Liquor Company. He was very successful in this initial venture, and, encouraged by his progress, he opened a larger establishment in larger quarters on the corner diagonally opposite in 1871. There he erected a two-story business block which he later sold to Mr. Dullnig, at which time Mr. Kotula removed his business to Mili- tary Plaza. He enlarged the scope of his activities and admitted J. Op- penheimer to a partnership under the firm style of Ed Kotula & Com- pany, general merchants. They remained in business on Military Plaza for several years and after some time Mr. Kotula bought out his partner's interest, carrying on the store alone until 1893, when he disposed of his mercantile interests and has since devoted his time to other lines of busi- ness. He had made a splendid success as a merchant and during most of the years that he conducted business on Military Plaza he was also ex- tensively engaged in dealing in wool, his business in that line reaching the amount of half a million dollars annually. In fact his operations in wcol became of such magnitude that he was known as the "wool king of Texas." His good judgment and general business ability promoted his success in that line, notwithstanding the somewhat speculative nature of the same caused by the fluctuations in the wool market, and the varying tariff regulations.
In later years Mr. Kotula has concentrated his energies more largely to operations of large cattle interests, in which he has continued his for- mer successes. He is the owner of the famous Valenzuela ranch, con- sisting of forty-three thousand acres of the finest ranch land in Texas, lying in Webb and Dimmit counties, and stocked with the best grades of Durhams and Herefords. He also has valuable real-estate interests in the city of San Antonio. His record all through his long life in San Antonio has been one of successful and honorable achievements as testi- fied to by the community in general, while his older business associates, the Oppenheimers and others with whom he has had business dealings through many years, all pay him the highest tribute of confidence and esteem. His operations have been of the utmost value in the commercial
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development of early San Antonio and throughout his entire career he has been classed as a representative American who, while promoting in- dividual interests, also advances the general welfare.
Mr. Kotula was married in this city to Miss Wilhelmina Seng, whose parents came from Germany to San Antonio in 1845. They now have five children, Mrs. Adela Hunter, Edward B. Kotula, Mrs. Hattie Stephens, Amanda and William Kotula.
What Mr. Kotula has accomplished in the world of commerce can- not adequately be told in words. It is certainly not asserting too much to say that one who can direct and control business interests of such magnitude as he has done must possess much more than ordinary fore- sight and sagacity. together with initial powers of organization and ex- ecutive ability. Moreover the causes that have led to his success are found along the lines of well tried and old-time maxims. Honesty and fair dealing, promptness and fidelity-all these are strictly enforced and adhered to in the conduct of his business interests. The policy to which he has adhered has made him one of the potent factors in the business life of the southwest.
The Germans in 1857.
"There are estimated to be," says Olmsted, "at the commencement of 1857, 35,000 Germans in Texas, of whom about 25,000 are settled in the Gernian and half-German counties of western Texas. In Comal, Gillespie and Medina counties nearly all the inhabitants are Germans. In Victoria and Colorado counties they constitute about three-fourths of the populations ; in Calhoun, Bastrop and Bexar (excluding San An- tonio) about one-half ; in Favette, Caldwell, Travis and San Antonio City, about one-third. and in Haves about one-fourth." Olmsted gives the following estimate by counties, with a larger footing :
Western Texas-Comal, 3,500; Gillespie, 2,000; Bexar, 5,000; Medina, 1,500; Guadalupe, 1,500; Victoria, 1,500; DeWitt, 1,500; Calhoun, 1,200; Karnes, 800; Caldwell, 400; Nueces, 400; Llano, 400 ; Hayes, 300 : Kerr, 300; Gonzales, 300; Rio Grande ,1,10.
Germans and Slavery.
The Germans, both because of their intense democracy and also because they were as a rule people of limited capital and dependent on their own labor and skill for a livelihood, were not favorable to the in- stitution of slavery. Very few owned slaves in Western Texas. Cotton raised by "free labor" was one of the objects of interest to travelers. The slaveholding element was in the great minority in Southwest Texas, so that when the war came on the choice between states' rights and the Union was more equally divided here than in any other part of Texas. Olmsted in his "Journey" gives an interesting description of the rela- tions of the Germans and Americans on this subject in the decade before the war. A German newspaper was established in San Antonio during the early fifties, and though rather literary and educational in tone and devoted to its national interests, the subject of slavery could not escape attention. Its discussion for some time attracted little notice from the
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