USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 10
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After the war Mr. Matthews continued to reside in his home town, engaged chiefly in the undertaking and cabinet making business, residing there until 1884, when he made Texas his resident state. He first located at Toyah, west Texas, but soon afterward came to San Antonio. He was connected for some time with the undertaking establishment of Mr. Shern, and then established a furniture store of his own on Market street. In 1895 he continued the business on Houston street, but re- mained at that location only a few months, as fire destroyed the building. now known as the Peck Furniture store. Mr. Matthews has also worked at his trade of carpenter and cabinet maker, and has been altogether an industrious and useful citizen. In 1901 he became interested in the oil discoveries at Sour Lake, where he still owns valuable lands whose operation has of late vears formed a feature of his business interests. A few years ago Mr. Matthews purchased the old Simon Fest homestead on Simon street, which is now his residence and the center of a happy domestic life.
Mrs. James T. Matthews was formerly Minnie Hollande, born in New Orleans but was reared principally in Galveston in the families of Colonel Spaight and General Sherman of that city, as her parents had died early in her life. Mrs. Matthews has some interesting relics connected with the early history of Texas, including a rare photograph of David G. Burnet, the first president of the Texas Republic; also a piece of one of the Texas flags that was used at the battle of San Jacinto. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have two children-James T., Jr., and Carrie Maria.
CHAPTER XXVII.
CITY OF LAREDO.
HISTORY OF ITS FOUNDING AND SUBSEQUENT CAREER.
In 1746 the viceroy of Mexico commissioned José de Escandon to pacify and settle the gulf coast country. The district put under his control, extending from the Panuco river to Texas, and sixty or eighty leagues west from the coast, was callel "la Colonia del Nuevo Santander."
During the conquest, 1748-55, more than twenty towns were estab- lished by Spanish and converted Indian families. One of these settle- ments was Dolores, on the north side of the Rio Grande. Of this place Laredo, founded ten leagues further up the river, was an offshoot. But Dolores was later abandoned, while Laredo remained for a long time the only permanent settlement on the north side of the lower Rio Grande. In 1757 an "inspeccion" of the Nuevo Santander settlements was made by Captain Tienda de Cuervo, and it is his report on the town of Laredo, translated by H. E. Bolton in the Texas Historical Association Quar- terly, that furnishes the first authoritative account of the beginning of the city of Laredo.
"This little settlement," says Cuervo, "was formed on the 15th of May, 1755. It was located on the north bank of the large river of this name ( Rio Grande) in a dry, level country. Its temperature is hot in summer and cold in winter, and its inhabitants say that it is healthy."
The circumstances of the founding were these: Thomas Sanchez, who had his goods and stock on the south side of the river opposite Dolores, in 1754 proposed to Escandon to bear the expense of forming a settlement in the region north of the river provided lands should be furnished. Escandon favored the plan, but at first desired the settle- ment to be located on the Nueces river, which on investigation was found unsuitable, however. Then Captain Sanchez explained the ease with which a settlement could be formed "at ten leagues from Hacienda de Dolores, up the river," and two leagues from the ford called Jacinto. Escandon agreed that Don Thomas might settle, where he had pro- posed, "a town by the name of Laredo; allotted fifteen leagues of cattle pasture land for inhabitants, and conferred the title of Captain of the town upon the same Dn. Thomas. The latter, to carry out his scheme, took his family, with others, to the proposed place, and there made suit- able huts for their dwellings. He has assisted them, now continues assisting them, and still is desirous to take others there."
First Families.
At the time of the inspection there were eleven families in all, with four single men. These being the "first families" of Laredo, their names properly form part of this history. They are :
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Thomas Sanchez, with wife, Catherina Uribe, and nine children. Juan Garcia Saldivar, wife, Catharina de las Casas.
Prudencio Garcia, wife, Josepha Sanchez, and five children. Joseph Leonardo Treviño, wife, Anna Moreno, and six children. Juan Francisco Garcia, wife, Maria Ritas, and seven children. Juan Baptista Sanchez, wife, Juana Diaz, and ten children.
Aug'n Sanchez, wife, Francisca Rodriguez, and two children. Leonardo Sanchez, single.
Joseph Flores, and three children.
Joseph Diaz, and mother.
Joseph Ramon, wife, Maria Gertrudis, and two children.
Leonardo Garcia, single.
Joseph Salinas, wife, Ysavel Treviño, and one child.
Pedro Salinas, single, with mother and one sister.
Juan Diego, single.
Altogether there were 85 persons comprising the population of Laredo at that time. Their possessions were, 712 breeding horses, 125 mules, 2 yokes, 9,080 sheep and goats, and IOI cattle.
The 1904 Statistical Report of Commissioner Clay, referring to Webb · county, of which Laredo is the county seat, says: "Stock raising engages the attention of the people." In this connection it is interesting to note the conclusion of Inspector Cuervo, in 1757, that "the advantages and growth which this settlement may have must be based upon the breeding of stock, inasmuch as it is a country as well adapted to that purpose as any in the whole colony; but so far as crops are concerned, I am of the opinion that they promise little benefit." Continuing the report, "the public advantage in this settlement is its being the usual crossing for the province of Texas and its presidios, from Nuevo Rno. de Leon and the province of Coaguila, whose frontiers are seven leagues distant," the settlement of Laredo being the last in the colony toward the north. "Its newness does not admit of sufficient knowledge to establish with certainty a notion of the advantages it may afford ; but from its having occasioned no expense to the Royal Hacienda and its occasioning none now, it appears to me it will be expedient that it continue. *"
During the inspection, Thomas Sanchez made a deposition in which he adds some interesting particulars concerning Laredo; namely, "that this place was on a highway and was discovered some nine years before the deponent formed said settlement; that its crossing was discovered by one named Jacinto de Leon; whence has clung to it the name el Paso de Jacinto ; that it is up stream from this settlement something like a quarter of a league, and continues passable up to the present ; and that there was no rancho in this vicinity nor anything else." Concerning the ford, Mr. Bolton says: "I am informed by Mr. Bethel Coopwood of Laredo that, although there has been some doubt as to the location of these fords. the view is probably correct that Paso de Jacinto was what is now called Paso de los Indios, a landmark at the upper side of the Fort Mc- Intosh reservation; and that Paso de Miguel de la Garza [3 leagues down stream from the settlement] was in the vicinity of la Cañada de los
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Abiones, where the third league of the original tract terminated on the left side of the river."
Laredo was the first independent settlement in Texas. So far as it relied on any sort of material subsidy, Captain Sanchez supplied that. There was no military garrison, and at the time of the inspection the Apaches had not approached the settlement with hostile intent. There was no mission, "and there are not and have not been any Indian agregados, nor any hopes of having them, because of no provision having been made for that purpose." Even a priest to administer sacraments had to be brought in as occasion required from Revilla, 22 leagues dis- tant. Concerning the "el Grande del Norte," Sanchez states "that he does not know where it rises, but that it empties into the sea; and that he has no hopes that an irrigating canal can be constructed from it, nor has this settlement springs from which this benefit can be secured."
At that time roads led from Laredo in different directions into the neighboring provinces. Sanchez states that the provinces are "(I) Tejas; that of this, the nearest settlement is the presidio which they call Sta. Dorotea [or, Presidio de la Bahia del Espiritu Santo], distant from this colony some fifty leagues, more or less. The settlement and presidio of San Antonio de Vejar of the same province is some fifteen leagues further; (2) that of the province of Coaguila the presidio named Rio Grande del Norte, with the appellation of San Juan Baptista, is distant from the frontier of this colony some twenty-five leagues; and (3) that Nueva Reyno de Leon."
During the latter part of the eighteenth century the Indians gave Laredo a wide berth and as a result the colonists engaged in stock raising and agriculture, filling the plains between the Rio Grande and the Nueces with vast herds of cattle and horses. Considerable corn and vegetables were raised for home consumption, and altogether the colony progressed finely.
The colonists made regular trips down the river in "chalans," or flat boats, to Matamoros, where they exchanged hides, etc., for provisions. During one of these journeys the party was attacked by a roving band of Indians, but they were speedily repulsed after losing two of their number. This took place a few miles above Rio Grande City, the old home of Captain Tomas Sanchez, from which place the first colonists came.
While it is true that up to this period the country literally swarmed with Indians and bloody battles had been fought with them in the adjoin- ing country, yet this practically ended the Indian campaign so far as Laredo was concerned. From the organization of the colony the settlers had established friendly relations with the red man, and except in the instances related, they were practically at peace with him. This, of course, applies strictly to Laredo. On the ranches up and down the river many horses and cattle were stolen and many fatal encounters took place.
Soon after this time the enterprising white man put in an appear- ance, and the aspect of things was soon changed. Prior to this, however, white men had visited the colony and one or two remained with the set- tlers. In 1842 Laredo was for a short time occupied by General Som-
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ervell, in command of the Texas troops. The command reached Laredo from Medina on the 8th of December and took possession of the place without opposition; and it is said that it was while encamped in Laredo that General Somervell, after a consultation with one of his officers, concluded to issue the order which subsequently resulted in the horrible slaughter of Captain Cameron and a portion of his troops at Salado on the 13th of February, 1843, by order of Santa Ana at the special request of Canalis, who had a quarrel with Cameron when in the campaign of the Republic of the Rio Grande.
In 1846 Laredo was again captured by Captain Gillespie of the rangers, when on his way to join General Taylor at the mouth of the river. In 1847 Laredo was again occupied by the soldiers of the United States under General Lamar.
Fort McIntosh.
In 1849 the city leased to the United States government 2,500 acres of land for a military post, part of which was outside of the city limits. In 1858 the post was abandoned and the stores removed to Fort Brown. The old Fort McIntosh was built in 1850. It was a star-shaped earth- work occupying one acre of land. Within was a fine large magazine of stone with arched roof overlaid with earth. There were descending steps, iron doors and secure locks. And the magazine was begun but never completed.
Upon abandonment of post in 1858, Laredo executed an agreement to lease to the United States for ten years the old post and five acres of contiguous ground, with the understanding that if the government de- sired the city would execute absolute deeds within ten years if they took possession. In 1859 two companies of the First Infantry took possession. April 11th, 1861, three companies of Confederates under General Santos Benavides took possession of the post, and the United States troops repaired to Fort Davis. The other two Confederate companies organized at Laredo were respectively commanded by Captains Refugio Benavides and Julian Garcia. October 23d, 1865, Fort McIntosh was re-occupied by Federal troops, and in 1868 work was begun on buildings for a two company post; but work was suspended until 1877, when additional buildings were constructed ; and from that time many improvements have been made, until now there is no better equipped fort in the state. The reservation embraces about 208 acres and is a part of the city tract deed which was executed by Refugio Benavides, Mayor, to Quartermaster General M. C. Meigs, on behalf of the United States on the 29th day of May, 1875. Title was approved by Attorney General on the 3d of May, 1880, and the site was formally accepted by the Secretary of War on the 2d day of March, 1880.
With the advent of the white people, the old Mexican customs and manner of government rapidly disappeared, and new ideas, American styles and customs prevailed to great extent. The adobe dwellings of the colonists gave way to one and two story brick residences and stores. Merchants from the north, east and southeast established large and flourishing wholesale and retail business houses, and many improvements were inaugurated.
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Laredo in 1881.
The "modernization" of Laredo began with the building of rail- roads to that point. Before that time Laredo was an inland town, and prospered almost entirely through its position on the highway between Mexico and Texas and as a center of the vast surrounding cattle country. Beginning with 1880 Laredo has attracted increasing attention from Texas and the world, and has developed steadily.
At the opening of this era of growth a correspondent of the San Antonio Express wrote an account of the city which cannot fail to be of much historical interest and value as a contemporary description. The letter was dated December 12, 1881, and reads in part as follows :
"Laredo, the county seat of Webb county, is a growing city, with a population of about 6,000, and is situated in the level and beautiful evergreen valley of the Rio Grande, on the east side of that national stream, the Rio Grande. The city is fully fifty feet above the ordi- nary stage of the swift waters of the Rio Grande. A chain of high hills and mountains encircle the whole city, both on the Texas and Mexi- can side, which can be seen at a great distance in approaching the city on the cars on the line of the Corpus Christi, San Diego and Rio Grande railroad, and is indeed a most beautiful sight to behold. The El Paso mountains, lying off sixteen miles distant, in the interior of Mexico, can easily be seen on a fair day, and in this chain of hills and mountains there has been discovered at different times and places rich ore well charged with the precious metals. A coal mine is in practical operation within six miles of this place, and another large vein of this article was accidentally discovered in this country; and it is thought that these hills and mountains are inlaid with an inexhaustible supply of this great commercial commodity. This is also a fair stock country.
"The tax roll for 1881 makes the following showing of the real and personal property : 6,987.2 acres of land, valued at $298,000.02 ; 121,120 land certificates, valued at $1,690; 3,130 lots in Laredo, valued at $441,400. Of live stock, it has 2,753 head of cattle, valued at $17,740; horses and mules, 4,761 head, valued at $15,120; sheep, 320,890 head, valued at $321,640 ; goats, 25,980 head, valued at $20,290 ; hogs, 50 head. valued at $50 ; jacks and jennies, I head, valued at $10. About 3,000 head of the last named animals were surely unassessed. There is more than enough good land in the county to raise vegetables for this market, which will be lucrative business for those who engage in it; for vegeta- bles are very scarce and high in this market.
"Two Laredos, Texas and Mexico, have a combined population of about 10,000. Out of this number, there are probably 2,000 English speaking people. The city, as I said before, is high and dry ; the atmos- phere .. dry, pure, and extremely healthy. This place is well laid off on the old Spanish style, with its usual quota of plazas; the sidewalks and streets are narrow, and the scenery varied and very interesting to the traveler unaccustomed to Spanish and Mexican towns. Nearly every branch of industry suitable to the place, time, and circumstances is rep- resented here, though there is abundant room for more on an improved plan. A good hotel is badly needed here, and would be a paying enter-
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prise to an experienced man. Mr. J. Christian, formerly of the Con- stitution House, of New Orleans, will open the Christian home here in a few days. Mr. Christian has a wide range of experience in the business, and thoroughly understands the wants of the trading public; but still there is room for more.
Many Improvements.
"We are today enjoying a well merited boom. Substantial brick buildings are being built in different parts of the city, both for business and dwelling purposes. A street railroad, gas and water works com- panies have all been organized, and their early establishment and prac- tical operation are looked forward to with much interest, and believed to be an assured fact. An ice factory is now in practical operation. The location of the courthouse and jail has been determined by our commis- sioners, and Messrs. Briten & Long, the contractors, are making prepa- rations to get material on the ground, and ere long we will have a fine temple of justice and jail, costing the snug sum of $40,000. The head- quarters of the Texas-Mexican National Railroad Company will be established here, a part of which was moved up from Corpus Christi last Saturday. The divisional machine and repair shops of the International and Great Northern railroad will also be established here. In fact, the whole city is growing intellectually, morally, and widening and expanding in every direction.
"Our people are daily growing more enthusiastic over the coming fiestas, and very extensive preparations are in progress, which insures a grand success. Cock and cock fighters, and bull and bull fighters have been engaged both from Texas and the interior of Mexico for this grand occasion. The bulls will be' trimmed and slicked, and the cocks pricked, and the hair and feathers will fly on December 24. In Mexico this sport is encouraged, but in Texas, article 4,665, page 672, of the revised statutes of 1879, which reads as follows, may operate as an im- pediment to this sport: 'For every fight between men and bulls, or between dogs and bulls, and between bulls and any other animal. $500 for each performance, if exhibited for profit, or upon which any money or thing of value is bet.' Even with this statute, we have got a consider- able margin left to operation.
"We need churches and school houses. Besides this there is a large family of orphans in town that would like to come in for their share of the proceeds.
"We will have cock and bull fighting even if we have to suspend the statutes for a while."
In those busy times of development a year recorded much progress. Another Express correspondent, writing April 3, 1883, told of much that had been accomplished within the preceding year or so, and com- pleted the picture of Laredo at the beginning of its golden age of growth.
"Laredo is called the 'gateway to Mexico,' but when we arrived here on the morning train, and were whirled along the dusty streets, behind a pair of long-eared mules, guided by a swarthy sombrero-adorned Mexican. I thought I had really landed in Mexico. The streets were lined on either side with queer, low-roofed, one-story stone or mud-walled dwellings, at
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the doors of which stand 'ye Senor Mexican,' looking for all the world as though he was on his native heath, and with all the assurance guaranteed by the backing of his own personal 'mud castle.' I have spent three days here, have searched the town from one end to the other and as well from one side to the other, as there are two Laredos, one on each side of the Rio Grande. It is possible that I may have missed some of the interesting scenes and places here-if so, I am sorry. I have done my best, and have seen a great deal, and have been much interested as well. Laredo, Texas, is located at the extreme end of the Missouri Pacific ex- tension, and on the banks of the Rio Grande river. It is also the western point of the Texas & Mexican road, the eastern terminus of the Rio Grande & Pecos road, and the northern terminus of the some-day-to-be- built International road, and the northern terminus of the Mexican Na- tional road. It is said to have five thousand inhabitants, of whom about two-thirds are foreigners or Mexicans, and the balance Americans, as the natives of the United States are here called. The town is credited with a good old age. Its prevailing architecture is very plain-stone or sun-dried brick walls with a thatched roof. It glories in a police depart- ment, composed of Mexicans and Americans, a city government, the county building, which is a fine large brick structure, a good post- office, dance hall, United States custom house, located in a small stone building near the river; street lamps at rare intervals, a few churches, two or three hotels-as good as can be found in this part of the country- a small plaza or park, a market square and other adjuncts of a would-be city.
Fort McIntosh.
"Fort McIntosh, a United States frontier post, with three com- panies of troops, under command of Major S. S. Summers, is located on the western outskirts of the town, upon the banks of the Rio Grande, and commands the country round about. This is one of the best frontier posts belonging to the United States. We spent a short time looking through the barracks and inspecting the soldiers' quarters, and must say that Uncle Sam has every reason to feel well satisfied with his bold soldier boys on the frontier.
Drinking Water.
"All the drinking water in Laredo is obtained from the Rio Grande by these water carriers and sold about town at a bit a barrel. A bit in Mexican money is 121/2 cents ; or a 10-cent silver piece of United States coinage.
"The Mexican National railroad depot and offices are located in a long, neat-appearing, well built, two story, brick building. From here start four trains daily, two to Corpus Christi, via the Texas and Mexican road, and two for Monterey. Mexico, via the Mexican National railroad. I found a passenger agent, Sanderson, and his corps of assistants located in an upper room of the building. They were full of business, but still had time to greet their visitor very cordially and give out all necessary information. I found that the Mexican National is doing a very good business for the time it has been opened to Monterey. Four trains are
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run daily between Laredo and that point-two each way, and they are well filled with passengers and freight. There are from 150 to 200 passengers daily.
"The volume of business aggregates about fifty thousand dollars a month. Work is being pushed on the road as far as possible, and con- nections with various towns between Monterey and the City of Mexico are being gradually made. It will be a full year and a half, however, before the road will be entirely completed between the cities of Laredo and Mexico, the distance being about 800 miles.
Mexican Laredo.
"Across from the Texas side of the Rio Grande, lies Mexican Laredo. It has a population of about 5,000 people and appears to be a lively, bustling little city. It is a typical Mexican town in every respect. The streets are narrow and lined with low stone buildings. Many of the houses are made of mud, and there is a general effect that is at once amusing and interesting to the visitor. The Mexican government has located here several companies of soldiers, and I was permitted to make a personal inspection of their quarters. While impressed with the good order and discipline maintained among the! soldiers, whose uniform consists of a suit of linen and an infantry hat, I was not particularly attracted by the cleanliness of their abiding places, however I was as- sured that the government proposed building at an early date barracks which will cost $50,000 near the depot of the Mexican National road. A new custom house, to cost $100,000, is also to be built here.
International Railroad.
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