LÓPEZ DE XIMENES, JOSEFINA (1865–1961)

Josefina López de Ximenes, farmer and the first Mexican-American teacher in Wilson County, was born in Panna Maria, Texas, on April 25, 1865, to Benito and Caroline Opiela López. Her parents were immigrants from Mexico and Poland, respectively, and her father was a businessman in San Antonio and later in Panna Maria. Josefina attended area Catholic schools, where she was an excellent student. She graduated from the Floresville Academy and then taught there until her marriage in November 1893 to Manuel J. Ximenez, a deputy sheriff and United States deputy marshal in Wilson County. The couple had seven children. Josefina López de Ximenes became a teacher in Wilson County.

She was widowed in 1911 but was apparently able to provide for her family, probably as a farmer. She also ensured that they attend school, a difficult challenge for Texas Mexicans at that time. She successfully influenced them with her love of learning, for five of her children pursued teaching careers. She also encouraged the educational goals of her granddaughters, some of whom she raised. Evangelina Bazan, one of these, has recalled that López de Ximenes taught her to read in English and Spanish and urged her to attend college when she was still a child. Twenty-six descendants became teachers. Josefina López de Ximenes died on March 1, 1961, and was buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Floresville. In 1986 her story became part of an exhibit called "Tejana Heroines: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," sponsored by Hispanas Unidas in San Antonio.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

San Antonio Express News, April 27, 1986. Louise Stadler, ed., Wilson County History (Dallas: Taylor, 1990).

(Handbook of Texas Online, Teresa Palomo Acosta, "LOPEZ DE XIMENES, JOSEFINA," accessed October 19, 2019)

THE OLD CORPUS CHRISTI ROAD.

THE OLD CORPUS CHRISTI ROAD...... Ricardo Rodriguez , Administrator of Alamo Legacy & Missions Association, posted, "Many of us have driven south on this road and actually l enjoy it, since it leads me to my families Cemetery in Elmendorf, Texas, then off l cruise to Floresville, Texas. If there's enough time in the day, l have been known to shoot for Panna Maria or Goliad.

I've asked myself, what were our ancestors doing living way out here and not in Bexar??? Are you kidding me, this is some of the nicest river flowing green land southeast of Bexar. The friendliest most down to earth people that are working their communities and keeping their Texas history alive. I get it...

Never fails, out of a hundred country roads to Sunday cruise on, l find myself driving down the Old Corpus Christi Rd and sitting in small downtown Floresville Mexican Restaurant, challenging the 2 grilled Jalapenos, that accompany my Tacos al Pastor plate.

The locals smile at me, knowing that this boys not from here, but a grin says he's in Jalapeno trouble again. HEB does not touch them and l have another rematch with my favorite little town in Texas.

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Lois Wauson writes, " Long time ago if you were on Goliad Road, and you were driving south and crossed Military Road, continuing on the road at night it was sort of scary. It was called Old Corpus Christi Road, an asphalt road, very arrow, abandoned, very dark, unlit, and very broken up. It continues on in Bexar County into Wilson County and goes through Elmendorf. I wish I knew more of the history of that road. I am still searching on the Internet. But so far only bits and pieces have come up.

I accidentally found that road in Wilson County in Elmendorf. I was out driving on the back roads of that area, and I decided to follow the road to the end and see where it led. I always had turned around when I drove past the underpass of the railroad track which was on F.M. 128 turning right off F.M. 775, before you get to the San Antonio River Bridge.

But the other day, I went pass Aurelia's Kitchen on F.M. 128, which is in a building that has been there almost 100 years. It sits under an enormous old oak tree that is older than the building. One day I will stop there for lunch.

I continued on the road up ahead that was narrow and it had a low underpass. The graffiti on the walls was interesting. As I drove on a long way I realized it was the road that used to go through Saspamco. I drove past a little old abandoned house. When I stopped to take a picture of it, I wondered about the family who first lived in it. Wish I knew their story. Did they have kids, and were they in love, did they have a good life, or were there hard times and sad times?

I went on up the winding road, bordered by farms and little mobile homes on a few acres of land, and wondered if these people were happy because they had a little plot of land to call their own out in the country, or if they yearned for the city life. Maybe they had mixed emotions.

I stopped at a little cemetery on the right as I continued into Bexar County. It had no name. Looked to be about 40 graves there. It was well-kept and most of the graves had flowers. It was peaceful and pretty out there. Didn't seem sad at all.

Later on I saw two houses on the road, with a few men standing by the road talking. One was in an electric wheelchair. I rolled down my window and called out hello to them. The man in the wheelchair came over to the window to talk. I asked him about the cemetery up the road. He didn't know the name. He said a family named Guerra owned it. I think that is why it is so well-kept.

His name was Junior Casanova. He seemed to be about 60. He said he was born in the house behind him. He has lived in it all his life. And his father was from Elmendorf and was born there. He is deceased. He knows a lot about the history of Elmendorf. Maybe I will go back to talk to him at a later date. Ask him if he knew the Alligator Man from Elmendorf, also known as the "Butcher of Elmendorf."

I thanked him and drove slowly down the narrow road. Up ahead I saw a small flock of small homes on the right surrounded by many cars all around the edge of the little community of four streets. It was weird. Were all those cars visitors or occupants of the area? Or was it a used car lot? No signs if they were for sale, or anything. Didn't look like a junkyard. Then I saw the sign that said Hideaway Club and Café, with an arrow pointing down the little dirt road beside all the cars. I was intrigued so I turned and there it was.

I stopped and sure did want to talk to the owner inside. To find out the history of the place and this little community of little houses and mobile homes, with little yards full of flower beds and interesting things. I didn't take a picture of any of them, but I spied a cemetery at the end of the little lane where I turned left. Not many graves in it but a couple were near the fence all decorated with signs and flowers.

I got out of my car and went up to the edge of the fence to see if I could read the signs and take a picture. What a joy to read the signs and the plaques. The big one was a wooden plaque of a bucket of beer bottles and reads Ice Cold Beer! The smaller one reads DAD and the dates of his birth and death.

They loved their Dad and he must have loved his beer! As I went back to my car, I had a big grin on my face and joy in my heart."

COURTESY/ Wilson County News December 30, 2015

Lois Wauson wrote the weekly WCN column, Rainy Days and Starry Nights...

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Taking the Greyhound on Old Corpus Christi Highway ... Lois Wauson adds, "My story about the Old Corpus Christi Highway has sparked a lot of interest in my readers.

Jim Lamberth wrote about how the road came from San Antonio starting on Goliad Road, meandering through Bexar County into Wilson County, through Elemendorf, and then coming out near the Big Tree, and the old road went on into Floresville, where the bus stopped at Hilda's Café. You could buy a ticket there and then the Greyhound bus would continue to Corpus Christi. So the highway continued south to Poth on what is now called Third Street, then merges with U.S. 181, at what is known as "The Y."

I heard from Micky Atkinson of Coy City the other day, who takes us farther south on the old Corpus Christi Road. This is what she wrote:

"Lois, just to continue with some extending history to compliment Jim Lamberth's memories of the Old Corpus Christi Highway. As a young girl I was born and raised in Hobson, Texas, on South Highway 181 in Jauer Flat. This is a long, flat area between Hobson and Karnes City named after my family. Therefore, I am also familiar with some of the Corpus Christi Highway history."

Micky's grandfather bought the land in 1906. Family members still own a large portion of the property in Jauer Flat. The family home still remains, but without the landmark windmill. They frequently gather there for family reunions and birthdays.

"In 'the good ole' days we all had to work, especially in my family of which there were 17 children. When summer came and school was out, we worked; whether it be in the fields with Daddy or other farmers, babysitting someone's children, or employment in San Antonio. We could not afford another vehicle or gasoline and were too young to drive at this time. So, we rode the Greyhound Bus into San Antonio when our jobs took us there. We usually were off on weekends and commuted home by bus. We used the bus line for many years and the drivers were familiar with us. They did not seem to mind stopping on the Old Corpus Christi Highway, in the middle of nowhere at the little white house with the tall windmill behind it to deliver us safely home for the weekend."

Micky goes on, "I now reside in Coy City, nine miles west of Karnes City, on highway 99 in the house the Coy City Post Office used to be in. My Mother's brother previously owned this property and operated a small country store and the post office between the late 1930s thru the early 1950s. After his death, my Aunt continued to operate the post office until it closed; I think, in the early 70s. Our mail has since been delivered by the Karnes City postal service. I purchased this property in 2007. Just a bit of continuing news off and on the path of 'The Old Corpus Christi Highway.' Lois, thanks for your wonderful articles in the WCN. I personally love reading about the history of Wilson, Karnes, and surrounding counties. I am somewhat of a history lover myself."

The Old Corpus Christi Road has lots of history. Thank you, Micky, for sharing your memories with me."

COURTESY/ Wilson County News March 16, 2016

Lois Wauson wrote the weekly WCN column, Rainy Days and Starry Nights...

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Wilson County

Floresville Wilson County Texas ... The carriage was gaily dolled up either as a parade entry or celebrating the festive mood of the day. It may have been for the Wilson County Fair. No details available. COURTESY/ Wilson County Historical Society.

Early Travellers Through Wilson County ....

In the early 1700's, once Spain and France had settled their political differences in Europe and America, Spain began to investigate cost-reduction measures involving their

remote presidios in far away places like Texas. Viceroy Juan de Acuña in Mexico City accommodated these "budget cut" desires by appointing Pedro de Rivera y Villalón to inspect the presidios of New Spain's northern frontier.

Pedro de Rivera y Villalón was given the duty of travelling from the western edge of California to the most eastern reach of New Spain in Louisiana. The Viceroy instructed Rivera to draw a map of the entire region and assigned engineer Francisco Barreiro to assist in this task. He was also provided him with three thousand pages of documents concerning the frontier and many of the problems it faced. Rivera was to report back his findings and suggest possible savings to be instituted at each presidio. Pedro de Rivera y Villalón travelled by horseback and reached Texas in the summer of 1727. He planned to visit the presidios of La Bahia, East Texas and Los Adaes. In 1728, he returned to Mexico City with recommendations for the Viceroy. Later, in 1736, Rivera published a diary based on the records he kept during the expedition.

By August of 1727, he completed visiting the presidios west of the Rio Grande River, the expedition then headed for San Antonio. On August 18th, 1727, Rivera left the modern-

day city and headed east-northeast to the presidio at Adaes. The expedition arrived at Los Adaes on September 15th, 1727 and was the first presidio to be inspected in Texas. On September 26th, he left Los Adaes and began his return to San Antonio—he followed the same routes and used the same campsites as before. After five days of travel, Rivera arrived in San Antonio on the 31st of September. Allowing his horses to rest for three days, Pedro de Rivera y Villalón departed for the La Bahia presidio. After travelling four leagues (11.184 miles) he crossed the Salado Creek in south Bexar County and continued for another eleven leagues (30.756 miles) that day. A camp was constructed at the well-known campsite "El Aguila" close to the junction of the Eagle and Calaveras Creeks.

The next day (November 4th) the group travelled east-southeast for nine leagues (25.164 miles) through level land with woods of oak, mesquite and walnut trees. After crossing

the Cibolo Creek, the expedition established camp on the eastern side of the stream. On November 5th (1727), Rivera headed east; he travelled 6 leagues through very similar

terrain as the previous day. The evening campsite was set up on the west side of the Ecleto Creek, this being their last stop in Wilson County. At this site water was not very plentiful; it could only be found in the deepest pools of the creek.

Travel continued on the 6th of November—the party ventured 6 leagues (16.776 miles) east through alike landscapes, but with less brush and fewer trees than the past two

days, and grass-covered hills. In the evening, the camp was set up in Gonzales County on the west side of a small stream feeding into the Sandies Creek.

Starting in the same direction as the previous day, Rivera travelled for 11 leagues (30.756 miles) through almost identical lands. After journeying approximately five

leagues (13.98 miles) the group reached the Guadalupe River and a route was followed along the west side of the river. After the river's junction with Sandies Creek in De Witt County, Rivera constructed camp for the evening.

On November 8th, the expedition continued to head east-southeast for 9 leagues (25.164 miles) along the western embankment of the Guadalupe. Another three leagues

later, the group forded the river at a crossing near the city of Cuero. They then continued along the eastern side of the river until reaching the La Bahia presidio.

After the inspection of the presidio was completed, Pedro de Rivera y Villalón began the return to San Antonio on the 27th of November. He and the soldiers who accompanied

him used the same campsites and route as before. The entire return journey encompassed five days of travel covering 54 leagues (approximately 150.984 miles).

In the mid 18th century, Apache and Comanche Indians led many excursions into the New Spain area of Texas. This increased hostility between the two entities and the

current cost of supporting the missions concerned the Spanish King. To better protect the New Spain Territory and its people, the Spanish Government decided to change its method of support. The presidios were to address the Indian attacks more aggressively and to revise their operating systems as based on the current regulations. Hopefully, these changes would make the presidios more effective and in turn reduce the cost to the Spanish government.

To implement these changes, King Charles III appointed Marques de Rubi in 1765 to visit all the presidios on the New Spain northern frontier. This would be the first such review of their activities since Rivera's inspection some forty years earlier. Included in his responsibilities would be to propose changes to the King of Spain, such as locations and operating procedures to better protect the citizens of New Spain and to lower the operating costs for the government.

Rubi reached the San Antonio presidio on August 8, 1767 after completing all his other visits to the presidios west and north of the Rio Grande River. On August 25, 1767, he resumed his assigned inspections of the Spanish facilities primarily in the northeastern part of New Spain. He started by going to the presidios in the Las Adaes area. He left San Antonio proceeding down along the banks of the San Antonio River to visit missions located along the river margins. After leaving Mission Espada, which is approximately six leagues from the Alamo, he traveled downstream another league where he crossed Salado Creek. At this time there wasn't much water in the creek, so he moved on, continuing southward. Upon reaching the intersection of the Calaveras and Eagle

Creeks, he reviewed a previously established camping area here. He continued marching south another three leagues through sandy soil with an abundance of many trees and

bushes, with a terrain of gentle hills. He then returned to the San Antonio River where he camped overnight on the riverbanks at an area called Los Chayopines.

On august 26, he left camp, going southeast for 15 leagues. The scenery was very similar to the day before. After six more leagues they arrived at a large pond named Charco de

Marcelina. Four leagues later, they arrived at the Cibolo River. After leaving the Cibolo and heading another five leagues southeast, they passed through gentle hills full of trees and wild life. This daytrip ended at the Ecleto Creek and here he camped on its banks for the night.

On August 27, the group began heading northeast fourteen leagues. The terrain was nothing more than a few gentle hills and scattered trees. About halfway, they ran into a junction of three streams including Coleto Creek and the Guadalupe River. The daily march ended after they arrived at the Guadalupe River where they set up their campsite. From here the river ran northwest to the southeast until reaches the Gulf of Mexico. This river crossing has had many different names such as "El Governador", Vado del Governador" and "Vado de Adarsenous". It is located near present day Cuero, Texas.

On August 28th, Rubi's party headed northeast to Adaes. After inspecting the presidios in that area, they returned to this junction point on October 28th and took the third route

to the Presidio de la Bahia. Here he camped about 2 leagues below the ford, then crossed the Guadalupe River. The assistance of hand made canoes was needed, as the

river was very difficult to cross due to high water conditions.

On October 29th, he continued down river searching for another way to cross the Guadalupe River.

On October 30th, a suitable crossing of the river was located. After crossing the river the group marched for a short distance searching for the Presidio Road. From there on, they traveled south along the road and crossed Coleto Creek.

On October 31, still heading south, the group marched another 7 leagues until it reached the junction of the San Antonio River with the Guadalupe River. Rubi stopped here for several days to inspect La Bahia Presidio.

On November 12th, Rubi and his men left La Bahia to travel to Laredo and then move on to Mexico City, inspecting other presidios along the way. He arrived in Mexico City at

the end of the year, completing his assigned inspection trip.

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Information compiled for this article can be found at the Wilson County Historical Society Archives, located in

Floresville, TX. Author: Gene Maeckel, Member of Wilson County Histirical Society

Center of Wilson County

CENTER OF WILSON COUNTY ... The relatives of Barber, Garrahan, Sellers, Jackson & Click families helped establish a church in Center Point Community. They had a church and school house off CR 312. It was a small community which got its name because it was the center of Wilson County. Both buildings are gone, but Kathy Robinson has one of the church pews in her house. Her daddy, Woodie Robinson, rescued 3 pews before the church collapsed & was able to make 1 pew out of the salvaged pieces. Woodie and Mary Robinson also had a historical marker erected at the site of the church building. The marker lists the names of all of the families that helped establish the church. (Courtesy of Kathy Robinson)

Information and maps of Wilson County

Allen Kosub, Historian & author of Lost Texas Roads, shares the following information & maps with Talk of Wilson County TX Historic Towns . [Thank you Allen!]

"I have been traveling and missed your excellent question about the center of Wilson County.

In the late 1860s and the 1870s, there was a struggle for the location of the county seat between Sutherland Springs and what is now Floresville. Ideally, the Texas Legislature preferred that it be located near the center of the County. Wilson County Commissioners ordered a map from the state to answer the question. In the 1879 version of the map, the center of the county was located in the Joseph Jordan survey.

It is a very small survey is located near the intersection of CR 401 and CR 403. It is on the Wilson County Appraisal District map.

I have attached an extract of the 1879 map and another from a google map.

I love the attention you are bringing to the history of Wilson County - I try to keep up with your posts."

Wilson County Texas Prosperity in 1883

Wilson County Texas Prosperity in 1883 .... a "San Antonio Light Newspaper" tells about 1883 businesses thriving within the towns of Floresville, Lodi, Sutherland Springs, & Fairview. COURTESY/ Allen Kosub

Good Roads Club

June 27, 1923 newspaper articles about the Good Roads Club being formed in Wilson County.

Tordilla Hill

Tordilla Hill is the highest and most prominent hill in the area of northwestern Karnes

County (28°51'42'' N, 98°08'45'' W). Tordilla Hill lies in a graben structure formed by the Fashing and Falls City geologic faults. It can be traveled to by road on FM 791 approximately 11.2 miles west of Falls City. Maps dating back to as early as 1856 reference the site as Tordilla Mountain and show a lagoon to its north.i Tordilla Hill stands with an elevation of 525 feet and was well-known to early travelers of the San Patricio Trail and was a significant navigational landmark since it could be seen miles away. During World War II an airplane rotating navigational beacon was set up at the top of the hill.ii

The San Patricio Trail passed by Tordilla Hill's base to the north. At the hill's base, Rock Spring was established. Rock Spring was a stage stop with a natural water hole in a basin formed by the hills along the trail.iii Here, travelers, stage passengers, freighters, and livestock could obtain water in the mid-nineteenth century. Rock Spring's water hole was first used by General Zachary Taylor's soldiers in 1845-46 and was the only place between Oakville (Puente Piedra) and Graytown (Gray's Rancho) where there was a sure supply of water.iv Rock Spring was the predecessor to Tortilla Mound. The community of Tordilla Mound was formed and is one of Atascosa County's first communities to have a post office. The post office operated from August 4, 1858 to April 15, 1859. Ruins of two old stone buildings were found in 1963.v

Circa 1939, there were seen ruins of many houses, of graves, and a thousand holes dug by treasure seekers. There are tales of buried Spanish treasure, and tales of robbers and their caves which are big enough to drive ox carts into.vi Steven Raabe states: "There are stories of buried Spanish gold in Javelina Cave in the Tordilla Hills. The story goes that Spanish missionaries were traveling up the Matamoras Road just west of El Tordillo, the main prominence in the hills, when attacked by Indians and the missionaries hid a gold cross destined for one of the San Antonio missions in Javelina Cave. Of course no one survived the attack and the cross was never recovered".vii

In 1954, anomalous radioactivity and surface exposures of uranium minerals were discovered at the base of Tordilla Hill. Intense exploration activity for the uranium was conducted by major oil companies and individual operators and lasted until the summer of 1956. The area around Rock Spring was disturbed in the 1970's by quarrying operations to supply

crushed rock for Interstate Highway 37 and the railroad track from Campbellton to the San Miguel lignite plant near Christine.viii Today the water flow from Rock Spring has ceased and is no longer a natural reliable source of water.

Compiled by Mark Cameron, July 26, 2016; Wilson County Historical Society

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Member Steven Raabe adds that Tordillo is an old Spanish word used to describe the dappled grey color of a horse. The Spanish explorers named these hills "Tordillo or Tordilla" because the weathered sandstone that made up the hills reminded them of the dappled grey of a horse.

THE WILSON COUNTY FAIR 1920-1931

... The first Wilson County Fair was initiated in 1920. A group of Wilson County citizens organized the Wilson County Fair Association, which had its headquarters in Floresville, Texas. The association sold shares of capital stock at $30.00 each to create a fair

grounds area approximately where the Floresville High School is located today. The fair complex included a horse race track with a grandstand, exhibit buildings, show buildings and other related structures. The purpose of the fair was to create a county wide effort to encourage diversification and development. To achieve this goal, it was intended to

stress educational features, social events and entertaining programs.

In 1920 a fair was scheduled for three days in September. It began on a Thursday and ended on the following Saturday. The opening event featured a parade through the

downtown streets of Floresville on the first morning of the fair. After the parade, the fair was formally opened at the fair grounds with addresses by local dignitaries and

political candidates. Visitors and participants in the fair's events came from all parts of Wilson County and from neighboring counties. The fair management established a

practice of admitting all kinds of agriculture or livestock exhibits without an entry fee. Cash prizes were awarded to all of the winners. This policy encouraged widespread

participation.

The social features of the fair helped to insure the fair's continued success. The fair itself was larger than camp meetings, a roundup or a big horse race. Old friends had an

opportunity to meet and reminisce about the days past. Conversations and observations with fellow citizens encouraged them to compare economic situations and to see how their personal industry could be improved.

Women were encouraged to select fresh and canned vegetables and fruits as well as dried fruits for exhibit. Flowers, fancy needle work, old curios, and relics were called for. Baked goods such as breads, pies and cakes were displayed. Poultry was also placed inthe exhibits. School girls were asked to present their favorite candy recipes. All of the

presentations were to be entered in the women's department of the fair, which was managed by the county home demonstration agent.

Goat roping contests were well attended events at the fair. These contests were held each afternoon and became a major feature. Participants in the competition were

individuals from Wilson County and surrounding counties.

Football each day was another entertaining event. On opening day of the 1920 fair, Floresville High defeated Beeville High 13 – 0. On the second day a group of all star players from Floresville won over a picked team from Nixon and Stockdale by a score of 32 - 0. In the football game on Saturday Floresville high defeated the Lutheran College of Seguin by a score of 13 – 6. This gave Floresville High an undefeated fair record.

During this first fair, amusement was furnished each day and night by the De Kreko Bros. Amusement Company. Included were six big shows, a Ferris- wheel, a merry-go-round

and other attractions. There was dancing each night at the new Floresville Amusement Company Hall. Some of the music included a fine jazz band. Daily horse racing at the

fairgrounds was another major entertainment event. An airplane stunt exhibition was presented over the fairgrounds in front of the grandstand about fifteen minutes before

the beginning of the horse races. During other parts of the day the planes were available to give individuals a demonstration flight over the Floresville area.

The first Wilson County fair in 1920 was a gala celebration and it went down in history as a memorable event. Thousands of people attended the fair which had ideal weather. The livestock and poultry shows were better than anticipated. The Women's Department in the main exhibit building, the agriculture displays and associated booths were a great credit to what Wilson County had to offer. The first fair in 1920 was a great overall success from the beginning of the parade on Thursday morning to the last piece played by the orchestra at the grand ball on Saturday night.

The fairs were held annually until 1931 with the exception of 1925. With the early successes, the fair directors increased the event from three to four days. It began on Wednesday morning with the opening parade. The fair directors decided not to have a fair in 1931. However, they were hopeful that a fair would be held in 1932. This decision was reached after the pros and cons were discussed with the various citizens from all parts of the county. The collapse of the cotton market had created unfavorable economic conditions. It was generally pointed out that it would be almost impossible to present a fair equal in kind to fairs of the previous years.

(Compiled by Gene Maeckel from the files of the Floresville Chronicle Journal and the archives of the Wilson County Historical Society.)

Wilson County Fair, 1930

WILSON COUNTY FAIR ..... 1930 newspaper article courtesy of Allen Kosub. Tambria Read adds, "The Fair Grounds, Leroy Sellers told me, were apparently where the FHS 800/900 building, the football field, and N toward the Basketball field, & Tennis courts are. Then the WPA dormitories were in approximately the same area."

What is Wilson County Texas history of music?

Historian Allen Kosub shares that some years ago, at a Wilson County Historical Society meeting Viola Henke passed around a sign-up sheet for a trip to Branson Missouri, a celebrated music venue. I was amazed at the response and the aftermath. From my best memory, it may have been the beginning of the Floresville Opry (Viola would know best).

The response made me wonder, "What is Wilson County's history of music?" The information discovered showed that music has been an important part of Wilson County from its earliest days.

Before Floresville was established, Clemente Delgado, celebrated Mexican ox-cart organizer, held parties with live music at his rancho. It would be hard to imagine a party by the German, Czech and Polish settlers without lively music. The settlers at Sutherland Springs held grand balls at Bailey's Hall with music provided by "Professor" Dosiedo (a freed slave).

After Floresville was established, numerous mentions may be found of an opera hall, city band, concert band, brass band, and string band. Floresville's Concert Band was a serious undertaking with a band director, Fritz Teltchik, who was inducted into Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame. According to newspaper accounts, his band became the Floresville Tiger Band in 1932.

[Mr. Kosub shared several newspaper clippings from past research mentioning music venues]

TELEPHONE SERVICE 1883

[ Allen Kosub research files]

Opry helps fund historical markers

( July 2015) The Wilson County Historical Society has received permission to use funds raised by the Floresville Opry to replace damaged or missing Texas State Historical Markers in Wilson County.

Viola Henke told the Wilson County News that some of the proceeds from the quarterly musical event will help replace historical markers that have been stolen, damaged, or vandalized. Funds also will assist with obtaining future historical markers the society is pursuing.

The Wilson County Historical Society's popular Floresville Opry events feature classic country music, drawing young and old from far and wide. The next Opry will be Thursday, Aug. 6.

Wilson County historians uncover, document, and preserve the rich history of Wilson County and the area along the Alamo-La Bahia Corridor. The land beside the San Antonio River and along the Cibolo Creek has seen human occupation for many centuries.

Wilson County was created in 1860, with Sutherland Springs as the first county seat. Spanish-era mission ranchos existed in what is now Wilson County, including the Rancho de las Cabras near Floresville, part of the area's rich ranching and farming heritage.

Major trade routes, such as the Alamo-La Bahia Road, the San Antonio and Gonzales Road, the Seguin Trace, Corpus Christi Road, and San Patricio Trail, traverse Wilson County.

Texas State Historical Markers identify sites in the county, such as the Wilson County Courthouse in Floresville, the Polley Mansion near Sutherland Springs, the King Lorenz house in Stockdale, and the White House Café in Floresville, among others. Historical markers tell us today and our children tomorrow of this rich history.

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COURTESY/ Wilson County News 2015

WILSON COUNTY AREA UNDER THE RULE OF MEXICO AND TEXAS

Wilson County did not exist in the time period of 1821 -1837. The majority of the area of the county as it exists today was, at that time, a part of Bexar County. Almost all of the area

land was devoted to ranching controlled and owned by persons of Spanish heritage, many of whom were descendants of the original 16 Canary Island families who came from Spain and established Villa de Bexar.

One ranch which was very important to the Texas War of Independence in this time period was owned by Erasmo Seguin, father of Juan Seguin. Juan Seguin played an important role in the war. He was one of the last persons to leave the Alamo before its fall and then assisted Sam Houston in capturing Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. During this period of conflict, his father's ranch site was used as a supply point for horses, cattle, food, and other necessities to aide the Texas army. The ranch headquarters, called Casa Blanca, was also used as a meeting place to discuss strategy related to the war effort. Today, there

is an historical marker located near the site of Casa Blanca. All that remains of the ranch site today, is the house foundation of Juan Seguin's home and a nearby, hand dug, water

well.

An important transportation route traversed Wilson County during this period called the San Antonio - La Bahia Road. This road is designated as part of the national trail, El Camino

Real de las Tejas. The road passed near Erasmo Seguin's home, Casa Blanca. This hacienda served as a refuge from Indians along the roadway or as a place for travelers to rest.

The San Antonio - La Bahia Road served as the main route of travel between the missions and presidios of San Antonio and of La Bahia, which was renamed Goliad. It also served as an

alternate route to the East Texas Missions. Many of the men involved in the Texas Revolution, both Texian and Mexican traveled this road between San Antonio and Goliad during the revolutionary period. Parts of this road still exist today in Wilson County as thoroughfares.

Some of the ranching families and their herdsmen, or vaqueros began to form communitiesin the Wilson County area. Americans from the United States and citizens from other countries migrated to the area. As time moved on, the communities grew and acquired the names we recognize today.

One of these communities was Sutherland Springs. At that time it was an area of more than 100 springs feeding into the Cibolo Creek. These springs were known to Indians for years

and they often camped near them to drink the sulphur water and to bathe in warm springs in hope of being cured of the maladies affecting them. This community was named for Dr.

John Sutherland, who was with the defenders of the Alamo performing the duties of a medical doctor. He sustained a knee injury and could not stand. However, he was able to

ride a horse, and Colonel Travis used him as a messenger to deliver the message addressed to the "inhabitants of Texas", which he delivered to the Texas forces at Gonzales and Goliad. His knee injury saved him from martyrdom at the Alamo and after the revolution he returned to Sutherland Springs to establish a medical practice. His practice included using the water of the different springs for their curative aids. Sutherland Springs had a post office in 1851. It was Wilson County's first county seat.

Graytown was established by James Gray, an immigrant from Scotland. It was settled by Spanish families who all claimed direct ancestry from Spain. Graytown was a center of

activity in trade and the social life for the surrounding ranches. St. James, a Catholic church named for James Gray, was completed in Graytown in 1854. It was later renamed, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. It became the religious center for all Catholics within a thirty-mile radius.

Lodi, located near Floresville, was the second county seat in Wilson County. It was situated on the San Antonio - La Bahia Road next to the San Antonio River. It was south of the

Seguin ranch and the Francisco Flores ranch, called Los Chayopines. A post office was located in Cook's store in Lodi in 1858. Lodi was a community of families whose livelihood

was linked to working on the area ranches as herdsmen and vaqueros, but Lodi was also a community with an international flavor. People of different nationalities lived and worked in Lodi as craftsmen and tradesmen.

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Compiled by Gene Maeckel and Maurine Liles from the archives of the Wilson County Historical Society,

6/8/2007

Marker Photos COURTESY/ The Historical Marker Database

Wilson County Centennial Association, Inc.

Sixty-two years ago this coming September...... these folks planned a great celebration for Wilson County Texas 100th year! Are you a descendant of one of these fine folks? Are there old photos lying around in a drawer, in a box, album commemorating those days? "Talk of Wilson County Tx Historic Towns" plans a pictorial collection .... please send identified old photo scans to: talkofwctowns@gmail.com

Who is Wilson County Texas named after?

James Charles Wilson was a Methodist minister and senator of Texas. Born in Yorkshire, England on August 24, 1818, he was the oldest son of John Kenilworth and Elizabeth Sterling Wilson. He was educated at Eaton and Oxford College and graduated with full honors at the age of 16 years. He worked as a public surveyor for the commons of England and had

membership with the Queen's Guards. Spring 1836, his father

informed James he arranged a marriage with their neighbor's

daughter. When James explained he could not marrysomeone he had no affection for, his dad became enraged and struck James on the head with his cane. James left and went to London.

James Wilson first arrived in New York with his brotherOscar.

They traveled to Galveston, Texas in 1837, shortly after the battle of San Jacinto. His brother became ill and passed away. James found himself penniless and alone in a strange land. Working to load and unload cargo in Galveston, he was able to raise enough money to carry himself into the interior, where he arrived in Bailey's Prairie in Brazoria County. James taught school in the community for two sessions and studied law. Recognizing his ability to think and write, he was employed to edit a newspaper in Columbia. In 1842, Mr. Wilson joined Charles K. Reese's company for the Somervell Expedition. He became a private in Company E on the Mier Expedition under William S. Fisher. He was captured in Mier, Mexico, on December 26, 1842, and imprisoned in Castle Perote near the City of Mexico. As a prisoner of war, he was chained to a comrade and forced to break stone. He refused to claim British protection even to secure his release from prison. Mr. Wilson claimed he owed allegiance only to the Republic of Texas. Imprisoned for about a year, Mr. Wilson and several other prisoners escaped and headed for Texas. At Matamoros he boarded a ship for Galveston and went back to work at the paper in Columbia.

Mr. Wilson was a gifted orator and gave a speech in favor of

Texas annexation. In 1844 he was elected to the office of Clerk of the District Court of Brazoria County which held for one term and was reelected for the second term but did not fulfill the entire term. He was licensed to practice law some time in 1845 by the District Court of Brazoria County. He married Miss Amelia Weakley on February 4th 1846. They had nine children; six preceded him in death. He moved to Wharton to practice law with his partner, Judge George Quinan. He was elected to the Third Legislature of Texas

and was a member of the Fourth Legislature. In 1856, he was appointed by the governor to the Office of Commissioner of the Court of Claims to adjust and quiet old claims for grants to land under the colonization laws of Spain and Mexico.

James Wilson lived and worked in Austin until spring of

1857 when he was compelled to resign from his duties due to an illness. The climate in Austin not agreeing with his health, he moved to Gonzales about five miles southwest from the town. In 1858 he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and preached until his death on February 7th, 1861. Wilson County was established

in 1860 and named after James Charles Wilson himself.

Researched by Melissa Koepp Beck . Credit should also be given to "James Charles Wilson A Sketch of His life".

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COURTESY/ Wilson County Sesquicentennial 1860-2010

Wilson County Texas 1939

.... "Where Diversification Pays Big Dividends" ....... interesting read.

Researchers take steps to found Wilson County Historical Trail 2007

... The proposed Wilson County Historical Trail combines the efforts of John and Shirley Grammer, Maurine Liles, Gene Maeckel, Jesse Perez and others to mark historic sites along a section of F.M. 539 and the Sutherland Springs-Lodi Road. The trail will begin at the Guadalupe-Wilson County line and end in the historic community of Lodi. The Grammers have been researching and marking sites on the north end of the trail. Liles, Maeckel, and Perez are researching and marking historic sites in the community of Lodi.

When the Shiloh Cemetery was discovered, located about halfway between Lodi and Sutherland Springs, the group came up with the slogan, "We shall meet at Shiloh."

At the trail's beginning is the proposed marker site for the old historic "San Antonio-Gonzales Road" being researched by Allen and Regina Kosub. A marker was erected for the historic Mueller Bridge in 2005. The Grammers and Milton Hild are researching Pleasant Hill School site No. 1. An application for historic designation on the Barker-Huebinger Rock Home is being prepared by the Grammers and Mr. and Mrs. Mike Huebinger. The Polley Cemetery received a marker in 2006 and the Linne Oil Field in 2007.

The Grammers are also collecting information on "Potash Hills," and Susan Richter is researching Pleasant Hill School site No. 2. Polley descendants would like to see a historical marker, containing the history of the Polley Mansion, erected on state property near the home. This would give tourists a more in-depth history of this early antebellum home, which received Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designation in 1965.

Tambria Read is researching several sites in "New Town" Sutherland Springs, including the Pat Higgins Buffel Grass Farm, the famous "Springs," the bank, and picture show. The Williams sisters are researching the Sutherland Springs Hotel.

The town of Sutherland Springs received a marker in 1966. There are a number of historical sites in Sutherland Springs, including the first county courthouse, the John Sutherland Home site, and the Tiner-Hendricks home.

Sharon Hays has begun research on the beautiful Sutherland Springs Cemetery. Application for historic designation of the Shiloh Cemetery was filed with the Texas Historical Commission this month.

There is a lot of history surrounding the "Grassy Pond," which is also on the list for a marker. Liles and Maeckel have done extensive research on the historic Sutherland Springs-Lodi Road and prospects are good for a historical marker.

The Canary Islander Cemetery in Floresville, also on this route, was designated as a historic site in 1967.

As the trail crosses U.S. 181 to follow the Sutherland Springs-Lodi Road to Business U.S. 181, the road is closed to traffic. In previous years, this dirt road led to a path that connected with present-day First Street. There, it turned left until it reached present-day Plum Street, turning right on Plum and approaching Goliad Road. This is the historic district of Lodi, which was the county seat of Wilson County in 1867, where a historical marker for the Lodi Ferry is situated. The De La Zerda Cemetery has been approved and is awaiting a marker.

Other sites on Goliad Road being researched are the former site of Gray's Blacksmith shop, the Lopez-Lepori cellar, the site of Pedro de la Zerda's house — once used as a courthouse when Lodi was the county seat, Cook's Store, and several other important sites.

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Courtesy / Wilson County News August 01, 2007

Texas Farm Bureau

The Texas Farm Bureau's mission is to be the "Voice of Texas Agriculture" since 1933. Wilson County Texas has been actively involved with this endeavor for years. Below are those serving on the Wilson County Board of Directors in 1961.

COURTESY / Wilson County News

Wilson County letterhead, 1893

This is a LETTERHEAD from Wilson County in Floresville, Texas in the year 1893. The vignette at the top was done by the printers Clarke and Courts of Galveston, Texas. In those days, they were the largest printing company in Texas.

This letter is hand written and signed by E. D. Mayes, the county clerk.

Names listed at top right and top left:

A. D. Evans as County Judge

E. D. Meyers as County Clerk

A. R. Stevenson as County Attorney

M. J. Ximenes as Sheriff

R. R. Creech as tax collector

J. J. Cope as tax assessor

E. Y. Seale as county treasurer

W.T. Southerland as county surveyor

Thomas H. Spooner as district judge

John E. McMullen as district clerk

S.L. Green as district attorney

(Ebay)

About Wilson County Historical Society

The Wilson County Historical Society was formed to research, preserve, and promote the rich past of Wilson County, Texas. Our website provides much information about the society to include some of our research, our projects, our photos, and our events.

Public meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday each month at 6:00 p.m., in the Wilson County Archives Building, 1144 C Street, in Floresville.

1144 C Street
Floresville, TX 78114

Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed

P.O. Box 101
Floresville, TX