January 2015 Newsletter - San Elizario Genealogy and Historical

Dear Members,
First of all, thank you for the honor of serving as your President for another term. I appreciate the confidence bestowed on me and the opportunity to move forward with all our projects. I am looking forward to a
great year in San Elizario. The Conference Committee has been busy planning the 2015 History Conference, scheduled for Saturday, April 25th.
The 2014 Founders Luncheon was a huge success! Thanks you to the Committee Chair, Aurora Bustos
and the Luncheon Committee members and volunteers. I’d also like to give a special thanks to Tito Lujan
and Los Alegres del Valle for donating the entertainment and the Sponsorship by El Bandido for the programs. The Portales Museum also participated in the Historic District Dia De Los Muertos Celebration.
Thank you Eloisa Levario, Pilar Munoz and Arturo Avalos, for your work in turning the the museum into a
“Look into the Past” with exhibits and live volunteer characters. It was great to see some of our members
dressed up, like Terry Payan,Sam Sanchez and Tony Perez. Even Oñate was there, played by Joe
Gutierrez from EPMTA. Great job! I am happy to report that the 2014 Posadas Celebration and Luminaria
Lighting Festival was a record setting event. By the account of many, the attendance was far above that of
past events. A special thanks to the San Elizario and JM Hanks JROTC for their hard work in building and
setting up over 3,000 luminarias. And of course, I need to thank all the volunteers that folded, built, setup
and picked up the luminarias. Many odf which are not even members, but care about our community and
organization. Thank you Tito Lujan for again donating and delivering the sand. Thank you, Silvie Trujillo for
volunteering his time, truck and trailer to get the luminarias setup. We only had ten persons setting up the
luminarias. Thank you to Ivette and Adamary for also helping. The Posada pageant was performed by the
Church confirmation class, thank you Lillian Trujillo for directing the performance. I was pleased to have
Father Lopez involved in the event. The church was decorated with luminarias and made for memorable
photos. The event was kicked off with Matachin Dancers from San Judas Tadeo. Live music was provided
by Abe Mac, Legna Villalobos and Los Alegres del Valle. After the Posada Pageant, complimentary hot
chocolate and cookies were provided to the public and donated by Mr. & Mrs. Juan Fresquez. The Ballet Folklorico, Flor Y
Canto, proceeded with a performance of dances for the
crowd, followed by the traditional Christmas Piñata Ceremony. Immediately thereafter, the Annual Bicycle Giveaway
kicked off with fifty raffled off to the children and the new addition of over 100 toys passed out courtesy of the San Elizario Veterans Committee and other donors. Thank you Freedom Associates and Harvey Johnson.
The S.E.G.H.S. continues to be the driving force in the Historic District. The City of San Elizario has approved speed
bumps to slow down traffic through the district as well, as of
today one bump has been installed and another is waiting. I
look forward to continuing our efforts of preservation, promotion and support of the San Elizario Historic District and El Paso County and the City of San Elizario. Your
participation is essential to the success of our activities. Be it as a volunteer, as a contributor, as an attendant or as a promoter. Contact me if you have any questions.
~ Al Borrego, President
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SEGHS
January Newsletter
Page 1
San Elizario ~ A History
By Sam Sanchez, Sr.
When I was asked to write something historical for the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society's newsletter, my
first thoughts were- what would be of interest to the general membership? What facts about San Elizario are not commonly
known? What are the myths surrounding the town? The name “San Elizario” came when the presidio was relocated 40 miles up
river closer to El Paso del Norte from El Porvenir in the late 1780’s. The presidio was moved to this new location to serve as an
Apache peace reservation. The extermination of the Apache was proving to be too costly to continue with that policy. The Reglamento of 1772, to re-align, reinvigorate, and reinforce the frontier presidios was a coordinated effort to wage war on the hostile Apaches and offer a sanctuary for the increasing number of those who now sought peace.
Juan de Villava arrived in New Spain in 1795, with instructions from the crown to create a regular army, raise a formal
Corps of Provincial Militia, and bring order and efficiency to the defenses of the area. Jose de Galvez was dispatched to the
Viceroyalty in the capacity of general inspector of the entire presidio system. The Marques de Rubi, a “mariscal de campo” attached to the Villalva mission, was instructed to inspect all the presidios of the Provincias Internas, namely, the Northern Frontier. To determine the utility of each, improve their military effectiveness, and propose whatever reforms he deemed fitting and
proper. One of his assistants was a military engineer, Captain Nicolas de Lafora, who kept a diary of the expedition. The inspection consistuted a grand tour consuming approximately twenty-three months, covering 2,903 leagues (over 7,500 miles),
and involving twenty-three presidio companies. Nicolas de Lafora prepared a detailed map of the northern frontier region. Another assistant of Rubi was a draftman, Jose Urrutia, who was to draw precise plan and elevation views of existing presidios.
Among the settlements and presidios shown on Nicolas de Lafora’s 1766 map is listed “La Hacienda de Tiburcios”. On Rubi’s
recommendation and the Viceroy’s approval, four companies of Mounted Infantry (companies volante) totaling 228 men were
recruited from the province in 1768. Then in 1770, a young infantry Captain was sent to assume military command of the province. This was Bernardo de Galvez, nephew of the inspector general.
Bernardo de Galvez led a number of brilliant campaigns against the Apaches in Nueva Viscaya. He became closely
associated with the personnel at the garrison of Guajoquilla, particularly the “cuerpo volante” (the flying dragoons). The garrison
of Guajoquilla was later moved closer to the Rio Grande to the valley of San Elceario in keeping with the realignment of the presidios of Nueva Viscaya. Bernardo de Galvez became Governor of Louisiana and later became famous as Viceroy of New
Spain. His replacement in Nueva Viscaya was Lieutenant Colonel Hugo O’Conner, an Irishman in Spain’s Royal Army, who
had already accumulated several years of experience on the northern frontier. He became “inspector comandante” at Chihuahua on February 17, 1772. He stepped into a bad situation. Since the outbreak of major hostilities, over 4,000 human beings
had died at the hand of the Apaches on the Northern Frontier. The soldiers at the presidio of San Elceario were transferred to
the abandoned Hacienda de los Tiburcios in the late 1780’s. The move 40 miles upriver closer to El Paso del Norte, was to set
up a peace reservation for the Apaches seeking a peaceful existence. Teaching the Apaches to be farmers was not an easy
task. The main reason: Apaches did not like to work in the fields. The hacienda de los Tiburcios eventually became the site of
the new Presidio of San Elceario. The attraction for the protection the Presidio offered, resulted in new people moving to the
area. The settlement of San Elizario evolved in the long run.
Mexico achieved its independence from Spain in 1821. One of the last presidial captain during the Mexican period was
Jose Ignacio Ronquillo. Apaches continued to be a big problem for the settlements in the area. El Paso del Norte, San Lorenzo,
Senecu, Ysleta del Sur, Socorro and San Elizario were left to defend themselves from hostile Apaches. Don Jose Ignacio Ronquillo, organized the town men to form a capable indian fighting group to recover stolen livestock and keep the hostiles at bay.
Eventually, Don Ignacio became the Jefe Politico of San Elizario, a Mexican Municipality.
Jose Ignacio Ronquillo built a magnificent house on his hacienda east to the acequia madre. He proudly claimed that
his house was suitable for a viceroys palace. The residents of San Elizario, to this day, still refer to “Casa Ronquillo” as the
Viceroy’s Palace in honor of Don Jose. On December 25, 1846, Don Jose Ignacio’s indian fighters fought Doniphan’s Missouri
Volunteers in the battle of Brazitos 28 miles northwest of El Paso del Norte. Don Jose Ignacio remained a respected citizen of
San Elizario long after the Mexican flag was replaced by the Republic of Texas flag in 1836 and the American flag in 1848,
when the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo made the community of San Elizario a town in the United States of America. Casa Ronquillo, to this day, remains enveloped in mystery. The house is the object of many legends and tales. The most persistent story
is the one claiming to be the “Viceroy Palace”. People have dug the floors and made holes in the walls searching for treasure.
Others, simply stay away fearing “ghosts”. Ghost stories have plagued the house for generations.
In the 1870’s, the house became the center of social attention when Charles Ellis and his wife Teodora Alarcon lived
there. Charles Ellis had been sheriff of El Paso County, and was a prominent businessman in San Elizario. Teodora’s pride and
joy was her big house. She decorated it with expensive furniture, and landscaped it with fig trees and grapevines. However, her
husband Charles became a victim of the Salt War of 1877. He was dragged through the streets of San Elizario, simply because
he was an “Americano”, and dies as a result. In the aftermath of the salt controversy the beautiful Ellis House was vandalized
and most of Doña Teodora’s expensive furniture was stolen. Charles Ellis was finally buries in the courtyard at the house. This
historic house is now owned by the County of El Paso and stands as a poignant reminder of San Elizario’s colorful history. Over
time, however, the house has fallen into serious decay and is now in need of serious restoration.
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SEGHS
January Newsletter
Page 2
CASA RONQUILLO—May 25, 1936
SOUTHWEST ELEVATION (WEST FRONT & SOUTH SIDE).
Marvin Eickenroht, Photographer
CASA RONQUILLO—May 25, 1936
AUDIENCE CHAMBER (NORTH ELEVATION).
Marvin Eickenroht, Photographer
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January Newsletter
Page 3
The San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society opens the museum daily, Tuesday through
Sunday, to the general public and admission is
free. The museum is staffed by knowledgeable
volunteers that will offer additional information to
visitors.
The Pistoleros de San Elizario Reenactment
troupe performs two free shows of the ‘Billy the
Kid Breakout' every third Sunday of the month,
March through November, in front of the Jail.
Old El Paso County Jail Museum
1551 Main Street • San Elizario, Texas 79849
915-851-0093 / 915-851-1682
Regular Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 10am - 2pm • Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Sunday: 12pm - 4pm • Open during special events.
From Around The State
Austin:
Corpus Christi:
Harlingen:
Houston:
Laredo:
San Antonio:
Victoria:
News from
News from
News from
News from
News from
News from
News from
Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin
Spanish American Genealogical Association (SAGA)
Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Genealogical Society
Hispanic Genealogy Society of Houston
Villa De San Agustin - Laredo Genealogy Society
Los Bexareños Genealogical And Historical Society
Victoria Hispanic Genealogical & Historical Society of Texas
This Section is dedicated to our sister Hispanic Genealogy Societies throughout the state. Thank You, LBGHS for providing the information
Other Genealogy News
Albuquerque:
News From Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico
Albuquerque:
News From New Mexico Genealogical Society
Pueblo:
News From Genealogical Society of Hispanic America
St. Louis
News From Center for French Colonial Studies
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SEGHS
January Newsletter
Page 4
Veterans Talk
Eduardo M. Pedregon Veterans Museum: 1501 Main Street, San Elizario.
Some new memorabilia has been added and new displays. Need volunteers at the museum
to greet visitors and guests, to keep the museum in proper and orderly fashion, put up displays
and do minor dusting, cleaning and mopping.
Veterans Memorial Plaza: Plaza in front of the Church. The County of El Paso has made much
needed repairs to the gazebo. The repairs, new floor tile, replacement of rotted wood and new paint,
makes the gazebo look great. Our wish list for 2015 includes having the County replace burned out
light bulbs at the Plaza.
Veterans Memorial Walk: 1501 Main Street, San Elizario
We have 444 bricks on the ground and counting. Anyone wishing to purchase a brick, please
contact Ray Borrego at 383-8529 or visit our website at www.sanelizariogenealogy.com.
Cemetery Veterans Memorial: Thompson Road in San Elizario
No report at this time.
Annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony:
We just had a very successful and best parade ever. We are already
looking into making the Parade and Ceremony in Nov. 2015 even better.
We still have a few photo CD’s available. They sell for $10 each.
San Elizario Veterans Committee: 1501 Main Street, San Elizario
We hold our meetings on the first Tuesday of each month, at 6:30 pm, at the Veterans Museum. We welcome everyone, veterans and non-veterans, who want to continue the tradition of
remembering and honoring our veterans and those currently serving.
*Our next meeting will be February 3, 2015.
Volunteering: No requirements, only the willingness to want to help the veterans and
the community with the museum, memorial walk, annual parade, and other projects. We welcome high school and college students who need to do community service for school credit.
Events/Fundraisers: Our next fundraiser will be on Sunday, March 15, 2015, at the Art
Market in San Elizario. The Art Market is from 11 am to 6 pm. The Veterans sell water, sodas, veteran shirts and caps, popcorn and snow cones. Please come
and join us.
Ray Borrego, Chair - San Elizario Veterans Committee of the
SEGHS • 915 383-8529 • E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sanelizariogenealogy.com
Veterans Memorial Walk
You can purchase a brick on the walk for all that have served or are
serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. You can also get a personal brick of
“Thanks to All Veterans” to support the efforts of the San Elizario Veterans Committee.
Visit the Veterans Page on our website for more information.
www.SanElizarioGenealogy.com
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SEGHS
January Newsletter
Page 5
NEW MEMBERS
We would like to welcome our Newest Members:
Annie and Pete Hernandez
NOTICE
As of January 2015, Our SEGHS Membership fee has been increased to $15.00 per year.
The fee includes your spouse if your are married. I’m sure the membership will understand the increase, to help sustain the society. Thank You for being part of SEGHS.
Prayers For The Ill
Our Condolences
Our deepest and sincere condolences
to the families of the deceased.
Richard Sambrano
Josefina Dela Cruz • Beatrice Cantu
Raul Borrego • Arnulfo Vasquez
Grace Sambrano passed away on November 2014, wife of Richard Sambrano.
The family moved to Dallas, Texas several years ago. Grace is survived by her husband
Richard, one daughter,Norma, and two sons, Richard and David Sambrano and several
grandchildren.
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January Newsletter
Page 6
MUSEUM GIFT SHOPS
The Museum Gift Store has cups and coins depicting three churches: San Elceario Chapel, Ysleta
Mission and Socorro Mission. A variety of history based books and the Census of 1841, 1692 and
1687 and also prints of the San Elceario Chapel, Ysleta and Socorro Missions.
The Gift Store is open during regular Museum hours. All items can be shipped to your location for
a small fee + tax and shipping charges.
We only accept cash or checks.
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SEGHS
January Newsletter
Page 7
PO BOX 1040, San Elizario, TX 79849
POSTAGE
San Elizario Genealogy & Historical Society
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1090 San Elizario, Texas 79849
Physical Address: 1521 San Elizario Rd. San Elizario, Texas
Phone #: 915-851-1682
Fax #: 915-851-0045
Email: [email protected]
www.SanElizarioGenealogy.com
Meetings: 1st Sunday of the month at Alarcon Elementary School