Eagle Pass Public Library

Timeline of Eagle Pass History

The Age of Revolution

1886           The construction of the Redeemer Episcopal Church on San Juan Plaza got off the ground March 6, 1886 at the Kelso and Hancock law offices when John S. Sproull, Ed L. Watkins, Louis de Bona, Samuel P. Simpson, S.V.W. Jones contract with Gottfried Wilhelm Hausser for $3,150. The church will be paid in full with Hausser’s release on May 10, 1890, and consecrated by the Rt. Rev. James S. Johnston on Ascension Thursday, May 15, 1890

1886           Catarino Garza started his inflammatory Spanish language publication at Eagle Pass “El Comercio Mexicano” and used it to attack the person and policies of Coahuila Governor Jesus Maria Garza Galan. It was the first rumbling of revolution on the border against the Mexican Government.

1886           In the summer of 1886, an international incident took place involving Francisco Erresuris, a Mexican-born laborer living in Eagle Pass. Piedras Negras Comandante Francisco Mondragon for personal reasons had him arrested by the Maverick County deputy and County Judge Joseph Hoffstetter allowed extradition. Two days later, Erresuris was murdered in an alleged ley fuga attempt, much to the chagrin of Piedras Negras Consul Ed Linn who would resign in October over the incident, but not until he had amply documented the case against Mondragon.

                   One of the earliest known pictures of a Fort Duncan building taken in the 19^th century is of Fort Duncan commander Capt. Charles Morton, Third Cavalry and his family in front of the Commanding Officers’ quarters. The Captain and Mrs. Morton and their four children are seated under the Mesquite trees. The cook is standing on the porch. Rafael J. Bonnet is believed to have provided the original photo which was copied by the famous San Antonio photographer Noah Hamilton Rose in a 1905 edition of the Eagle Pass Guide.

1888           On March 3, 1888, Mexican deserter Atonacio Luis is involved in a kidnapping attempt by his captors at the new Eagle Pass railway depot under construction. Unarmed Maverick County Deputy Sheriff Shad White tried to intervene, but the three Mexican soldiers at the depot repulse him, and beat the fugitive. When White returns to the depot, the three have fled for the river, and a running gun battle ensues on Ryan Street . White calls in Eagle Pass physician Richard N. Lane to tend the injured man, and U.S. Customs Inspector Frank H. Dillon gives his deposition in the incident.

1888           The demolition of La Piedra Parada building at Washington ands Main in the mid 20^th century uncovered the June 30, 1888 edition of the Eagle Pass Times with the advertisement: “J.A. Bonnet, dealer in family groceries and ranch supplies. Fresh groceries constantly arriving. Corn, oats and meal always on hand and in quantities to suit purchasers. Fine family flour a specialty. Bakery in connection with store. Fresh bread at all hours.” Elsewhere, there appears an “Eagle Pass Bank” advertisement of which J. A. Bonnet is President.

1888           The first ever edition of the Eagle Pass Guide of August 25, 1888, a copy of which was unearthed in  an early 1930 demolition of the E.H. Cooper building and subsequent construction project in downtown Eagle Pass. “The irrigation ditch long talked of will soon begin to change the complexion of the Rio Grande Valley in Maverick County ,” the 1888 Guide said.

1889           Having received the petition of over 50 Eagle Pass residents to incorporate the town of Eagle Pass on January 4, County Judge John Andrew Bonnet declares the January 22 1889 election in favor of incorporation. A week later, County Clerk L.Y. Hancock attests to the order and Mayor F. W. Holbrook and Aldermen Henry Klappenbach, Andre J. Ladner, E.H. Cooper, Wm. Kleburg and F.V. Blesse are in business. On May 15, Commissioners Court will allow the City Council permission to use the southwest lower corner of the Court House for the City Assessor’s office.

1889           The first of four bodies who had apparently met with foul play is fished from the Rio Grande River February 28, 1889. Maverick County Judge J.A. Bonnet publishes a plea to the general public for information leading to their identity and the perpetrators of such a foul deed. Texas Ranger Sergeants Ira Aten and John R. Hughes follow the trail of circumstantial evidence to San Saba Texas , and the disappearance of the Williamson family. One Dick Duncan will be tried and convicted in Winchester Kelso’s Court in Maverick County , but the execution by hanging does not take place until September 18, 1891.

1889           Having been funded by the Holland Trust Company of New York to the tune of an $80,000 loan, the Eagle Pass and Porfirio Diaz Bridge and Street Car Company treasurer Charles Guergin told the Eagle Pass Guide March 23, 1889 that the new Laredo bridge was now complete, “and Contractor Stultz will then come to Eagle Pass and push the construction of their bridge here to an early completion. Mr. Stultz will begin work here at latest within three weeks. Meanwhile, the iron work for the bridge has already been made. It will be thirty vive feet wide and contain a tramway, two wagon roads and two sidewalks,” the paper said.

“There are now two coal mining companies getting out the black diamonds in the immediate neighborhood of Eagle Pass ,” informs The Eagle Pass Guide of March 23, 1889.   “A third company owning extensive deposits and backed by big capital is preparing to prospect for the best places to sink its shafts. Across the river in the valley of the Sabinas are at least three coal properties of enormous value, only one of which is being developed.”

1889           May 15.  American Consul Vicente M. Baca in Piedras Negras informed Washington that he had moved the Consulate offices to the International Railroad Hotel, “a substantive two story stone building, the property of the Mexican international Railroad Company. The building is situated on Zaragoza Street , not numbered,” he added, “and close to the railroad station.” The Consular office occupied room number eight on the ground floor of the northwest corner of the building.

1889           The newly incorporated City of Eagle Pass had already drawn up a City Charter by May 25, 1889. A full page newspaper printout titled thus, but minus the identifying masthead remains. Today’s chapter one embraces a 12-rule format of the procedures and rules of order which are to govern the City Council in its deliberations. Much has been lost to the ravages of time, but we find “F.W. Holbrook, Mayor, attest: J.S. Sproull, Secretary” at the end of the first portion. The date of this publication is “ Eagle Pass , Texas , June 8 1889”

1889           The Eagle Pass Guide of Saturday March 23 1889 says that “Mr. W.A. (William Alexander) Fitch has just laid in a stock of excellent “cigars including the “ Principes ” and “El Principe de Gales,” which are on sale at the Maverick Hotel.”

1890           It was Julia Van Houten who held the first Methodist services in her home at Ceylon and Ford Streets. As the congregation grew, the meetings took place at the Court House, and a building fund soon followed. On January 1, 1890 the Methodist Church congregation is formally organized, with the Rev. F.H. Elliot the minister in the meetings at the Court House. The brick church with the steep roof on Monroe Street will be completed by 1892, but yet another Methodist Church building come into being in 1908 on Quarry Street across from the Rio Grande Hotel.

1890           “The passenger and carriage bridge across the Rio Grande River uniting the towns of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras is completed and opened to the public,” informed U.S. Consul Eugene O. Fechet April 4, 1890. “The bridge is a very substantial iron and stone structure with two footways and a wide carriage way,” he says. A street car line is to be immediately constructed in connection with the bridge. April 12 is the date set to commemorate the union of the two towns.

1890           A portion of the newly dedicated International Bridge linking Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras was swept away September 10, 1890 by a sudden rise of the river, and Francisco Varela is swept to his death. Former Consul William Schuchardt and his son also went down with the bridge, but survived the ordeal. At the ensuing November trial against the bridge company, Henry Klappenbach testifies that he witnessed river rises in 1882 and again in 1885 “getting furniture from Mrs. Wueste’s house. The river rise the last time was about 1 ½ feet higher than that of 1885,” he said.

1890           Seven Eagle Pass businessmen bring the First National Bank into being on December 11, 1890 with a State Charter. On January 1, 1891, the bank on the southwest corner of Main and Washington Streets opens the books for deposits with a capitalization of $50,000. F.V. Blesse, William Hollis, Louis de Bona, John. A. Bonnet, William Negley, Winchester Kelso and William Hausser are the seven. First National will merge at the end of the decade with the earlier S.P. Simpson National Bank on February 28, 1899.

1891           “Mr. Frank Fox returned last night from Uvalde,” reads the March 21, 1891 Eagle Pass Guide, “where he had been looking after his contract to furnish 150,000 of his excellent Eagle Pass brick for the Opera House there under construction.”

1891           Nominated to run in the upcoming school board election, says the March 21, 1891 Eagle Pass Guide, “are Dr. A.H. Evans, L. (Louis) F. Dolch, W.A. (William Alexander) Fitch, William Hollis and Major S.M. (Samuel) Simmons.”

1892           San Antonio Judge Thomas H. Franklin rules February 2, 1892 that the attempted incorporation of the town of Eagle Pass  he found that “an excess of territory “ had been presented in the incorporation, and concluded that it had been “illegal”. “The town cow which for three years has been debarred the privilege of sleeping upon the sidewalks and obstructing the roadways,” moaned the Galveston News, “is once more entitled to this blessing…..”

1891           “An elegant club house and gymnasium combined on the Company grounds” housed in a two story brick building,” wrote the Galveston News August 4, 1891 of the railroad oriented International Club in Ciudad Porfirio Diaz, “containing billiard and reading rooms, parlors, etc.” There was even a bowling alley attached, and many social and even Protestant Episcopal worship services were held at the International in Piedras Negras.

1891           Having been baptized a Catholic in the Maverick County Jail by Oblate Father Hipolite Olivier with Anastasia Stinett Fox his sponsor, the grisly saga of the murders of the San Saba family draws to a close on September 18, 1891 with the hanging of 28- year-old Dick Duncan at Eagle Pass. Following a threatening letter that the town would be burned down because of Duncan , Sheriff W.N. Cook calls out the Eagle Pass Rifles, Rafael Bonnet recalled. The saloon at 317 Main Street caught fire at 3:00 a.m., he said, “and then we thought sure the threat was being carried out.”

1891           “The Windsor Hotel near the depot was opened with a grand ball Wednesday night,” wrote Galveston News correspondent W.A. Fitch November 28, 1891 of the frame hotel in the middle of the 200 block of Quarry facing Converse Street. Built by pioneer lumberman William Hausser and leased to the George Rohleder family across from the depot, the Windsor would serve the needs of the traveling public for the next 54 years.

1895           The recently formed (1892) United American Veterans met again in Eagle Pass , according to the Eagle Pass Guide of May 25, 1895, which named the presence of Joe Shelby among the Confederate-Union-Mexican War veterans, “also the lesser lights, Sparks , Bonnet, Perry, Proctor, Buckley, Lipper, Captain Backus and Max Oppenheimer.” Mexican War veteran Jesse Sumpter enjoyed a place of honor at the banquet table.

1895           A closure of sorts comes late in 1895 in the odyssey of the Alabama Negro colonists from Tlahualilo   Durango, Mexico in a committee resolution of the refugees to the people of Eagle Pass which we find in the November 2 1895 Eagle Pass Guide: “for their many charitable deeds toward the unfortunate returning colonists,” to Dr. Magruder “for his masterly manner in conducting Camp Jenner,” to Dr. A.H. Evans, “for his unsurpassing labors for the incoming unfortunates,” and to Major Jessie W. Sparks, U.S. Consul Piedras Negras “for the good work he has accomplished in delivering the refugees from bondage in Mexico.”

1896           Unrest in northern Mexico was already brewing at Monclova in March of 1896. Piedras Negras Consul Jesse W. Sparks received the report from American doctor Henry M. Stille that Monclova school teacher Segundo Flores , backing Governor (Bernardo) Reyes of Monterrey as candidate for the Presidency was arrested. A series of arrests ensued, including that of Segundo Flores in his school room. The plot apparently was more widespread, involving wealthy Nadadores merchant Manuel de la Fuente. The doctor, however, judged Flores insane.

1897           ‘The coal mines of Fuente and Eagle Pass are unable to supply the great demand for coal, which proves beyond doubt that they furnish an excellent quality,” says the Eagle Pass Guide of December 18, 1897.  “There will be a demand for all the coal produced even after the large crew which Mr. Louis Dolch intends to employ for his large mine have gone to work… .Eagle Pass has a bonanza in her coal beds and her future prosperity largely depends upon the development of them.”

1897           Following their honeymoon, FIM Cashier C.R. Smith and his bride are greeted at the International Hotel in C.P. Diaz by well wishers of Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras society. “The large dining hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion,” says the November 20, 1899 Eagle Pass Guide, with national colors, red, white and green, with an occasional emblem of our own country just over the river – the red, white and blue.”

1898           On January 6, 1898, Lula Lombard “had another treat in store for her many friends which was carried to a successful termination,” says the January 8, 1898 Eagle Pass Guide. “She made arrangements to have the “Pastores” exhibit at her residence. A large company had responded to her invitations to witness this peculiar Mexican custom.”

1899           2nd Lt. George Van Horn Moseley, 9thg Cavalry, who commanded Camp Eagle Pass from June 1899 to February 5, 1900, recalled years later that Sheriff Bob (W) Dowe was "probably the best pistol shot in all of Texas, and noted that "Bob could draw and wait until the dollar stopped in mid air a second before it descended, then he would shoot. About five out of ten times he would hit the dollar which would go buzzing into space."

1901           Messrs Dolch and Dobrowolski begin work on the Pioneer Irrigation Farm one mile below Eagle Pass. They clear 400 acres of brush and irrigate it from the Rio Grande by a 10,000 gallon per minute pump. Their first crop is in 1903, realizing $12,000, $7,000 of which is from 30 acres of onions. Much attention is being paid to fruit: 900 peach, pear, fig and plum trees are growing along the ditches, besides a four acre orchard.

1902           The Porfirio Diaz and Eagle Pass Bridge Company purchased the troubled bridge system between the two cities from the Holland Trust Company which had financed the original 1889 construction on October 23, 1902. But had been forced to repossess November 6, 1897 when the bridge owners failed to meet obligations. William Hollis and Dr. Andrew H. Evans will own the bridge until the rampaging Rio Grande again washes it away in June of 1922, leaving the boats and skiffs in business again.

1904           The first automobile in Piedras Negras was Fructuoso Garcia Zuazua's powerful Oldsmobile, which ate up the miles at the rate of 18 miles per hour. It was sent direct from Ciudad de los Palacios. Manuel Faz Villareal said, "And cost $2,500 in Mexican money. Dr. Andrew H. Evans put together his first vehicle two months later. It was shipped in parts from the factory and Evans had to assemble it himself from the instructions which accompanied the shipment.

1906           When the aging American Consul at Ciudad Porfirio Diaz Lewis A. Martin learned of the abuse and incarceration of Americans and Kickapoo Indians at Muzquiz in July of 1906, he sent Vice Consul John Andrew Bonnet there to look in to the allegations. "Guajardo tells me all Indians can go," Bonnet wired the Consul from Muzquiz,"30 will take this train for Diaz." But officials at Muzquiz would continue to stonewall the Consul's efforts to get their side of the story told.

1906           The first rumblings of armed rebellion in this area came at dawn on September 26, 1906 when a party of 22 armed men under Juan Jose Arredondo crossed the Rio Grande at Jimenez, Coahuila, kidnapping the Alcalde, the Municipal Treasurer and the tax collector, extorting ransoms. After cleaning out the treasury, the arms and ammunition and horses of the town of Jimenez , they left to do likewise to the nearby Hacienda Victoria .

1907           "A friend of mine at C.P. Diaz," reads a letter of May 25, 1907, "tells me that the revolutionaries are quite active at Eagle Pass , that their Jefe is a man named Marquez, and that they are quite well organized, strong and made up of eminent men of Coahuila."

1908           The surprise dawn attack on Las Vacas on June 26, 1908 came from elements from Del Rio and Las Vacas. The town was garrisoned by 40 Dragoons of the 12th Mexican Cavalry. A special edition of the revolutionary newspaper at Las Vacas, El Liberal trumpeted: "Garza Galan (Las Vacas) attacked by the revolutionary force, barracks burned, horses appropriated. The Sun of Liberty enlightens a town."

1910           Francisco I. Madero's anti-re-electionist party was well represented in Ciudad Porfirio Diaz in 1910, much to the chagrin of the Municipal authorities. In mid June, 47 Maderistas were arrested and imprisoned, and another 30-40 made their escape over the International Bridge to Eagle Pass , according to the June 18, 1910 edition of the Eagle Pass News Guide.

1910           C.P. Diaz celebrated the 38th anniversary of the death of Benito Juarez with a monument to the Mexican hero erected by former Presidente Municipal of C.P. Diaz Dr. Lorenzo Cantu, who paid for it himself. The monument to Juarez remained at the Plaza Juarez or military plaza until early in the 21st century, when it was relocated.

1910           In early November of 1910, C.P. Diaz Municipal President Celso Farias assured American Consul Ellsworth that the anti-American sentiment in various parts of the Republic posed no threat to him or Americans in C.P. Diaz. But on November 10 the Consulate "50 yards from the military garrison and 75 feet from the police station was stoned," according to the Eagle Pass News Guide of November 11, 1910.

1910           One of the worst kept secrets in town was the celebrated attack by the Madero forces on the garrison at Ciudad Porfirio Diaz planned for November 20, 1910. It was, in fact, no secret Madero's father had given the San Antonio Light an interview at the Hutchins Hotel: "My son left here last night, and when he left he told me that he was going to overthrow the Government of Mexico, or he was going to die in the attempt." The famous aborted attempt was launched at the Indio Ranch south of Eagle Pass.