Episode 12: The Mercy of the Mesa: Francita Alavez, The Angel of Goliad
Welcome back to the El Mesteño podcast! Host David Flores and editor/publisher Homero Vera dig deep into a true South Texas story of courage and compassion during the heat of the Texas Revolution.
This week, we uncover the incredible life of Francita Alavez, known to history as "The Angel of Goliad," an unsung heroine who showed humanity when the world was at war.
In 1836, Francita arrived in Texas, accompanying Captain Telésforo Alavez. Her first recorded act of mercy occurred at Copano Bay when she convinced Mexican soldiers to loosen the cords binding captured Texian volunteers.
The real test came at Presidio La Bahía. While the tragedy of the Goliad Massacre unfolded, Francisca was a light in the darkness, providing prisoners with food and water. She is credited with saving over 20 men and boys from execution by hiding them or helping them escape the firing squads.
The mystery of her identity—from Francita Alavez to Francisca Alvarez—is solved years later on the King Ranch. Homero Vera shares the story of how Doña Panchita's secret life was uncovered in 1936 through the memoirs of Elena Zamora O’Shea, revealing a heroine who is now said to be buried in an unmarked grave on the ranch.
Tune in for this powerful reminder that our heritage is built on compasión, not just generals.

Venture into the gritty, dangerous, and often misunderstood era of Los Tequileros on El Mesteño*Podcast Episode 11. Host David Flores and *El Mesteño* Magazine Publisher Homero Vera explore how ordinary South Texas ranch *vaqueros* became alcohol smugglers in response to the 1920 Volstead Act (Prohibition).

Discover the geography of the dangerous tequila trails that snaked from the Rio Grande (between Zapata and Los Ebanos) toward the hub in San Diego, Texas. They also discuss the lethal conflict between the tequileros and law enforcement like the Texas Rangers, and how corridos such as "Los de Parás" and "Los Tequileros" preserved the tragic stories of this period in Mexican-American history.

Books:

Border Contraband By George T. Díaz https://a.co/d/0jf3Qbfo

Rain of Gold by Victor Villaseñor https://a.co/d/0fCNFdqX

Music:

Rumbo Al' Anaqua, Rosa Canales Perez & Joe Perez https://www.youtube.com/@rumboalanacua09

Welcome to El Mesteño as host David Flores and editor Homero Vera dive deep into the life of Don Pedrito Jaramillo, "The Healer of Los Olmos". Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, around 1830, this legendary curandero or faith healer settled near Los Olmos Creek in Texas in 1881. He was regarded as a saintly figure by thousands who believed God gave him the don (power) to heal the sick.
The episode explores oral histories detailing his humble life in a jacal and his famously "odd" remedies, like curing a mentally ill ranch hand with sleeves sewn onto a vest or stopping a baby's crying with water from a mud puddle. You'll also learn about his complex relationship with the Catholic Church, including his significant $1,500.00 donation for "La Campana" (The Bell) of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Falfurrias. Discover why, over a century later, his influence is still felt, and his Shrine and Texas Historical Marker are visited in Los Olmos, Brooks County.

On this episode of the El Mesteño podcast, Host David Flores and Subject Matter Expert Homero Vera explore the life of Catarino Erasmo Garza, the journalist, folk hero, and revolutionary who bridged the gap between "the pen and the sword".
The episode dives into the late 19th-century borderlands—a cultural and political battleground—where Garza forged his revolutionary spirit in the print shops and ranchos of South Texas. Learn how Garza moved from founding newspapers like El Bien Público and El Comercio Mexicano to fearlessly criticizing Mexican President Porfirio Díaz and local Texas authorities in his paper, El Libre Pensador. His status as a defender of the Mexican people solidified after a shootout during the Rio Grande City Riot of 1888.
The discussion moves to the "Garza War," which began on September 15, 1891. Garza led about 26 armed men, known as the "Libres Fronterizos" (Free Bordermen), across the Rio Grande to launch a revolution. Their "Plan Revolucionario" declared that the Díaz government was plagued by "frightful corruption" and called for the people to rise up against dictatorship.
Discover how the mobile conflict forced the U.S. and Mexican armies to cooperate until pressure from the Texas Rangers and U.S. Army forced Garza to flee Texas by 1892. Garza’s legacy is preserved as a precursor to the great Mexican Revolution of 1910, who used the power of the press to fight for civil rights and dignity on the border.

On this episode, Host David Flores and Subject Matter Expert Homero Vera dive into the history of Duval County to celebrate the legendary Anastacio B. Saenz—or "Tacho"—and his equine empire at Rancho Mesquite Bonito. Tacho was a true pioneer of the American Quarter Horse, with four of his horses (Ace of Hearts II, Leonell, Little Pancho, and Saenz) listed in the A.Q.H.A. Foundation Sire Registry.1Discover how Mesquite Bonito became a center for high-stakes carreras de caballos (horse races) and international business, attracting Mexican Generals who crossed the border to buy his prized stock. Learn about the sale of the horse Leonell to General Miguel Acosta for a dineral ($1,000) in 1928, and Tacho’s influential sale of Ace of Hearts II to Bill Warren, who would become the first president of the American Quarter Horse Association.

The episode also tracks the family legacía (legacy) back to Tacho’s uncle, Agapito Saenz, who set the stage for racing in the region. Hear the incredible story of Agapito’s 1911 journey to secure a $600 racehorse from Seguin, Texas, which was delivered over 150 miles on foot through the brush country. It’s a nostalgic and proud look at the dedication of the pioneers whose efforts continue to shape the world of racing today.

Uncover a critical, yet often-overlooked Civil War clash in the heart of South Texas. On this somber anniversary, host David Flores and resident expert Homero Vera delve into The Battle of Los Patricios at Los Olmos Creek on March 14, 1864.
Hear the dramatic story of Valerio's men, Union-aligned forces, and the Confederate interception that changed lives. Homero Vera shares how new evidence—including recently discovered Civil War-era bullet casings and a firsthand Union account tracked down by Marcos Flores—is finally confirming the skirmish lines and the texture of the narrative.
Featured: The poignant service of Union soldier Julian Garza, a ranchero who suffered devastating injuries at Los Patricios and struggled for years to prove his service, only to find his final resting place beside his Confederate foe.
Join El Mesteño to track the hoofprints of history that the land never forgets. Original maps and the full write-up are available in Issue 48 of El Mesteño.

In this warm, conversational platica that feels like a chat on a South Texas porch, we travel down FM Road 716 to the pueblito of Concepcion. We unpack the town's deep history, which stretches back to before Texas was a state.In this episode, you will hear about:

• The Land Grants: The vital role of the Charco Redondo as an oasis and the original 1809 land grant, "Santa Cruz de la Concepcion," purchased for a mere 55 pesos.
• La Plaza: The legendary 20th-century community hub, where vendors, carne asada, raspas, and puro South Texas conjunto music (Felipe Canales, Tito Saenz, Teodorito Garcia) brought the community to life.
• Fiesta Del Rancho: The post-1977 tradition featuring a massive trail ride and the main event: a hotly contested cabrito guisado cook-off.
• Community Corners: The importance of Luis Leal’s store and the U.S. Post Office as gathering spots for ranchers.
• Immaculate Conception Catholic Church: The spiritual center of town, which remains a beautiful monument to the heritage of the ancestors.

"You don't know where you are going if you don't know where you came from." Tune in to El Mesteño for more stories of the Mexican-American experience.

¡Qué onda, gente! Join David Flores and historian Homero Vera as they pay tribute to the "jefes" (bosses)—the master vaqueros who are the backbone of South Texas ranching. We honor the legacies of Enemorio "Teco" Serna, Santa Gertrudis showman Librado Maldonado, third-generation Kineño Nicolas G. Rodriguez, and veteran Narciso Pulido, Jr. Discover the pura verdad and dedication of these Mexican American ranching pioneers. ¡No te lo pierdas!

*Show Notes:

Supplementary Historical References

To provide the "Subject Matter Expert" context for Homero Vera, the following historical frameworks were utilized:

• Los Kineños Tradition: References to the "King’s People" (the townspeople of Cruillas, Tamaulipas) are based on the documented history of Captain Richard King’s 1854 recruitment trip to Mexico, a cornerstone of King Ranch heritage.

• The Master Showmen of the King Ranch: The Story of Beto and Librado Maldonado: This 2009 biography (by Betty Bailey Colley and Jane Clements Monday) provides the broader context for Librado Maldonado’s international travels and his role in the Santa Gertrudis breeding program.

• Vaquero Skillsets: The technical mentions of the Lasso Boltiado and the Caporal system draw from traditional South Texas vaquero techniques and the hierarchical structure of historical cattle operations at the Norias Division.

• Breed History: Information regarding the development of the Santa Gertrudis cattle (the first American beef breed) at the King Ranch in the 1920s provides the backdrop for the showmen's stories.

• Geographic Context: References to the Wild Horse Desert and specific South Texas locations (Hebbronville, Sarita, Kingsville, and Premont) were used to ground the narrative in the local geography of the region.