pages 30 and 31
HERBERT WARD ---- A Lifetime of Service
In 1980, The Texas Chapter of the National Wildlife Society presented Mr. Herbert Ward its highest honor, the Wildlife Conservationists Award, for his lifelong dedication to the wildlife resources of South Texas.
Mr. Ward began his career early when at 16 he was placed in charge of all aspects of wildlife management on the 235,000 acre Taft-Catarina Ranch. In 1923 he joined the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department as one of only 19 game wardens. He married Miss Mamie Hinds of Asherton in 1925 and soon thereafter was promoted to Captain, covering a vast area of South Texas.
After deciding that public education was the best way to promote wildlife conservation, Ward obtained special permits to gather bird specimens for scientific study. He painstakingly mounted each one himself and these became the foundation for a program of "public relations" talks which Ward began delivering all over the state and continued doing for the rest of his life.
Retiring from the state at 61, Mr. Ward took on the management of wildlife on the Briggs Ranch for another ten years. Even then, he stayed busy giving talks all over Texas and continued along with his devoted wife, his lifelong hobby of collecting arrowheads and other Indian artifacts.
We don't find many like Mr. Ward any more. He was a "man of the old school" who knew his business and really stood by his convictions. I am very proud to have known him.
Leslie E. Vivion --- A Real Cowboy
The first two-story wooden house built in Carrizo Springs by his grandfather, Ed. English, Sr. is where Mr. Leslie Edward Vivion was born and he spent his early years as a cowhand on his grandpa's ranch. This "outdoors" beginning became his way of life.
Being the oldest (at age 12) when his Ma and Pa died, he took over the rearing of two brothers and three sisters with the help of Grandpa and Grandma. They all concede that "Yup, Les hangs up the moon."
Prevailed upon to go to college, Mr. Les graduated from Droughan Business College in 1910 with a diploma in banking. His first --and only-- job indoors lasted only four months. Cowboying was the only life for him until he finally got a spread of his own in Catarina which he later called "-the best improved ranch in Dimmit County--MINE!!!"
In his fifties, Les met elementary school teacher, Miss Emma, and they decided to "git hitched". He reluctantly bought a pair of "store" shoes, at eh insistence of "Miss Emma", but come time for the ceremony, he wore his boots -- but he did concede to wear his trousers outside his boots. This, too, at the insistence of Miss Emma. "No way for a cowboy to do. -- tucked in is the only way any self- respecting cowhand would --".
Adjusting his Stetson, letting that coiled spring of silver hair spring loose, he chuckled, "Nope, - never wanted to be a city dweller, - nor a sea trader, never wanted to be a builder of monuments, machines, nor empires. --Just build my own fire, carve out my own life, worship my own God --". Here was a real man, a breed of man disappearing rapidly.
I enjoyed many cups of coffee with this friend, mine from a cup, his from his saucer!
Pages 32 and 33
Burns
In 1907 - 1908, the W. L. Burns family moved from Caldwell County to Dimmit County with their cildren, Ira, Walker, Irma, Cecil, and Weldon. While the family farmed near Asherton and later at Holland, below Cotulla, Ira established residence on land that became the Burns Ranch, now the Coffield Ranch.
Eventually land was cleared and a water well was drilled by Floyd Trim of Big Wells (later moved to Catarina). IN the early 1020's three homes were built -- the first one at the present site of the Coffield house and it was the parent's home.
Following World War I, Ira married Marguerite Owen of Carrizo Springs. After first living in Valley Wells and then in Big Wells, they moved to the ranch in 1923 when the second home was built. Cecil married Wilma McCarley of Valley Wells and they moved to the ranch when the third house was completed a short time later.
In addition to the Burns onion farming, Cecil had a dairy on the ranch.
During those early years the nearest post office was in Valley Wells.
When the promoters came in to create the town of Catarina in 1925, the Taft ranch house became the "Club House". Charles Ladd was the colonization agent and both Ira and Cecil drove their cars in the excursions that were organized to take the prospective land buyers all over the area. they enjoyed telling the tall tales that were told to the people who had come down from the North. One was about the ideal climate and in the middle of his spiel the promoter turned to a young boy and said, "You have always lived around here. Have you ever seen it snow?" the boy answered, "No, sir! But I saw it rain once." A frequent statement at the end of some exaggerated statement was "You know I'm lying!". People believed everything the were told --- because they wanted to.
The Burns families moved from the ranch to town during the years 1929 and 1930. Marguerite became the Postmaster and Ira went from farming to being a beekeeper. Cecil continues with his dairy business after moving to town.
While the well was being drilled on the Burns Ranch, over 100 rattlesnakes were killed!!
The water well at the Vivions was the first well drilled in the area and so it was always called "Number One".
Sims Dairy was outside of town -- other side of Artesia road. About a half mile or so further was Mr. Benjamin's (Englishman) chicken farm.
pages 34 and 35
Guerra
Brigido S. Guerra, a native of Rialitos, Texas, was born to Eugenio Guerra and Isabel Soto Guerra in 1916. Brigido came to Dimmit County in 1940. He stared working at Briscoe Ranch fixing fences and later as a cowhand. He recalls making one dollar a day working from dawn to dusk, or at least ten hours a day.
One funny incident he recalls was when Merced Zamora, a very close friend, and a fellow by the name of Jose and himself were "chaparriando" (cutting brush) close to a pond. Brigido acted like he was going throw a cup of water at Merced but he didn't because Merced pushed him into the pond. Brigido got out of the water and ran after his friend Merced. Merced thought his buddy was pretty upset, but Brigido wan't angry. He started laughing and told Merced, "That's fine, because now you are going to keep on working and I am going to build a fire to dry my clothes!" Which he did, and while his clothes got dry, Brigido stayed hid behind some bushes.
Brigido recalls they were clearing this pathway near the pond which is now in the Stumberg Ranch. This pathway was used to drive the cattle either to load them onto the train or unload them off the train and drive them to the ranches. The cattle would be unloaded or loaded off the cattle pens which still stand off of Highway 83 and Farm to Market Road 2688 two miles north of Catarina.
Brigido also worked for Mr. Alonzo Gates, Sr., Albert Gates, Lonnie Gates and Anita Gates Elliott's father. This was at the Old Espejo Ranch. He also recalls working at the Piloncillo Ranch for Mr. Dan Harrison, II.
While he was working a Piloncillo Ranch, he moved his wife Guadalupe and four children to the ranch. They lived on the ranch off of Highway 83 for eight years.
Brigido later moved to Catarina and went to work for Mr. H.H. Coffield at the Diamond H. Ranch. A job he held until his retirement in 1978. At that time he was making minimum wages.
For a pastime Brigido has made many a quirt (horse whip). A hobby he started when he was about fifteen years old. In 1940, Former Governor Dolph Briscoe would pay him a dollar a quirt. Brigido made the quirts for Mr. Briscoe's cowhands. The quirts today sell depending on size for up to $50.00 each. In the photo you can see Brigido at his stand in 1992 during the Camino Real Festival here in Catarina. He displayed and sold a few quirts to our local cowhands.
Brigido lives with his wife Guadalupe at the old telephone house near the Diamond H. Shed. Their children are now married and/or live by themselves. Florita Castro lives in Uvalde, Lupe Perez, Miguel Guerra, and Susie Ortiz live here in Catarina. Margarita Barrerra also lives in Catarina and has been the Postmaster for 24 years.
pages 36 and 37
DOCKERY
Mr. A.A. Dockery brought his family to the Catarina area from Uvalde in 1945. He leased the Friday ranch first, and then the Dillon country.
Legend has it that years ago Indians got after a wagon load of gold and the drivers buried it out there around Loma Dinero Hill. When Allen was U.T., he and a group of friends brought gieger counters out to try to find the gold. If they ever found any, they aren't telling anyone. --There's also tales of a headless rider out around Catarina Lake which was on the Friday Place.
After graduating, Allen joined his Dad in the cattle business. They shipped most of their cattle out by train then. This picture shows th last of the cattle being loaded onto the cars. JoAnn helped her father drive them in from the ranch, about twelve miles away. This was the last train to eave from the Catarina Station.
Gardner
Tom and Ethel Gardner came to Catarina in 1926 after working at the mines on the River Road between Delores and Eagle Pass. He worked for Paul Giles and later for C.W. Beck. Alice says "Papa was the first one to plant broccoli here."!
Son Bill had the cafe here. (the one the tornado exxed out.) Mr. and Mrs. Gardner took over running it when Bill went into the service. He was killed in action.
Howard served in the Air Force during World War II. He operated heavy machinery around the Catarina area for many years.
Alice Gardner retired from her post as Postmaster in 1966 after serving 27 years. Kathryn and her husband Kelly Vivion ran a grocery store here. They one daughter, Sharon.
By Jim Parish Times Staff Writer Catarina - A small new post office painted in light spring colors adds a cheerful note to Catarina's palm lined main street.
The concrete block structure was opened Nov. 1. The cost of construction was only $4,000.00. However, the cheerfulness and good taste Miss Alice Gardner put into planning the building are winning compliments from both visitors and local residents. Miss Gardner has been the postmaster the past 21 years. She built the new post office and is leasing it to the government, under a program in which local investors are encouraged to construct post offices.
pages 38 and 39
Garza
Jorge Garza married Juanita Villarreal on May 31, 1918. They had nine children. 1. Delfino (Sr.) 2. Victor 3. Secundino 4. Vicente 5. Margarita (Barrera) 6. Martin 7. Maria (Cisneros) 8. Rafael 9. Tomasa (Berry)
The four oldest were born in Mexico, and the other five in Artesia Wells and Catarina, Texas.
They left Mexico on August 11, 1928, first moving to Artesia Wells and finally to Catarina.
First born Delfino (Sr.) married Aurora Garcia and they had eight children. 1. Domingo 2. Juanita 3. Delfino, Jr. 4. Miguel 5. Ernesto 6. Ruben 7. Diana (deceased) 8 Carlos
Delfino, Sr. worked a a mechanic and welder before he operated the Texaco garage, which he had until the late 1950's. They moved to Carrizo Springs in 1963.
Espinoza
Leon Hale writing in the Houston Post, 1968 about a trip to Catarina ---
"Chester and I wandered over and looked in the padlocked front door of the Royal Palms Hotel. WE struck up a conversation with a woman carrying a paper sack full of little palm trees, to plant in her yard. I remember her because of her name Eulogia Espinoza. I asked her to write it out for me in my notebook. The way she pronounced her given name just beautiful: Eh-oo-Lo-hee-ah. First time I ever ran into that one. The gringo way to pronounce it, I guess, would be Yew-Lo-gee-uh, which is ugly. When Spanish names like that are gringo-ized, all the music goes out of them."
Schumann
Adolph and Nettie Schumann left Albert, Texas in 1929 to move to Moore and start farming. Chester (then working in Laredo), met them at Moore. They still hadn't paid the rent on that big house there, so next morning, they just up and left. Moore was so hot and dry, even the broom grass was dead. At least, they knew they could get financing if they went on to Catarina.
Schumanns first moved onto the old Fowler Place "--ways past Beazley's!" Over the years, they farmed many different places growing mostly onions.
When the "new" highway to Laredo was being built, Adolph dug the ditches for the culverts with his mules and a fresno.
Having children and then grandson, Sonny in school here, Mr. Schumann felt drawn to serve on the school board. He was president of that board for several years.
Adolph and son, Carl ran the Texaco station and then he and his wife operated the John F. Grant Lumber Company here for several years until he retired.
pages 40 and 41
Long
Jess Henry Long, Sr. bought a piece of land just south of Catarina in 1929. When he brought his wife, Lida Potts Long, and their children down here in 1931 they traded that for the place still owned by Jess, Jr. Jess and four of his five sisters were born in Duncan, Oklahoma.
Thanks to a very good sweet water well drilled on the place, the large orange orchard they planted in 1932 flourished. Theirs, along with many others succumbed to the hard freeze on 1951.
The family moved to Carrizo Springs in August of 1936. Later, Jess, Jr. came back to Catarina to the ranch to raise his family.
Photo is famous icicles of 1951
Burton
Mr. Burton was known by many different names. --As a young man running a trucking company, he was called "Buckshot". Some called him Everett, and some called him E.L., but over the years, most people knew him as "Pete".
He worked many jobs. He helped build the new Highway 83 to Laredo when that was a W.P.A. project. Two different times he was janitor for the local schools. Back in '33 or '34 when one of his duties there was to mow the lawn, he was so blind that Wilma or Oeena would lead the mower around with a rope.
Pete and Henry helped build the gym onto the High School after that end of the school had burned. Wilma helped Pete when one of his jobs was to seal up the railroad cars after the cattle had been loaded.
Henry delivered ice around Catarina when most households had "ice boxes" instead of refrigerators.
Mrs. Viola Burton made many beautiful quilts and taught many of us how to make them also. She always kept a very pretty yard, too.
Cstilleja
The Castilleja family moved her in 1935. For nearly thirty summers, most of the family would go off to work in Colorado, leaving in early May and returning in October.
Cirilo, Sr. and his wife had a very large family. --Lorenzo, Ruperto, Margarita (and a twin sister), Ysabel, Trini Maria, Cruz, Hermenejilda, Manuela, Martin, Alberto, and Cirilo, Jr. Most of these still live and work in the Catarina area.
Lansford
The Ira Lansford family has been an important part of the Catarina community for many years. Long ago when they worked on other ranches and on the Piloncillo, Julia would help bring the cattle to the railroad. They would often drive them in in the morning, bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy after the loading was done.
More recently, Harvey and his wife Jean operated the Catarina Grocery Store for several years They and their children often come to visit Julia.
Jula has been a member and very active participant in the Catarina Homemakers Club and also in the Catarina Community Club.
Los Perricos
Vicente Barrera, Sr., born in Santo Thomas, Texas in 1915 recalls playing on a baseball team name "Los Perricos", -- "The Parrots". Every player wore a yellow cap. Their coach was Francisco "Pancho" Lira. Jose "Guero" Salazar was their pitcher. Vicente played catcher. His twin brother, Manuel, played center field and his brother Donicio "Nicho" was a catcher also. Andres and Adan Lira, sons of "Pancho" Lira were part of the team too. Their shortstop was Ramon Raosales. Telesforo adn Antonio Gonzales, brothers, were players also. Jesus "Guero" Barrera another brother of Vicente, was part of this team too. Vicente also recalls tht Felix Trevenio played with their team. They would get together and play against Asherton, "Cheto", Cotulla, and Millet. Vicente was about nineteen years old during this time.
page 47
We are deeply grateful to all those who have contributed information to this booklet. We're sure there are many more stories around. If you'd consider adding yours for a possible sequel next year, please write to Louise Schumann, P.O. Box 6, Catarina. 78836
sources:
Dimmit County Mesquite Roots, Chapter 15
Catarina Pictorial News, Catarina Chamber of Commerce, @ 1929
A History of Dimmit County, printed in the Carrizo Springs Javelin, May 31, 1979 Crystal Williams
Mesquite Roots Column, Javelin, April 24, 1980 Laura Tidwell
Treasure of Dimmit County Senior English Classes. C.S.H.S
Catarina: Desert Dream Town - Houston Chronicle June 24, 1956 -L.A. Wilke
Corpus Christi Caller-Times mid 1960's
Leon Hale - Houston Post - November 1, 1968
"Portrait of a Texans" Carrizo Springs Javelin Nicholas Volpe
Mildred Burns Gilbert
Wilma Burton Weyant
Oeena Burton Allaire
Margarita Guerra Brrera
Marjorie Burnett Parsons
Jess Long
Vicente Barrera, Sr.
Dick Dobie
Alicia (Mrs. Fino, Jr.) Garza
Julia (Mrs. Ira) Lansford
Merle Burns
JoAnn Dockery Ryan
Kathryn Gardner Vivion
Lawrence (Sonny) Schumann
