My great uncle grew up in San Antonio. He told me that in school the teachers beat him up for speaking Spanish. He joined the army in order to be able to escape Texas and the racism. He never returned. He hated it with a passion.
My grandfather, born in 1907, remembered "the troubles" and remembered all the men in town carrying firearms in case of bandit raids. He died in 1971 without saying much more about it to me. I'm not even sure what part of Texas he was living in at the time.
I grew up and went to school about 15 miles NE from where Porvenir...was. I'm old enough to have known several locals who were around at that time...from both sides. First, the insinuations that the US Army were involved in the shooting, came from Keller. He based the accusation on examples of the .45 lead slugs, and the .30 cartridges marked "US". With the exception of 1 .45 auto bullet, the majority of .45 bullets excavated were .45 Colt...used in the Colt revolver, primarily used by Rangers and locals. The .45 Auto is an semi automatic pistol. The cartridges marked "US" were in ".30 Govt." A cartridge used by the US Army in their '03 Springfield rifle (30.06), in use at the time. That cartridge was also used in the 1895 Winchester carbine (both 30.06, 30.03, and 30-40 Krag) a very popular rifle carried by the Texas Rangers (who also rec'd ammo from the military at the time. The .45 Auto (Govt) was standard issue to the military, and was also available to civilians in limited numbers. Porvenir was a known hideout for Chico Cano and his gang of bandits. The previous December (1917), the Brite ranch was raided and several Americans were murdered. One, the postal clerk in Valentine, was strung up alive and his throat cut. Cano was the primary suspect for this raid, and goods that were stolen from the Brite's store, were found in Porvenir. The Neville ranch was raided in March 1918 as retaliation for Porvenir. Three people were murdered, including a woman who was raped and butchered. There's three sides to a story...not one.
Chico Cano was never involved in the Brite Ranch raid, and the items found at Porvenir might have been part of the cover up used by the Rangers. Moreover, Porvenir was located more than forty miles from the Brite Ranch, and there was no trail leading to it. This is rugged country, and there were a lot of barbed wires in the area at that time, making it difficult to cross big spaces. How could the villagers have been involved in the raid?? We know that they were all farmers.
@@stark8585 You site no references for your statement(s). That makes them "opinions"...unfounded...opinions. Chico Cano was one of THE most contested bandits of the Big Bend area. He was a thief, smuggler, some-time "...ista" (Villista, Carranzista, etc,). In 1913 Customs Officer Jack Howard was killed by his gang while rescuing him from arrest ...for cattle theft. Cano escaped at that time. In 1915, while being pursued by Joe Sitters (Customs Officer who was also ambushed with Howard), and Eugene Hulen (Cattle Inspector) were murdered by Cano and his gang. Two others in their party were able to get reinforcements from a local ranch. Both Sitters and Hulen were stripped, badly mutilated, and were hardly recognized. Cano, his bunch, outlaw "istas"... were thieves and murderers. Their raids were well planned out (due to the information provided by their supporters). It was well known by everyone back then, that there were no "innocent" Mexicans in Pilares (Porvenir), or along the river. Your "opinion" that the Brite Ranch couldn't be accessed from Pilares (Porvenir), is wrong. You leave Pilares (Povenir) going NE, pass Fitzgerald's Ranch and through Viea Pass (Holland Ranch), head S(easterly), pass Poole's Ranch and straight to Brite's. That trail is known as the Knight Trail. Or, you can leave Candelaria (NE), pass Knight's Ranch (through the pass), head SE straight to Brite's. You could take any number of smuggler trails from Jim Millers Ranch Pass Camp Holland, to access both of these routes. I went to school in Valentine. Have been to Porvenir Through the Vieja Pass (Evan Means old ranch). This information comes from those who were there at the time, or their kin...from both sides of the issue. There were still a few around back in the 70's. Just like there are still many around to perforate the "revisionist" BS history being pimped around.
Texas Rangers in 1918 used their issued Colt 1911. 45 Colts were civilian most likely carried by the Ranchers. Seems to me the murders were carried out by the Army.
@@portrrbeeson3754 Rangers were required to provide their own firearms. They could order anything they were willing to pay for, but were not "issued" 1911 Colt Autos in the early 20c, or even today. There is ample photographic evidence showing few Rangers (btwn 1910-1919), carrying 1911s, '05s, or 03s (all precursors to the 1911). Having gone to school with many whose Grandfathers were ranchers in Jeff Davis, Presidio, Culberson, and Hudspeth Counties, their grandpas firearms were '92, '94, and '95 Winchesters, and old Colt six-shooters. There had been a gunfight outside of Porvenir several days previous to the alleged "murders" (whose origin was a alcoholic grade school teacher who lived miles from the place. Porvenir (at the time) was a well known haven for bandits, thieves and murderers. Not all maybe, but most. The others would no doubt have been sympathizers, spies, and scouts for them. The Army personnel were led by a Captain, and he and his detail had left once their were no military matters to be tended to. That era, and those that lived there at the time, was a no nonsense part of the country. It still is. Romanticizing horse thieves, bandits, and murderers has a long tradition with the Hispanic culture. Today, it's obvious purpose is to "re-write" fact, and build a basis for some sort of "victimhood". No one from that era is alive today. And everyone else has moved on to bigger and better things...except for the troublemaker.
In James Gillet autobiography he said he joined the Rangers in 1875.According to him each recruit was issued a Sharps Carbine in .50 cal. and one 45 colt, cost deducted from their first pay check. David Keller did an archaeology dig at the site found 37 spent shells. One 12 gauge stamped UMC, several 30-06 shells with military stamped heads, two 45 ACP with military stamps on heads and 8 45 LC civilian rounds. 29 of the spent shell were military. MR. Keller said what he found did not match the story being told.@@MikeArnold-i5c
History shows our ancestors caught in the crossfires of a very tumultuous time. Our ancestors, who had lived and worked the land for decades or longer, were suddenly being pushed off the land because they did not have the resources (American money), could not speak English, and did not know how to navigate the newly established Texas / American government. My ancestors were villainized and murdered so that Texas ranchers could acquire the land. The trauma of this senseless act of violence continues to live in our bodies.
No one "gave" anyone any "orders". A detail of Rangers, with civilian scouts, and an Army guard, conducted a search of a well known haven for bandits and thieves ( where contraband from a previous raid where three were murdered, was found). That Ranger patrol was fired upon, fired back, and retreated back to their base camp. The allegations that they murdered unarmed civilians was made by a known troublemaker, an alcoholic, who lived in Pilares (a couple of miles away). Two investigations were conducted, and no evidence of wrongdoing was found in either, by the Rangers or the Army. This "murder" is an effort by "activists" looking to create a "victimhood" for others.
@@MikeArnold-i5c I think you wrong there as recent excuvations of the area found the kill site and showed as mass execution went on there. It seems the army had more to do with it. If they thought they had the guilty ones, then they should get a chance to have a fair trial, not a shooting in a gulley
@@SHANECatLovinActivistHistorian Those "recent" excavations showed absolutely no such thing. The presence of spent cartridges, anywhere near the border down there, hardly proves anything. I found spent cartridges, slugs, and even a pistol...where my house was located, in Valentine. Most of Povenir had been picked over decades before this so -called "excavation". My cousins and I even scoured the place back in the 70s. David Keller, former Sul Ross archeologist who started all of this, claims to have found "artifiacts" (cartidge cases and spent bullets), of which "60%" were "US Government". Remarkably, all that's ever been publicly shown are five spent bullets. Five of which are .45 Colt revolver and one .45 Auto. The US Army used the '03 Springfield, bolt action 30-06 rifle during that time. No spent 30-06 bullets or casings. Additionally, Keller was abruptly fired from Sul Ross shortly after his recent "conclusion" on who did what in Porvenir. I grew up in that area. Porvenir and Pilares are about 10-12 miles from the old Evan Means Ranch (born and raised there). Mr. Means would visit with my uncle every so often (in Valentine). He often spoke of those days as being "a bad time". He lived at his place until he died in '84. He was accused of being a participant, as well. Had that been true, he wouldn't have lived past 1918/19. This is BS "everyone's a victim" story. Animosity between the old blood in the area was prevalent when I was a kid. We kids didn't allow for it among ourselves. I have relatives from both sides still living there. This is just another "woke" episode, being milked for attention.
@@GrumblingGrognard If you could leave off the tendentious whining for a moment, you'd know that "military pistols and rifles" isn't a technical definition.
@@darylnd If you could grow up and learn how to read/write without trying to be an insulting troll; you may learn the person you are discussing this with most likely knows substantially more than you regarding historical firearms...it is possible. (yea, no kidding I thought that was so technical)
@@GrumblingGrognard If you actually "know substantially more..." concerning firearms, how did you miss that Rangers of that era preferred and carried the 1895 Winchester carbine...chambered in ".30 Govt." (30-40 Krag, 30-03 Govt., and 30-06 Govt.)? Or, that the Rangers procured government ammo for those carbines? Or, that the .45 Govt (standard military issue until the 1980s), was available to the civilian market in limited quantities...during that era? Several Rangers were known to carry one...during that era. Just "seeing what you want to see"? I'm old enough to remember (and talking with), folks who were alive and lived in the area...on both sides. There's 3 sides to every story...not 1. Somewhere in the middle lies the truth.
@@MikeArnold-i5c no idea what you are on-about in this super zombie post; but you are so far off topic it is sad: NOBODY even mentioned what people "preferred"...until your super-zombie post. Try to stick to the subject a little bit (at least). lol
This happened only weeks after the Mexicans had conducted the Brite Ranch raid, a few miles from Porvenir, in which four Texans were killed. Another Mexican raid further down the river in 1917 had killed 8 Texans and also in 1917 Pancho Villa and his men had crossed the border at Columbus New Mexico and killed around 20 US citizens. The killing of civilians, especially by execution (which the Mexicans did too) is a travesty but when blood is running hot and your friends or relatives had been killed by Mexican bandits you want blood. You don't want shit like this to happen, don't raid your neighbor. The responsibility for this lies at the feet of the Villistas and anyone who gave them food and shelter which the people of Porvenir were said to have done.
Much of the banditry in that portion of the Big Bend was perpetrated by Chico Cano and his bunch. Heard stories of him all the time when I was kid. He was a bandit, taking advantage of the situation. He stole and murdered on both sides of the border Porvenir was a known base camp and hide out for his bunch. At that time, there were no "innocent Mexicans" living there, That's why they abandoned the place the next day. Too hot.
@@marthagomez7335 folks like him will only see the part in history that better suites their redirects. Similar to what is currently happening I. Palestinian. The Zionist arrived and started displacing and oppressing people for the past 76 years and as soon as they other side decided a to attack in a way that would make headlines, they start making it seem like this conflict started last year.
Jesus Christ is coming real soon and those of you who continue to have hatred in your hearts for the evil done by other evil people and not yourselves is a waste of valuable time...a time that could be better spent building a solid relationship with God almighty and praying that he may have mercy on our souls and that we may be worthy to be raptured from this evil world and spare us from the horrible tribulation mankind will have to face very soon. Jesus be with us in these end times. Amen.
My great uncle grew up in San Antonio. He told me that in school the teachers beat him up for speaking Spanish. He joined the army in order to be able to escape Texas and the racism. He never returned. He hated it with a passion.
My grandfather, born in 1907, remembered "the troubles" and remembered all the men in town carrying firearms in case of bandit raids. He died in 1971 without saying much more about it to me. I'm not even sure what part of Texas he was living in at the time.
Similar to Israelis in Palestine
History is written by the victorious.
I grew up and went to school about 15 miles NE from where Porvenir...was. I'm old enough to have known several locals who were around at that time...from both sides. First, the insinuations that the US Army were involved in the shooting, came from Keller. He based the accusation on examples of the .45 lead slugs, and the .30 cartridges marked "US". With the exception of 1 .45 auto bullet, the majority of .45 bullets excavated were .45 Colt...used in the Colt revolver, primarily used by Rangers and locals. The .45 Auto is an semi automatic pistol. The cartridges marked "US" were in ".30 Govt." A cartridge used by the US Army in their '03 Springfield rifle (30.06), in use at the time. That cartridge was also used in the 1895 Winchester carbine (both 30.06, 30.03, and 30-40 Krag) a very popular rifle carried by the Texas Rangers (who also rec'd ammo from the military at the time. The .45 Auto (Govt) was standard issue to the military, and was also available to civilians in limited numbers. Porvenir was a known hideout for Chico Cano and his gang of bandits. The previous December (1917), the Brite ranch was raided and several Americans were murdered. One, the postal clerk in Valentine, was strung up alive and his throat cut. Cano was the primary suspect for this raid, and goods that were stolen from the Brite's store, were found in Porvenir. The Neville ranch was raided in March 1918 as retaliation for Porvenir. Three people were murdered, including a woman who was raped and butchered. There's three sides to a story...not one.
Chico Cano was never involved in the Brite Ranch raid, and the items found at Porvenir might have been part of the cover up used by the Rangers. Moreover, Porvenir was located more than forty miles from the Brite Ranch, and there was no trail leading to it. This is rugged country, and there were a lot of barbed wires in the area at that time, making it difficult to cross big spaces. How could the villagers have been involved in the raid?? We know that they were all farmers.
@@stark8585 You site no references for your statement(s). That makes them "opinions"...unfounded...opinions. Chico Cano was one of THE most contested bandits of the Big Bend area. He was a thief, smuggler, some-time "...ista" (Villista, Carranzista, etc,). In 1913 Customs Officer Jack Howard was killed by his gang while rescuing him from arrest ...for cattle theft. Cano escaped at that time. In 1915, while being pursued by Joe Sitters (Customs Officer who was also ambushed with Howard), and Eugene Hulen (Cattle Inspector) were murdered by Cano and his gang. Two others in their party were able to get reinforcements from a local ranch. Both Sitters and Hulen were stripped, badly mutilated, and were hardly recognized. Cano, his bunch, outlaw "istas"... were thieves and murderers. Their raids were well planned out (due to the information provided by their supporters). It was well known by everyone back then, that there were no "innocent" Mexicans in Pilares (Porvenir), or along the river. Your "opinion" that the Brite Ranch couldn't be accessed from Pilares (Porvenir), is wrong. You leave Pilares (Povenir) going NE, pass Fitzgerald's Ranch and through Viea Pass (Holland Ranch), head S(easterly), pass Poole's Ranch and straight to Brite's. That trail is known as the Knight Trail. Or, you can leave Candelaria (NE), pass Knight's Ranch (through the pass), head SE straight to Brite's. You could take any number of smuggler trails from Jim Millers Ranch Pass Camp Holland, to access both of these routes. I went to school in Valentine. Have been to Porvenir Through the Vieja Pass (Evan Means old ranch). This information comes from those who were there at the time, or their kin...from both sides of the issue. There were still a few around back in the 70's. Just like there are still many around to perforate the "revisionist" BS history being pimped around.
Texas Rangers in 1918 used their issued Colt 1911. 45 Colts were civilian most likely carried by the Ranchers. Seems to me the murders were carried out by the Army.
@@portrrbeeson3754 Rangers were required to provide their own firearms. They could order anything they were willing to pay for, but were not "issued" 1911 Colt Autos in the early 20c, or even today. There is ample photographic evidence showing few Rangers (btwn 1910-1919), carrying 1911s, '05s, or 03s (all precursors to the 1911). Having gone to school with many whose Grandfathers were ranchers in Jeff Davis, Presidio, Culberson, and Hudspeth Counties, their grandpas firearms were '92, '94, and '95 Winchesters, and old Colt six-shooters. There had been a gunfight outside of Porvenir several days previous to the alleged "murders" (whose origin was a alcoholic grade school teacher who lived miles from the place. Porvenir (at the time) was a well known haven for bandits, thieves and murderers. Not all maybe, but most. The others would no doubt have been sympathizers, spies, and scouts for them. The Army personnel were led by a Captain, and he and his detail had left once their were no military matters to be tended to. That era, and those that lived there at the time, was a no nonsense part of the country. It still is. Romanticizing horse thieves, bandits, and murderers has a long tradition with the Hispanic culture. Today, it's obvious purpose is to "re-write" fact, and build a basis for some sort of "victimhood". No one from that era is alive today. And everyone else has moved on to bigger and better things...except for the troublemaker.
In James Gillet autobiography he said he joined the Rangers in 1875.According to him each recruit was issued a Sharps Carbine in .50 cal. and one 45 colt, cost deducted from their first pay check. David Keller did an archaeology dig at the site found 37 spent shells. One 12 gauge stamped UMC, several 30-06 shells with military stamped heads, two 45 ACP with military stamps on heads and 8 45 LC civilian rounds. 29 of the spent shell were military. MR. Keller said what he found did not match the story being told.@@MikeArnold-i5c
History shows our ancestors caught in the crossfires of a very tumultuous time. Our ancestors, who had lived and worked the land for decades or longer, were suddenly being pushed off the land because they did not have the resources (American money), could not speak English, and did not know how to navigate the newly established Texas / American government. My ancestors were villainized and murdered so that Texas ranchers could acquire the land. The trauma of this senseless act of violence continues to live in our bodies.
Who were the people that gave the rangers the green light to kill people like this?
Federal GVT>>>>!!!!!
@@ResutoVictor35 Sources? Or, are you just making things up?
No one "gave" anyone any "orders". A detail of Rangers, with civilian scouts, and an Army guard, conducted a search of a well known haven for bandits and thieves ( where contraband from a previous raid where three were murdered, was found). That Ranger patrol was fired upon, fired back, and retreated back to their base camp. The allegations that they murdered unarmed civilians was made by a known troublemaker, an alcoholic, who lived in Pilares (a couple of miles away). Two investigations were conducted, and no evidence of wrongdoing was found in either, by the Rangers or the Army. This "murder" is an effort by "activists" looking to create a "victimhood" for others.
@@MikeArnold-i5c I think you wrong there as recent excuvations of the area found the kill site and showed as mass execution went on there. It seems the army had more to do with it. If they thought they had the guilty ones, then they should get a chance to have a fair trial, not a shooting in a gulley
@@SHANECatLovinActivistHistorian Those "recent" excavations showed absolutely no such thing. The presence of spent cartridges, anywhere near the border down there, hardly proves anything. I found spent cartridges, slugs, and even a pistol...where my house was located, in Valentine. Most of Povenir had been picked over decades before this so -called "excavation". My cousins and I even scoured the place back in the 70s. David Keller, former Sul Ross archeologist who started all of this, claims to have found "artifiacts" (cartidge cases and spent bullets), of which "60%" were "US Government". Remarkably, all that's ever been publicly shown are five spent bullets. Five of which are .45 Colt revolver and one .45 Auto. The US Army used the '03 Springfield, bolt action 30-06 rifle during that time. No spent 30-06 bullets or casings. Additionally, Keller was abruptly fired from Sul Ross shortly after his recent "conclusion" on who did what in Porvenir. I grew up in that area. Porvenir and Pilares are about 10-12 miles from the old Evan Means Ranch (born and raised there). Mr. Means would visit with my uncle every so often (in Valentine). He often spoke of those days as being "a bad time". He lived at his place until he died in '84. He was accused of being a participant, as well. Had that been true, he wouldn't have lived past 1918/19. This is BS "everyone's a victim" story. Animosity between the old blood in the area was prevalent when I was a kid. We kids didn't allow for it among ourselves. I have relatives from both sides still living there. This is just another "woke" episode, being milked for attention.
My father told me orals history of this event handed down family members,
"Military pistols and rifles" doesn't tell me much.
You will see what you want to see; just like politics. Why don't you tell us how "there are good people on both sides" too?
@@GrumblingGrognard If you could leave off the tendentious whining for a moment, you'd know that "military pistols and rifles" isn't a technical definition.
@@darylnd If you could grow up and learn how to read/write without trying to be an insulting troll; you may learn the person you are discussing this with most likely knows substantially more than you regarding historical firearms...it is possible. (yea, no kidding I thought that was so technical)
@@GrumblingGrognard If you actually "know substantially more..." concerning firearms, how did you miss that Rangers of that era preferred and carried the 1895 Winchester carbine...chambered in ".30 Govt." (30-40 Krag, 30-03 Govt., and 30-06 Govt.)? Or, that the Rangers procured government ammo for those carbines? Or, that the .45 Govt (standard military issue until the 1980s), was available to the civilian market in limited quantities...during that era? Several Rangers were known to carry one...during that era. Just "seeing what you want to see"? I'm old enough to remember (and talking with), folks who were alive and lived in the area...on both sides. There's 3 sides to every story...not 1. Somewhere in the middle lies the truth.
@@MikeArnold-i5c no idea what you are on-about in this super zombie post; but you are so far off topic it is sad: NOBODY even mentioned what people "preferred"...until your super-zombie post. Try to stick to the subject a little bit (at least). lol
This happened only weeks after the Mexicans had conducted the Brite Ranch raid, a few miles from Porvenir, in which four Texans were killed. Another Mexican raid further down the river in 1917 had killed 8 Texans and also in 1917 Pancho Villa and his men had crossed the border at Columbus New Mexico and killed around 20 US citizens. The killing of civilians, especially by execution (which the Mexicans did too) is a travesty but when blood is running hot and your friends or relatives had been killed by Mexican bandits you want blood. You don't want shit like this to happen, don't raid your neighbor. The responsibility for this lies at the feet of the Villistas and anyone who gave them food and shelter which the people of Porvenir were said to have done.
Much of the banditry in that portion of the Big Bend was perpetrated by Chico Cano and his bunch. Heard stories of him all the time when I was kid. He was a bandit, taking advantage of the situation. He stole and murdered on both sides of the border Porvenir was a known base camp and hide out for his bunch. At that time, there were no "innocent Mexicans" living there, That's why they abandoned the place the next day. Too hot.
Two years before pancho Villa’s raid on Columbus, Woodrow Wilson ordered an invasion on a Mexican port. In 1914
Sorry, but the Mexicans were here first!Both sides of the border are Mexico 🇲🇽
@@marthagomez7335 folks like him will only see the part in history that better suites their redirects. Similar to what is currently happening I. Palestinian. The Zionist arrived and started displacing and oppressing people for the past 76 years and as soon as they other side decided a to attack in a way that would make headlines, they start making it seem like this conflict started last year.
You'll need to get to the source of the history to try to understand it, and that goes far in the past berfore the Mexican revolution.
🫢😢
Do Anglos lie about history and the present, yes.
Make America Mexico Again
nah, people like you want to bring back the government oppression/killings.
@@GrumblingGrognard ... shut up fed!
@@MakinaDeMuerte Grow up troll-child
Not even Mexicans want that bud
we're already strong in population in the south west and now you can get a taco at almost any restaurant in America. Viva Mexcio! @@anontheshade
Like tulsa ok
Jesus Christ is coming real soon and those of you who continue to have hatred in your hearts for the evil done by other evil people and not yourselves is a waste of valuable time...a time that could be better spent building a solid relationship with God almighty and praying that he may have mercy on our souls and that we may be worthy to be raptured from this evil world and spare us from the horrible tribulation mankind will have to face very soon. Jesus be with us in these end times. Amen.
viva bollilios
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂