This Date in Texas History---May 11

     In keeping with my idea to make my readers well-informed Texas History buffs, whether or not they like it, I will be adding a footnote service to the many others offered, free of charge, to readers of my blog.  This service will make you aware of significant Texas historical events that happened on the current date in a previous year.  Sometimes a very previous year.

     On this day in 1752 (is that previous enough), a carpenter, Juan Cebellos, and a priest, Father Juan Jose de Ganzabal, were both murdered in the Mission Nuestra Sonora de la Candelaria, located near present day Rockdale, about fifty miles northeast of Austin.  Suspicion fell on the Army post commander, Felipe de Rabago y Teran, who had been assigned the task of building a presidio to protect this and other missions in the area.  He had fallen out with the Franciscans over where to build the fort.  He further alienated the padres by chasing after both Hispanic and Indian women, and carrying on an affair with the carpenter’s wife.

     This was early enough in Texas history that the Spaniards thought they would just establish missions, convert the Indians into willing slaves and go on about the business of empire building as they had in Mexico, South America, and other parts of the world. 

      Comanche did not exist in other parts of the world.  They existed in Texas and made life so miserable for the Spaniards, their padres, their missions and their soldiers that they came upon a great idea.  They would encourage American settlers to occupy central Texas as a buffer zone between Mexican citizens and the Comanche.  How do you suppose that worked out?

     Oh, about Felipe Rabago---he was held in prison, awaiting trial, for eight years.  Then, in 1760, all charges were dropped and he was released.  I can find no further mention of the carpenter’s wife.

     I find these tidbits in the Handbook of Texas, a publication of the Texas State Historical Commission, so I trust them to be approximately true.  By the way, on this same date in 1953, the Waco Tornado took place.  I was a sophomore in high school then and most all of the dangerous Comanche were gone.

     As my friend, Ken Black, is fond of saying, “Stick with me.  I’ll put you under the big top.”