Tales from the Morgue

Cesar Chàvez dignified field laborers' plight

March 31, 2000

By Bernadette Self
El Paso Times

If César Chàvez were alive today, on this, his 73rd birthday, he would still be working to improve the treatment and rights of migrant farm workers in the United States.

He'd be no less despised by many California growers and the big produce companies with whom he locked horns. But perhaps Chàvez's action - and his humble but extraordinary courage and commitment - would be more broadly acknowledged, and appreciated, by the American mainstream if he were here to continue championing the rights of people who, to this day, are viewed more as commodities than human beings.

Chàvez, who died in 1993, will forever be remembered for creating the United Farm Workers union and linked to the 1960s and '70s boycotts of grapes, lettuce and other produce. The boycotts were a means to force California growers to pay more equitable wages to migrant workers (back then, many earned below minimum wage).

Chàvez and the union also fought (without violence) to improve the despicable living conditions in which many migrant workers toiled and to curtail the use of certain pesticides that made workers ill.

"Fighting for social justice, it seems to me, is one of the proudest ways in which man can say yes to man's dignity, and that really means sacrifice," Chàvez once said. "There is no way on this Earth in which you can say yes to man's dignity and know that you're going to be spared some sacrifice."

Chàvez made many sacrifices, which differentiates him substantially from the many wannabe rebels without real causes who parade in the spotlight for public adulation.

Raised in a migrant worker family, Chàvez knew the pain of back-breaking field work. His grandparents came to the U.S. from Chihuahua state (coming through El Paso) in the 1880s. Settling near Yuma, Ariz., the family farmed and operated a general store. Unfortunately, they lost everything during the Great Depression. To survive, they became migrant workers, following the crops into California.

Chàvez attended more than 30 schools but still managed to complete the eighth grade. He worked in the fields into adulthood. He eventually netted a decent-paying job for the Community Service Organization, a workers' advocacy group. In 1962, at age 35, he devoted himself to the unpopular task of organizing a farm-workers' union. His wife, Helen, picked fruit to make ends meet.

By 1965, Chàvez's group had its first big clash with California grape growers. There isn't room to detail the struggles endured, including being threatened, beaten and jailed. But those efforts eventually garnered national attention and support from Americans who sympathized with the plight of migrant workers.

But 35 years after Chàvez organized - with the aid of the AFL-CIO - that ground-breaking, five-year boycott against grape growers, too many people have forgotten the spirit of Chàvez's actions.

To put it bluntly, many view Chàvez as some folk-legend labor organizer who, because his skin was brown and his name "Spanish," is irrelevant to anyone other than Mexican-Americans. Sadly, there are Mexican- Americans who view Chàvez as an inconsequential civil-rights era "dead guy" who is irrelevant because neither they nor their parents were migrant workers.

Even worse, some Mexican-Americans refuse to recognize Chàvez's accomplishments because they perceive him as a Viva La Raza rabble-rouser whose very memory - and the public recognition of that memory with marches, masses and menudo fund-raisers - makes them cringe because, it's so, you know, Mexican. And for some Hispanics with conservative philosophies, Chàvez's links with organized labor are too much to swallow because "union" is a dirty word in corporate circles.

It's ironic that in an age of celebrity worship and money-lust, some people find it so difficult, or offensive, to acknowledge the accomplishments of people such as Chàvez. Had Chàvez's name and skin color been different, would his life's work mean more to more people today?

Acknowledging Chàvez's accomplishments isn't the measure of one's ethnic pride. But Chàvez's actions, and the way he lived his life, are worth recognizing, honoring and using as a model to all who want to stand up for just causes.

People should recall that the same kind of personal qualities and selflessness manifested by Chàvez were demonstrated, in previous centuries, by founders of this nation. Honoring Chàvez's memory isn't just "a Mexican thing."

Tales from the Morge Encore

I'll be out of the office next week. Below are links to articles I posted last year in case you missed them.

The Man in Black(mail)
200 Miles On Two Gallons Of Gas
Tom Ogle's investors
Jet Airliner Hijackers Captured In EP  
Kurt Russell Enjoying Best Of Both Fields
Chamizal Treaty
Cheater Bella
Ben Hogan Out of Danger After Surgery
Slain Star Once Lived In EP, Attended Irvin
Angry mob captures Night Stalker suspect Richard Ramirez  

Hometown stars

Hometown stars - Mara Holguin
Hometown stars - Lupe Ontiveros
Hometown stars - Gene Roddenberry
Hometown stars - Sam Donaldson
Hometown stars - Jerry Bailey
Hometown stars - Ronn Lucas
Hometown stars - Sandra Day O'Connor
Hometown stars - F. Murray Abraham
Hometown stars - Debbie Reynolds      
Hometown stars - Phil Ochs
Hometown stars - Vikki Carr
Hometown stars - Gilbert Roland
Hometown stars - Susan Blakely
Hometown stars - Irene Ryan  

Orogrande 'sister city' delays 'airport'

June 14, 1979

Orogrande – Nothing is ever simple here. The 80 folk of this small community in the desert south of Alamogordo were all set to cut the ribbon on Orogrande International Airport this Sunday, when they complicated matters by throwing in this “sister city” thing.

Well. As always with Orogrande, it’s a long story. The airport first. A while back, a U.S. Border Patrol aircraft ran into engine trouble in the air above Orogrande and landed on an access road to U.S. 54, which runs through the community.

The plane was towed in to Perry Brunson’s garage, where it has been for about two months while Perry and friends work on the engine. The minor mishap inspired the impish Wood Johnston, who is chief ranger of the Orogrande National Forest (two trees and still growing) and chef du jour of the Oro Chico Café, to dub Perry’s station and garage Orogrande International Airport.

“Oh, we’re having fun,” Woody announced Monday. “We’ve got the signs up already and everything – where the ‘gates’ are, and ‘baggage claim’ counter – everything.”

Plans call for a gala ribbon-cutting Sunday. To those fuddy-duddies who can’t see how Orogrande could be so “presumptuous,” as one man put it. Woody has an easy answer: “Why, our Runway 54 is 80 miles long!”

But what about the sister city business? Seems some Algerian engineers and embassy officials, in El Paso to study the implementation and operation of a natural gas pipeline with El Paso Natural Gas engineers happened upon the Oro Chico.

The café is also the “temporary” Ranger Station of the Orogrande National Forest. What with explanations of that arbor’s sign, and the signs about the airport, the engineers and the Orograndians became fast friends. And the engineers decided Orogrande has much in common with their home town. Zelboun, Algeria.

For one thing, they’re both little desert towns, with about the same head count – 80 humans, dogs uncounted. And, Woody points out, they both have border crossing problems – the Algerians complain the Moroccans come over and take jobs away from natives.

By the time all the comparisons had been made, the Algerians and the Orograndians had decided Orogrande and Zelboun were born to be sister cities. So among the festivities

Sunday will be the presentation to Ali Boukhiar, as representative of Zelboun, of a proclamation from Orogrande and gifts to the Algerian town.

They will be delivered when the engineer goes home in July. “The whole thing’s got to be quasi-official, of course, because we’re not really a municipality.” Woody says. “I’ll be signing the proclamation as chief ranger. But though the airport is tongue-in-cheek, and though there’s a great deal of fun, connected with the sister cities, the feelings of friendship are genuine.

“Surely we haven’t reached the point quite yet in this bureaucratic world,” he adds. “That a proclamation of friendship and hopes for peace must be ‘officially official’ to be real.

Jackrabbits ‘Hunt Cover’

H=January 10, 1932

276 El Paso Hunters To Take Field In Search Of Meat For Needy

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Any old hole will look good to west Texas and New Mexico jackrabbits tomorrow.

The long-legged animals, which have been roaming the arroyos and mesas in comparative safety, are shivering in their “boots.” They have been informed that at least 276 El Pasoans, in 47 teams, armed with shotguns, rifles and pistols, will be after them early Sunday when the annual rabbit hunt of the American Legion and El Paso Game Protective association gets underway.

The hunters are expected to comb a radius of 100 miles in their search for sport and at the same time, meat for El Paso’s needy. The territory in which the hunt is to take place is not restricted to any certain area. The hunters may go to any part of this section, provided their hunting licenses are not violated. Dr. Brown W. Randel, president of the game protective association, said last night.

The game is to be delivered to Barney Oden’s service station in Five-Points. A truck will then transport the rabbits to the Associated Charities for distribution.

'Bicycle' Club Is Closed By Court

September 8, 1916

Judge Pool fines Harry Schaeffer $500 and Ten Days on Liquor Charge

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“Bicycle” club was dealt a crushing blow yesterday when a jury of the county court assessed a $500 fine and ten days against Harry Schaeffer on a charge of unlawfully selling liquor. The defendant gave notice of appeal when his motion for a new trial was overruled by Judge Adrian Pool. He was released on a $1,000 bond pending action of the appeal.

The club complained of was located in Lynchville and according to the defense was operating under a charter that had been granted by the state to Amos Williams, former city hall janitor, John F. Ross and L.F. English in 1910 for the purpose of organizing a bicycle club. The charter, the defense said, had been obtained by transfer when the club for soldiers was organized.

George Murphy, a soldier, said that he had been elected treasurer of the club and there had hardly been time to make proper improvements when the place was closed. The dues, he said, were 50 cents a year. The club rooms boasted three or four tables and a piano.

“We organized to make it pleasant for the soldiers,” he said. “I sang for them.” He never knew it was a bicycle club. He always thought that it was an athletic club. Yes, the members played pinochle, but not for drinks. He had never seen any beer sold to anyone who was not a member. He has handled the beer trade in the capacity of an assistant, he said.

Arthur Danielson said he paid 50 cents to join the club and had bought beer and paid Schaeffer for it. He also declared there was a piano in the place.

“If it had not been for the beer and piano, you would not have joined would you?” County Attorney C.W. Croom asked.

“No, sir,” replied the witness.

Judge James J. Murphy stated that he had gone to the place and saw beer there. Deputy Constable J.W. Brown corroborated that.

The defense maintained it had a right to operate by virtue of the charter granted by the state.

Must Pay Poll Tax or Work 3 Days on Roads

April 11, 1911

New Road Law Goes Into Effect In June

Pay Poll Tax Or Work It Out

Judges of Election for Culberson County Named and Polling Places Are Established

In June those patriotic citizens of El Paso County whose names cannot be found among those who have paid their poll tax for 1911, will have to give the country three days labor on the county roads, and the county commissioners say they will appoint a road overseer who will not overlook a single poll tax dodger, and who will get three good days work out of every one of them.

When the county commissioner’s court convened yesterday morning Judge Eylar stated that the special road law for El Paso County would go into effect in June and that under its operation every man who fails to pay his poll tax must work three days in every year on the public roads of the county.

The following report from the county judge was made an order: I herewith report to the commissioners’ court that I have made the following appointment of judges and voting places for the Culberson County special election of April 18, 1911.

Precinct No. 1. Voting place, Mexican school house at Van Horn; J.R. Whitten, presiding judge; T.B. Floyd, associate judge.

Precinct, No. 2. Voting place, store at Plateau. D.C. Armstrong, presiding judge; H.R. Richburg, associate judge.

Precinct, No. 3. Voting place, old Van Horn school house, T.C. Turk, presiding judge W.P. Ceaslin, associate judge.

Precinct, No. 4. Voting place, section house at Plateau. H.C. McCarty, presiding judge; J.L. Mills, associate judge.

Precinct, No. 5. Voting place, Figure 2 ranch. C.B. Hamilton, presiding judge; Bill Dougherty, associate judge.

Precinct. No. 6. Voting place, Sayles’ ranch. E.W. E. Nelbhur, presiding judge; Frank Filbrick, associate judge.

Precinct No. 7. Voting place, Kent school house, T.A. Miller, presiding judge; Jim Hutchinson, associate judge.

Mrs. Mary Manering was placed on the pauper pension list for $5 per month. The question as to whether or not the county could utilize certain sinking funds to assist the road improvement fund was referred to County Judge Eylar and the County Treasurer.

It was explained that at present the county is getting only 2 per cent for this money and has to pay 6 per cent on road warrants and that the 2 per cent could be paid in on the fund used. An appropriation of $35 was made for the Vineyard track road.

Judge Eylar said that L.G. de Lara and his Socialist followers wanted to hold a meeting on the courthouse lawn and the sheriff would permit it provided they kept off the grass. Fighting Diaz at long distance, with the mouth, the judge said, did not hurt the Mexican government, but it killed the grass on the lawn.

“I understand,” said Judge Eylar “that the meeting is for the ostensible purpose of creating sympathy for the Mexican insurrectos, but the best way for these agitators to help the Mexican revolution is to take a gun and get on the firing line.” Judge Eylar announced that the governor had appointed judges for the new court of appeals and that the bill provided that the citizens of El Paso should supply a library for the court. He supposed that meant to raise funds for the library by subscription. However, the county would have to furnish a court room which could be done by cutting the 41st court room in two and making two rooms of it.

The sheriff’s bill for feeding prisoners in March amounted to $1030. The judge said this was the largest board bill the county had been called on to pay. He said the law no allowed the sheriff 40 cents per day for feeding each prisoner. Dr. White was requested to prescribe the standard of milk to be used at the county hospital, so that the auditor could ask for bids to supply the milk.

The pest house at San Elizario was ordered closed next Saturday, as the last smallpox patient would be discharged Friday. Juan Rodriguez put into claim for $232.50 damages alleged to have been sustained by C.F. White burning his house, furniture and clothing. Discussion disclosed the fact that there had been two cases of smallpox in the house, but that it had been thoroughly fumigated by Dr. Mitchell. The members of the court were of the opinion that Mr. White should pay the damages.

Interest amounting to $1188 was ordered paid on the Caples road warrants. Judge Eylar called Dr. Hugh White’s attention to the fact that $1100 had been appropriated to handle the smallpox situation in the valley and that It had up to date cost the county $2600. The judge said this expense should be cut off at once, as there is now no smallpox in the valley.

County Auditor Escajeda submitted a report on expenditures during March.

Day - O'Connor Wedding Will Be Held On Dec. 29

December 8, 1952

Of wide interest is announcement of the engagement of Miss Sandra day to John Jay O’Connor III, son of Dr. and Mrs. J.J. O’Connor, San Francisco, Calif.

The betrothal is being announced by the bride-elect’s parents, Mr. And Mrs. Harry A. Day of the Lazy B Ranch near Lordsburg, N.M. The couple will be married on Dec. 20.

Miss Day attended Radford School for Girls here and was graduated from Austin High School where she was a member of National Honor Society and active in school affairs.

She has two degrees from Stanford University, having received a BA in economics in 1950 and a LLB in law in June of this year.

The bride-elect was elected to the Order of the Coif, legal honorary society, and has served as a member of the Stanford Law Review. In her senior year she was president of Union Unit and a member of Cap and Gown honorary society.

She is the granddaughter of Mrs. W.W. Wilkey of El Paso and the late Mr. Wilkey, prominent cattleman of the Southwest. Her paternal grandparents, the late Mr. And Mrs. H.C. Day, established the Lazy B Ranch in 1880.

Miss Day accompanied her family on a five-week trip to Alaska in June, after which she returned to Stanford to study for the California bar examination, which she has just taken in San Francisco.

Mr. O’Connor is the grandson of Mrs. J.J. O’Connor of San Francisco and the late Dr. O’Connor, who founded St. Francis Hospital there.

The prospective bridegroom is a graduate of Stanford University and is now studying for a law degree there which he expects to receive in June. He is affiliated with Delta Upsilon Fraternity, is a member of Phi Delta Phi, legal fraternity, and is a member of the Stanford Law Review.

The young couple will establish their home in Palo Alto until June, after which the bridegroom will enter military service.

1928: Flagpole 'sit' starts today

August 29, 1928

Champion Sitter Shins Up Hotel Hussmann Flagpole At 2 o’Clock

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The state is all set for Ben Fox, world’s champion flagpole sitter, to shin up the Hotel Hussmann flagpole this afternoon at 2 o’clock, for a “sit” of 100 hours.

Workmen yesterday completed lengthening the pole to a height of 50 feet. Fox was on hand and immediately went up the pole for a “tour of inspection.” He announced the pole in perfect condition and said that it had about four feet of sway.

Hundreds on the street below thought that this youthful daredevil was getting ready for his 100-hour perch when they saw him going up the pole, and performing a few “limbering up” exercised on top of it.

“I am certainly glad that Mr. Hussmann lengthened the pole,” Ben said. “That gives me a better view, and affords a better view for the people over the city. Too, making it 15 feet higher gives more sway, and that’s what I like. The higher the wind and the more sway to the pole helps me pass away the time.”

Fox will ascend the pole from his roof in the presence of Harry L. Hussmann, C. Frank Meyer, Mayor R.E. Thomason, J.R. Moffett, Robert Price, J.B. Blaugrund, T.G. Magg, Matt Jure and others.

Chief of Detectives Joe Stowe will also be on hand to handcuff the stunt artist to his 100-hour perch. Enough play in the chains will give him an opportunity to “crawl” all over the top of the pole and perform his stunts.

Fox announced Tuesday that he would spend the first 30 minutes on the pole entertaining the crowd below with stunts. He is in perfect condition, his wife-trainer says. She keeps tab on him herself, being a registered nurse.

Workmen were still busy at a late hour last night installing two powerful beacons, which will be trained on the “sitter” during the night. Three large amplifiers have already been installed at advantageous points of the hotel by the Radio Electric Service company. Through these Fox will talk with the people below.

How he will sleep is a question frequently asked, though on the Hussmann pole he will have little chance. With the powerful beacon lights being played on him constantly throughout the night and the gigantic 60-foot electric sign on the hotel roof, he will probably be glad to see morning come.

Arrangements have been made for those who wish to visit Fox to go to the hotel roof.

Robert Price, of Price’s dairy, has agreed to furnish the 105-pound champion all the milk he needs to drink. He has only two meals a day, subsisting mostly on milk and ice cream. Billy Regan of the new Toffee cafe, Juarez, has invited Ben to have his first “heavy” meal at his place.

“I have found that this is the only safe way,” Fox said. “when you overload your stomach on a flagpole, you are sure to get sick, and for that reason I east mostly ice cream and drink milk.”

Matt Jure, manager of the Mistletoe creameries, told Fox that he could depend on Mistletoe ice cream being sent to him daily, through the Renfro-Cordell drug store in Hotel Hussmann.

Arrangements were also completed Tuesday afternoon for Fox to “sleep off” his stunt in the Stanton street windows of the American Furniture company.

Fox says that he is going to treat El Paso to more thrills in the 100 hours he spends on the pole than they ever before witnessed. “I have many cards up my sleeve to play, and I think I’ll be safe in saying that El Pasoans are going to see things they never before thought a man had nerve enough to attempt,” he said.

If another wind like the one of Monday night blows up, El Paso will be treated to a real thrill. Fox says he relishes strong winds and hard rains.

Realizing that he would need a suitable change of outer clothing, Fox found all the necessary garments included in the Leadall line of clothing manufactured by Haymon Krupp and company.

During the day he will wear Leadall “Snugglers,” blue denim trousers with an elastic waistband, which will add to his comfort. The new Leadall shirt Fox hailed as a discovery, it having a cleverly arranged “packet” pocket. Fox is a smoker and this will prove an ideal place for cigarettes while he is performing stunts.

At night Fox will wear Leadall trousers of corduroy, or moleskin with the new aviation type weather-jacket. The latter garment is designed to provide warmth and comfort, and gives complete freedom of movement.

In discussing his wardrobe Fox said he got the idea somehow that Haymon Krupp and company made only overalls. He soon learned, however, that they make “not only a complete lien of utility clothes, but that among their garments there are several so well adapted to my purposes, that I intend carrying a supply with me when I leave El Paso.”

September 03, 1928

Upon the advice of two physicians, Ben Fox, world’s champion flag pole sitter, failed to perform his sensation headfirst rope slide from the roof of the Hussmann hotel to the street level.

Fox, who completed his 100-hour sit, came down from the pole shortly after 6 o’clock yesterday afternoon while thousands in San Jacinto plaza and the street below had gathered for his daring feat, which he had announced he would perform.

1924: Custom agents in gun battle with bootleggers

June 16, 1924

Threepersons “Captures” Band of 16; All But One Escape as Friends Open Fire

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One man is believed to have been killed and several others injured when United States customs officers and a band of probably 25 or 30 bootleggers clashed at Monument No. 1 at the end of First street early yesterday.

Three sacks of tequila and 65 gallons of alcohol were seized by the customs officers and one Mexican, who gave his name as Gabriel Jara, was arrested and placed in the city jail.

Federal officers are of the opinion that the battle was with one of the best organized bands of bootleggers operating in this district, as the bootleggers were using high-powered rifles and a machine gun with their efforts to drive off the customs officers.

Officers “Pitch Camp”

First indications of the battle were seen about midnight Saturday when Customs Officers Threepersons and Wadsworth “pitched their camp” at the end of First street to lie in wait for a cargo of liquor scheduled to be brought across the border.

Shortly after their arrival near a large tree close to the monument, Wadsworth left Threepersons to bring their automobile closer to the scene of operations. No sooner had Wadsworth left when 16 Mexicans appeared.

Threepersons forced the men to lie down on the ground and handcuffed one of them, putting the handcuffs on the man’s right wrist and left leg.

Several minutes elapsed. Then reinforcements opened fire on Threepersons from ambush. Still covering the men lying on the ground, he returned the fire until he had but three cartridges left, he reported.

Wadsworth was unable to return to the scene on account of a cross-fire.

Shoots Man With Riffle

With only three shells, Threepersons grabbed Jara, the only man arrested, and began to retreat. A man jumped in his path and pointed a pistol at him. Threepersons told the man to throw up his hands, but the man refused and fired his pistol point-blank at the officer. Threepersons fired his 30-30 caliber rifle at the man, who dropped to the ground.

Later investigation made by officers showed that the body of a man had been dragged from the scene of battle by a horse.

Threepersons made his way to the office of the union stockyards, where he telephoned for more ammunition and additional men. Police Captain L.T. Robey and Patrolman J.G. Brewster, going to the home of Customs Officer J. B. Womack, took Womack and an additional supply of ammunition to Threepersons.

Other customs officers were called out but by this time the entire band of bootleggers had disappeared, taking their dead and wounded with them.

The gun battle lasted for over an hour and was heard in practically every part of the city, as police headquarters was besieged with calls inquiring about the shooting.

First Veteran To Be Buried In Cemetery

March 6, 1940

Body of James F. Featherstone, 63, Sioux City, Ia., veteran of three wars who died in an El Paso hospital Tuesday, will be the first to be buried in the recently-opened Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

Mr. Featherstone was a veteran of the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, and the first World War. He had been an El Paso resident for three months.

Mr. Featherstone is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Crady, Palo Alto, Cal., Mrs. May Pendleton, Sioux City, Ia., and Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins, Guthrie, Okla., and three brothers, John Featherstone, Kansas City, Mo., W.R. Featherstone, Los Angels, Cal., and Andrew Featherstone, San Antonio, Texas.

Funeral services will be held in the Kaster and Maxon Chapel at 2 p.m. Wednesday with Chaplain A.H. Parker officiating.

Members of Hamilton Fish Camp No. 2, United Spanish War Veterans, American Legion Post No. 36, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars will serve as escort from the mortuary to the cemetery.