Tales from the Morgue

DUDLEY BEATS K.K.K. BY 2,120

Feb 25, 1923

Poe Defeats Crawford; Jackson, Ramsey and Tracy High Men; Wyatt Swamps McSain; Berkshire Leads Kroeckel and Pollock

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Several  Run-Offs Impend as Result of Independent Candidates in Race; Only Contest Where Klan-Indorsed Candidate Gets High Vote Is Corporation Judge where Kroeckel and Berkshire Will Figure in Run Off.

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By BOB CHAMPMAN

El Paso is not a Ku Klux Klan town. This was the word sent out by El Pasoans yesterday to the country after an election which resulted in a decisive victory for the opponents of the hooded organization.

R.M. Dudley won by 2,120 votes. He got 7,572 and P.E. Gardner got 5,452. There were 13,024 ballots cast according to unofficial but complete returns.

The voting yesterday was for or against the klan. This was the only issue involved. The result showed El Paso was whole-heartedly against such a secret organization.

State Senator R.M. Dudley, candidate for mayor, led his anti—klan ticket in the assault which resulted in a complete routing of the forces sailing under the banner of the Cyclops. P.E. Gardner, the klan-indorsed standard bearer, was subjected to beating at the hands of the senator which he probably will never forget. Mr. Gardner was willing and did concede his defeat as early as 8:30 o’clock last night. Reports coming in from the various voting precincts over the city early convinced the klansmen and their adherents that the fight was lost.

The importation in this respect was carried on in the hope that the foreign klansmen, in addition to rendering their local brothers some aid, would be on hand to rejoice with them in having captured El Paso, which was intended to be a stepping stone to the county offices.

The counting of the ballots had not been in progress many hours when Mr. Gardner was perfectly willing to retire.

Mr. Gardner only carried his home precinct, No. 18, by 50 votes. Senator Dudley carried his home town precinct by 143.

With the exception of W.K. Ramsey, one of the Dudley aldermanic candidates, who will have to run the race off with J.E. Ross, the klan indorsed candidate, unless a contrary agreement is reached. Senator Dudley and chairman and members of the executive committee, received the nomination for the respective offices for which they were candidates by overwhelming majorities. Alderman W.T. Griffith, candidate for re-election ran third, in the race for place No. 1.

Wyatt Beats McSain

One of the outstanding features of the election was the winning of John M. Wyatt over W.P.B. McSain. The latter was indorsed by the klan. Mr. Wyatt had repudiated the organization. Mr. Wyatt’s total was greater than that of any winning candidate. Mr. Wyatt carried nearly every precinct, while Mr. McSain came out of the fight with only a scattered few.

Mr. Wyatt received 7,962 votes and Mr. McSain 4,889.

J. Mack Crawford, klan candidate for alderman, filed to carry his home precinct, No. 29. He lost it by 57.

When Mr. Wyatt came into the council chamber, where the returns were being reported, he was loudly cheered. Friends on every side rushed forward to shake his hand and congratulate him. He was carried to the platform and called for a speech.

“My friends,” said Mr. Wyatt, “I am deeply grateful to you. If I tried to say another word I would cry.”

A.T. Wilke, klan indorsed candidate for the city treasurer’s job, was an easy opponent for Dave Sullivan, who was running for re-election.

A.B. Poe, Dudley alderman candidate, administered a severe drubbing to J. Mack Crawford, klan indorsed candidate for place No. 2. When the race first started klansmen predicted that Mr. Crawford would lead his ticket.

The voting was one of the closest in the history of the city. It was also one election that was minus applications for writs of mandamus.

One of the several features of the voting consisted in the fact that Mack Crawford and Poe had in two precincts. This was in 19, where each got 114, and in 21, where both got 129.

Senator Dudley and Gardner divided honors in the latter precinct, each getting 113 votes each.

No. 3 First Box In

No. 3 was the first box delivered t the city hall. This came in at 7:15. It was followed at 7:25 by box 5. Before 8 o’clock six boxes were in.

Roy M. Walker, H.M. Morris and Wilke were the only defeated candidates who came in to see the returns come in. They arrived at a late hour

H. Leavell was given a majority over E.F. Cameron, klan indorsed candidate for chairman of the city Democratic executive committee. The other Dudley members of the committees, Dr. H.P. Deady, Harvey Wilcox, Joseph A. Wright and Frank T. Strother were also ejected.

Every member of the present city executive committee, including Judge L.A. Dale, E.C. Bray, Maj. Richard Burges and William Regan were on hand to receive the returns. The committee will meet Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock to make an official canvass. The report will then be delivered to the city council.

Precinct 25 which had a voting strength of 336, polled 353. Kroeckel and Berkshire got the same number of votes in the precinct, each receiving 128.

Mrs. S.S. Baker, secretary of the Dudley campaign, was all appreciation last night when victory was complete.

“The splendid co-operation and the untiring energy of the 60 women workers for the Dudley ticket was remarkable and was an extremely important factor in the winning of the campaign,” said Mrs. Baker. “Too much praise cannot be bestowed on these women who worked so tirelessly in the interest of the ticket.” Mrs. Baker has taken an active part in the last eight campaigns.

Gardner Not Through

P.E. Gardner, defeated Ku Klux Klan candidate for mayor, left his headquarters last night about 11 o’clock and went home.

“I was fighting for a good cause, which is never lost. We have not started to fight yet,” he said.

R.E. Ross, candidate on the Gardner ticket for alderman, said last night that he thanked his friends for their support and in case of a run-off he still wanted his loyal friends to support him.

A.T. Wilke, candidate for city treasurer on the Garner ticket, said that he lost the race with a smile and thanked his friends for their support. “I lost a clean race against a hard man to bet.”

Berkshire Reticent

W.K. Ramsey said: “I thank my many friends for their loyal support and in case of a run-off, I want their support, in order that I may co-operate with Mayor Dudley in making this a greater El Paso.”

John M. Wyatt, candidate for city assessor and collector: “I certainly thank my friends for their loyal support and will do all in my power to co-operate with Mayor Dudley in making a greater El Paso.”

Stewart Berkshire, candidate for corporation court judge, and Charles Kroeckel, his rival, declined comment with the race in the balance.

At Gardner headquarters, C.L. Sirmans and John Woods kept close check on all election returns and assisted in announcing the returns from the various precincts

“Ring Against Us”

On a large tabulation sheet were placed the numbers of the various candidates. At the top of the sheet were several notations, reflective to the Gardner ticket. Two of the notations were as follows: “Opposed by all newspapers in the city” and “Opposed by the court house and city hall ring.”

George B. Oliver and R.H. Olive were seated at the same table with Mr. Sirmans and Mr. Woods. When questioned as to his opinion as to the election, George Oliver said, “I have nothing to say for the Times.”

Few Weak Cheers

The spirits of the small crowd of supporters at Gardner headquarters deemed to blend with the cloudy and rainy evening outside. When the returns were read a few Gardnerites made a brave attempt to give a few cheers, but their effort was drowned by the loud talk f a number of women, who loudly proclaimed, “They stole it, we know that the did; why don’t someone protest?” When returns were announced that Stewart Berkshire, Ku Klux Klan candidate for judge of the corporation court, was in the lead, cheering was renewed with better effect.

Various groups gathered off in the corners of the room and discussed at length the various happenings of the day, some accounting for the defeat by bewailing the fact that their voters had not come out, while others insisted that something “was pulled.”

One man celebrating the Dudley victory broke up an informal meeting of the Gardner women supporters, at Texas and Stanton streets, when he drove up in his automobile and suggested that they sing “Rescue the Perishing” instead of “Onward, Christian Soldiers.”

Pollock Unconcerned

W.P.B. McSain, Ku Klux Klan candidate for e-election as city assessor and tax collector, was nowhere to be found last night, and according to a number of his friend had gone to his home early in the evening and would not answer the telephone.

Judge Charles Pollock, candidate for re-election as judge of the corporation court, was also missing last night and according to his friends and supporters “could not be bothered about the election returns.”

H.P. Jackson, Dudley aldermanic candidate, has clinched his nomination by gaining a majority vote over both his opponents, Robert Lander, Gardner candidate, and John H. Harper, Independent. Mr. Jackson’s vote is 6,536 and Mr. Harper 835.

Runoffs will be necessary in places three and four. W.K. Ramsey and Milton C. Tracy, respective Gardner candidates, failing to get a majority vote.

In place three Alderman WT. Griffith, up for renomination, received 2,858 votes, and R.E, Ross, klan candidate, received 4,065. Mr. Ramsey is high man with 5,683.

In place four Mr. Tracy received 5,880, his nearest opponent, Roy M. Walker, klan candidate, receiving 5,045. Frank H. Balt, independent, received 1,479 votes. All three candidates in place four are union men and this race was dubbed the union labor “sweep-stakes.”

In the race for corporation judge W. Berkshire received 5,019, Charles A. Kroeckel 4,201 and Judge Charles Pollock 3,389. A runoff will be necessary between Mr. Berkshire and Mr. Kroeckel.

The Waxahachie boys failed to “put it over.” Several of the 50 east Texas klansmen, representing the “flying squadron” sent here to assist the local klan in winning the election, were recognized by an El Paso woman who formerly lived at Waxahachie. She spoke to some of them in front of Gardner headquarters.

Mayor, other characters, preen for silver-screen stardom

July 1, 1980

Mayor Tom Westfall said Monday he is ready for the glitter and fame of movie stardom.

Westfall will make his acting debut this summer with jack Nicholson and Valerie Perrine in a locally filmed movie titles “The Border”

Alderman Polly Harris, a movie veteran (she played a waitress in the El Paso-filmed “Hamster of Happiness,” an unreleased feature), also will be in the movie.

It’s a small part, the mayor said, but it could be the budding of a third career. Before entering the limelight of politics, Westfall was an FBI agent, a profession that, if Efrem Zimbalist Jr. is to be believed, is fraught with the human drama of cinema magic.

The mayor’s show biz break comes in a film with a storyline that has strong El Paso ties. The plot follows a Los Angeles couple who move to this area to escape the smog. The husband (Nicholson) becomes a border patrolman, befriending and falling in love with a young woman fleeing devastation of a Guatemalan earthquake.

Westfall, Mrs. Harris and other community leaders, including a bank president, will test their thespian talents in what the film people describe as an “upper-class summer party” scene.

Casting director Rick Barr asked for people who can play local “big wigs.” El Paso’s hostess for film crews, Norma Mayo, called community leaders she knew and arranged a get-together Thursday night at the Chamber of Commerce.

Barr attended the party and decided the persons there fit the bill.

When the party scene is filmed in mid-July at an Upper Valley ranch, all participants are to bring two different colored outfits.

Mrs. Harris, determined to be just what the director ordered, said she still has to do some checking to find out if long or short gowns are in order.

Although advance personnel from “The Boarder” joked that they hoped there will be some nudity in the movie, the party scene as described at the chamber gathering contained no hint of drugs or sex that might be embarrassing to the mayor, an anti-pornography crusader.

The mayor said he is taking the career plunge because “we need to encourage motion pictures to come her and shoot films.”

In a bid to attract tinsel-town dollars, local leaders plan to apply for a federal grant to build and Old El Paso movie set on the east side of the Franklin Mountains, perhaps in the Wilderness Park Area.

There also is some talk about construction of a Tarzan village in El Paso, said Dale Lockett of the El Paso Film Liaison Office of the Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Lockett said he told an interested film company there is plenty of land available in El Paso for a jungle set. But, Lockett said, he hasn’t heard from the producers since he sent them a letter describing the desert.

Members of “The Border” film crew have been in town about three weeks preparing for shooting. About 3,000 persons have been interviewed for walk-on parts. Casting is closed but may be reopened later, Barr said.

Barr said he can’t be swayed by singing telegrams, roses or bottles of champagne, all of which he has received already from one local aspirant.

The film people made a big hit with county commissioners Monday when they tentatively promised the county a credit line in return for use of Lower Valley roads.

“The Border” promoters did not mention to commissioners that the mayor and Mrs. Harris will have faces, not just a credit line in the movie.

Lower valley commissioner Rogelio Sanchez said later he did not care that Westfall had a shot at stardom and Sanchez didn’t. Apparently not everyone has gone Hollywood.

REQUIRED TO CLOSE AT 6

July 18, 1904

ORDINANCE MAY BE PASSED BY COUNCIL

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Movement is Started by Pawn Brokers, Who Say that if This is Done Thieves Cannot Then So Easily Dispose of Their Booty.

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At the next session of the city council several local pawn brokers will cause to be submitted an ordinance requiring all pawn shops and places that do a pawn brokerage business or buy second hand articles from unknown persons to close their places of business at 6 o’clock p.m. every day.

The brokers who are behind the movement say that stolen goods are generally pawned or sold after dark and the work of the thieves in getting rid of their booty can be made much more risky if they are forced to do their business in the day time.

“The readiness with which some of the second hand dealers buy stolen goods,” said a broker yesterday, “encourages the thieves as it offers them a ready market. I do not know but what it would be a good and fair law if the city council would enact an ordinance requiring sellers of second hand goods to be identified before they can make a sale, and compel dealers to keep a book in which they shall record all their purchasers, together with the name of the person from whom they purchase, and this book kept open to the inspection of the officers at all times.

“I believe that a law of this kind strictly enforced, would result in curbing petty larceny to a considerable extent.”

GRAND JURY WILL HEAR ICE COMPLAINTS

May 21, 1912

DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO PRESENT WITNESS

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One Consumer Shows that Price for Home Use Has Increased Fifty-one Percent

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“I have a number of witness, all of whom will appear before the grand jury Tuesday morning and testify in the matter of the alleged combination to raise the price of ice,” said District Attorney Joseph Nealon yesterday. “I have received relatively few complaints, but all that come to my notice are being investigated. The grand jury will be given all the information that I have in the matter.”

Small consumers of ice are highly indignant at the increased prices charged them. “I have paid $1.15 for coupon books representing 320 pounds of ice for a long time,” said Mrs. J. A. Potter, of 1515 Boulevard, yesterday. “I ordered a new book this morning and was forced to pay $1.75 for it. I called up the ice company, the Consumer’s Ice & Cold Storage company, and was told that the cost of the manufacture of ice had gone up and that that was the reason for the raise. I told them that I considered the raise out of all reason and I receipted for the coupon book under protest. I feel sure that the raise is working great hardship on poor people who must watch to keep down every expense, if they are to live within their means.”

Wrestler Loses Bout with Two Patrol Agents

August 27, 1976

Artemio Chavez Gonzalez is relatively a short man. About 5 feet 5. But what he lacks in height he carries it in his well-muscled 175-pound body.

Chavez is a professional wrestler. In his profession, he claims to have pinned the best.

But the other night, he encountered a formidable foe – not in the ring, but on the Station Street Bridge. U.S. Border Patrol agents Rafael Alarcon and Dale Barry caught him crossing illegally to the American side through the south-bound-only bridge.

Using all his ring tactics, Chavez wasn’t able to compete with the agents’ self-defense training. He gave Alarcon one or two hits, but the officers pinned him down before he was able to escape.

“I didn’t wanna hurt them,” Chavez whispered to Border Patrol Agent Val Herrera, who was taking him to the U.S. Magistrate Court for arraignment.

Chavez pleaded guilty to illegal entry.

Magistrate Jamie Boyd sentenced the defendant to 179 days in La Tuna Correctional institute where he can improve his wrestling.

Around Town

April 29, 1893

I have them; you want them; latest improved gasoline stoves. R.W. Symons.

The Franklin club has had a new oak floor laid in its gymnasium room.

The Southern Pacific and Santa Fe passenger trains did not get in until late last night.

The wheat crop in northern Chihuahua, and particularly along the Carmen river, has been very heavy the past season.

Alberto Cabral, the young Mexican who fired a pistol ball through his left lung Tuesday morning was removed to Juarez yesterday.

Mirth, music and song will constitute the treat offered the patrons of the Ladles Hospital fund at the opera house next Tuesday evening.

There are eighteen federal prisoners in our county jail awaiting trial and the United States court has been adjourned until the October term.

A rise in the river of fourteen inches passed Rincon yesterday morning, and another rise of two inches passed the same point in the afternoon.

The police are now hunting up every person in the city having an unlicensed dog, for the purpose of prosecuting them – the persons, not the dogs.

The McGinty club is now issuing very elaborate and expressive traveling cards to such members as desire to take in the outside world during the spring and summer months.

The concert to be given Tuesday night for the benefit of the Ladies’ hospital promises to be one of the most enjoyable of all the high class entertainments of the season.

The new band organized to give concerts in the city park two or three evenings each weak during the coming season will give its first musical treat in the park next Wednesday evening.

Mrs. T. J. Beall, assisted by her daughters, yesterday entertained a score or more of ladies at High Five. The prizes were both unique and handsome and were won by Mrs. Cherry and Mrs. Morehouse and by Mrs. Loomis and Miss Hixson.

Rafael Romero, who some time since fired a Winchester rifle ball into the side of his wife, pleaded guilty yesterday of assault with intent to murder and was sentenced to two years in the penitentiary.

Jim Burns appeared before U.S. Commissioner McKie yesterday, waived examination on the charge of violating the revenue laws, and was bound over to the U.S. grand jury in the sum of $300.

W.J. Glenn, the well known civil engineer and local capitalist, will next week begin the erection of a brick tenement building 34 feet deep and fronting 78 feet on the west side of Utah street, between Third and Fourth, divided into twelve compartments.

Gus Herman, a large sized African, came up El Paso street yesterday afternoon pretty drunk, and just as he turned into East Overland he gave a roar like a fog horn. In an instant Officer Ross was at his side, and last night Gus was lodged at the expense of the city.

Lieutenant Col. Hunter, assisted by Past Captain Capell, installed the following officers of Canton del Paso No. 4, Patriarchs Militant, I.O.O.F. last night: J.R. Montfort, Captain; John M. Hammer, Lieutenant; William H. Fett, Ensign; J.C. Burge, Clerk, and W.E. Sharp, Accountant.

That accomplished railroader and gentleman, T.H. Sears, who succeeded H.U. Mudge as superintendent of the Rio Grande division of the Santa Fe, has been promoted and goes to Denver, much to the regret of railroad men and the public. He will probably be succeeded here by T.J. Easley.

The Southern Pacific is laying the twelve miles of track up the hill from Rodgers to Strauss with new 90 pounds steel rails, preparatory to putting on fast trains. Later on the grade will be changes.

A valve was left open or a water pipe burst in rear of the El Paso Steam printing house last night and flooded half a block up to Overland street and out to Utah street, running several Mexican families out of their jacals along the acequia.

The firemen’s ball at Forestville hose house last evening was a grand success, the attendance being unexpectedly large, the music good, and everybody enjoyed themselves hugely.

Lew Gasser, the young pugilist, made an exhibition of himself at the firemen’s ball last night. His conduct in the presence of ladies was so outrageous that the mangers ejected him from the building; soon after which he returned with a big six shooter to “get revenge,” when Officer Saunders disarmed and arrested him.

Forty Hoosiers, County Judge Hunter, Acting Mayor Badger and members of the city council and board of trade will be at the Santa Fe depot at 1:30 this afternoon to greet Minister Gray.

Farah clothing pioneer dies

In response to JoshLegs question on the Future looks bright for Farah at fifty post

March 10, 1998

Daniel Perez
El Paso Times

William Frank "Willie" Farah, a man who used his natural mechanical aptitude and tenacity to help create an El Paso-based international clothing manufacturing company, died Monday after a lengthy illness.

Farah, 78, had been in failing health for the last four years, said his son, Jim Farah.

"He was peaceful at the end," he said.

The younger Farah remembered his father as a man of passion, whether it was flying his airplanes, working at his company or trying to improve his city.

"He loved to work," Jim Farah said.

"He grew up during the Depression and felt grateful to have a job."

Former employee Lupe Session remembered her former boss as a disciplinarian with a heart of gold.

She told a story of an employee whose wife needed to go to Houston for cancer treatment. She said Farah paid his fare and the expenses.

"He taught us that we were family," she said.

Former El Paso Mayor Jonathan Rogers laughed a few times as he recalled some land deals and golfing matches he went to with his longtime friend.

"He remembered him as a man of humor, but also marveled at his natural talents.

"Willie was a mechanical genius.

"Most of the equipment that he used either he invented or modified. He was proudest of his machine shop," he said. "He'll be missed."

William Farah, with his brother, James, built the company to be a leader in men's clothing. He retired in 1989. His brother died in 1964.

As was involved in numerous civic activities.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Betty Jean Corcoran Farah; four children, Jim, Kenneth, Robert and Haleen; and 10 grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Pro-Cathedral Church of St. Clement, 810 N. Campbell.

The burial will be at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the William F. Farah Memorial Fund for his favorite charities, in care of Bank of the West.

Bees, Chameleons, Turtles and Fish Sent by U.S. Mail

October 24, 1922

By CHESTER CHOPE

The busy life of postal workers now and then is made brighter by unusual incidents and strange orders. Here are some of the side-lights, picked up at random in the postoffice yesterday afternoon:

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REGULAR “MENAGERIE” MAY BE SENT THROUGH MAIL

Honey bees in quantities may be sent through the mail, if they can be delivered to destination within five days, under a new postal ruling received by Postmaster J.J. Ormsbee. Heretofore only queen bees could be shipped in this manner.

Bees are packed in small wooden boxes, with double wire netting over one side and a stick of candy fastened in one end for food.

Such parcels frequently pass through El Paso enroute to Mexico.

Other live animals which may be shipped through mail under the new ruling are goldfish, when packed in moss; baby terrapin, blood worms, chameleons and shellfish.

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MRS. ROOSEVELT’S LETTERS DELIVERED WITHOUT COST

All mail sent by Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt under her autograph signature, “Edith K. Roosevelt,” is conveyed free of postage in the United Sates and possessions, says an official notice form Washington. The postmaster general calls attention that some of Mrs. Roosevelt’s letters recently have been held for postage.

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SPANISH BUNCO LETTERS PRINTED IN JOB LOTS

Postmaster J.J. Ormsbee has discovered that Spanish confidence men who mail out the ancient prison letters through which unsuspecting Americans now and then are induced to part with money have improve their system. They now are mailing lithographed letters, which are so cleverly printed that they resemble hand-written missives even under close scrutiny. He postmaster discovered that the letters are being printed in job lots when a second letter was sent to him by a recipient with a week.

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BOTTLE OF BEER IS SENT WITH TOMATOES

A case of tomatoes. A bottle of beer. A damaged crate. And the bottle rolled out in the postoffice. Postoffice inspectors are on the rail of the shipper, they said.

1st coed at college honored

I am including a link to a photo gallery of UTEP homecoming parade photos. There are lots of unidentified photos in the gallery. If you recognize the photos please let me know.

UTEP Homecoming photo gallery

October 23, 1983

59 men, 1 woman in 1916

By Rick Cantu
Times staff writer

Ruth Brown McCluney recalls being surrounded by young men when she entered the State School of Mines in 1916.

After all, she was the first woman – ever – to register at the school, now called the University of Texas El Paso.

McCluney, now 83, was invited by UTEP President Haskell Monroe to join homecoming ceremonies this weekend. She was the guest of honor at a banquet honoring the university’s golden graduates Saturday at the Student Union.

When speaking of her years at the mining school, McCluney said most people have one question on their minds: What was it like going to school with 59 men?

“I never really thought about it in that fashion,” she said. “I had known a lot of the boys from high school for from Asbury Methodist Church, so it wasn’t as if I was a stranger.”

Later, she said with a laugh, “Nothing ever happened with those boys because they were busy getting their mining degrees.”

Another girl, Grace Odell, enrolled at the school with McCluney but she left after one semester and no information could be found on her whereabouts.

McCluney said she transferred to the University of Kansas in 1920 to earn her chemistry degree.

McCluney, 16 at the time, entered the mining school because she was too young to leave El Paso. Her father had read in the local newspaper that the school was allowing women to enroll for the first time.

“My father wanted me to stay in town and I guess I wanted to stay here, too,” she said. “I understood that there were two years of instruction available to me in my field and that I would leave after that.”

She said expansion of the school over the past 67 years has been “amazing.” She recalled there were only four buildings when she attended the school.

“The thing that amazes me now is how today’s students need to use their cars to drive one block from the dorms to get to their classrooms,” she said.

McCluney, who has lived in Fort Wroth the past 42 years, taught high school chemistry after she graduated from Kansas. She and her husband, Eugene, soon will celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary.

Eugene was unable to attend the banquet because of an illness. But McCluney’s sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Jack Carnes, sat with her at the guest-of-honor table.

About 70 people attended the banquet, including 17 graduates of the class of 1933.

Mr. White House

10/8/1979 Don Enrique Acevedo, Known as "Mr White House" White House Department store employee for 50 years. Founder of the Juarez Lion's Club in 1947 member of the el Paso City Civil Service Commission in the late '60s. Father of Josefina Salas-Porras, Maria-Elena Flood and Jorge Acevedo.

October 8, 1979

Man’s sincerity wins him friends

By Ramon Villalobos
El Paso Times

An office pamphlet distributed to White House Department Store employees Jan. 18, 1969, caries eloquent biographical data of a man known to hundreds of El Pasoans and friends in Mexico as “Mr. White House.”

It tells of a lifetime of devoted duty by a man who acquired thousands of friends and his sincerity and honesty and the desire to do a job well.

It is the history of Don Enrique Acevedo, who 66 years ago was hired as a $5 a week assistant delivery boy driving a horse-drawn wagon through the streets of El Paso, then a dusty but growing town.

In describing the wagon, Don Enrique, who was 15 at the time, remembers it was the most elegant delivery wagon in the city.

“It had rubber tires for a smooth ride, but no windshields to protect me from the wind, dust and rain,” he recalled.

The wagon, he said, was pulled by a magnificent dark horse the store rented from a South Santa Fe street stable.

Sitting in the family-picture filled living room of his home at 2522 Grant Ave., he recalled his delivery boy job was short. He quickly was promoted to stockboy, then wrapper.

His personal files showed Don Enrique rose fast in his job. He moved from the wrapper room to receiving clerk in the store stockroom, and later was promoted to assistant deliver manager.

By 1925, he was manager of the department and, before he was 30, he moved to assistant floor manager and buyer.

His first buying tip to the retail outlets in New York City was in 1927. He made trips to New York twice a year until 1950, when he became manager of the store’s first floor, a position from which he greeted customers for 17 years.

His duties included meting the Mexican train bringing persons from Mexico’s interior to the border.

Don Enrique recalled the train was the only mode of travel in Mexico.

For 10 years, meeting people at the train depot was his main job. During that time he made friends with high-ranking Mexican government dignitaries who became his permanent customers.

Don Enrique’s family came to El Paso during the Mexican Revolution. He considers the most important event in El Paso-Juarez history to be the 1909 meeting of President Porfirio Diaz and U.S. President Howard Taft. He witnessed the meeting as a school boy in Juarez.

He also recalls the Madero revolution that started on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande across from old Smeltertown.

Now at 82 and in “semi-retirement,” Don Enrique can be found at the Bassett center store every day greeting his customers in what his friends described “his elegant aristocratic personality.”

He took a shot at local politics when he was named a member of the Civil Service Commission by former mayor Judson Williams.

His wife, the former Josefina Nations, died several years ago. She was prominent in social and civic work in the city and was an active member of the Pan American Round Table.

The couple had three children, Josefina Salas-Porras, widely known in social and civic circles, Maria Elena Flood and Jorge Enrique Acevedo of Los Angeles

Completed 50 Years Service With White House Store