photo essay
by June RedfordVan Cleef
The Last Supper on Velvet
James Barrow’s Dining Room
Presidio County, Texas
My lifelong friend Tida Neill, who
was then 82 years old, and I traveled to
the place on the Rio Grande River
16
Cenizo
The Last Supper on Velvet, Presidio County,Texas
where the village of Porvenir was once
located. Early in the 20th century there
were massacres here, and all the resi-
dents were either killed or fled. This
spot on the Rio Grande River was still
a troubled area as a crossing for drug
traffic. Although neither I nor Tida
Third Quarter 2009
spoke of it, we both felt a strong uneasi-
ness. With Tida’s help I had gained
permission to photograph on the goat
ranch of James Barrow (a distant
cousin of Clyde Barrow). James did not
want to be photographed so I centered
my attention on his living space. I felt
such excitement as I looked about the
neat, clean rooms that he and his wife
occupied. I believe the photograph I
made that day tells of a special and
unique place and culture more than
words could ever express.