Jodie P. Harris: Postcards
from the Border
W HITE C RANE
A CUPUNCTURE
C LINIC
Acupuncture
•
Herbs
•
Bodywork
st. Jonah
Orthodox Church
◊
Shanna Cowell, L.Ac.
505 E Sul Ross • Alpine
432.837.3225
Mon. - Fri. by appointment
Come, See & Hear the Services
of Early Christianity
Sunday 10 am • Wednesday 6:30 pm
405 E. Gallego Avenue • Alpine, TX 79830
bigbendorthodox.org • 832-969-1719
A
THE POLITICAL SITUATION
(images A and B)
Harris makes it clear that he thought the situation on
the border was greatly exaggerated, especially as far
as any danger from Mexico was concerned.
Needleworks, Etc.
B
Ladies Fine Clothing
Peggy Walker, Owner
Flax S Brighton S Tribal S Double D
And other speciality brands
121 West Holland • Alpine • 432/837-3085
120 South Cedar • Pecos • 432/445-9313
M-F 10 am ‘til 6 pm • Sat. 10 am ‘til 4 pm
W4))1.5
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14
By Matt Walter
T
he Mexican Revolution began in 1910, when
most of the nation rose up in protest against
the four-decade-long dictatorial rule of
Porfirio Diaz. Various military and political leaders
emerged across the nation: Francisco Madero,
Pascual Orozco, Victoriano Huerta, Venustiano
Carranza, Emiliano Zapata and – along the
Texas/Mexico border – Francisco “Pancho” Villa.
The civil war which marked the next decade of
Mexican history was a very complicated one, involv-
ing shifting alliances, populist and agrarian move-
ments, assassinations and much sociopolitical
upheaval. Both Mexican refugees and Americans liv-
ing on the Mexican side of the border with Texas
sought refuge in the United States, with many fleeing
to the railhead at Marfa. Outlaws and bandits on
both sides of the border took advantage of the
chaotic situation to raid stores, steal cattle and settle
blood feuds.
On the U.S. side of the border, a handful of sher-
iffs, Texas Rangers and customs inspectors did their
best to maintain order and to protect the towns and
ranches of the Big Bend area. They were assisted by
the few troops assigned to the region, mainly a force
of less than 50 men garrisoned at Marathon and a
soldier or two assigned to each post office.
One of the most significant battles of the
Mexican Revolution took place in early 1914 in the
Big Bend. During the evening of Jan. 10 and the
early morning hours of Jan. 11, 1914, Pancho Villa
Cenizo
Third Quarter 2012
used the cover of darkness to attack and rout the fed-
eral forces in Ojinaga, just across the border from the
U.S. town of Presidio. Villa’s victory at the Battle of
Ojinaga consolidated his control of a major portion
of northern Mexico and made him one of the lead-
ing contenders for the office of the presidency of the
republic.
Villa became famous on both sides of the border
and even met with Gen. John Pershing, the com-
mander of the U.S. forces stationed along the border.
The new American president, Woodrow Wilson,
also viewed Pancho Villa in a very positive light,
especially since Villa was the only revolutionary
leader in Mexico who had not condemned the
American takeover of the city of Veracruz in April
of 1914.
This was the situation in April of 1915, when
Pancho Villa was defeated at the Battle of Celaya by
Gen. Obregon, who was leading the forces of
Venustiano Carranza. President Wilson, in a surprise
move, withdrew his earlier support for Villa and
instead threw his support behind Carranza, officially
recognizing him as the president of Mexico in
October of that year.
In November of 1915, Wilson even allowed
Carranza to place his forces on U.S. trains and trav-
el through the United States in order to attack
Pancho Villa at the town of Aqua Prieta, across the
border from Douglas, Ariz. Feeling betrayed, Villa
attacked Columbus, N.M., on the 9th of March,