Episode 12: The Mercy of the Mesa: Francita Alavez, The Angel of Goliad
Welcome back to the El Mesteño podcast! Host David Flores and editor/publisher Homero Vera dig deep into a true South Texas story of courage and compassion during the heat of the Texas Revolution.
This week, we uncover the incredible life of Francita Alavez, known to history as "The Angel of Goliad," an unsung heroine who showed humanity when the world was at war.
In 1836, Francita arrived in Texas, accompanying Captain Telésforo Alavez. Her first recorded act of mercy occurred at Copano Bay when she convinced Mexican soldiers to loosen the cords binding captured Texian volunteers.
The real test came at Presidio La Bahía. While the tragedy of the Goliad Massacre unfolded, Francisca was a light in the darkness, providing prisoners with food and water. She is credited with saving over 20 men and boys from execution by hiding them or helping them escape the firing squads.
The mystery of her identity—from Francita Alavez to Francisca Alvarez—is solved years later on the King Ranch. Homero Vera shares the story of how Doña Panchita's secret life was uncovered in 1936 through the memoirs of Elena Zamora O’Shea, revealing a heroine who is now said to be buried in an unmarked grave on the ranch.
Tune in for this powerful reminder that our heritage is built on compasión, not just generals.

Venture into the gritty, dangerous, and often misunderstood era of Los Tequileros on El Mesteño*Podcast Episode 11. Host David Flores and *El Mesteño* Magazine Publisher Homero Vera explore how ordinary South Texas ranch *vaqueros* became alcohol smugglers in response to the 1920 Volstead Act (Prohibition).

Discover the geography of the dangerous tequila trails that snaked from the Rio Grande (between Zapata and Los Ebanos) toward the hub in San Diego, Texas. They also discuss the lethal conflict between the tequileros and law enforcement like the Texas Rangers, and how corridos such as "Los de Parás" and "Los Tequileros" preserved the tragic stories of this period in Mexican-American history.

Books:

Border Contraband By George T. Díaz https://a.co/d/0jf3Qbfo

Rain of Gold by Victor Villaseñor https://a.co/d/0fCNFdqX

Music:

Rumbo Al' Anaqua, Rosa Canales Perez & Joe Perez https://www.youtube.com/@rumboalanacua09

Welcome to El Mesteño as host David Flores and editor Homero Vera dive deep into the life of Don Pedrito Jaramillo, "The Healer of Los Olmos". Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, around 1830, this legendary curandero or faith healer settled near Los Olmos Creek in Texas in 1881. He was regarded as a saintly figure by thousands who believed God gave him the don (power) to heal the sick.
The episode explores oral histories detailing his humble life in a jacal and his famously "odd" remedies, like curing a mentally ill ranch hand with sleeves sewn onto a vest or stopping a baby's crying with water from a mud puddle. You'll also learn about his complex relationship with the Catholic Church, including his significant $1,500.00 donation for "La Campana" (The Bell) of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Falfurrias. Discover why, over a century later, his influence is still felt, and his Shrine and Texas Historical Marker are visited in Los Olmos, Brooks County.