Odessa At the blessed and tender age of 101, Juan Bonilla Flores passed from this life. He was born June 25, 1905.
He was the last survivor of the Porvenir Massacre who died at his home in Odessa, Texas, on Sunday, March 25, 2007.
Juan was the son of Juanita and Longino Flores.
He had an older sister, Benita Flores Mesa and an older brother,
Narcisco Flores.
Growing up on the banks of the Rio Grande, Juan
always believed he belonged as much in Texas as he did in Mexico. He
would herd the family stocks, such as goats, etc., in Presidio County
and in Chihuahua where there was more grass in the dry seasons. In 1913,
Manuel Morales, the owner of the Porvenir Ranch, offered his father,
Longino Flores a job to administrate the extension irrigation ditch of
the Rio Grande to the Porvenir Ranch. After the widening of the
irrigation ditch, Mr. Longino decided to stay as a sharecropper and also
to build a home in Porvenir, Texas. On the ranch the Mexican-Americans
dreamed to plant cotton and to build a cotton gin, instead, their dream
came to an end on January 14, 1918, in Porevnir when 15 farmer men were
taken out of their homes at 2:00 a.m. and completely slaughtered to
their deaths. Juan Flores has not shared this tragic story until the
year of 2000, due to his family discovering documentation of the
Porvenir Massacre. Juan had kept this tragic story to himself for such a
long time and decided to share this unforgettable, yet sad, incident.
At the age of 95, Juan decided to show his family the exact location of
the Porvenir Massacre and the buried fifteen men. Due to his age, Juan
was not able to climb the hill that marks the location of buried fifteen
men, where he once stood upon a freeze in January 1918. On that day and
on that hill, he remembered weeping as he saw his beloved father,
Longino Flores, being buried with the other fourteen men. Even through
such an experience, Juan loved to tell wonderful and exiting stories of
his childhood day at the Big Bend.
In 1919, while living in Ruidosa, Texas, word got
around that General John Pershing and his soldiers were in Mexico and
heading toward Ruidosa. The towns people were excited of seeing this
well talked about General, as the General crossed the Rio Grande with
his men, he did not go around shaking hands like he was known to do. He
only made a short speech saying that he would give five United States
dollars for every mule that was returned to him and that they may keep
whatever was on the mules, such as gun, ammunition, etc. Later on, one
of his soldiers said the General was in a hurry to get to Marfa, and
send a telegram to headquarters.
Juan is survived by his sons, Longino Flores of
Odessa and Juan Flores Jr. of Midland; daughters, Paula Flores Smith of
Arlington, Erlinda Flores Burgess of Roanoke, Alabama, Benita Flores
Albarado of Uvalde and Vicki Belen of Odessa; including five generations
of grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces cousins and lot of
friends of the Flores, Bonilla and Meza families.
A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. today,
Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at Odessa Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral
services have been set for Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at
Sunset Heights Baptist Church, 2401 W. 16th St. Juan will be buried
following the service at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Big Spring
next to his beloved wife who passed away July 6, 1971. Serving as
pallbearers will be Jesus Flores, Jose Lupe Flores Juan Belen Jr., Jose
Flores, Longino Flores Jr. and Juan Flores.
The family would like to express a special thank
you to Star Care Hospice for the wonderful care of our beloved father
and grandfather.
Services by Odessa Funeral Home.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Sunday, August 7, 2016
HISTORICAL MARKER
PRESIDIO COUNTY MASSACRE
EL PORVENIR RANCH MASSACRE - Jan. 1918
MASSACRE OF 15 INNOCENT MEN & BOYS,
GUILTY OF NO CRIME
1. MANUEL MORALES 47 9. ANTONIO CASTANEDA 72
2. ROMAN NIEVES 48 10. PEDRO JIMENEZ 27
3. LONGINO FLOREZ 47 11. SERAPIO JIMENEZ 25
4. TIBURCIO JAQUEZ 50 12. JUAN JIMENEZ 16
5. ALBERTO GARCIA 35 13. PEDRO HERRERA 25
6. EUTIMIO GONZALES 37 14. VIVIANO HERRERA 23
7. AMBROSIO HERNANDEZ 21 15. SEVERIANO HERRERA 18
8. MACEDONIO HUERTA 30
" EVEN IN WAR THE KILLING OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS IS A CRIME "
EL PORVENIR RANCH MASSACRE - Jan. 1918
MASSACRE OF 15 INNOCENT MEN & BOYS,
GUILTY OF NO CRIME
1. MANUEL MORALES 47 9. ANTONIO CASTANEDA 72
2. ROMAN NIEVES 48 10. PEDRO JIMENEZ 27
3. LONGINO FLOREZ 47 11. SERAPIO JIMENEZ 25
4. TIBURCIO JAQUEZ 50 12. JUAN JIMENEZ 16
5. ALBERTO GARCIA 35 13. PEDRO HERRERA 25
6. EUTIMIO GONZALES 37 14. VIVIANO HERRERA 23
7. AMBROSIO HERNANDEZ 21 15. SEVERIANO HERRERA 18
8. MACEDONIO HUERTA 30
" EVEN IN WAR THE KILLING OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS IS A CRIME "
Sunday, June 12, 2016
J. J. Kilpatrick Poem
El Porvenir Massacre Poem
The waters in the Rio Grande in the upper Big Bend,
as they flows to the sea, are ever murmuring the funeral
dirge of innocent human beings cruelly slain; and in
the soughing of the night winds among the rock hills,
or in the lonely valleys , their sepulchral voices are
heard pleading for common justice. . . These poor
creatures were taken unresisting from their homes and
murdered. Some were shot in the back, one in the belly,
one in the head and one riddled with lead. Some were
killed pleading for their lives; others shot down , begging
for time to pray , trying to kiss , with their blood stained
lips , the feet of their executioners . Oh God of mercy, how
they groaned and writhed while dying , their staring eyes
fixed on those who were killing them.
The waters in the Rio Grande in the upper Big Bend,
as they flows to the sea, are ever murmuring the funeral
dirge of innocent human beings cruelly slain; and in
the soughing of the night winds among the rock hills,
or in the lonely valleys , their sepulchral voices are
heard pleading for common justice. . . These poor
creatures were taken unresisting from their homes and
murdered. Some were shot in the back, one in the belly,
one in the head and one riddled with lead. Some were
killed pleading for their lives; others shot down , begging
for time to pray , trying to kiss , with their blood stained
lips , the feet of their executioners . Oh God of mercy, how
they groaned and writhed while dying , their staring eyes
fixed on those who were killing them.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
El Porvenir Ranch Massacre
El Porvenir Ranch Massacre - 1918
14 January 1918, Presidio County Texas
Massacre of fifteen innocent Men (old's 72) and Boys (16yrs) By U. S. 8th. Cavalry, Troop "G", Capt. Henry Anderson, Lt. Christierson, Robert (Bobby) Keil, Charlie Beal, Jim Evett, Arthur Drouin, Charles Beall, Drake, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Texas Rangers Company "B", Capt. James Monroe Fox, Bud Weaver, Andy C. Baker, Max Herman, Allen Cole, James Boone Oliphant, Clint Henry Holden, W. K. Duncan, J. Howell McCampbell, Jim Beard, Samuel(Sam) Niel, Ben L. Pennington, Albert Henry Woelber, Charles Lucas Brite, Ira Cline, Jefferson Eagle Vaughan, Allen Boone, Buck Poole, John Poole, Tom Snyder, Raymond Fitzgerald, Syvanell E. Evetts (Van Evetts), Eddie Evetts, Alfred Evans Means (Evan Means), Harry (Hawkeye) Townsend, Ben Frazier, Pat Frazier, Den T. Knight, Jim Bean, George Jones, I.W. Roberts, Charlie Corning, John Daniels, ?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?.
List of Men & Boy's Murdered
1. Manuel Morales, El Porvenir Ranch owner, 47 left wife Francisca Hernandez Morales, Sons - Leandro H. Morales 13
Eustascio H. Morales 10,
Jesus H. Morales,
Daughters - Jovita H. Morales 12
Manuela H. Morales 3
Juanita H. Morales 2 Julia H.Morales born night of massacre.
2. Roman Nieves, ranch owner, 48, left wife Alejandra Lares Nieves 46 years old.
Sons - Ventura Nieves 14
Margarito Nieves 13
Casimiro Nieves 5
Iner Nieves - 3
Baby born three months after massacre
3. Longino Flores 47, Ranch administrator, left wife Juanita Bonilla Flores 42
Daughter, Benita Flores Mesa 17
Grand-Son, Rosendo F. Mesa 2 years old
Grand-Daughter, Rosa F. Mesa 1 year old
Sons - Narciso Bonilla Flores 13
Juan Bonilla Flores 11
4. Alberto Garcia 35 , left wife Victoria Jimenez Garcia 33
Sons - Jorge J. Garcia 6
Ceredonio J. Garcia 3
Daughter - Florencia J. Garcia, less then year old
5. Tiburcio Jaquez 50, left wife, Librada Montoya Jaquez 48
Daughters - Mrs Julia Jaquez Warren
Maria Montoya Jaquez 17
Cecilia Montoya Jaquez 15
Sons - Ezequiel Montoya Jaquez 6
Jose Montoya Jaquez 14
Marcelo Montoya Jaquez 12
Alberto Montoya Jaquez 10
6. Eutimio Gonzales 37, left wife, Concepcion Carrasco Gonzales 35
Daughters - Santos C. Gonzales 12
Refugia C. Gonzales 11
Luisina C. Gonzales 6
Blasa C. Gonzales 5
Geronima C. Gonzales 4 Baby less then year old.
7. Ambrosio Hernandez 21, left wife Eulalia Gonzales Hernandez 18
Son - Victorio G. Hernandez , less then year old.
8. Marcedonio Huerta , 30. left wife Rita Jaques Huerta 27
Sons - Filomeno J. Huerta 6
Elijio J. Huerta 3
Francisco J. Huerta 1
9. Antonio Castanedo 72, from Pecos area, 2 or 3 days there.
10. Pedro Jimenez 27 , 7 or 8 days there.
11. Serapio Jimenez 25, 7 or 8 days there.
12. Juan Jimenez 16, 7 or 8 days there.
13. Pedro Herrera 25, 2 or 3 days there.
14. Severiano Herrera 23, 2 or 3 days there.
15. Viviano Herrera 18, 2 or 3 days there.
14 January 1918, Presidio County Texas
Massacre of fifteen innocent Men (old's 72) and Boys (16yrs) By U. S. 8th. Cavalry, Troop "G", Capt. Henry Anderson, Lt. Christierson, Robert (Bobby) Keil, Charlie Beal, Jim Evett, Arthur Drouin, Charles Beall, Drake, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Texas Rangers Company "B", Capt. James Monroe Fox, Bud Weaver, Andy C. Baker, Max Herman, Allen Cole, James Boone Oliphant, Clint Henry Holden, W. K. Duncan, J. Howell McCampbell, Jim Beard, Samuel(Sam) Niel, Ben L. Pennington, Albert Henry Woelber, Charles Lucas Brite, Ira Cline, Jefferson Eagle Vaughan, Allen Boone, Buck Poole, John Poole, Tom Snyder, Raymond Fitzgerald, Syvanell E. Evetts (Van Evetts), Eddie Evetts, Alfred Evans Means (Evan Means), Harry (Hawkeye) Townsend, Ben Frazier, Pat Frazier, Den T. Knight, Jim Bean, George Jones, I.W. Roberts, Charlie Corning, John Daniels, ?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?,?.
List of Men & Boy's Murdered
1. Manuel Morales, El Porvenir Ranch owner, 47 left wife Francisca Hernandez Morales, Sons - Leandro H. Morales 13
Eustascio H. Morales 10,
Jesus H. Morales,
Daughters - Jovita H. Morales 12
Manuela H. Morales 3
Juanita H. Morales 2 Julia H.Morales born night of massacre.
2. Roman Nieves, ranch owner, 48, left wife Alejandra Lares Nieves 46 years old.
Sons - Ventura Nieves 14
Margarito Nieves 13
Casimiro Nieves 5
Iner Nieves - 3
Baby born three months after massacre
3. Longino Flores 47, Ranch administrator, left wife Juanita Bonilla Flores 42
Daughter, Benita Flores Mesa 17
Grand-Son, Rosendo F. Mesa 2 years old
Grand-Daughter, Rosa F. Mesa 1 year old
Sons - Narciso Bonilla Flores 13
Juan Bonilla Flores 11
4. Alberto Garcia 35 , left wife Victoria Jimenez Garcia 33
Sons - Jorge J. Garcia 6
Ceredonio J. Garcia 3
Daughter - Florencia J. Garcia, less then year old
5. Tiburcio Jaquez 50, left wife, Librada Montoya Jaquez 48
Daughters - Mrs Julia Jaquez Warren
Maria Montoya Jaquez 17
Cecilia Montoya Jaquez 15
Sons - Ezequiel Montoya Jaquez 6
Jose Montoya Jaquez 14
Marcelo Montoya Jaquez 12
Alberto Montoya Jaquez 10
6. Eutimio Gonzales 37, left wife, Concepcion Carrasco Gonzales 35
Daughters - Santos C. Gonzales 12
Refugia C. Gonzales 11
Luisina C. Gonzales 6
Blasa C. Gonzales 5
Geronima C. Gonzales 4 Baby less then year old.
7. Ambrosio Hernandez 21, left wife Eulalia Gonzales Hernandez 18
Son - Victorio G. Hernandez , less then year old.
8. Marcedonio Huerta , 30. left wife Rita Jaques Huerta 27
Sons - Filomeno J. Huerta 6
Elijio J. Huerta 3
Francisco J. Huerta 1
9. Antonio Castanedo 72, from Pecos area, 2 or 3 days there.
10. Pedro Jimenez 27 , 7 or 8 days there.
11. Serapio Jimenez 25, 7 or 8 days there.
12. Juan Jimenez 16, 7 or 8 days there.
13. Pedro Herrera 25, 2 or 3 days there.
14. Severiano Herrera 23, 2 or 3 days there.
15. Viviano Herrera 18, 2 or 3 days there.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Wikipedia Porvenir Massacre
Texas Ranger Division - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Rangers were responsible for several incidents, ending in the January 13, 1918 massacre of the male population [20](15 Mexican men and boys ranging in age
from 16 to 72 years) of the tiny community of Porvenir, Texas on the Mexican
border in western Presidio County. Before the decade was over,thousands of
lives were lost, Texans and Mexicans alike. In January 1919, an investigation by the Texas Legislature found that from 300 to 5,000 people, mostly of Hispanic descent,
had been killed by Rangers Legislature found that from 300 to 5,000 people, from 1910 to 1919, and that members of the Rangers had been involved in many acts
of brutality and injustice.[21] The Rangers were reformed by a resolution of the Legislature in 1919, which saw the special Ranger groups disbanded and a complaints system instituted.
The Rangers were responsible for several incidents, ending in the January 13, 1918 massacre of the male population [20](15 Mexican men and boys ranging in age
from 16 to 72 years) of the tiny community of Porvenir, Texas on the Mexican
border in western Presidio County. Before the decade was over,thousands of
lives were lost, Texans and Mexicans alike. In January 1919, an investigation by the Texas Legislature found that from 300 to 5,000 people, mostly of Hispanic descent,
had been killed by Rangers Legislature found that from 300 to 5,000 people, from 1910 to 1919, and that members of the Rangers had been involved in many acts
of brutality and injustice.[21] The Rangers were reformed by a resolution of the Legislature in 1919, which saw the special Ranger groups disbanded and a complaints system instituted.
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