19th Century Tejano Cattle Ranching Document

[Manuscript Authorization, in Spanish, to Move Cattle in Texas] "Lista de mi fierro y señal...."

García, Toribio

Publication: Starr County, Texas: 1874.

Notes: A one-page 19th century Tejano manuscript in Spanish authorizing ranch hands to move cattle from Starr County to the Lucero and Buenavista ranches in Hidalgo County, in the Rio Grande River valley. This document essentially serves as a pass in case the Texas Rangers accused the vaqueros of rustling cattle. Nineteenth century material documenting the lives of Mexican Americans in Texas is very scarce on the market.

This document is a fair copy, with an original signature of Toribio García, of an affidavit filed with Starr County explaining that García and his brother, José María García Villarreal, owned the cattle with particular ear-marks (señales) or brands (fierros), which are illustrated with drawings. The García brothers' brands are used by the scholar Armando Alonzo as an example of the Mexican American practice of registering ownership markings in more than one county (see Tejano Legacy: Rancheros and Settlers in South Texas, 1734–1900, p. 187).

According to Alonzo, García Villarreal lived in San Antonio and his brother lived just across the border in Camargo, Mexico. According to this document, Toribio had power of attorney over his brother's cattle and apparently managed the ranches on his behalf. The ranch hands authorized to move the cattle were Juan José Tijerina and Santos Dimas from the Buenavista Rancho.

One page, with Toribio García's signature and the date (Se[p]tiembre 15 de 1874) on the verso. Written on a sheet of blue-lined paper with blind-embossed domed buildings at the upper left corner).

Edition + Condition: Folded twice; two-inch tear at one fold.

Item No: #364066

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