Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-08-09
WINKER.
The End of Noted Mexican Rev
OIuti0nis Something Of
His Career.
san Anton 10 F1press.

OuI LdSlC L uoo oiSOAaA AAo moAn7
ing brings the intelligence OF the
death at ZaragoSa, a town Of Coahui-
la, Mexico, located about eighty
miles from Piedras Negras, of Colo
mel Pedro Valdez, OF the regular
Mexican army. There are few per
sons who have resided on the west
ern frontier of Texas for the past
ten or fifteen years who are not
more or less acquainted with the
character of this man, and particu-
larly is this the case in San Antonio,
for it was in this city and the country
southeast where Pedro and his broth
er spent their bOyhood days. There
is probably no man connected with
the Mexican army whose career has
been as remarkable aud as success
full as that of Pedro Valdez, or Winker,
as he was Familiarity known to our PEG.
pie. He came from apoor family, and
his first occupation in this section was
as an OK driver of a Mexican oarretta
between San Antonio aud IndianOla,
before our days of railroads and fast
transportation. From a simple goad
manipulation, for whips were not then
used TO urge the beasts onward, he
became master of a train. and sue
ceeded in making considerable money,
aud squandering it as we'll at the
gaming table and in riotous living
Being ambitious, he finally drifted to
Mexico, whittier his entire family
after Rards removed, and located on
the San Juan de Sabinas, a pretty
river that courses through a rich
agricultural and stock country about
two day travel from Peidras Negras.
At Once be began to take an interest
in Mexican politics, and in this re-
spect it is where he won that fame
which will last long after he is gone.
During the Lerdo and Diaz revolution
he was an ~unhinching supporter of
LerdO, and holding the people on the
northern Mexican border in fear of
him, he could at any time call them
to his side to risk their lives and for
tunes in obedience to his biddings.
To keep up the trouble was his aim,
for there his fortune lay. Unable to
read or write, of no business capacity,
of a naturally insubordinate and dar-
ing nature-to crafty the promptings
OF his restless, reckless disposition
was the only ambition of tie man.
This could be but through trouble
constant revolution. His stronghold
being along the Rio Grande, especially
in the State OF Coahuila, when hard
pressed, all that was necessary to
escape capture and death was to fly
to the Texas side of the river, and
thus be safe from the army which
so eagerly sought his capture. 1t
will be remembered that about six
years ago, Winker came to San An
tonic and was here met by a nun
Der of daring young men whom he
induced to go into a grand 6llibuster
ing scheme, by which the towns and
cities of Northern Mexico were to be
pillaged, and great wealth acquired.
But he failed to secure the means to
raise arms and equipments sufficient
to enable his band to cross the diyid
ing river, and they were apprehended,
arrested by the United States
soldiers under Captain BOYD,
through United States Deputy
Marshall L. y. Crowell, taken to
Brackett, and released on their recog.
Dizance, but upon their promise to
abandon their purpose and return to
the peaceful and lawful pursuits of
life. About this time a heavy reward
was offered for the capture Of Winker,
but he came to the Texas side, took
up his abode for awhile at Eagle Pass.
and despite all efforts to kidnap and
entice him back tn Mexico, did not
venture over until an assurance of
protection was given, and, upon his
pledge Of future loyalty to the central
government, the position of Colonel
10 the Mexican army. He held this
position ever since or for about four
and a hall years, and has done much
good service in Kidding Coahuila o.
the dangerous bands of Lipan and
MescalerO Apache Indians, who for
years had made descents from their
strongholds in the Santa Rosa 0 u
tains upon the villages Of the country,
and taken the scalps Of travellers and
plundered the country Of stock.
Ten years ago, Winker was regarded
as the leader Of border bandits in the
Coahuila country, and as much as
COrtinas wa dreaded by Texans on
the lower Grande, was he dreaded by
the border pioneers of Maverick, Kin
ney and other western counties.
But now heis gone; the wounds he
received when in the vigor of his
life and the most glorious (2) pursuit
Of the impulses Of his wild nature,
have at last laid him in the grave.