Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-12-26
CHAVEZ KIDNAPPED
IN ALBUQUERQUE
BY COMANCHES
RESTORED TO PARENTS
AFTER LONG WANDERING
Graphic Story of the Return
Across Plains From San An
tonic Told by Grandson Who
Survived Santa Ana.

Csan Antonio Express
Among the very few who resided In
San Antonio. Texas. when the tyrant
Santa Anna. made his incursions and
created such havoc. IL an old citizen
whose home IT. at 229 Obraie street.
within a very few yards Of where he
was born. This old resident is Don
Juan Antonio Chavez. who was born
in the year 1921. He was 10 years
old when the tyrant came. and re-
members II we'll His parents were
then living IN the house where he was
born. Speaking Of the coming Of
Santa Anna. Don Antonio said
When Milan and his comrades
came into san Antonio from the Mo-
limo Blanco, the December previous 20
the coming Of santa Anna. our home
was right in the line Of fire between
Milam's men n the Mexican army
under the command Of General Cos.
on that occasion we were compelled
10 flee from home and seek refuge
in the country When We returned
We found the house badly shatterel
with shot and shell. The dors were
riddled with bullets and grape shot
from the cannon and escouctas and
the rifle balls. Had our family re-
manned some, If not an. would have
been killed.
when Santa Anna was marehi4-
on san Antonio. a friend OF my ia
theirs came and told us there was go
ing to be another wicked fight. He
advised him To leave and go again in
To the country. The experience my
father had during the previous fight
between the forces Of Milan and COS
induced him 10 heed the counsel Of
this friend. My father took the entire
1M TntlA with him o.. Fha alf4safeHt g.ar
eral miles away from the city.
We remained there until the Aamo
had fallen and all Of It's defenders
slain. We did not return for quite a
while afterward. This time our home
WAS not In the line of fire. and il was
much safer, anyway for us in the
countr.
Grandfather Stolen.
My grandfather was Francisco
Xavier ChaVes. He was born I'm Al
%buquorque. y. NJ. When ne was but
an infant he was stolen by the In
dams. do not now remember the
tribe, but hink, probably, # may have
been Commanches. lie remained in
captivity with them until he was
grown. Then. he concluded at the
first good opportunity he would quit
them and live among civilized people.
This opportunity come { him on one
occasion when the Inrians We're north
Of san Antonio several miles. on a
hin overlooking the city. when they
there they had intended to
make an attack on the place, but gave
the idea. All but two of the In
dams had ridden Off My grandfather
made AZ much delay as possible in ad-
j%usting his saddle. when one Of thc
two indians. becoming impatient. r1Cc
on. leaving him alone with the other
To this one my grandfather said
- am going 10 leave YOU. II YOU
try To stop me I viii XIII you
Grandfather then compelled the In
dian to ride in one direction. while he
rode IN the opposite. He came into
san Antonio al the ford OF the san
Pedro, Where the street cars now
cross that stream al North Flora
street. He rode along that street un-
an ne came to the military plaza.
Then he went To he house Of the then
spanish governor. where he informed
that official who he was and Of his
long captivity among the Indians. and
Of his desire Go clad @ life of peace
and civilization nv grandfather
could not only speak the Spanish
language very we'll, but With cuual
fiueney ne spoke several o. the In
languages. so the governor i'm
hNAiN MN ~ UfNNIilt one OF MS mousse
hold and his official iuteruroter. Mn
grandfather accepted the invitation
and the salary OF $40 no gold O month
Went with Il.
He lived at the governors house
for many years. The house of the
then governor wos ON the west side
of military plaza. It's portal was
topped by a flat arch. The keystone
Of this arch bore the blended coats
20 arms Of Spain and Austria Tho
hrst spanish governor. Antonio Cor
dern. had resided there. This COVER
nor had been accused of treason and
beheaded In the name of the
king OF spain His head was placed
on top of a all pole In the center OF
military plaza Il was n Of Code
ro's successors who was governors
when my grandfather came here.
King of Spain Wa sponsor.
MY grandfather married his first
wife while he was living at the house
the governor. ! do not recall her
name. d died within a year and "a
halt after their marriage. His second
wife was nay grandmother. She was
Donna Juana PadH~ou. one ef the
three widows who came 70 san An
tonic with the thirteen families of
Canary Islanders. Her first husband
had been killed by the Moors. The
king Of spain az that time was a great
friend 90 her husband and his fam
'ort. and travelling between here and
her son 10y her first husband. This
was named Juan dc Cuna y Casa
'ucrto. The killing OF her FIRST hus-
caused her to want to 20 TO
here She would never hear Of the |
iuors She told this 20 the king Of
spain and be- told her ne would send
end her where there were no Moors. |
y sent he with two other widows
WIN This colony % Canary Islanders. |
'hich was then being gathered for |
omiug here They were married not |
'ng afterward and raised a consider
DIE family before she died. 1
After residing here Tor some time
boy grandfather concluded he would
ay a visit to his parents I'm Albu-
he asked permission To do
' % 30 was reluctantly granted