Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-21

H. Their Mexican neighbors sided with the
Mexicans from tho Texas border and
Santa Annals 1000 butchers The Texan
American and the Texan-Mexican were not
good blenders then
1t is recorded by descendant Of Powlett Wharton,
a Texas Ranger, who owned large tract along the
San Antonio River. that his forebear and wealthy
land-owning Mexican named Jose Mariana had been
close friends and neighbours for fifteen years before
the Alamo Whartons two daughters finally married
Marianos two sons. both ceremonies being performed
the same day, and Texana and Me1icans for miles
around Joining In the attendant barbecue and
jolty.
1t was Mariana himself who had warned Wharton
IN the days OF his sons counting that he should not
permit the young men the freeandeasy privileges OF
the American style Of wooing. There should be
private meetings. The young folks should be kept
under constant surveillance until after the wedding
Wharton only laughed and opined that his girls would
slap. any Greaser's face who even dared to think
rudely about them Babies came and the families
seemed to be knit closer than ever.
But often between these years OF 1921 and 1886
Mariana revealed his Mexican characteristics. He
urged Wharton unarailingy many times to take part
In raids to add more land to their holdings without
the legality OF deed transfer. He coaxed him unsuc-
cesstuy to engage in uprisngs against the Mexican
Government for little cause Chickering's began
with the young married people over things that in.
yarably could be traced to fundamental differences
Of temperament and opinion, and not to superficial
situations conditions OF the moment Always the
City Always the young Texan wives -taiked OF
journey to Washington. Whenever the children re.
their mothers vexed, and when their English
vocabulary increased their fathers brooded Thus
Barrett Travis and the celebrated David Crockett
with 1874 others, were penned up In the Alamo.
Wharton armed to aid his fellow Texans then as
Mexican laughed him to scorn. They quarrelled and
Mariana was hurled out of the Wharton door. That
night his two sons came over to demand satisfaction
Of their fatherinlaw They opened fire. but both were
heaten off and seriously wounded. Within an hour OF
their return their Texan wives, bearing with them
less than children arrived at the Wharton house
and took shelter with their father Wharton fearing
harm to his brood decided to hasten his tourney
to join his fellow Texans and this delay saved him
from the Alamo massacre But in the operations at
Jacinto Mexican soldiery surrounded the Wharton
home.
persisted. the other daughter escaping night with
her baby on fleet horse held for the emergency In
the attacking party were Mariana and his two sons!
1t was a notable Of bad blend Of Gringo and
Greaser.
And eighty years after the Alamo in Texas you will
find families Of Mexican descent who do look with
favor on some Of the customs Of the United States
Intermarriage would help along the blend. but the
blood. too rksome to the American spirit. Some
of the Mexican customs-a few-have been adopted
In part. They are such customs attach to the
better part of Mexican character carry with them
picturesque freedom that is always, however, sane
freedom and within the law.
In the post-annexation solution of the Mexican
American blending problems, precedent in Texas and
California would indicate that no time was lost In
abolishing laws and customs not considered In accord
with the United States spirit and civic scheme.
When Texas broke away from It's Mexican govern.
ment and formulated constitution Of its own one of
the first sections legazed the marriage OF slaves
contracted during the and another section for.
ever prohibited lotteries These two things were
Mexican customs-of renissness and OF recreation.
The Mexicans remaining resident within. the Texan
borders demurred in vain
In California the first State Legislature on April
20. 1850 repealed every existing Mexcanspanish law
but one-that providing for juez de campo or Judge
OF the plain. Wping the slate clean appeared to be
thought the best blending process Of that day The
California ranchero with his picturesque garb and his
customs went with him. No more fights between bulls
and bears at the presidios No more betrothing OF
children eight and ten years of age; no more mar
rying Of girls at thirteen or fourteen years.
ball was given at Monterey by the American
conquerors April 8. 1877 Commodore Biddle and
suite were there. and 30 were General Kearney and
staff and former Mexican Governor J. B. Alverado
showing that the blend was beginning. local paper
stated that the Mexican Californian ladies had been
for month debating whether they should adopt the
bonnets of American ladies retain the timehonored
Spanish. Mexican mantlla.