Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-10-06
Lost City, Story Mixed
With History of 7wo Wars,
< X X X 4 X X \ X
John K. Box Tells ofFather

years OF these expeditions. One
experience ! recall that he related
that took place on the McAllen
Santa Anita Rancho. Just as they
rode up to the ranch the pack
horse that carried the money ran
under a mesquite limb and pulled
the pack down under his horses
belly and he went vii dand was
doing a rodeo stunt of free-for-all
bucking. scattering money In all
directions.
My father called to viii B. Hand
cock, a nephew. and who was one
OF his young cowboys, Bill, rope
him.. Bill was hestitating and
lodging sideways as they had two
double barrel muzzle loading shot
guns strapped On to the pack. and
waiting for the last round TO 60
off before he charged the shot
guns and pack horse.
Visited Lost City"
Amid all these wild ventures in
this wild country, many times he
and his men sought shelter and
protection at these big ranches.
especially the King and Kennedy
ranch. as they had ample potec-
ton at all times. He bought many
thousand head of cattle from these
people. Along about this time the
lost city on Padre Island was in
charge Of King and Kennedy. as
they had the island stocked and he
made several trips to this ranch in
particular and purchased cattle.
crossing them across the Laguna
Madre about As miles up the bay
from Point Isabel. When the tide
was low they could cross by SWIM
ming a short distance.
This Lost City" was then a big
headquarters ranch for King and
Kennedy. They received their sup
plies by boat at Brazos and Bag
dad. All the big ranches had large
commisaries or stores. He would get
supplies for his men at these places.
At this time everything was hauled
by OK teams from Brownsville to
the ranches clear up to Santa Ger
trudis.
From Uvalde to Valley
After years of this life and
hardship, and after the packing
business bad played out and the
cattle were depleted, this wiry
nan Of a constitution Of iron and
a height Of six feet and three
inches, must seek the wilds. From
Rockport he moved TO Uvalde
country 10 settle on some Of his
land grants received during the
war. Then it was fight some more,
as the Indians were not tanned by
any means. For two years he fought
Indians and prepared q log cabin
for my mother. sister and brother,
z. d. Box, mow of Olmito): and
there, on October 10, 1880, I was
born, in a log cabin, and my mother
had to fight to keep the Indians
from getting me
After many hardships and toll
from daylight until midnight, this
man finally had, for many years,
a nice ranch well stocked. But after
the depression of "a and '95, he
remembered his early days and re-
turned for the fourth time to the
Rio Grande Valley: sold out his
Uvalde ranch, moved TO Browns
vile. and located on the Box
ranch. now owned by the Bayview
Citrus people.
Pointed Ranch Site
This was in 1900, about four years
before the railroad went to Browns
Vile. It took a wee. TO go from
Alice TO Brownsville, then.
From the Box ranch he has
pointed out to me the spot where
this Lost City" stood; many times
he made mention of this particular
ranch. He also told Of the point
where he crossed the bay with the
cattle; even its location a ! the
route taken were still plain TO him.
He died on the Box ranch near
Point Isabel. in 1906. in his 82nd
year.
! write this that you may def
initely establish the time and es-
adjustment Of this city. If you
care to publish this in the Herald
you may do so. I would be glad
to have a copy to preserve for one
of my son who was named for
his grandfathe-.
Hoping this may be OF some SER
vice for your information, I am,
Yours truly.