In 1877 but before the coming of the first railroad to El Paso and when
the population had increased but little beyond what it was in the
“sixties,” there arose a bitter feud between two remarkable men, Lewis
Cardis and Charles H. Howard, which resulted in the killing of both
leaders and many other tragedies and agitated the people of the valley
as nothing else ever did before or since.
Out of this local trouble evil-minded persons sought to manufacture
excitement in Texas and throughout the country about a “war of races,”
“organized invasion from Mexico,” and to involve the two countries in
war. Cardis was an Italian who had served as an officer in Garibaldi’s
army in his youth, and had resided for several years at El Paso as a
merchant and contractor, and knew the Spanish language and the Mexican
character perfectly. He had been my lieutenant in political affairs
during the sixties and early in the seventies he had, with my consent,
succeeded me as the friend, adviser and leader of the Mexican people of
the valley but was not so successful with the Americans.
Howard had come later from Texas. He was a lawyer and had served in the
Confederate army. He was a man of imposing appearance, powerful physique
and wonderful determination and courage, or rather recklessness. A
friend of mine recently told me that the first time he saw Howard,
although he knew nothing about him, _he feared him_. Howard’s chief
characteristic was _force_; that of Cardis was persuasion and
management—a natural diplomat. Howard was a Democrat, Cardis was a
Republican.
I was absent at the Capital of the State during the tragic month of
which I am writing, but I knew both the parties well and was well
informed of the nature of their quarrels. I had been intimate with
Cardis for several years at El Paso. Howard had been my attorney, and I
and my wife had once made the journey of eight days and nights from El
Paso to Austin with him in the stage coach and he and I had returned to
El Paso together in the same way. Besides, during several months
preceding the tragedies each of them wrote me several letters
complaining of the other, and each invoking my influence with the other.
I still retain these letters, and I have before me as I write all the
testimony taken by a United States Commission, consisting of Colonels
King and Lewis of the regular army, which was appointed to investigate
and report upon the _emente_. Howard had located some salt lakes about
one hundred miles northeast of El Paso, from which (being on public
land) the Mexicans had for many years taken salt free of cost. They were
indignant at his action, and some of them threatened to take salt as
before, but so far none of them had committed any lawless act. Howard,
having influence with the county officials, caused the arrest and
imprisonment of two prominent Mexicans at San Elezario for these
threats. This was September 10th, 1877. A party of forty or fifty armed
Mexicans at San Elezario forcibly released their two countrymen, and in
turn arrested Howard and the County Judge, and organizing a Court of
their own tried them for wrongs (real or supposed) done to them and
their American friends, and possibly might have dealt severely with them
had it not been for the intercession of Louis Cardis and the Parish
Priest. As it was they extorted from him a promise and bond that he
would leave the county never to return. Of course, this was lawlessness,
but no more so than defrauding people of an election fairly won, or many
other things which are common. Howard then went to New Mexico and “fired
the Texas heart” with many telegrams about lawless work, war of races,
invasion from Mexico, etc., etc. He charged that Cardis was the chief
conspirator and marplot who had created all the trouble and had sought
to have him (Howard) assassinated.
Howard called on Governor Hubbard for protection. There was great
excitement throughout the State. Howard returned to El Paso and on the
10th of October, 1877, while Louis Cardis was writing a letter in the
store of Joseph Schutz, Howard walked in with a shotgun and immediately
shot him dead.
Now comes the most strange and pathetic part of this story. The people
of San Elezario were threatening to kill Howard if he returned to that
village, and the letter which Cardis had just finished and placed in his
breast pocket was written to the leaders of that people pleading with
them to refrain from all violence toward Howard and all others. This
letter was bespattered with Cardis’ blood! I print the letter below,
together with some extracts from Cardis’ diary for the few days
preceding his death, and also an affidavit of Adolph Krakaner, an
eye-witness of the assassination:
“El Paso, Texas, October 10th, 1877.
“Friend Cipriano: The notice having been circulated by telegraph and in
the newspapers that our county had risen against the Government and that
the same had been invaded by armed people of the Republic of Mexico,
General Hatch, commander of troops on this frontier, sent Lieutenant
Rucker to investigate whether or not it is true that the property of the
United States and the lives of the citizens of the United States are in
danger on account of the afore-mentioned invasion, but the lieutenant
nor his soldiers have neither the orders nor the wish to molest the
citizens of this county, except to investigate the case and make his
report to the General.
“The false notices that are in circulation are not worth anything, if
the people will continue to do as advised by their friends. Tranquillity
and peace and the truth will manifest itself in time. * * * Your friend,
in haste,
(Signed) Louis Cardis.
“P. S.—Do not pay any attention to the slanders that you hear against
me, and my life. Let the people remain tranquil and we will get justice,
and this is what we wish and need no more.