El Mesteño Podcast

Homero S. Vera - D.A. Flores
  • 5.0 (12)
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El Mesteño is dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of Mexican-Americans in South Texas and Northern Mexico. When you subscribe, you gain access to stories that explore the rich heritage of the region, ranging from early settlers to contemporary history.

  1. Aug 9

    🎙️Episode27: "The Last Frontier: The 1878 Indian Raid into South Texas"

    The Crossing & The Objective: An introduction to the April 1878 raid from Coahuila into South Texas, where a heavily armed group crossed the Rio Grande with the primary goal of stealing horses and attacking anyone in their path.The First Casualties: Webb County: A detailed account of the early violence in Webb County, including the murders of vaqueros at "Apache Hill" and a local sheep merchant, marking the start of a trail of terror.The Terror at Palo Alto Ranch: La Salle County: A tragic look at the raid’s impact on the Steele family in La Salle County, resulting in the deaths of John Steele, two young boys, and several shepherds.Movement into Duval County & Cargo Train Resistance: Covers the raiders' expansion into Duval County and highlights a notable moment of successful resistance led by merchant freighter Calixto Rodríguez, who defended his wagons during an ambush.The Crisis at Charco Escondido & The Posse Pursuit: Details the final stages of the raid at Charco Escondido, the subsequent organization of a local posse, and the raiders' eventual escape back across the Rio Grande with stolen livestock.Outro & Production Note: Concluding reflections on the historical significance of the raid and the necessity of preserving frontier history for future generations.Dicho Segment: An explanation of the phrase "Andar como burro sin mecate," referring to someone who acts without restraint or accountability.Recipe Segment: Provides ingredients and instructions for preparing traditional Enchiladas de Mole.Book Recommendation Segment: A review of Jovita González’s collected narratives, curated by Sergio Reyna, emphasizing her contributions to Texas folklore and the importance of preserving the Mexican-American cultural experience.

  2. Aug 2

    🎙️Episode26: "Uniendo Corazones: Father Juan Zavala and the Power of the Mutualistas"

    In this episode of the El Mesteño Podcast, hosts David Flores and Homero Vera explore the rich history of community support and faith in South Texas. The hosts dive into the story of Father Juan Zavala and the formation of the Catholic Mutual Society (La Sociedad Católica Mutualista) during the Great Depression, highlighting how local communities relied on one another for spiritual and material aid.Episode Segments: Featured Segment: The hosts discuss the history of Father Juan Zavala, a Dominican priest who, in 1934 San Diego, Texas, inspired local men to form the Catholic Mutual Society. The segment details how this organization grew from a small group into a vast network across South Texas, providing a crucial safety net for families through a death fund and mutual support, effectively serving as a model of Unión, Acción y Caridad.Dicho Segment: This segment highlights the proverb: "A lo dado no se le busca lado" (If you're given something, don't try to find something wrong with it), shared by L. Gomez-Houston.Recipe Segment: The episode features a recipe for Chilaquiles Verdes, calling for ingredients like green tomatillos, chicken breast, corn tortillas, serrano peppers, onion, and cilantro.Book Recommendation: The hosts recommend a biography of civil rights leader Alonso S. Perales, written by historian Cynthia E. Orozco. The book details the life of the Alice, Texas native who founded LULAC and became a significant figure in the 20th-century Hispanic civil rights movement.

  3. Jul 26

    🎙️Episode25: "Episode: The Roots of La Rosita and the Legend of Captain Valerio"

    Aye-Ya-Yae, we have a wonderful episode for you today. Homero and David dive into some deep South Texas History. Act I: Bienvenidos al Mesteño: An introduction to the episode's focus on La Rosita, Texas, tracing its origins back to the 1850s and the arrival of the Valerio family, including the history of their unique fur-trading economy.Act II: The Boom Years and the Caliche Block Store: A detailed look at the community's evolution during the early 20th century, covering the oil boom, the establishment of a post office (named Treviño), and the construction of the landmark caliche stone building.Act III: Captain Cecilio Balerio and the Brush Country Civil War: A historical exploration of the life of Captain Cecilio Balerio, his decision to fight for the Union, his guerrilla warfare in the South Texas brush, the Battle of Los Patricios, and the eventual restoration of his family's land.Act IV: Closing: A sign-off from the hosts thanking the listeners and encouraging them to visit the website and support the magazine.Dicho Segment: A traditional, humorous proverb regarding coffee and alcohol, shared as a bit of local cultural wisdom.Recipe Segment: A guide to preparing Pipinos Del Monte (wild gherkins), providing two traditional cooking methods for this local ingredient.Book Recommendation Segment: An in-depth review and recommendation of Vaqueros in Blue and Gray by historian Jerry D. Thompson, a definitive work documenting the Hispanic soldiers who fought in the American Civil War.

  4. Jul 19

    Episode 24: "The Roots of Benavides, Texas"

    We want to extend a massive thank you to our sponsors and dedicated subscribers for helping us keep our regional history alive and thriving.In Episode 24, we took a deep dive into the heart of Duval County to uncover the history behind the town of Benavides, Texas, and the musical legacy that defined its mid-century dance halls. The Founder: Don Plácido BenavidesWe explored the life of Don Plácido Benavides, the man who shaped a town. His story is one of deep roots and resilience: Early Origins: The Benavides family were original settlers alongside empresario Martín De León, arriving in Victoria, Texas, in 1824.The Exile: Despite the family's contributions during the Texas Revolution, they were forced out of their land, eventually fleeing to Opelousas, Louisiana, where Plácido was born in 1837.Return to South Texas: By the 1850s, the family returned to their South Texas roots. Plácido became a savvy landowner and businessman, with his peak landholdings occurring in the 1880s.Establishing the Town: Don Plácido was instrumental in the town's founding, famously selling the right-of-way for the Texas-Mexican Railway for just $1.00 in 1881 and later donating 80 acres of his own land to help the growing village flourish.The Sound: This orchestra-conjunto group was known for being strictly instrumental—they had no lead vocalist, relying entirely on their tight musicianship to keep dance halls across South Texas packed.The Legacy: Led by Leandro Palacios, Jr. on saxophone, the band was a fixture in towns like Benavides, Alice, and Kingsville. The group eventually disbanded when key members, including pianist Fernando "Nando" Caballero, were drafted into the Korean War.Looking Back: Nando Caballero’s career continued long after the war, eventually leading to a decades-long residency in Alice at the Fiesta Lounge, keeping the spirit of South Texas music alive into the 1990s.Dicho: We discussed the proverb, "Los que duermen en el mismo colchón, se vuelven de la misma condición" (Those who sleep on the same mattress become of the same condition), reflecting on how the people we surround ourselves with shape who we become.Recipe: We shared a classic recipe for Cabrito Guisado (stewed goat) and authentic Tex-Mex rice, perfect for those weekend gatherings. Musical Royalty: Los Rancheros de BenavidesWe shifted gears to the late 1940s to discuss a legendary, though often unsung, musical powerhouse—Los Rancheros de Benavides. Book SpotlightFor our history buffs, we spotlighted Women across Time / Mujeres a Través del Tiempo: Sixteen Influential South Texas Women. Edited by Susan L. Roberson, this collection offers a crucial look at the Tejanas who defied traditional gender norms to become ranchers, politicians, educators, and activists in South Texas. It is a vital read for anyone looking to understand the real history of our region. Want to dive deeper?For the full story, including tax roll details and historical photos, check out the latest issue of El Mesteño magazine. You can find our archives, listen to past episodes, or subscribe to the print edition at mestenomedia.com.¡Hasta la próxima!

  5. Jul 5

    🎙️ Episode 23: "Ya Estamos Alla" – The Legacy of Francisco "Panchito" Garza

    Join us on this episode of El Mesteño Podcast as we dive into the history of the South Texas "pachanga" and the incredible life of legendary music promoter Francisco "Panchito" Garza. In this episode: Featured Segment: Host David Flores and resident historian Homero Vera explore the origins of the "pachanga" social tradition in South Texas—from political rallies to backyard family celebrations—and trace the fascinating career of Panchito Garza. We discuss his work as a vaquero, his role in the school district, and his legacy as the man who built Chapultepec Hall and brought the greatest conjunto musicians to the region. Dicho Segment: We reflect on the wisdom of the proverb: "El que persevera, alcanza" (He who perseveres will reach their goal), shared by Ines C. Treviño of San Diego, Texas. Recipe Segment: Bring the taste of the borderlands home with a classic recipe for homemade Tortillas de Harina (Flour Tortillas). Book Recommendation: We feature The Texas Mexican Plant-Based Cookbook: Indigenous Foodways by Chef Adán Medrano. Chef Medrano joins us to discuss how this book connects 15,000 years of history to the comida casera we love today, offering a fresh perspective on our agricultural heritage. Tune in to celebrate the culture, history, and flavors that define South Texas!

  6. Jun 28

    🎙️Episode22: "The Scholar, The Soldier, The Activist: José de la Luz Sáenz"

    In this episode of the *El Mesteño Podcast*, titled "The Scholar, The Soldier, The Activist: José de la Luz Sáenz," host David Flores sits down with historian and publisher Homero Vera to explore the remarkable life of a pivotal figure in Mexican-American history. Here is a breakdown of the segments included in this episode: Featured Segment: A deep dive into the life of José de la Luz Sáenz (1888–1953). The conversation covers his early life in rural South Texas, his groundbreaking career as an educator, his service as a soldier during World War I, and his monumental role as a civil rights activist and co-founder of LULAC. The discussion highlights his commitment to documenting the Mexican-American experience and his use of both the classroom and the pen to fight against systemic discrimination. Dicho Segment: A traditional *dicho* (proverb) is shared: *"El hogar es donde está el corazón"* (Home is where the heart is), with context provided by Manuel Sáenz of Rancho Nuevo, Duval County. Recipe Segment: A recipe for a classic Tex-Mex Vegetarian Guisado, featuring red potatoes, onions, fresh tomatoes, and peppers. Book Recommendation Segment: The World War I Diary of José de la Luz Sáenz (edited by Emilio Zamora): An exploration of Sáenz's personal accounts from his service in France and Germany during WWI, and how these experiences fueled his later civil rights activism. https://a.co/d/0iuhjfL1 No Mexicans, Women, or Dogs Allowed by Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco: A critical look at the founding of LULAC in 1929, challenging common misconceptions and framing the organization as a central pillar of the early American civil rights movement. https://a.co/d/07Go4O28

  7. Jun 21

    🎙️Episode21: "The Mexican Heritage of Premont, Texas"

    In this episode, host David Flores and resident historian Homero Vera explore the foundational years of Premont, Texas, shifting the spotlight to the Mexican and Mexican-American pioneers who built the town’s vibrant community.Featured Segment: The History of PremontWe dive into the history of Premont, tracing its roots back to 1907 when developer R. P. Haldeman purchased the Galveston Ranch. Homero details the intentional layout of the town—specifically the area east of the railroad tracks centered around Plaza Hidalgo—and highlights the local businesses, political milestones, and resilience of the Mexican-American families who established their roots there. From the legendary performances at "El Tropico" theater to the civic organization of the community in 1911, this segment captures the lasting mark these families left on South Texas.Dicho SegmentThis episode’s dicho is: "En casa de el herrero, azadón de palo" (He who has a trade doesn't use it at home). This selection was contributed by Letty M. Vera of Premont, TX.Recipe Segment: Pan de Campo (Camp Bread)We share a recipe for a traditional Pan de Campo, a hearty bread that yields 16 servings. This recipe involves a simple dough prepared with flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening or lard, cooked in a Dutch oven over mesquite coals. It is a perfect accompaniment when served with butter, honey, or carne guisada.Book Recommendation SegmentOur book recommendation for this episode is J.T. Canales and the Texas Rangers by Richard H. Ribb, published in 2026 by Texas A&M Press.

  8. Jun 14

    🎙️Episode20: "The Battle of Santa Gertrudis: The Convoy, The Clash, and The Camargo Squadron"

    Episode 20: The Battle of Santa GertrudisIn this episode, host David Flores is joined by historian Homero Vera to uncover the pivotal, yet often overlooked, Battle of Santa Gertrudis. Fought on June 16, 1866, during the French Intervention in Mexico, this clash was the turning point that broke the back of imperialist forces in the northeast and helped return President Benito Juárez to power.Episode Segments: Act I: The Hero of Camargo & The Strategy at Mesa del Ebanito: We explore the military tensions leading up to the battle, including the dramatic standoff between Generals Servando Canales and Gerónimo Treviño, and how General Canales’ local knowledge proved vital to the Republican victory.Act II: The Blood Red Creek & The War of the Convoy: A breakdown of the intense, two-hour battle that changed the supply game for the imperialists, the capture of a massive supply convoy, and the immediate geopolitical ripple effects in Matamoros.Act III: The Unsung Heroes – Commandant Macedonio Rodríguez & The Camargo Squadron: We honor the brave men from Camargo who formed the backbone of this fight. We read the muster roll of the Camargo Squadron, highlighting the personal sacrifice of Commandant Macedonio Rodríguez Garza and his local men.Dicho Segment: A traditional dicho to reflect on the nature of the fight.Recipe Segment: A classic recipe for Arroz con Pollo.Book Recommendation: A spotlight on The Kingdom of New Spain by Don Pedro Alonso O’Crowley.

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About

El Mesteño is dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of Mexican-Americans in South Texas and Northern Mexico. When you subscribe, you gain access to stories that explore the rich heritage of the region, ranging from early settlers to contemporary history.

Information

  • Creator
    Homero S. Vera - D.A. Flores
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Homero S. Vera - D.A. Flores
  • Show Website
    El Mesteño Podcast