New Mexico State Parks has recently purchased an extensive collection of Mexican Revolution-era artifacts from Texas businessman Ted Terrazas whose connection to the U.S./Mexico border area wound its way back through area’s history. It was his great- grandfather, the wealthy and powerful Don Luis Terrazas, Sr. who in 1912 owned more than seven million acres in northern Mexico. When once asked by a reporter if his ranch was located in the State of Chihuahua, Don Luis is said to have replied, “No, the State of Chihuahua is on my ranch.” For most of Mexico’s developing history, a small minority of people were in control of most of the country’s power and wealth while a majority of the population existed in poverty. Don Luis Terrazas’s domination of the Chihuahua region has been termed one of the principle reasons fueling the flames of the Mexican Revolution in northern Mexico, which also gave rise to Mexican General Francisco “Pancho” Villa.
Bandito Pancho Villa
Villa, reportedly born around 1872, got his early start as an outlaw after shooting the hacienda owner who reportedly had raped his sister. After hiding in the mountains and later joining with other bandits, he became their leader. His group stole cattle, robbed shipments of money and committed other crimes against the wealthy. When the Mexican Revolution began in 1910, construction on the Chihuahua al Pacifico railroad was halted for economic reasons. Villa, who had been attacking trains, reportedly was miffed at being snubbed by Don Luis at a ceremony celebrating the completion of a portion of the Chihuhhua-Creel route. Don Luis correctly believed Villa had been rustling his cattle.
Mexican Revolution Artifacts
Terrazas, a retired Medical Services Corp Officer and chairman of San Antonio-based Terra-Health, Inc., said he had collected the revolution-era artifacts over the past twenty years from auction houses, garage sales, gun shows and flea markets. Now more than 300 items, including a hangman’s noose and cavalry uniforms, are on display in Pancho Villa State Park’s Exhibit Hall. Terrazas said he sold the collection because he wanted to "keep the collection together and not leave it for the children to sell at some yard sale after I am gone.”
Villa’s Raid on Columbus, NM
On March 9, 1916, Villa raided the village of Columbus, New Mexico, and the adjacent military camp housing a detachment of the 13th Cavalry Eighteen Americans were killed, including eight military soldiers. After the raid, Villa’s men departed back across the border and more than 200 members of his army lay dead. President Wilson responded by ordering 10,000 troops under the command of General John J. Pershing to pursue Villa into Chihuahua. The Punitive Expedition lasted 11 months and Villa was never located.
End of an Empire
Between 1860 and 1904, Don Luis Terrazas served as Governor of the State of Chihuahua, establishing many palatial haciendas on his extensive ranchos. The Hacienda de San Diego, located 200 miles south of the New Mexico border near the Mexican village of Mata Ortiz, was built in 1902. But Terrazas’ vast holdings of lands and livestock were depleted during the revolution. It was later reported Hacienda de San Diego was occupied by none other than Villa. Both Don Luis Terrazas and Villa died in 1923; Terrazas from old age, Villa by assassination.
Source:
The Life and Times of Pancho Villa, by Friedrich Katz. Stanford University Press, Oct. 1998.
