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.
🎙️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 2026
🎙️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.
26 Jul 2026
🎙️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.
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5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
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