On this episode, Host David Flores and Subject Matter Expert Homero Vera dive into the history of Duval County to celebrate the legendary Anastacio B. Saenz—or "Tacho"—and his equine empire at Rancho Mesquite Bonito. Tacho was a true pioneer of the American Quarter Horse, with four of his horses (Ace of Hearts II, Leonell, Little Pancho, and Saenz) listed in the A.Q.H.A. Foundation Sire Registry.1Discover how Mesquite Bonito became a center for high-stakes carreras de caballos (horse races) and international business, attracting Mexican Generals who crossed the border to buy his prized stock. Learn about the sale of the horse Leonell to General Miguel Acosta for a dineral ($1,000) in 1928, and Tacho’s influential sale of Ace of Hearts II to Bill Warren, who would become the first president of the American Quarter Horse Association.

The episode also tracks the family legacía (legacy) back to Tacho’s uncle, Agapito Saenz, who set the stage for racing in the region. Hear the incredible story of Agapito’s 1911 journey to secure a $600 racehorse from Seguin, Texas, which was delivered over 150 miles on foot through the brush country. It’s a nostalgic and proud look at the dedication of the pioneers whose efforts continue to shape the world of racing today.

Uncover a critical, yet often-overlooked Civil War clash in the heart of South Texas. On this somber anniversary, host David Flores and resident expert Homero Vera delve into The Battle of Los Patricios at Los Olmos Creek on March 14, 1864.
Hear the dramatic story of Valerio's men, Union-aligned forces, and the Confederate interception that changed lives. Homero Vera shares how new evidence—including recently discovered Civil War-era bullet casings and a firsthand Union account tracked down by Marcos Flores—is finally confirming the skirmish lines and the texture of the narrative.
Featured: The poignant service of Union soldier Julian Garza, a ranchero who suffered devastating injuries at Los Patricios and struggled for years to prove his service, only to find his final resting place beside his Confederate foe.
Join El Mesteño to track the hoofprints of history that the land never forgets. Original maps and the full write-up are available in Issue 48 of El Mesteño.

In this warm, conversational platica that feels like a chat on a South Texas porch, we travel down FM Road 716 to the pueblito of Concepcion. We unpack the town's deep history, which stretches back to before Texas was a state.In this episode, you will hear about:

• The Land Grants: The vital role of the Charco Redondo as an oasis and the original 1809 land grant, "Santa Cruz de la Concepcion," purchased for a mere 55 pesos.
• La Plaza: The legendary 20th-century community hub, where vendors, carne asada, raspas, and puro South Texas conjunto music (Felipe Canales, Tito Saenz, Teodorito Garcia) brought the community to life.
• Fiesta Del Rancho: The post-1977 tradition featuring a massive trail ride and the main event: a hotly contested cabrito guisado cook-off.
• Community Corners: The importance of Luis Leal’s store and the U.S. Post Office as gathering spots for ranchers.
• Immaculate Conception Catholic Church: The spiritual center of town, which remains a beautiful monument to the heritage of the ancestors.

"You don't know where you are going if you don't know where you came from." Tune in to El Mesteño for more stories of the Mexican-American experience.

¡Qué onda, gente! Join David Flores and historian Homero Vera as they pay tribute to the "jefes" (bosses)—the master vaqueros who are the backbone of South Texas ranching. We honor the legacies of Enemorio "Teco" Serna, Santa Gertrudis showman Librado Maldonado, third-generation Kineño Nicolas G. Rodriguez, and veteran Narciso Pulido, Jr. Discover the pura verdad and dedication of these Mexican American ranching pioneers. ¡No te lo pierdas!

*Show Notes:

Supplementary Historical References

To provide the "Subject Matter Expert" context for Homero Vera, the following historical frameworks were utilized:

• Los Kineños Tradition: References to the "King’s People" (the townspeople of Cruillas, Tamaulipas) are based on the documented history of Captain Richard King’s 1854 recruitment trip to Mexico, a cornerstone of King Ranch heritage.

• The Master Showmen of the King Ranch: The Story of Beto and Librado Maldonado: This 2009 biography (by Betty Bailey Colley and Jane Clements Monday) provides the broader context for Librado Maldonado’s international travels and his role in the Santa Gertrudis breeding program.

• Vaquero Skillsets: The technical mentions of the Lasso Boltiado and the Caporal system draw from traditional South Texas vaquero techniques and the hierarchical structure of historical cattle operations at the Norias Division.

• Breed History: Information regarding the development of the Santa Gertrudis cattle (the first American beef breed) at the King Ranch in the 1920s provides the backdrop for the showmen's stories.

• Geographic Context: References to the Wild Horse Desert and specific South Texas locations (Hebbronville, Sarita, Kingsville, and Premont) were used to ground the narrative in the local geography of the region.

Ricardo Moreno Beasley was not an artist who painted the West—he was a rancher who lived it. In this episode, Homero and David dive into the life of the self-taught South Texas artist who captured the true stories of the vaqueros he worked alongside, sketching their daily struggle and skill in the chaparral. Learn about Beasley’s deep family roots in the original Mexican land grants like La Trinidad, and how his honest, authentic work, largely unknown during his lifetime, was finally brought to light in the foundational text, Tejano Empire. It's not a comparison to the giants, it is "Simply... Beasley."

Head south to Alice, Texas, with El Mesteno Podcast! In this episode, "Rancho Alegre: El Origen," hosts David Flores and Homero Vera dive into the uplifting story of how the barrio of Rancho Alegre, or "Happy Ranch," got its name. Based on the firsthand account of pionero Juan C. Rodriguez, discover the tale of the Rodriguez family, who put down roots in South Texas with the purchase of two and a half acres in 1939. The name, a blend of a classic Mexican movie and the joyful spirit (la alegría) of migrant farmworkers gathering for social dances after a hard day's labor, is a monument to the resilience and unbreakable spirit of the Mexican American community. ¡Escúchale! (Listen up!)

Homero Vera shares the true, dramatic story of his great-grandfather, vaquero Eleno Salinas. In the late 1800s, Eleno unknowingly takes a job with a gang of rustlers in South Texas. When his sharp eye recognizes a stolen horse by its brand, his life is suddenly at risk—with the outlaws plotting to kill him and throw him into a well ("el pozo"). What follows is a tale of a desperate escape, a warning from a loyal cook, the quick thinking of one man, and a dramatic standoff at the ranch of Doña Virginia Salinas de Garcia, a fierce matriarch who risks everything to save him. Discover the story of how a single act of recognition led to a life of danger, survival, and eventually, great success as a landowner and businessman in Concepcion.

*Episode Note from Homero

Doña Virgiña’s grandchildren, Heriberto Barrera and Genoveva Barrera Leach, independently confirmed the story as my dad had told it to me. Recently, while viewing the vaquero artist Ricardo Beasley’s website, he also mentions in his notebook that he needed to follow up on Don Eleno’s story of the bandits.

Host David Flores and Subject Matter Expert Homero Vera dig into the fiercely rooted history of Rios, Texas, in Duval County. Discover the community's story, which stretches back to the indigenous Los Venados hunters and a crucial 1835 Mexican land grant to Don Dionisio Elizondo. Learn about the founding families—the Gonzalez', Vera's, and Martínez'—who settled the land as Rancho Santa Cruz and La Gloria, and how a simple post office issue near World War II led to the community's final name, Rios. This is a powerful story of endurance and a living legacy connected to South Texas land.