San Elizario, Socorro and Ysleta become American towns. The people retain ownership of the lakes.
Mexican-American War
The Treaty of Guadalupe gave the United States the responsibility of controlling and enforcing their laws onto the land. This happened after the Mexican-American War.
El Paso County’s Tejanos rise up against Sibley’s retreating Confederates.
The Texas State Constitution allows private ownership of mineral deposits. Anglo politicians and capitalists begin years of vicious in-fighting for control of the county and its salt lakes.
Austin capitalist George B. Zimpelman and his agent, son-in-law Charles Howard, lay claim to the salt lakes and demand that the people pay for their salt.
About 200 Tejano insurgents seize Howard and force him to sign away Zimpelman’s salt rights.
Howard shotguns Louis Cardis, the Tejanos’ political champion.
Insurgent leader Leon Granillo defies Howard by leading a wagon train of Tejano salt gatherers to the lakes.
Frontier Battalion commander Maj. John B. Jones puts Lt. John B. Tays in charge of a ragtag new Texas Ranger detachment.
Howard unwisely returns to San Elizario to press his claim in court.
More than 600 Tejanos and Mexican citizens under Francisco “Chico” Barela lay siege to the Texas Rangers protecting Howard.
Howard gives himself up, and the Texas Rangers are also tricked into surrendering.
