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Friday, January 17, 2014

Taming the Nueces Strip


By Kathleen Rice Adams

Texas always has been a rowdy place. In 1822, the original anglo settlers began invading what was then Mexico at the invitation of the Mexican government, which hoped American immigrants would do away with the out-of-control Comanches. Texans dispensed with the Comanches in the 1870s, foisting them off on Oklahoma, but long before that, the Texans ran off the Mexican government.

Texas 1836-1845: Dark green area is Republic of Texas. Light green area is territory claimed by both Texas and Mexico.

From 1836 to 1845, Texas looked something like the map above. The green parts became the Republic of Texas as the result of treaties signed by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana after Sam Houston and his ragtag-but-zealous army caught the general napping at San Jacinto. The treaties set the boundary between Texas and Mexico at the Rio Grande.

This caused a bit of a fuss in the Mexican capital, because Santa Ana did not possess the authority to dispose of large chunks of land with the swipe of a pen. Mexico eventually conceded Texas could have the dark-green part of the map, but the light-green part still belonged to Mexico. Arguments ensued.

While Texas and Mexico were carefully avoiding one another in the disputed territory, outlaws, rustlers, and other lawless types moved into the patch between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande. After all, no respectable outlaw ever lets a perfectly good blind spot on the law-enforcement radar go to waste. The area, 150 miles wide by about 400 miles long, came to be known as the Nueces Strip.

Taming the Nueces Strip: Texas always has been a rowdy place, but nowhere was it rowdier than in a patch of disputed territory known as the Nueces Strip. Claimed by everyone but tamed by no one, the scrub- and cactus-covered ground between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande became a prime hideout for ruffians, rustlers, and bandits ... until the Texas Rangers threw Capt. Leander McNelly and 40 hand-picked men at the problem.

In 1845, the United States annexed all of the land claimed by Texas, including the disputed territory, and came to military blows with Mexico over the insult. By the time the two countries signed the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 to settle once and for all who owned what — sort of — the lawless element was firmly entrenched in the strip of cactus and scrub between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. For nearly thirty years, brigands raised havoc — robbing, looting, raping, rustling, and killing — on both sides of the border before retreating to ranchos and other hideouts in no-man's land.

That began to change in 1875 when Texas Ranger Captain Leander McNelly was charged with bringing order to the Nueces Strip. Newly re-formed after being disbanded for about ten years during the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Rangers were determined to clean up the cesspool harboring notorious toughs like King Fisher and Juan Cortina. With a company of forty hand-picked men known as the Special Force, McNelly accomplished his task in two years … in some cases by behaving at least as badly as the outlaws. McNelly was known for brutal — sometimes downright illegal — tactics, including torturing information from some prisoners and hanging others. He and his men also made a number of unauthorized border crossings in pursuit of rustlers, nearly provoking international incidents.

Nevertheless, the “Little McNellys” got the job done. By the time McNelly was relieved of command in 1876, the Nueces Strip was a safer place. Though he remains controversial in some circles, the residents of South Texas raised funds and erected a monument in his honor.

The Nueces Strip plays a small role in “The Second-Best Ranger in Texas,” my contribution to Prairie Rose Publications’ new anthology, Hearts and Spurs. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this collection of nine western historical romances by nine authors leaves no doubt that Cupid is a cowboy, and he’s playing for keeps.

I'll give one visitor today an e-book version just for stopping in to say howdy! (Be sure to leave a way for me to get in touch.)



HEARTS AND SPURS: Nine short western historical romances by nine of the genre's best authors prove when Cupid plays with cowboys, he plays for keeps. (Prairie Rose Publications, Jan. 2014)
"The Second Best Ranger in Texas"

A washed-up Texas Ranger. A failed nun with a violent past. A love that will redeem them both.

His partner’s grisly death destroyed Texas Ranger Quinn Barclay. Cashiered for drunkenness and refusal to follow orders, he sets out to fulfill his partner’s dying request, armed only with a saloon girl’s name.

Sister María Tomás thought she wanted to become a nun, but five years as a postulant have convinced her childhood dreams aren’t always meant to be. At last ready to relinquish the temporary vows she never should have made, she begs the only man she trusts to collect her from a mission in the middle of nowhere.

When the ex-Ranger’s quest collides with the ex-nun’s plea in a burned-out border town, unexpected love blooms among shared memories of the dead man who was a brother to them both.

Too bad he was also the only man who could have warned them about the carnage to come.

21 comments:

  1. Yer killin' us, Tex--what a teaser! I'm happy to get the skinny on the Nueces Strip. No pun intended.

    I loved your story--great characters, terrific romance. I give you an A. :) Ah, Quinn... *sigh*

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    1. I got an A! Woo-hoo! My grade-point average and I thank you. ;-)

      Glad you liked Quinn. Poor man was such a mess, only a nun could've saved him from himself. Thank goodness there happened to be a stray ex-nun in the neighborhood. :-D

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  2. Kathleen, VERY interesting stuff! I had no idea about this--well, I DID remember the name of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo from school...can't believe THAT stuck! LOL

    I loved your story in H&S--Quinn and Dulce are both just so perfect for one another, especially after they go through such an ordeal together! Fantastic characters, and you have such a way of showing detail that it makes the story as real as if you were there in person. That is such a gift.
    Cheryl

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    1. Ha! You remember about as much Texas history as I remember Oklahoma history. The next time I write something set in Oklahoma, guess who's getting pestered to death with fact-checking. ;-)

      I'm blushing over your kind words about TSBRiT (which I started calling TIZZY, for short, about halfway through -- because I was on the verge of having one if the characters didn't quit fighting me every step of the way ;-) ). One of the things I love about HEARTS AND SPURS is that each story stands out in its own unique way. Taken together, the volume really does have something for everyone, no matter what kind of storytelling or scenario they prefer. Nicely done, Prairie Roses! :-)

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    2. The Treaty is also an important element in the history of California! Intriguing information....thanks for sharing :-)

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    3. You're right, Gail! The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo added land to several states, not just Texas. Nice to see you, lady! :-)

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  3. I never knew any of this great information. I was drawn to the name Hildago because of the true story made into a movie with Viggo Mortison about a quarter horse that won a desert race in the Sahara. Fascinatin; stuff, Kathleen.
    I love the title of your story. It's so you to come up with such an interesting title like that. I can't wait to dig into your story.

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    1. Sarah, I loved that movie, too. That little paint pony had heart, didn't he?

      Thank you for your kind words, sweetie. I've had 30 years to practice titling things, and it's still a hit-and-miss process. I'm glad this one works! To be perfectly frank, the title was inspired by a mean-spirited desire to get back at the hero because he was such a pill to write. :-D

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  4. Another stellar share of Texas history & truly an enjoyable read. And you already know what Texans: There's Texas, then there's the other stuff up north. LOL. Congrats on the anthology debut, pal. Another huge winner. Yeppers, gotta love Q & D - Great chemistry.

    HUGS!! ~ Owl

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    1. HUGS back atcha, Owl, and thanks for stopping by! I'm looking forward to seeing your second novel in print this summer. :-)

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  5. I always learn something interesting from your posts, Tex. Another great lecture on Texas history. :)

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    1. That's me, Rustler: always lecturin' somebody. :-D Thanks for stopping by all the way from Wyoming! :-)

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  6. Kathleen,
    What a great refresher course for me. It's been years since I researched the Texas Rangers.

    Loved "Hidalgo" as well...

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    1. The Rangers are endlessly fascinating to me, Kristy. They're legendary as fearsome defenders of the frontier, but on occasion it was hard to tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys. ;-)

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  7. Terrific post, Kathleen! I'd heard of the Nueces Strip but didn't know much about it. Thanks for sharing your research.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Lyn! I always enjoy reading when you share your research, too. Research is one of the fun parts of fiction writing, isn't it? :-)

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  8. Kathleen, as a student of history I loved this post. Thank you for the information. Also, your story sounds unputdownable. ( I like that word) Have a great day. Doris

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    1. Doris, I like the word "unputdownable," too -- especially when it's applied to something I've written. ;-) I think our history nerd sides have found kindred spirits. HUGS, sweetie! :-)

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  9. Oooh, Kathleen, I love ex-nun stories. Hubba. And in a somewhat related vein, I am researching the Donner party for a YA and found out they were headed to California but unsure of their reception...1846 California was still Mexico.They wren't sure if they'd be considered hostile Americans when they got there. Well, to find out they would have other more important stuff on their minds...Great post, great story!.

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    1. I didn't realize that about the Donner Party, Tanya. I'll bet they were worried about a hostile reception, considering what was going on between the U.S. and Mexico down Texas way at the time! Sadly, those poor people soon developed bigger concerns. The very thought of being trapped like that in the mountains during winter makes me shudder. Thanks for stopping by, sweetie! :-)

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  10. **drum roll** And the winner of the e-copy of HEARTS AND SPURS is...DORIS! Congratulations, and I hope you enjoy the book! Every story is a winner, in my (not so humble ;-) ) opinion. :-)

    Look for a message from me with instructions on how to claim the prize.

    BIG THANKS to everyone who took time from their day to drop by for a visit. Y'all are the best. :-)

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