THE REVOLT OF THE SALlNEROS
For over 300 years, the Mexican salineros, or "saltmen," had been mining and selling salt from deposits near what is now EI Paso, Texas. They didn't understand the concept of private ownership of what they considered public land-anyone who was strong enough to unearth the salt and sell it was welcome to it.
That all changed in the 1870s when a young Texas district judge named Charles Howard used legal tactics to claim the land surrounding the mines as his own. Now Howard was sayinghe owned the property and no one was allowed to gather salt but him. At first, the salineros ignored him and continued mining as they had always done. Howard made his point clear when he shot one man who opposed him and arrested two others for merely talking about going to get salt.
Outrage spread like wildfire and a plan was made to fight back. When word came to Howard that a train of 16 wagons was going to get salt, he realized this meant a showdown and asked for the Texas Rangers. Howard and the Rangers were organizing when their building was surrounded by salineros and a siege began. The battle had dragged on for five days when the salineros sent word: "If Howard gives himself up willingly and gives up all claim to the salt lakes, no harm will come to him." He surrendered, but a mob shouted for his death. Howard and a few of his followers were put in front of a vigilante firing squad and summarily executed. The rest of the Rangers were released, and they fled. They are noted today for being the only Rangers who have ever surrendered.
Federal troops soon arrived, seeking revenge for Howard's murder. Anyone suspected of participating in the siege was shot on sight. Pandemonium broke out, and people began to loot and riot. A larger contingent of Texas Rangers then came on the scene and put an end to the fighting.
A full investigation of the affair led to no definite conclusions. No one was ever arrested or prosecuted. When a new agent was appointed to head up the Texas Rangers, the salineros politely applied for permission to haul salt for a reasonable fee. It was granted.