1919 storm, autos killed streetcars (2nd part of article about William F. Buckley Jr.'s Grandfather)

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times ^ | Wednesday, March 5, 2008 | Murphy Givens

[Paleo Conservative]

The death of William F. Buckley Jr. last week brought several calls with reminders of his connection to South Texas. His grandfather, John Buckley, came to Duval County in 1874 from Ontario, Canada. He was involved in raising sheep. Back then, South Texas was sheep country.

John Buckley, the patriarch of the family, ran for sheriff of Duval County as a Democrat in 1888. He lost to Republican L.L. Wright. Buckley sued for fraud, claiming that forces loyal to Wright failed to count votes from precincts favoring Buckley. He also charged that Wright brought in illegal voters from Nueces and Starr counties. The Texas Supreme Court ordered that Buckley be made sheriff. He served until 1896.

Duval County was split between Anglo Republicans -- the party of the botas (boots) -- and the Democratic opposition dominated by Hispanics -- the guaraches (sandals).

John Buckley's son, William F. Buckley Sr., moved to Mexico where he became wealthy from oil exploration. The family relocated to Connecticut. William F. Buckley Jr. once said in a speech that his grandfather's loyalty to the Democratic Party continued even after his death. He said that John Buckley, who died in 1903, was recorded as voting for Lyndon Johnson in 1948.

There are no doubt those in the late William F. Buckley's political circle who would not consider being dead a good excuse for voting for Lyndon Johnson.

[Paleo Conservative]

This is one of those columns about two or mor unrelated stories. I'm just posting the part of the article about William F. Buckley Jr.'s Grandfather. I had to keep the original title in order to comply with Free Republic Rules.

[Paleo Conservative]

Ping!

[Fiddlstix]

.......He said that John Buckley, who died in 1903, was recorded as voting for Lyndon Johnson in 1948.

Hey. It's Duval county. No biggie.
People who died in the civil war voted for LBJ if they were from Duval county.

[Paleo Conservative]

Did they vote for McGovern too?

[Fiddlstix]

I dunno for sure but I’d be willing to bet they did.

[kalee]

ping

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Did they vote for McGovern too?"

See that dark red county near the bottom of the state ? That's Duval County in 1972. Voted for McGovern by a margin of 86%(!) to 14% for Nixon. It went for Kerry 71% to 28% for Dubya in 2004, the best GOP showing for President since probably the 19th century.

[MeekOneGOP]

People who died in the civil war voted for LBJ if they were from Duval county.

Well, they must have been clairvoyant or sumthin', huh??? :)

[MeekOneGOP]

Willaim F. Buckley’s books have caught fire this week.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160213612433&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=006

Sold for just under $300 today.

I have a first edition of the same book and the auction ends Sunday morning.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110229675805&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=001

[nicmarlo]

: )

[SwinneySwitch]

Buckley Ping!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[kiriath_jearim]

"People who died in the civil war voted for LBJ if they were from Duval county." **** The man who raised those dead voters from the dead: [George Parr: Proved to be a political powerhouse and controversial politician.]

[potlatch]

I looked around at your pages and the one ‘about you’! Very interesting Meek.

[MeekOneGOP]

"Verrrrry Interesting!"