Webb County, Texas TXGenWeb | Books

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Webb County, Texas, Books

Last modified: 31 MAY 2008

Google Book Search allows you to search the full text online versions of books that have become copyright free. See below a sampling of books that reference Laredo. These books are fully searchable.

nuevo laredoThe Boy Travelers in Mexico: Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey to Northern and Central Mexico, Campeachey, and Yucatan, with a Description of the Republics of Central America and of the Nicaragua Canal,
By Thomas Wallace Knox, 1890
Excerpt
"As the train for Mexico started at eight o'clock, there was not much time for sight-seeing after breakfast, though sufficient to discover that Laredo was a comparatively new town, whose existence was mainly due to the railways that lead to it. There was a town there in the early days of the Spanish colonization, but it was completely destroyed in the frontier troubles, and the site was deserted until Texas became one of the United States."

From Flag to Flag: A Woman's Adventures and Experiences in the South During the War, in Mexico,
By Elizabeth Ripley, 1888
Excerpt:
"I often think of the days we spent in quaint Laredo - of the old priest who three times a day solemnly issued from his adobe hut and tolled off the hours from the big, harsh-sounding bell that surmounted a tall staff beside the little mud-covered church - of the courtesy and kindness of the women who brought me almost daily presents of little loaves of bread, alas! full of caraway-seed, but sweet and warm from the adobe ovens that were scattered at convenient distances through the village - of the men, wrapped in blankets like Indians, standing aside and giving me a courteous, deep salaam, sombrero in hand, when necessity compelled me to take the quart-cup and go to the public pen for goat's milk - of the dexterous manner with which said goats were milked, all herded in a crowded pen: the milker fastened his eye on a certain nanny, made a rapid dart, caught her by the left hind-foot, which he secured under his right arm, thereby lifting the struggling creature quite off her legs; with a quick stoop and a few lightning strokes the cup foamed over and Mrs. Goat was released."

Recollections of a Virginian in the Mexican, Indian, and Civil Wars,
By Dabney Herndon Maury, 1894
Excerpt
"Our march ended at San Antonio, where I turned in my artillery and went to join my company a Fort McIntosh, Laredo. The headquarters of the regiment were there, with one squadron, also seven or eight companies of infantry and one company of artillery. Laredo, a Mexican town, was a mile away. Occasionally, Colonel Loring, one of the kindest and best and bravest of men, gave a fandango at his quarters, and invited some of the elite of Laredo to meet our officers and their families."

Three Years Among the Camanches: The Narrative of Nelson Lee, the Texan Ranger, Containing a Detailed Account of His Captivity Among the Indians,
By Nelson Lee, 1859
Excerpt
"At length, however, early in December, we reached Laredo on the Texan side of the Rio Grande, which was evacuated by the Mexicans on our approach, who retired beyond the river. The authorities of the place provided us with a few beeves and a scanty supply of provisions when we were ordered to march down some three miles below the town, where we encamped. The next day, being in a suffering condition for want of provisions, dissatisfaction became loud and determined. The men declared that if their General would not furnish them with the necessaries of life they would furnish themselves, and accordingly several hundred marched into the town and helped themselves. This was 'the plunder of Laredo,' about which so much ado was made by the partizans of General Somerville, and which was subsequently given as one of the reasons of his abandoning the expedition.

Recollections of a Lifetime,
By Roeliff Brinkerhoff, 1890
Excerpt
The next day, late in the afternoon, after an all-day ride through southern Texas, we reached the Rio Grande and crossed over into Mexico. I have been in many strange countries; but I think the transition from one side of the Rio Grande to the other is the most extreme in its civilization I have ever experienced.

Walter Reed and Yellow Fever,
By Howard Atwood Kelly, 1906
About efforts to control Yellow Fever, including in Laredo, Texas.

See more searchable books about Laredo.

English Translation of Cabeza de Vaca's Narrative from Texas State University - San Marcos

The Trail Drivers of Texas, By J. Marvin Hunter
This a collection of stories told by old time cattle drivers and other people living in mostly south Texas between the end of the Civil War and the early 1900's. About 30% of the stories are about people living in the San Antonio area but many are about other individuals throughout south Texas. Most stories pertain to cattle drivers but many are about events and everyday life as it was in the late 1800's in south Texas. Some genealogical data but mostly interesting stories about people you could be researching. Book has index of all individuals mentioned in it.