Saturday, July 27, 2024
Of the more than 6,000 spurs housed at the Coryell Museum and Historical Center, a few pairs of spurs tend to stand out. Prominently displaced under a glass dome are a pair of spurs that belonged to Pancho Villa, who was a Mexican bandit and guerrilla leader that would later become known as a folk hero.
After 1914, Villa engaged in civil war and banditry. He became notorious in the United States for his attack on Columbus, New Mexico. In 1916, a United States military expedition pursued Villa across the Mexican state of Chihuahua in retaliation for raids on Santa Isabel, where 16 Americans were executed. The invasion of Mexico was bitterly resented, and Villa was never captured.
On July 20, 1923, Pancho Villa was assassinated on his ranch in Parral, Mexico.
On a sign located beneath his spurs display in the Coryell Museum reads, “Rebel outlaw, ruthless bandit, ardent patriot, passionate lover, beloved tyrant…Pancho Villa always lived larger than life. His personal magnetism, his simple, uncluttered idealism, and his overwhelming vitality made him a hero in his time and a legend in the years afterward.”
The Mitchell Spur Collection is massive in size, and it has put Gatesville on the map. The collection, which was donated to the museum by former Gatesville coach and teacher, the late Lloyd Mitchell, and his wife, Madge, led to Gatesville’s recognition by the 77th Texas Legislature as the “Spur Capital of Texas.”
Pancho Villa’s spurs were presented to Lloyd Mitchell by Kate Laughinghouse in 1940. Kate’s husband had been an official in the Mexican government in the early 1900’s and Kate was the aunt of Madge Mitchell.
Visitors are welcome to drop by the museum located at 718 E. Main to view the massive spur collection. Coryell Museum and Historical Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, as is the gift shop. Yearly Coryell Museum memberships are $20 for singles, $30 for families, and $40 for businesses and include free admission to the museum, plus 4 newsletters. Of course, large and small donations are welcome at all times.
Coryell Museum offers area schools and tour groups a delightful, guided tour through the museum with docents at many exhibits. Call the museum at 254-865-5007 to plan a visit.
