The Last Knight

About the Book

“The Last Knight” The Story of Don Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara Uribe (1774-1841), a Texas Hero (By Jose Antonio Lopez) Once there was a magical land called “Tejas”. Here is where our Spanish-Mexican ancestors settled to raise families, build their homes, and ranching communities. They were a rare breed of men and women; a hearty stock, strong of both mind and body. They tamed what historian Jerry Thompson calls the Wild and Vivid Land of South Texas. In so doing, they invented the ranching and cowboy phenomena. However, all was not well. Spain ruled Tejas with oppressive and unjust laws. In response for direction to rid America of European colonial rule, several great American-born leaders answered the call to duty during those turbulent times of the late 1700s and early 1800s. Among these were George Washington, Simon Bolivar, and Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara Uribe. While most people may have heard of the first two, few are familiar with Don Bernardo. The Last Knight is the story of this great Texas hero. To begin with, Don Bernardo’s life has the drama, action, and intrigue of a Hollywood movie, but it is a true story. He was born in Revilla (now Guerrero), on the southern bank of the Rio Grande back when the Rio was just another South Texas river. (The shape of Texas was very different than it is today.) As a young man, Don Bernardo decided to get involved in bringing social change in his community and throughout Texas and Mexico. It was in this restless period of early Texas history that Don Bernardo volunteered to help Father Miguel Hidalgo in his struggle to gain Mexico’s independence from Spain. That is why September 16th is today celebrated in Texas. Don Bernardo was appointed a Lt Colonel in the Republican Army. After a trip to the U.S. to seek help and volunteers, he began his revolution in Nacogdoches. That the struggle began here in the Louisiana border was very significant in a historical sense. Nacogdoches and Los Adaes represented the eastern boundary of New Spain. As a matter of fact, Los Adaes is the first capital of Texas. On April 17, 1813, he wrote Texas’ first Declaration of Independence and its first constitution. He won a series of battles. He became the first President-Protector (governor) of the Independent State of Texas. However, his hope of victory over the Spanish forces vanished quickly, when he was relieved of command and forced to move to Natchitoches, Louisiana in exile. When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, Don Bernardo was asked to return to his homeland. He did so in 1824. Upon arriving, he became the governor of the new state of Tamaulipas. He also was appointed to several military posts, including Commandant General of Tamaulipas and Commandant General of the Eastern Interior States (Texas, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo Leon.) He died in 1841 after an illustrious career as a rancher, military leader, Indian fighter, gifted communicator, skilled diplomat, governor of two states (Texas and Tamaulipas), and commandant general of four states. He was a man who possessed rare leadership qualities. We owe our gratitude to this great hero who shared in the first vision of a free and independent Texas.

About the Author

Mr. José Antonio (Joe) López was born and raised in Laredo, Texas. USAF Veteran. He is a direct descendant of Don Javier Uribe, one of the earliest families that settled in what is now South Texas in 1750. He is married to the former Cordelia Jean “Cordy” Dancause of Laredo. He has college degrees from Laredo Jr. College and Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX. He earned a Master’s Degree in Education. He is the author of two books: “The Last Knight (Don Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara Uribe, A Texas Hero)”, and “Nights of Wailing, Days of Pain (Life in 1920s South Texas)”. Mr. Lopez also writes newspaper and online magazine articles on issues that affect Spanish-surnamed citizens in the Southwest. He and his wife visit school campuses throughout South Texas teaching about the Spanish Mexican roots of Texas. Mr. Lopez is the founder of the Tejano Learning Center, LLC, and www.tejanosunidos.org , a web site dedicated to Spanish Mexican people and events in U.S. history that are mostly overlooked in mainstream history books. oOo About Miss Cordy (Very Able Assistant): Cordy has spent about 30 years working with children in various learning settings. For the last 20 years of her very successful career, she worked as a certified para professional, concentrating in special education in the Judson Ind. School District. She is the TLC Chief Editor and Scheduler. She is also responsible for setting up and maintaining Tejano Learning presentation equipment and static displays.