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Las Gorras Blancas
Juan José, Pablo, and Nicanor Herrera.png
Formation 1889
Dissolved 1891
Type Vigilante group
Location
Region served
United States Southwest


Las Gorras Blancas (which means "The White Caps" in Spanish) was a group active in the New Mexico Territory and the Southwestern United States in the late 1880s and early 1890s. They formed because new settlers, often called "Anglo-Americans," were taking land. The group was started in April 1889 by three brothers: Juan Jose, Pablo, and Nicanor Herrera. They had support from local people in communities like El Burro and San Geronimo in what is now San Miguel County.

History of the White Caps

After parts of northern Mexico became part of the United States following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) and the Gadsden Purchase (1853), many Anglo-Americans moved to these new areas. These new settlers often took land from both Native Americans and Hispanos. One common way was by "squatting," which means settling on land that isn't yours.

These squatters often sold the land they took to people who bought and sold land for profit, especially after the 1862 Homestead Act. Hispanos asked for their lands back, but the government didn't help much. Sometimes, it took up to 50 years for land claims to be processed, and during that time, new settlers kept taking land.

Another problem was that Hispanos needed to show English documents to prove ownership. Since their land was previously part of Mexico, they only had Spanish documents. When the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway was built in the 1890s, some powerful people, known as the Santa Fe Ring, planned ways to take land from the original owners.

In response, Hispanos came together to get their lands back. They hoped to scare off the new immigrants. They used methods like intimidation and raids. They wanted to make local people aware of their shared problems and resist the new economic and social order that was changing their communal land system. The group got its name because many members wore white head coverings.

What Las Gorras Blancas Did

In the early 1890s, the market for sheep and wool became very bad, which hurt the economy in Northern New Mexico. Land that was once shared by communities was being divided and fenced off as private property. This meant there was less shared pasture land. This was a big problem for Hispano farmers who relied on these shared lands for their animals.

Las Gorras Blancas fought back by:

  • Tearing down fences.
  • Burning barns and haystacks.
  • Scattering livestock.
  • Threatening more action if things didn't change.

They also took action against the railroad. A group led by Juan Jose Herrera burned thousands of railroad ties. They did this because the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad refused to pay fair wages to Hispano workers. Members of Las Gorras Blancas also rode through the streets of Las Vegas, New Mexico at night on horseback, wearing their white caps. These rides often ended at the courthouse.

Political Efforts

In August 1890, some members of Las Gorras Blancas decided to run for the New Mexico Legislature. They joined a new political group called the United People's Party, or El Partido del Pueblo Unido in Spanish. Pablo Herrera, Nestor Montoya, and T.B. Mills were all elected. After this, the group stopped most of their direct actions.

However, these three elected members were not successful in passing laws that would help the common people. They became very disappointed with the political system. In February 1891, Pablo Herrera gave a speech where he said he found more honesty in prison than in the legislature.

After his time in the legislature, Pablo Herrera tried to restart Las Gorras Blancas. Sadly, he was killed on Christmas Eve in 1894 in Las Vegas. Juan Jose Herrera continued to be involved in politics with a group called the "Union Party" until he died from typhoid fever in 1902. Nicanor Herrera lived a quiet life after his brothers passed away and died in 1930 at the age of 82.

Their Declaration

On March 12, 1890, Las Gorras Blancas published their goals in the Las Vegas Optic newspaper. This was called the Proclamation of Las Gorras Blancas. Here are some of their main points:

  • They wanted to protect the rights and interests of all people, especially those who were helpless.
  • They wanted the Las Vegas Grant land to be settled fairly for everyone in the community.
  • They did not want "land grabbers" or anyone blocking progress.
  • They believed lawyers should treat people fairly and honestly.
  • They wanted justice to be the main goal of the courts.
  • They were against unfair practices and "double-dealing."
  • They believed there was a big difference between New Mexico's "law" and "justice," and they wanted true justice.
  • They were against anyone trying to cause problems between different races. They believed everyone was human and equal.
  • They supported projects that brought water for farming, but they would fight any plan that gave control of water to only a few people.
  • They supported new businesses but were against dishonest ways of doing business.
  • They didn't care how much wealth people gained, as long as it was done fairly and honestly.
  • They wanted to stop "bossism," where powerful political leaders controlled everything.
  • They wanted fair elections where everyone's vote counted.
  • They were not afraid of threats or unfair accusations. They were willing to risk their lives for their rights.
  • They invited people to see the hunger and hardship they faced because of corrupt leaders.
  • They promised to support those who were fair and just, but warned of consequences for those who were not.

At the time, they claimed to have 1,500 members and were growing daily.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Las gorras blancas para niños

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