Published: February 25, 2008 01:33 am         

Honoring a heritage

Ramirez dedicates life to sharing of Texas hero

It was just happenstance that Palestine resident Rudy Ramirez discovered he was descended from a little known hero of Texas history, Dona Senora Francisca Alvarez or The Angel of Goliad.

And since that time, Ramirez, a fourth direct descendant of the Angel, has taken his heritage to heart. He spends his time working with family members to share with others the heroic deeds of the Angel, who saved many lives during Texas’ battles for independence.

“I have always been told that I was a descendant of the Angel of Goliad,” Ramirez said in a recent interview. “But it was not really confirmed until about five or six years ago when I was doing research on my family history.”

The Angel of Goliad, Ramirez said, risked her own life to rescue both Texas and Mexican soldiers from imprisonment and execution during Texas battle for independence in 1836.

“Very little has been told in Texas history about the Angel of Goliad,” he said. “What we know of her is referred to by only a few that came in contact with her and recorded their experiences with her humanitarian acts.”

A Georgian soldier recorded that his life was spared from execution by the intervention of a priest and a woman named Alvarez.

In another instance it was recorded that a Mexican Colonel, at great risk to himself, defied the order of his superiors and allowed the Angel to conceal and save about 20 or 30 men the night before they were executed.

The Angel and wives of some Mexican officers threw themselves in front of a firing squad in Victoria, saving seven Texans who had been pursued by Mexican soldiers.

Though not confirmed, the Angel was likely married to an officer in the Mexican army. When the war was over, she returned with him to Matamoros, Mexico but was brought back to Texas by her son and concluded her life at Texas’ King Ranch.

“Out of great respect for the angel, Capt. Richard King, the owner of the ranch, was said to have buried her in an unmarked grave somewhere on the ranch,” Ramirez said. “He did that to protect her grave from being destroyed by Mexicans or Texans, both of whom disliked her for helping the other.”

In 2004, Ramirez and his fellow descendants formed the Angel of Goliad Descendants Historical Preservation Society and recently have obtained their non-profit status.

A life-sized statue of the Angel was dedicated near the site of the Battle of Goliad in March of 2004. Descendants return to the site each year to lay a wreath at the statue honoring the Angel, Texas and Mexican soldiers killed during the conflict and civilians who lost their lives as casualties of war.

“The next ceremony will take place Sunday, March 30 — it is our fifth year to participate,” Ramirez said. “Descendants and special guests Goliad County Judge Harold F. Gleinser and City of Goliad Mayor William Schaefer will be attending.”

Ramirez said he has spoken to a few historical groups as well as students about The Angel of Goliad and the important role she played in Texas’ history.

“I want people to know what she did — what a great lady she was,” Ramirez said. “I will devote the rest of my life to make sure she is remembered.”

Born in 1945 on King Ranch, Ramirez graduated from Palestine High School 1964. He worked for the Missouri Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads for 38 years, retiring in 2001.

Ramirez also was a volunteer auxiliary law enforcement officer and joined the Palestine Police Department reserves as a patrolman in 1973 and retired as a captain commander in 1992. From 1993 to 1996 he served as captain commander of the Anderson County Sheriff Reserve Unit.

He is a member of Southside Baptist Church and is a community volunteer at the Hospitality House, the Stock Pot, Sanctuary House, Bill Glass Prison Ministry and Gideon International.

Ramirez has been married to wife, Ruth Harris of Palestine, for 43 years. They have four children, 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

For more information about the Angel of Goliad, visit www.angelofgoliadhp.com.

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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com

     

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