Among City Pioneers.
San Antonio Express newspaper, June 17, 1934, Sunday.
Some weeks ago Vinton L. James, pioneer San Antonian, wrote an article for San Antonio Express descriptive of Commerce Street, picturing the day when that thoroughfare was the "main stem" of the city. Many of the old-timers whose names his memory floated to the surface have closed their earthly careers and gone hence. Many of the old buildings he described have crumbled, or fallen to make way for something newer. Mr. James' article dealt largely with that section of the street west of the river, although he did recall some of the early-day residents who were in business or had a home in the eastern end of the street.
Among the latter was the Garcia family which resided in a quaint two-story home and which came to be known as the "French Villa." The Garcias were distinguished among the first of the pioneer families and as well in later years. For instance, Mrs. Florencia Leal de Garcia's grandfather, Juan Leal, was the leader of the first 16 families sent by the Spanish crown, Philip IV, in 1731, from the Canary Islands to settle in San Antonio.
Juan Leal was the son of Remigio Leal and Maria Francisca Rodriguez. Juan married Juana Guerra and the couple had many children among whom was Florencia and who in 1855 was married to J. M. Garcia. To the latter were born seven children. Of these, N. M. Garcia, 78, residing at 914 West Popular Street, among them, Joe, Toby, Mrs. Florence Smith, Mrs. Julia Smith and Mrs. Yolanda Gomez, all of San Antonio. Another son, Joe M. E. Garcia, died in October last, at the age of 76, and he was the father of eight children: Mrs. Flora de la Garza (deceased) Arthur Garcia, Mrs. Stella Chavez, Mrs. Violet Valdez, and Rose, Connie, Lena and Josie Garcia. The latter two were the representative of the family in the recent bicentennial celebration and pageant.
Among Florencia L. de Garcia's children there was a daughter, Florencia, a son Benjamin, both of whom are dead, Albert V. Garcia, who resides in Chihuahua and is widely known; Porfirio Garcia, whose home is in San Antonio but who spends much of his time in the East and in Mexico, and there was the youngest daughter, Zulema, whose talents in the musical world brought her wide recognition at home and abroad. She became the wife of J. J. Olson.
She played both violin and piano and her brother, Jose, also became an accomplished violinist. Together, they entertained many friends at the old Casino Club on Market Street and at the home the "French Villa" in East Commerce Street. There was none of the jazz hysteria in that period and it was only the universally good music that had any appeal for the Garcias or their listeners. They delved into the operas and the classics and then into their own compositions, for Zulema composed as well as played. Zulema's first composition was a Spanish number, "Un Suspiro," one sigh, which she wrote at the age of 11. In later years she rounded out her musical education at the National Conservatory of Music in Paris and among a great host of students she captured the top honors. Europe and the Western Hemisphere recognized her artistry and besides ovations, she was presented medals in France, Italy, Greece and England. Over here she was similarly honored in the United States and Mexico.
Shortly before the World's Columbian Exposition made its bow in Chicago in 1893, she wrote a march, "Columbus Landing in America," which was played at the inaugural of the exposition. Later on when she accepted an invitation to visit the Chicago Fair, Sousa's band played the composition as she entered the fair grounds.
Aside from the Columbus march which was played by bands throughout the country she, at an earlier day wrote "The Grand Military Waltz," dedicated to the Encampment of the National Guard in Washington, D. C., in 1887 and the young lady was at the time but 13 years of age. Later on there came the Spring Waltz which was written for the Spring Palace show in Fort Worth and then the Mocking Bird the inspiration for which came the singing outbursts of her feathered pets. So prolific was she in composition that when she marched up the aisle to the altar to take her marriage vows it was to her own music. She had written her wedding march.
There stands in Milan, Italy, today a conservatory of history which bears the name of this distinguished musician. Mrs. Zulema Garcia Olson's children are: Jans, Zulema, Bidwell, Harold, Klaus, Lydia and Albert. The latter, at the age of 35, is a professor in the University of Texas at Austin.
Among others of the Garcias who inherited musical talent is Josie Garcia, the youngest daughter of Joe M. R. Garcia. She never has studied music yet composes and plays. On top of that he has literary inclinations.
J. M. E. Garcia, known to his many friends as "Joe" was a dashing young caballero in what is now frequently referred to as the "good old days." He liked clothes and wore them well. He graduated from the old St. Mary's College and soon after leaving there was employed by the government. His father, J. M. Garcia, a ranchman and large property holder in southwestern Texas, prevailed upon the son to join him in the management of the large estate. The elder Garcia not alone raised cattle and sheep, he had a weakness for fine horses and dogs and his stable of thoroughbreds was widely known.
The Garcias had a manner about them, doing things in a big way. For instance, when the daughter, Florencia, was married the bridal costume came from Paris and on it there was a price tag of $7,000. The wedding was in keeping with the gown all of which meant a tremendous reception and this was given at the Menger Hotel. The choicest of viands were served the guests and no one could complain of a thirst. The champagne bill alone ran into $l,000. So on the whole it was a merry party.
The Garcias were faithful churchgoers. Sunday found them dressed in their best. In mid-victorian style they were driven to church, a spanking pair of prancing horses drawing the landau on the box of which sat the groom in the Garcia livery. After church service an old world custom, a promenade was in order and all the notables were driven about the plazas and up and down Commerce Street. It was a fine show of pomp and yet without a flashy side, just a lot of elegance and dignity.
And so the Garcias left behind them a high mark for the coming generations
to equal if they could.
