Salinero Revolt

The Salinero Revolt was an uprising of several salineros or salt miners in the El Paso region of Texas in the 1870s, which led to the first surrender of the Texas Rangers. Without the idea of enterprise-style of ownership, anyone who was willing to unearth the salt mines was welcome.

Charles Howard, an entrepeneur and Texas district judge, had used legal tactics to usurp the land. He had bought the land around the mine, but gradually claimed the entire mine, saying it was illegal to gather salt unless it was for his profit. The salineros had ignored him an continued to unearth salt, and Howard had several of them shot or arrested.

Revolt quickly spread around the region, and to Howard's chagrin a train of 16 wagons headed toward the mining site to get salt. He realized that a battle would ensue, and therefore called in the Texas Rangers.

The salineros encircled the mine, and a siege began. The battle went on for five days, with word that "If [Howard]] gave himself up willing and gives up all claim to the salt lakes, no harm would come to him." He promptly surrendered, but the mob quickly had him and his followers executed in front of a firing squad. Most of the Texas Rangers had been captured, but they had been relesed after surrendering.

Federal troops had later came on the scene, in an effort to quell the revolt and avenge Howard's murder. Fighting had soon quelled, and the salt mine was re-opened to the salineros for a reasonable fee.