Richard J. Mertz
3 linear feet, 41 Photos, 15 negatives, and 51 slides
A1996-018
1890-1945 (unknown)
Richard Mertz received his MA in history from Texas A&I University in 1971. He wrote his Master’s thesis on a narrative account of the horse theft by Gregorio Cortez and the subsequent killing of W.T. (Brack) Morris of Sheriff of Karnes County. The research for the thesis took a little over two years where he traveled to Atascosa, Karnes, Wilson, Nueces, Colorado, and Gonzales Counties where he looked at court records and newspapers articles. After he competed his masters, he continued to research the event because it was not comprehensive enough for him and he wanted to write a book detailing the incident. It is unknown whether he finished or published the book. In 1974 Mertz published an article 'No One Can Arrest Me; The Story of Gregorio Cortez' in the spring issue of The Journal of South Texas. In 1996, he donated his research notes to the South Texas Archives and Special Collections.
The Collection includes photocopies of court documents, biographical sketches and interviews with relatives and people involved in the arrest, pursuit, and legal proceedings. Copies of news reports, 41 photos, 51 slides, 15 negatives, and copies of birth and death records of the Cortez family create a visual story of the event. The South Texas Archives has a copy of the Master's Thesis and journal article.
The materials are organized into six series: Series I: Court Documents Series II: Publications/Newspaper Clippings Series III: Genealogy Materials Series IV: Photos/Negatives/Slides Series V: Correspondence Series VI: Notes
South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Open for Research
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.
Richard Mertz's Research on Gregorio Cortez, A1996-018.XXXX - South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
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A1996-018 – Gift of Richard J. Mertz
The original processor is unknown. In 2018 Heidi Saenz processed it and entered it into the database; Matthew Tallant wrote the finding aid. Lori Atkins encoded the EAD in 2018.