A Collection of Tales by arguably the most prolific and renowned historian of South Padre Island. From the arrival of the early Indians, to the Spanish, and the pirates who preyed upon them and on up to the present day, “Old Indio” has a story about every event.
South Padre Island has a known history stretching back to the Spanish Conquest. Before that it was a strip of Barrier Island along the Gulf of Mexico reaching up to what is now Corpus Christi TX. Inhabited by nomadic Indians the main tribe of who were the Karankawas. They are now extinct. Spanish sailors were shipwrecked on the island, and one famous Spanish Explorer, Cabeza de Vaca, spend eight years as a slave amongst them.
“Old Indio” claimed heritage from the putative cannibal tribe The Karankawas.
He is featured in several of the stories here.
Mass coyote roundups on the island in the 1930’s, The Singer Ranch, yes of the Singer Sewing Machine dynasty, and diverse characters from all over round out the collection of tales and reportage from South Padre Island’s past. Beachcombing and Treasure hunting receive special attention and treatment. Steve Hathcock has done both for many a year. And with the special history and conditions of South Padre Island, treasure hunting can be extremely rewarding.
Old Indio
Last of the Karankawa Indians on Padre Island
And Other Short Stories
By Steve Hathcock
Listen to the audio cast here>>
