Noted biographer Rudi R. Rodriguez presented an overview on the life of legendary Native Tejano José Policarpio “Polly” Rodriguez at Comfort Public Library.
Polly carries an impressive resume of former careers as a frontiersman, U.S. Army scout and guide, rancher, county official and minister. Along with his ancestors, Polly went on to establish many parts of Texas we recognize today.
“Polly Rodriguez is a great example of native Tejano contributions and accomplishments that have not yet seen the light of day,” Rudi Rodriguez said during his Sept. 15 presentation. “He played an enormous role in expanding the present-day American West and Southwest.”
While serving as a U.S. Army scout and guide, his explorations took his party through what we now know as I-10. As roads began to develop in Texas, the U.S. Army began building the second line of defense against Native American tribes — with help from Polly, who was able to identify which land was suitable for building and placing their supplies and cattle.
These forts were later used in the Civil War by the 2nd Texas Calvary. Polly later joined the Texas Rangers after denying a captainship offer from the Confederacy; he did not want to fight against his mentors.
“You don’t often hear about a Tejano in the Texas Rangers,” Rudi said. “He served with them for 11 years.”
Polly’s distinguished career would include Bandera County commissioner, Justice of the Peace in Precinct 4, road commissioner and then chief of hide and brand inspector.
He would go on to own over 4,000 acres in Bandera County while also aiding other Tejano ranchers to do the same, assisting them in applying for and receiving homestead grants.
Polly’s two-story limestone home — which was considered the “fort” of the town, as the townspeople would go there during Native American raids — still stands today. The town in which he lived would adopt the name “Polly, Texas” in his honor.
“Polly is revered in the Texas Hill Country,” Rudi said, adding that he was thrilled to have an amazing turnout to his presentation. “They wouldn’t let me go. What was supposed to be a 45-minute presentation ended up turning into an hour, and then lunch.”
Among the attendees was Becky Crouch, local author Hondo Crouch’s daughter.
The event was organized by TexasTejano, an organization Rudi Rodgriguez founded in 2002 to pay tribute to the contributions of Native Tejanos in developing the state of Texas.
Next month, Rudi will be presenting a continuation of Polly’s story in Junction, Texas. His biography of Polly is near completion, with a tentative publishing date in March 2025.
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