Author: Jeff Madruga

“ROSARY SCHEDULED FOR CAPT. ROSE, 41 – Rosary for Capt. ERNEST P. ROSE, age 41, skipper of the San Diego purse seiner ‘SUN EUROPA’, will be recited at 7:30 tonight in Goodbody’s Ivy Chapel. Capt. Rose died Saturday in a Long Beach hospital. He was injured March 7^th when an unloading bucket aboard the ‘Sun Europa’ went out of control, broke an ammonia line in the freezer hold, and pinned him to the deck. He was one of seven men injured by the fumes. Capt. Rose was a native of Hanford, California, and had lived in San Diego since he was 7 years old. He had been a fisherman since he was 18. He lived at 3503 Addison St. (now known as Avenida de Portugal – ed.). Surviving are his widow, Mildred; a stepson Donald Sweek; his father MANUEL ROSE, a brother GENE ROSE, and two sisters, Mrs. HELEN LABRUZZI and Mrs. EDNA TOCCO, all of San Diego. Requiem Mass will be said at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow in St. Agnes Catholic Church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.”

(*Source: San Diego EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Tuesday, March 15, 1960 – Pg. 36 w/Pic)

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“LAWSUITS SEEK $226,880 IN BOAT ACCIDENT – Two lawsuits for a total of $226,880 (equivalent to $2,374,916 today – ed.) have been filed in Superior Court of San Diego in the death of a tuna boat skipper and injury of a crewman when an ammonia refrigeration pipeline broke in the boats hold. Capt. ERNEST P. ROSE, age 41, of 3503 Addison St. died 4 days after the March 8^th mishap aboard the ‘SUN EUROPA’ in San Pedro harbor. Mr. Quinton B. Graves, age 36, of 5211 Logan Ave. (the Chief Engineer) alleges he too was injured by the fumes. Five others reportedly were injured when an unloading bucket swung out of control, breaking the ammonia pipeline, authorities reported. Defendants in both lawsuits are five San Diegans listed as owners, managers, or controllers of the boat. The pipeline allegedly was deteriorated.

Graves, who said he tried to rescue Rose, seeks $100,000 (equivalent to $1,046,77212 today – ed.) plus wages lost by illness and the cost of medical care, with those amounts were not listed. Rose’s widow, Mildred, age 34, seeks $126,880 (equivalent to $1,328,144 today – ed.). The five defendants are Salvatore Crivello, 2924 Pearl St., Thomas West, 3233 Poe St.; Esther LaTucca of -3742 Del Mar Ave.; Vincent Crivello, 3455 Columbia St., and Lena Sanfilippo, of 3215 Whittier St.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Sunday, June 19, 1960 – Pg. 55)

“SILVA ELECTED PRESIDENT OF TUNABOAT MEN – Mr. EDWARD P. SILVA, owner of the tuna clipper ‘SANTA ROSA’, will serve as President of the AMERICAN TUNABOAT ASSOCIATION next year (1956). He was elected by the association’s new Board of Directors at a meeting Wednesday. Other new officers are FRANK GONSALVES JR., Vice-President; CARL O. MEDINA, Secretary, and Arthur DeFever, Treasurer.

The Board of Directors, elected earlier this month, includes: GEORGE ALAMEDA, Wade Ambrose, FRANK BRENHA, Sam Crivello, JOAQUIN CANAS, Mr. DeFever, Mr. Gonsalves, Luigi Guidi, O. J. Hall Jr., Sverre Jangaard, JOSEPH MADRUGA, RALPH MADRUGA, Stefano Massa, Mr. Carl MEDINA, JOAQUIN MEDINA, M. O. MEDINA, MANUEL NEVES, JOSEPH PENACHO, FRANK M. PERRY, JOAQUIN QUALIN, JOSEPH S. ROGERS, F. W. Szalinski, Louis Vattuone, and John Zolezzi.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Saturday, December 31, 1955 – Pg. 19)

“SAVED BY TUNABOAT – 13 MEANS LUCK TO ANGLER ADRIFT – You can’t tell Mr. Stanley Sahara that 13 is an unlucky number. Following a weird 8-DAY ordeal at sea that saw him fighting fire, sharks, the sea, the sun, and loneliness and frustration; Sahara was rescued in Mexican waters by the 13-man crew of the San Diego tuna boat, the ‘NAVIGATOR’. ‘He was sunburned, thin, and tired; but he still had his wits,’ said Mr. ARNOLD MONISE of 3411 Garrison St., the ‘Navigator’s’ Assistant Engineer, said last night.

BOAT STALLS

Monise said Sahara, 48-year-old Chicago businessman and property owner, told this story: ‘He was fishing 2 miles off the mouth of Acapulco Bay on February 3^rd. When he started back, the outboard motor of the rented boat failed. He ripped out a cushion and paddled with it. When night fell, he used fishing line and a rock to anchor. But the line broke, and the boat drifted far out to sea. ‘He was 25 miles offshore and 80 miles south of Acapulco, when we picked him up on February 11^th, some 8 days later.’ Monise said. ‘I was the lookout. I thought his boat was a log. We headed for it because we thought fish would be near. Then we saw him jumping and waving. ‘We had to reverse engines to get close, and I guess he thought we weren’t going to stop. He started to jump in and swim toward us, but one of the boys explained to him. ‘It’s a good thing he didn’t try to swim. The sharks would have got him.’ Sharks and turtles disturbed the boat at night, and the sun was merciless on Sahara during the day.

BOAT IGNITES

‘About 20 boats passed him, some so close he could read their names. Once, at night, to attract attention he set a cushion on fire with fuel from the motor. But it caught the boat on fire and he had a heck of a time getting the flames out.’ The ‘Navigator’, skippered by Capt. JOAQUIN QUALIN of 3022 Lawrence St., returned Sahara to Acapulco. ‘He told us it was the first time he’d ever prayed for himself, even though he’d been wounded during the war. He’d even made a will. The last thing he said to us was, ‘The ‘Navigator’ is one boat I’ll never forget.’ Monise said Sahara is sending each crewman an EIGHT-DAY CLOCK (which only have to be wound every eight days – ed.), symbolic of the length of time he was lost.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Friday, March 29, 1963 – Pg. 37)

Editorial Note: The very fortunate Mr. Stanley S. Sahara (aka. Czohara) was born April 7, 1917 in Detroit, Michigan and (Thanks to the sharp-eyed Mr. Arnold Monise, Capt. Joaquin Qualin, and the crew of the ‘Navigator’) lived far past the “lost at sea” scare of 1963 to eventually pass away on December 9, 2001 in Downers Grove, Du Page Co., Illinois of “natural causes”, after having lived much of his life in Chicago. He was indeed in the U.S. Army in WWII, and earned a Purple Heart in 1944. As such, he is buried the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Will Co., Illinois.

“ESPIRITO SANTO FETE PLANNED BY PORTUGUESE – The Point Loma Portuguese American colony tomorrow (“for the 41^st year” [supposedly 1919?!?] – ed.) will participate in the Festa do Espirito Santo, or Feast of the Holy Ghost, a traditional ceremony traced to Portugal of 1323. It was in that year that Queen Isabel of Portugal proffered her crown to the Holy Ghost in return for answered prayers that her people be spared a famine. Although often a fishing boat and it’s skipper sponsor this San Diego event, this year Mr. and Mrs. EDWIN P. NUNES (his wife being Ms. MARGARET SILVA, granddaughter of FRANK PEREIRA SILVA; the man who initially gathered the funds to buy this community’s first CROWN of the Holy Spirit used at these events – ed.) are sponsors, fulfilling a promise made for recovery of a family member from illness.

PARADE PLANNED

Tomorrow’s activities will begin at 10:00 am as colorfully costumed Point Lomans parade from the Portuguese Hall at 2818 Addison St. (now Avenida de Portugal St. – ed.) to St Agnes Church, at 1140 Evergreen St., where there will be a solemn High Mass. Then, before the church altar, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ, age 16, of Palo Alto, California; a niece of Mr. & Mrs. Nunes, will be crowned the Festa Queen. Miss CAROL MEDINA, age 12, will be Junior Queen and little Miss Joyce Ball, age 4, will be Princess.

ATTENDANCE RAISED

The Queen will be attended by Miss BARBARA BALLATORE and DIANE AVILLA, the Junior Queen by Miss JEAN QUALIN and Miss CONNIE PEREIRA, and the Little Princess by DEBBIE and GAIL GONSALVES, two sisters. After the coronation, the Procession will return to the Hall for a midday meal. A festive Bazaar will be conducted there from 6:00 pm to midnight. Participating in the parade will be six replicas of saints, two bands, a color guard, and several members of religious and patriotic organizations.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Saturday, June 4, 1960 – Pg. 17)

*Editorial Note: Young Holy Ghost Festival Queen Miss Loretta Jean Sanchez (b. September 8, 1944 in Santa Clara Co.) mother’s maiden name was ALICE MARIE NUNES; she being the sister the male half of San Diego’s 1960 ‘Festa’ sponsors, Mr. & Mrs. Edwin P. Nunes. Young Loretta (1944 – 2022) graduated from Hayward High, and later happily married Mr. Caton Joseph Frates (i.e. Freitas – ed.) from New Bedford, Massachusetts on June 12, 1965. They died just two days apart in Brentwood, CA, and are buried together at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery in Santa Clara County, California.

“MONARCH SENDS HIS ENVOY TO SAN DIEGO’S FIESTA – Alphonso of Spain Honors City by Directing Spanish Ambassador to Personally Attend CARNIVALLE CABRILLO – Credit for Achievement is Given to Col. Collier – Order of Panama Names Committees to Shoulder Burdens of Details of Big Celebration of City’s Discovery – His Majesty KING ALFONSO of SPAIN has directed Don Juan Riano y Gayangos, Spanish Minister to the United States, to attend in person the Carnival Cabrillo, the celebration arranged for September 24^th through 27^th to dedicate the sites for monuments to Cabrillo and Balboa and to unveil the Cross to be erected to the memory of Father Junipero Serra. This recognition by the Spanish sovereign of ceremonies commemorating the early Spanish colonization and Christianization of California, and the additional tribute to San Diego that it carries, is most gratifying to the Order of Panama and to the committee in charge of the celebration. All are disposed to give the credit to Col. D. C. COLLIER, and dispatches from Washington D.C., which conveyed the information, do the same.

Close Friend of Marquis

Colonel Collier is a personal friend of the Marquis De la Vega e Incian of Madrid, Spain, who is intimately associated with the king, and it is not doubted that it was through the efforts of the Marquis that King Alfonso so readily consented to have his representative visit San Diego. According to dispatches, the minister will leave Washington D.C. on the 19^th and come directly to San Diego, traveling with only one servant. While here he will stay at the Hotel Del Coronado. On the return trip he will visit the Grand Canyon. Colonel Collier will make all the arrangements for his trip. Companeros of the Order of Panama who have been drafted into service on committees for the Carnival Cabrillo are about the busiest men in San Diego this week. The “Carnival Cabrillo” is growing every day. It started out with an idea of celebrating the discovery of the Pacific Ocean and the unveiling of a statue to Father Junipero Serra. Then it expanded to a second dedicatory ceremony, and then to a carnival in connection with these events; for it is an old-time Latin custom to follow a ceremony with a carnival and general good time. That is just what is going to happen in San Diego during the week of September 24^th through 27^th when the Order of Panama and the other fraternal organizations of the city will join in a huge celebration of the THREE GREAT EVENTS that mark SAN DIEGO as the *beginning place* of all things in California!

Committees Named

Committees were filled up yesterday to full working strength. In addition to the skeleton committee first organized, which worked out the plans for the celebration, there are now committees at work on every detail of the whole affair. The committees are in charge of the ceremonies of historical events. There will be three of these: (1.) First, on September 25^th, when the site for the Cabrillo Monument at the Old Lighthouse on (cont. Pg. 9) Point Loma will be dedicated. This site has been granted by the government, and the Order of Panama intends to get behind a movement that will result in a gigantic statue of Cabrillo on this site. This statue is to be 200’ high and is to contain a light that is to be maintained by the Government, a similar statue to that on Bedloe’s Island (i.e. Statue of Liberty – ed.) in New York Harbor, except that the summit of this statue on Point Loma will be over 500’ above the water and the light will be visible 100 miles out at sea.

To Dedicate Site

(2.) The second event is the dedication of the site for the (Conquistador – ed.) Vasco Nunez de BALBOA statue in Balboa Park. This site has been selected and the ground marked off. It is situated at the junction of the Midland drive and the Laurel Street entrance to the Exposition, at the east end of the Prado of the Exposition. The statue will face directly west on the main Exposition street. It will be in the east entrance to the Exposition grounds, in such a position that after the Exposition is over and the temporary gates and decorations are removed, the statue will remain as an ornament to the park for all time to come.

(3.) The third event is the unveiling of the statue to Father Junipero Serra on Presidio Hill, Old Town. For this occasion there will be present the BISHOP of Monterey and Los Angeles, and other notables. The same floats used in 1911 representing the Missions founded by Serra will be used in this ceremony, and the whole membership of the Order of Panama will be present, together with hundreds…, even thousands…, of others who will want to see the elaborate ceremonies being arranged for this impressive and historical event.

Some New Thing

With these three events as the reason and foundation for the Celebration, the Committee has gone ahead with its arrangements from day to day. Everyday has developed something new. Every time a committee meets it finds some other organization or group of men in the city who want to take some part in it. The carnival spirit is very much alive in San Diego. It seems the opinion of all concerned that the city desires to celebrate at this particular time because of the prosperity and good times that have prevailed in San Diego. It is also the opinion of San Diegan’s that this city should celebrate now because San Diego is about the only city on the coast, if not in the entire country, that has not suffered from some untoward event or condition. Therefore the Carnival Cabrillo, to which San Diego invites every person in California! She has arranged for special rates on all the railroads and steamer lines. She has arranged for two beautiful Pageants, pageants that cannot be given in any other city on the coast, bar none. She has invited the Spanish Minister from Washington D.C. to be here and take part, and has invited the Bishop to perform the ceremonies incident to the unveiling of the Serra Monument, and he has consented and will come with all his episcopal suite, as he did in 1911.

Plenty of Real Fun

And for the real carnival, the fun-loving people of Southern California will come to San Diego knowing that there will be plenty of that on this occasion. There will be no Midway in an abandoned block with a lot of hurdy-gurdy get-the-money stuff at this celebration. There will be every night a ‘horrible parade’ in the city streets. Every night there will be a carnival of a different color and a different theme at Wonderland Park, which has been engaged by the Order of Panama for this occasion, together with the services of Manager Snow, who is some carnival arranger himself when it comes to that. There will be fun and room for everybody, both in the city and at Wonderland. There will be special car service every afternoon and every night. Superintendent Perry is figuring out the trolley arrangements already. He is a little committee on Transportation all by himself. As usual, the Spreckels Company is meeting the Order of Panama more than halfway, for this is a public affair is a City celebration and no one, not even the Companeros who are doing all the work, makes a single cent out of the celebration. There are no ‘concession stands’ and no grandstand rights and no salaries with this celebration; it is all public spirit from first to last and that is not the least thing about it that makes it essentially San Diegan. A similarly arranged and managed affair cannot be held in any other city on the coast, or at least it never has been. Down at headquarters in the Union Newspaper building is the archivest of the Order of Panama, who is ready and willing to answer any question anyone wants to ask him. He is also ready and willing to hand out a hat full of work to any Companero, or other citizen, that wants something to do, for there are plenty of jobs to do.

Mayor Roped In

That’s how San Diego Mayor O’Neall got into it. He strolled along and poked his head inside the door and reminded the Committee that permits are necessary for parades, etc.. Before he was a minute older he had been appointed Chairman of the Committee on Parades and Special Events, and to give him company and instructed of that were; Admiral Manney, Major Fay, and Mr. Percy Benbough had been appointed on the Committee also. The Mayor smiled and promised to do his best. So it is with all hands. Every San Diegan who has been asked to do anything has gone right about it. There is teamwork, and lots of it, and the Carnival Cabrillo already is an assured success because everyone is interested in it and wants to show the world that at San Diego is the proper place to celebrate the 400^th Anniversary of the discovery of the Pacific Ocean, the 371^st Anniversary of the Discovery of California at San Diego Bay, and the proper location for the greatest Monument to Father Juniper Serra in all California. Manager Snow, at Wonderland, is a Committee on Carnival all by himself. Assisting him in arranging these special events for the amusement of the thousands of people who will come to San Diego is the Executive Committee of the Order of Panama.

Names of Committee Men

The Committees as appointed at present include: EXECUTIVE – C. A. Richardson, Carl H. Heilbron, Winfield Hogaboom, D. C. Collier, and G. L. Jeancon. * HISTORICAL EVENTS – Earnest Riall, Col. D. C. Collier, T. H. Tracy, A. J. Morganstern, T. P. Getz, B. J. Edmonds, J. L. Hollowell, Charles F. Lummis, H. M. Holleman, Earl F. Drake, and Admiral H. N. Manney. – * PARADES & SPECIAL EVENTS – Mayor C. F. O’Neall, C. J. Champlin, Major H. R. Fay, P. J. Benbough, R. V. Dodge, Nelson Snyder, C. W. Holmquest, and Ben Crokett. * TICKETS – Col. L. S. McLure, F. E. Lindley, Arthur Cosgrove, Nelson Snyder, and W. O. Sandord. * TRANSPORTATION – Winfield Hogaboom, C. A. Richardson, W. E. Alexander, S. C. Payson, and A. D. Hagaman. * PUBLICITY – I. G. Lewis, James MacMullen, F. E. Lindley, and C. A. McGrew. * DECORATIONS – C. W. Holmquist, Duncan MacKinnon, Robert Cordtz, Ben Crockett, J. D. Smith, G. J. Champlin, M. B. Fowler, and Alexander Neilson. * AUDITING – B. H. Vreeland, O. L. Jeancen, and J. M. Chatterson. * HEADQUARTERS – Joseph E. McFadden and George E. Buxson. * HOTELS and ACCOMMODATIONS – Wheeler J. Bailey, Patterson Sprigg, Lester D. Welch, and Earl F. Drake. * ENTERTAINMENT – Ed Fletcher, Frank M. Frye, W. N. Howden, and M. M. Moulton.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Sunday, September7, 1913 – Pg. 1)

*Editorial Notes: Sadly, plans for the gigantic 200′ statue of Cabrillo, with his “light” 500′ above sea level; did not come to fruition. Still, it’s fun to imagine such a sight! On the other hand, this event *DID* have the rare honor of an officially-allowed ‘day off’ for some 100 or more San Diego school children …, “SCHOOL PUPILS TO CELEBRATE SEPT. 26 – Day Set Aside by City School BOARD OF EDUCATION for Participation in Order of Panama Carnival In Honor of Balboa – The Board of Education has granted the school kids a holiday on Friday, September 26, in honor of Balboa Day of the Carnival Cabrillo. The Order of Panama, which is arranging the great carnival, have planned for a great time for a great time for all the children at Wonderland Park on that day. This is the day of the big Parade and very elaborate pageantry, and 100 or more of the children are wanted in that…” – (*Source: San Diego EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Thursday, September 18, 1913 – Pg. 3 – ed.)

“3 FISHING VESSELS END LONG ARGUMENT WITH EXCITING RACE – Actions speaking louder than words, the ‘ST. AGNES‘, a local fishing boat, lived up to the boasts of her Captain, J. S. MONISE, and defeated both the ‘BOA VIAGE’ (under Captain M. O. MEDINA) and the ‘PACIFIC’ (under Captain MANUEL MEDINA) in a race from LA PLAYA to the CORONADO ISLANDS, and added a matter of $500 (equivalent to $10,000 today – JLM) to the Monise coffers. The rival captains have had long arguments on the ability of their craft, and finally decided to race. Starting from Beacon #2 in La Playa, they dashed for the northeast corner of the Coronado Islands, the ‘Pacific’ arriving in 1 hour and 30 minutes, just 4 minutes and 50 seconds ahead of the ‘Boa Viage’, with was 5 minutes and 20 seconds behind the winner; J. S. Monise’s boat, ‘St. Agnes‘.”

(*Source: San Diego EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Saturday, August 30, 1924 – Pg. 25)

************** THEN!… (Just to illustrate how fickle Fate can be, less than 90 days later) ***************

“TOW VESSEL INTO PORT FOR REPAIRS – Seriously damaged by more than 24 hours’ grinding on the reefs at TODOS SANTOS, the 8-ton lobster schooner ‘BOA VIAGE’ of the San Diego fishing fleet entered port last night upheld between the schooners ‘MAINE’ and ‘YVONNE’, which had pulled her off the rocks, it was learned today. The vessel entered port about 9:00 p.m., it was stated at the AMERICAN FISHERMEN’S PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION (forerunner to the A.T.A. – JLM). According to reports, much of the hull of the vessel had been torn away by contact with the jagged rocks. The vessel was driven to the rocks by high seas caused by terrific windstorms that raged along the Lower California coast last Sunday. Returning vessels yesterday reported the plight of the schooner and plans were made last night for the STAR & CRESCENT BOAT COMPANY’S launch ‘ESTRELLA’ to go to the scene of the stranding.

LOBSTER LOAD TAKEN OFF

When the preparations for the ‘Estrella’ to leave were almost completed, a telephone report was received that the vessel was entering port here and that she was being towed by two other vessels, the presence of *both* being necessary to keep the stricken craft afloat. The schooner ‘SAN ANTONIO’, which had taken from the crippled craft its load of about a ton of lobsters, also arrived last night. The ‘BOA VIAGE’ was on the ways here today for repairs. The vessel is valued at $5,000 (equivalent to $90,885 today – JLM) and is owned by MANUEL OLIVEIRA (aka. ‘M. O.’ – ed.) MEDINA of this port. It is 51′ long. Favorable comment was made upon the waterfront today for the fame fight made by the ‘Yvonne’ and the ‘Maine’ which resulted in the saving of the schooner. It was stated that the ‘Boa Viage’ probably would have been ground to kindling wood upon the reef in a few hours more had not the other San Diego boats rushed to her assistance.”

(*Source: San Diego EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Tuesday, November 25, 1924 – Pg. 6)

“DNA STUDY DELIVERS SOME ANGST – Report Raises Race Issues About Exotic Appalachian Residents – (AP – Nashville, Tenn.) – For years, varied and sometimes wild claims have been made about the origins of a group of dark-skinned Appalachian residents once known derisively as the Melungeons. Some speculated that they were descended from Portuguese explorers, or perhaps from Turkish slaves, or Gypsies? Now, a new DNA Study in the journal of genetic genealogy attempts to separate truth from oral tradition and wishful thinking. The study found the truth to be somewhat less exotic: Genetic evidence shows that the family’s historically called ‘Melungeons’ are the offspring of sub-Saharan African men and white women of Northern or Central European origin. And that report, published in April in the peer-reviewed journal, doesn’t sit comfortably with some people who claim Melungeon ancestry. “There were a whole lot of people upset by this study,” lead researcher Ms. Roberta Estes said. “They just knew they were Portuguese or Native American.”

Beginning in the early 1800s, or possibly before, the term Melungeon was applied as a slur to a group of about 40 families along the Tennessee-Virginia border. But it has since become a catch-all phrase for a number of groups of mysterious mixed-race ancestry. In recent decades, interest in the origin of the Melungeons has risen dramatically with advances both in DNA research and in the advent of internet resources that allow individuals to trace their ancestry without digging through dusty archives.

Mr. G. Reginald Daniel, a Sociologist at the University of California Santa Barbara, who has spent more than 30 years examining multiracial people in the United States and wasn’t part of this research, said the study is more evidence that race mixing in the country isn’t a new phenomenon. “All of us are multiracial,” he said. “It is recapturing a more authentic U.S. history.”

Ms. Estes and her fellow researchers theorize the various Melungeon lines may have sprung from the unions of black and white indentured servants living in Virginia in the mid-1600s, before slavery. They conclude that as the laws were passed to penalize the mixing of races, the various family groups could only intermarry with each other, even migrating from Virginia, through the Carolinas, before settling primarily in the East Tennessee Mountains. Claims of Portuguese ancestry likely were a ruse they used in order to remain free and retain other privileges that came with being considered white, according to the study’s authors.

Mr. Jack Goins, who has researched Melungeon history for about 40 years and who was a driving force behind the DNA study, said his distant relatives were listed as ‘Portuguese’ on an 1880 U.S. Census. He was taken aback when he first had his DNA tested around the year 2000. Swabs taken from his cheeks collected the genetic material from saliva or skin cells, and the sample was sent to a laboratory for identification. “It surprised me so much when mine came up African that I had it done again,” he said. “I had to have a second opinion. But it came back the same way. I had three done. They were all the same.” The DNA study is ongoing as researchers continue to locate Melungeon additional descendants.”

(*Source: UNION-TRIBUNE newspaper – Friday, May 25, 2012 – Pg. 5 w/Pic)

“TRADITIONAL PORTUGUESE FIESTA SET – Point Loma’s Portuguese community will launch a 3-day Pentecostal celebration next Friday in a tradition that dates back to 1323. Several thousand persons, both as participants and spectators, are expected to take part in the event, which marks the feast of the holy spirit, said Mr. MANUEL O. MEDINA, President of the Sociedade do Espirito Santo (i.e. Society of the Holy Spirit – ed.) at the United Portuguese Hall. The fiesta honors Queen Isabel, who in 1323 ended a bloody war between her husband and son by riding between the two battle lines and persuading the two to make peace.

QUEEN A SAINT

The queen, who was canonized a saint in 1625 by Pope Urban VIII, was devoted to the Holy Ghost and was noted for her feeding of the poor. The San Diego Portuguese Community has held the annual celebration here since 1918 (*Note the different ‘beginning’ year, now commonly referred to as 1910 – ed.). Reigning over this year’s celebration will be Miss MICHELLE MILLER, age 15. Her sister, Miss PATRICIA MILLER, age 5, will be the Little Queen, and young Mr. ROBERT DeMELLO, age 10, will be the Little King (Queen Michelle’s sidemaids will be Miss LYNN ISADORE & Miss LILLY ROSA – ed.). Festivities will be centered around the Hall at the foot of Addison Street, where a dance for teenagers will be held from 8:00 to 12:00 pm Friday night.

PROCESSION SLATED

On Saturday, May 29^th, the traditional candlelit ‘Procession of Lights’ will leave the hall at 7:00 p.m., led by the Queen, and go to St. Agnes Catholic Church, at Addison (aka. Avenida de Portugal nowadays – ed.) and Evergreen Sts., for a recitation of the Rosary. After the church ceremony, participants will will return to the Hall for a dance and bazaar which will feature Portuguese foods, games, and music.

Another Procession, leaving the Hall at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 30^th, will be held. It will again go to the church for a High Mass at 11:00 am and the coronation of Queen Michelle. Medina said (San Diego) Mayor Curran, Supervisor Jack Walsh, and former Supervisor Frank Gibson are expected to take part in the Procession. Several Civic and Church organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society, along with the St. Augustine High School Band and Ozzie Union Bands will join the parade. After the Mass, the fiesta (aka. ‘Festa’ – ed.) will resume at the Portuguese Hall, where a coronation banquet will be held throughout the afternoon. It will include entertainment by the POINT LOMA STRINGS, a popular local Portuguese musical group. Festivities will end with the Coronation Ball that evening. The dance will be interrupted by an auction of Portuguese breads, cakes, and other specialties. Medina said proceeds from the bazaar and auction are used to defray the cost of the annual event.” ~ This year’s Sponsor was Mr. and Mrs. ANTONIO OLIVERA (aka. ‘Oliveira’ – ed.) of 3033 Quimby St., and “donations from the fishing industry helped finance the event. – May 31st Union newspaper – ed.”

(*Source: EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Friday, May 21, 1971 – Pg. 4)

“PORTUGUESE COLONY STARTS BIG FESTIVAL HERE TONIGHT – Fireworks, Pageantry at Point Loma – The feast of the Festa do Divino Espirito Santo (i.e. Feast of the Divine Holy Spirit ~ ed.), a traditional Portuguese religious festival, will be celebrated at Roseville with a two-day program of processions, religious exercises, fireworks, were passed, dancing and entertainment, beginning at 7:00 this evening. The newly completed St. Agnes Church at Point Loma, the traditional church of the Portuguese fisherman, will be the scene of the opening of the fiesta. The church service will last one hour. Then will follow a Procession to the U.P.S.E.S. Hall (i.e. the United Portuguese Society of the Holy Spirit, aka. [in Portuguese] Espirito Santo ~ ed.). Miss LUCY ROGERS, the Festa Queen, will lead the Procession. Miss Rogers is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. JOE S. ROGERS, of Point Loma. Little LOUISE FREITAS, age 4, will be the Queen of the Boat, the ‘NAVIGATOR’. She is the daughter of Captain MANUEL H. FREITAS, President of the Festa Committee. Tonight the ‘Navigator’, pride of the Portuguese fisherman’s colony, will be gaily decorated with lights, flags and banners; and will be anchored off Roseville while the festival is in progress.

Tomorrow morning the festival will open with a solemn religious Procession at 9:00 from the U.P.S.E.S. Lodge hall to the new church. Solemn high Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Manuel Rose, Pastor of the new St Agnes church. After the Mass the Portuguese Crown, representing Queen Saint Isabel of Portugal, will be presented by the young Boat Queen, Louise Freitas. As is the custom, the festival is sponsored by one of the Portuguese fishing boats. The vessel selected this year is the ‘Navigator’, owned by Freitas, and his partner, Captain Rogers.

HONOR QUEEN ISABEL (sic Elizabeth ~ ed.)

Dancing and entertainment, proceeded by a luncheon at noon, are included in tomorrow’s program. Thousands of persons from all parts of San Diego County are expected to attend the two-day Festa. Elaborate preparations have been made for a huge crowd. The two-day Festa commemorates Queen Elizabeth (aka.Isabel ~ ed.) of Portugal, who reigned in the 13^th century and has been canonized. She is known to history as St. Elizabeth (sic) of Portugal. Queen Elizabeth is famous because she had a cousin (*Note: Actually, Isabel’s Great-Aunt – ed.) also known as Queen Elizabeth of Hungary. Queen Elizabeth was active in the government of Portugal, devoting her lifetime to bringing about peace between her husband and his sons. At one time Portugal was in the throes of a famine and Queen Elizabeth promised her Crown to the Holy Ghost if aid would be vouchsafed (i.e. to grant or give, as by favor, graciousness or condescension – to: accord, confer, bestow – ed.) from Heaven. After the vow was made, history tells of two strange ships appeared, laden with food, and Queen Elizabeth went to church to present her Crown to the Holy Ghost. The Committee in charge includes FREITAS, Chairman, Mr. MATTHEW MONIZ, and TONY L. MADRUGA.”

(*Source: San Diego EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Saturday, May 19, 1934 – Pg. 15)

Supposed to Have Been Knocked Overboard by the Beam – No Traces of His Sail Boat – Inquest to Be Held Tomorrow – A gruesome looking object floating in the bay and rising and falling on the gentle swell of the incoming tide attracted the attention of a fisherman yesterday morning as he was passing the Spreckels Wharf. Heading his boat in the direction of the object, about 100-yards off the wharf, he ran alongside and was horrified to see the dead body of a man floating face downward, surrounded by a few strands of kelp. He at once gave an alarm and taking the tug ‘Santa Fe’, John Murray, engineer at the bunkers, brought the body to the wharf and notified Deputy Coroner Stetson. The body was removed to the rooms of the San Diego Undertaking Company and was identified later that same day as that of Mr. JOE THOMS (sp? The Portuguese surnames of ‘Tomás‘ or ‘Tomé are known in Portugal, but I know of no surname with the spelling as ‘Thoms‘. Nor was I able to definitively identify a José Tomás/Tomé born circa 1852 – ed.), a Portuguese fisherman residing at La Playa. There were two or three suspicious looking holes about half an inch in diameter penetrating the skull, and this together with the fact that the body was floating and bled quite freely when taken from the water, caused the Officers to at once begin an investigation. The results so far may be summarized as follows:

The deceased was an unmarried man, about 40 years of age, lived at La Playa, was a fisherman by trade, and owned a sailboat. Tuesday morning he started in company with three others, each in separate boats for the Coronado Islands. They met with indifferent success and started to return Thursday morning. Thoms’ boat was the slowest of the four and was soon left behind, but the occupants of the others say that he was in sight all the time until near Point Loma. There they lost sight of him under Ballast Point. They were greatly surprised at his non-arrival, and waiting until yesterday morning; two of his acquaintances started for the islands thinking that perhaps he had become frightened at the high winds and rough sea and had put about (i.e. turned around – ed.) for the islands? As yet, they have not returned, but a powerful glass (i.e. telescope for seeing long distances – ed.) fails to show any sign of his boat. His companions say he was not a good sailor, and being blind in one eye, they are of the opinion that his boat was caught in a sudden squall and the boom swinging around struck him in the head, killing him instantly and capsizing the boat. The inquest will be held this afternoon at 2:00 o’clock.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Saturday, June 11, 1892 – Pg. 5)

Editorial Notes: The next day, June 12, 1892, the San Diego UNION newspaper revealed the result of the aforementioned Inquest, detailing that: “ …Several fishermen from La Playa testified as to Thoms’ habits and character, saying that he was temperate and industrious, and had had no trouble whatever in the colony… ~ Dr. Burnham testified that no one could tell the cause of Thoms’ death, but that the blow on the head were caused by some blunt instrument… ~ Taking all the facts into consideration…, the jury brought in a verdict of accidental drowning.” ~ *Also, the official Death Record for this unfortunate fisherman in San Diego, lists his name as : JOSE RODRIGUES THOME. But again, no definitive person by that name and approximate birth year has (yet) been found by me.