Descriptive Summary
Escobar, Eleuterio, 1894-1970
Eleuterio Escobar Papers
1906-1971
English and Spanish
23103759
11 linear feet
Benson Latin American Collection, The University of Texas at Austin
The personal and business papers of Eleuterio Escobar, including legal papers, correspondence, autobiography drafts, business and financial records, agendas, and photographs, which also relate to the activites of the School Improvement League.
Biographical Sketch
Eleuterio Escobar was a businessman and community leader in San Antonio, Texas. Born in Laredo, Texas, September 11, 1894, he served in World War I, became a salesman in south Texas, and then started his own business in San Antonio. During his career, Mr. Escobar owned and operated various businesses, including a furniture company, a leather and importing company, and a music business. His philanthropic activities centered on advocating improved school facilites for Mexican American children in San Antonio, where he also founded the School Improvement League (Liga Defensa Escolar), an organization dedicated to improving schools on the city's west side. Mr. Escoabr was a member of several community organizations such as the League of United Latin American Citizens and the Knights of America. He died in 1970.
Scope and Contents NoteIncludes legal papers, correspondence, autobiography drafts, business and financial records, agendas, and photographs from Eleuterio Escobar. The papers are organized in five series: 1. Personal and biographical materials, 2. Organizations, 3. Financial and business records, 4. External Publications, and 5. Photographs. Over half of the papers are business and financial records, and the bulk of the rest of the materials relate to activities and organizations. The photographs and glass slides depict mainly School Improvement League activities, although three images are of Escobar and his wife.
Some materials from the Eleuterio Escobar Collection are available in an online exhibit. A few images from the online exhibit are included in this finding aid.
Arrangement
The papers are organized in five series: 1. [Personal and biographical materials](series1), 2. [Organizations](series2), 3. [Financial and business records](series3), 4. [External Publications](series4), and 5. [Photographs](series5).
Access RestrictionsUnrestricted.
Use RestrictionsStandard copyright restrictions apply.
Preferred CitationCite as: Eleuterio Escobar Papers, Benson Latin American Collection, University of Texas Libraries, the University of Texas at Austin.
Index TermsThe Eleuterio Escobar Papers are classified under the following Subject Headings in the University of Texas Libraries' catalog:
Escobar, Eleuterio, 1894-1970
Arnold, Katherine S.
Castaneda, Carlos Eduardo, 1896-1958
Cortez, Raul
Escobar, Cecilia Canales
Garcia, Gustavo C.
Gerodetti, Orlando
Gonzalez, Henry B. (Henry Barbosa), 1916-
Gonzalez, Manuel C.
Lara, Agustin, 1900-1970
Maverick, Maury, 1895-1954
Perales, Alonso S., 1898-
Spears, J. Franklin
Tafolla, Santiago
Tafolla, James
Association of Independent Voters (San Antonio, Texas)
Knights of America (San Antonio, Texas)
League of United Latin American Citizens
San Antonio Independent School District
School Improvement League (San Antonio, Texas)
San Antonio (Tex.)--Politics and government
Mexican Americans--Education--Texas--San Antonio
Mexican American business enterprises--Texas--San Antonio--Records and correspondence
Public schools--Texas--San Antonio
Box and Folder Inventory
1. Personal and Biographical Materials
11Autobiographical notes.42 pages, handwritten tablet.
12Autobiographical notes.15 pages.
131st autobiography draft.
13 pages,
typescript.
14Revised autobiography draft.
15Final autobiography draft,1894-1958.
16Tributes to Eleuterio Escobar.
17Legal documents and petitions.
18Escobar vs. Leo Paller (New York Bakery),1954.
19Funeral arrangements and estate settlement.
110Papers relating to Pablo Escobar, Administrator of Escobar Estate.
111Miscellaneous letters.
112Miscellaneous outgoing mail,1930-1970, n.d.
113Miscellaneous incoming mail and telegrams,1921-1969, n.d.
114Miscellaneous personal notes.
115Miscellaneous handwritten notes.
116Notes and ephemera.
117Personal notes.
118Diploma, Cecilia Escobar.
119Baptismal certificate.
1Loose items:
1Address book.
14 small note pads.
1Daily calendar, 1955.
1Business cards.
2. Organizations and Activities
21Assn. of Independent Voters.
22LULAC Committe on Public School Buildings and Playgrounds.
23Law briefs and notes on schools and school districts.
2School Improvement League/Liga Pro Defensor Escolar:
24School Improvement League, 1934, minutes and list of founding members and organizations.
25School Improvement League, Acta Primordial 1934.
26Speeches and notes regarding League, Oct. 3, 1934-1936.
27School and building sites in San Antonio, 1938.
28P.A.P.A., Political campaigns, etc.
2Loose items:
2Constitucíon de la Liga Pro-Defensa Escolar, 1934. 6 copies.
2Liga Pro-Defensa Escolar–Membership and affiliation cards.
2Receipt books.
2Letterpress engraving on wooden block with Liga letterhead.
31Correspondence: Commission on Schoolgrounds and Facilites, 1934, and School Improvement League.
32Correspondence: School Improvement League and Augustín Lara's visit to San Antonio.
33Correspondence: Augustín Lara's visit to San Antonio, 1935.
34Correspondence: School Improvement League (SIL), 1947.
35Correspondence: SIL, 1948.
36Correspondence: SIL, 1949-1953.
36aOrganizational activites, SIL.
37Undated and incomplete letters relating to SIL and school problems.
38Invitations, letters, telegrams of congratulations and correspondence: Dedication of Escolar Jr. High School and graduation 1958-1959.
39SIL stationary and addressed envelopes.
310Liga–SIL addressed envelopes.
41SIL–Articles of Incorporation, 1947.
42Briefs, summaries, petitions, recomm., leaflets for 1934, 1947, 1949, 1950.
43Memorandums 1 and 2 relating to fire inspections of school buildings, 1947, and fire prevention code of San Antonio.
44SIL's Plan of Suggestions and Recommendations made to San Antonio School Board, 1947.
45SIL petitions to San Antonio School Board, 1948.
46SIL petitions to San Antonio School Board, 1949.
47SIL petitions to San Antonio School Board, 1950-1951.
48SIL petitions to San Antonio School Board and suggestions, undated.
49Lists of league members, affiliates; community, religious, civic, and social organizations and leaders; and radio stations and newspapers.
410SIL minutes, 1947-1949, undated.
411Financial records: receipts, lists of contributors, rental contract re:SIL and records of money collected for advertising, 1935, 1947-1948, 1950, 1962-1966, 1970, undated.
412ABC Revista Mensual: Organo Oficial de la Liga Pro Defensa Escolar, 1947.
413SIL brochures, blank petitions, broadsides, and programs.
414SIL circulars, press releases, postcards, 1947-1950, 1955, undated.
415SIL miscellaneous materials.
416Incomplete materials re: San Antonio schools and SIL.
417Postal material addressed to Manuel G. Castañeda (SIL spokesman).
51SIL notes, speeches, letters, 1948, 1950, 1966-1967, undated.
52Notes, speeches, undated.
53SIL speeches, 1947-1948.
54SIL speeches and reports, undated.
55Radio speeches, July 15-December 29, 1947, spot announcements, programs, and informal reports on KIWW, KITE, KCOR.
56Radio speeches, 1948.
57Radio speeches, 1949.
58Radio speeches, 1950.
59Radio speeches and programs, undated.
61[Missing or non-existent].
62Statistical reports of San Antonio school enrollments, 1923-1950.
63Statistical tables relating to school buildings, costs, pupils, and teachers.
64San Antonio school statistics and reports, 1945-1949.
65Statistical notes, reports, circulars (undated) re: San Antonio schools and the SIL.
66Report: Citizen's School Survey Comm. to the Board of Education of SAISD.
67SIL's analysis in response to the CItizen's Survey Comm. Report, 1950.
71School Improvement League Survey, questionnaires 2-191.
72SIL survey, questionnaires 1-157.
73SIL survey, questionnaires 1-91.
74SIL survey, questionnaires 1-99.
75SIL survey, questionnaires 100-201.
32Oversized School Improvement Leage Materials:
325Plaque: Liga Pro Defenson Escolar, N.d.
326El Defensor de la Juventud, Organo de la Liga de Defensa Pro-Escuelas, 1935 [Vol. 1, Nos. 1-3, incomplete?]
327Research Statistics, 1933, N.d.
81SAISD items for board agenda, 1/14/48-12/22/48.
82SAISD items for board agenda, 1/12/49-12/14/49.
83SAISD items for board agenda, 1/25/50-6/28/50.
84SAISD items for board agenda, 7/12/50-12/13/50.
85SAISD items for board agenda, 1/10/51-4/25/51.
86SAISD items for board agenda, 12/12/51.
91SAISD items for board agenda, 1/9/52-5/28/52.
92SAISD items for board agenda, 6/11/52-12/10/52.
93SAISD items for board agenda, 1/12/53-5/27/53 (#1-4).
94SAISD items for board agenda, 6/10/53-8/26/53.
95Materials on other school districts.
9Loose items:
9Budget estimates (SAISD), 1963-1964, 1964-1965.
10Budget estimates (SAISD), 1947-1963,seven volumes.
10aWooden box card file (3x5 cards): “List of names of persons who are invited to attend the meetings for the Betterment of San Antonio.”
3. Business and Financial Records
111Escobar Furniture Co.: Financial report 1929, 1924 receipt, and cancelled checks.
112International Leather and Importing Co.: Correspondence, Purchase orders, invoices, packing slips, commercial license 1936-37, 1939-42, 1947-49.
113Music business transactions 1930-34.
114Corridos.
115Song sheets and lyrics.
116EECO Silvercraft Manufacturers Co. 1940, 1942, 1948-50, 1953.
117EECO Silver Co.
118Correspondence, telegrams re: business transactions with Mexico 1943-47 and boxing match 1933.
119Letters in response to ad in La Prensa 5/8-5/12/39 re: employment.
121Real estate 1926-27.
122Real estate 1930-32.
123Real estate and EECO 1940-45.
124Real estate, San Antonio vs. Cantu et.al.
125Real estate 1950-52.
126Real estate 1953-55.
127Real estate 1956-59.
128Real estate 1960-68.
131Real estate license application, notes, and letter.
132Real estate property taxes.
133Real estate.
134Real estate.
135Real estate papers: tax statements, classified ads, insurance claims, receipts for house improvement, bank.
13Loose items:
13Pamphlet: Mortgage payment calculator.
13Pamphlet: Real estate ad phrasebook.
133x5 notecards (legal information).
141Tax statements, 1952-58.
142Bills and statements, 1959-62.
143Bills and statements, 1960.
144Bills and statements, 1960.
145Bills and statements, 1964, doctor and hospital.
146Bills and statements, 1964, doctor and hospital.
147Paid bills, 1966 (Jan.-Dec.).
148Paid bills, 1966 (Jan.-Dec.).
149Statements and bills paid, 1967.
1410Statements and bills paid, 1967.
15Financial records, 1931, 1938-1958: Receipts; cancelled checks; tax, insurance, and bank statements; Earnest Money Receipts; property sales documents.
16Financial records, 1958-1962, 1964-1965: EECO bank statements and cancelled checks, other tax statements, bank statements, and water bills.
17Financial records, 1958, 1960-1969: Bills; bank, insurance, and tax statements; miscellaneous receipts, notices, and cancelled checks.
18Financial records, 1964-1969: Bills; bank and insurance statements, cancelled checks, deposit tickets, receipts, and notes.
19Loose items:
19Rent receipt book, 1969-1970.
19Order book, 1954-65.
19Unused receipt book, International Leather and Importing Co.
19Receipt book, 1957-65.
19Social security ledger notebook, 1939-47.
19Financial journal, 1923-24.
19Ledger, 1941.
19Metal telephone/address book, 1959-60.
19Sales book, 1939-40, 1953.
20Checkbook stubs, 1951-1968.
20Unused checkbook for Escobar Furniture Co., 1930's.
21Cancelled checks, 1945, 1947-49, 1957.
22Cancelled checks, 1960-61.
23Cancelled checks, 1962-63.
24Cancelled checks, 1966.
25Tax statements, 1969-71.
261Oversized ledger sheets.
262Sheet music.
26Loose items:
26Ledger, installment payments, 1923-.
4. External Publications
27Loose items:
27Pamphlet: Mastery of Speech.
27Leaflet: poetry.
27Pamphlet: If You Become Disabled.
27Roster of San Antonio Bar Assn.
27Directory and year book for San Antonio Teachers Council, 1945-46.
27Book: Our Witness in One World.
27Book: Un testimonio unido para el mundo
27Book: Maná del cristano, 1951.
27Small folder: “My Daily Sacrifice."
27Pamphlet:The Constitution of the United States and Its Amendments.
271Lorenzo Zavala: biographical notes, 1967-68.
27Loose items:
27Notebook: "Purchase of Headrights in Bexar Cty. in 1837" by John Pitts.
27Book: Info. concerning S.A. River Canal and Conservancy District.
27City of San Antonio telephone directory of depts. and employees.
27Pamphlet:The Jones Affair.
27Leaflet: "San Antonio de Bexar."
27Pamphlet: José Francisco Ruíz.
27Supplement to House Journal, 6/2/49.
27Border Trends, May 1942.
27Book:Conozca a Fray Martín de Porres.
27Program for Sociedad de la Union.
27San Antonio phone directory, July 1931.
272Publications by/for U.S. Commiss. on Civil Rights, 1967-68.5 reports.
5. PhotographsSome photographs from the Eleuterio Escobar Papers can be viewed in an online exhibit.
2852 Photographs (Real Estate).
2982 Photographs (Personal and School Improvement League).
2930 Negatives.
291 Flyer.
306 Photographs (Personal).
3131 Glass slides (School Improvement League).
311. “Andrea García – La Prensa, Hija de Marca San Fernando”.(glass negative)
312. Carlos Castañeda.(glass negative)
313. “Señorita Estela Ramírez”.(glass negative)
314. Gran Junta (Aug. 31, 1948) Broadside – folder 13.
315. Dupl. of #4.
316. Dupl. of #4.
317. González School, San Antonio, 7-22-48.(broken glass slide, print, negative)
318. Burbank School, San Antonio, 7-22-48.(broken glass slide, print, negative)
319. Children next to school building.(glass slide, negative)
3110. 4 buildings with children standing in front of the 2nd building; school crossing sign.(glass slide, negative)
3111. Building with child standing next to water trough.(glass slide, negative)
3112. Back of building with open door.(glass slide, negative)
3113. Children in front of school building, 11-30-47.(glass slide, negative, print)
3114. Children in front of school building next to large tree.(glass slide, negative)
3115. Children in classroom next to furnace.(glass slide, negative)
3116. Children between two buildings.(glass slide, negative)
3117. Building with bookcase in front.(glass slide, negative)
3118. Sidney Lanier students attend classes in a former pecan shelling facility.
3119. Children standing behind school building.(glass slide, negative)
3120. Two tables.
3121. Rear end view of a West Side school building.
3122. Children sitting on lawn next to school building.(glass slide, negative)
3123. Building exterior with child by front steps, dead animal in street.(glass slide, negative, print)
3124. Child playing an oboe next to a toilet.
3125. Bulletin board with various scenes of children.(glass slide, negative, print)
3126. Knox School, San Antonio, 9 (7?)-22-48.(glass slide, negative, print)
3127. Dead dog in front of school.
3128. Students standing in line outside school cafeteria.(cracked glass slide)
3129. Old church used for classroom.
3130. McKingley School, San Antonio, 7-22-48.(glass slide, negative, print)
3131. Laura Steel School, San Antonio, 7-22-48.(glass slide, negative, print)
32Large format photographs
321Portrait of Escobar (head and shoulders). (b/w; oval)
3221. Escobar in military uniform with U.S. flag and eagle in background. (1940s?; tinted, oval)
323Escobar with wife (head and shoulders). (tinted; oval)
324Various:
321. Two Hispanics in military uniform with U.S. flag in background (head and shoulders). (tinted; oval; approx. 9–5/8” x 16”)
322. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, President of Mexico, and Richard Nixon, President of the United States, embracing at the dedication of La Amistad Dam (Texas), Sept. 8, 1969, with their wives, Guadalupe Borja de Díaz Ordaz and Pat Nixon looking on. (b/w; 10–3/8” x 14”)
323. Horseman on rearing stallion in corral. (color; approx. 11” x 14”)
6. Oversized Materials
DROversized Photographs
DR1Master Shoe ReBuilders Association, San Antonio, Texas, September 1937
DR216th Anniversary of La Prensa, San Antonio, Texas, 13 February 1929
DR3Escobar Field, 1935Inscribed on photo: "First celebration of Children's Day – sponsored by the Pro-Schools Defense League/ San Antonio, Texas, June 23, 1935. Photo by H.L. Summerville. This field owned and maintained by E. Escobar for the benefit of the children of this community."
DR4Various Oversized Materials
DRBlueprints of Escobar Field, N.d. [4 pages]
DRGenealogical Chart, N.d. [Hand-drawn]
DRMaps of San Antonio, N.d. [3 pages]
DRMap of Mexico