[7][8] Ranger violence reached its peak from 1915 to 1919, in response to increasing conflict, initially because of the Plan de San Diego, by Mexican and Tejano insurgents to take Texas.
This period was referred to as the Hora de Sangre by Mexicans in South Texas, many of whom fled to Mexico to escape the violence.
[2][11] Many murders were concealed and went unreported,[1][12] with some in South Texas, suspected by Rangers of supporting rebels, being placed on blacklists and often "disappearing".
[14] The revolution also caused outbursts of violence along the Texas–Mexico border, including raiding by bandits from Mexico and retaliatory counter-raids by Americans.
[2] Prior to 1914, the Carrancistas were responsible for most attacks along the border, but in January 1915 rebels known as Seditionistas drafted the Plan of San Diego and began launching their own raids.
They never launched a full-scale invasion of the United States, resorting to conducting small raids into Texas.
[15][16] Mexican rebels from the states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Chihuahua carried out a series of raids called the Bandit War in Texas, beginning in 1914 and culminating in 1919.
[clarification needed] Americans in the Lower Rio Grande Valley feared losing both their land and control over their country.
When news of the lynching reached Guadalajara, Mexico, Rodriguez's hometown, the residents of the town staged protests, demanding further investigation into the death of Rodriguez, the arrest of his lynchers, and more protection for Mexicans in the U.S.[2] Antonio Gomez was a fourteen-year-old Mexican boy from Thorndale, Texas.
Such executions or legal hangings are still classified as part of the total of 571 lynchings of Mexican Americans that occurred between 1848 and 1928.
Governor of Texas Oscar Branch Colquitt postponed the execution for 30 days due to outrage from across the nation.
Although the rebels were never able to launch a full-scale invasion of the lands that they demanded, they were able to conduct a series of raids targeted at Anglo Americans.
[17] In turn, the Plan of San Diego further increased the prevalence of anti-Mexican sentiment during La Matanza.
This exodus was reportedly so widespread that "farmers raised concerns because their field laborers were fleeing to Mexico."
The Mexican population, which knew the Rangers for brutality, gave them the name "los diablos tejanos", which means "the Texan devils".
After the cavalry left, the Rangers proceeded to bind the 15 men with ropes and fired at them, killing all of them while they stood three feet away.
[14] The Canales investigation was an inquiry into the violent actions of the Texas Rangers and state police against Mexican Americans.
It began in January 1919, and was presented and sponsored by State Representative Jose Canales, who sought to publicize the actions of the Texas Rangers.
Throughout the investigation, Canales gathered evidence and testimony from witnesses that exemplified the violence committed by the Texas Rangers toward Mexican ethnics.