The Silesians came from an area where the imposed official language was German and many spoke that language. He befriended and lived among Silesians, often helping with land purchases and navigating the American system of government.Īt that time, there was a large German population in San Antonio and German was a widely spoken language of commerce. Erasmus Florian (Florian Liskowacki) and Joseph Dornstin were known to have encountered these early Silesian settlers.ĭornstin, who came to Texas from Poland during the days of the Republic, was an Indian fighter and Texas Ranger. Among the resources available to assist them were Polish-speaking residents of the area. In 1855, Martin Pierdolla and Joseph Mihalski found Bexar County and its county seat, San Antonio, to have an expanding population of about 5000 many of the inhabitants were newly arrived European immigrants. A young and inexperienced Father Leopold Moczygemba and his flock were ensnared in the “boom or bust” of Texas land speculation. The settlers at Panna Maria, who had obligated themselves for up to ten dollars per acre, saw their land values drop to below two dollars per acre in a just few months. As their search continued in 1855 for an alternate site, the land values in Karnes County collapsed. Joseph and Martin’s decision to look elsewhere served them well. This experience impressed upon the weary Silesians the distance from the remote settlement in Karnes County to the markets of San Antonio in Bexar County. After meeting Father Leopold in San Antonio, they were required to immediately retrace their steps along the La Bahia Road back to the vicinity of Helena in Karnes County some forty miles away. Leopold Moczygemba had selected a site for them in Karnes County. Upon their arrival in Texas, the new immigrants had not received word that Fr. A decision was made to look for land elsewhere. The settlement in Karnes County named Panna Maria was unacceptable. Joseph and Martin understood their responsibility to find a site with conditions favorable to the safety and success of their families, who would soon follow. Martin Pierdolla and Francisca (Pierdolla) Mihalski were siblings. Martin Pierdolla and his bride Francisca (Wilon) Pierdolla were newlyweds traveling with Joseph Mihalski and his wife Francisca (Pierdolla) Mihalski. Among those gathered were at least two men whose journey had not yet ended: Martin Pierdolla and Joseph Mihalski. They celebrated Christmas mass, giving thanks for their safe arrival. On December 24, 1854, after traveling over 5,000 miles, a group of Polish Silesians gathered on the site selected for them in Karnes County, Texas.
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