DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | ""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985

Transcribe
Translate

""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985

Page 44

Leno went to Keokuk where he was able to hire on for the three months duration and returned to West Liberty on week-ends. As it turned out, their stay with the Ponces lasted for six months. Within that time, Josephine was baptized in November of 1927 with the Ponces serving as her godparents. 

Not wanting to impose any longer on the Ponce's hospitality, Otilio and the Canos accepted an invitation to stay with a family in Columbus Junction where hope of work was to be found. While they were there, a friend of the family with whom they were staying by the name of Cecilio Lopez was passing through on the way to Iowa City to find work. Since Leno was not successful in finding work in Columbus Junction, Cecilio agreed to take him along. It was agreed that Otilio would stay with Maria and follow once Leno had secured employment. 

Not only did the railroad serve as a vehicle for many Mexicans to reach the United States, but it also served ass a means of providing them financial support as well. The railroad offered them jobs in the area of construction work, as watchman, or as laborers to maintain its tracks. Without it, one can only wonder in what direction the lives and futures that it changed would have gone. 

The price for having one's name on its payroll required sacrifices; sacrifices many were willing to make. For example, many lived in boxcars or shacks beside the tracks. The primitive conditions that these shelters offered were poor and shocking to other Americans. These shelters not only lacked the amenities but many things Americans took for granted such as electricity and indoor plumbing were things beyond their reach. 

Nevertheless, in March of 1928, Leno eagerly accepted employment as a section laborer on the Rock Island lines at a salary of $35.00 every two weeks. A month later, he sent for his family and Otilio. Before long, Otilio also was able to hire on but for a different railroad line. Perhaps, because of some intangible feeling that Leno felt, he knew there was no longer any need to move on again. He would plant his roots in this quiet Midwestern town of Iowa City, Iowa. 

From the beginning, the living conditions of the Cano family and of the other Mexican families was very poor. The poverty that characterized their life styles and their weakness in the English language tended to isolate them in enclaves separate from the rest of the American population. This isolation and the reinforcement of it was ever so evident when the Rock Island decided to destroy the boxcars and shanties. 

This move turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Leno and the other Mexican families. Although the move was a painful one due to the rejections in finding a home to rent, it was a move that took Leno and his family one step further in establishing themselves as sold Iowa Citians. 

Up to that point, mostly all of their social needs came from their Mexican associates. However, when this close circle of moral and social reinforcement was broken up, the families were forced to move in the next door to an Anglo family. A learning experience for both side. 

44.

Saving...

Leno went to Keokuk where he was able to hire on for the three months duration and returned to West Liberty on week-ends. As it turned out, their stay with the Ponces lasted for six months. Within that time, Josephine was baptized in November of 1927 with the Ponces serving as her godparents. Not wanting to impose any longer on the Ponce's hospitality, Otilio and the Canos accepted an invitation to stay with a family in Columbus Junction where hope of work was to be found. While they were there, a friend of the family with whom they were staying by the name of Cecilio Lopez was passing through on the way to Iowa City to find work. Since Leno was not successful in finding work in Columbus Junction, Cecilio agreed to take him along. It was agreed that Otilio would stay with Maria and follow once Leno had secured employment. Not only did the railroad serve as a vehicle for many Mexicans to reach the United States, but it also served ass a means of providing them financial support as well. The railroad offered them jobs in the area of construction work, as watchman, or as laborers to maintain its tracks. Without it, one can only wonder in what direction the lives and futures that it changed would have gone. The price for having one's name on its payroll required sacrifices; sacrifices many were willing to make. For example, many lived in boxcars or shacks beside the tracks. The primitive conditions that these shelters offered were poor and shocking to other Americans. These shelters not only lacked the amenities but many things Americans took for granted such as electricity and indoor plumbing were things beyond their reach. Nevertheless, in March of 1928, Leno eagerly accepted employment as a section laborer on the Rock Island lines at a salary of $35.00 every two weeks. A month later, he sent for his family and Otilio. Before long, Otilio also was able to hire on but for a different railroad line. Perhaps, because of some intangible feeling that Leno felt, he knew there was no longer any need to move on again. He would plant his roots in this quiet Midwestern town of Iowa City, Iowa. From the beginning, the living conditions of the Cano family and of the other Mexican families was very poor. The poverty that characterized their life styles and their weakness in the English language tended to isolate them in enclaves separate from the rest of the American population. This isolation and the reinforcement of it was ever so evident when the Rock Island decided to destroy the boxcars and shanties. This move turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Leno and the other Mexican families. Although the move was a painful one due to the rejections in finding a home to rent, it was a move that took Leno and his family one step further in establishing themselves as sold Iowa Citians. Up to that point, mostly all of their social needs came from their Mexican associates. However, when this close circle of moral and social reinforcement was broken up, the families were forced to move in the next door to an Anglo family. A learning experience for both side. 44.