Growing Up in Bandera

Editor’s Note: Copies of “Growing Up in Bandera,” a collection of dozens of stories by Glenn Clark, are currently on sale. Call 830-796-3718 or visit the Bulletin’s office, located at 606 Hwy 16, for more information. Shipping options available.

Those early years of growing up here in the little country town of Bandera were really an age of innocence. Playing cowboys and indians was something we did on a regular basis while never hearing or understanding what the truth was behind the real battles waged against Native Americans.

If you are a native of this area like I am, then you probably have heard stories about some of your ancestors who experienced encounters with Indians in the early settlement days. Both my mom's and my dad's family histories hold accounts of interaction with the earlier Native inhabitants in the area. Some good and some tragic.

For me it is now easier to comprehend the why of such events that took place in the earliest times of the Bandera pioneers. Today my attitude is a lot different than it was back in the days of toy six shooters and homemade bows and arrows. As I watch my hometown exploding with new inhabitants and new businesses popping up everywhere I might be getting a glimpse of what life must have been like for a young Indian boy on the banks of the Medina River. The hardships encountered by the early Polish settlers must have seemed harsh even as they were fleeing the oppressions of their homeland. I have read accounts of many who regretted making the journey to the new world. It is easy for me to now understand why so many of the oldtimers I knew seemed rough in their attitudes. They had some hard bark on 'em, as the saying goes.

It has taken seven generations to purge those documented bitter feelings and memories of hardships of that early life here in the hills to reach the lifestyles of my great grandkids. It looks like their future will be impacted more by greed and a society gone insane rather than the day to day fight for survival of our ancestors.

Some people accept change and never bat an eye while others choose to fight it. I think back to the struggles my Granddaddy Kindla faced as they began to install traffic lights along Main Street. His daily routine included making a round in his old Ford truck from his house to the post office. He did stop on the red light but when the light turned green he was off and running regardless of oncoming traffic when he needed to turn. Now that may seem silly to some of you folks but if you knew my granddaddy then you will understand. He grew up when we were a horse and buggy town.

My Growing Up In Bandera isn't as easy as it used to be in my opinion. My bike and the river along with some good friends made life pretty simple back in the day. Just have a look around today and I think you will see what I mean.