San Antonio Express newspaper, June 8, 1941, Sunday.
On the south side of the Military Plaza in the very shadow of the city hall stands one of the most historic and oldest remaining structures in San Antonio, the former home of Francisco Ruiz.
Now housing a feed store, the outward appearance of the one- story frame building belies its historical fame as the home of the man who was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
Although sources differ on the date of his birth, it is generally accepted that Ruiz was born in San Antonio on Aug. 31, 1772, when the city was then under Spanish rule.
Ruiz acquired his literary training in Spain and then returned to San Antonio to join his father in a business enterprise.
Spending many of his younger years on his father's ranch on the Nueces river, he later became intensely interested in the affairs effecting the people of his native state.
He soon became recognized as a fiery advocate of freedom of Mexico from the Spanish rule and became so closely identified with the movement to overthrow the hoke of Spanish rule, that he was forced to flee to the United States for his safety.
His exile lasted from 1813 to 1822 in which year he re- entered San Antonio to continue his business career. Occupying most of his attention for the time were his large ranch holdings west and southwest of San Antonio.
When Bustamante assumed authority in Mexico and ignored the rights guaranteed the Texas colonies under the constitution of 1824, Ruiz openly denounced him for his bad faith toward the people of Texas.
Ruiz was regarded both by the Mexican population of Texas and by the American settlers as a most useful man and one capable of exerting an important influence over his race.
When the Mexican forces entered Texas under General Santa Anna, Ruiz was said to have sought refuge among the Indians. When Santa Anna entered San Antonio, Ruiz was then in Columbia, Texas. On Dec. 27, 1836, Ruiz wrote from Columbia to a friend, Blas Herrera,(His son-in-law) advising him and his family not to trust the forces of Santa Anna and under no circumstances do anything for them against Texans.
Following the storming of the Alamo on March 6, 1836, Ruiz's son, Francisco, Jr., who was then alcalde (mayor) of San Antonio, was compelled to help bury the Mexican dead and collect wood for the funeral pyres of the Texans who died in the defense of the Alamo.
After the defeat of Santa Anna, Ruiz, Sr., was with Navarro and Zavala in the Convention of 1836 where he was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. He subsequently became the first senator from Bexar.
