By Luis Felipe Rodriguez
On July 25, 1863, an emblematic character from San Miguel passed away. His life story is intimately connected to the history of San Miguel and Mexico.
On September 28, 1810, there were exchanges of war documents and chivalrous letters between Royalists and Insurgents. The former were led by Juan Manuel de Riaño, and Manuel Hidalgo, was leader of the latter. Following these exchanges the insurgent army entered the city of Guanajuato, and were joined by miners and other sympathizers. It was very useful to have natives of Guanajuato, because they knew the city and all its twists and turns. They also knew what was happening in the Alhóndiga; it had become the hiding place for many Spaniards who were seeking shelter from the attacking insurgent forces. This was something that had been unknown to the insurgents who arrived from outside.
The combat began in the trenches near the fortified buildings, which were soon taken by the attackers. The Spaniards then withdrew into the Alhóndiga, a granary and fortress with high walls. When Riaño was killed, panic arose among the Spaniards and caused a total disarray among the defenders. The royalists were forced to abandon the roof terrace and patio of the Alhóndiga, as a dense rain of stones launched from slingshots from the hills fell on them. With a decrease of defenses from the fortress, the insurgents were able to approach and surround the building. However, getting inside was impossible because of the thick walls, and doors.
The Mendizábal gate, a secondary entrance, had been walled up with an adobe fence. Only the main gate at the Río de la Cata slope was in service. But it was tightly shut and secure.
A miner nicknamed el Pípila, was assigned to burn down the door of the Alhóndiga. He was provided with tar, oil, ocote, firewood, and fire. But he needed to protect himself during his approach. He detached a slab from the sidewalk, in front of La Galarza store, created a strap with rope, and mounted the slab on his back. Holding it over his head and trunk, he began to descend towards the door. To protect him, the insurgents directed their projectiles in the direction of where their enemies could fire at him, and prevent his advances.
El Pipila continued with firm steps, moving ever closer to the large door. Those locked up within realized what was taking place, and desperately tried to stop him with stones and bullets. They went up to the roof, fired bullets and threw a multitude of grenades, made with the metal jars that had been used to transport quicksilver.
None of this caused bodily harm to El Pipila, and he reached his destination. He smeared the door with oil and pitch, placed wood around it and set it on fire. The door went up in flames and the insurgents were able to enter the fortress. Within, they carried out a terrible and ruthless slaughter of the guilty and innocent, the bad and the good, the unjust and the just. It was a horrible massacre of both military men, civilians, women, and children. The insurgents also seizing as many valuables as they could lay their hands upon. News of the Alhóndiga massacre and the taking of spoils spread throughout the city and nearby mining towns. The miners of Guanajuato took all the valuables for their own personal gain.
José María de Liceaga, an eyewitness, investigated what took place at the Alhondiga several years after. He learned and left written records about el Pípila, and his departure from Guanajuato City after the event on September 28, 1810. He was seen leaving at approximately five in the afternoon, headed toward the town of Mellado, where he was then living. He was accompanied by other miners, and among them, they carried five or six bags. El Pipila himself, carried a small bag in his hand, which probably contained gold. The group was guarded by armed insurgents. To those who witnessed this retreat, it appeared clear that money had been given to el Pípila in payment for his services in the insurgent cause.
News about el Pípila’s deed spread quickly among the people and, possibly to protect his family from reprisals by the Spanish, he decided to move to San Miguel el Grande. Here he bought a little house in town, and probably some land in the outskirts.
