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Portrait of Fidel Tafolla

The original handwritten manuscript was written in Spanish by the Reverend Santiago Tafolla at the age of 71. Tafolla was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico under Mexican rule; traveled widely in the US; and served in the Texas Indian Wars and the Confederate Army during the Civil War. The memoir offers a rare look at 19th century Texas from the Tejano perspective and is the only known memoir of a Mexican American who served in the Civil War. Tafolla's great-granddaughters Carmen and Laura Tafolla transcribed, translated, and edited the memoir, which was ultimately published as A Life Crossing Borders: Memoir of a Mexican-American Civil War Soldier, by Arté Público Press in 2009.

Captain Wilford Swinney talks about his upbringing and how he began working for the Austin Police Department. He shares some of his past experiences as an officer, recapping his responsibilities and past duties. Captain Swinney outlines the changes he has seen in the department's organization and resources over the years, especially as related to Austin's growth. Discussed topics include gang activity, the Ut-Austin shooting in 1966, changing uniforms and police cars, and women working in the police force.

Cover story on Kathleen Sullivan