Published in 2011, the late John Eddie Vogt’s book, Witches, Bitches, and Other Small Town Folks, brings to life the quirky, unforgettable, and entertaining tales of growing up and living in Kendall County from the 1930s through the 1960s. Thanks to the gracious permission of his family, The Kendall Gentleman is honored to share excerpts … Read more
Correction and Retraction: This article previously indicated that August Hoffmann died in the 1862 Nueces Massacre (also known as the Battle of the Nueces). Subsequent research has confirmed that August Hoffmann survived that tragic event and went on to live a long and productive life, contributing significantly to the growth and development of Comfort and … Read more
When Danny Phillips bows his head before we begin, we are not in a sanctuary. We are in his office. A small, curly-haired black dog wanders the room, settling and resettling as if this is a familiar rhythm. Outside the window behind him, an enormous oak tree fills the frame, its branches stretching wide across … Read more
For Officer Jacob De Anda, law enforcement was never a backup plan. It was something he feltcalled to from an early age, shaped by growing up in Boerne and seeing firsthand the trustbetween the community and its officers.“My family has been in the Hill Country for over 30 years,” De Anda said. “Growing up here,the … Read more
If you spend enough time around Kendall County, you start to notice something. The things we’re proud of didn’t happen by accident. They didn’t just show up one day fully formed. The schools, the churches, the businesses on Main Street, the land that’s been cared for and passed down, even that quiet sense that this … Read more
In the Hill Country town of Comfort, where the cypress trees lean over the Guadalupe River and thelimestone hills glow gold in the lateday sun, history is never far from view. It lingers in the old stonebuildings, in the German street names, and in the quiet dignity of the Treue der Union Monument.Among the names … Read more
I first met General Leroy Sisco several years ago at a campaign event for Quico Canseco. It was one of those introductions that happens in passing. A handshake. A few words. A sense that the man in front of you carries gravity, even if you don’t yet know why. The room was loud, the night … Read more
When you sit with Jerry McKenna, time slows down in the best way. The man has lived enough for three lifetimes, and he talks about each one with a steadiness that comes from earned peace. His voice is gentle, his memory sharp, and his stories roll out one after another with the calm of someone … Read more
Every January, something interesting happens. People start talking about resolutions. Gyms get crowded. Grocery carts fill with greens. Planners fly off the shelves. Everyone seems to be searching for a fresh start. There is nothing wrong with that. A resolution shows hope. It tells the world that a person wants to be better. But over … Read more
If you drive east of Boerne, where the land begins to rise and the trees crowd closer to the road, you’ll see a stretch of fence that tells you exactly who lives there. Simple white signs with bold red letters, speaking the kind of truths that make people honk, grin, and nod their heads. They … Read more