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Home > SPECIAL COLLECTIONS > KBORMEMORIALALBUM

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KBOR José Cantú Memorial Album

José Cantú, radio broadcaster, had a popular weekly evening musical show on KBOR in Brownsville known as the "Programa Popular" that aired from 1946 to 1952. Mexican singers and such local talented Tejanos as Ermilo Montemayor made the show a major success. Cantu's wit and political criticism during intermissions expressed the frustrations of Hispanics along the lower Rio Grande. He lampooned corrupt politicians and unscrupulous businessmen, hired investigators to examine consumer fraud and City Hall graft in numerous towns, and made powerful enemies. Still, Carnation Dairy Products, Royal Crown Hair Dressing, and other well-known companies sponsored the program. In time, Cantú became a major spokesman for local Mexican Americans in the battle for equality of opportunity and against prejudice. His program became so popular that sometimes it went on for an extra hour before saying on the air to his wife, "Jesusita, keep the pots warm. I will be there soon for supper." Eventually, his enemies asked Minor Wilson, manager of KBOR, to ban him from radio work. Nevertheless, Cantú continued to denounce those "who exploit the community." On June 7, 1952, he crashed into a tree outside Brownsville and was instantly killed; it was rumored that his brakes had been sabotaged. On June 7, 1952, Brownsville was overwhelmed by Cantu's funeral, where honors were bestowed on "a friend of those in poverty." - Handbook of Texas Online
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  • Page 01, Cover by Springman King Co.

    Page 01, Cover

    Springman King Co.

    Color photograph of the front and back covers of the album.

  • Page 02, Programa Popular by Springman King Co.

    Page 02, Programa Popular

    Springman King Co.

    Black and white photographs of "Programa Popular" Christmas event.

  • Page 03, Jose Cantu Memorial by Springman King Co.

    Page 03, Jose Cantu Memorial

    Springman King Co.

    Black and white photographs of Jose Cantu and the tree where he lost his life.

  • Page 04, Photos of Jose Cantu by Springman King Co.

    Page 04, Photos of Jose Cantu

    Springman King Co.

    Black and white photograph and (Describe information that could be useful for researchers that wouldn’t fit in the title)

  • Page 05, The Tragic Death of Jose Cantu by Springman King Co.

    Page 05, The Tragic Death of Jose Cantu

    Springman King Co.

    Black and white photographs of Jose Cantu alongside a cross.

  • Page 06, Wreckage by Springman King Co.

    Page 06, Wreckage

    Springman King Co.

    Black and white photographs of Jose Cantu's car after the wreck.

  • Page 07, A day of Mourning and Sadness by Springman King Co.

    Page 07, A day of Mourning and Sadness

    Springman King Co.

    Black and white photographs of Jose Cantu's memorial service.

  • Page 08, Funeral by Springman King Co.

    Page 08, Funeral

    Springman King Co.

    Black and white photographs of Jose Cantu's funeral.

  • Page 09, Honoring Jose Cantu by Springman King Co.

    Page 09, Honoring Jose Cantu

    Springman King Co.

    Black and white photograph of a list of individuals who appreciated Jose Cantu.

  • Page 10, Last Photo by Springman King Co.

    Page 10, Last Photo

    Springman King Co.

    Black and white photograph of the end of the list of names in the previous photo, along with the last photo of Jose Cantu.

  • Page 11, KBOR station by Springman King Co.

    Page 11, KBOR station

    Springman King Co.

    A black and white photograph of KBOR station on 1934 Central Blvd, Brownsville, TX 78520.

 
 
 

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