On Mayor tom lea II, artist tom lea III's father
Was Artist Tom Lea once the Mayor of El Paso?
No, the artist Tom Calloway Lea, known as Tom Lea III, was never the Mayor of El Paso. His father, Tom Calloway Lea II, served as mayor from 1915 to 1917.
To avoid confusion, the artist is referred to as Tom Lea III, notably by the Tom Lea Institute, which honors his legacy as a celebrated painter, muralist, and writer. Tom Lea II, the mayor, was a prominent attorney and civic leader whose tenure was marked by significant challenges during a turbulent period in El Paso’s history.
If Mayor Lea did not shut down the border, then why did it happen?
Mayor Tom Lea II did not shut down the border between El Paso and Juárez, nor did he have the authority to do so. The border was, and remains, under the jurisdiction of the federal government, not the City of El Paso. During Lea’s mayoral term (1915–1917), several factors complicated border dynamics, requiring coordination between federal and local authorities:
1. Sugar Smuggling During World War I: The war created economic pressures, leading to increased smuggling of goods like sugar from Mexico into the U.S., which strained border enforcement efforts.
2. Draft Resisters Fleeing to Juárez: Some individuals crossed into Mexico to evade conscription during World War I, creating security concerns for federal authorities.
3. The Immigration Act of 1917: This federal law imposed new requirements on immigrants, including passports, literacy tests, and an $8 head tax, which tightened border controls and increased scrutiny at crossings.
4. National Security Fears: Amid World War I, there was widespread concern about potential German spies or anarchists entering the U.S. through the southern border, prompting heightened federal oversight.
These issues were managed by federal agencies, not the City of El Paso. Mayor Lea’s role was limited to local governance, and he had no power to close or control the international border. Any claims suggesting otherwise are historically inaccurate and misattribute federal actions to a municipal office.
Why did Mayor Lea wear silk underwear?
The claim about Mayor Lea wearing silk underwear is often cited out of context to trivialize his character, but it has a serious and scientifically grounded explanation. During the typhus outbreak in the 1910s, medical experts advised that lice, the primary vectors of typhus, were less likely to cling to silk fabric than to cotton or wool.
As a public health precaution, Lea and others, including travelers to Mexico, wore silk undergarments to reduce the risk of infection. This was not a quirky affectation but a practical response to a deadly epidemic that had already claimed lives, including that of his health commissioner. Lea’s decision reflected his commitment to protecting himself and his community during a public health crisis, guided by the best medical advice of the time.
Was Mayor Tom Lea II a Member of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in the early 1920s?
Tom Lea II briefly joined the Ku Klux Klan after his mayoral term, during a period when the KKK in El Paso was initially perceived as a civic reform movement aimed at challenging the entrenched political “Ring” that dominated local politics.
As historian Shawn Lay notes, the KKK in the 1920s attracted over 3,000 members in El Paso, including many prominent citizens, by presenting itself as a vehicle for political change. However, once Lea attended a Klan meeting and recognized its true nature—marked by racist and divisive rhetoric—he quickly disassociated himself from the group.
Far from supporting the KKK, Lea became one of its most vocal opponents. In the pivotal 1923 mayoral election, he played a key role in supporting anti-Klan candidate Dick Dudley, helping to defeat the Klan’s influence in El Paso.
Lea publicly denounced the KKK, particularly its anti-Catholic and anti-Mexican rhetoric, and actively worked to dismantle its activities, including efforts to quell race-based tensions in the city. His swift rejection of the Klan and his leadership in opposing its divisive agenda demonstrate his commitment to inclusivity and civic unity.
Did Tom Lea II Dislike Mexico and Mexican People? The accusation that Tom Lea II disliked Mexico or Mexicans is unequivocally false and contradicts both his personal history and professional record. Lea had a deep affinity for Mexico, having lived there for two years as a young man and maintaining lifelong friendships with Mexicans. His second wife, Rosario Partida Archer, was a Mexican from Ciudad Juárez, a testament to his personal connection to the culture and people.
Furthermore, he left the family home to his stepdaughter, Bertha, not one of his three sons. As an attorney, Lea defended many Mexicans, from all walks of life, in his legal practice, earning a reputation as a compassionate and skilled advocate.Lea’s actions as mayor further refute this claim. He navigated El Paso through a tumultuous period of cross-border tensions, maintaining order while fostering cooperation with Juárez where possible.
His efforts to address the typhus crisis and uphold the law were driven by a commitment to public welfare, not prejudice. The baseless accusation of anti-Mexican sentiment ignores Lea’s documented respect for Mexico and its people, as well as his contributions to El Paso’s multicultural community.
Did Tom Lea II Dislike Mexico and the Mexican People?
A Legacy of Leadership and Integrity
Read more on Mayor Tom Lea
Download Nora Orozco's article here and read an extended biography on Mayor Lea.
See our curricula The Mexican Revolution Through the Eyes of Tom Lea, Jose Cisneros & Posada. Here you will find extensive history and detail.
Rebuttal to Texas Observer.
Tom Lea II was a towering figure in El Paso’s history, a man who embodied the spirit of the Southwest while serving as mayor during one of the city’s most challenging eras.
As a lawyer, he was renowned for his eloquence and empathy, defending the vulnerable with a passion that earned him admiration in the courtroom. As mayor from 1915 to 1917, he led with courage, upholding law and order amid the chaos of the Mexican Revolution and World War I. His commitment to public health, as seen in his response to the typhus crisis, and his impartial enforcement of the law, even under threat from figures like Pancho Villa, reflect a leader of principle and resilience.
The 1945 editorial from an El Paso newspaper captures his legacy: “Tom Lea was one of the last of the old-time lawyers… an upstanding and patriotic citizen” who became “authentic Southwest.” His contributions to El Paso—as a mayor, attorney, and community leader—left an indelible mark, shaping the city’s identity as a vibrant, resilient border community. Misrepresentations of his actions, whether regarding the border, public health measures, or his personal beliefs, distort the record of a man who dedicated his life to justice, fairness, and the well-being of El Paso’s diverse population. Adios, amigo—Tom Lea II’s memory remains green as a testament to his enduring impact.