[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9979-9980]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        CELEBRATING THE 120TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE QUIHI GUN CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise today to recognize 
and celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the Quihi Gun Club. This is the 
oldest gun club in the country and counts a membership of over 1,000 
people.
  The Club, originally built to defend against Indian attacks, is the 
oldest continuous running gun club in the United States where members 
continue to meet each month. Two German men met under an oak tree on 
Quihi Creek on May 26, 1890 to organize the Quihi Schuetzen (shooting) 
Verein (club); now called the Quihi Gun Club and Dance Hall. The Quihi 
Gun Club hosts an annual turkey shoot in the fall, fundraising for the 
Make-a-Wish foundation, and hosts the Medina County Riders' Annual 
Trail Ride scholarship for Medina County students.
  The club is based in Quihi, Texas, a quiet rural farming community 
with a population of about 200. Quihi is located about midway between 
Hondo and Castroville, north of Hwy 90 on State Road 2676. There is one 
state highway that runs through Quihi with a lot of county and private 
roads that branch off of it. The area that would come to be known as 
Quihi was originally settled by Lipans, Kiowa, Kickapoo and Comanche 
Indians. The Indians named the area ``quichi'' (pronounced kee-chee) 
after the large brown bird with white feathers on its tail and tips of 
its wings. Quihi was founded in 1844 by Henri Castro on the banks of 
what was to be called Quihi Creek.
  Quihi was established in March 1846 by 10 families of German/French 
colonists brought to Texas by Emprasario Henri Castro. Families set out 
from Castroville and moved 10 miles west to site at Quihi Lake. 
Original settlers in the area came from Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, 
Belgium and Mexico. This area was attacked by Indians shortly after 
settlement and several times thereafter. It is the site of first public 
free school in Medina County as well as a German-English school. The 
population of the community grew through the latter part of 19th 
century but began to dwindle after the 1900s, as young people moved to 
other nearby towns and cities. Today only a few families remain in this 
community surrounded by heavily settled farm land. Many family-owned 
businesses, farms and ranches are still owned by descendants of the 
original families.
  Several of Texas' greatest Legends like Pappy Selph, Caesare Masse, 
and Cliff Bruner have spent many nights in Dance Halls like this. I 
extend my most sincere congratulations to the Quihi Gun Club on their 
120th Anniversary. I am proud of their success and hope that they 
continue to expand their club membership as they provide their services 
not only to their community, but to audiences from all over for many 
years to come.
  Early this month the town of Quihi was struck by a devastating flood 
of the Quihi Creek. Three businesses closed, the area was temporarily 
without electricity and a large section of pavement was washed away on 
FM

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2676. According to newspaper reports the Quihi Gun Club and Dance Hall 
was hit with two feet of water and had a slightly damaged dance floor. 
Despite the damage, the public dance proceeded as scheduled that week.
  The history of this beautiful, small rural community can boast of 
their heritage for over 160 years. It is delightful that the traditions 
of the Quihi Gun Club can add to this exemplary and truly American 
community. I am proud to represent the people of Quihi and to recognize 
the Quihi Gun Club and its integral role in the Quihi community and 
Medina County.

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