In late December of 1888 twenty-five Mexicans arrived at the Johnson Mines [later Thurber] to replace some of the striking miners recently removed by Texas Rangers. (throughout the Gilded Age law enforcement sided with the oligarchs). The Fort Worth Daily Gazette reported that, “There is some excitement among the people of this vicinity, where the news has reached them, as Mexicans are not desired by the citizens of this part of Texas.”