Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
October 11, 2023–Mike and Letti East opened their legendary Santa Fe East Ranch home for an extraordinary gathering, the second of its kind within a year. The occasion, featuring a prologue reading from Stephen G. Michaud’s latest book, “Robert’s Story, A Texas Cowboy’s Troubled Life and Horrifying Death,” drew about forty distinguished guests from the Rio Grande Valley. Among the notable attendees were Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez and David Deanda, President of Lone Star National Bank, recently recognized by The Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT), and the evening, meticulously coordinated by Norma & Sheriff Eddie Guerra as well as Annette and John David Franz, left a lasting impression on all who were present.
Michaud’s reading transported the audience into the heart of a gripping story. It unveiled the disturbing tale when Mike East, Robert’s nephew, informed Helen Kleberg Groves to check on her ailing cousin, Robert East, at the San Antonio Viejo ranch. Robert, the aging patriarch of the East family, had been mysteriously cut off from his loved ones and appeared to be receiving inadequate care. Helenita’s journey to the ranch, guided by court order, exposed a web of betrayal, exploitation, and neglect that had trapped Robert, all against the backdrop of his substantial estate.
As Michaud’s words resonated in the room, the tale became more than just an engaging narrative; it became an emotional tale. It highlighted the fragility of trust, the potential for exploitation, and the complexities within family bonds. The account raised profound questions about the lengths some might go to for financial gain, even if it meant betraying those they should protect.
Attendees left the evening not only with autographed books but also with a profound sense of reflection on the nature of trust, the menace of betrayal, and the need for vigilance, especially in matters of estate management and well-being during one’s golden years. Michaud’s narrative served as both a captivating story and a reminder of the intricacies of human nature, the bonds of family, and the shadows that can wait beneath even the most serene exteriors.
