- "It's always the same. In a revolution, it is the people who suffer."
- ―Old Man in Pueblo[src]
The Old Man in Pueblo was an old man living in a village in northern Mexico at the beginning of the 20th century.
Biography[]
Early exploits[]
At some point between 1864 and 1867[1] the man, who was already a chicken farmer, rode with Benito Juárez against Emperor Maximilian. He lost many chickens but thought it was worth it to be free. When Porfirio Díaz became President[2] in 1876, [1]he supported him, but he "stole his chickens". The same happened with the rise of power of Huerta[2] in 1913[1] and later of Carranza’s term[2] in 1914.[1]
Mexican Civil War[]
In 1916, Pancho Villa's army looted the village searching for food and took some of the old man's chickens. As he resisted, one of Villa's men and later Indiana Jones tried to excuse themselves claiming that it was in the old man's own good, as the revolutionaries claimed goal was to free the Mexican people.[2]
The old man, who was a retired soldier, had already heard that excuse many times and didn't believe it. He told his story to Indiana Jones in the following "speech of the chickens":
- "Listen, years ago I rode with Juárez against Emperor Maximilian. I lost many chickens but I thought it was worth it to be free. When Porfirio became President, I supported him – but he stole my chickens. Then came Huerta and he stole my chickens. Then it was Carranza’s term, and he stole my chickens too. Now comes Pancho Villa to liberate me and the first thing he does is steal my chickens.(…) What makes one different from the others? My chickens don’t know. All over the world revolutions come and go. Presidents rise and fall. They all stole your chickens. The only thing to change is the name of the man who takes them."
- ―Old Man in Pueblo[src]
Legacy[]
The encounter was one of several events that convinced Indiana Jones of the futility of the Mexican Revolution and his role in it, aware that Villa's fight wasn't their own.[3] Indiana Jones decided to leave Mexico and join Remy Baudouin on his journey to Belgium to fight in World War I.[2]
In 1919, Indy recalled the old man and compared Keating's statement about diplomats outlasting presidents regarding the people suffering regardless of the men in power.[4]
Behind the scenes[]
The Old Man in Pueblo was portrayed by an amateur actor named credited simply as Gregorio in Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal.[2]
Appearances[]
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – "Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal" (First appearance) → Spring Break Adventure
- Mexico, March 1916 comic
- South of the Border
- The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Revolution (As "Chicken Farmer")
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – "Paris, May 1919" → Winds of Change (Mentioned only)
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 South of the Border
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – "Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal" → Spring Break Adventure
- ↑ Compare Indy's reaction to this speech with the one of Pancho Villa early in the episode, that convinces the young Indiana Jones to join Villa's forces.
- ↑ The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – "Paris, May 1919" → Winds of Change
External links[]
The Mexican historical characters named by the old man:
