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Matilde Jauregui: Symbol of the Basque Woman in the West Although the Newsletter seldom profiles those who are not affiliated with the Basque Studies Program, we felt that Matilde Jauregui was a special case. The Free Press Extra of Elko, Nevada (April 3, 1990), wondered if she might not be the oldest living Basque in the state at the age of 100, and as of March 13, 1992, she was 102. Whether she qualifies for that title or not, her life in the West has been a shining example on an individual scale of the contribution of Basque women to the American community. Born in Berriatua in the province of Vizcaya, young Matilde left the Basque Country in 1908 to travel to Elko where her brother and sister were already living. She borrowed $200 to make the journey. Her siblings had arranged for her to get a job at the Overland Hotel. Fate stepped in, however, and Matilde missed a train connection in Salt Lake City. Because of that, she arrived late in Elko. But a thoughtful bartender at the Telescope Hotel had heard that a young woman was coming from the Basque Country and sent two men to meet her. That bartender, Pete Jauregui, became her husband four months later. Matilde worked at the Telescope for two years. Then she and Pete built the Star Hotel in 1910. They owned and operated other businesses in Elko after selling the Star in 1922, including the International Market, the Townhouse nightclub, the El Dorado Hotel, the Traveler's Motel, the El Neva Motel, and the Marquis Motel. Matilde started out as many young Basque women did when they came to this country. She worked in someone else's hotel, cleaning, serving tables, washing dishes, doing laundry and even dancing with the Basque sheepherders. But her life soon became interwoven with the lives of many others. She helped deliver the babies of other Basque women who came in from the ranches to give birth in her hotels, treated sick sheepherders, and found the time to raise two daughters, Theresa Comish and Anita McAdam. She now has grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. All of them can be proud of their estimable forebear and her many accomplishments. |
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