I moved in on the façade of this historic office building to abstract it, and stress the magical reflections dancing upon its windows. The barren tree layers the image at left and intensifies the abstraction. The Caples building played a critical role in the history of neighboring Mexico. It was built in 1909 as a five-story structure. The top two floors (just above the cornice) were added in between 1915 and 1918. From its fifth floor windows, just below the cornice, viewers could easily see Juarez, Mexico, just across the Rio Grande from El Paso. In 1911, Mexico was in the midst of a revolution. Rebel forces fighting under Francisco Madero, Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata and Pascual Orozco were trying to end the 34-year dictatorial regime of Mexico’s president, Profirio Diaz.

Madero planned the pivotal battle of Juarez in the fifth floor offices of the virtually new Caples Building, perhaps behind the very windows at the bottom of this photograph. On April 7, 1911, the rebels poured 2,500 soldiers into Juarez, which was defended by only 700 government troops. Despite extensive bickering and dissension among their various generals, the rebels somehow managed to win the battle of Juarez after a month of squabbling and fighting, ultimately forcing President Diaz to flee into exile in France. The 38-year old Madero was elected president of Mexico in October, 1911. He was assassinated in February, 1913, during a military coup by General Victoriano Huerta.