European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 23, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Gilbert Garcia Ami his wife Anita at their Home in King svelte Texas. Garcia wag born Oft the King ranch whose Cap Tia still wort to and spent hit whole lift working there until he Wai mid off in May. Ard times hit Texas giant the King ranch by Robert Reinhold new York times he fabled King ranch Long a Symbol of the wealth Power and Pride of Texas is struggling through one of the most difficult eras in its 134-year history the vast South Texas ranch larger than Rhode Island plus the Borough of Brooklyn has Laid Oil or Given Early relive men to More than Liall oils employees Over the last two years. The Exxon corporation shut Down drilling Lor Oil and Gas on the ranch last year with slump in world Oil prices. And the ranch s recent All Empl to diversify into shrimp farming has proved a costly disappointment so far. The 69-year-ofd president and chief executive officer of King ranch inc., James h. Clement stepped aside in july and was replaced by the executive vice president John b. Armstrong 68. But insiders say this was Only a temporary Stop while the company trios to hire an aggressive outside gun As its  manager. Ii would be the Fisl i Nie trial the 325.000 acre Lanch. The largest in the Urnie states was run by someone other than a descendant by blood or marriage of Robert King the Steamboat Captain who founded the dynasty in 1 353, and his son in Law. Robert Justus Kleberg. The move Means a Shilt away from a a paternalistic almost be Urjil style of management toward one based on modern entrepreneurial techniques and Cost culling while perhaps inevitable the changes have caused deep pain in South Texas where a of with the King ranch was once Lor life and even beyond of children and grandchildren and where being a Kine no or King s Man was a source of huge Pride. In recent months scores of Kenefio have been put out to pasture or let go. Many Are descendants of the original mexican families who have worked the ranch for five generations. Gone is Gilbert Garcia. Born on the ranch he began working As a Little boy opening Gates for the cowboys at $5 3 month his huge battered1 hands attest that he Laboured 34 years As a Kine no until May 5, when he was told he was no longer needed. "1 was Here All my life i raised my family there he said Palms upturned in bewilderment. Now he is 49 and nearly crippled from phlebitis and says he cannot and other work. They should have considered 1 was sick he added. He and his wife Anita did not own heir House on the ranch bul planted Shade Trees for the Lulu re. We always told ourselves we would sit under those Kees and watch our grandchildren grow up on the King  said mrs Garcia. We did not got that  they were Given sb.000 and to months to gel Oil the ranch but they Weie 50 Hurt and angry that they piled their belongings in a pickup truck and moved live Days later to a Small rented House in Kingsville the town that Gre a up to serve the ranch they wore not alone Andy while the purchasing agent was retired Earty alter 33 years As was Bill Sej Jers who ran businesses Lor the family for 39 years scores More under the retirement age of 55 were let go with $200 Severance for every year served Ramon Rodriguez a 54-year-old Callie feeder was nit to k  the 8ss,000-acre King ranch Long a Texas Symbol consists of Lour giant parcels of land. Laid Olf just months before to would have been Cli Giblo for retirement Israel Vela who fixed the windmills was Laid Oil Loo. Along with Israel Mendietta a Cowboy in his 50 s. And Jose Caldera. Ralph Silva. Roberio us Ricl la. Mail Ulley. Jose Caldera and Jesus Garcia. An  workers the King management defined to be Isle vice de or provide any inc ration Lor this article saying Page 16 the stars and stripes sunday. August 23, 19b7