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A Bear Breaks Sandra’s Arm! In November 1991 we had a hunter from Texas named Jack Burger who wanted to bag a bear with his bow. We have, through the years, taken lots of bow hunters for bears, lions and elk. We like bow hunters and enjoy hunting with them. Several years back, a good hunting friend of mine, Frank Scott from Alvin, Texas, took a bull elk while hunting with me that scores in the top ten in Pope and Young Record Book. A noted author and avid bow hunter named Ray Brank did a five page article that was published in Bow Hunter World about a bull elk
morning from Bonito Stables It snowed a little during the night: there were about three inches of new snow on the road just at daylight as we drove around Bonito Lake headed to the stables. About a mile below the stables just above the mouth of George Washington Canyon, there was a big bear track in the road. Looked like the bear just crossed the road: his tracks in the snow was fresh. We got out, looked at the track which headed south across Bonito Creek. We hurried on up to the stables, loaded some dogs, rushed back, and put them on the track.
Sandra called in for him. Bow hunters have to be up close to thier intended game, and most like shots 20 to 40 yards.
The track was fresh enough, and the dog left on it like a house on fire. Sandra said she would stay and listen to the dogs while Jack and I went back to the stables to get our horses Didn't take us long to saddle up and lope back down the canyon where Sandra was waiting.
Nothing can get your adrenalin up more than being in next to a screaming, bristled-up bull elk at 15 to 20 yards, or a big bear or lion at 30 feet. Sometimes we get a frustrated when a hunter gets so excited that he can't even draw his bow. However , if one doesn't get excited now and then, what's the use of going hunting? Normally bow hunters are good shots and, at the right distance, are pretty deadly with an arrow. Jack Burger arrived at our house in Capitan the night before his hunt,and we planned to ride out horse back the next Alamodoso Connections
We listened a while and, sure enough, sounded like they were treed close to the top of a big ridge between Bonito Creek and Dark Betsy Canyon. The country is extremely steep Continue On Next Page 5
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brought Jack along as best she could. The snow was just in this area with a lot of thick enough to make that steep, brush and timber. We mounted brushy hillside pretty slick. our horses and headed toward the dogs. When she got Jack up the tree, we told him to catch his Bout half a mile up the breath while we tied the dogs mountain, it got too steep and back. The bear looked brushy for our horses, so we tremendous big. Jack was tied them and headed on up excited, tired, and out of the mountainon foot. breath. He had slippd and fallen so many times climbing Jack wasn't used to our the hill that he only four climate and elevation and arrows left that weren't bent. couldn't climb very far without stopping to rest Sandra stayed After tying the dogs back with Jack and I climbed on to as best we could Jack surveyed the dogs. The bear was a big his arrows and caught his boar: he was in a big fir tree breath a little. We told him to sitting on a limb about 20 feet shoot the bear straight through from the ground. The dogs the center of the brisket. Jack could see him good and were drew back his bow, kinda making lots of noise. Sandra Continued on page 7 Continued from page 5
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Continued from page 6 wobbly like, and whop! Shot the bear through the belly! I had my 30-06 and Sandra had brought her 30-30. While we were tying the dogs back, I had leaned my gun up against the tree downhill from the bear tree. When Jack was gettin' ready to shoot I had borrowed Sandra's 30-30 so I could kill the bear if he came out of the tree crippled. When Jack shot, the bear wolfed and snorted a couple of times and climbed up the tree about 80 feet or so. The limbs were thick, and we couldn't see the bear from beneath the tree. We told Jack to climb the hill above the bear and maybe he could shoot from the hillside to the tree. Sandra moved back out of the way, and I stayed under the tree in case the bear decided to come out. The bear had gone so far up the tree that Sandra and I couldn't see him. Jack was up the hill and we couldn't see him either. In a little while a piece of arrow shaft about a foot long with fleching, came falliing down through the limbs; we still couldn't see the bear. All of sudden Jack hollered down, "Shoot him, I'm out of arrows." Continued on page 9
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Continued from page 7 The bear was still up the tree. I would have shot him if he had tried to come out crippled. I figured, "Heck, he's Jack's bear. He's suppose to be the hunter." So i decided to send him the gun. If he couldn't kill him with his bow, I didnt think he could kill him with Sandra's 30-30 either because it had open sights. I asked Sandra to go down hill and get my 30-06 and take it to Jack. Maybe he could hit the bear with it because it has a scope. Sandra walked down hill a ways and got my gun and started back up.
The bear was falliing out of the tree from about 80 feet; about halfway down the bear hit a big limb. The limb broke and bounced off to the side. The bear weighed right at 500 pounds, and he hit the ground next to Sandra.
Once we got to the horses, I helped her on her horse and led him so she would have one hand to fight the brush and limbs. We made it to the house Continued on page 17
When the bear hit the ground, one of his front legs flopped and hit Sandra across the arm. Thank goodness, the bear didn't hit her solid or it would have killed her for sure.
The bear and Sandra were both stunned for a few seconds. Then the bear got to his feet, and he was standing right over Sandra. He didn't I guess one of Jack's arrows have time to bite her because I had punctured the bear worse shot him through the neck. than his first shot beacause just Sandra sat up holding her as Sandra crossed under the arm and it was obvious that bear tree, the bear started her arm was broken, as it was hanging down at a right angle just above her wrist.
fallin' out of the tree. Sandra heard the limbs breaking and started scrambling around the hill trying to get out of the way. It was a steep hillside and slick with snow. Sandra was out away from the tree about 30 feet when she lost her footing and slipped down.
Jack and I rolled the bear out of the way, and I found a short tree limb for a splint. I had some black tape in my back pocket and splinted her arm the best i could, then took my neck scarf and made her a sling. She was hurting pretty bad, so I told Jack to start rolling the bear off the mountain and headed downhill with Sandra. She had to walk about half a mile down that slick, steep mountain to get to our horses.
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Bonito Lou’s Store In 1952, Arvel and I decided to build a little cafe across the creek, as we suspected there would be more tourists and natives coming up the canyon and we heard Game Department and City of Almaogordo might get fish planted behind the dam and allow fishing with licenses.
Arvel though it would be okay to build where it now stands, even though Tom said 50 years back a big flood had come come down the canyon moving trees and rocks, Mr. and Mrs. English had a summer home near our house.
We were settled 1 mile below where the city had been torn down and moved from when the Southern Pacific Railroad built the dam. The cemetery was even moved. Bodies were taken to the Angus Cemetery and reburied. Tombstones and all were moved. We abided by Mr. English's suggestion and pt up the one sign
However, strange to me, fish were already in Bonito Lake, big rainbow and big crap, but no fishing was allowed. Thus, and of course when there were rumors of World War II, the dam was guarded night and day. Tom Bragg, who lived at the old Parsons Hotel as caretaker, came by often to visit on his way to Capitan in his old red pickup with his girlfriend, Alice Wright, who lived on her own mining claim near Tom.
school, a rooming house and recreational building.
"Bonito City Cafe." As time went on, too many people asked,"Where Is The City?" We would tell them the story and, as they planned, they went on up to Bonito Lake.
I could afford to go get a permanent in my hair or get it cut once more in awhile. My operator's name was Dixie, there in Captain. One day she said to me "Louise, why don't When Arvel told Tom Mr. English suggested we you change the name of your he was going to build a cafe on call the business Bonito City little store and cafe? Bonito the creek, Tom told him to get because the place where the city is no longer there, its the north hillside cut off dam is now was, at one time, a confusing to people. (paying road workers or pretty good size settlementwhoever), because our land Arvel calls you Lou and i mining for gold, few farms, went up the hill to the Forest Parsons Hotel miners' cabins,a think you ought to change the line on the north hillside. Continue on Page 19
1941 Flood
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Continued from page 28 maintained by a caretaker. Ruby Howard married William Holmes, the two lived in Loma Grande, in a home on the Bonito River and were active in the Capitan, NM community. Bill was a city councilman in 1941 when the new fire station was dedicated.
They also built the Smokey Bear Motel in Capitan. Bill and Ruby retired to Tularosa and lived there for many years. Bill passed away in 1980 and Ruby passed away in 1985. EDITORS NOTE: We wish to thank Donna Ikard for the above story. Alamodoso Connections
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Brewing Great Cowboy Coffee Cowboy coffee doesn’t have to be bad. After all, you have all the supplies needed to brew great coffee: high-quality grounds, water, a heat source and a pot for brewing. Here’s how you can make cowboy coffee that would rival what you brew at home:
Add water to your pot and bring it to a boil.Once the water’s boiling, remove the pot from your fire and let it sit for 30 seconds. This will lower the water temperature to 200°F — the perfect temperature for brewing coffee. Continued on page 16 Alamodoso Connections
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Add 2 tablespoons of finely ground coffee for every 8 ounces of water. You may want to measure how much water your pot holds and how much coffee a spoon you bring holds before going camping so you can measure accurately. Stir the grounds into the water. Let the brew sit for 2 minutes and stir again. Let the coffee sit for 2 more minutes. After a total of 4 minutes of brewing, sprinkle a little cold water on the grounds. Yes, this actually does help them settle to the bottom. Slowly pour the coffee, so the grounds remain on the bottom of the pot. Your coffee will taste best if it’s poured immediately after brewing. Coffee that sits in a pot with grounds quickly becomes bitter. If you’d like a second cup, either brew another pot or pack a thermal carafe to keep your coffee hot in. End Alamodoso Connections
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Continued from page 9 fine, told Pappy what had happened and headed to the hospital in Ruidoso. We drove up to the emergency room entrance. A little nurse met us at the door, Sandra looked pretty pale and had her arm in a sling. The nurse came running up and asked "What happened to you, honey?" I looked at her and answered "You wouldn't believe it if i told you." The nurse quickly responded, "What happened? I've heard everything there is." I looked at her once more and said, "Bear fell on her." All the nurse could say was, "Ah sh--," as she turned and walked away. The doctor worked on Sandra for several hours, trying to set the bones back halfway straight. He finally casted it and told Sandra he might have to do some surgery if it didn't heal right. The arm healed, but it still hurts Sandra at times. It was broken in five places. Pappy and Curly Dixon helped Jack get the bear to the stables. Next day Jack headed back to Texas with his trophy. (End) EDITORS NOTE: Our thanks to Robert Runnels for providing us this story. Alamodoso Connections
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Continued from page 11 to Bonito Lou's if it's ok with your husband." So, with Arvel's approval we made another sign. Down at Angus, where Highway 48 (to Captain) and Highway 37 (to Nogal/Carrizozo) forked, left turn to Bonito, I had a lady friend who was camped up at the dam paint a sign to put where the roads divided. I paid her with the vegetables from Dad Runnel's and my garden, and hamburgers and coffee from the cafe.
was at the house on the porch. Sometimes after i closed the cafe at night, I would drive to Alamogordo to get ice.
delivered it to us from Ruidoso Downs. We rented horses and sold wood to campers.
Our Coca-Cola ice box in the store ( small second-hand) cost $35 and it didn't hold many drinks or ice. After a few summers, a cookie and bread man would come up on the dirt road. Our counter would serve about ten people, who sat on
Ben Pfingston, a pioneer, lived about 4 miles north on a historic ranch where he was raised, but was alone, as his mother and father were long gone. Sometime Ben would ride horseback to see us. He would be welcome and would always sit at a small booth Arvel put by the window in the kitchen facing the creek. This booth was for anyone.
The sign was pretty big. It stood 10 or 12 feet high [with posts] and was 4-by-8 feet. It said, "Entering the Beautiful Bonito Valley," with an arrow pointing up to the canyon. Our little store on the Bonito was a fun place, not mentioning floods. Had Arvel set the store against the north hillside, a big rock might have crushed the top. A few did roll near different times, but the flood went across the road anyhow in 1941.
stools. On shelves behind the counter we had a few groceries, and fishing rods and fishing supplies.
Our little cafe had a through passway. Folks came in the back door or the front door. If they wanted to war in the kitchen and visit, it was okay. We were sort of grand central station. Ben Pfingston would bring worms for us to sell. The worms would pay for his many cups of coffee, a hamburger, and an addition of whatever family food Bonito Lou might have to warm up.
We ordered from Albuquerque or I'd get some at A oke truck would come about Gibons in Alamogordo and twice a month from add a few cents to the price for Alamogordo and we only took resale. We dug lot of worms a few cases of coke. We froze for fisherman 'cross the creek, ice in a big ice box we had Sometimes Ben would 25 cents for two dozen. We got bought that opened with a top come on his old tractor. It was cherry cider from Homer and lid. I froze it in pans. The box Alice Allison, who made it and Continue on Page 21 Alamodoso Connections
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Southwestern Egg Rolls INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Rub 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over chicken breast.
1 skinless, boneless chicken breast half
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook chicken 2 tablespoons minced red bell pepper approximately 5 minutes per side, until meat is no longer 1/3 cup frozen corn kernels pink and juices run clear. Remove from heat and set 1/4 cup black beans, rinsed and aside. drained 2 tablespoons minced green onion
2 tablespoons frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
Heat remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. 2 tablespoons diced jalapeno peppers Stir in green onion and red pepper. Cook and stir 5 1/2 tablespoon minced fresh parsley minutes, until tender. 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/3 teaspoon salt 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 5 (6 inch) flour tortillas
Dice chicken and mix into the pan with onion and red pepper. Mix in corn, black beans, spinach, jalapeno peppers, parsley, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir 5 minutes, until well blended and tender. Remove from heat and stir in Monterey Jack cheese so that it melts.
1 quart oil for frying
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Continued from page 19 really easier to handle, a Ben was sort of paralyzed on his left side and his tractor was easier than saddling and mounting his favorite horse. Sometimes, when Ben came on his tractor, he would not only bring me fishing worms, he would bring me Banty eggs. These, I didn't serve to the public, but used them for pancakes. They were really a novelty for the kids at Easter to color with the bigger ones from our chickens. At one time, we has a cook who worked for his rent in a little cabin near our house; Joe and Bonnie built to store their furniture when Joe left for World War 2. Arvel and I bought the lot when Dad and Lula deeded Arvel and me the lots where the Bonito Lou's cafe and the original home now stand. This cook's name was Jim Byler He was a big man. Don't remember how he landed there with us, but ole Jim could cook and loved the Bonito. He had a small World War 2 pension check and ate at the cafe. Jim would make delicious donuts for the weekend; they's sell 25 cents each.
In his little cabin, Jim had just a bed and his few clothes and a cat. Jim trained his cat, he called "Pet," to retrieve. Jim Smoked lots of cigarettes. He trained his cat to retrieve and empty wadded up cigarette package out of the window and tell the cat to go get it. The cat obeyed and fetched it to his master.
sitting place. I found a bank money bag with a bunch of half dollars in it. I asked one of the young helpers, "How did this get here?" He answered, "We were going to have a party when you closed the store after labor day."
This young man was a nephew. I told him, "Okay, if With all the folk stopping, I you'll give me half of them, got lots of news for "Bonito you guys can have half!" Water" that I sent to Lincoln County News every week. We Leo Powell was a good had two or three pet deer that helper at Bonito Lou's and our son Robert had found Fred Coe, my oldest brother, abandoned in the forest when was a good cook there, too. he was working trails for the Forest service. End The deer would be little EDITORS NOTE: We wish fawns and we would feed them to thank Robert Runnels for with a bottle. They made great contributing this story. pets until they got bigger, then they were really not safe for the little kids because they likes to play and rear up with front hooves that were sharp. They and our dogs made friends. When they got too big, we would ask the game warder to take them. They would be placed somewhere up north on a deer farm where they would learn to fend for themselves. Our kids and other kids, when old enough to help and also run the cash register, I trusted and this taught them to be friendly. One time i was cleaning the kitchen and moved four cinder blocks that were there for a
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VIEWS OF A ROAD LESS TRAVELED
High Rol ls circa 1 9
Ice o m a l A
1927 a c r i Co . C
H
a 1898 c r i c 2 wy 8
Cloudcroft 1920
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AND OF PEOPLE FORGOTTEN. White Oaks Methodist Church
circa 1880 s r e in M s k a White O
White Oaks School Bus circa 1925
Unnamed Indian Girl Circa 1885 Mescalero
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n& Ro
L a u r a W a l t on i n v i t e y o u a l l t o t h e “H a l l ” … .
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Also on our menu…… Our own home-made Glazed Popcorn & Cotton Candy Hand picked and Cleaned Local Pecans
Tropical Sno Located in the White Sands Mall 3199 N White Sands Blvd, Alamogordo, NM 88310
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Billy Whiskers with his New Mexico flag. Billy lives with his human Kathy Richardson of Ruidoso Downs Alamodoso Connections
After a hard days work helping out Miss Alice of Victoria on New York, Mr Bill relaxes at home with the kids 26
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On April 27, 1877, John Henry Tunstall writes to his father: "Everything in New Mexico that pays at all (you may say) is worked by a 'ring.' There is the 'Indian ring,' the 'army ring,' and 'legal ring,' the 'Roman ring,' the 'cattle ring,' the 'horse thieves ring,' the 'land ring,' and half a dozen other rings. Now 'to make things stick' to do any good it is necessary to either get into a ring or make one for yourself. I am working at present making a ring." Less than a year later, he was dead at the hands of the Murphy-Dolan gang, the start of the Lincoln County War. (Palace of the Governors Photo Archives, "Main Street of Lincoln, New Mexico showing Watson House, site of burned McSween house and Tunstall Store, Negative #105473)
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A LINCOLN COUNTY PIONEER Adelaide Abner Howard was born in 1898 in Coleman County Texas to Monroe & Mathilda "Lady" Howard.
homestead, Adelaide remembers Santa bringing her a beautiful china doll.
When Adelaide was a little In 1902, the Howard family older she went to Capitan to left Texas in a covered wagon go to high school, while her to homestead in Lincoln family still lived at the homestead ranch.
Adelaide Circa 1902
Aunt and I knew her as Auntie Ruby... our eccentric Aunt Ruby from Capitan. The building that was once Mother Julian's is still there on the corner of Second Street across from the village hall to
At that time there was only one hotel in Capitan, rather upscale for the place and times called Mother Julians and was run by Mother Julian.
Adelaide worked and boarded in the hotel, Mother Julian was very fond of her. One day Mother Julian gave Adelaide a ruby ring of hers that Adelaide had always admired. After she gave Adelaide the ring, she started calling her "Ruby" and the County, New Mexico. That name stuck for the rest of her first Christmas, living in a tent life. She was my Great Great on her maternal grandparents'
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William Holmes the north and the library to the east. It is privately owned and Continues on page 14
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