Alamodoso Magazine Winter Edition

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DISCOVER HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ALAMOGORDO

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Alamodoso Connections The magazine for Otero and Lincoln County.

Email alamodoso@gmail.com Web Site https://issuu.com/alamodosomagazine Office 806-224-8226 Sales 575-404-9400 Follow us on Facebook at: Discover Alamogordo Page 2-12, 46-99 Discover Tularosa Page 26-39 Discover Cloudcroft Page 100-117 Discover Ruidoso Page 118-134 Discover Carrizozo Page 14-25 Discover Lincoln Page 40-43 Discover Corona Page 20-21 Follow us on Twitter Alamodoso Magazine

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DISCOVER HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ALAMOGORDO

Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus!

Over 122 years ago, the NY Sun published possibly the most famous editorial of all time: An answer to an eight-year-old girl's question about Santa Claus.

Virginia O'Hanlon asked, "Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?"

The paper replied, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence."

Read the full next page..

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VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see.

They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds.

All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight.

The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?

Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there.

Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart.

Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

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DISCOVER HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ALAMOGORDO

● Seven Santas sang silly songs. ● Tiny Timmy trims the tall tree with tinsel. ● Santa's sleigh slides on slick snow. ● Bobby brings bright bells. ● How many deer would a reindeer reign if a reindeer could reign deer? ● Running reindeer romp 'round red wreaths. ● Kris Kringle chose to climb the chimney at Christmas. ● Chilly chipper children cheerfully chant. ● Two trains travel together to Toyland. ● Eleven elves licked eleven little licorice lollipops. ● Santa's sack sags slightly. ● Ten tiny tin trains toot ten times. ● Santa stuffs Stephie's striped stocking. ● There's chimney soot on Santa's suit. ● Comet cuddles cute Christmas kittens carefully. ● Kris Kringle clapped crisply. ● Paul's presents present particular problems placed parallel to pink poinsettias. ● Wraping warped wreaths risks ruining weather wilted wood. ● Youthful yeoman yodel yule yarns while yatching ● Slippery snowmen slide off the snowy skis..

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A Visit from St. Nicholas

BY CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, Gave a lustre of midday to objects below, When what to my wondering eyes did appear, But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer, With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

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DISCOVER HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ALAMOGORDO So up to the housetop the coursers they flew With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too— And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight— “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

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COWBOY COFFEE: WHAT IT IS, AND HOW TO MAKE IT Whether you are trying to get the sleep out of your eyes, or just looking to keep an old tradition alive, you should learn how to make cowboy coffee.

Watch any old western movie and you are likely to see a weathered-looking camp boss discussing plans with some cowhands huddled around a wagon as soft morning light bathes the scene.

As the discussion wraps up, the camp boss stares off into the sunrise, takes a final swig of his tin cup, and, in one swing of the arm, empties the last remaining drops of his morning treat: coffee.

If you are one of the millions of Americans that start their day with a steaming cup of liquid paradise, you might have wondered at some point how these old trail cowboys used to make coffee on the trail.

Coffee was in fact a staple of the cowboy diet, as well as a staple at nearly all outdoors man camps of hunters, mountain men, and trappers in the past.

What is Cowboy Coffee?

The coffee the old timers drank has earned the nickname "cowboy coffee" and learning how to make it is about as simple as it gets.

But be warned: it's strictly for cowboys and cowgirls. Got it?

It consists of only a few ingredients, including the obvious water and ground coffee, but also an egg shell and some salt, if you want it.

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HELP WANTED ALAMOGORDO The main difference between cowboy coffee and your typical cup of joe is that it isn't filtered or strained, and the grounds can (and usually will) get into your mouth and get ingested rather easily.

There's a bit of an art to the preparation and drinking processes, and when you get good at it you barely notice the grounds. But to a rookie, cowboy coffee can be a disappointing way to drink a caffeinated beverage.

How to make Cowboy Coffee This coffee recipe isn't exactly difficult, and it's based on the bare minimum attitude that pioneers had to adopt.

There's a lot to learn from the old chuck wagon cooks, especially if you're into backpacking light and looking for an easy brewing method rather than a cup of really great coffee. You aren't going to drag a percolator into the backwoods, so here's how to do it without a coffee maker.

Ingredients ● 8 Cups of Cold Water to Boil ● 1/2 Cup of Cold Water after Boil ● 1/2 Cup of Coffee Grounds ● 1 Egg Shell ● Salt/Sugar optional Process ● 1. Fill a dutch oven, saucer, or otherwise cowboy coffee pot with the eight cups of cold water, and add the coffee grounds. Place on the stove, portable heat source, or open campfire and bring it to a slow boil. ● 2. As the water begins to boil, drop the eggshell into the pot. Old timers say this helps to draw the grounds, which can help you avoid getting them in your cup. ● 3. Once water is boiling remove from heat immediately. ● 4. Allow for the boiling water to settle and cool, then add 1/2 cup of cold water. This helps to send suspended grounds to the bottom of the pot. ● 5. Ladle into a coffee cup and enjoy!

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DISCOVER CARRIZOZO

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Discover Carrizozo

NEW YEARS BALL December 31 2019 Doors Open at 8PM Adobe Palace Ballroom 6479 Hwy 380 Carrizozo For information call 575 648 8200 Individuals $25 each Couples $40 Refreshments provided by:

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DISCOVER CARRIZOZO

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efore the railroad tracks reached the site of present day Carrizozo in August, 1899, as far as the eye could see there were few signs of human habitation.

There were just a scattering of cattle ranches established in the 1870's and a lonely stagecoach road that crossed the landscape from the booming gold-mining town of White Oaks.

The town grew quickly when the railroad made it a terminal town. As Carrizozo began to flourish, White Oaks began to decline. Many of its former residents moved their homes and businesses (some quite literally converted to galleries & studios) to the new town as railroad employees moved in. Carrizozo had grand dreams for its future.

As a result, its buildings and homes were built well and meant to last, thanks in part to Frank English whose legacy is everywhere. Between 1908 and 1925, Mr. English built about 30 houses and commercial buildings, many of which are still in use today. 12th Street became the town core of Carrizozo.

Today it is experiencing a resurgence as these buildings, true to their historic roots, have attracted a growing arts community. Many have been converted to galleries & studios.

Several movies have been filmed in Carrizozo, including the highly successful 'Book of Eli' when 12th street was completely transformed into a post apocalypse wasteland

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Snake Bite, No Scum’s Signature Drink

No Scum Allowed Saloon

Do you have what it takes to drink the snake?

Story courtesy Atlas Obscura.com

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riving through White Oaks, New Mexico, one might easily pass by a small brick building that stands alone on the sparsely populated road. But the No Scum Allowed Saloon is a living relic of the area’s history as a gold rush boomtown and haven for some of the Wild West’s most infamous outlaws.

White Oaks got its start in 1879 after a trio of prospectors discovered gold in the nearby Jicarilla mountains. The population ballooned and it quickly became New Mexico Territory’s liveliest and secondRead this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER CARRIZOZO largest town. During its heyday, the Wild West boomtown boasted several newspapers, two hotels, an opera house, and a multitude of saloons, gambling houses, and brothels. Not unexpectedly, White Oaks became a refuge for cattle rustlers, gamblers, gunmen, and all sorts of other outlaws and desperadoes. It was not uncommon to see Billy the Kid and Lincoln County sheriff Pat Garrett wandering the dusty streets.

Deputy sheriff James Bell, who was gunned down by Billy during his escape from the Lincoln County Jail in 1881, is buried, along with numerous other notables, in the local cemetery.

In the 1890s, White Oaks began its decline after the hoped-for railroad never arrived and the mines became depleted. Today, while many historic buildings are still standing, the most popular draw in this otherwise sleepy and isolated ghost town with a mere handful of residents is the No Scum Allowed Saloon. Known by locals simply as the “White Oaks Bar,” its more popular moniker originates from the movie Young Guns II in which the sign at the entrance to White Oaks states “We will not tolerate scum.”

The bar is located in a small 1884 brick building that originally served during the Wild West days as an attorney’s office, a print shop for one of the town’s first newspapers, and an assay office. Since the saloon opened in the 1970s, its historical allure has regularly attracted a wide diversity of clientele including ranchers, cowboys, bikers, musicians and, of course, numerous curiosity seekers and tourists. Recognized as one of the best cowboy bars in the West by American Cowboy Magazine, the No Scum Allowed Saloon is home to cold beer as well as live music and dancing, especially on Saturday nights. Intrepid patrons can savor the saloon’s signature drink, the Snake Bite, a unique and secret concoction of liquors that’s not for the faint of heart.

The current proprietor (and bartender), Karen Haughness, is a delightful local resident who is eager to share the old West folklore and history of White Oaks and her No Scum Allowed Saloon.

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Charles Siringo – Cowboy Detective

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harles Angelo Siringo was one of the most famous detectives of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, served as a lawman for many years, and became an author. Born on February 7, 1855, in Matagorda County, Texas to an Irish immigrant mother and an Italian immigrant father, he attended public school until he was 15 years old, at which time he started working as a cowboy at area ranches.

Working for a number of Texas ranches over the next several years, he became a trail driver in 1876, accompanying a herd of 2,500 Longhorns over the Chisholm Trail from Austin to Kansas. He made a second trip in the spring of 1877, following the trail’s western branch.

Siringo was in Dodge City, Kansas when an altercation almost erupted between gunfighter, Clay Allison and Dodge City Assistant Marshal, Wyatt Earp. After Allison’s death in 1887, Earp would claim that he and Bat Masterson had forced Allison to back down from an impending confrontation. Siringo, however, later gave a written account of the incident which contradicted Earp’s claim, stating that Earp Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER CARRIZOZO never came into contact with Allison and that two businessmen in Dodge City actually defused the situation. Siringo’s account was also verified by other witnesses of the time.In Dodge City, he signed on with David T. Beals and W. H. “Deacon” Bates to drive a herd into the Panhandle, where they establish the LX Ranch. For the next several years he worked as an LX cowboy, where he met a young man named Henry McCarty, aka Billy the Kid, and later he would lead a posse in New Mexico in an attempt to capture the Kid and his gang.

In 1884 Siringo married Mamie Lloyd and after having been a cowboy for more than two decades, changed careers, opening a store in Caldwell, Kansas.

That same year, he also began writing a book entitled “A Texas Cowboy; Or Fifteen Years on the Hurricane Deck of a Spanish Pony.” It was published a year later to wide acclaim and became one of the first true accounts of the cowboy life during the days of the Old West.

Charles Siringo – Famous Pinkerton detective was assigned to Carrizozo to catch cattle thieves (1916–1917).

Bored with being a merchant, Siringo moved to Chicago in 1886, applying for a job with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Using Pat Garrett’s name as a reference, he got the position and for the next 22 years worked all over the West as a successful cowboy detective. Traveling as far north as Alaska and as far south as Mexico City, he often worked undercover, infiltrating gangs of robbers and rustlers, and

making hundreds of arrests.

Story continues next page

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In 1890 Siringo’s wife died, leaving him a widower with a five-year-old daughter. Three years later Siringo met and married Lillie Thomas of Denver, Colorado and the two had a son in 1896. However, shortly afterward, the two divorced.

By the early 1890s, Siringo was working out of Pinkerton’s Denver office, where he worked with noted Pinkerton agent, gunman, and later assassin, Tom Horn. Though he greatly admired Horn’s talents and skills in tracking down suspects, he would later reflect that Horn had a dark side.

In 1892, Siringo was assigned to a case in Idaho, where he worked undercover to get information against corrupt labor union officials. Though he despised the labor union officials, he stood against a lynch mob to protect union attorney Clarence Darrow from being hanged.

After the Wild Bunch committed the 1899 Wilcox Train Robbery in Wyoming, he was assigned to capture them. He continued to work closely with Tom Horn on the assignment, though Horn was actually working for a cattle company at the time. Several members of the Wild Bunch were captured due to his efforts including Kid Curry, who would later escape only to be killed by a shootout with Colorado lawmen.

During this time, Siringo also met lawman, Joe Lefors, who later would arrest Tom Horn for murder. Later, he would say of Lefors that the man was incompetent and he greatly despised him. In the meantime, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid fled to Bolivia, where they were later allegedly killed by Bolivian soldiers during a robbery attempt.

After 22 years of successfully capturing hundreds of outlaws, Siringo retired from the Pinkerton Agency in 1907. During his career with the Pinkertons, Siringo participated in a number of other celebrated cases, including the Haymarket anarchist trial, the Coeur d’Alene miners strikes, and the trial of Western Federation of Miners Secretary “Big Bill” Haywood, who had been charged with the dynamite murder of former Idaho governor Frank Steunenburg. Although Siringo was a fine shot, the vast majority of his arrests were made without violence.

He moved to a ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he began to write a second book detailing his experiences as a Pinkerton detective, entitled “Pinkerton’s Cowboy Detective.” When it was complete, publication of the book was held up by the Pinkerton Agency who felt it violated a confidentiality agreement signed by Siringo when he was hired and objecting to the use of their name. Siringo gave in, and Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER CARRIZOZO deleted their name from the book title, instead writing two separate books, entitled “A Cowboy Detective” and “Further Adventures of a Cowboy Detective,” with fictitious names replacing real ones.

In the late 1890s, posing as “Charles L. Carter,” an alleged gunman on the run for murder, he infiltrated Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch. For over a year he severely hampered their operations but made few arrests.

To vent his anger against the Pinkertons, Siringo wrote and clandestinely published a third book, entitled “Two Evil Isms, Pinkertonism and Anarchism” in 1915. Again, the Pinkerton Agency blocked publication, and this time attempted to have Siringo prosecuted for libel, asking that he be extradited from his ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico to Chicago. However, the New Mexico governor denied the extradition request.

In 1916, Siringo began working as a New Mexico Ranger where his main task was to capture the numerous rustlers operating in the southeastern part of the state. After two years he resigned when his ranch and his health began to fail. In 1919 he published “A Lone Star Cowboy,” which he said was to take the place of “A Texas Cowboy,” on which the copyright had expired. This was followed by History of “Billy the Kid” in 1920. However, his health continued to fail, and that coupled with financial difficulties forced him to abandon his ranch and leave Santa Fe in 1922.

He then moved to Los Angeles, California where he became a minor celebrity due to his well-publicized exploits. While there, he sometimes worked as a film advisor on western film sets and even took an occasional bit part. In 1927 he released his final book, “Riata and Spurs,” a composite of his first two autobiographies. However, when the Pinkerton Agency intervened again to halt publication, the book became a whittled down version with many fictional accounts rather than the true accounts that Siringo had envisioned.

The next year, Siringo died in Altadena, California on October Story courtesy of LegendsofAmerica.com

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On 25 July 1858 in Jordanville, New York, Lydia McDonald, wife of John McDonald, gave birth to a son, and they named him William Calhoun. One of nine children, William grew up in New York, attending public schools in Herkimer County and the Casenovia Seminary at Casenovia. He elected to study law and supported himself during his studies by teaching primary school. After hearing about opportunities in the west, he left New York in 1878 and moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, serving two years as an apprentice at the law offices of Joseph S. Lorrence. Two years later in 1880, he gained admittance to the bar in Kansas.

In that same year of 1880, he left Kansas for the mining town of White Oaks in central New Mexico. At the time, White Oaks was a thriving town of 2,500 inhabitants. Here McDonald found many other people who had arrived from the eastern and mid-western states. Although Billy the Kid walked the streets and the miners frequented “bawdy houses,” visitors also encountered cultured and educated residents. On 9 July 1892, Charles Longuemare, editor and publisher of the El Paso Bullion attended a party given by J.Y. Hewitt for 200 guests. He wrote that during his stay, “I did not see a single revolver in sight, that peace and prosperity were visible everywhere and that as usual the editor of Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER CARRIZOZO the Bullion found a hearty welcome and a kind greeting from all he met.”

For info call (575) 648-3243

Like the town of White Oaks during its golden years, William C. McDonald also prospered. Unlike other men who sought their fortunes mining, McDonald apparently stayed in the emerging town and worked as a clerk. Here he most likely discerned the need for a person with engineering skills because he almost immediately began working as a civil and mining engineer, staking out mining claims. He worked diligently and skillfully becoming a United States deputy mineral surveyor for New Mexico in 1881, a mere year after his arrival to the state.

In 1890, McDonald became manager of the Carrizozo Cattle Ranch Company, owned by an English syndicate. At that time, Lincoln County, created in 1869, comprised much of the southeastern corner of New Mexico. One of the most prominent industries was stock raising. The varied grasses provided an abundant supply of feed for herds of cattle and sheep throughout the seasons. More livestock occupied the land than did humans; less than five thousand people resided in the county. A few large industries conducted the business of livestock growing, including the Carrizozo Cattle Ranch Company.

McDonald eventually purchased the ranch and operated his livestock under the “bar W” brand.

Once McDonald became settled in Lincoln County, he entered public service. He was elected as assessor of Lincoln County and served from 1885 to 1887. In 1891 he became a member of the New Mexico Territorial House of Representatives. He acted as chairman of the Board of County Commissioners from 1895 to 1897 and in 1910 was chairman of the Democratic Territorial Central Committee. He also served as a member of the New Mexico Cattle Sanitary Board. Apparently, his public service even extended to helping local boys learn their mathematics. Morris B. Parker, author of White Oaks: Life in a New Mexico Gold Camp, 1880-1900, lacked a semester’s worth of geometry and needed to learn it before he could attend school in New York. “A few weeks under the tutelage of Mr. W.C. McDonald, the local surveyor, remedied the defect.”

W.C. McDonald’s next turn at public service would be as the first governor of New Mexico. New Mexico became a state in 1912. Few expected that the democratic candidate would be successful in the upcoming elections. The Republican Party had dominated politics throughout the Territorial period.

Confident in its record of protecting New Mexican’s personal and property rights, establishing public

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schools, and in general, marshalling the territory to prosperity, it fully projected its continued control of the state. Even the Democratic Party believed in the inevitability of a republican sweep in the election. A number of factors including local political bosses’ discontent with the ruling party, the denunciations of republican candidates by the press, and the concerted opposition of some large corporations, led to the defeat of the Republican Party’s candidate for governor. W.C. McDonald won the election with a plurality of 3,000 votes. He was inaugurated in Santa Fe on 14 January 1912.

In his inaugural speech delivered on 15 January 1912, McDonald spoke of the state’s recent victory in becoming a member of the union. “Now, we, the free, independent citizens of New Mexico, have at last come victorious from the battle, waged for full citizenship in a sovereign state, in that union established by their wisdom. As we look into the future, bright hopes of promise appear to some, and dark forebodings may dim the horizon of others. The past is history; the present is the dawn of the future. It is to the future we look and that future will be what we make it.” The governor also spoke of guarding the voter from election fraud, of fair taxation, and of the importance of developing irrigation to be put to beneficial use.

Moreover, he spoke about preserving and conserving the public lands so “that the proceeds and revenues coming there from may go to our children as a vast heritage, resulting from the wise management of those who hold them in trust.”

McDonald had a deep concern for the public school system of New Mexico. “My interest in the schools of New Mexico is so great that I shall always willingly and gladly sacrifice, if necessary, my personal inclination and convenience and endeavor to advance what I believe to be of the greatest importance of all things to our new state.” As a representative in the Territorial legislature in 1891, he helped pass the “Pauline School Bill” that provided for the establishment of public schools throughout the territory, created an office of public instruction, and a territorial board of education. As governor, he championed an education for all children. He said, “A fair public school education is due every child and is of the utmost importance not only to the individual but to the welfare of the state.” He also believed that children should attend school for seven months. During the first years of statehood, the governor and legislature supported many provisions including the following: that all children, ages seven to fourteen, had to attend school; school terms had to be a least seven months in length; the impact of alcohol and narcotics had be taught; New Mexico history and civics had be taught; Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER CARRIZOZO and that Arbor day was to be observed by the planting of trees. The state funded public schools by creating a permanent school fund. Funding came from five per cent of the proceeds of United States land sales and the sale of school lands. The state also created a reserve fund to aid those districts that were unable to keep schools open longer than five months.

As governor, McDonald had the power to proclaim the third Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving since; at that point, it had not become a federal holiday. In 1913, Governor McDonald proclaimed Thursday, 27 November 1913, Thanksgiving Day. “I urge upon all that this day be observed as one of prayer and praise to God for the many blessings enjoyed by our people. At the same time may we not forget the poor and needy, making the day what its name implies for all.” In 1914, he noted that “While a large part of the civilized world is plunged into a destructive and devastating war, we are at peace with the world.” In both years, he earnestly requested that all places of business close.

Although a democrat won the governor’s seat, both legislative bodies contained republican majorities.

Initially, the governor and legislature seemed to work well together, but after the governor vetoed certain items in the appropriation bill, animosities between them grew and continued throughout McDonald’s tenure as governor. The two branches clashed on a number of issues including that of salaries paid to county officials. McDonald thought the legislature’s desire to pay high salaries was an extravagance. He believed it was unfair to run a county office as a sinecure for the elected county official, allowing lowpaid clerks to do the work. They also quarreled over the role of the traveling auditor, Howell Earnest.

Earnest went from county to county to audit the counties’ accounts, often exposing fraud and/or

incompetence and creating animosities amongst all political parties. Despite this opposition, McDonald steadfastly supported Earnest and his work.

In 1917, though he relinquished his post as governor to the republican candidate, W.E. Lindsey who had defeated McDonald with a plurality of 846 votes, he continued to serve in various positions. When the United States entered World War I, President Wilson appointed him fuel administrator of the state.

From his ranch in Carrizozo, he oversaw the business of conserving light and fuel, appointing county boards throughout the state to implement his plans. Shortly thereafter he died of Brights disease on 12 April 1918 in El Paso, Texas.

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DISCOVER TULAROSA

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DISCOVER TULAROSA

REMEMBERING GRANDMA’S STORIES A story by julie lloyd, tularosa nm

F

rom a very young age, I’ve known about my next-door mountain neighbors, the Mescalero Apaches.

My Grandfather Smith and his sons made camp on the edge of the Mescalero Apache Reservation back in the very early 1900s and raised hogs there on "The Rinconada" during the summer months. Dewey, my father, who was born in Tularosa in 1903, was one of the sons who helped tend the hogs. It was through his stories that I became aware of our Indian neighbors.

The stories he told were far different from the ones my Grandmother told, for she thought they were not so friendly when she was a young mother living in the wilds of the country (Three Rivers), raising her family of three young sons and one daughter, much of the time alone. Grandpa also broke wild horses and then Story continues page 30 Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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At Horse Feathers Gallery, we often tell our customers that we have everything from jewelry to furniture. We take great pride in featuring as many local Southwest artists as we can, including the Native tribes of New Mexico, Texas and our southern neighbors in Mexico.

We invite you to come visit us and see for yourself, whether you need gifts for the holidays, or decot and furniture for your home or office, we’d love to help you find that perfect piece - and support the local artists in the process.

This month we’re featuring our jewelry artists, and of course the photos are just a small sampling of what is available.

For those of you who love the old vintage pieces and estate finds, we offer a variety of those as well, and, we also have some just for the guys!

We currently offer selections from these Native American artisans:

Alton Nastacio From the Zuni Pueblo, Now a Tularosa resident.

Marty Silvas Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo El Paso, Texas Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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Kenny Gallegos Navajo Albuqerque

Dottie Moons Two Moons Hye Jewelry High Rolls

Evelyn Tyssen Clifton, Texas Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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drove them, with the help of two of his brothers, from New Mexico to Louisiana to sell at market, leaving Grandma to fend for herself and the children.

One of her biggest fears was the Apache Indians who would pass near her house in small caravans on their way to Tularosa, the nearest village, to shop.

When Grandma heard they would be making the trip, she said that she would pack a large basket of food, mostly biscuits and meat and jars of water.

Then she would take the children out in the desert and hide among the greasewood and mesquite until they passed. She stayed hiding out all day until the caravan returned home in the evening. Only then would she take her little family back to the house.

Looking back, many years later, she laughed at her unwarranted fears, for the days had passed of taking young women and children hostage or scalping them, but she did not know nor believe that in those years.

Her other big fear was that Pancho Villa would somehow travel to the area to commit havoc although he was some two hundred miles away, not far in today’s world but several days ride by horse in her youth.

It was about 1960 when I stopped to see if Grandma wanted to make a 45-mile trip with me to Ruidoso to visit her daughter, my Aunt Muff. When she came to the door, I remember she was in process of washing her hair and it was sopping wet and dripping water.

When I told her where I was going, she said, “Just give me a minute to get my hair in rollers and we’ll be on our way.” In a few minutes, her hair in rollers, and a scarf on her head, she was ready to roll! She was about 85 years old then, but her middle name should have been “Go.” She was always ready for any kind of trip or outing.

As it happened, Aunt Muff was not at home. On our way back we stopped for lunch at the nice café located at Apache Summit that was open and operating in those years. As we sat, waiting for our meal, Robert Geronimo, son of the famous Chief Geronimo, walked by wearing a native feather headdress.

I no longer recall who recognized who, or why he stopped at our table and a conversation ensued between him and Grandma. He remembered her deceased husband from the days when he had the camp near the Apache Reservation. Grandma Smith and Robert Geronimo enjoyed a lengthy conversation about the old days that now remained only as memories; just as that particular day remains as one of my favorite memories Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER TULAROSA . When Grandma arrived at Tularosa in early June 1901, sitting in a covered wagon beside her husband and holding her infant son, the population was sparse.

It had taken nine days to travel from Clayton, New Mexico, to this dusty, desert town. She confided to me many years later, “I thought I’d reached the jumping off place.” I took that to mean she thought she had reached the end of the world and she wasn’t especially pleased about it.

She described the place as nothing she had seen before. Indians and Mexicans strolled along the few dirt streets. Most of them were unable to speak even one word of English. Saloon cowboys with guns strapped low on their hips lolled about the board sidewalk of the tree-shaded Main Street.

It all sounds like something from a TV western now, but to her, it was very much a reality in 1901.

She enjoyed recalling memories of days when cowboys wore guns and were tough and rough, but any old woman could whip them with a broomstick.

Apache Indians came to town in wagon trains to trade blankets and piñons for groceries, cloth, fruit, and watermelons. The Mexican people couldn’t speak English, but they were the best friends and neighbors in the world.

Grandma was 93 when the end of her life came in July 1968, taking with her the memories from covered wagon days to rocket ships that landed a man on the moon.

APACHE SUMMIT CAFE - CIRCA 1950

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FORT CRAIG

F

ort Craig, established in 1854, was one of the largest and most important frontier forts in the West. Set in the rugged beauty of Socorro County, N.M., it was one of the eight forts situated along the primary north-south road in the Rio Grande Valley. Fort Craig played a crucial role in Indian campaigns and the Civil War. Military excursions from Fort Craig pursued such notable Apache leaders as Geronimo, Victorio and Nana. The Fort has a rich multicultural history, full of stories of courage, honor and sacrifice. The Fort was home to Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry and 38th and 125th Infantry, the predominantly Hispanic New Mexico Volunteers and New Mexico Militia, and household names like Kit Carson, Rafael Chacуn and Captain Jack Crawford.

Fort Craig played a significant role in 19th-century New Mexico history. The fort was situated on El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (the Royal Road to the Interior Lands) — the 1,200-mile Spanish colonial trail from Mexico City to Santa Fe. This road served as New Mexico’s lifeline with Mexico for 223 years and was recognized in 2000 as a National Historic Trail.

In the mid-1800s the New Mexico territory was crossed by a large number of trails. Located along the travel routes were numerous military forts, designed to protect travelers and settlers. These outposts played a Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER TULAROSA key role in the settlement of the American frontier.

Fort Craig was host to the largest U.S. Civil War battle in the Southwest. It was was the epicenter of a battle that involved thousands of Union and Confederate troops, many of them New Mexico volunteers under the command of Kit Carson. Troops from Fort Craig included companies of Buffalo Soldiers who were garrisoned here while involved in struggles with Native Americans deemed at the time to be hostile.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Fort Craig remained a Union Army Post manned by regular army troops. In 1862, troops under the command of General H.H. Sibley continued up the Rio Grande after capturing military installations to the south. On February 21, 1862, Sibley’s troops engaged Union troops led by Colonel R.S. Canby. The Battle of Valverde took place upstream from Fort Craig at Valverde Crossing. Although many consider the battle to have been a Confederate victory, Union forces succeeded in holding the fort and half of the Confederate’s supply wagons were destroyed. The loss of the remaining supplies at the Battle of Glorieta, east of Santa Fe, on March 28, 1862, forced the Confederates to retreat to Texas and ended Southern aspirations for military conquest in the West.

After the Civil War, troops stationed at the fort resumed their attempts to control Indian raiding. By the late 1870s, these efforts began to succeed and the surrounding valley prospered under military protection. The fort was temporarily closed from 1878 to 1880 and, because the fort’s military function was no longer necessary, the fort was permanently abandoned in 1885. Nine years later, Fort Craig was sold at auction to the Valverde Land and Irrigation Company, the only bidder.

The property was eventually donated to The Archaeological Conservancy by the Oppenheimer family and was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management in 1981. The site is a BLM Special Management Area and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fort Craig is about 35 miles south of Socorro. From the north, take I-25 to the San Marcial exit, then east over the Interstate, and south on old Highway 1 (about 11 miles). Then follow the signs to Fort Craig. (If traveling on I-25 from the south, take exit 115.)

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When Texas Invaded New Mexico In 1841, Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar had a vision to expand the borders of the young republic further west, perhaps as far as California.

Lamar had won the 1838 presidential election, following Sam Houston, the previous elected president. Lamar was in various ways the ideological opposite of Houston. He became the second of four elected presidents in the short life of the Republic and served from 12/10/1838 to 12/3/1841. At the time, the Texas economy was suffering and Lamar acted on the supposition that he had authority to pursue trade that was currently operating along the Santa Fe Trail.

Lamar was encouraged in his belief by a Santa Fe resident, William Dryden, who agreed to assist Lamar in persuading the people of New Mexico to accept Texas rule. In that capacity, Dryden brought a letter of April, 1841 from Lamar to Santa Fe residents setting Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER TULAROSA out the benefits of such and arrangement and stated that he would be sending commissioners to answer any further questions. Lamar did in fact dispatch three commissioners to Santa Fe: Col. William Cooke, Don Jose Antonio Navarro and Dr. Richard F. Brenham who brought leaflets in English and Spanish setting out the advantages of adopting Texas rule. The Texas Congress did not sanction or otherwise ratify Lamar’s proposal of an expedition, so Lamar and supporters independently organized the venture. Lamar’s stated aim was to encourage peaceful trade with New Mexico, still a province of Mexico at the time, and there was no public mention of any deeper motivation.

There were logical justifications in favor of the Texas trade expansion. Midwestern merchants utilizing the Santa Fe Trail might be enticed to ship directly to the Gulf rather than continue the more lengthy overland route. In addition, Texas could benefit from the increased commerce along the route.

There was a belief by some that the western border of the Republic of Texas extended to the Rio Grande River under the treaty made with Guadalupe Hidalgo, but as far as we have found, this latter argument was not one of the declarations made by Lamar.

Accordingly, a group was organized consisting of merchants and traders, 21 ox-drawn wagons carrying merchandise and supplies, a military force whose public purpose was protection of the troupe, and other invited guests.

The assembly set out on June 10, 1841 from Austin with a goal of reaching Santa Fe, New Mexico. An artillery private, Joseph T. Hatch, in the force numbered the initial military contingent at 320 men under Brevet Brig. General Hugh McLeod (a West Point graduate) and Col. William Cook. It included 5 companies of soldiers and one artillery company, its armament consisting of one gun, a six pounder called the “Lone Star.”

The private’s personal account was related a number of years later in various newspaper articles.

The unofficial goal of the military force was essentially to capture Santa Fe. They reached Parker County, Texas by July 21, intending to continue on to the Red River. However, they apparently mistook the Wichita River for the Red River and followed it west from August 5 to August 17.

Within a few days, the group began to falter due to lack of water and provisions. They sent out a party to head north to locate the Red River, but eventually the main body continued on in a northwesterly direction until they reached the Llano Estacado. Along the way, Story continues page 38

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they were subject to Indian attacks which further delayed them. However, once they arrived at this point, they were unable to find a pass where the wagons could ascend the caprock.

The group finally met a group of Mexican traders who led them further until they halted again near Palo Duro, thinking that they were only 90 miles from Santa Fe when they were in fact some 300 miles away.

Running out of provisions and there being no game to shoot, they decided to send a small group of volunteers to Santa Fe to assess the political situation and try and obtain provisions. The leadership of the small group included Col. William Cook, Maj. Tom Howard, George Kendall, Franklin Coombs and a Capt. Lewis.

The bulk of the force waited three weeks at Palo Duro being harrassed by Indians, until under Gen. McLeod before they decided to head towards Santa Fe on their own, proceeding on a slightly more southerly route than the earlier group, arriving near the lake Laguna Colorada. Their provisions ran out about a third of the way to Santa Fe. They first survived by eating the horses that had failed along the way, then berries, snakes and whatever else they could find. One night they heard the “Sentinalla Alertis” from a Mexican Army bugle. The following morning they were met by the opposing force and told that Col. Cook had surrendered further north at Antone Chicot.

So, rather than being welcomed (and also being vastly outnumbered) the Texans agreed to surrender and were taken prisoner with neither side firing a shot.

They believed that they might very well might be executed until another contingent of the Mexican Army arrived, led by Governor Manuel Armijo. The prisoners came under the impression that they had been betrayed by their Capt. Lewis in exchange for Lewis receiving a bounty of $40,000. Other accounts portray Lewis more favorable light, characterizing his motives as being concerned with preventing further loss of life.

Though some attempted escape and were executed, the remainder of the captive Texans were initially treated with leniency for a brief time, and some have said that Gov. Armijo had promised leniency.

Fairly soon thereafter, the Texans were placed under the charge of a Col. Dalmasia Salazar whom they nicknamed “Hell Smasher” because of his harsh treatment, and they were marched all the way to Mexico City by way of Chihuahua and Zacatecas.

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DISCOVER TULAROSA This march is sometimes confused with the march following the so-called “black bean� episode, but that event did not occur until after the later Mier Expedition, and to the captives from that event. The Santa Fe Expedition captives were held as prisoners of war in Mexico until diplomatic negotiations between Mexico and the United States secured their release in April, 1842. Private Hatch related that Texas had granted each surviving member of the expedition a bond in the amount of $970 bearing 10% interest and payable over 20 years, but he never received any payments, despite his attempts to verify his service.

Governor Armijo is portrayed in some accounts rather harshly for having approved the ill treatment that the defeated expeditionary force received during their march to Mexico and their later confinement.

However, in Mexican history, he is portrayed as a hero, for defending New Mexico against the Texas invaders.

Armijo received a medal from the Mexican government for his efforts, and until the end of his life he considered that to be one of his most prized possessions.

Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar was an attorney born in Georgia, who became a Texas politician, poet, diplomat, and soldier. He was a leading Texas political figure during the Texas Republic era. He was elected as the second President of the Republic of Texas after Sam Houston.

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DISCOVER LINCOLN - Billy the Kid Country

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DISCOVER LINCOLN - Billy the Kid Country

VISITING LINCOLN Lincoln Historic Site is unique in that it manages most of the historical buildings in the community of Lincoln. This most widely visited state monument in New Mexico is part of a community frozen in time— the 1870's and 1880's. Through a gift from the Hubbard Family Trust, the historic site now includes 17 structures and outbuildings, 7 of which are open year round and 2 more seasonally as museums. Most of the buildings in the community are representative of the Territorial Style of adobe architecture in the American Southwest.

Lincoln is a town made famous by one of the most violent periods in New Mexico history. Today's visitors can see the Old Lincoln County Courthouse with museum exhibits that recount the details of the Lincoln County War and the historic use of the "House" as store, residence, Masonic Lodge, courthouse, and jail. Walk in the footsteps of Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and other famous and infamous characters of the Wild West. Trace the events of 1878 through the Courthouse and the Tunstall Store, with their preserved 19th-century atmosphere.

Remarkably, the Tunstall Store contains displays of the original 19th-century merchandise in the original shelving and cases! Continue your walk through history by visiting El Torreón (a defensive tower built by native New Mexican settlers in the 1850s), the San Juan Mission Church, the Convento, Dr. Woods' House, the Montaño store and other historic structures throughout the town. The Anderson-Freeman Visitor's Center & Museum features historical exhibits in a timeline starting with American Indian prehistory and ending with the Lincoln County War. A 22 minute video about the Lincoln County War and the community is shown every half hour.

Visiting Information Open 9:00am to 5:00pm 7 days a week. (7 of the 9 buildings begin closing at 4:30).

Closed New Year's, Easter, Thanksgiving, &Christmas A 22 min. video at Visitor's Center every half hour.

Admission Prices: Adults - $5.00 Children 17 and under - Free Phone: 575-653-4025 Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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Fancy Navajo Magic Bread Recipe: Tortilla, Fry Bread & Biscuit Dough

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DISCOVER LINCOLN - Billy the Kid Country Yields 8 – 10 pieces of bread Ingredients ● 3 cups All Purpose Flour ● 1 ½ Teaspoons Baking Powder ● ½ Teaspoon of Salt (Optional) ● 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil (Tortilla and Biscuits Only) ● 1-1/2 Cup Warm Water Directions: ● In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt by hand ● Add in olive oil or vegetable oil and mix into dough until evenly combined (Tortillas and Biscuits Only) ● Add in 1 cup of warm water and mix dough until all of the dry ingredients are combined.

You want your dough to be slightly tacky but not runny as you start to knead your bread. If more water is needed add in a splash more water.

It’s important not to add too much or too little water.

As a rule of thumb, it’s better to add more water than less. If your dough is too watery, add in more flour.

If your dough is tough and dry. Depending on how much you have kneaded your dough, you may be able to add in more water. If not continue to knead your dough and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.

Let your dough sit covered on the counter for at least 5 to 10 minutes If you are making tortillas then at this point you can warm up a skillet and form dough into round flat circles that are 1/4 inch thick and cook for at least 1 minute on each side.

If you are making fry bread, heat a shallow pan on medium heat. Add in oil so that it fill the pan half way.

You know oil is ready when test a small piece of the dough and it turn golden. Fry on both sides, until golden brown.

If you are making biscuits, preheat oven to 420 degrees. Form biscuits into flat shaped disks. Arrange onto a baking pan and let cook for 15 -20 minutes or until the tops of the biscuits are golden brown.

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FIESTA MOBILE HOMES

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REMEMBERING THE GOOD ‘ OLd DAYS

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F EVERY YEAR IT FEELS like everything costs a little more, it isn't your imagination. Inflation takes its toll over the years, and as 2019 passes into the annals of history, let's take a look back at how much we were spending a century ago.

Take-home pay in 2018 vs. 1915. Census Bureau data show that the median household income, (the most recent data available), is $61,000. Back in 1915, two years after income tax came on the scene, you were doing about average if you were making $687 a year, according to the Census. That is, if you were a man. If you were a woman, cut that number by about half Today, that $687 would be comparable to earning $16,063 There was no minimum wage in 1915, except in a few states experimenting with it, and only for women and children. (The federal minimum wage wouldn't be enacted until 1938.) At a hearing in March 1915, Dorothy Miller told a state minimum wage committee in Albany, New York, that she made $6 a week, which came to $312 a year. Out of that $6, she paid her parents $2.50 a week for room and board.

According to The New York Times, she told the committee: "After I paid my actual necessary expenses every week, I had 40 cents left for clothes and amusements. And I was the envy of all the girls I worked with."

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FIESTA MOBILE HOMES Buying a house in 2019 vs. 1915. Today, the median home value in the U.S. is $300,000, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. In 1915, purchasing a house would have typically set you back $3,200, according to Census records.

You were also taking more of a risk in buying a home then than you are today. Homeowners insurance didn't yet exist – not until 1950 – and there were few zoning laws in the country. You might buy a lovely house next to a beautiful meadow, and a year later find your home in the shadow of a lye factory spewing out billowing smoke. Not to mention the walls of your home probably contained lead paint, and your insulation was likely asbestos.

Buying a car in 2019 vs. 1915. If you buy a car today, expect to pay $37,700 on average Eating in 2019 vs. 1915. According to Miller, the woman who was paid $6 a week, she bought her lunch for 15 cents while her struggling co-workers got by on 6 cents. Fifteen cents would buy $3.51 in food today, If you were buying movie tickets in 1915, they'd typically cost 10 to 15 cents if you were a kid. (But if you were seeing the new movie "Birth of a Nation," tickets were $2; it was a big-budget movie for its time.) Clothes really did a number on your budget back then, too. For instance, a Cincinnati Enquirer article from November 1915 said a moderately priced pair of men’s shoes might cost $3 to $5 ($70-$116 in today’s dollars). Moderately priced women's shoes ranged from $7 to $10 ($163-$233). Even if those prices don't sound so high to you, considering the layers people wore – vests, gloves, hats, overcoats, chemises, knickerbockers and petticoats – consumers were outlaying a lot of money on clothing.

Cleveland Foundation, a community charity, calculated a family budget for a husband, wife and three kids, determining that they should be able get by on: ● $28 a month for food. ● $4 for utilities, including fuel, light and ice for the ice box (which people used before electric refrigerators). ● $1 for insurance, presumably life insurance. ● $1.50 a month for streetcars. ● $9 a month for everyone's clothing needs. ● $1 a month for general household expenses

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO

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The Museum was established to collect and preserve military memorabilia, represent all branches of service and commemorate all wars and military engagements in which American armed forces fought.

With the primary focus on education, the Museum's attractive historical displays dedicated to the memory of those who have served, help visitors better understand the service of the American military who willingly sacrifice of themselves, their families, and the comforts of home.

It is the goal of the Museum to keep alive the memory of these sacrifices and the heroic and valiant efforts made by our military in keeping our nation free.

The American Armed Forces Museum will perpetuate the memory of the lives sacrificed in the defense of freedom and liberty and stand as a tribute to those who fought.

American Armed Forces Museum 144 US Hwy. 82 Alamogordo, NM 88310 575-437-6000 https://americanarmedforcesmuseum.com Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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This holiday season the zoo staff would like to invite you to join us December 20th, 2019 from 6pm to 9pm, for the Christmas Zoobilee! The zoo will be open late for everyone to enjoy the Christmas lights and see your favorite zoo animals. The cost for this event will be $1 dollar per person or a canned good. Warm apple cider and desserts will be provided in the education center.

We hope to see you there!

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Unlawful Facts About Billy the Kid

T

he story of William H. Bonney has endured beyond the age of the Old West and continues to live on into the 21st century. There have been so many stories about this legendary figure that it’s can be hard to separate what’s real and what’s a tall tale. Here are some gun-slinging facts about Billy the Kid to separate the fact from the fiction. ● Where’d He Come From?

To this day, we have no concrete idea where and when Billy the Kid was born. Writer Ash Upson said that the Kid’s birthday was November 23, 1859.

November 23 was also Upson’s birthday—curious.

Either it’s a massive coincidence, or Upson was just trying to fill in the gaps of what wasn’t known about the famous outlaw.

At the time of the Kid’s death, his location of birth was frequently given as New York City, so either Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO everyone was jumping on one person’s original lie, or he may very well have been born in the Big Apple. If so, he didn’t stay there long. ● Is That My Name? Depends, Are You a Cop? William H. Bonney wasn’t Billy the Kid’s real name. It was one of several aliases which the Kid used in his life, one of which was Kid Antrim, inspired by Billy’s stepfather’s surname, William Antrim.

Allegedly, his real name was Henry McCarty. ● Fame is Fleeting?

While some legends only grow after death, Billy the Kid was already famous in his lifetime. Stories of his exploits were reported as far away as New York City while he lived.

The name and the legend only got more notorious as time went on, culminating when acclaimed actors like Kris Kristofferson, Val Kilmer, Paul Newman, and Emilio Estevez each took on the role of Billy in a stream of movies about the famous figure.

The first film about his life came out as early as 1911. Billy the Kid was a silent film which was the first of over 50 movies made so far about this outlaw’s brief yet infamous life.

Often, B-movies are like mainstream movies, but with an extremely bizarre take on their subject matter.

Billy the Kid didn’t come away unscathed from a truly odd team-up. The 1966 film Billy the Kid Versus Dracula pitted the youthful outlaw against an ancient supernatural monster. This low-budget movie was 73 minutes long and was shot in eight days. As if that wasn’t enough, this gem of a film was paired up for double features with another film, titled Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter. ● Well That’s a Theory According to a representative of Saint Peter’s Church in New York City, they have a record of Henry McCarty’s baptism from September 28, 1859. It certainly serves as a decent pinpoint for a time when Billy the Kid was known as Billy the Baby. ● The Crossover That Could Have Been One famous story alleges that Billy the Kid stopped at a restaurant in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and met a man named Thomas Howard. The two men got along well enough, so Howard invited Billy to join his gang.

Not so crazy, right? Well, Thomas Howard was an Story continues next page

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alias used by the notorious outlaw Jesse James. Billy reportedly declined his offer, and both men would end up dead within a year of each other—Billy in 1881, James in 1882. ● He Didn’t Show Up to be Photographed Anyone who tries to sell you a replica of the old “Wanted” posters issued to capture Billy the Kid is a liar. The Kid never got his own “Wanted” posters. The closest he got was an ad which Governor Lew Wallace placed in the Las Vegas Gazette. He offered $500 for the capture of William Bonny. Even his alias wasn’t properly spelled! It didn’t seem like he was as wanted as they’d have you think! ● My Mentor?

In 1877, Billy the Kid began work under the rancher, John Tunstall, who famously opposed the powerful Irish-American businessmen Lawrence Murphy, James Dolan, and John Riley. Contrary to what many movies claim John Tunstall was not a father figure to Billy the Kid. Tunstall was only 24 when he died, and in his personal letters, he never mentioned Billy at all. ● Now That’s Debt Collecting One of Alexander McSween’s business associates was the wealthy rancher John Chisum. After the Lincoln County War, Billy the Kid rode to Chisum’s home and insisted that Chisum pay a $500 debt which Chisum owed him. Chisum denied the debt, saying he’d more than paid it off with the help and supplies he’d given to Billy and the other Regulators. Billy responded to this reasoning by stealing $500 worth of cattle from Chisum. ● Imposter!

Despite Billy’s reported death in 1881, a senior citizen named Ollie ‘Brushy Bill’ Roberts claimed in 1949 that he was Billy the Kid. In Brushy Bill’s story, he had escaped death and gone on to live a long and peaceful life. He even approached the governor of New Mexico at the time, requesting that he get his pardon at long last. Roberts’ claim was dismissed, presumably because he had come into the governor’s office wearing a tinfoil hat. ● A Train? I Don’t Need No Stinking Train!

Despite what Billy Joel’s classic song would have you believe, Billy the Kid was unique among famous outlaws in that he never robbed trains or banks. He

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO didn’t even hold up a stagecoach. The Kid was just fine with rustling cattle out in the countryside. ● How Dare You Call Me Short-Tempered?!

According to men who knew Billy the Kid, he was a very easygoing young man who was always cool under pressure and tried to stay positive no matter what. Contrary to Pat Garrett’s claims, Billy never showed signs of having a nasty temper, not even when he was taunted and mocked by Bob Olinger during his brief imprisonment. ● Rumors of My Kill Streak Have Been Greatly Exaggerated Billy the Kid did not, in fact, murder 21 people during his life. Based on what is known, and some hypothesizing, Billy seems to have been responsible for up to nine deaths, and his involvement in five of those deaths was as one of several of the Regulators. ● Better You than Me Billy the Kid’s first confirmed killing took place on August 17, 1877. Billy was in the small town of Bonita when he got into a disagreement with a man named Francis Cahill. Cahill repeatedly mocked and bullied the younger man, until Billy replied by insulting Cahill back. Spoiling for a fight, Cahill attacked Billy. Both men reached for Billy’s gun, leading to Cahill being shot and dying of his wounds that day while Billy fled to avoid prosecution for the death. ● The Best of Foes Contrary to what films like Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, the Young Guns films, and others have claimed, Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett were never friends before Garrett was assigned to hunt Billy down. ● Time to Regulate Some Justice!

After the murder of John Tunstall, his former ranch hands, including Billy the Kid, became a deputized posse known as the Lincoln County Regulators, allied to Tunstall’s former lawyer Alexander McSween. The Regulators had 24 confirmed members, of which Billy was by far the youngest member. ● Don’t Mind Me, You Decide Things Surprisingly, despite Billy the Kid’s emergent fame due to his involvement with the Regulators, he never led the Regulators during their involvement in the Lincoln County War. The Regulators went through Story continues page 56

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"NEVER FALL DOWN IN A CHICKEN PEN" Story by Junior Thurman, Artesia NM

Chickens are fun to watch, relaxing in a way, kinda like sittin by a campfire with a good poking stick, staring into the flame. Throw out a little grain and watch em peck and scratch, "clucking" contentedly. Frankly, as a kid growing up in Southeastern NM, there wasn't a whole lotta entertainment, we took our fun where we found it. Your average chicken actually leads a pretty dull life, and they're usually content in their pen, but, a chance to escape from their pen for a few hours is sometimes a welcome respite for a chicken, especially the lowest chicken on the pecking order, who's probably happy to have a little time away from the bullies of the coop.

But, I digress, one of the things I learned as a kid is to never run thru a chicken yard barefooted, much less fall down in a chicken yard. I experienced this once, chasing an unruly rooster thru the chicken yard barefooted, I slipped, and skidded along aided by a slippery patch of chicken indiscretion, and hit the ground with a resounding whomp.........I laid there a while with my eyes closed, unknowingly causing a little concern for the chickens.....When I finally opened my eyes, I was surrounded by about seven chickens eyeing me quizzically, clucking softly, and cocking their heads questioningly, one actually standing on my chest.

Well, didn't take me long to get up and scatter them crazy chickens, letting them know I was still the boss of the chicken yard. Ever since that day, I've disliked chickens, unless they were fried.

I recall one year, mama had raised a bunch of fryer chickens, and we awoke one morning, to a colder than usual day, the thermometer well below zero. Inspecting the chicken pen, there were chickens laying everywhere, apparently frozen. Mom, raised in the hard times, obviously knew a thing or two, or had a good relationship with the "Big Guy" up above, refused to let those chickens go to waste, lit her oven and brought the chickens inside, placed em in the oven, warming them and most of them started showing signs of life!!!! I as a young kid was totally convinced I had just witnessed my first miracle.

I'd like to say those chickens lived a long and happy life, ever after, but, unfortunately, times were hard, in Southeastern NM, and about a month later we had a neck wringing party, my first, and last, I guess I just wasn't cut out for barnyard slaughter.

Sadly, the few chicken owners I know today, my daughter and a daughter-in-law, who both have chickens, have unwisely raised the chickens from lovable chicks and have actually given each chicken a name. Not a good idea for a fried chicken lover, a little too much affection for a normal chicken, "Oh, and how's my little "Mabel" today, where's Howard, and Billy." Can you imagine explaining it to your kid who actually raised the chicken from a little yellow fluffy chick,to a big chicken? "Well son, I guess we're gonna ring "Chicken Little's" neck today and put him in the pot!"

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A. P. Jackson's house, built in 1902, located at 1700 Ninth Street in Alamogordo

Air & Space Museum Alamogordo

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three leaders, two of whom (Dick Brewer and Frank McNab) were killed, while the third was Josiah ‘Doc’ Scurlock. According to Regulator Frank Coe, Billy never tried to push for the spotlight during the conflict, and never tried to take the leadership for himself. ● Reap the Whirlwind One of the men involved in the murder of John Tunstall was Lincoln County Sheriff William Brady.

The Regulators didn’t take kindly to the sheriff betraying his office to take sides in a ranchers’ war. On April 1, 1878, while Sheriff Brady and four of his deputies were walking down Lincoln’s main street, Billy and five of the other Regulators ambushed them.

The Regulators shot Brady and one of his deputies, George Hindman, who had allegedly been one of the men to shoot Tunstall. ● Stop Calling Me That!

Incredibly, Billy the Kid’s nickname may not have been a compliment at all. There is evidence to suggest that his nickname was given by a bartender who compared his appearance and wispy beard to a young billy goat (little goats are also called ‘kids’). Another theory states that Billy was called a Kid because of his youth and his slight, boyish appearance. ● Bringing Soldiers to an Outlaw Battle?

In 1878, former Tunstall lawyer Alexander McSween, along with more than 40 of his supporters, including Billy the Kid and the other Regulators, were held under siege in Lincoln. The forces against them were initially around 60 men hired by the MurphyDolan faction and led by Lincoln’s new sheriff, George Peppin. After three days of gunfire across the town, a sizeable cavalry unit, led by Lt. Col. Nathan Dudley, arrived to settle things. By that point, it was just the people trapped in the McSween house who were still fighting, so the combined forces of the army and Murphy-Dolan men set fire to the house. The Regulators fled, leaving Alex McSween and four others dead, while only two men were killed on the other side. Despite the relatively few casualties, the size and scale of this confrontation have caused it to be known as the Battle of Lincoln. After this, the Regulators went their different ways, although Billy the Kid and a few of his closest friends didn’t take the hint and just kept going as usual. ● I Survived Billy the Kid One of the men siding with the Murphy-Dolan faction against the Regulators was a notorious outlaw and gang leader named John Kinney. He was present at Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO the Battle of Lincoln and was allegedly injured when Billy the Kid fired a bullet into his face. Amazingly, he survived this injury and died peacefully of old age in 1919. No doubt he had the best story to tell at the retirement home. ● Let’s Do Some Public Good to Do Me Some Personal Good On February 18, 1879, Billy the Kid was a witness to the gruesome death of a lawyer named Huston Chapman. Billy approached governor Lew Wallace and offered to testify in exchange for a pardon for his actions during the Lincoln County War. To be honest, after his part in murdering a sheriff, along with being involved in the Battle of Lincoln.

Governor Lew Wallace agreed to allow Billy the Kid to testify in exchange for clemency and protection.

Billy even agreed to a public surrender and arrest to make it extra official. However, after the Kid performed his end of the bargain, he wasn’t released, leading him to realize that he’d been duped.

Unfortunately for the governor, Billy managed to escape and continue raising hell in the territory. ● Can’t You Just Die?!

During the Lincoln County War, Billy the Kid and the other Regulators found their match, and it was just one man. In April 1878, the Regulators were hiding out at Blazer’s Mills after the murder of Sheriff Brady, when they saw that a 47-year-old frontiersman named Andrew “Buckshot” Roberts had wandered upon their hideout by sheer coincidence. Roberts is said to have been part of the group that murdered John Tunstall, so the Regulators presumably were more than happy to see him wandering up. When the Regulators tried to force him to surrender, however, Roberts went in with guns blazing. Just a reminder, he was facing off against Billy the Kid and about 14 other Regulators!

The gunfight should have ended immediately, as Buckshot Roberts was shot in the stomach almost immediately. However, he proceeded to wound three of the Regulators, even as the others ducked for cover.

When he ran out of bullets in his rifle, Billy got up and rushed the old gunslinger. However, Roberts knocked him out cold with a single swing of his rifle butt.

Definitely not the high point of Billy’s outlaw life! ● He Wasn’t That Good After All One of the most enduring legends of Billy the Kid took place during his trial in April 1881. According to said legend, when Judge Warren Bristol sentenced him Story continues next page

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to hang until he was “Dead, dead, dead,” Billy was asked if he had anything to say, whereupon he gleefully told the judge to go to “Hell, hell, hell!”

However, the historical record reports that Billy was silent, declining the chance to say any final words. ● Don’t Forget the Fabric Softener!

Billy the Kid’s first reported criminal act occurred in 1877—which, if the 1859 birth year can be trusted, would have made him 14. So what was this dastardly deed which turned Billy to a life of crime? He helped another man steal clothes from a Chinese laundry.

Allegedly, Billy hid his valuable stash of clean clothes in his boarding house until his landlady reported him to the authorities. Billy escaped arrest, however, and fled town. ● You Can’t Say He Wasn’t Polite There are two stories as to how Billy the Kid managed to escape his imprisonment by Bob Olinger in Lincoln. In one story, a friend left a gun for him in the outhouse that he was permitted to use, while in the other version, his small hand slipped through a manacle and allowed him to take James Bell’s gun away. Both versions, however, include the famous way that Billy the Kid got his revenge on Bob Olinger.

Olinger heard the gunshot which killed Bell, mistakenly thought that Bell had shot Billy, and ran back to the building where Billy was being held. Billy then appeared in one of the windows holding Olinger’s shotgun, shouted “Hello Bob!” and killed Olinger with a blast from both barrels. Of course, even this amazing moment of history still had to be embellished later on in movies like Young Guns II, with Billy shouting “Goodbye Bob!” after he’d shot him. ● Lost in Translation While Billy was on the run from the law, Sheriff Pat Garrett heard that the outlaw was in Fort Sumner.

Garrett went straight to Pete Maxwell, a contact of Billy’s in the area. Garrett questioned Maxwell for several hours in his bedroom, when suddenly (and quite by chance) Billy himself walked into the room around midnight. Reportedly, Billy couldn’t see much in the bedroom, and before he had a chance to shoot his gun at the interloper or even recognize him as friend or foe, Garrett had shot Billy in the heart.

Contrary to popular belief, Billy the Kid’s last words were not “Who’s there?” (or “Who’s that?”). Well, they were, but they weren’t spoken in English, they were in Spanish. He had learned Spanish at a young age, and Fort Sumner had a high Hispanic population, with whom he was on very friendly terms. Not to mention that he didn’t expect Sheriff Pat Garrett.

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The Legend of the Christmas Guest (and Conrad the cobbler Here is a story, in poetry that was in the last Christmas card my grandfather sent me before he passed away.

by Edwin Markham, Author)

It happened one day at the years white end, Two neighbors called on an old time friend And they found his shop so meager and mean Made gay with a thousand boughs of green And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine When suddenly he stopped as he stitched a twine Continues next page Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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And said "Old friends, at dawn today When the cock was crowing the night away The Lord appeared in a dream to me And said "I am coming your guest to be".

So I've been busy with feet astir Strewing my shop with branches of fir.

The table is spread and the kettle is shined And over the rafters the holly is twined.

And now I will wait for my Lord to appear And listen closely so I will hear His step as He nears my humble place And I open the door and look in His face.

So his friends went home and left Conrad alone For this was the happiest day he had known.

For, long since, his family has passed away And Conrad had spent a sad Christmas Day. But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest This Christmas would be the dearest and best.

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO In answer to his earnest prayer.

So he ran to the window after hearing a sound But all that he saw on the snow covered ground Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn And all of his clothes were ragged and worn.

So Conrad was touched and went to the door And he said, "Your feet must be frozen and sore, And I have some shoes in my shop for you And a coat that will keep you warmer too."

So with grateful hear the man went away But as Conrad noticed the time of day He wondered what made the dear Lord so late And how much longer he'd have to wait.

) Then he heard a knock and ran to the door But it was only a stranger once more.

A bent old crone with a shawl of black And a bundle of faggots piled high on her back.

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But that was reserved for Conrad's Great Guest.

But her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away, Let me rest for a while on Christmas Day." So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup And told her to sit at the table and sup.

But after she left he was filled with dismay For he saw that the hours were passing away And the Lord had not come as He said He would And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.

When out of the stillness he heard a cry, "Please help me and tell me where am I." So again he opened his friendly door And stood disappointed as twice before.

It was only a child who had wandered away And was lost from her family on Christmas Day. Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad But he knew he should make this little girl glad.

So he called her in and wiped her tears And quieted all her childish fears.

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO But as he entered his own darkened door He knew that the Lord was not coming today For the hours of Christmas had all passed away.

So he went to his room and knelt down to pray And he said, "Dear Lord, why did you delay?"

"What kept you from coming to call on me?'

"For I wanted so much Your face to see."

When soft in the silence a voice was heard.

"Lift up your head, for I kept my Word."

"Three times my shadow crossed your floor.

Three times I came to your lonely door.

For I was the beggar with the bruised, cold feet.

I was the woman you gave to eat And I was the child on the homeless street."

Contributed by Gloria Marie / AKA Globug

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Green Chile Chicken & Goat Cheese Tamales Tamale Filling: ● 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening ● 1 cup chopped yellow onions ● 3/4 cup corn kernels ● 1/2 New Mexico Green chile, Roasted, seeded and chopped ● 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper ● 1 tablespoon chopped garlic ● 2 teaspoons chili powder ● 1 teaspoon salt ● 1 teaspoon cumin Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO ● 1/2 teaspoon cayenne ● 1 pound cooked, shredded chicken meat ● 1/2 cup diced, roasted, peeled, seeded jalapeno peppers ● 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro leaves ● 6 ounces crumbled goat cheese

Tamale Dough: ● 2/3 cup vegetable shortening, plus 1/3 cup melted ● 4 cups masa harina (it’s by the flour and corn meal in the grocery store) ● 1 teaspoon salt ● 3 cups chicken stock, or canned, low-sodium chicken broth

Preparation: ● Separate the dry corn husks into individual pieces and remove any corn silk threads inside the husks.

Eventhough I’m not going to use all the husks, I usually soak the whole bag as some will rip (at least they do for me). This way, you can pick out the good ones for your tamales. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and remove from heat. ● Place the separated husks in the water, weight with a large, round bowl or baking dish, and cover. Allow the husks to soak for 30 minutes and up to 1 hour. ● To make the filling, heat the shortening in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, corn, and bell peppers, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, salt, cumin, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the chicken, chile peppers, and cilantro, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and let sit until cool enough to handle. When cool, fold in the goat cheese. ● To make the dough, place the solid shortening in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, and cream until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Combine the masa harina and salt in a bowl. With the mixer on medium speed, alternately add the masa harina and chicken stock to the whipped shortening, thoroughly mixing Continue next page Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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● after each addition. Gradually add the melted shortening to the dough mixture with the mixer on medium speed. ● Place one large soaked cornhusk on a flat work surface. Spoon enough of the masa batter into the center and with the back of a spoon or your fingers, spread it into a 4-inch square. ● Place two generous spoonfuls chicken mixture into the center of the masa. Spread it down the middle. ● Roll the sides of the corn husk up to make a cylinder, making sure the masa come together. ● Use either kitchen twine, or strips of corn husk to tie the ends. ● You can also wrap the tamale like a package, folding the sides of the husk over the filling, then bringing the bottom and the top over the filling, overlapping as much as possible to tightly enclose the filling. Set tamale aside (I use a baking sheet) and keep going with the rest.

To steam: ● Lay or stand the tamales in a steamer insert over a pot of gently boiling water, being careful not to pack them too tightly. Cover the top of the tamales with a layer of the remaining corn husks, then cover with a lid. When I do this, I usually have to use 3 pots (and I make a half recipe). So, plan this step accordingly. If you have 2 or more HUGE pots you can steam in, you should be good. ● Steam the tamales, covered, over the boiling water for 2 hours, replenishing the water as needed. Remove the tamales from the steamer insert and let cool for 10 minutes before handling. ● To serve, unwrap the tamales and top each with a spoonful of Chile Verde and a dollop of sour cream. I also think they are quite good over some black beans.

Green Chile Verde: ● 3 New Mexico Green Chiles ● 3 Poblano chiles ● 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ● 1/2 cup chopped white onion ● 2 tablespoons minced garlic Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO ● 1 tablespoon minced, seeded jalapeno pepper ● 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano ● 1 teaspoon salt ● 1 teaspoon ground cumin ● 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour ● 3 cups chicken stock, or canned low-sodium chicken broth ● 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro ● Jut so you know, I’ve decreased the peppers in my version. If you like stuff really spicy, double what I list above! Roast the peppers by placing them under the broiler, turning them as needed until all sides are charred black. Place the blackened peppers in a plastic or paper bag, and let rest until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes. Peel the peppers, and remove the seeds and the stems.

Chop the peppers and set aside. ● In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapenos, oregano, salt, and cumin, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. ● Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. ● Add the chopped peppers, and stir well to combine. Add the chicken stock, stir well, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. ● Remove the chile verde from the heat, add the cilantro, and adjust seasoning, to taste. Serve with tamales

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Tamales De Dulce

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Ingredients ● Banana leaves ● 1/2 cup rum ● 1/2 cup dark raisins ● 1/2 cup white raisins ● 2/3 cup vegetable shortening ● 2/3 cup sugar ● 2 cups masa harina ● 1 cup whole milk ● 1 cup coconut milk ● 1 teaspoon baking powder ● 1 teaspoon salt ● 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ● 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted

Directions: ● Defrost the banana leaves overnight in the Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO ● refrigerator if frozen, and cut off any hard sections or sections with holes. Cut the leaves into unbroken 12-inch pieces. ● If the leaves are pliable, proceed with recipe. If not, steam the banana leaves in the top of a double boiler until soft and pliable, 20 to 30 minutes. Set aside until ready to assemble the tamales. ● In a small saucepan, gently heat the rum. Place the raisins in a small bowl and cover with the warm rum. Let the raisins soak and absorb the rum while you prepare the masa filling. ● In the bowl of an electric mixer beat the vegetable shortening until very light, about 1 minute. Add the sugar and half of the masa, and beat until combined. ● Mix the milk and coconut milk and add alternately with the remaining masa in several batches to the mixture until mixture is the consistency of medium-thick cake batter. ● Add baking powder, salt and cinnamon, and beat for 30 seconds. Add the melted butter and beat to incorporate, being careful not to overmix. ● Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the masa batter into the center of a banana leaf. Place about 2 teaspoons of plumped raisins in the center. ● Fold 1 side over the batter, then the other to enclose the filling. Bring the bottom and the top over the filling to create a small package. ● Tie the tamale with a piece of string, and repeat with the remaining masa batter and filling. ● Line a steamer insert with a layer of unused banana leaves. Lay the tamales in the lined steamer, and steam over simmering water until the tamales are cooked through and release easily from the banana leaf wrappers, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. ● Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2001

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New Mexico Green Chile Tofu, Spinach & Black Bean Tamales

Yields: 8-10 tamales ● Masa Harina Masa ● Yields: 12 to 18 cups, or masa for 2 to 3 dozen tamales ● 7 cups vegetable stock (or chicken, beef, or pork stock) ● 12 cups masa harina (dry corn flour) ● 2 cups butter, margarine, lard, or shortening (or a combination of these) ● 1/2 tablespoons salt

Tamales: ● 16 oz. extra firm tofu, cut into bite-sized cubes ● Cumin powder

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO ● 3 oz New Mexico Green Chile, Roasted, seeded and diced ● Pinch of cayenne ● Salt and black pepper ● 1/4 cup salsa (I used a spicy traditional salsa) ● 1 tablespoon butter ● 1 tablespoon flour ● 2 tablespoons olive oil ● 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic ● 1 green onion, diced ● 1 pound frozen chopped spinach, thawed ● Salt and black pepper, to taste ● 1 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed ● 8-10 dried corn husks, which have been soaked in hot water – weighed down with a heavy pot or platter – for 45 minutes and then washed thoroughly to remove the silk and any dirt -3 cups Masa Harina Masa ● Shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups)

Directions: Masa Harina Masa: ● In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the stock until warm. In the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer, combine the stock and the masa harina. With the paddle attachment on medium speed, mix until the texture is like a firm pudding. Remove the mixture from the bowl and set aside. ● Add the butter and salt to the mixer bowl and whip at high speed for 2 minutes. Add 2 cups of the masa harina mixture and whip for 1 minute at medium speed. Repeat until all of the masa harina mixture has been added. ● Increase speed to high and continue mixing for 3-5 minutes, until the masa is a soft, thick paste.

Tamales: ● Place tofu cubes in a shallow dish and season with

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cumin, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.

Carefully mix in salsa, and cover dish with saran wrap.

Place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. ● Using a fork, combine the butter and flour on a plate until completely worked together. Set aside. ● In a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the garlic and onion and saute for only a few seconds. Decrease the heat to medium, add the spinach, salt, and pepper, and saute for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently. ● Add the beans and cook for an additional minute.

Then, add the butter-flour mixture and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, to combine flavors. Set aside to cool. ● To assemble the tamales, spread 1/4 cup of masa on the smooth side of a corn husk. Place 2 tablespoons of the spinach mixture in the center of the masa and top with cheese (about 1 tablespoon per tamale). Finish using your methods of wrapping and tying. Repeat for the remaining tamales. Steam the tamales for 50 minutes.

10 Fascinating Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About

Tamales A

staple at family gatherings, special occasions and many holidays. While you may call yourself an expert in tamale tasting, we have nine amazing facts that you probably didn’t know about this popular dish!

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO The origins of the tamale date back to the time of the Aztecs, Mayans and Incans. Although widely debated, the first tamales were developed for transporting foods more efficiently during war.

Gaining popularity, they became a part of ceremonies, rituals, feasts and fiestas.

Tamales were served by the Aztecs to Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes, and in 1612, Captain John Smith claimed they were made by Native Americans of Virginia: ‘Their corne they rost in the eare greene, and bruising it in a morter of wood with a Polt; lappe it in rowles in the leaves of their corne, and so boyle it for a daintie.” The word “tamale”, or tamal in Spanish, derives from the Aztec word of the Nahuatl language, tamalli, meaning “wrapped food.”

Europeans brought chicken, pork, olives, raisins and other foods with them to the new world and tamales became more elaborate. Tamales, though almost 9,000 years old, weren’t introduced in America until the turn of the 20th Century.

Who eats the husk of the tamale? Well, there is one incident known as “The Great Tamale Incident”.

Former President Gerald Ford was visiting San Antonio, and while at a reception at the Alamo, he grabbed a plate of tamales and began to eat…without removing the husks. The event became known forever as The Great Tamale Incident.

Tamales have a special day in Mexican tradition.

On January 6th, a special cake named “Rosca de Reyes” is eaten by family and friends with a small figure of baby Jesus hidden inside. If you happen to receive a slice containing the figure, take it to a church on February 2nd. That person must then host a dinner providing tamales and atole to guests.

There was a petition to give the tamale its own national holiday. Although it never came to be, social media celebrates March 23rd as “National Tamale Day”.

There are thousands of types of tamales today. The most popular are made with masa, but other ingredients can include rice, beans, potatoes and kale.

Fillings are also endless and can include chocolate, jalapenos and so much more.

The Aztecs had two holidays dedicated to showcasing tamales as a main dish. With Atamalcualiztli, they celebrated the birth of the corn god. They made plain, unsalted tamales filled with vegetables that symbolized cleansing and renewal. The other festival was Izcalli, in honor of the fire god. On this day, the tamale serves as a gesture of rebirth.

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Creative New Year’s Eve Party Theme Ideas To Ring in 2020 New Year’s Eve Party Theme Idea #1 Netflix is The New Black Binge-watching is the pastime of our generation, but on New Year’s it’s time to get off the couch and into your NYE event. Host a Netflix-inspired party dedicated to everyone’s favourite characters from the streaming service – think Black Mirror, Orange is The New Black, Stranger Things, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, GLOW, and Russian Doll.

New Year’s Eve Party Theme Idea #2: Future Fête We don’t know what 2020 holds, but it’s fun to try and predict what lays ahead. For a New Year’s party theme with a hint of mystery and magic, enlist tarot card readers, clairvoyants, or vintage-style fortunetelling machines to tell the rich futures of your party guests.

New Year’s Eve Party Theme Idea #3: Rocketman What’s a ‘Rocketman’ theme? Only the best excuse ever to dress up like Elton John. From astronauts and aliens to wild glasses and gloriously over-the-top outfits, there are plenty of costume options for this theme and it really ups the ante on a ‘space theme’.

New Year’s Eve Party Theme Idea #4: Savannah Soiree Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO In 2019, animal prints came roaring back into fashion and we sat in the cinema to cry at Mufasa’s death for the first time since childhood. To style your safari-inspired NYE party, look to on-trend animal prints and loads of greenery. You could also use this theme to create a unique masquerade ball theme, with savannah or animal inspired masks.

New Year’s Eve Party Theme Idea #5: Confetti Chaos Glitter has always been a popular go-to at parties on New Years Eve, but to avoid nasty microplastics at your event, go for paper confetti instead. Serve ‘confetti cake’ or fairy bread and even hire a confetti cannon to go off at the strike of midnight.

New Year’s Eve Party Theme Idea #6: Time Travellers’ Ball This theme is the ultimate fancy dress party. Instead of limiting costumes to a single decade, your “time travelling” guests can take inspiration from a person or style from any year past, present, or future. Dinosaurs, ancient egypt, famous historical figures and pop icons — the possibilities are endless.

New Year’s Eve Party Theme Idea #7: Diet Starts Wednesday We all know the resolutions drill: In January, we diet. But it’s December 31st, so tonight let’s go down in a blaze of glory. This theme lets guests indulge in all the good stuff in a fun blowout before their New Year’s resolutions start. Think decadent cocktails, doughnut walls, and fried food galore.

New Year’s Eve Party Theme Idea #8 Zombie Apocalypse End the year with an end-of-days party. This theme is ideal for warehouse venues or locations that are a bit creepy like old jails or close to cemeteries.

New Year’s Eve Party Theme Idea #16: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party The whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland is always a classic and allows you to really bend the rules when it comes to styling for an event theme.

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M

y time at Ranney Ranch has been a wild, gritty, challenging and beautiful rollercoaster ride. I have experienced high highs feeling capable and confident. Having moments of complete (or at least almost complete) clarity, using the accumulation of all my learned knowledge and skills to make judgment calls that six months ago I thought I would never be able to make. At times though, my confidence sagged and I wanted to scream at the closest cow as the waterline that I just fixed burst again five feet away. I was pushed to the edge mentally, physically and emotionally. This job and lifestyle calls for flexibility and determination in all those realms. Along with growing, pushing, and learning about myself as a human, I will also walk away with many valuable skills and information.

To be a rancher you have to wear many hats. In one day you can go from operating heavy machinery to being a vet then a plumber and then a range scientist and at the end of the day a mechanic. That is what makes this job so intimidating but rewarding at the same time. One of the first things I learned about was water. It only took a week to understand the importance of making sure cattle had drinking water.

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If you think our driver, Jose, cleans up nice, imagine what we can do with your trash.

Remember, you have a Choice.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

575-491-1101 41 El Paso Alamogordo We serve all of Otero County, Residential, Commercial & Roll Offs

DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO You can have perfect fences and pastures with grass up to your knees but if cattle do not have water to drink it all means nothing. This is especially important in the dry arid SouthWest. With only a handful of wells and eighteen thousand acres of pastures being able to keep up with a herd of two hundred cows and their calves is a challenge. There is over fifty miles of pipeline and dozens and dozens of valve boxes that adjust where the water flows. Learning how to fix a leak in a waterline, hook up a solar pump (without getting electrocuted), replace a valve, locate all the valve boxes and knowing which valve to turn just right to get water to where you want was my first lesson and one that I continue to learn about. It is the most important job and probably the one that I spent the most time on. I never thought I could get such a sense of satisfaction just from seeing a storage tank full of water.

After water management the next most important skill is managing the land. I have had the privilege of working on a ranch that values the land. There are three main practices that Ranney Ranch implements to improve the health of their rangeland. They practice rotational grazing, manage the way water flows on Story continues next page

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their land, and clear and burn brush to encourage grass growth. Rotational grazing is probably the biggest impacter in improving soil conditions.

At its most basic it is an attempt to mimic large herding mammals’ migrational patterns. These large herds would come through an area, disturb the earth with their hoofs, fertilize the land with their urine and manure, and stimulate growth and create healthier plants by eating them down. They wouldn’t stay in one place long due to pressure from predators so they would not overgraze and by the time they were back the following year the land was healthier then it was previously.

In rotational grazing, instead of predators we have smaller pastures and horses to move them from one pasture to the next. Ranney Ranch hires Kirk Gadzia, a range consultant, to help plan how long the herd should stay in one pasture. To create this grazing plan we go out to all of the pastures twice a year, once in the spring to plan for the growing season and once in the fall to plan for the dormant season.

At each pasture we estimate the animal grazing days per acre, basically how many days one animal unit could feed on one acre and still leave about 4050% of forage behind. Once we have this number we can calculate how many days the herd can stay in a pasture. After we have repeated this process on the whole ranch we can create the grazing plan.

As with almost all the skills I learned, to really understand the health of the land it takes years of being on the land noticing its changes but even after my short time here I feel I have the tools to build upon and replicate this process on my own.

Ranney Ranch has spent years increasing the amount of water that is retained on the ranch. While I was on the ranch we started another one of many water retention and erosion control projects. This project focused on arroyos and specifically addressing them at the head cuts.

The idea was to slow erosion and to keep water on the land not letting it run off. I was able to go out with engineers from NRCS and help map out where we were going to build rock structures that would do just this. The structures were based on the designs of Bill Zeedyk. They are rock structures that are non-invasive and slow and alter the flow of water.

He has many designs but we focused on and built three types. Media Lunas: which are quarter moon shapes that are built above a head cut. Rock Laydowns: these are put in place at the head cuts after Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO they have been graded. One-rock Dams: these are placed below the head cuts in order to slow water down and restore the arroyo bottoms. The three work in tandem to keep water on the land. I was able to help design and build all of these structures (this meant countless hours of gathering rocks throughout the ranch but also the chance to create giant rock puzzles out of them).

The final tool the ranch uses to improve the land is clearing brush. I was never directly involved in this process but I saw first hand the benefits.

The ranch is situated in a pocket of mesa canyon country that over time due to the lack of natural wildfires and overgrazing is being choked out by juniper trees. These trees, even just the small ones, can soak up 80 gallons of water a day thus taking that water away from the grasses. The ranch has cleared thousands of acres opening the land back up and allowing grasses to thrive.

Though it seems counter intuitive working the cattle is probably the least important aspect of ranching.

After you take care of the land and provide adequate water there is really only a little cattle work to be done.

But when you need to do it, it has to do be done well.

Handling cattle in a low-stress and safe environment is key. Having proper corrals and keeping calm, knowing how to move them, are things you learn by doing and seeing.

To get them to the corrals you have to know how to ride. This is when I got to be a “real� cowboy. Before coming to the ranch I had ridden a horse maybe a half dozen times but after six months I feel comfortable doing ground work, saddling, and working cattle. It is a joy to see this ranch on horseback. I drove all over it in a truck everyday but there is something different about the way you see it on top of a horse.

Some of my favorite moments on the ranch were on horseback. Riding up mesas onto beautiful meadows then down into a little canyon where you feel completely alone and at peace. Though I would be lying if I said after eight hours on a long cattle drive I didn’t want to get off and sit on something other than a saddle.

I feel privileged to have been able to see and work in this beautiful part of our country. I will hold onto the memories I made here and think back on them fondly. I will also take the skills and knowledge I gained, and the mental toughness I acquired with me to my next venture whatever that may be.

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Seven Rivers Warriors of New Mexico

The Seven Rivers Warriors were made up mostly of small-time ranchers from the Seven Rivers area of southeastern Lincoln County, New Mexico that operated in the 1870s.

This gang of rustlers began their life of crime out of their frustration with the cattle barons, specifically John Chisum. The warriors felt that Chisum’s more than 100,000 head of cattle ate up most of the grazing land in the area. In retaliation, several small-ranchers grouped together, forming the Seven Rivers Warriors and began to steal Chisum’s livestock.

When Chisum supported the Tunstall/McSween faction against that of Dolan and Murphy in the Lincoln County War, the “Warriors” quickly joined up with Dolan-Murphy to oppose Chisum’s friends. They often rode with the Jesse Evans Gang and the John Kinney Gang, both of which were employed by the Murphy-Dolan faction.

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO Led by Henry M. “Hugh” Beckwith, the gang had influential connections with local law enforcement, which assisted in their being able to carry out cattle rustling without interference. Bob Beckwith and Wallace Olinger were deputies for Sheriff William J. Brady, while gang member Bob Olinger was a US Deputy Marshal.

The Lincoln County Regulators were formed to counter the gunmen on the side of the Murphy-Dolan faction. Including some 40 men, some of them included Billy the Kid, Richard “Dick” Brewer, Charlie Bowdre and Doc Scurlock.

Several of the gangs’ members were killed in the Lincoln County War and afterward, they began to turn against each other. Gang member Bill Johnson was killed by Hugh Beckwith on August 17, 1878, and John Beckwith was killed by fellow member John Jones on August 26, 1879. On November 23, 1879, gang member Tom Walker was killed in a saloon gunfight in Seven Rivers. Gang member and U.S. Deputy Marshal Bob Olinger was killed by Billy the Kid on April 28, 1881, during a jail escape. Afterward, the gang fell apart, with some members working as cowboys and ranchers, other becoming lawmen, and some continuing their outlaw ways.

Gang Members: ● Deputy Jose Chavez y Baca – Nothing is known of him after the Lincoln County War. ● Henry M. “Hugh” Beckwith – Continued his outlaw ways and was killed during a robbery of a general store at Presidio, Texas in 1892

● John M. Beckwith – Killed by fellow Seven Rivers Warrior John Jones in Seven Rivers, New Mexico on August 26, 1879.

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● Deputy Robert “Bob” M Beckwith – Was killed by a Regulator in Lincoln, New Mexico on July 19, 1878. ● Andrew “Andy” Boyle, died of unknown causes in Dona Ana County on May 14, 1882, or 1887. ● Charlie ‘Lollycooler’ Crawford – Killed by Regulator Fernando Herrera in Lincoln, New Mexico on July 17, 1878. ● Thomas Gaffney – Nothing is known of him after the Lincoln County War. ● John Galvin – Possibly killed by the Regulators in Lincoln, New Mexico on April 30, 1878. ● Tom Green – Probably killed by the Regulators in Lincoln, New Mexico on April 30, 1878

● John Hurley – He survived the war but was killed

by Nicholas Aragon in Chaperito, New Mexico on January 25, 1886. ● William “Bill” H. Johnson – Killed by fellow Seven Rivers Warrior Hugh Beckwith at Seven Rivers, New Mexico on August 17, 1878. ● John A. Jones – Killed by fellow Seven Rivers Warrior Bob Olinger in Seven Rivers, New Mexico on August 29, 1879. ● Jim P. Jones – He died of cancer at Carlsbad, New Mexico on February 5, 1930. ● William M. ‘Bill’ Jones – He died of natural causes in Carlsbad, New Mexico on March 17, 1952.

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO ● “Dutch Charlie” Kruling – Nothing is known of him after the Lincoln County War. ● Charles Marshall – Possibly killed by the Regulators in Lincoln, New Mexico on April 30, 1878. ● Joseph Nash – He was dragged to death by a roped bronco in Denver, Colorado in July 1901. ● John Wallace Olinger After the war he led a quiet existence until he died of broncho-pneumonia at Van Nuys, California on February 25, 1940 .

● Robert “Bob: Olinger – Killed by Billy the Kid, along with Deputy Sheriff James Bell, on April 28, 1881, when he escaped from jail in Lincoln, New Mexico. ● Jim Patterson – Killed by the Regulators in Lincoln, New Mexico on April 30, 1878. ● Sam R. Perry – Died in a wagon accident at Perry Canyon in November 1901. ● Milo L. Pierce – Died of natural causes at Roswell, New Mexico on October 20, 1919. ● Deputy Thomas B. “Buck” Powell – Died of natural causes in Texas on August 31, 1906. ● Jim Ramer – Nothing is known of him after the Lincoln County War. ● James B. Reese – Killed by the Sanchez brothers at Tularosa, New Mexico on August 2, 1878.

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Ground-penetrating radar could help archaeologists spot otherwise invisible ancient footprints, suggests a recent experiment at White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.

Tracks left behind in layers of hardened mud and sand at the site record where humans crossed paths with giant sloths and mammoths during the last Ice Age. But some of the tracks appear only when conditions are just right—usually after a rain—which makes them difficult to study. Archaeologist Thomas Urban of Cornell University and his colleagues used ground-penetrating radar to spot these so-called ghost tracks. The radar images also revealed layers of compressed sediment beneath mammoth tracks, which could reveal information about how the now-extinct woolly giants strode across the Pleistocene world.

To test the method, Urban and his colleagues pulled a radar antenna across the pale gypsum sands of the former lakeshore, pacing out a grid pattern over a site where, 12,000 years ago, a human and a mammoth crossed paths. Excavations at the site had already revealed “ghost prints” left by a person who walked

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO north, and then back south, for about 800 meters (2,625 feet).

Sometime in the past, the prints filled with sediment and then got covered by a layer of fine gypsum sand, so they’re usually invisible from the surface. But the sediment filling the tracks holds more moisture than the sediment around them, so when there’s just the right amount of water present, the tracks stand out dark on the pale ground. They appear and vanish again like a message written in invisible ink.

Archaeologists already knew one location along the trackway had about 27 ghost prints. When Urban and his colleagues put their radar to the test, the images revealed 26 of the prints—and the images were detailed enough to calculate the length of the person’s stride and estimate their stature. It turns out that the sediment filling the tracks also reflects radar signals differently than the surrounding material, making it possible to detect otherwise invisible tracks.

Farther north along the same trail of human footprints, Urban and his colleagues noticed a set of anomalies that looked like animal tracks. These were in a place where the playa’s surface looked blank and archaeologists hadn’t documented any tracks. After a rain, the anomalies turned out to be sloth tracks. Urban and his colleagues say their results suggest that the ground-penetrating radar could help archaeologists search for other ghost tracks. That could help researchers avoid having to wait for specific weather conditions to find tracks and could boost efforts to preserve the ancient stories written across the desert in invisible ink.

These human and mammoth tracks have been excavated and date to around 12,000 years ago.

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Jicarilla

A

rare true ghost town seven miles south of Ancho, down a bumpy gravel county road.

Named for the surrounding Jicarilla Mountains (jicarilla is Spanish for “little basket” or “little gourd”) and, by extension, the Jicarilla Apache, gold was being sought here prior to the 1820s. That's when Spanish and then Mexican prospectors first arrived with pans and wooden bowls called “bateas” to work the creeks. Although, truth be told, it was often Native American slaves that did the actual labor.

In 1864, the U.S. Army forced the local Apache onto distant reservations. By then, Texans had been drifting in and trying their luck for over 20 years.

Miners arrived en masse in the 1880s and by 1892 Jicarilla had a post office, which also served as an assay office and store.

Interestingly, it was during the Great Depression that the population of Jicarilla peaked at around 300 souls, when desperate folks tried to support themselves by gold mining. A good day could bring in as much as $7 and there was plenty of game to provide extra food.

But Jicarilla must’ve been a little too remote for most people as nearly everyone left once the economy improved. By 1942, Jicarilla was pretty much done, although if you look closely you may find some mining occurring yet Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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Oro Grande Rail Station

Jarilla Junction, once a station on the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad, was renamed Orogrande when a gold nugget the size of a man's finger was discovered in 1905.

Perhaps the omen of things to come was established early in the history of the area by a hunchback, S. M. Perkins, who prospected the Jarillas in the 1870s.

He survived a threat from the Apaches after finding gold but for some unknown reason gave up his claim for two barrels of water.

Prospecting had started as early as 1879 in the Jarilla Mountains but the 1905 discovery started a gold rush and gave birth to the town of Orogrande. The population soared to approximately 2000 as the result of a gold rush that occurred in 1905, but quickly collapsed almost to the point of depopulation when the gold deposits proved much less abundant than expected A fifty-five mile long water pipe was laid from the Sacramento River to the townsite. Almost overnight, a hundred homes were built to house only a fraction of the influx of people. Some were forced to live in hastily erected shacks and tents.

As happened so many times before, there was less gold than had been anticipated and mining activity began to wane. Today Orogrande is reduced to a post office, a few businesses and about 96 people calling it home.

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NE W ME X ICO MUSEUM OF SPACE HIS TORY

WE’VE GOT

So what is “The View from the Cube?” We hope you will find it to be a fun series of articles from the staff at the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo about space history, about the museum and what we’re doing, and about what is going on in the rapidly changing world of space exploration.

We’ll keep it short so that you don’t get bored …hopefully. We’ll keep it timely so that you can impress your water cooler acquaintances with your “outstandingly interesting” knowledge of the vast realm of space exploration. And we’ll keep it “down to Earth” so that you’ll find it relevant to your life here on this beautiful planet…but still be interested in the other ones too.

First off, we’d like to give you a quick background about this golden cube on the mountainside.

We jokingly say that sometimes we not only have to convince our visitors that New Mexico is central to space history, but also a part of the United States. The “International Space Hall of Fame,” the “Space Center,” and the “New Mexico Museum of Space History” may be completely different names, but they are actually all the same place.

The name changed over the years and the mission expanded, but it’s still the same place. The campus has grown quite a bit since we opened in 1976, but the main building and the main mission remains: “To Inspire and Educate, To Promote and Preserve, and To Honor the Pioneers of Space Exploration.” We were started due to the vision of folks like Dwight Ohlinger and Dr. John Paul Stapp (The “Fastest Man on Earth”).

Architect Charles Nolan designed the building, but what you see now was not the original concept.

SPACE! NOW SHOWING!

The real-life story of what it took to walk on the moon. + LIVE STAR SHOWS! with Museum Educators

NMSpaceMuseum.org

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2020 SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM Register now at NMSpaceMuseum.org

ROCKET BUILDING FIELD TRIPS

Spaced-out adventures

ROBOTICS & MORE

for cadets entering 1st grade through 9th grade.

Registration is open and classes are filled on a first come, first served basis.

For more information,

call (575) 437-2840 ext. 41132 or visit NMSpaceMuseum.org

A new week of Summer Camp starts every Monday at 9 am June – July ASK ABOUT OUR NEW LAS CRUCES SUMMER CAMP! ALAMOGORDO, NM • 575-437-2840

NMSpaceMuseum.org

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The 78 foot tall glass “Cube” was originally supposed to rest on its point and the glass would reflect the vastness of space. But once the engineering challenges were studied and the cost analysis was done…and some fearful predictions of large falling glass panes were considered, the final version of a regular upright cube was settled upon and construction began.

A 102-day strike by glass workers early in 1976 made the designers rue their selection of the golden glass exterior as they feared they would miss the scheduled opening in the fall, but their choice was well made and the exterior of the building still shines today and reflects the beautiful New Mexico sunsets…and can be seen from as far away as 35 miles. Opening ceremonies were held with great fanfare on October 5, 1976 at 2 p.m. following a dedication parade through town that even included the historic Sonic Wind 1 rocket sled ridden by Dr. Stapp.

Through the years, over 5.5 million people have visited the museum. Eighty percent come from out of state, 95 percent come from outside Otero County. The museum continues to change and is currently going through the biggest exhibit renovation since the mid-1980s. We hope you enjoy the series of pending articles and our journey to the stars…Ad Astra.

Christopher Orwoll is the Executive Director of the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo, NM. A retired Naval Commander, Orwoll is an avid space collector and historian who has appeared on many television programs including “Mysteries at the Museum” and “NASA’s Unexplained Files.”

The New Mexico Museum of Space History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a division of the N.M. Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information, call 575-437-2840 or toll free 1-877-333-6589 or visit the website at www.

NMSpaceMuseum.org.

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FORT STANTON NAMESAKE It was a chilly morning in southern New Mexico, as most mornings were in January. It was the morning of January 5, 1855 and a band Mescalero Apaches had disappeared into the Sacramento Mountains in the vicinity of Sierra Blanca, White Mountain, after stealing about 2,500 head of sheep. A large force of soldiers, with Captain Henry W. Stanton in command, had left Fort Fillmore, near Mesilla, to track them.

Fort Fillmore was established less than four years before near Mesilla to protect settlers and traders traveling to California. Travelers heading west were plagued by Apache attacks, and a network of forts was created by the US Government to protect and encourage westward expansion.

Indians had been raiding, killing and stealing in southern New Mexico Territory since settlement began and in 1851 and 1852 treaties were signed with various bands by the United States government. These were to no avail and by 1854 Indian raids had become a real problem.

Captain Stanton, with a force of eighty men and three officers, as well as forty mules and eight packers, a guide and an interpreter, was to join up with Captain Richard S. Ewell and a force of soldiers from Fort Thorn by the middle of January. Fort Thorn was a settlement and outpost establish in 1853 near present day Hatch, New Mexico. Captain Stanton was instructed to ”…attack any party of Indians he may fall in with having sheep or cattle…” Stanton and Ewell, making good time, met up near the Rio Penasco on January 7 and set up camp. They began a regular patrol of the area because Ewell’s Dragoons had reported seeing an Indian running in the underbrush on the day they set up camp. The troop’s horses were spooked by something or someone on the night of January ninth.

Mescaleros were assumed but, although the soldiers found some evidence, they found no Indians.

The Mescaleros attacked the Dragoons’ camp on the night of the eighteenth, according to the New Mexico State Archives, stealing horses and setting the grass surrounding the camp ablaze. The soldiers woke up to the mocking of a band of Indians dancing around a fire on the hillside. Skipping breakfast, the troopers saddled up and went in pursuit of the warriors. Stanton and Ewell’s main force attacked along the banks of the Rio Penasco, while small parties of Dragoons maneuvered after various clusters of braves. This running battle lasted until about four o’clock that afternoon. Captain Stanton led a small detail of twelve men in pursuit of the Apaches while the main body of Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER ALAMOGORDO soldiers set up camp for the evening. They rode into a deep ravine, near the modern day town of Mayhill, where the Mescaleros waited in ambush. Upon hearing the gunfire, the soldiers in camp rushed to support Captain Stanton’s small force. A tough battle resulted but it lasted only twenty minutes. The warriors fled.

Having been shot in the forehead while attempting to cover the retreat of his soldiers from that hard fight, Captain Henry W. Stanton departed this life straight away. Private James A. Bennett, 1st Dragoons, recorded in his diary that Privates John Hennings and Thomas Dwyer were also killed in the Indian ambush.

The soldiers wrapped their dead companions in blankets and buried their bodies, building fires over their graves in hope that the location would be hidden until they could make a return trip to recover the bodies.

As the disheveled and grubby soldiers returned after four days of chasing Indians through the hilly, rocky and often precipitous terrain, they paused to recover the remains of Captain Stanton and the two Dragoons killed on the nineteenth. Someone had unearthed the bodies and stolen the blankets. Animals had mutilated the exposed bodies. The expedition, led by Captain Ewell, then took the remains back to Fort Fillmore for a proper military funeral. They arrived on February 2.

The following day, the garrison buried the remains of Captain Stanton, Private Dwyer and Private Hennings with full military honors. According to John P. Ryan, author of Fort Stanton and Its Community, when a new fort was established on the banks of the Rio Bonito, later in that year of 1885, it was named in honor of Captain Henry W. Stanton

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NASA's mission to touch the sun

Although the sun sits at the center of our solar system, mystery has surrounded the star and its behavior. In August 2018, NASA launched the Parker Solar Probe to draw closer to the sun than any satellite before. Now, the first data from the probe's initial close passes of the sun have revealed some of the star's strange activity.

The probe was designed to help answer fundamental questions about the solar wind that streams out from the sun, flinging energetic particles across the solar system. Its instruments may also provide insight about why the sun's corona, the outer atmosphere of the star, is so much hotter than the actual surface. The corona is 1.7 million degrees F, while the surface is around 10,000 degrees F. Understanding the solar wind and the blazing heat of the corona are key. They both play a role in space weather and solar storms, and understanding the solar wind could enable better prediction of space weather.

Solar wind and the corona's temperature also impact ejections of mass from the corona, which could impact the global power grid and telecommunications on Earth, as well as our astronauts on the International Space Station. The energized and Story continues next page Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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accelerated particles streaming away from the sun in the solar wind are also responsible for the northern and southern lights we see on Earth.

"There was a major space weather event in 1859 that blew out telegraph networks on Earth and one in 1972 that set off naval mines in North Vietnam," said Stuart Bale, one of the study authors and professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley.

"We're much more of a technological society than we were in 1972 -- the communications networks and the power grid on Earth are extraordinarily complex, so big disturbances from the sun are potentially a very serious thing. If we could predict space weather, we could shut down or isolate parts of the power grid, or shut down satellite systems that might be vulnerable."

During its first close encounter with the sun, the Parker Solar Probe essentially kept itself suspended over a hole in the corona for a week, watching solar wind particles streaming along the line of the sun's magnetic field and out into space. Four studies revealing the first science results from the probe's 14,912,908-mile flyby of the sun published in the journal Nature.

The scientists were surprised to observe actual flips in the magnetic field, sudden 180-degree reversals before flipping back in seconds or even hours later.

"These switchbacks are probably associated with some kind of plasma jets," Bale said. "My own feeling is that these switchbacks, or jets, are central to the solar wind heating problem."

Since the initial close pass, the probe has completed two more.

During its closest approaches of the sun, called the perihelion, the probe also encountered dust. Scientists believe these impossibly tiny particles are the remnants of asteroids and comets that came too close to the sun and melted, only leaving microns behind. The dust is initially trapped in orbit around the sun before being kicked out into space and eventually outside of our solar system. Rogue plasma waves are also shot out from the sun and joined with the solar wind.

But the probe also spotted the theorized and elusive dust-free zone around the sun for the first time, where particles are heated to the point that they turn to gas.

The probe's instruments observed that the dust began to thin out about seven million miles from the sun.

"This dust-free zone was predicted decades ago, but has never been seen before," said Russ Howard, principal investigator for the Wide-field Imager for Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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SUNSPOT | TIMBERON | WEED Solar Probe instrument suite. "We are now seeing what's happening to the dust near the sun."

On clear nights, we can see a hint of dust around the sun as a concentrated illuminated cloud appears over the horizon, scattering the sun's light back to us in the dark.

The scientists also observed that the sun's magnetic field is pulling the solar wind in the same direction as the star's rotation at great distances, not just up close.

This increases the speed of the solar wind as it streams away from the sun.

"To our great surprise, as we neared the sun, we've already detected large rotational flows -- 10 to 20 times greater than what standard models of the sun predict," said Justin Kasper, one of the principal investigators for an instrument suite on the probe and a professor of climate and space sciences and engineering at the University of Michigan. "So we are missing something fundamental about the sun and how the solar wind escapes. This has huge implications. Space weather forecasting will need to account for these flows if we are going to be able to predict whether a coronal mass ejection will strike Earth, or astronauts heading to the moon or Mars."

The sun is the only star we can study fairly closely with a spacecraft. Previous study of the sun from Earth has been like trying to understand the origin of a waterfall by standing at the bottom of it, Bale said.

"Now, with the Parker Solar Probe, we are getting closer and closer to the top of the waterfall, and we can see that there is underlying structure," Bale said. "At the source, what we see is something that is coherent with impulsive jets on top of it. You have a small hole -- a coronal hole -- and the solar wind is coming out of that in a smooth flow. But then, on top of it, there are jets. By the time you get all the way downstream from it at Earth, it is all just mixed up."

Over the course of its seven-year mission, the probe's orbit will shrink, bringing it closer and closer to the sun over the course of 21 approaches.

The probe will orbit within 3.9 million miles of the sun's surface in 2024, closer to the star than Mercury.

"Getting data at the source is already revolutionizing our understanding of our own star and stars across the universe," said Nicola Fox, director of the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters.

"Our little spacecraft is soldiering through brutal conditions to send home startling and exciting revelations."

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A MUST READ! Can Cold Water Clean Dishes? This is for all the germ conscious folks that worry about using cold water to clean.

John went to visit his 90 year old grandfather in a very secluded, rural area of Saskatchewan ..

After spending a great evening chatting the night away, the next morning John's grandfather prepared breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast.

However, John noticed a film like substance on his plate, and questioned his grandfather asking, “Are these plates clean?'

His grandfather replied, 'They're as clean as cold water can get em.

Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!'

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SUNSPOT | TIMBERON | WEED For lunch the old man made hamburgers.

Again, John was concerned about the plates, as his appeared to have tiny specks around the edge that looked like dried egg and asked, 'Are you sure these plates are clean?'

Without looking up the old man said, 'I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them. Now don't you fret, I don't want to hear another word about it!'

Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town and as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog started to growl, and wouldn't let him pass.

John yelled and said, 'Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to my car'.

Without diverting his attention from the football game he was watching on TV, the old man shouted!

'Coldwater, go lay down now, ya hear me!'

Meet Coldwater!

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Notable Person from Cloudcroft Ronny Cox’s Wikipedia entry describes him as an actor, singer-songwriter and storyteller, but as far as he’s concerned, it’s the other way around. “Storyteller” definitely comes first. That becomes evident as soon as he starts reeling off bits of his history, delivering one fascinating anecdote after another about his music career, his myriad stage and screen roles, and even his lengthy marriage to his high-school sweetheart, the only girlfriend he ever had.

In concert, using nothing more than the power of his projected words, Ronny captivates listeners with all kinds of stories. Some are spoken; some are sung. But either way, he’s employing that age-old art form to forge connections he says he can’t as an actor.

“I love acting, and I’m good at it,” Ronny says, without sounding at all egotistical. But even though he’s recognized as the face and voice of countless film, Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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SUNSPOT | TIMBERON | WEED TV and stage characters, from his indelible debut in Deliverance to his recent turn in Nashville, Ronny confesses, “I don’t love it as much as I do the music — and here’s why. With acting, there is — and must be — that imaginary fourth wall between you and the audience. With my show, there’s a profound one-onone sharing that can take place.”

He characterizes that experience as addicting — and undeniable.

Ronny starts building intimacy with his audiences the moment they enter each performance space. He actually greets them personally, even if they number in the hundreds, and avoids opening acts — because, he says, “I am the opening act.” Even before he takes the stage, he’s setting the tone, one of warmth and familiarity.

“I want it to feel like when we were kids sitting in the living room or the kitchen or on the front porch, sharing stories and songs with our family,” he says. He also discourages big introductions, preferring to disclose the details of his colorful life in his stories.

“To me, the story is equally as important as the song,” Ronny says. Raconteur that he is, however, he admits, “If I don’t have a story for a song, I’ll make one up.

“Sometimes, with real, true, honest stories, the punch line just doesn’t come in the right place,” he clarifies. “So I don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story. Picasso once said, ‘Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth.’”

Let’s back up for a second here, if only to challenge the implication that actors don’t connect with audiences. Obviously, that’s not true, or Ronny would never have been able to turn his guitar-strumming “Dueling Banjos” scene in Deliverance into one of the most iconic moments in cinematic history. He’s made many notable appearances since, including roles in the films Bound for Glory, RoboCop, The Onion Field, Total Recall and Beverly Hills Cop I and II. He played Dr. John Gideon in St. Elsewhere’s final season, and Deacon Claybourne’s father, Gideon, in Nashville’s final season.

But Ronny got that first role because he could play, and Bound for Glory as well. Same with his first TV series, Apple’s Way, and his Nashville run — which also led to the happy circumstance of performing his own song, “I’ll Waltz You Home,” in an episode, then recording it for the final soundtrack compilation. The Story continues next page

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producer even rounded up the same musicians with whom he originally recorded the song years ago.

It also appears on his 2012 album, Ronny, Rad and Karen, recorded with multi-instrumentalist Radoslav Lorković and singer-mandolinist Karen Mal. That affecting version, with Mal wrapping harmonies over his timeless tenor, seems particularly melancholy, as if he’s singing directly to the lost love of his life. By then, Mary was gone nearly six years; she passed away on the 50th anniversary of their first date.

That took place in Portales, New Mexico, where her family had moved when she was 11. Ronny was 13 when his family relocated from Cloudcroft, New Mexico, where he was born.

They were already a couple when Ronny, still in high school, first stepped inside a recording studio.

During a performance in nearby Clovis, a local record producer heard his band — and instantly recruited them to sing behind a new artist from just over the border in Lubbock, Texas. That producer was Norman Petty, who was already working with another Lubbock talent: Buddy Holly.

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Where you’ll find more than “just a room”.

Dusty Boots MOTEL

SUNSPOT | TIMBERON | WEED they were around when his career took off. Calling square dances starting at 10 with his guitar-playing dad, Ronny earned money throughout high school and college by playing, often with his brothers in Ron’s Rockouts. Early on, it was western swing; later, while studying theater and speech correction at Eastern New Mexico University, he became part of the “folk scare.”

He dived deep, spending a couple of years studying the Child anthology of old English and Scottish ballads that form the basis of American folk music. At one point, Ronny says, he knew 200 songs in 20 languages — none of which he spoke.

He also delivered entire shows featuring only songs

by Texas-born Mickey Newbury, one of Nashville’s most beloved tunesmiths. In fact, Ronny didn’t write a song of his own until he was 50 — after he got his first record deal.

It wasn’t that he was a late bloomer; he’d just been busy serving as one of Hollywood’s top character actors, and even co-writing (with Mary) and filming a screenplay, 1984’s Raw Courage.

Ronny’s acting career began at Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage, where he worked as a production intern while Mary, whom he’d wed when both were undergraduates, earned her doctorate in chemistry from Georgetown University. Their first son was born just before her 20th birthday; their second came while she was in grad school (she still managed to top her class, as always).

Family Owned And Operated Providing Warmth And Consideration for All who Visit

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While she did her post-doctoral residency at Manhattan’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, he made his Broadway debut.

“Mary and I lived the first 11 years of our marriage hand-to-mouth, just a struggling actor/ graduatestudent existence with two small boys,” Ronny recalls.

Then Deliverance came. That helped establish him as an actor who could play music — which he still did between acting gigs during those lean years. (At the D.C. club Mr. Henry’s, Roberta Flack performed in an upstairs room while he played downstairs.)

Deliverance led to Apple’s Way, and a move to Los Angeles. Mary took a year off to care for the boys, which also provided respite from the sexism she encountered professionally. Sloan-Kettering had paid her male post-doc colleagues $500 extra per dependent, but refused her request for equal pay; when she asked UCLA if they might put her skills to use, they offered her a job washing test tubes. She decided to stay home.

Story continues next page

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Meanwhile, Ronny gained fame for playing “men of authority: bad guys and presidents and head of the FBI, and all those Robocop and Total Recall characters.” Almost half include some sort of rank before their names. But he cites one in particular for inspiring his mid-career return to music: Los Angeles Police Chief Roger Kendrick, of the ill-fated 1990 TV series Cop Rock. Developed by Hill Street Blues creator Steven Bochco, the combination police procedural and ensemble musical also featured music

by Randy Newman.

“It was 20 years ahead of its time,” Ronny insists.

“It was a miserable failure; don’t get me wrong. But it’s the only show I’ve ever been involved with where everybody in the cast went to work every day whether we were called or not, because we just couldn’t stay away. I realized then how much I missed the music.”

He headed to Nashville, where he managed to get signed by Mercury Records on the strength of his performing skills. But he wasn’t a country artist and hadn’t yet found the folk community, so he didn’t quite fit in. Despite earning praise, his self-titled debut album went nowhere. The perception of another actor trying his hand at music didn’t help.

“For the longest time, I had to live down being an actor,” Ronny remembers. That’s partly why, when thelabel paired him with hired-gun songwriters, he insisted on having major input instead of letting them do the creative heavy lifting.

“Those guys taught me how to write a song,” he says. But to his surprise, Nashville’s tunesmiths were also eager to write with him. He finally figured out it was because his cinematic experience made him think visually, like a painter, which made for exceptionally vivid imagery — and great lyrics. As any real songwriter knows, a great lyric is one a listener relates to, whether it’s soul-baring truth or tall tale. And when Ronny stands on a stage and sings to an audience, he’s able to make an even stronger connection.

“I know this sounds terribly egotistical, but I have a way of relating to an audience that very few people can do, for my age,” he says. “It may be my best gift. I can be sillier than most, or more maudlin, and get away with it. I’ve had people come to me and say that they were touched in ways they didn’t expect.”

Maybe it’s his actor’s timing. Maybe it’s his honesty — or his ability to convincingly tell “a lie that makes us realize truth.” He just knows it works.

“I never feel more alive and vital than when I’m onstage in front of an audience,” he reveals.

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SUNSPOT | TIMBERON | WEED You can hear that pleasure on his 10 albums, some with amusing titles like Songs … with Repercussions and Acoustic Eclectricity (he’s also done a DVD, Songs, Stories … and Out & Out Lies, and an audio autobiography, Dueling Banjos: the Deliverance of Drew). For 2017’s Lost in the Words, Lost in the Music, he recorded both songs and stories before a live audience.

Ronny combined acting and singing in another 2017 project, the film Pure Country: Pure Heart, which also features Willie Nelson. In it, he sings another original, “Silver City.”

These days, he turns down most acting offers so he can spend more time onstage, at events such as the annual Folk Alliance International Festival and Conference, held each February, or July’s Woodyfest, in Woody Guthrie’s hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma, or January’s 30A Songwriters Festival, which stretches along the coastal road of Florida’s panhandle.

In 2018, his efforts earned him an inaugural-year Roundglass Music Award, given to artists creating “socially responsible music for wellness, environmental consciousness and peace.” He won in the Best American Roots Song category for “Bus to Baltimore,” about Alzheimer’s disease. Among his fellow winners was Ringo Starr.

But Ronny is hardly ready to rest on his laurels.

He’s still looking forward, planning for the next recording, the next tour, while occasionally convincing strangers he’s not their uncle — or, as one woman insisted, her gynecologist.

“I almost never get recognized as an actor, but people think they know me,” Ronny says with a laugh.

Once they listen to his stories, they will.

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“In the 1940s and 1950s, long before historians fully accepted oral tradition as a source, Eve Ball (1890-1984) was taking down verbatim the accounts of Apache elders who had survived the army’s campaigns against them in the last century.

These oral histories offer new versions— from Warm Springs, Chiricahua, Mescalero, and Lipan Apache—of events previously known only through descriptions left by non-Indians.”

Eve Ball grew up on the plains of Kansas and Texas and moved to the Ruidoso highlands after World War II. She attended college, and taught several grades as well as at the junior college level in Dodge City.

Her many travels to New Mexico created an ambition to write about the Apache people. Ruidoso was the natural place for her to pursue this desire that began in her childhood. The beautiful mountain setting as well as the nearby Mescalero Apache reservation were major attractions to the aspiring writer.

Before she died, Eve wrote over 150 articles and numerous books chronicling Mescalero and Jicarillo Apaches, as well as Anglo and Hispanic settlers in the area. She spent two decades of research and developing the confidence of many tribal elders. Her manner was quiet and patient. She earned trust and Story continues page 90 Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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respect. Her sincerity became obvious and, as a result, many people gave her their papers, family photos, treasured mementos or shared their histories orally.

By the 1960s she decided that could start writing.

She wrote a history of Ruidoso, a biography of Bob Crosby, a champion cowboy, and, in succession, her classic works Ma’am Jones of the Pecos, In the Days of Victorio, My Girlhood Among Outlaws, and Indeh, An Apache Odyssey. The last book was co-authored

by Nora Henn and Lynda A. Sánchez.

She received the Golden Spur Award from the Western Writers of America in 1975 for the best nonfiction short story Buried Money, published in True West Magazine. She also won the Saddleman’s Award, "the Oscar of western writing" in 1981 for Indeh, an Apache Odyssey, a compilation of interviews with Apaches.

Few women had received the Saddleman Award at that point in time and she considered receiving the award one of her proudest moments.

The following year Ball was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. Ball was a guest speaker in May 1978 for the World Business Council. On October 7, 1983, the United States Senate passed resolution S.Res.230 to commend Eve Ball. Ball died in Ruidoso, New Mexico, on 24 December 1984. She continued to write up until her death, despite losing her eyesight.

Ball wrote countless stories and book manuscripts that were never published. Ball's mentee Lynda A. Sanchez wrote and compiled a photo essay about Ball called, Eve Ball, Woman Among Men in 2007. In 2009, The New Mexico Women's Forum placed a marker honoring Eve Ball along highway 380, in Lincoln County, New Mexico for "saving oral histories certain to be lost without her" In 1982. In that same year she was nominated for “The Medal of Freedom” and received a special joint U.S. Congressional Resolution.

Historians praised for never refusing any person who sought information from her, and that “her views…were a breath of fresh air.” Another wrote that there is “gladness that she came this way, and in our time.”\

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I T

n 1719, Spanish Franciscan missionaries built a chapel here dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Luz, Our Lady of the Light. he naming of the village is also attributed to the will o’wisp light in the canyon, a perpetually burning lamp in an elderly woman’s home and a signal fire left by the male settlers, which when seen by the female settlers exclaimed "¡La Luz! Allá está la luz!, The Light, there is the light!"

S T

ettlement of the village did not begin until around 1860, when settlers arrived from other villages devastated by floods on the Rio Grande. he plaza marks the spot of the original settlement of La Luz by non-Native Americans. This small park represents the original settlement that was surrounded by a thick adobe wall (Threinen). This area of land is not much bigger than a standard home site in modern times, but represents the heart of historic La Luz.

T

he adobe wall is no longer standing, but one can enjoy the peace of this park in the large gazebo. Some of the homes surrounding this park date back to the original settlement period as well.

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D.H. Sutherland House Located In La Luz This beautiful home was built in 1870 by Mariano Ramirez (Gutierrez) and has seen it's share of changes over time. This historic home located just south of the Presidio Parque boasts a colorful past including some famous New Mexico characters.

The honorable judge Albert J. Fountain spent what is believed to be his last night alive in the house. The judge was traveling with his young son to a trial in Las Cruces, New Mexico and stayed at the house on his way. The trial was controversial because it involved Oliver Lee and cattle rustling. Although he knew the dangers, Judge Fountain was determined to make it to Las Cruces to see justice served. He and his son spent a restful night at this home and then disappeared the next day. (Threinen) Their bodies were never recovered and their last hours remain a mystery until this day.

Another famous and colorful guest of the house was none other than Billy the Kid. The story is told that Pat Garrett was hot on the Kid's trail and Billy took refuge in one of the many chimneys in the house.

Welcomed by the owner at the time, Billy the Kid evaded Pat Garrett in this home. (Threinen) The home now boasts a beautiful garden that lights up with many colors of roses in warm weather. This beautiful private home retains much of the charm of early La Luz and is recorded in the National Register of Historic Places.

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SUNSPOT | TIMBERON | WEED

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Discover Ruidoso

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THE EARLY DAYS OF TIMBERON

By Bill Berkebile

The history of Timberon begins with the Indians that hunted, camped and basically covered the entire area with a thousand years’ worth of arrowheads. In the early 1900's, this was a part of Oliver Lee and the Circle Cross's vast cattle empire that controlled near a million acres of ranch land, stretching from Cloudcroft down to EI Paso. In 1933, Judge Paul Moss, of Odessa, Texas, purchased this area from The U.S. Department of the Interior. It is from this point on that Timberon's history can be accurately chronicled.

Judge Paul Moss was mostly interested in this area for agricultural purposes. He developed some extensive irrigation systems that supplied water from Carrisa Springs to the growing area in the valley where the present-day airstrip is located. Another interest of the Judge was the lodging and entertainment of his guests during hunting and social gatherings.

The Construction of the lodge building (Now the Community Center) is said to have begun in 1941, but it was interrupted during the period of World War II. Building was resumed after the war and was completed in about 1950. The lodge was made from logs of ponderosa pines which were as abundant in the area then as they are now. The logs were cut at a sawmill located near the site of today's maintenance barn on Edgewood Drive.

In the latter part of August 1952, a fire started at the mill and spread quickly across the valley, resulting in the large amount of burned-over terrain extending Story continues next page

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from about a half mile Southwest of the maintenance shop all the way to the mountain top (Jim Jeffries Peak) east of Carrisa Springs.

After the death of Judge Moss, the land was purchased from his heirs by Willie Farah of El Paso.

Farah had a substantial interest in aviation and lost no time in building! the little airstrip here.

The strip was not paved at that time but was adequate to accommodate small aircraft. In March of 1969, the land was sold by Farah to a group of businessmen, headed by Johnny Mobley who formed the corporation known as North American Land Developments. The name of Timberon for this development was chosen by Johnny Mobley during an informal business discussion in July 1969.

The first electric service was run to the development of Timberon in the Summer of 1971 by the Otero County Electric Cooperative.

The Timberon Fire Department was organized in October 1974, by J. I. (Joe) Fetters. The first fire truck, a 1951 Chevrolet/Howe was bought from Jal, New Mexico, Fire Department. A three-bay fire station was was completed at the beginning of 1982.

Frank Wheeler, Timberon's first pastor, began his work here. In 1975 his ministry involved bible study groups at the developer's sales office, this activity continued until it was moved to the lodge building in 1977. Construction of the Timberon Chapel was completed in May of 1979 In June of 1981 the Timberon Memorial Park Association (cemetery) was formed on two acres next to the Timberon Chapel. The first to be buried there was William J. Whitesell, Vice President of North American Land Developments, in May of 1983.

In December 1974, the U.S. Postal Service approved mail delivery to the lodge in Timberon. Prior to this, Timberon residents had to go to the Sunspot post office for their mail. In 1981, Don and Ruby Roberts were awarded the Community Post Office contract.

In the Fall of 1979, Timberon Precinct #18 was established by Otero County. The first election was held here on June 3, 1980, with 60 registered voters.

Telephone service was brought to Timberon in 1981 by Dell Telephone Cooperative. The only telephone service available before that was a radio/telephone unit located first at the lodge and later at the sales office.

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CHRISTMAS WORD SEARCH

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FOOTNOTES by GLORIA MARIE All the footnotes in my book tell a tale all their own Of what they gave an what I took from all those I have known.

They also tell a bit about things I lost and what I found; Some of hope and lots of doubt on my journey homeward bound.

Going on my crooked path with all its turns and bends I gave a tear or shared a laugh‌ What else is there to spend?

The stories written on those pages is the story of my life.

It covers all the different stages, the times of ease the times of strife.

I always took what I could get.

Nothing wrong to want to take From the people that I met, for my life I had to make.

My riches come from all of you, whether I took or if you gave, Sometimes many, sometimes few.

They are things I'll always save.

If I never win a race or never sail the seven seas, Even if I loose my place, still I'll keep my memories.

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”DECEMBER AGAIN”

By Junior Thurman, Artesia

Now, where’d I put that Christmas tree last January? Yep, it’s that time again, dig out the tree and ornaments, make room in the living room, trim the tree, plug in the lights, presto, Yuletide.

Bright lites, festive atmosphere. Holiday ready. “Joy to the world”........

Hmm, pluggin in, brings back old memories, no lights in one section of the tree? No problem, I’ve seen this before, you gotta check each little light to find the bad one, no biggie, just a matter of goin thru a hundred little bulbs to find the culprit. Turns out number ninety nine was the bad boy.

The tree has to be in one of my three sheds, that’s all I’ve got, three sheds, no room in my backyard for another shed, although the three are stuffed full of junk. (Part of my kids inheritance). I can hear em now, “Holy bleep, here’s my old bicycle, didn’t these people ever throw anything away?” Ha, along with being Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Cherokee, my wife is also a three quarter Packrat. After fifty three years of marriage and gathering, we’re stuffed to the gills with junk. I try to throw stuff away, but, my wife interferes, “Good grief, are you crazy, you can’t throw that away, we may need it someday,” my wife cautions. “Now give me that empty egg carton!” You’d think she was raised with my family on the poor side of town, but, not true, she was raised an only child, pampered and spoiled. Mysterious, huh?

Now, I, for one, hate diggin around in the sheds for stuff, fighting sticky cobwebs, spiders and bugs who’ve claimed ownership of everything in the shed. Me and the “granddaddy long legs spiders” have never been close friends. I can tolerate em, although I wouldn’t attend one of their conventions, which, I’ve learned from experience, most are held in storage sheds.....

“My god,” my wife yells, running out into the back yard, “I heard you screamin! What happened? Do I need to call 911?”

“Calm down,” I said, slapping at my arms, “Screamin?”

Heavens no, I calmly said, chuckling, “that musta been someone across the alley. Now be a good little wife and help me find my flashlight, I seem to have dropped it somewhere. There should also be a baseball bat in there somewhere, I’ll need it too, if you can find it.”

Yes, it’s December again, gettin ready for another Christmas........

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MEMORY BITS From TULARODSA

T

he following comes from the 1954 Tularosa High School graduating class, who presented addresses on the history of Tularosa at the recent commencement exercises.

In the early 1920's the need for a city waterworks was met with the construction of diversion dams by Curd and Hal Mitchell, and a purifying plant and round storage tank built by Sutton. The first main line to be laid was made of redwood.

Later it was replaced by an iron pipe. The cost of the waterworks was $75,000.00. No attempt was made for several years to begin paying off this debt.

When Jack Spence became mayor about 1928 he worked out with the state a refining deal whereby money was saved and the debt reduced. This enabled us to improve our water system. This also made good balances in city funds and began the good credit rating we now enjoy.

Tularosa's first link with highway 54 came about 1915 when R. D. Champion, as our County Commissioner, persuaded the other two to give him Tularosa's third of county road money. He got the state to match it, and with the full amount built the first road to Three Rivers.

This highway starts in Chicago, Ill., and ends in El Paso, Texas. Improvements were begun in the 1940s and the highway will be all paved by July 1954.

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DISCOVER RUIDOSO Highway 70 first went around the east side of Tularosa in front of Frank Smith's place, and down by Guillion's and Champion's. When they decided to pave it in 1933, the location was changed to where it is at the present time in the center of town. This highway starts in Atlantic City, Georgia, and ends in Los Angeles, Calif. These two highways, 54 and 70, give us connections with all parts of the nation.

Electricity came in on August 25, 1926. Ten years later, in 1936, the first telephones were installed.

During the years Gerald Champion was mayor he led in several other civic improvements. He started the gas company and chose butane because it provides 2/3 more heat per gallon than natural gas. He also put in the oil surface on the main street. In 1941 he supervised the construction of City Hall by W.P.A. labor, and the city government moved in in 1942.

The Tularosa Volunteer Fire Department was established on July 1, 1934. The chief at present is Vicente Gallegos, and the assistant chief is Raymond Young. It has 25 members of which 10 are high school boys. The rest are paid firemen who work at H.A.F.B. The money that maintains the department comes from the state and amounts to $4,000.00 a year. This organization has given such excellent protection during these years the insurance rate in Tularosa has been lowered several times.

They have just completed a beautiful new building which costs $11,000 that includes room not only for the fire fighting equipment but for a recreation area as well. First aid lessons are given to all members.

Another step forward was made when the sewer system was put in in the summer of 1953. It cost $224,000 and will be paid for from property tax money and revenues.

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100 YEARS AGO

1920 September 17, 1920 - The American Professional Football League is formed in 1920 with Jim Thorpe as its president and eleven teams. It would change its name to the National Football League in 1922.

â—? Prior to 1920, there were several football leagues that aspired to be professional football, predominantly the Ohio League and the New York Pro League. On August 20, 1920, representatives from four teams in the Ohio League (Canton, Cleveland, Dayton, and Akron) met. They decided for form the American Professional Football League and agreed to several rules; that they would not sign college players or players contracted to Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER RUIDOSO other teams and that there would be a salary cap. Another meeting was called for on September 17 in Canton, with an invitations to other clubs to join. Eleven team representatives showed up, elected Jim Thorpe as President, and agreed to form the league, although there would be no fixed schedule, minimum or maximum amount of games, and the winner would be determined in a vote at the end of the year. The franchise fee to join was $100. It is said, by George Halas, that no teams actually paid the fee.

So what would become of the original league members and who would make it to the first professional season of the changed name National Football League in 1922. ● Akron Pros - The Pros would make it to the 1922 season and play until 1926, folding one year later due to financial problems. ● Decatur Staleys - The Staleys would be sold to George Halas for $100 in 1921 and moved to Chicago, playing under the Staleys name for one season before being renamed the Chicago Bears. Yes, the franchise now known as the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. ● Buffalo All-Americans - The Buffalo team would continue in the league and subsequent NFL through the 1929 season, missing 1928 due to financial concerns. They were known by various names; the All-Americans (19201923), Buffalo Bisons (1924-1925, 1927, 1929), Buffalo Rangers (1926). The franchise was disbanded in 1930 and is not related to the current Buffalo Bills. ● Chicago (Racine) Cardinals - The Cardinals from Chicago joined the league during its initial season. It was known as Racine during the first two seasons, because of a mistake at the first meeting when the secretary thought they were from Wisconsin, not Chicago's Racine Avenue. The Chicago Cardinals played in that city until moving to St. Louis in 1960 and later to Arizona in 1988. ● Rock Island Independents - The Independents would play in the National Football League from 1920-1925, move to the American Football League in 1926, and disband in 1927.

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● Rochester Jeffersons - The Jeffersons played in the NFL from 1920-1925, were suspended for two seasons due to financial reasons, and folded thereafter. ● Canton Bulldogs - The team played in the NFL from 1920-1923 and 1925-1926. They were disbanded by the league when the National Football League decided to purge itself of twelve weaker franchises, including four original 1920 members. ● Detroit Heralds - They played as the Heralds in their first season of 1920 and the Tigers in 1921. During the 1921 season, they were disbanded and players assigned to the Buffalo All-Americans. ● Cleveland Tigers - Would play as the Tigers in 1920 and the Indians in 1921 before disbanding. ● Chicago Tigers - The Chicago Tigers played only one season in the league, with home games at Wrigley (Cubs) Field, and were the first NFL franchise to fold. ● Hammond Pros - Played from 1920-1926 in the NFL and were one of the twelve teams removed from the league after the 1926 season. ● Columbus Panhandles - Known as the Panhandles from 1920-1922 and the Columbus Tigers from 1923-1926. Were among the twelve teams removed from the NFL after their final season. ● Muncie Flyers - They would compete in the NFL for two seasons, 1920-1921, but play only three games against league opponents, who preferred to play stronger teams. They lost all three games. ● Dayton Triangles - The Dayton franchise played from 1920-1929 in the NFL, but due to a lack of home attendance, were primarily a road team for many of those years. In 1930, they were sold to a Brooklyn firm and then known as the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgers would merge with the Boston Yanks in 1945 and while half of that team would leave the league, the Yanks part would remain. the NFL finally sold its remnants to the Baltimore Colts in 1953

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From Southern New Mexico to the Moon - Celebrating ApolloAt the New Mexico Museum of Space History Fifty years ago, the imagination of the world took flight with America’s Apollo missions to the Moon.

Today, a new era of dreamers is joining the celebration of Apollo, and, at the same time, embracing the future of space travel as NASA, private industry, and several other countries are aiming for the Earth’s nearest neighbor and beyond.

At the New Mexico Museum of Space History, the Apollo program takes center stage. On the museum’s second floor, a wall of brightly colored backlit panels showcase the work of artist Chrystal Jackson, one of the forty-seven artists commissioned by NASA in the 1960s to document living and working at Cape Canaveral, Florida, during the Space Race. From square dancers on the beach to behind the scenes at the launch pad, these artists were given unprecedented access to the heartbeat of NASA’s space program.

Throughout the room in cases, visitors can catch a Story continues next page Read this, and past issues @ issuu.com/alamodosomagazine

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DISCOVER RUIDOSO glimpse of rare artifacts such as John Glenn’s EKG from space, a cutaway Apollo suit assembly, Apollo Service Propulsion System Engine, and many other items that bring the era to life.

As they wind your way through the museum, visitors will be encouraged to look for the framed photos of the International Space Hall of Fame Inductees. People can stop and read about the inductees’ contributions to space research and how they helped shape the world of today. These visionary pioneers from around the globe built the foundation that launched the Apollo missions.

From the Little Joe II rocket standing tall above the museum’s rocket park to Astronaut Memorial Garden and the Daisy Track exhibit, the museum pays tribute to the Tularosa Basin — the “birthplace of America’s space and missile programs.” Here, astronaut safety, engine testing, and many mission critical programs were put through their paces.

Inside the New Horizons Dome Theater, visitors can take a trip back in time to the golden era of space exploration as they watch Apollo 11 — First Steps, a large-format film created from previously unseen footage of the historic mission, using original audio from mission control, newscasters, and more to give the feeling of being there.

Monday and Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m - 5 p.m; Sunday, Noon–5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. Admission $8 Adults, $6 Children (4–12); Senior (60+)/Military/NM Residents $7, free for children 3 & under.

The Great Southwest Star Party is May 15, 16, & 17, 2020 with off-site viewing at scheduled at dark sky locations. The star party guests includes guest speakers, off-site excursions, workshops, mouthwatering foods, and unparalleled New Mexico hospitality.

● Adult Education ● Associate’s Degrees ● Certificate Programs

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hether you're looking for professional development or personal enrichment, these sixweek online courses are the perfect way to learn a new skill or enhance your existing ones.

You'll spend roughly two to four hours each week completing two engaging lessons in an enjoyable, interactive learning environment. Expert instructors develop and lead every course, and you'll be able to interact with them and with fellow students in lively online discussion areas. New sessions start every month, so you can sign up anytime. Upon completing a course with a passing score, you'll get an award of completion from your learning institution. ● Accounting and Finance

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There are over 21,000 petroglyphs at the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site at Three Rivers, New Mexico,[1] located midway between Tularosa and Carrizozo in Otero County on Highway 54. Many of the petroglyphs can be easily viewed from a trail open to the public which winds through the rocks for about one mile. The petroglyphs are thought to be the product of the Jornada Mogollon people between about 1000 and 1400 AD ● Who or what is Mogollon?

The cultural tradition archaeologists call Mogollon (pronounced mug-e-own) is named after the Mogollon Mountains of New Mexico, which are named after Don Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollón, a Spanish Governor of New Mexico (1712–1715).

Archaeologist Emil Haury was the first to describe the Mogollon archaeological culture as distinct from Hohokam and ancestral Pueblo groups. ● Where is the Mogollon region?

The Mogollon tradition is found in high-altitude and desert areas in the mountains and plateaus of what is now central Arizona, west-central and southern New Mexico, western Texas, and northern Sonora and Chihuahua. Mogollon settlements tend to be concentrated along rivers. Archaeologists have identified several “branches” of Mogollon culture in different areas. ● When did Mogollon culture flourish?

As archaeologists traditionally recognize it, Mogollon culture existed from approximately Story continues next page

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DISCOVER RUIDOSO A.D. 200 until sometimebetwe en 1400 and 1450.

Archaeologists divide this span into three periods: ● Early Pithouse (ca. A.D. 200–550), ● Late Pithouse (550–1000), and Mogollon Pueblo (1000 – 1400/1450). ● Classic Mimbres era (1000–1130) ● How did people make a living?

At first, people in these regions were mobile foragers. Beginning in the Late Pithouse period, however, they became more invested in farming maize (corn), beans, and squash, becoming less mobile as a result. As their dependence on maize agriculture increased, they built extensive irrigation features.

These are especially common along the Mimbres River during the tenth through twelfth centuries.

Elk, deer, turkeys, small game, wild plants, and other wild resources were probably always important in the diet of these farmers.

● Mogollon culture? How did it change through time?

During the Early Pithouse period, people tended to live in upland locations, building deep circular, oval, or amorphous pithouses, often with ramps or vestibules. They clustered these dwellings in small groups. People made brown pottery using the coilandscrape method, sometimes covering vessels with a red slip.

Around A.D. 550, at the beginning of the Late Pithouse period, groups shifted their settlement locations down to the first flat terraces above river floodplains. Pithouse forms shifted over time, ultimately becoming rectangular. Late Pithouse villages were large, with dozens of pit structures clustered

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ADVERTISING

Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.

Mark Twain

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ALAMO FUNATICS

together around a larger, more elaborate ceremonial pit structure. In this era, people also developed red-onbrown painted pottery, followed by whiteon-red, which was in turn followed by black-on-white.

Beginning around 1000, people in these regions began living in aboveground stone pueblos. Later in the Mogollon Pueblo period, there was a great deal of regional diversity in architecture, which could be of masonry or adobe construction, and in pottery, which embodies a variety of painted black-on-white and polychrome traditions.

Villages were usually located on valley floors near good agricultural land. Cliff dwellings, such as those at southwestern New Mexico’s Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument,became more common during the 1200s and 1300s.

The large adobe pueblos of the Upper Gila River and its tributaries (1200s–1400s), as well as the masonry pueblos of the Mogollon Rim area in Arizona (1200s–1300s), are some of the last in the Mogollon region with large populations.

Although much of the area where we find Mogollon culture was subsequently inhabited by more mobile groups, such as the Apache, many modern-day Pueblo people believe that Mogollon traditions are part of their heritage, band archaeology bears this out.

OPENING SPRING 2020

Six Jornada Mogollon Villages have been discovered by archeologists within the city limits of Alamogordo, as well as locations near Three Rivers, Tularosa and Bent.

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