George A. Viles Personal Diaries
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0396
Scope and Content
The collection consists of transcripts of diaries of George A. Viles. The first diary is from 1898 and the diaries pick up again in 1912 and continue until 1950 when Viles died. The diaries are arranged chronologically. The diaries were transcribed by Meredith A. Hmura and were used to write her book Mountain View Ranch, 1915-1945, which is also in the collection.
The diary entries are short and often speak of the work done at the ranch and of the weather. They give an idea of what life was like on a ranch and the kind of work involved in keeping it running.
The diary entries are short and often speak of the work done at the ranch and of the weather. They give an idea of what life was like on a ranch and the kind of work involved in keeping it running.
Dates
- 1898-1950
- 1898-1950
Language of Materials
English
Access and Use Restrictions
This material may be examined by researchers under supervised conditions in the Search Room.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright and other applicable statutes.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred to New Mexico State University.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred to New Mexico State University.
Biographical Note
George A. "Skipper" Viles was a cattle and dude rancher. He was owner of the Mountain View Guest Ranch near Cowles, New Mexico on the upper Pecos River in the Santa Fe National Forest. He began keeping a diary in 1898 when he traveled to Alaska. Before returning to New Mexico, Viles worked in Seattle at a dairy. He worked a variety of jobs in New Mexico and Arizona and while working for Fred and Elmer Robinson at their sawmill, he met his future wife, Matie Martinez Robinson. In 1910 they moved back to Cowles, where Viles was raised.
A self taught man, Viles received formal education only to the fourth grade. He taught himself how to play the stock market, and used his earnings to help finance and improve the ranch. He had sold the Mountain View Ranch in 1945, but continued to live on the land. At the time of his death in 1950, his estate was valued at over $300,000.
A self taught man, Viles received formal education only to the fourth grade. He taught himself how to play the stock market, and used his earnings to help finance and improve the ranch. He had sold the Mountain View Ranch in 1945, but continued to live on the land. At the time of his death in 1950, his estate was valued at over $300,000.
Extent
5.0 Linear Feet
Abstract
Viles was the owner of the Mountain View Ranch, a popular dude ranch, near Cowles, New Mexico. His journals begin in 1898 when Viles took a trip to Alaska. They pick up again in 1912 and continue until his death in 1950. The diaries have been transcribed by Meredith A. Hmura who used them as research for her book, which is in the collection. Mountain View Ranch, 1915-1945, which is in the collection.
Acquisition
- RG98-002 Gift of Meredith A. Hmura
General
Contact Information
- Archives and Special Collections
- New Mexico StateUniversity Library
- P.O. Box 30006
- Las Cruces, New Mexico88003-8006
- Phone: (575) 646-3839
- Fax: (575) 646-7477
- Email: archives@nmsu.edu
- URL: https://lib.nmsu.edu/archives/
General
- Title
- Register of the George A. Viles Personal Diaries, 1898-1950
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Processed by Portia Vescio with Roxanne Klunczyk
- Date
- © 2001
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//New Mexico State University::Archives and Special Collections//TEXT (US::NmLcU::Ms 396::George A. Viles Personal Diaries)//EN" "nmlcu1ms396.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository