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"Stories of old time happenings in and around Deming, New Mexico, as told by Walter Lusk. 4 p. Submitted by John M. Trujillo, researcher for the survey, in Deming, NM. Lusk was a cattle breaker, worked on Uncle Steve Birchfield's cattle ranch, near the Florida Mountains. Lusk was chased by the Apache Kid and Apaches. He describes a battle near Brass Kettle Springs, 1894, between the Buffalo Soldiers from Fort Bayard and the Native Americans, casualties, burials. Lusk discovered the burned body and wagon of a mining prospector in area, 1894-1896, whose skull was displayed in Deming saloons. He relates story of gun fight between Mexican cattle rustlers and Walter Birchfield and Johnny Clemens, of the Birchfield Ranch, along Mexican border. Also an acccount in 1897 of the Timoche Indians seizing Palomas, Mexico, stealing the ammunition from the Customs House and buying all the groceries in the stores, with money. The Mexican forces came after them and Lusk witnessed the battle that ensued at Boca Grande River. Mentions the main leisure entertainment in Deming was the saloon, gambling and horse racing. The race track was located where Silver Avenue is now, Deming. Lusk had a winning horse, describes his briddle and Spanish rawhide quirt., 1909-1939

 Item — Folder: 1

Scope and Content

From the Collection: This collection is comprised of 7 miscellaneous typed items, perhaps never sent to the Library of Congress during the New Deal era. Item 3 was removed and cataloged - See Separated Materials. These papers provide a small sample of the work done in the state under two of the New Deal Federal Work Progress Administration programs. Included are five undated submissions by New Mexico researchers to the Historical Records Survey Division. There is a translation of the 1760s document for the donation of land for the Our Lady of Light Chapel in Santa Fe and a retelling of local traditions about the 1847 Taos Revolt and Massacre. Others are a report of the 1863 raids by Navajo bands on cattle ranches around Las Vegas, Indian depredations, and a story from the 1890s of mining, ranching, cattle rustling and Apaches around Deming, New Mexico. The last is a 1919 letter about missionary work among the Hispanic New Mexicans in Santa Fe and Sororro. There are two letters from 1938 and 1939 referring to the English translations of the Spanish Archives of New Mexico that were completed in the state. One letter comments on some of the interesting topics in the documents.

Dates

  • 1909-1939

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 1 folder (7 items)

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451