Transcription of interview (See CD 12 B, Side 2) , 1/23/2009
File — translation missing: en.enumerations.container_type.container: Box 1, Folder: 25
Scope and Contents
Unable to open or hear - in Box 5). Notes taken from transcription. Lee and Ramona. Continuation of Lee’s story of remodeling the old railroad building, done by his grandfather and great uncle, they lived with Lee’s Dad and Mom. Lee’s folks stayed in the back porch that was added on, very cold or hot, no insulation or stove, you wrapped up a hot stone from the oven and took it to bed to sleep. In 1950 a better bedroom, bathroom and den were added. Another building was added for the new family trading post in the 1950s, Lee describes it. Explains where the photo of the Last Wagons was taken. Lee said when it belonged to the railroad, it was a station, original one burned and then built a two story one, and there was a telegraph room, cooking area, warehouse, baggage room, plus coal and water. Railroad let passengers out at Laguna and they walked through the village, women selling pottery. After 1906 the railroad moved the main tracks, straightened the route, by-passed Laguna, went West to New Laguna. Lee took pictures of the railroad in 1950. Lee said the term Old Laguna was not accurate, it was just Laguna (original village). Lee comments on the railroad boxcar families living and working along the tracks, starting around 1906 or 1890s, continued into the 1940s, Gallup, Winslow, Barstow, Santa Fe Railroad had a deal to hire Laguna men and fix the village water system. Lee had a recording and photos of an old man from Winslow telling about railroad work and living in a boxcar, was an elder, was in the Winslow band. Some of the Laguna people were educated and came back home. Lee had another recording of his Dad and Mom reminiscing at time Chris was born. Lee and Ramona return to discussion of Lee’s grandfather teaching at Acoma, as a White man was elected to be governor of Acoma, was well-respected, later married into the Acoma tribe, returned to Laguna, had Dripping Springs, bought it from his father-in-law, was already married in the tribe. Lee mentions again how his property passed from the tribe to the Baptism Mission from Wisconsin and to his grandfather and great uncle, and thus should be private land, but could not find the paperwork for this. Since those men were married into the tribe they did not get paperwork for it. Lee talks about his grandfather and great uncle and their family, some died of tuberculosis. Lee said used to be an old TB sanitarium in Laguna, operated aby the Indian Service, when he was born, before 195, had a lot of Navajos there, was torn down about 1953 and equipment thrown into the river. Lee said there was one building remaining, use as a clinic, he went there as a child had pneumonia and measles, the doctor came from Albuquerque, did nothing for him and said he would die for sure. Lee and Ramona talk about book by Josephine Foard on glazed Laguna pottery, looking for her kiln. Lee talks about the book about Foard by Dwight P. Lanmon, and the photographs of Laguna buildings in the book, and comments on photographer William Henry Jackson at Laguna, 1872, and problem with his camera and film. Lee thinks Jackson took photo of his grandfather at Acoma 1872. Lee was about 5 and recalls his death in the two-story house. Lee wants to learn more about the railroad building in Laguna, was in a different style, check with Santa Fe Railroad in St. Louis
Dates
- 1/23/2009
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 7 boxes (3.5 cu. ft., plus 1 oversize folder)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Creator
- From the Collection: Caplan, Ramona (Person)
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
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