Miguel Antonio Otero Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-21-BC
Scope and Content
The collection is divided into eight series: I. Correspondence, 1890-1938; II. Governors papers, 1897-1905; III. Writings, 1897-1936; IV. Clippings/Scrapbooks; V. Business and political papers. VI. Memorabilia. VII. Miscellaneous. VIII. Oversize. The correspondence series contains business, political, and personal letters including correspondence with Bronson Cutting and with Otero's son, Miguel A. Otero III. Some of the correspondence is in Spanish. The governor's papers include files on bills before the territorial legislature, criminal sentences reviewed by Otero, state Republican party politics, and speeches. Writings include a manuscript of My Life on the Frontier, two manuscripts about Billy the Kid, as well as notebooks containing Otero's reminiscences of his life.
The Business and political papers series includes materials related to financial and legal matters, and political materials regarding the Democratic National Convention of 1924, Otero's service in the Panama Canal Zone, speeches by Otero, and material about the Tejon land grant. Memorabilia comprises the sixth series. Miscellaneous, unsorted materials of questionable provenance make up the seventh series. And, finally, there are a number of large maps and documents housed in an oversize folder.
The collection also contains a set of spurs and a knife. According to Otero, these items were given to him by Billy the Kid.
The Business and political papers series includes materials related to financial and legal matters, and political materials regarding the Democratic National Convention of 1924, Otero's service in the Panama Canal Zone, speeches by Otero, and material about the Tejon land grant. Memorabilia comprises the sixth series. Miscellaneous, unsorted materials of questionable provenance make up the seventh series. And, finally, there are a number of large maps and documents housed in an oversize folder.
The collection also contains a set of spurs and a knife. According to Otero, these items were given to him by Billy the Kid.
Dates
- 1819-1938 (bulk 1890-1938)
Creator
- Otero, Miguel Antonio, 1859-1944 (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Language of Materials
Spanish
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research; Box 13 is shelved in high security.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biography
Miguel A. Otero was born in St. Louis, Missouri, October 17, 1859. His parents, who had temporarily relocated to St. Louis, returned to New Mexico when Miguel was two years old. Educated at local schools and at Notre Dame, Otero took his first job working as a bookkeeper with the family firm, Otero, Sellar and Company. He later worked at the San Miguel National Bank, then entered politics in 1883 as City Treasurer of Las Vegas. Serving as clerk in various court offices and involved in the Republican party, Otero moved into a recognizable position in New Mexico state politics. In 1897, by serendipitous circumstance, Otero was appointed Territorial Governor of New Mexico. He was reappointed and remained governor until 1906.
Remaining active in politics throughout his life, Otero attended national conventions and served in a number of appointments including a term as U.S. Marshal of the Panama Canal Zone, 1917-1921. Over time he became disenchanted with the Republicans. He followed Teddy Roosevelt to the Progressive party, attending their national convention in 1912. By 1920 he switched to the Democrats, where he served as a member of the Democratic National Committee.
While his commitment to politics remained strong, Otero's desire to tell of his experiences in territorial New Mexico led to a prolific career as a writer. His stories were printed in national magazines and several of his books were published, most notably, My Life on The Frontier (New York: The Press of the Pioneers, 1935-1939), My Nine Years as Governor (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1940), and The Real Billy the Kid (New York: R.R. Wilson, 1936.)
Remaining active in politics throughout his life, Otero attended national conventions and served in a number of appointments including a term as U.S. Marshal of the Panama Canal Zone, 1917-1921. Over time he became disenchanted with the Republicans. He followed Teddy Roosevelt to the Progressive party, attending their national convention in 1912. By 1920 he switched to the Democrats, where he served as a member of the Democratic National Committee.
While his commitment to politics remained strong, Otero's desire to tell of his experiences in territorial New Mexico led to a prolific career as a writer. His stories were printed in national magazines and several of his books were published, most notably, My Life on The Frontier (New York: The Press of the Pioneers, 1935-1939), My Nine Years as Governor (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1940), and The Real Billy the Kid (New York: R.R. Wilson, 1936.)
Extent
13 boxes (9 cu. ft.) + 1 oversize folder
Selection of Otero Papers Online
A selection of digitized materials from the Miguel Antonio Otero Papers is available at the Center for Southwest Research's Manuscripts digital collections.
Separated Material
Photographs are housed in the CSWR Pictorial Collections. Ca. 100 photographs (loose) and 1 album. A selection of these photos are available via the Center for Southwest Research's digital collections.
Some artifacts received with the collection were transferred to the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico.
Horn chair, copper cauldron, lamp and shade, 4 fiddle-back chairs stored in Zim B25 closet. 45-star flag is stored in Zim vault., (Jan. 2012)
Some artifacts received with the collection were transferred to the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico.
Horn chair, copper cauldron, lamp and shade, 4 fiddle-back chairs stored in Zim B25 closet. 45-star flag is stored in Zim vault., (Jan. 2012)
Processing Information
Box 10 (Memorabilia) was added to the collection in September 2010.
Boxes 11-2 and some materials in Box 10 (memorabilia and ephemera) were added in January 2012 as the result of a long-term loan returned from the Albuquerque Museum.
Boxes 11-2 and some materials in Box 10 (memorabilia and ephemera) were added in January 2012 as the result of a long-term loan returned from the Albuquerque Museum.
Boxes 11-2 and some materials in Box 10 (memorabilia and ephemera) were added in January 2012 as the result of a long-term loan returned from the Albuquerque Museum.
Boxes 11-2 and some materials in Box 10 (memorabilia and ephemera) were added in January 2012 as the result of a long-term loan returned from the Albuquerque Museum.
Creator
- Otero, Miguel Antonio, 1859-1944 (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Miguel Antonio Otero Papers, 1819-1938 (bulk 1890-1938)
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Described by K. Ferris
- Date
- ©2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 21 BC::Miguel Antonio Otero Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss21bc.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 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
cswrref@unm.edu
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
cswrref@unm.edu