Percy Bigmouth collection
Collection
Identifier: MSS-779-BC
Scope and Content
The unique components of this collection are Percy Bigmouth's holographic manuscripts of Lipan myths and legends, which were traditionally related orally. Bigmouth was worried that the oral tradition was slowly disappearing, and began writing the stories down. In his correspondence, he asks Martha Gene Neyland Harris to please correct his English. His writings include coyote stories, stories about fighting between the Lipan and Comanche, and stories about birds and animals. The stories give insight into the history, religion, social life and customs of the Lipan Apache, and to a lesser extent, the Mescalero Apache, Comanche, and people just south of the border in Mexico.
The collection also contains some correspondence, a few photographs and a statement providing background information on Martha Gene Neyland Harris and Percy Bigmouth. It also includes a 1958 article in Frontier Times, relating the story of the elder Big Mouth as told to Eve Ball. This story gives an account of the Mescalero Apache way of life and events surrounding their forced relocation to Fort Sumner in 1863.
The collection was donated to the Center for Southwest Research by Dr. Jackson Harris, husband of Martha Gene Neyland Harris.
The collection also contains some correspondence, a few photographs and a statement providing background information on Martha Gene Neyland Harris and Percy Bigmouth. It also includes a 1958 article in Frontier Times, relating the story of the elder Big Mouth as told to Eve Ball. This story gives an account of the Mescalero Apache way of life and events surrounding their forced relocation to Fort Sumner in 1863.
The collection was donated to the Center for Southwest Research by Dr. Jackson Harris, husband of Martha Gene Neyland Harris.
Dates
- 1940-2003
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution..
Background Information
Martha Gene Neyland Harris spent her teenage summers at a family cabin in Ruidoso, NM. She often rode horseback to the top of Mount Baldy (Sierra Blanca). Since Mount Baldy was on the Mescalero Reservation, riders were required to check in and out at the ranger station, which was then manned by Percy Bigmouth, who was half Mescalero and half Lipan Apache. Bigmouth and Gene Neyland developed a friendship and in the off season, they corresponded. In 1948, Bigmouth began sending her his stories of Lipan history and legends.
Extent
1 box (.3 cu. ft.)
Abstract
The unique components of this collection are Percy Bigmouth's holographic manuscripts of Lipan myths and legends. The collection also includes background materials such as articles, letters, and a few photographs.
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Percy Bigmouth collection, 1940-2003
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- B. Silbergleit
- Date
- ©2006
- 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
- 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