Newspaper Stories of Otero County, New Mexico

AN OLD TIMER DEAD.
James Hill Answers Death's Summons at La Luz.
James Hill, said to be the oldest settler from the states in New Mexico, died at La Luz last week. He was born in Estes county, Kentucky, in 1810, and came to Santa Fe in 1833.
In 1832 he cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and during his career in Kentucky he posed as one of the warmest friends of Henry Clay, his wife being a cousin of the great statesman.
During the Mexican war he owned a large hacienda near Chihuahua, Mexico, where he furnished provisions and forage for the American troops camped on the ground. For his loyalty to his country President Juarez imprisoned him and confiscated his estate.
President Lincoln brought pressure to bear which procured his liberation after which he again took up his home in the United States.

Source: New Mexican, November 5, 1900 - Transcribed by C. Anthony

Bride Stirred By Thought Of "Split Skirt" For Riding

The wedding ceremony was over and the excitement of the day was behind. The bride, Miss Edith Allen and the groom, Monroe Brantley, were on their way to their new home in Mayhill.
The wedding had been held in the home of the bride's parents. Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Allen, who had settled in Weed in 1900 in the then Keen Canyon and now known as Allen Canyon, honoring the pioneer family. The bride wore a dress of white lace for her wedding.
The couple had packed the hope chest and the bride's clothing in the buggy to start the journey to Mayhill. The side saddle, one of the necessary items of the household with the stores and neighbors so far apart, was laid out for packing when Monroe announced that it wouldn't be needed.
His bride questioned the move fearing she would have no means of transportation but the groom said "leave it for your sister" and she complied.

"Split Skirt"

When they reached the Netley store in Weed. Monroe announced to his bride, "Go in and buy yourself a split skirt."
If he had suggested a trip to the moon he could not have surprised her more. "A split skirt," she gasped. "Yes you are going to have a two stirrup saddle."
Edith wondered what her mother and her neighbors would think of such a daring thing, as her riding in a split skirt. But the day was just right for a bit of daring and buy it she did.
It proved that her husband had made a wise move, for they lived at the ranger station at Mayhill and could not drive the buggy nearer than 3 miles and had to even carry drinking water by horseback.
By the time the fire season was over, the shoddy material of 'Boughten' skirt was worn out but Mrs. Brantley had fallen in love with the ease and freedom of the skirt, so she bought some good material from the store and used the old skirt for a pattern.
The material of this skirt was good for it served many years and is still in good condition today. The saddle is still good too. It was one of the best that Sears-Roebuck had and cost the amazing high price of $45.
Mr. and Mrs. Brantley bought the store at Mayhill in 1918 and until1945 were the owners. They made improvements on the property, having several buildings by the time of their retirement.
Mr. & Mrs. Brantley moved to Artesia in 1952 and she still lives at 102 East Chisom. Mr. Brantley died in 1953.
Source: Not sure but believed to be Carlsbad Newspaper. Retyped by Virginia Stanbrough.

Rites Tomorrow For Mrs. Ruby Lois Stephens
By SALLY SPARLIN
The Otero county sheriff's office is cooperating with El Paso authorities in the search for some local in the mysterious murder of an 18-year-old expectant El Paso housewife, the former Ruby Lois Corn of Cloudcroft.
The victim, Mrs. Ruby Corn Stephens, was discovered Wednesday morning by her husband, James, strangled with the cord of her princess telephone, Sheriff James George confirmed after talking with El Paso police.
Police told local authorities that Stephens, an 18-year-old army specialist fourth class at Fort Bliss, had been on charge of quarters duty throughout Tuesday night and had returned home about 6:05 a.m. yesterday to find the kitchen window open. Becoming alarmed and finding the door unlocked, the young husband of only a few months discovered his wife's lifeless body on their bedroom floor.
Sheriff George quoted El Paso officers as recounting that Stephens had called his wife about 7:40 p.m. Tuesday and she reportedly told him she had eaten supper and that two of their friends had been there earlier but had left.
A pair of Army buddies questioned with Stephens yesterday were released along with the young soldier, and officers had indicated that they had established alibis.
"We don't have any reason to think that anyone from around Cloudcroft would have done this thing," Sheriff George said, "but we can't tell who her friends all were. She went to business school and worked in El Paso before she married, and there are so many people she could have known that her people don't know about."
Ruling in an inquest held yesterday was withheld pending further investigation, Justice of Peace Bob Lewis said, and an autopsy reportedly indicated Mrs. Stephens had been struck on the head with enough force to cause unconsciencness. Death, however, was due to strangulation. There is no indication that she had been sexually molested, as earlier reports indicated.
Sheriff George said that El Paso police related that the bedroom where Mrs. Stephens was found had been disheveled and that a dish containing rice was found broken on the floor.
He explained the fact that Mrs. Stephens' family was not notified until the story hit the El Paso papers by saying that the El Paso authorities told him they did not know she had relatives in Otero county. They had been told only that Stephens' parents were not living and that the victim's parents were killed in an October, 1962 auto accident north of Alamogordo.
They did not know, officers explained, that her brother Albert 12, and sister Cathy Lee, 16, both made their home with a aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fuller of Cloudcroft.
El Paso authorities today were continuing their questioning of neighbors in the area of the 2514 Federal residence of the victim following reports from at least two persons that dogs had been barking in the area about 1 a.m. Wednesday and a tip that a women had been heard sceaming about 1:20 a.m.

Services Friday

The Rev. Don Wright of Cloudcroft will officiate at Mrs. Stephens' funeral services, which will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Mullins-Hamilton chapel. Interment will follow in Monte Vista Cemetery.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, brother and sister, and guardians, include her parental grandmother, Mrs. Bessie Jolly of Merizon, Tex.; and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Fuller of Sacramento.
Pallbearers will be Hubert Powell, John Lewis, Jim Sherman, Phillip Fuller, Jessie Fuller, and W. F. Carter.
Friends may call at Mullens-Hamilton funeral home form 7-9 p.m. this evening and from 8 till service time Friday.
Submitted by Virginia Stanbrough from the El Paso Times, El Paso, Texas, August 28, 1966 and retyped by Andrew Lee Bristol

Local woman dies in Artesia car wreck
An Alamogordo woman was killed Wednesday in a two vehicle crash near Artesia.
According to the New Mexico State Police, a Chevrolet Caprice, driven by James Garrett, 69, of Alamogordo, was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 82 when it crashed into a Dodge truck. The police report stated that the driver of the Caprice swerved to the right, believing that the truck, driven by Joel Bell,53, of Artesia, was in his path. The driver of the pickup truck swerved left and the two vehicles collided.
Donna Garrett, 67, of Alamogordo was pronounced dead at the scene.
James Garrett, and four other passengers, the couple's grandchildren, were transported to Artesia Medical Center for treatment. The driver of the truck was not injured.
Alcohol was ruled out as a factor.
James Garrett is an employee of the Daily News. He drives trucks and services circulation accounts.
"Jim Garrett has been a very dedicated and hard working employee for the Daily News for a number of years," said publisher Richard Coltharp. "We are very saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts and prayers go out to Jim and his family during this difficult time."
Submitted by Virginia Stanbrough from Alamogordo Daily News and retyped by Andrew Lee Bristol

Visit the National Genealogy Trails website