Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1889-12-27
source date: 1889
availability: public-domain

A Killing A telegram was received by Sheriff White- hill last evening announcing the killing at Separ of Pat Himes, by Walter Birchfield, W. H. King, Pat Devine and W. A. Bradshaw. Yesterday evening Deputy Sheriffs Card and George Park- er left on horseback for Separ, making a night ride for the scene of the tragedy. At this writ- ing the cause of the trouble is unknown. All the parties are well known cowboys. King was formerly in the employ of Head & Heart, at Apache Tejo. One year ago last Fourth of July, he had a difficulty at the Board of Trade in this city, in which he was stabbed in the side. The body of a Mexican was found by the side of a half skinned cow in the Capitan moun- tains, near Lincoln. If it had not been for the bullet hole in his head it would have been thought that the cow kicked him to death. ( 30 ) new Mexico Morch, 1952 *7^0 'Pitmeeib 'Sy £(*u*uz 7?t. Tftcax Elizabeth c. t. warren and m. r. Koehler Wright were great pioneering spirits whose vision and labor helped to beat a savage wilderness into the full life that is the Southwest. These two pioneers of southwestern New Mexico were close friends and business associates; they have left a lasting imprint on the history of New Mexico.

great pioneering spirits whose vision and labor helped to beat a savage wilderness into the full life that is the Southwest. These two pioneers of southwestern New Mexico were close friends and business associates; they have left a lasting imprint on the history of New Mexico. Elizabeth Warren was 27 when she helped to organize a hospital in the rough mining camp that was Silver City and assisted at the first operation there. She saw that seed grow into the fine Silver City General Hospital, and it was there 63 years later that she was taken in her final illness to die at the age of 90 after a lifetime of accomplishments. I first met Mrs. Wright, the other member of this famous duo of pioneers in 1890. In that year I had finished the one-room school at Lordsburg, and with my sister was sent to school in Silver City, where I had been told the school superintendent was M. R. Koehler. I had expected to find a man in charge, but it was a woman who took me in hand — a most attractive woman — tall, blue eyes, brown hair, of magnetic personality, with an en- veloping interest in others. I afterwards learned that she used the mascu- line signature and adopted the masculine attitude in order to emphasize her responsibility as school superintendent. Woman’s place at that time was where man, not her abilities, put her.

lity, with an en- veloping interest in others. I afterwards learned that she used the mascu- line signature and adopted the masculine attitude in order to emphasize her responsibility as school superintendent. Woman’s place at that time was where man, not her abilities, put her. Elizabeth Warren and Miss Koehler refused to accept the shibboleth that it was a man’s world. They made a place for themselves — and a name for themselves — competing with men. Elizabeth Warren, nee von \\ achcnhuscn, was born in Brooklyn, and there as a young woman married Orange Scott Warren. He and his young wife lived in and traveled in many places, Arkansas. Central America, California, the Pacific North- west, before settling in New Mexico. At Silver City Warren knew he had reached trail’s end. He sent for his family. Elizabeth nun- have had doubts when she looked out the window of the railroad coach in 1882 at Lordsburg, which was as close as the iron horse went to Silver City, for it was a rough, unbeautiful tow n of false-front buildings, where water was scarce and whiskey plentiful, w here cow bows filled the one street w ith shooting and shouting, and gave point to a fellow passengers remark, “If this is Lordsburg. I hope l will newer see Devilsburg March, 1952 Item lllexico

ul tow n of false-front buildings, where water was scarce and whiskey plentiful, w here cow bows filled the one street w ith shooting and shouting, and gave point to a fellow passengers remark, “If this is Lordsburg. I hope l will newer see Devilsburg March, 1952 Item lllexico She may have doubted it when she went into that community’s only hotel, which was one large room divided into sleeping stalls by rough boards which did not reach as high as the ceiling, if there had been a ceiling; she may have doubted it when the next day she journeyed to Silver City by stage coach whose six horse had heavy going through the deep sand; she may have doubted it when she looked at the cavalry escort which protected that coach from Geroninro’s raiding Apaches; she may have doubted it when she began to adjust herself to the hardships of frontier life in Silver City. But she no longer doubted when she understood the fundamentals of the Southwest — the high and dry and brilliant climate, the majestic mountain scen- ery and the fertile river bottoms, the breadth of soul which comes from the abundant challenge of forest-land and mineral formations and cattle ranges. On such a stage she knew that only great drama could be played, and she readied herself for the star part she was to take.

ery and the fertile river bottoms, the breadth of soul which comes from the abundant challenge of forest-land and mineral formations and cattle ranges. On such a stage she knew that only great drama could be played, and she readied herself for the star part she was to take. Mr. Warren opened the first insurance office in Silver City. His field also embraced Mogollon, Lordsburg, Clifton, Carlisle, Central, Santa Rita and Georgetown (then the most noted silver min- ing camp in the West). He also conducted a real estate business. In both ventures he was successful. That section was then in bonanza, both in mining and in ranching. Entering into the life of her community, Eliza- beth joined the movement projected by her sewing society which resulted in the creation of the Grant County Charity Hospital Society. This organiza- tion secured an appropriation from the Legislature of $250 a month to operate an institution which the mining activities with its accidents and the frontier violence of untamed men made necessary.

ulted in the creation of the Grant County Charity Hospital Society. This organiza- tion secured an appropriation from the Legislature of $250 a month to operate an institution which the mining activities with its accidents and the frontier violence of untamed men made necessary. “The first hospital was a four-room cottage,” Mrs. Warren told the Silver City Enterprise in 1932. It was acquired in the year 1 882. and occu- pied the site in the northeastern section of Silver City, where the Black Range Lumber Company planing mill stood before it was destroyed by fire two years ago. The Laizure planing mill was first erected on the spot. ‘Of course, we had to decide upon an operating room, and we reserved a room for that purpose. Next arose the question of light. We had nothing but oil lamps. J here were no electric lights in those days. There were never any operations per- formed at night. There could be no emergency or other operations except during daylight hours. We had a hole cut in the roof of the operating room. The patient was placed on a deal table, similar to those used in kitchens except that it was much longer than the average.” The first sufferer to be laid on that table was a cattleman s wife. She had a ruptured bladder, the result of childbirth.

roof of the operating room. The patient was placed on a deal table, similar to those used in kitchens except that it was much longer than the average.” The first sufferer to be laid on that table was a cattleman s wife. She had a ruptured bladder, the result of childbirth. 1 )r. W . M. Slough chose Ed. Luke, a wholesale liquor dealer in Silver City, to administer the chloroform. Ld was a (Continued on Page 37) M. R. Koehler Wright. The photograph was wade in New York in the eighties before coming to New Mexico to help establish New Mexico A. and M. College 'W' Elizabeth Warren. Her imagination and hard work made her an out- standing woman in a “man’s world” graduate of medical school, but had never followed the profession, preferring to merchan- dise whiskey. For his assistant, the doctor chose Elizabeth Warren. He showed her pictures in his medical books, so she would know what to expect, and explained to her the duties of washing sponges, threading needles, and hand- ling instruments.

rofession, preferring to merchan- dise whiskey. For his assistant, the doctor chose Elizabeth Warren. He showed her pictures in his medical books, so she would know what to expect, and explained to her the duties of washing sponges, threading needles, and hand- ling instruments. The operation began at 1 p. m., its time set by the sun, whose rays must fall upon the patient at the right angle. The day was hot, terribly hot. Elizabeth, standing under the skylight and drenched by the sunlight, was about to faint, when the woman’s husband put a wet sponge in his big Western hat, and clapped it upon her head. The operation was a long and difficult one. The sunlight left the woman’s body. Elizabeth took a large mirror from the wall and flashed the reflected light upon the incision where the doctor was work- ing. She had to change the angle of the glass as the sun dropped toward the horizon; the strain on her arms became a terrible ache; she trembled, the precious spot of light left its target at times, and the doctor swore tremen- dously. Four hours of time did that, the first operation in Silver City, consume — four terrible hours; but it saved the woman’s life.

strain on her arms became a terrible ache; she trembled, the precious spot of light left its target at times, and the doctor swore tremen- dously. Four hours of time did that, the first operation in Silver City, consume — four terrible hours; but it saved the woman’s life. From that crude beginning has grown the Silver City General Hospital, one of the most modern in New Mexico, a monument to the work of Mrs. Warren and the others who made it possible. When she was taken there, 63 years later, suffering from a broken hip, she received care and comfort and luxuries which would not have been thought possible, in that early day. Mr. Warren died three years after finding his ideal home. Elizabeth took over the busi- ness, enlarged it, and by the force of her ex- panding personality made it greater than he would probably have done. She created in the spirit of the Southwest. Part of the time she had the assistance of her friend and business associate, Miss Koehler, who later became Mrs. Frank J. Wright. The insurance business included fire, life, accident and plate-glass. Silver City’s first plate-glass was dragged across the sandy wastes by ox cart. The Indians were still on the loose when Mrs. Warren became the “man of the family,” for not until 1886 did Geronimo sub- mit to American arms, and go upon' a reser- vation. But nothing dismayed her.

r City’s first plate-glass was dragged across the sandy wastes by ox cart. The Indians were still on the loose when Mrs. Warren became the “man of the family,” for not until 1886 did Geronimo sub- mit to American arms, and go upon' a reser- vation. But nothing dismayed her. She was probably the first woman in the United States to own a recording agency. At least no information to controvert the claim has come to light. She organized and operated the Grant County Abstract Company, which for so many years served Silver City, Lords- burg, Deming and other parts of that broad land. She was the first woman to be appointed a general insurance agent in the Territory of New Mexico, and the first woman to be com- missioned a notary public in the Territory. Old-timers still remember the long lines of miners and prospectors at her office door, wait- ing for her to affix the notarial seal and signa- ture to the papers which represented their mineral holdings. In 1901, Mrs. Warden entered a new bn&i-- ness. She acquired the old Timmer Hotel, a three-story brick structure containing 50 rooms, on Broadway between Hudson and Main streets. This she remodeled and re- named the Hotel San Vicente. The Hotel San Vicente, its facilities organized under medical

en entered a new bn&i-- ness. She acquired the old Timmer Hotel, a three-story brick structure containing 50 rooms, on Broadway between Hudson and Main streets. This she remodeled and re- named the Hotel San Vicente. The Hotel San Vicente, its facilities organized under medical supervision, was a sanitarium, and it was also a hotel for travelers. Its meals became famous. Alas, for such table d’hotes you must now turn to the forgotten pages of history. The San Vicente lasted only a few years, forced to close at the height or its popularity and prosperity by a flood which turned Main street into what is now Silver City’s “Big Ditch.” Undaunted by loss of the San Vicente, Mrs. Warren went on to extend her business activi- ties into other fields — even including contract- ing. The venture into contracting occurred when Silver City decided to replace wooden sidewalks with concrete. No one in Silver City knew much about concrete; Mrs. Warren, who owned much property, and therefore would have a big paving bill, sent to El Paso for ex- perts to instruct her. The first concrete side- walk to be laid in Silver City was in front of her office on Bullard street. She had so much success that others in Silver City asked her to do their concrete work.

ore would have a big paving bill, sent to El Paso for ex- perts to instruct her. The first concrete side- walk to be laid in Silver City was in front of her office on Bullard street. She had so much success that others in Silver City asked her to do their concrete work. She opened a pit of excellent sand, erected a rock crusher at Bullard and College avenue, then opened a saw mill, and carpenter, black- smith and paint shops, and a rock quarry. To the success of this venture many impressive buildings and much stone and concrete work testify.

She opened a pit of excellent sand, erected a rock crusher at Bullard and College avenue, then opened a saw mill, and carpenter, black- smith and paint shops, and a rock quarry. To the success of this venture many impressive buildings and much stone and concrete work testify. The hospital-work was only one of Mrs. Warren’s civic activities. She was always work- ing for her city. She was a wheel horse in the movement, put under way by John W. Flem- ing, one of the early mayors, to raise funds for sending representatives to Santa F6 to wangle an appropriation from the Legislature to estab- lish a Normal School in Silver City. This grew into State Teachers College. She was early a member of the Women’s Club, and secretary of the Board of Education. She was a moving spirit in the Business and Profession- al Women’s Club. She was one of the prin- cipal contributors to the building of the Episcopal church and parish house in Silver City. The silver plaque which the Grand Chapter of the O. E. S. presented to her on its 25th anniversary was symbolical of the love and respect with which she was held, not only by her fraternal group, but by the community of her choice — and the larger community that was New Mexico. It was in January, 1945, that death came to this grand old pioneer — in the hospital she had visioned 63 years before.

and respect with which she was held, not only by her fraternal group, but by the community of her choice — and the larger community that was New Mexico. It was in January, 1945, that death came to this grand old pioneer — in the hospital she had visioned 63 years before. Mrs. Warren’s long-time friend, M. R. Koehler Wright, had earned a record as an educator before joining in association with Mrs. Warren. Born in Pontiac, New York, in 1861, she graduated from Normal school in Buffalo and taught at Princeton, Indiana, be- fore coming to New Mexico at the invitation of Hiram Hadley. Professor Hadley was conducting a private school which was to be the nucleus with her help of the A. and M. College at Las Cruces. The A. and M. College was created by the Legislature in 1889, and so her efforts, spread over two years, entered into the cornerstone of that institution. Her success in Las Cruces brought the offer of superintendent of the Silver City school. It was only a four-room school (a fifth room was added soon after), but with the exception of Raton, Silver City alone in the Territory had a public school of any importance. Discipline was lax, and the curriculum lacked direction, when M. R. Koehler took over. She soon remedied that. She established order in school life, she introduced the ideal of cleanliness in the building and on the

ne in the Territory had a public school of any importance. Discipline was lax, and the curriculum lacked direction, when M. R. Koehler took over. She soon remedied that. She established order in school life, she introduced the ideal of cleanliness in the building and on the grounds, she introduced new social and cul- tural standards — directing playground activi- ties, buying and raising, with appropriate cere- mony, the school’s first American flag, placing a piano in the school, directing plays, and launching a school paper, the High School Herald (five cents a copy, 10 cents a month, 75 cents a year) of which The Silver City Enterprise said: “The new high school paper, under the editorial management of Miss Mabel' Miller and Master Eugene Warren, is a spicy little medium through which the doings of our public school are transmitted. Its subject mat- ter is both rosy and interesting.” Largely because of the sound foundations which M. R. Koehler built into the young minds of her day, Silver City’s Normal school was able to enroll a large class of well-grounded students, when it opened its doors, and it sent Out one graduate that first year — Isabell L. Eckles, who was to become State Superintend- ent of Public Instruction in New Mexico. For 17 years M. R. Koehler directed the Silver City school, whose fame extended far beyond the Territorial limits.

opened its doors, and it sent Out one graduate that first year — Isabell L. Eckles, who was to become State Superintend- ent of Public Instruction in New Mexico. For 17 years M. R. Koehler directed the Silver City school, whose fame extended far beyond the Territorial limits. In 1907 she resigned from that position to become the business associate of Elizabeth C. T. Warren, who had added contracting to her other activities. Miss Koehler learned with Mrs. Warren the exactions of concrete, a new and little understood form of construction in that part of New Mexico. It was she who personally superintended the laying of these sidewalks, which set a new standard in dur- ability. She was 46 when she undertook this new activity, and her success in the contracting business — in which she advanced from side- walks to building construction — testifies to the virility of her mind, the ability to keep on learning, which is the proof of educational power. In 1916 she married Judge Frank J. Wright, one of the most distinguished and most highly respected attorneys in Silver City. She retired from business, but rejoined the Warren activi- ties 10 years later when the judge died. She died in 1949 after a lifetime of achieve- ments that have earned her a niche in New Mexico’s Hall of Fame.

distinguished and most highly respected attorneys in Silver City. She retired from business, but rejoined the Warren activi- ties 10 years later when the judge died. She died in 1949 after a lifetime of achieve- ments that have earned her a niche in New Mexico’s Hall of Fame. The foregoing article, taken from the March 1952 issue of the New Mexico Magazine, is published here because it portrays so well the character of so many of New Mexico’s pioneer women. It is true that Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Warren were outstanding examples, but there were many, many of these pio- neer women, grandmothers and great- grandmothers of many of our present- day prominent families, whose stories were never told but whose pioneering spirit, equaled and even surpassed that of the two whose story you have read.

g examples, but there were many, many of these pio- neer women, grandmothers and great- grandmothers of many of our present- day prominent families, whose stories were never told but whose pioneering spirit, equaled and even surpassed that of the two whose story you have read. THE GRANT HOUSE (at times called the Pioneer House or Marble House) in Shakespeare, near present day Lordsburg, was built and added to between 1858 and 1872. Meals were served here to stagecoach passengers. During the 1870’s the late Caesar Brock, pioneer Grant County rancher, hunted the meat served — deer and antelope. The sign (which was not there in the old days) is a quote of Mr. Brock’s when asked about the Grant House menu of the ’70’s. This front dining room was also used as a hanging room because of the convenient timbering. A list of those hung here is not available. or meet a more deserved fate. From almost all gun did not work well, and while fooling with sections of the county comes similar reports. The law so far has proven inadequate to the occasion, and the example set at Georgetown will doubtless soon be followed in several sec- tions. Another Shooting

fate. From almost all gun did not work well, and while fooling with sections of the county comes similar reports. The law so far has proven inadequate to the occasion, and the example set at Georgetown will doubtless soon be followed in several sec- tions. Another Shooting The Enterprise is again under obligations to Edna du Ray for an interesting item. The trouble occurred Monday evening about 5 o’clock. Edna and Lucy Washington, colored, had a misunder- standing. Edna got her gun, and it is said fired one shot at Lucy, just for luck. This enraged the colored lady to such an extent that she defied Edna to try it again. It seems that the it Millie Forest whs shot in the foot. Lucy swore out a warrant for Edna, but on the following morning withdrew the charge, stating that she knew nothing about the shooting. The principal sufferer, therefore, is Millie Forest, who will need the attention of medical treatment for some time. It would appear to an uninterested spectator that Edna will yet get herself into serious trouble. She seems to have but little trouble in avoiding the law. LATER. — The wound was of a very serious nature, and the probabilities are that ampu- tation may be necessary. The bullet, of 45 cali- bre, passed through the foot, and pulverized the bones of the ankle.

rious trouble. She seems to have but little trouble in avoiding the law. LATER. — The wound was of a very serious nature, and the probabilities are that ampu- tation may be necessary. The bullet, of 45 cali- bre, passed through the foot, and pulverized the bones of the ankle. The case came up before Judge Lucas Wednesday, when the colored girl testified that Edna drew the gun, and it was discharged acci- dentally, the bullet striking Millie ; that Edna was so excited that she accidentally discharged the weapon again. In the warrant which she swore out for the arrest of Edna, she stated that the first shot was fired at her, and that the next shot was accidental. It looks like the thing had been fixed up, and probably “hush money” used. The matter should receive the attention of the grand jury. There is a law against making gun plays, and it should be enforced. The colored girl paid the costs amounting to $3. While Judge Lucas could do nothing fur- ther under the evidence, the result is clearly a travesty on justice. The Hachita Affair All of the Shooters Apprehended. — How And Where They Were Arrested

ys, and it should be enforced. The colored girl paid the costs amounting to $3. While Judge Lucas could do nothing fur- ther under the evidence, the result is clearly a travesty on justice. The Hachita Affair All of the Shooters Apprehended. — How And Where They Were Arrested There are so many rumors in regard to the killing at Hachita, that it seems almost im- possible to get at the real facts in the premises. From all that can be learned, it looks very bad for those who are supposed to have been impli- cated in the killing. It seems that Walter Birchfieid, W. H. King, Pat Davine and W. A. Bradshaw were drinking and having a big time. According to the Liberal the saloon keeper, just before dark, succeeded in getting them outside and locked the door. This so enraged the boys that they began shooting up the town. Earlier in the day Pat Hines had celebrated Christmas and had gone outside and laid asleep along side of the saloon. The shooters dis- covered him and turned their guns on him “just to see him kick.” Poor Hines never “kicked.” After a few more shots the boys rode out of town. When the people got out they found Hines dead. Shot by the cowboys. Telegrams were sent Sheriff Whitehill and Judge Jones. Hines was a poor Irishman who has been in this part of the country for some time. He for- merly worked on a section for the Southern Pacific company. Birchfieid and Bradshaw were arrested near Chase & McCabe’s ranch, in the lower Animas.

ent Sheriff Whitehill and Judge Jones. Hines was a poor Irishman who has been in this part of the country for some time. He for- merly worked on a section for the Southern Pacific company. Birchfieid and Bradshaw were arrested near Chase & McCabe’s ranch, in the lower Animas. The story of the killing as told above from the Liberal, is probably not correct. The Enter- prise learns on what it considers fairly good authority, that Hines was in the shaft house, was called to the door and shot. He was only hit by one bullet. It is said that Devine claims that Hines shot at him and powder burned his face, and that Walter Birchfieid picked the powder out, but this story is not accredited by those who are somewhat familiar with the cir- cumstances. The citizens of Hachita stated to the offi- cers that Bradshaw was not drunk, and did what he could to keep the boys from shooting up the town. Bradshaw was then turned loose. It is also stated that King had left town before the killing occurred. It seems that Pat Devine, who has made good his escape into the Sierra Madre, is accredited with doing most of the shooting. Sheriff Whitehill did not expect to find Pat Devine in Tombstone, but strange to say, he ( 2 )

that King had left town before the killing occurred. It seems that Pat Devine, who has made good his escape into the Sierra Madre, is accredited with doing most of the shooting. Sheriff Whitehill did not expect to find Pat Devine in Tombstone, but strange to say, he ( 2 ) arrived there the same night, and although well disguised, King’s friends, who were an- xious for his capture, soon spotted him, and Sheriff Whitehill was informed of the fact. The sheriff lost no time in getting after his man, but he had left town and taken to the hills. Whitehill offered a reward of $100 for his cap- ture, and in person, although worn out with travel, took the trail and followed it for some distance. Pat was finally arrested near Fair- banks, and the reward paid. He had cut off his mustache and discarded his false teeth, and it is said that these slight changes in his toilet so altered his appearance that his mother would not have recognized him. He had nothing to say to the reporter, but looked tough and dis- appointed. Walter Birchfield did not have anything to say in particular, but did not appear in bad spirits. He said it was not as bad an affair as reported. He was sure that Billy King was not there at the time of the killing. It is said Walter has stated that Devine did the shooting.

Birchfield did not have anything to say in particular, but did not appear in bad spirits. He said it was not as bad an affair as reported. He was sure that Billy King was not there at the time of the killing. It is said Walter has stated that Devine did the shooting. It is said that several Mexicans and one American were also shot at by the cowboys. The Little Fannie, Frank Vingoe’s big prop- erty in the Mogollons, has recently been incor- porated. The incorporators are Frank Vingoe, M. W. Neff and S. T. Harkey. The mine is capitalized at 250,000 shares at $5 per share. There is said to be $100,000 worth of ore al- ready mined in the property.