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Joined: May 2005
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OP
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Always wondered why the town of Mesilla was so close to Las Cruces.
In 1848, the Treaty of Hidalgo put an end to the Mexican-American War. As a result, the border changed. People in the Las Cruces area who wanted to retain Mexican citizenship founded Mesilla, a little south of the new border. Unfortunately for them, the 1853 Gadsden Purchase made Mesilla part of the United States.
Speaking of Mesilla… back in 1871, both Republicans and Democrats wanted to hold rallies on the Plaza on the same day. Each concluded a night spent drinking and discussing politics with a march around the Plaza. When the two parties ran into each other, events took a seriously ugly turn. During the ensuing brawls and gunfire, nine men died and at least 40 more sustained injuries. Soldiers from Fort McRae descended and restored order, but no one was ever prosecuted. How come?
Because the judge assigned to investigate concluded that doing so was too hazardous to his health!
Ben
Some days it takes most of the day for me to do practically nothing...
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,251
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Don't blame him.
God I hope to make it to see that area some day.
FJB & FJT
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,450
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 1,450 |
I always like going to La Posta de Mesilla for dinner. Lots of history in that place.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 15,395
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 15,395 |
Thanks, Ben - didn't know that stuff.
NRA Member - Life, Benefactor, Patron
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,638
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
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My favorite Mexican restaurant in the world is in Mesilla. Live the drive under the pecan orchards as well on the back way into El Paso...
- Greg
Success is found at the intersection of planning, hard work, and stubbornness.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303 |
Ben, isn't that politically inspired shootout briefly referenced in "Triggernometry ?"
GTC
Member, Clan of the Border Rats -- “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”- Mark Twain
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Joined: May 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
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Greg, I have seen accounts in several different books. It wouldn't surprise me at all if that was one of them, but I would have to go back and look to be sure.
Ben
Some days it takes most of the day for me to do practically nothing...
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,484
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,484 |
My favorite Mexican restaurant in the world is in Mesilla. Live the drive under the pecan orchards as well on the back way into El Paso... Good Mexican food there!
Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla!
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,484
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69,484 |
Lots of feelings in Mesilla (and history) about the Oliver Lee and Albert Jennings Fountain mystery too!
Some of the nerves in Mesilla are still raw. As they are in Otero County on the Lee side of things.
Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla!
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Joined: May 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Lots of feelings in Mesilla (and history) about the Oliver Lee and Albert Jennings Fountain mystery too!
Some of the nerves in Mesilla are still raw. As they are in Otero County on the Lee side of things. Yep. I don't bring it up in either place, nor do I participate in the discussion if it does come up. I am nothing if not plumb peaceable.
Ben
Some days it takes most of the day for me to do practically nothing...
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 24,239
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Intereresting stuff, Ben. Thanks.
Never holler whoa or look back in a tight place
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,287
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,287 |
Lots of feelings in Mesilla (and history) about the Oliver Lee and Albert Jennings Fountain mystery too!
Some of the nerves in Mesilla are still raw. As they are in Otero County on the Lee side of things. Ran into a bit of that plumb up at Grants. Did a little electrical work on Mt Taylor for a woman I was wiring a house for. Her name was Bida Lee. I've met several of the Lee's over the years. I doubt that mystery will ever be solved.
I've always been a curmudgeon - now I'm an old curmudgeon. ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Another vote for LA Posta.
When they light the courtyard at Christmas is another time to be there.
About 3/4 of a mile from the wife's family home place. Some cousins still live there.
I miss shooting at the river when there during the holidays.
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Gadsden purchase was interesting, 10 million bucks for a better route for the railroad. That was pretty important considering the gold rush in California at the time, and not many good overland routes. Parts of the Oregon trail were impassible during winter, so a good southernly route was probably a top priority. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_Purchase
"Life is tough, even tougher if your stupid" John Wayne
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 1,077 |
Thank you for sharing! And we think politics are rough these days!!
I'm not on facebook but my wife is and she follows the detective that helped with the new Billy the Kid photo, I don't remember his name but I think he's out of Capitan. he has a lot of new evidence on the Fountain murders. Pretty wild stuff and a good read for history buffs.
"I used to be a tired hunting guide, now I'm just a re-tired hunting guide"
"No eternal reward will forgive us now, for wasting the dawn" JM
Jared
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