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mudhen Offline 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

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Don't blame him.

God I hope to make it to see that area some day.


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I always like going to La Posta de Mesilla for dinner. Lots of history in that place.

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Thanks, Ben - didn't know that stuff.


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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

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Ben, isn't that politically inspired shootout briefly referenced in "Triggernometry ?"

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mudhen Offline 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

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Originally Posted by GregW
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! grin


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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.


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Originally Posted by rockinbbar
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. grin


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Intereresting stuff, Ben. Thanks.


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Originally Posted by rockinbbar
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.


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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


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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.


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"No eternal reward will forgive us now, for wasting the dawn" JM

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