Billy the Kid - To Pardon or Not to Pardon

* Material taken from Scenic Tours, Gateway to 3.3 Million Acres of Solitude (and it is by-the-way).

I'd heard this on the news when in Texas and thought "are they just nuts - pardon that young punk criminal?"  Now that I'm in Silver City, New Mexico and hearing and reading more - this is a big deal to "them" and my view is now ... well, at best - clouded.

I've never really thought about Billy the Kid (William Bonney Henry McCarty and Henry Antrim) and Pat Garrett that much, outside of reading a passing historical maker and visiting Lincoln, Las Cruces ... now Silver City and points all between (it seems they were all over this part of New Mexico) ... anyway, as typical I drift -- mostly my first thoughts of Billy is the Lincoln County wars, but have discovered a bit of the history of his early life here in Silver City.

*1902 Interview with Sheriff Whitehill, he summed up his memories of Billy (then Henry McCarty):  "There was one peculiar characteristic that to an experienced man-hunter would have marked him immediately as a bad man, and that was his dancing eyes.  They never were at rest, but continually shifted and roved much like his rebellious nature."

As it goes Billy's mother(? - another story I won't go into here) remarried William Antrim, who reportedly was a neglectful father, being away for long periods of time in his pursuit of gold and silver.  That is how "they" wound up in Silver City to begin with, within months of being married Antrim moved them lock, stock and barrel to Silver City in this quest for riches.

Billy's First Crime:* Billy's mother died on September 16, 1874 of tuberculosis (consumption) and Billy got a job waiting tables at the Star Hotel and Sheriff Whitehill* reminisced that "the boy's first offense was the theft of several pounds of butter from a ranchman ... which he disposed of to one of the local merchants."

Billy's First Arrest:* A classmate, Anthony Conner, who remembers Billy as an avid reader said: "Finally he took to reading the Police Gazzette and dime novels.  On night he robbed a Chinese laundry.  I think it was regarded by him as more of a prank than anything else.  But Sheriff Harvey Whitehall locked him up for it ... Mr. Whitehall only wished to scare him."

Billy's First Escape from Jail:* Sheriff Whitehall's account also agrees that putting Billy in jail at age 15 - was meant only to convince the young man of the "perils of crime."  One day Billy complained of the lack of exercise and was allowed to be in the jail's corridor - left alone for 30 minutes the slender Billy climbed out of the jail's chimney and escaped. 

Billy's First Killing:* In Arizona he killed a blacksmith who was bullying him in a bar.  The jury found the murder "unjustifiable" and Billy fled back to New Mexico - this is where he befriended Tunstall in Lincoln.  I believe we are all, at least, a little familiar with this story -- if not, I suggest you Google the same.

By the age of 21, it is said Billy can be linked to the deaths of at least 12 men (even though some say 21-22) and finally on July 14, 1881, it is said the young outlaw was killed in a gun battle with Pat Garrett.  Garrett's book "The Authentic Life of Bill the Kid" includes an account that Billy knifed his first man in Silver City, the folks around here say that is just a "tall tale" ... including Sheriff Whitehall.  As for the death of Billy the Kid - I suggest you Google it also and read the different accounts, including one by Pat Garret himself: Pat Garrett's Account of Billy the Kid's Shooting

Sooooooo, all that said back to Governor Richardson's reasoning behind posthumous pardoning Billy ... 130 years later:  He says it is because of lingering questions as to why New Mexico Territorial Governor Lew Wallace didn't follow through on a promised pardon after Billy testified about killings that occurred during the 1878 range war.

Now I suppose that might be a valid train of thought ... but does it at this point really matter - Billy didn't leave any descendants that are "shamed" by his actions.  HOWEVER, Garrett's descendants are all "up in arms" saying: such an act would represent an "inexcusable defamation" of Garrett.  "If Billy the Kid was living amongst us now, would you issue a pardon for someone who made his living as a thief and, more egregiously, who killed four law enforcement officers and numerous others?"  Now I suspect that's a valid train of thought too!

Then there is the whole rumor that Garrett shot the wrong person, that Billy escaped and lived to be an old man ... in Missouri, Arizona and Texas - I've even visiting the "purported" grave of Billy in East Texas!

Just foder for thought from my random brain this morning, while awaiting the awakening of my dear hubby - enjoy, think about it .. research it - draw your own conclusions -- my main question is: does it really matter now --- should we stop screwing around with history ... like removing the Civil War because it isn't politically correct any more ... among other things that get my "cockles" all bristled! :-) 

Good day to ya Buddies!

Those Who Have Gone Before Us

Today's passing of Laurent Fignon sparked a thought (or two) in my brain, and maybe a possible explanation of my "obsession" with cemeteries and the Day of the Dead celebration.  Side Note:  I've always visited cemeteries, even before my photo obsession with headstones.

For those who may be reading and not know Laurent Fignon - he is a two time Tour de France winner and a one time winner of the Tour of Italy and simply a very classy man - who has lost his fight with cancer and is now at peace.  He made his mark on the world of cycling and will forever be remembered - but what if he had not been a world class cyclist?

As a young child, I loved my Grandmother Eva (my mother's mother) - but not being the older of the children in our family, that is the extent of what she was to me a loving grandmother.  My older sisters knew her better as a person and my eldest sister had the wonderful opportunity of being able to "be with" Grandmother Eva.  Grandmother took her to the cemeteries of our ancestors and instilled wonderful knowledge and appreciation of these ancestors.  It wasn't until I was an "older" woman that I became absolutely interested in researching our family lines, because it occurred to me it was not in my brain - nor written down for all I knew.

Four Generations - my Mother's Maternal Side

L-R: Arlene Morris (Aunt), Alton Morris (Grandfather),

Mildred Morris (Mother),

Eva Morris (Grandmother) holding my eldest sister - Annette

and Lidie Wimberley (Great-Grandmother)

Below:  Pleasant Wimberley (GG Grandfather)

When I started "poking" around, I discovered an absolute wealth of information from -- yes Grandmother Eva (and also on my Dad's side, from one of his nephews).  Through these handwritten notes (and many experiences since) I learned of my Grandmother Eva, as a woman - not just a loving grandmother - along with this knowledge, came much knowledge of my ancestors and the "knowing" of them as people.

Now to my love of cemeteries and the Day of the Dead celebrations - Day of the Dead is a holiday that allows families to dedicate time each year to honor those who have passed (Nov 1-2). In this celebration remembering the deceased is more than an act of fondness, it is an obligation of respect. This celebration ensures that a beloved's soul will never be forgotten and therefore shall truly never die.

Father's Maternal Side

Justin Bishop (GGGrandfather)

Many participants in this celebration believe there are three deaths that a person can experience: the first death is the expiration of the body; the second death occurs when the body is laid to rest; and the third and final death takes place only if and when the departed is forgotten.

It is this third and final death I feel as the most poignant, especially when you think of how many old, broken and long forgotten headstones - or lack of - exist and long before I became acquainted with the Day of the Dead celebration, I would roam cemeteries and particularly the old headstones and remember and ponder of the person buried there - I even have graves here in Midland County that I watch over and remember for they are long ago buried and probably have no one to remember them.

Father's Paternal Side

Elias G. Morris (GGGrandfather) and Georgie Knight (GGGrandmother)

So the point of this random, rambling blog from my brain sparked by the death of a great cyclist is:  even though most of "us" remember those recently departed and probably even a generation back or in the case of someone "famous" who will be remembered generations to come .... let us all strive to know and remember as many ancestors as we can - even if it is in the collective - for they are the ones that fought to improve their lives and the lives of their children and their children's children.  They are the ones that shaped "today's family" and their blood flows through your veins - so least they experience the third and most dreaded death of all -- let us remember them always!

Genealogy - write it down and pass it along, even if in our "PC" times of today an ancestor may not be looked upon in the best light - they were only doing the best they could at the time and what they thought was right for them and their families - at that point of time in history! 

Have a fabulous day buddies and in "remembering" Spock "Live Long and Prosper" :-)

My Harvester Ants

As some of you may know, others may not, we allow Harvester Ants to live in our yard ... it helps that there are no small children playing in our yard - and some days "we" have to be really diligent as to where we stand!  This started in the house we lived in before we purchased the one we are now living in ... we had one bed of Harvesters and we also had many Horned Lizards ("horny toad") a-coming to dinner.  We had all sizes and ages and they appreciated that we didn't "nuke" the ants (horny toads eat at least 60% ant, more if they can get them).  Desert USA - Horned Lizard

So, when we moved - I was pleased one day to notice at the southern boundary of our yard ... there was a small colony.  I excitedly pointed it out to my honey and we also awaited in anticipation - would we see horned lizards AND the answer was YES!  So, the "southern tribe" were allowed to live and prospect.  (I will state here, our home sits on two city lots - so our backyard is .. ummmm, rather large!)

The next tribe to come along developed as the "eastern tribe" -- and even though they are a good distance from the southern tribe .. there were still sqaubbles (ants can have fierce wars) and they too began to prosper.  Then outside the fenceline another queen managed to get a home started ... the "western tribe"!  The three tribes have epic battles, make wonderful trails to and from food sources AND love it when we turn the water on ... crazy right?

So, the whole point of this crazy rambly blog ... we noticed a week ago - after much activity - that the eastern tribe no longer were in residence at their mound.  I supposed that since the first two colonies are just at 15 years old, that the queen had died and with no one to lay new workers, that the colony had died.  It was a bit sad, considering how hard they had worked over the years BUT ... yes BUT ... THEY ARE BACK.

Two nights ago, while out watching the antics of the others, I went over to look at the "abandoned" mound and there were a handful of workers digging out another hole -- it appears that they had a "mine disaster" (aka collapse of the main tunnel) and they have since dug themselves out and back into the open -- persistance and hard work pays off!

So all is well in our backyard again -- until the next ant disaster!  Here's a great little website, if you want to know the "rest of the story."  Desert USA - Harvester Ants

PS  You know I can see why people enjoy "ant farms" .. "BUT HEY" ... let 'em out of the case - be kind to a horned lizard!

Summer to Autumn

This time of year I’m trying to get in as much “outside” walking/jogging as possible, but since I walk/jog before I go to work, it is a bit difficult - because it is dark-thirty. So it means part time on the treadmill and finishing up outside - when it gets light enough. (I’m not presumptuous enough to think there are not “nay-doers” hiding in the bushes waiting for someone to innocently troddle along.)

Anyway, in mornings past there’s been that ever-so-slight “hint” of coolness in the air - however, as the sun rises - so does the temperature, quickly. This morning, however, stepping off of the treadmill and out of the house into the morning air I was a pleasantly surprised - in lieu of our first “cold front” of the season moving through last evening. (It had also offered up some much needed moisture - not alot - but we’ll take any we can get.) The sweet smell of cool crisp air and a beautiful sunrise - lended itself to remind me, that even though Ma Nature is only toying with us, that Autumn is around the corner.

Hal Borland:
“Autumn is the eternal corrective. It is ripeness and color and a time of maturity; but it is also breadth, and depth, and distance. What man can stand with autumn on a hilltop and fail to see the span of his world and the meaning of the rolling hills that reach to the far horizon?”

So in paralleling lives and seasons, change is always around the corner and I believe we, as human beings, crave the anticipation of something new and forthcoming, even in light of the certainty of the unknown.

So, in retrospect, the change of seasons is coming upon us and we must allow change not to deter us from our path but allow it to renew our spirit and hope and to drive the heaviness of the long hot and burdensome “summer” out of our beings!

*********
This photo is from an email I received today “Why Boys Need Parents” -- smile my Buddies and release the burdens of life, as a new season approaches.

Midland County Fair - Part 1: The Losers

Okay, as you may or may not know :-) I entered some photos in the Midland County Fair's County Snap Shooter Contest (1) I figured they might need some entries, being the 1st Fair in Midland County since 1966 (Comeback V2 - some will get that, some will not!), and (2) I'm almost almost always game to lose ... which I most certainly always do -- lots to be said for my perserverance!  So anyway, we ran out to the Fair last night to quickly view things ... and actually, since they were still setting most stuff up ... that's exactly what we did "quickly view things"!  But we are going back in the AM (Saturday), so maybe they'll be more things TO TAKE PHOTOS OF with the prospect of entering them in another contest - somewhere -- AND yes, losing again :-)  

My best loser was in the Simply Midland category -- actually got a 5th place ribbon - WOOT - the 4th place loser!  (I suspect since they gave Champion, Reserve Champion, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in each category ... that there were only 7 entries in this category!)

The Sky's the Limit

(Midland's Motto by-the-way)

Actually, the one I thought would ribbon (entered in the Landscape category) was a photo everyone seems to love - except judges, this photo's second rejection!

  Rain in the Tetons

Loser No. 3 was a quaint little Black and White -- maybe the thought behind it was too quaint or subtle, maybe I should have painted a longhorn on the angel?

May the Force Be With You

Now, for Losers No. 4 and 5 ... I wasn't real pleased with how No. 4 turned out from Walgreens (okay, I mean I had to put these together in like 2 days .. so Walgreen's glossy it was), they overcooked No. 4 ... anyway, I held not great prospects for No. 4 -- it proved to be true!  (Also, I think it needs to be larger than an 8x10 -- the small boy, which is actually supposed to be the focus of the photo .. is too small in an 8x10 ... IMHO)

Getting the Shot

"Oh" No. 4 was in "People" category

Leading to the the last loser, which I totally didn't expect to win anything, but injected it for a bit of humor (too bad they didn't have a humor category) .. it was in the color category:

Flowers and Fred

So, for those that asked, thank you ... for your love and support ... thank you!  I already know what I'm entering next year and its going to have ALOT to do with cows and West Texas landscapes!

PS.  Or I'm entering the artsy craftsy divisions next year .. they had so few entries this year, I believe everyone who entered anything got a 1st place ribbon :-) .... just a passing observation!