From the Jal Flare, Jal, NM. 7 Mar 1939:

Here’s a story which amply illustrates how ranchers felt about water here in the early days. When Walter C. Cochran dug the first water well in this area, at the hackberry trees which are now Hubbs and Justis Water Company, he found water, the farthest west and the last this side of the Pecos River.

Years later in describing his reaction:

“I was happier at finding water than any man ever was at finding oil.”