Abby, D. – Respected Citizen Has Succumbed to Pneumonia
D. Abby died Wednesday night at his home in Hobbs, after a brief illness. He succumbed to pneumonia, weakened by advanced age.
The funeral arrangements were by O. D. Pierce, undertaker, with services conducted by Rev. J. W. Williams, pastor of the Baptist church, Thursday afternoon.
Deceased was 83 years of age. He had lived in Hobbs several years, and self-employed as a cobbler, independent and upstanding, notwithstanding he was without relatives here. In fact, at the time this was printed the authorities had been unable to locate relatives anywhere.
The late Mr. Abby moved about in his quiet and unobtrusive manner, impressive by virtue of his codes, based upon a deep religious conviction, and making and keeping friends. His sincere and kindly manner is well remembered by many of our citizens. A kindly old gentleman has passed on, leaving only pleasant memories.
That deceased was by nature thrifty and foresighted is evidenced by the fact a search of his effects revealed the sum of $300 in “saddle blanket” currency carefully preserved against the contingency of his passing.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, New Mexico. 4 Jan 1935.]
Akin, James Norman – James Akin Slain With Shotgun Blast Thursday
James Norman Akin, 22, was shot and killed Thursday night at 9:30 o’clock near the Halfway Bar on the Carlsbad highway. He was shot with a 20 gauge shotgun, several bullets piercing his heart.
Fred Smith, step father of the victim, called the Hobbs police admitting he had fired the shot following a quarrel with Mr. Akin.
Lon Watkins, Carlsbad district attorney was called to conduct the investigation in the absence of assistant district attorney Mack Easley. Horace Owen, J. D. Boren and State Patrolman Jake Ramsey from Hobbs investigated the shooting. Fred Smith is being held in the Lea County jail at Lovington. He will be charged with first degree murder, it was disclosed.
The shot was fired approximately 50 feet from the victim with a total of 12 wounds in the chest.
An inquest was held at the scene of the shooting Thursday evening. The jury was unable to reach a verdict, and was continued until 4 p.m. Friday. Judge Bob Bensing conducted the hearing.
Serving on the coroners jury were Jack Wilder, Denver and Oscar Shaw, Emmitt Jackson, Otho Bilbo and Ben Gardner.
Mr. Akin is survived by his mother, Mrs. Gussie Smith and step father, Fred Smith.
Sawyer served as Lincoln County Democratic Party Chairman for several years.
Funeral services will be conducted at the First Methodist church in Denver City, Texas. Burial will follow at Seagraves, Texas. Griffin’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, NM. 2 Dec 1949.]
Allen, Andrew – Hobbs Men Killed In Fall From Plane
Mr. Andrew Allen and Mr. Marshall Franklin were killed Sunday when they fell from the plane in which they were flying. The plane supposedly hit a down current at approximately 1,500 feet and the men were thrown out. Their plane straightened out and then crashed.
Mr. Allen, who was piloting the machine, was Chief Clerk for the New Mexico Electric Service Company and was a frequent visitor in Jal.
Funeral services were held for him Tuesday afternoon and the body was interred in the Hobbs Cemetery. Mr. Franklin, who was in the employ of the same company, was buried Monday in Lubbock, Texas.
[Jal Flare, Jal, NM, 13 Oct 1938.]
Anderson, Brookie Lee – Brookie Lee Anderson Funeral Thursday at 10
Funeral services for Brookie Lee Anderson, 81, will be conducted at First Baptist Church in Lovington Thursday morning at 10 o’clock.
Mrs. Anderson, member of a pioneer Lea County ranching family, died yesterday afternoon at 1:45 at Lea Regional Hospital, following a long battle with cancer.
Mrs. Anderson, whose life-time spanned most of the history of this community, and whose work was impressed upon it, was born October 28, 1900 in Snyder, Texas, the daughter of the late R. D. (Dick) and Viola Lee, pioneer plains ranchers.
She grew up in Midland, Texas, and moved to Lovington in 1925 and married W. A. (Bill) Anderson in August of 1935.
Survivors include four children, Mrs. Don W. Green of Midland, Malcolm S. Anderson of Greeley, Colo., John R. Anderson of Gail, Texas, and W. A. (Bill) Anderson Jr. of Dallas. Nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive.
Mrs. Anderson, known for her outspokenness and colorful personality, was associated with many community activities and held memberships in many organizations.
She was a member of the lay committee of the Lovington Public Schools for many years and she and her late husband formerly entertained teachers and administrators at their ranch northwest of town, where they had a registered Hereford breeding business.
She was on the board of trustees of the College of the Southwest, a member of First Baptist Church, the PEO Sisterhood, the Lovington Woman’s Club, and the President’s Circle of College of the Southwest.
Mrs. Anderson helped turn the first shovelful of dirt for the new sanctuary in ground breaking ceremonies last year, and hers will be the first funeral to be held there.
A memorial fund for Mrs. Anderson is being established at the College of the Southwest, or in the alternative the family requests memorials to charities of the donor’s choice.
[Lovington Daily Leader, Lovington, NM. 31 Aug 1982. Submitted by David L. Minton, Lea County Historian.]
Berry, Dan C.
A memorial service will be held for Dan C. Berry of Eunice, New Mexico, on Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. The memorial service will be at the Eunice High School Auditorium under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home, and a reception will follow at the Eunice Community Center. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dan C. Berry Memorial Scholarship Fund, 5317 Lovington Hwy, Hobbs, NM 88240. [Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, NM. 28 Nov 2009.]
Beverly, William Middleton Nelson “Bob” – Bob Beverly Funeral Today At Lovington
LOVINGTON (Special) – Funeral services for William Nelson (Bob) Beverly, 86, one of the most widely-known residents of Lea County, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the Smith-Yarbro Funeral Chapel here with burial to follow in City of Lubbock Cemetery.
Beverly, a cowboy for three-quarters of a century, died in an El Paso Hospital Wednesday after several years of failing health.
The famed cowman came to this area in 1906 and was a charter member of the Open Range Cowboys’ Assn., an organization limited to those who rode the Plains before the advent of fences.
His first work here was as foreman of the historic old Jal [JAL] Ranch, operated by the Cowden Land and Cattle Co. His travels took him to Midland later where he served two years as sheriff, beginning in 1910.
Moving west again, Beverly was elected sheriff of Lea County in 1931, when the oilfield boom was in progress.
He was the author of a number of western articles and was quoted by other writers extensively. “Experience,” he once said, “was the only school I ever attended and part of that was hard to understand.”
His survivors include two sons, James Beverly, Lovington; and Walter Beverly, El Paso; one daughter, Mrs. Bennie Lee Burham, Lubbock; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
[Lubbock Evening Journal, Lubbock, Texas 18 Apr 1958.]
Bingham, T. P. – The Passing of T. P. Bingham
On last Friday evening, June 8, 1928, at 6:30 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Gaither, near Pearl, New Mexico, our beloved friend T.P. Bingham, closed his eyes on the pain and suffering of this world to open them in that City beyond where pain and suffering are unknown.
He had been a constant sufferer for more than two years and almost daily expressed a desire that God would call him up higher, yet he never lost interest in his fellow man, his Church nor in the political activities of his state and nation.
He was a noble character, always holding out a helping hand to cheer and always had a kind word for all.
He was born in Choctaw County, Miss. January 10, 1840. He moved to Texas when he was 5 years old. He was truly a frontiersman. He joined the Texas Rangers at the age of 20, working with them to keep down Indian depredations in Western Texas and Eastern New Mexico.
When the Civil War was declared, he received a discharge from the Ranger force and enlisted in the 19th Texas Company, serving in various capacities till the close of the war. In 1866, he married Miss Mary Jane Morgan of Milford, Ellis County, Texas. She passed away in 1886. He later was married to Mrs. Letha Ann Smith of Corsica, Texas. We have often heard him say that he had been fortunate in having married the two best women in the world.
In 1918, he was again called to give up a dear companion, and since then he has made his home with his children.
No one is perhaps better known or more loved in Lea County than he, by both old and young. He was indeed “a friend to every one.”
He came to New Mexico 25 years ago and has always been a staunch worker for the good of his state, county and town and always very optimistic as to their future. He served as Justice of the Peace for a number of years at Monument and also at Lovington. He also served as Probate Judge of Lea County for four years. He has been a member of the Baptist Church nearly 65 years, a consistent, devoted Christian, living the “golden rule”.
He leaves 5 children to reverence his memory. They were all with him at the time of his death. They are Mrs. Nanny L. Cathey, Jayton, Texas; T.S. Bingham, Lovington; Mrs. John Gaither, Pearl; Bailey Bingham, Aspermont, Texas; and Mrs. B. Hardin, Carlsbad.
There are 21 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, all of whom revere the name of grandfather.
The funeral services were at the Baptist Church in Lovington of which he was a consistent member and was conducted by Rev. W.G. McArthur, Supt. of the Orphans Home at Portales, assisted by Rev. Parker and Beauchamp. This service was very beautiful and impressive, Rev. McArthur being his old-time friend who paid many loving tributes to his memory. One of the most beautiful things said was that Judge Bingham had had more influence in his spiritual development than any other man.
The music consisted of some of the favorite songs of the deceased, among them being, “Rock of Ages”, “Shall We Gather by the River”, “When the Roll is Called up Yonder”, and “By the Touch of His Hand on Mine”.
A short service was held at the Lovington Cemetery, after which all that was mortal of “Grandpa” Bingham was tenderly laid to rest by the side of his dear wife, whom most remember with love. This dear old “Soldier of the Cross” has passed earth’s shadow into a glorious life beyond, where no partings are, neither pain, nor sorrow and where he lovingly beckons us to follow.
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, NM. 15 Jun 1928. Submitted by David L. Minton, Lea County Historian.]
Borroughs [Boroughs], J. E. – Well Known Citizen Dies Monday Evening
J. E. Borroughs, aged 46 years, passed away at his home here, Monday night, following a brief illness.
The late Mr. Borroughs was a well known citizen. He had been in Hobbs from the beginning of the oil development, operating a carpenter and cabinet making shop.
Surviving are his wife and five children.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Goodwin’s has charge of the arrangements.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, NM. 9 Nov 1934.]
Boroughs, J. E. – Masonic Funeral For Late J. E. Burroughs [Boroughs]
Funeral of the late J. E. Borroughs, who passed away Monday night were conducted Wednesday morning from Goodwin mortuary. Services were held at the Baptist church, Rev. A. T. Coleman conducting.
Interment was by ritual of the Masonic Order, in the New Cemetery.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, NM. 9 Nov 1934.]
Byers, Minnie Hobbs – Minnie Byers Dies At 84
Funeral services were conducted Monday morning, February 2, 1981 for Mrs. Minnie (E. H.) Byers of Lovington who died in Lea Regional Hospital on Thursday evening at the age of 84 following a brief illness.
Mrs. Byers, longtime Lovington resident resided at 900 North 16th Street in Lovington. She was born March 6, 1896 in Nolan County, Texas.
She was the daughter of James Isaac and Fannie Lee Hobbs, former Hobbs residents. The family moved to Lea County in 1907, enroute to Estancia Valley to settle but decided to remain in Lea County and homesteaded here on land that became Hobbs.
She was united in marriage to Ernest Byers on June 19, 1912 in Hobbs. He preceded her in death in May 1966. She was a member of the Jackson Avenue Baptist Church in Lovington and a lifetime Baptist.
Rev. James Mitchell pastor of Jackson Avenue Baptist Church officiated at the services. Burial followed in Hobbs at Prairie Haven Cemetery by the grave of her husband E. H. Byers.
Mrs. Byers is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Peggy Hale, and Mrs. Ray Short, both of Lovington; three sons, Joe of the home; Ed Byers, Henderson, Tenn. and Ernest Byers of Ft. Worth, Texas; a sister, Mrs. Ella Jones, Winslow, Az., 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Casketbearers were Denny Watson, George Bagley, Al Savisky, Frank McDonald, Ron Kirkland and Merrill Norton.
Smith Rogers Funeral Home was in charge.
[Hobbs Flare, Hobbs, N.M. 5 Feb 1981.]
Cadrin, J. L. – Blast is Fatal to J. L. Cadrin
Tragedy blasted its way into this community Monday when J. L. Cadrin, 50 year old pipe line crew member of the El Paso Natural Gas company here was killed.
Cadrin, air hammer operator, was working with the crew about 20 miles west of town. Dynamite which they were using to blast ditches for the pipe line, blew up in a ditch where Cadrin was working, killing him instantly. According to reports, it was not determined just how the accident occurred, other than the dynamite was set and Cadrin failed to get out of the ditch in time. He had been working with EPNG for the past 20 months and was making his home at Kermit.
He is survived by his widow and two sons.
The body was sent Tuesday to Kilgore, Texas, his home town, for funeral services and burial.
[Jal Record, Jal, New Mexico. 9 Mar 1950.]
Caldwell, Hoyt – Lovington (AP) – Hoyt Caldwell, owner of Lovington radio station KLEA, died at 2:30 A.m. today at Lea Regional Hospital. He was 63.
Caldwell, who served several terms as a director of the New Mexico Broadcasters Association, bought KLEA in 1954 after working at radio station KHOB in Hobbs.
A native of Beebe, Ark., he was in the Navy in World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Irma Lee, and a daughter, Susan Coe of Lovington.
[Clovis News Journal, Clovis, New Mexico, 28 May 1985.]
Campbell, Charles L. – C. Campbell Buried in Lovington
LOVINGTON: Longtime Lovington resident and popular radio personality Charles L. Campbell, 73, died at the Veterans Hospital in Amarillo, Texas on Wednesday, August 29, 1984.
He had been in the hospital for a week.
Campbell was born June 19,1911 at Elida, N. M. where he received his early education and attended and graduated from Elida High School.
He attended New Mexico Normal University at Las Vegas for several years.
…
Campbell served in the U. S. [Air Force] in World War II.
He was united in marriage to Kathryn Smith on August 3, 1945 in Buechel, Kentucky.
He was engaged with his brother, the late John Campbell, in the operation of Campbell’s Farm and Ranch Supply and Campbell Grain and Milling Company.
He also appeared in a daily radio program over KLEA in Lovington. It served as a trading post.
He was a member of First Christian Church.
Survivors include his widow, Kathryn, Lovington, a daughter, Mrs. Kathy Foster, Panhandle, Texas, two sons, David of Atlanta, Ga., and Jim of Lovington; a half sister Mary Sanders of Louisville, Ky. and four grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon in First Christian Church with Mr. Tom Pembleton and Rev. James Mitchell officiating.
Burial followed in the Lovington Cemetery under the direction of Smith Rogers Funeral Home.
[Hobbs Flare, Hobbs, N.M., 6 Sep 1984.]
Carson, Mrs. J. N. – Brother and Sister Eunice Pioneers, Die Together
Two old time residents of Eunice, brother and sister, died this week.
Mrs. J. N. Carson, first postmaster of Eunice, who was living in Abilene and W. S. Marshall of Eunice died within three days of each other, the latter died Thursday and the former Saturday.
The town of Eunice was named after the daughter of Mrs. Carson.
Funeral services for Mrs. Carson were held in Abilene Sunday and services for Marshall, 75, were read at the Eunice Methodist Church. He came to the country in 1908.
[Jal Flare, Jal, NM, 5 Oct 1939.]
Cates, W. S – Oil Worker Is Killed In Mishap
A loose trouser leg was blamed this week for the sudden death which caught W. S. Cates, Herschback Drilling Company employee on a Texaco well south of Jal.
A line shaft caught Cates’ pants leg and pulled him into the machinery. Before it could be shut off, he was mangled badly but was still alive when crew members started to Hobbs with him last Thursday afternoon. He died soon after, however.
Funeral services were held in Foreman, Arkansas, his former home. Cates was living at the Worth Hotel in Hobbs, and working on the rig here. He had been with Herschbeck several months.
[Jal Flare, Jal, New Mexico. 11 Jul 1940.]
Caudill, Mrs. J. W. – Mrs. J. W. Caudill Buried at Hatch
Mrs. J. W. Caudill, pioneer resident of Lea County, died at Hatch, New Mexico, December 8, 1949. She was 84 years old.
Mrs. Caudill is survived by ten children: J. P. Caudill, Everett Caudill, Pearl Caudill, and Mamie Hughes of Lovington; Jessie Caudill of Deming, Christi Webb of Las Cruces; Della Price of Velasco, Texas; Sallie Rogers of Shrap Park, California; Cordie Croud of Hatch; Miztie McGire of Garfield; and Ora Bourbanie of Hatch. Surviving also, are a number of grand-children and [great] grandchildren.
Funeral service and burial were at Hatch, New Mexico.
Mr. J. W. Caudill preceeded his wife in death four years ago, December 24, 1945 at the age of 84.
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, New Mexico. 16 Dec 1949.]
Causey, Thomas Leander “George” – Suicide of George Causey
The remains of George Causey who committed suicide by shooting himself at Kenna yesterday morning at 7 o’clock a.m. were brought here yesterday afternoon and are at Coulter, Rea and Elders’ undertaking rooms. The burial will be in South Side cemetery today. Mr. Causey was a brother of John Causey, and was a prominent citizen and stockman. He was hurt by a horse falling on him some time ago and never recovered entirely from the shock, and this was the cause of his rash act. He was happily married about six weeks ago to Miss Fusen. His wife and two relatives were asleep in the same room, when he committed the rash act. The deceased and his brother were old-timers in New Mexico and hunted buffalo thirty-five years ago – Roswell Register.
[Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, NM. 30 May 1903.]
Coe, Jap – Young Man Succumbs to Flu Complications
Jap Coe, age 25, died Friday evening at the General Hospital, a victim of influenza-meningitis, following a brief illness. Deceased was employed by O’Dell as a truck driver.
A mother and brother of deceased arrived at the bedside shortly before the passing.
Goodwin’s Funeral Home assumed the arrangements and prepared the remains for shipment to the family home at Glencoe, N. M. for funeral and interment.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, New Mexico. 11 Jan 1935.]
Cole, Lewelyn – Former Leader Printer Dies
Lewelyn Cole, former printer on the Lovington Leader, and resident of Hobbs passed away at his home in Massachusetts last Friday night, according to information received. Cole was a widely known musician several years ago.
He worked in 1944 as manager of the Scout Theater in Hobbs, and then for the Leader in the job department. He quit to organize his own band, and played a six month engagement at George’s. From there he went to Arizona.
[Lovington Leader,Lovington, NM. 25 Oct 1949.]
Clifton, J. M. – Wounds Fatal To Daring Officer
Lovington, N. M. (AP) Feb. 25 – Relatives of Walter Carlocke of Healdton, Okla. and John O’Dell of Hobbs, N. M., who were killed yesterday in a gun battle with Deputy Sheriff J. M. Clifton of Lea county, notified officers they will come here to bury the two men.
Funeral services for Deputy Sheriff Clifton, who died aboard an airplane enroute to a Lubbock, Texas hospital, will be held sometime the latter part of this week. He is survived by his widow and two children.
The shooting occurred at Cross Roads, N. M., when Clifton stopped Carlocke and O’Dell to question them concerning the robbery of a hardware store here Tuesday night. The two men opened fire on the officer as he stepped from the car, shooting him three times before he could kill them in self-defense.
Carlocke was wanted in Waurika, Okla., for bank robbery, officers said, and O’Dell was tentatively identified as an escaped convict from the Oklahoma state penitentiary. Neither were implicated in the robbery of the hardware store, officers said after an investigation.
[Clovis News-Journal, Clovis, NM. 25 Feb 1932.]
Connell, Dora Anderson – Attack Fatal To Mrs. W. N. Connell
Interment rites were held in Midland Monday for Mrs. W. N. Connell, 73, long time resident of Midland, who succumbed to a heart attack Friday afternoon.
Born Dora W. Anderson of Rogers, Bell County, Texas, June 28, 1868, she grew up in that county and was popular among young people. She was married to W. N. Connell in 1893, having moved then to Taylor.
Mrs. Connell was well known in Jal.
In 1910 the family moved to Martin county where Mr. Connell bought a ranch. They lived there until 1915, moving to Midland and continued ranching in Martin and Upton counties until his death four years ago.
Her husband, the late W. N. Connell, widely known cattleman of Martin County and later of Midland, preceded her in death by four years. She is survived by a son, William Connell of Las Vegas, Nevada; three daughters, Mrs. C. C. Cowden of Abilene, Miss Eleanor Connell of Abilene, and Mrs. Joe Chattwood of Manhattan Beach, Calif. and seven grandchildren.
[Jal Flare, Jal, NM. 20 Apr 1939]
Conner, Anna Belle – Mrs. Conner is Buried in Angelo
Funeral services were held in San Angelo for Mrs. Anna Belle Conner, 54, Jal woman who died here Monday at her home. Mrs. Conner, who came here a year and a half ago, was a former resident of San Angelo. The body was carried to Angelo by Carpenter Funeral Home, and services were held there.
She is survived by her husband, C. H. Conner and their eight children. She died Monday at 4:30 p.m.
[Jal Flare, Jal, NM, 15 Jun 1939.]
Conover, Roy – Roy Conover Stricken: Passes Very Shortly
Roy Conover, well known drug store proprietor and business man of Jal, died suddenly Saturday afternoon. He was stricken while crossing the street in front of his place of business and fell to the ground. He passed away before medical aid could reach him.
The remains of the late Roy Conover were taken to Wink.
Deceased was a pioneer of the oil field in Lea county, here more than five years ago. For most of that time he was in business at Jal. His demise was a complete surprise to all friends, as he appeared to be in perfect health at all times.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, NM. 27 Jul 1934.]
Cooper, Alaska J. – Final Rites Held For Alaska Cooper
Alaska (Dad) Cooper, 64, one of Lea County’s most widely-known ranchers, died in a local hospital about 9 a.m. Wednesday. He had been in poor health about three years.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. in the First Methodist Church of Hobbs, with Rev. Ed Findley, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Monument and the Rev. H.L. Graves, pastor of the First Methodist Church of Eunice officiating.
Burial is in the Prairie Haven Cemetery with Griffin Funeral Home making arrangements.
Mr. Cooper, a veteran of World War II, moved with his family to this area from Texas in 1927 [Note: The year should be 1906 or 1907. Mr. Cooper was born in 1894.] when he was about 12 years old, settling in the Monument region. Mr. Cooper became the operator of the 3-D Ranch southwest of Monument. He experimented in breeding to develop better livestock, and in this line he crossed American buffalo with Herefords and Brahmas, with the aim of developing meat animals ideally suited for the Plains.
Active pallbearers were Troy Fort, Charley Johnson, Tom Pearson, J.R. Vaughn, N.A. Byrd, N.G. Morgan, Marvin Fisher and Jewell Owens.
The family has requested that all Mr. Cooper’s friends and neighbors be listed as honorary pallbearers.
[Lovington Daily Leader, Lovington, N.M., 15 May 1959.]
Cooper, Samuel R. – Cooper Rites Held Monday – Rancher Buried Near Home
Samuel R. Cooper, 84 year old pioneer rancher of Jal was buried Tuesday afternoon in the family cemetery near his homestead, a burial ground he dedicated several years ago to the community. It is now known as the Jal-Cooper Cemetery.
Funeral services for the widely known pioneer man were held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Church of God, with the Rev. Jim Madison, pastor, officiating.
A native of Kansas, Mr. Cooper pioneered in the Oklahoma Territory before moving to the Texas Panhandle town of Mobeetie. He was married May 12, 1901 to Miss Jessie Gray of Mobeetie, and in 1914 the family moved to what is now Lea County and homesteaded on land which he and Mrs. Cooper lived for 44 years.
During his pioneering days he established a store and post office at his home, and later a school building was erected and the place became known as the Cooper Community. He was a freighter in the early days here, hauling from Pecos to his store and another store at what is now the ghost town of Ochoa. He drove a team of 20 burros, and the trip to Pecos and back took a week of traveling and camping. The distance is now traveled by automobile in less than two hours.
He often said, “I’m an old-timer here, and I’ve seen some pretty tough years.” He spoke many times of the rattlesnake infested area where their first home was built, and of drought and hard times.
The first Cooper home was built just below the small rise and rattlesnakes were so bad, the family moved to a new house at the present location.
Mr. Cooper was a charter member of the Church of God, which was organized here in 1933.
He is survived by his wife and eight children, four sons and four daughters. Other survivors include 29 grandchildren and 17 great grand-children. Pallbearers were grandsons. [Names omitted.]
[Jal Record, Jal, NM. 29 May, 1958.]
Corey, Clyde – Clyde Corey is Taken by Death
Clyde Corey, local truck driver, about 50 years of age, died early Wednesday morning at General Hospital, the third pneumonia victim this week.
The deceased left no known relatives. He was employed by Bob R. White until recently.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon. Interment was at North Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were in charge of the Pierce Funeral Home.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, New Mexico. 1 Mar 1935.]
Crawford, Abel Justus – Conduct Funeral Rites For Pioneer Financier
Carlsbad, N.M. (AP) – A. J. Crawford, pioneer businessman in New Mexico and West Texas, died in Carlsbad Memorial Hospital Tuesday night at the age of 101.
Crawford, a financier and rancher, helped develop his part of the West over a period of almost 70 years.
Funeral services were held at 3 p. m. Thursday with the Rev. H. L. McAlester officiating.
Crawford’s first job as a child was picking cherries for 15 cents a day. When he died, he was believed to be one of New Mexico’s wealthiest men.
He held an interest in six banks – El Paso National Bank; Carlsbad National Bank; City Bank and Trust of Kansas City; the Valley National Bank of Phoenix, and the Bank of America in California.
A number of landmarks in New Mexico and West Texas cities once bore the Crawford name – including Crawford hotels in Carlsbad, Midland, Tex., Big Spring, Tex. and Colorado City, Tex.
Crawford, born Nov. 10, 1867 in Mount Giliad, Ky., began amassing his capital with a variety of jobs, from sanding piano legs to piloting a ferryboat on the Ohio River.
At 17 he made the trek west and took a job herding sheep for Sam Brookshire near Abilene, Tex.
Crawford later bought 125 sheep from Brookshire at $1 a head and moved to Lea County, N. M. to begin his ranching career.
He returned to Kentucky in 1898 to marry his childhood sweetheart, Minnie Campbell. The couple settled in Carlsbad the same year, where they lived until death. Mrs. Crawford died in 1961.
He is survived by two half sisters, Mrs. Bessie Breeze of Carlsbad and Mrs. Ella Selser, Potomac. Ill.
[Longview News-Journal, Longview, TX. 14 Feb. 1969.]
Cutshall, Mrs. O. H. – Mrs. O. H. Cutshall Passes Away Friday
Mrs. O. H. Cutshall of Jal, passed away at her home here the night of August 26, 1938.
Mrs. Cutshall was born June 24th 1883 in Tennessee. In 1899 she was married to James Helm. To this union were born six children, all of whom are living with the exception of James, a son was passed away in 1936. Mr. Helm passed away in 1913 after a long illness.
Mrs. Cutshall had lived in Joplin, Mo., Breckenridge, Texas and Graham, Texas before moving to Jal. She married Mr. O. H. Cutshall July 5, 1934 and the couple have lived in Jal for a year and have been in business most of that time.
Mrs. Cutshall leaves a husband, Mr. O. H. Cutshall, one son, Thomas Helm, four daughters, Mrs. Kyth of Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. A. M. Lyon of Chicago, Mrs. G. Lynch of Chicago, Mrs. A. D. Smith of Midland, Texas. Four grandchildren and many, may friends to mourn her passing.
The funeral services were conducted by Brother Wood of the Church of Christ in Hobbs at the Kolar Chapel. Arrangements were in the hands of the Kolar Funeral Home. The body was laid to rest in the old Hobbs Ranch Cemetery at Hobbs.
There was a lovely floral offering and many of Mrs. Cutshall’s friends from Jal attended the services.
[Jal Flare, Jal, NM, 1 Sep 1938.]
Danglade, Frank Jack – Memorial Service At 1:30 Thursday
Memorial services for F. Jack Danglade, prominent Lovington citizen who died Sunday morning in New York City, will commence at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. They will be conducted simultaneously with funeral services at Webb City, Mo. where the body will be interred.
The Lovington program will include organ music by Mrs. Wilson Knapp. Invocation and Scripture reading by Rev. Gordon Garlington of the First Presbyterian church. Mrs. Hoyt Caldwell will present a vocal selection, “The Twenty-third Psalm.”
H. C. Pannell will be the memorialist and the services will close with the benediction by Rev. Paul Hively of the First Methodist church.
Persons desiring to send flowers are invited to send them to the local service instead of Webb City. Contributions to the F. Jack Danglade Cancer Fund may also be made at either bank.
[Lovington Daily Leader, Lovington, NM, 27 May 1959.]
Dickson, Russell – Obsequies Held Here For Russell Dickson
Funeral services for Russell Dickson, killed in an explosion at a Eunice well Friday night, were held here Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock, and were attended largely.
Services were conducted by Rev. J. W. Williams, pastor of Hobbs Baptist church, from Goodwin’s mortuary.
Interment was at the north side cemetery.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, NM, 20 Jul 1934.]
Dilbrey, William Robert – Services Today for Lea County Pioneer
Lovington (AP) – Funeral services for Lea County pioneer William Robert Dilbrey, 93, will be held at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Lovington.
He died Sunday at Lea County General Hospital where he had been a patient for 45 days.
He was a Lea County resident for 65 years, served as a deputy sheriff before New Mexico became a state and was the third sheriff of Lea County.
He had been a member of the New Mexico Cattlemen’s Assn. since its founding and he and his wife Lutie Price Dilbrey, who died Jan. 24, 1962, won honors for several years as the couple longest married at the Open Range Cowboy Reunion held each year in Lovington.
He is survived by three sons, Marion of Bledsoe, Tex., Wayman and Wilson, both of crossroads; five daughters, Mrs. Samantha Anderson of Crossroads, Mrs. Mae Deny of Jal, Mrs. Bob Leonard of Silver City, Mrs. Leslie Kelly of Hurley, and Miss Jane Dilbrey; one sister, Mrs. Ada Davis of Smithville, Ark., 24 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
Burial will be in Lovington cemetery.
[Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, NM. 20 Feb 1962.]
Duncan, M. L. “Grandpa” – Cane’s Sound Will Be Missed
Old Grandpa Duncan will be missed in Jal.
His tottering steps and the peck of his cane along the walks will never be heard again, as he was buried Wednesday in a simple home-made coffin.
All of the people of Jal turned out and helped bury the old man, M. L. Duncan, 83 years old. The old man had lived in Jal a long time, but he had lived other places a long time, too. Grandpa Duncan used to talk of the times when he knew Jesse James. He had lived long and seen many a pioneer day in the West.
He was survived by two daughters in Jal with whom he was living when he died.
Grandpa Duncan was missed down town for the past two weeks. His daughter said he just got weaker and weaker and finally took to his bed. He was found dead by a neighbor of the family who stepped over to the bed to say a word of cheer to him.
Three huge wreaths of flowers were placed on his grave by citizens who donated their bit to give the old man a good burial.
A wooden coffin was made and ladies of the town lined and padded it. They did not have lace to use so they used organdy bows to take away the plain black look of the coffin.
Yes, Old Grandpa Duncan’s tottering steps and the peck of his cane down the sidewalks of Jal will be missed.
[Jal Flare, Jal, NM, 16 Mar 1939.]
Dunsworth, William Oscar – Wm. Oscar Dunsworth Is Pneumonia Victim
William Oscar Dunsworth died at 6 o’clock Tuesday morning, at the family home in Hobbs, succumbing to pneumonia. Goodwin’s Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements. Funeral will occur at 9:45 o’clock Wednesday morning, at the Baptist church, the pastor, Rev. John W. Williams officiating.
Deceased was 44 years of age. He is survived by his wife and three children; also a a sister, Mrs. Annie Brimaer, and his parents, who reside at Portales, and will arrive this evening, to attend the obsequies.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, New Mexico. 11 Jan 1935.]
Easley, Floyd Emony – Floyd Emony Easley is Pneumonia Victim
Floyd Emony Easley, age 35, died Sunday, February 24, at Lubbock Sanitarium, the victim of loblar pneumonia, after a week’s illness.
The deceased had been in the employ of Bill Clark for almost two years, and was well and favorably known in local circles. He leaves many friends to mourn his passing. He was born March 16, 1899, at Sallisaw, Okla.
Surviving are: his wife, thee sister, Mrs. B. H. McPeters and Mrs. C. W. Stout of Keota, Okla. and Miss Luby Easley of Miami, Okla., and two brothers, Mark and Woodrow, both of Stigler, Okla.
Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 10:30, at the Baptist church, Rev. W. M. Beauchamp, of Lovington, officiating. Interment was in the Thorpe family plot, at South Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the direction of Goodwin’s Funeral Home.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, New Mexico. 1 Mar 1935.]
Edwards, (Infant) – Last Rites Held For Edwards Baby
Funeral services were held Monday for the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Edwards. The child was born Sunday and died the same day. Interment was in North Cemetery, arrangements in charge of the Goodwin Funeral Chapel.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, New Mexico. 1 Mar 1935.]
Eidson, Millard – Services Set Today For Millard Eidson
Funeral services for longtime Lovington resident, who engaged in extensive ranching throughout parts of both Southeast New Mexico and West Texas, will be held today at First Baptist Church at 2 p.m., with Rev. E. J. Bradshaw officiating.
Burial will be in Lovington Cemetery with Smith-Rogers Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Mr. Eidson’s wife preceded him in death two years ago, on Jan. 14, 1964.
Born in Missouri on Dec. 23, 1874, Mr. Eidson is survived by one son, Scharbauer Eidson of Lovington; and two brothers, Ernest who lives in South Dakota and Jim who lives in Washington State. Hometowns were not available.
Casketbearers will include Giles Lee, R. D. Lee, Curry Pruit, Duane Swafford, Bill Anderson, and Leonard Richards.
[Lovington Daily Leader, Lovington, NM, 13 Feb. 1966. Submitted by David L. Minton, Lea County Historian.]
Eidson, Robert Boyce –
LOVINGTON, N.M. – Robert “Bob” Boyce Eidson, 82, died Thursday, May 19, 2005.
Graveside services will be at 9 a.m. MST Monday in Resthaven Cemetery with the Rev. Mack McCarthick and Ty Bean officiating. Arrangements are by Stevens Funeral Home.
Mr. Eidson was born Sept. 15, 1922, to Rose and Boyce Eidson in Stanton, Texas. He graduated from Midland High School in 1940. He attended East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce, Texas, from 1940 to 1942. He was a member of the 1942 Lone Star Conference Championship football team. He served his country during World War II in the 342nd Infantry from 1943 to 1946 and was awarded the Bronze Star in the European African Middle Eastern Theater of Operations. He also served in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign.
He moved to Lovington in 1946 and ranched there until his death. He married Juandell Key on April 21, 1948, in Carlsbad. He was a founding member of the Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center and served on their board of directors for 10 years. He held membership in the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, Texas Cattle Growers Association and American Hereford Association. He was also a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association as well as the Lovington Chapter of the VFW. He was honored in 2003 with the Foy Proctor Memorial Cowman Award given by the Haley Library and History Center in Midland, Texas. A ranch plaque was also placed in his honor at the Pioneer Plaza Heritage Foundation of Odessa for his lifelong commitment to ranching in West Texas.
Survivors include his wife; four daughters [Names omitted], a sister, 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Nathan Taylor, Jared Taylor and Suzannah Rexrode, all of Amarillo, Sam Mulder of Albuquerque, Courtney Hahn of Texline, Texas, and John Mulder and Amy Ward, both of Denton, Texas.
Honorary pall bearers will be Paul Klatt, Arzell Sellars, Jack Ward, Gerry Hahn and Ed Mulder.
The family suggests memorials be to Haley Library in Midland, Texas; Lea County Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center, 5317 Lovington Hwy., Hobbs, NM 88240; or New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch, Belen, NM 87002.
[Amarillo Globe-News, Amarillo, TX. 22 May 2005.]
Eidson, Scharbauer – Scharbauer Eidson Rites Held Monday
Scharbauer Eidson, 65, prominent area rancher and longtime resident of the area passed away suddenly early Sunday morning following an apparent heart attack.
According to investigating officers, local police had detected that his parents’ home had been entered, and went to his home nearby and notified him of the entry. He arose and dressed and went to the home to evaluate the nature of any losses; and it was during this search of the premises that he was stricken.
One of the officers, Lt. Billy Bob Arnold, immediately attempted resuscitation efforts and a local physician, Dr. R. E. Smith, Sr. and the city ambulance were summoned. Mr. Eidson failed to respond and was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Deputy Medical Investigator, Sgt. Paul Mallory of the Hobbs Police Department, the death was attributed to a heart attack.
Scharbauer Eidson was born September 9, 1909 at Seminole, Tex., the son of the late Millard and Mattie Williams Eidson.
He moved to this area and engaged in ranching on the family ranch. He volunteered for service in the U. S. Army in World War II, and was a Prisoner of War for a time, eventually escaping and wandering over Europe before making his way to freedom.
Services in accordance with his wishes were conducted Monday afternoon at 4 at the graveside in Lovington Cemetery with the Rev. E. J. Bradshaw, Baptist minister of Los Alamos, officiating.
Friends serving as casketbearers were Charley Campbell, Giles Lee, Cliff Key, Dwayne Swafford, Mark Smith, Crurry Pruit, John Rich Anderson and Damon Shipp.
Mr. Eidson had requested that friends who wished could offer memorials to the Heart Fund, P. O. Box 1325, Lovington.
[Lovington Daily Leader, Lovington, NM, 3 Mar 1975. Submitted by David L. Minton, Lea County Historian.]
Etcheverry, Pello – Pello Etcheverry Rites Set Today
Last rites for Pello Etcheverry, 89, a widely known pioneer rancher of Southeastern New Mexico, are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Lovington.
Mr. Etcheverry died at 11:45 p.m. Monday at Lovington Lea General Hospital where he had been admitted earlier in the afternoon.
A rosary was said at the Smith-Yarbro Funeral Chapel last night.
Officiating at the mass today will be the Rev. Michael Brown, of Hobbs, and burial will be in Lovington Cemetery.
Born February 12, 1875 in Urepel, France, Mr. Etcheverry came to America at the age of 20 and first settled near Elcoe, Nevada.
He came to southeastern New Mexico shortly after 1900, settling near Carlsbad where he lived for six years before moving to Lea County in 1910.
Mr. Etcheverry settled on a ranch northwest of Lovington where he was an active sheep rancher until his death. He had been in good health and became ill only Monday morning, shortly after his wife and son, Johnny, left on a trip to Phoenix, Ariz.
One of the area’s most successful ranchers, Mr. Etcheverry was also known for having given many young men their start in ranching and business.
Survivors include his widow, Maria Victoria; two sons, Johnny and Fermin, both of Lovington, two daughters, Mrs. Chet Tindle, Phoeniz, Ariz., and Mrs. Cliff Selvage, of Albuquerque; two brothers, Jim Etcheverry, of Carlsbad, and Father Peter Etcheverry, of Evando Mbarara, East Africa. He is also survived by nine grandchildren.
[Lovington Daily Leader, Lovington, NM. 22 Jul 1964.]
Old Lea County, N.M. 