Henry Clay McGonagill was born on September 24, 1879 to George M. McGonagill (1841 - 1921) and Narcissa Josephine "Grandma" Haynes McGonagill (1839 - 1935) in Sweet Home, Texas. His family were ranchers and he grew up in West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico as they finally settled in Lea County. It was there that … Continue reading Clay McGonagill
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Wacker’s Five and Dime
Wacker's stores could be found in most of the larger towns in Lea County, usually in the central business district. The stores were named for G. F. Wacker of Oklahoma. He had been working at a dry goods store in Ballinger, Texas and had the vision to start his own store selling low priced goods. … Continue reading Wacker’s Five and Dime
Seligman County?
There has long been a rivalry between Hobbs and Lovington, and in 1931 there was a move to subdivide Lea county into two counties, one retaining the name Lea and another called Seligman. The Albuquerque Journal issue of February 27, 1931 carried an article with these headings "Would Divide County To Honor Arthur - Hobbs … Continue reading Seligman County?
Pooch Saves Baby
On January 26 at 3 o'clock, Marilyn Janet Justis, 2, was playing in her yard with Mr. K. B. Walker's dog, Pooch. A few minutes later she wandered away and fell into an empty cess pool. Pooch howled and danced around the mouth of the hole until he attracted the attention of Marilyn's mother, Mrs. … Continue reading Pooch Saves Baby
Allen Clinton Heard
A. C. "Daddy" Heard was born in February 23, 1858 in DeWitt County, Texas. His parents were Humphrey Whorley Heard and Louisa Ellenor Foster Heard, and he was one of eight children. When he was an older teenager, he began working cattle for one of his brothers in Texas. He next rode on the cattle … Continue reading Allen Clinton Heard
John Scharbauer
John Scharbauer (1854 - 1941) was a long time ranch owner in the area. The family name is a familiar one to people from Lea County. In commemoration of his birthday, a number of his friends got together and honored him, as noted below. Loving Cup Inscribed in Gold Given Scharbauer by Friends "Going Strong … Continue reading John Scharbauer
High Lonesome Ranch
The High Lonesome Ranch was one of five early ranches in Lea County. Below is a brief recap of how it got its start. Two men named Dwight P. Atwood and Roswell A. Neal, along with other investors, had formed the Mallett Cattle Company in the state of Connecticut during 1883 with headquarters near Colorado … Continue reading High Lonesome Ranch
William Middleton Nelson “Bob” Beverly
Bob was born May 5, 1872 in Ringgold, Georgia to John Purnell Beverly (1831 - 1884) and Missouri Alice Israel Beverly (1845 - 1879). Bob's father J. P. had worked as a farmer in Georgia and was doing so when Bob was born. Soon thereafter, J. P.'s family and the Israel family moved to a … Continue reading William Middleton Nelson “Bob” Beverly
Max Evans
Max Allen Evans was born August 29, 1924 to Walter Burnace (W. B) Evans (1900-1979) and Hazel Glenn Swafford Evans (1904-1994) in Ropesville, Hockley County in Texas. Max was one of two children and had a younger sister named Glenda Rhue. Max grew up in the Panhandle of Texas and southeastern New Mexico and drew … Continue reading Max Evans
The Monument in Monument
About 1928, as well as we can determine, land developers commissioned a structure of a Native American. It once stood in the middle of a dirt road and faced the location of the old Monument Spring. The artist who constructed it is unknown. The monument itself had no name originally, as far as we can … Continue reading The Monument in Monument
Old Lea County, N.M. 