Print Edition 4-25-2013
Datil
Oral History: H.B. Birmingham’s life as rancher and sheep man in Catron County
2012 marks the 150th anniversary of the Homestead Act of 1862, and the Socorro Bureau of Land Management’s Cultural Resource Program is increasing emphasis on oral history collection, particularly as it relates to homesteading.
Over the last two years, the Mountain Mail has printed oral history interviews with Dave Farr and Evelyn Fite.
H. B. Birmingham was interviewed by BLM archaeologist Brenda Wilkinson in Reserve on March 17, 2010, at the home of his friend and neighbor, Judy Griffin. At 96 years old, he has witnessed much of the history of Catron County since his birth in 1915 in Reserve.
Birmingham raised both sheep and cattle, used the Magdalena Trail (Stock Driveway) and has extensive knowledge of his family history and the history of Reserve. H. B. is a stickler for accuracy, so these excerpts from the interview are in his own words.
Brenda Wilkinson’s questions are italicized.
We were very saddened to hear of his wife, Peggy, passing in November, 2011. Peggy and H.B. were married for 61 years.
No contest in Socorro; Magdalena candidates file for March election
The March 6 municipal elections will see no change in the Socorro City Council, as the only candidates filing on Jan. 10 were the four incumbent councilors: Mary Ann Chavez-Lopez, Toby Jaramillo, Michael Olguin Jr. and Peter Romero. There were no write-in candidates, so the four will run unopposed.
Datil author to present writer’s workshop
Noted New Mexico author Steven Havill will be conducting a Writer’s Workshop at Mary Mac’s Cafe, Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
A Man, a Plan, 37 Water Wells: the San Augustin Desert
Submitted by Don Wiltshire, San Augustin Water Coalition
It’s been four years since someone happened to spot a legal notice in the paper: an application from the Augustin Plains Ranch, LLC to the State Engineer for permission to drill 37 rather hefty water wells out in the San Augustin Plains. The plan was to extract 54,000 acre-feet of ground water per year.
Plein Air Artists To Converge On Socorro and Magdalena
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico’s Annual Members Paintout and Exhibition
set for October 22 – November 6 in Socorro
The Mountain Mail Is Free At Area Stores And Restaurants
The Mountain Mail print edition is available in the blue newsstand boxes at Smiths, John Brooks, the Water and Ice Store in Socorro – also Trails End, Family Dollar and the Mountain Mail office in Magdalena.
Water Coalition Meeting Saturday, May 21 In Datil
The annual meeting of the San Agustin Water Coalition is set for Saturday, May 21, at the Datil Elementary School gymnasium.
