"Where &  What" you are doing these days?

Rex Booth

In addition, the quiz posted by Jonn L has not been answered.  Get yer search machines up and running!  Get ready, get set, GO!!

John L.  made this "Historical" contribution.

We are going to up the ante of 10 points to anyone posting a historical contribution.  John L, you are awarded "10 points"! Keep track of your 'geetus'.

An early Roswell First National Bank 20.00 note (1882)

The First National Bank in Roswell operated as a Territorial bank before New Mexico became a state, making its early 1882 notes rare and desirable to collectors. According to Heritage Auctions, banknotes of that era are collector’s items today.

a. 4,000.00 or more

b. 100.00

c. 200.00 to 500.00

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

John Landess

Pat, I will attempt to answer your two part question.

1. Part of the stone work done through town and the park on Spring River (most famous for the Iron Cross).The area shown was known as the Spring River Observation Point. (Actually "Sunken Gardens in Calhoon Park)***

2, Orchard Park interment camp for German POWs, mostly from the Afrikacorps.

The thing in common was that the POWs were put to work, and some of it was lining the river banks for flood protection as well as other stone work. Their claim to fame was making the Iron Cross from some of the stone on one of the banks.

I am familiar with Orchard Park as it was later turned into 'apartments'. I once rode the bus home with a 4th grade buddy from the Dexter School. A girl on the bus was supposed to leave my note in our mailbox. My first letdown by a young lady! When my Dad found me and took me home, where he then PUNISHED me. I still have some aches and pains in my nether region...........

***actually, I was given a hint by a person other known as Lamont!

'Lamont', the son in "Sanford and Son" ?  ~ The Shadow 

Paula Carl (Cowee Miller)

Patrick Riley

John Scores ...

John identified both photos correctly and, more importantly, knew how they related to each other.

Orchard Park was the first World War II prisoner of war camp based in the U.S. It opened in August of 1942 constructed to house 4,800 prisoners (it housed 4,816 POWs at its peak). The camp was 13 miles southeast of Roswell close to Dexter. It was called "Camp Roswell" in those days and primarily incarcerated captured German soldiers from Rommel's Afrika Korp.

As John pointed out, the prisoners were put to work. Among the Roswell area construction tasks the POWs work on included:

• Cahoon Park
• Spring River
• Eastern New Mexico State Fair Grounds
• Baseball park adjacent to the fairgrounds

The POWs also work on numerous local farms and ranches.

The 1940 census tabulated Roswell's population at 13,482. The influx of 4,800 POWs provided a substantial labor force which Roswell certainly took advantage of!

Accumulated stories from German POWs housed in the states are generally positive with most prisoners reporting they were far better taken care of than they ever expected. A few Roswell POWs refused repatriation and remained locally after the war.

John mentioned the "Iron Cross". During the construction of the stone-lined channel in the Spring River, the POWs covertly incorporated a German Iron Cross design in the stonework. It was initially covered with concrete to hide it but was eventually discovered and unmasked.

Historic marker at Orchard Park site:

Like John, I gained some experience with Orchard Park. Our YMCA Hi-Y club leader secured permission for our basketball team to practice at the gym there. It was a pretty run down facility that had electric lighting but little else. You had to dribble around the holes in the gym floor!

Patrick Riley

Paula Also Scores ...

The structure below was built in 1869 by Van C. Smith who founded Roswell in 1871. It later served as the residence of Captain Joseph Callaway Lea (1841–1904) who is recognized as the "Father of Roswell" for his many contributions to the area's development including founding New Mexico Military Institute.

When the above photo was taken (about a dozen years later), Lea had moved on and the structure was then known as "Captain Lea's Boarding House" serving as the area's first defacto hotel. Note the establishment's cook on the far left standing in the kitchen door.

You can't visit this historic structure as it was demolished in 1913.

Captain Lea:

Rex Booth

Paula, Congratulations!!  Naming the First House 1869 in Roswell.  (10 points) 

This later became the Clem Boarding House. It was located across the street from the Chaves County Courthouse and a few doors just north of the old Chief Theatre.

John L,  Wunderbar!!  Naming the Sunken Gardens in Cahoon Park and the Orchard Park POW facility during WW2.  (10 points)  Lamont sez: What it iz?

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Rex did you see my message 8823
about the note, not real sure about
my answer. Everything is coming so
fast and furious my head is twirling.
I'm a little slow!! 

Fred Miller

My contribution to the Q & A's is NMMI sports related.  Roger Staubach attended NMMI for one year, 1960-1961.  He excelled in 3 sports while there, one of which was quarterback of the football team.  

2 part question....<1> What was the teams' record the year he was quarterback?  And <2>  Who was his backup quarterback?

Patrick Riley

Fred, I'm looking forward to hearing the answers to your Roger Staubach questions.

I saw all his home games the one year he was at NMMI. The Broncos also had a great running back I enjoyed watching named Joe "Jackrabbit" Hernandez who arrived at NMMI a year or two before Roger. Jackrabbit went on to a long pro career in the Canadian Football League.

I believe the Staubach team lost only one game (on the road) that year. I don't know how many yearly games the team played in those days ... likely less that the 12 game schedule common now.

Re the three sports Roger Staubach played ... I'll guess football, basketball and  polo . Actually, just kidding about polo. You may not be aware of this, though, but NMMI competed in intercollegiate polo for many years winning a national championship in the early 1950s defeating several large eastern four-year colleges in the process. When my mom was in high school, she had a job at NMMI tending to the school's polo ponies.

Below is a photo of the NMMI polo team ... don't know what year. The school abandoned the sport sometime in the 1950s due to costs ... ie: it's expensive to transport a team and their horses across the country.

This is unrelated but worth mentioning ... Peter Hurd's New Mexico ranch, known as Sentinel Ranch, and located west of Roswell in the Hondo Valley near the small village of San Patricio featured a full-size polo field and frequently hosted matches there. I had the opportunity of seeing a polo match at his ranch when I was in my early 20s. I wasn't an invited guest; just pulled in, parked, and watched ... no one asked me to leave.

Below is a Peter Hurd painting depicting a polo match at his ranch.

They obviously took polo seriously at the Herd Ranch. Notice the players are in matching colors team uniforms.

Rex Booth

Things have been a little too "fast and furious" the past few days on the Message Forum. For "Roswell Historical" events, I am requesting that "one" post per day per classmate and a maximum of "two" historical posts total on the Message Forum daily. Slowing things down will allow other classmates who do not check in the Message Forum daily, time to respond to a posted quiz and post their answers.

I'm sure our classmates appreciate the new interest in posting "Roswell Historical" events.  I am asking to slow it down a bit and choose a day to post when things are not as busy. 

Thank you!

If you have any questions, you may "Contact Me". 

Rex Booth

Hi Sherry,

Yes, I agree that a little posting is fine but a bit of excessive posting can cause confusion among other classmates.  I've asked to slow things down a bit to a reasonable rate.

I did see your post 8823 on 3-9-26 about you thinking the Roswell Bank notes were not worth anything because it didn't have "Federal Reserve Note" on it.

One has to take into consideration that the Roswell Banknote was from the 1882 era when New Mexico was still a "territory" and not a State at the time.  Banking laws and requirements have changed considerably since then.

See Below

An early Roswell First National Bank 20.00 note (1882)

The First National Bank in Roswell operated as a "Territorial" bank before New Mexico became a state, making its early 1882 notes rare and desirable to collectors. According to Heritage Auctions, banknotes of that era are collector’s items today.

What is the value of a Roswell First National 1882 bank note?

a. 4,000.00 or more

b. 100.00

c. 200.00 to 500.00

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

Your choice was:  E. None of the above

The correct answer is:  "All of the above"

'Heritage Auctions' values this banknote between $100.00 and $4000.00 or more, depending on its quality and/or its condition.

Thanks for participating.  Hang in there, you'll have other opportunities!

Fred Miller

One further comment about the First National Bank $20 note.  Back in the late 1800s, it was common for territorial banks to issue their own currency.  At that time, there was no Federal Reserve Bank, the FRB didn't  open until 1913.

Pat, my Dad was his counselor at NMMI.  He became a friend of the family.  And still is to this day. 

His box at Cowboy Stadium is 6 boxes down from my brother's.  About 5 years ago, when Mom was still alive, we took her to a Cowboy game.  My brother had seen Roger at several previous games, and said to bring Mom down to his box if we ever bring her to a game.  We took her to a game.  Went down to Roger's box.  They hugged and talked for 15-20 minutes.

All Mom could say for several days was "He hugged me, and told me my husband changed his life".

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Thanks Rex!! I don't know about the rest of you
"But" I'm over 80 and slow!!
Oops, I was just quessing, on the note question!
That was my probably my problem in school.
I don't recommend guessing! HAHAHAHAHAH!
 

Rex Booth

Sherry,

Most all of us are over 80. You are not alone... you have company. In the meantime, hang in there and let the good times roll!!  

John Landess

Sherry, etal,

One important thing to remember!!!

Now I Don't know if 'Confucius' said this, but I did find it in a chinese fortune cookie.

"Old Age is always 20 years older than you are"

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Thanks John it is good to know that about old age,
I like it!! 
Thanks Rex! It's good we all have such nice school
mates to suport us and understand where we all are
because we are all in it togther! 

 

Rex Booth

Fred, 

In response to your Roger Staubach  quiz

Roger Staubach attended NMMI for one year (1960-1961)

1.  What was the teams' record the year he was quarterback?  

Answer:  9-1  (9 wins - 1 loss)   

(9 )Touchdowns &  (1,294) Passing Yards

2.  Who was his backup quarterback?

According to the (1960-1961) NMMI Team Roster the #2 quarterback was: 

Bill Carpenter

Fred,  do you have any connection with Bill Carpenter?

Rex Booth

What was South Junior High Football record during 1958-1959?  Tommy might know... 

Rex Booth

The "Ides of March" used to have a meaning...

Now it's another "March Madness".... 

Fred Miller

Rex, your post 8855...

Your answer to #1 is correct.

Your answer to #2 is incorrect.

Sorry my friend...

Patrick Riley

Re: "What was South Junior High Football record during 1958-1959?"

That record was, I'm pretty sure, 0-9 ... might have been 0-8. The team not only lost every game but failed to score a single poin the entire season.

Tommy Weathers was great ... a real standout! Unfortunately, his supporting teammates left much to be desired.

Patrick Riley

Still more Roswell area trivia ...

First some background facts ... we're all familiar with Comanche Hill ... we'd leave Roswell eastbound via 2nd Street continuing east as the road became U.S. Highway 380. We'd cross the Pecos River and them climb Comanche Hill on our way to Bottomless Lakes State Park. I'm confident most of you made this journey multiple times.

The hill got its name as the Comanche Indians supposedly used its elevated views to scout for game or tribes they were in conflict with.

The Comanches migrated to the west Texas/eastern New Mexico area from the northern plains in the 17th century. The Comanche nation, often termed "Lords of the Southern Plains", were considered supreme fighting horsemen, with their skill often compared to ancient or European cavalry elite. They've been called the "the finest light cavalry in the world". They quickly dominated the other area tribes.

They were know for taking numerous captives during their raids ... torturing the adult captives to death while, sometimes, assimilating younger captives into the tribe. This led to the advice "save your last bullet for yourself" when attempting to fend off a Comanche raiding party.

By the early 1800s, they controlled an area, called Comancheria, of ~240,000 square miles spanning the Texas/New Mexico border. The area was sparsely settled by the Spanish, Mexicans, and Americans due to the tribe's fierce reputation.

And finally the question ...

During our high school years, a facility was constructed on the top of Comanche Hill north of the highway. What little is left of it is pictured below.

Questions:

1. What was this facility?
2. What dates was it in operation?

Danny Cathey

Gee Whiz Riley:  I guess we all couldn't be standout athletes.  What position did you play Rex?

Rex Booth

Fred,

You said I answered #1 question correctly... Yippy Ki Yay!!  

However, I'm gonna take you to task re: #2 question: Who was Staubach's backup quarterback?

According to my sources the (1960-1961) NMMI Team Roster the #2 quarterback was: Bill Carpenter

Fred: "What is "your source" which proves Carpenter was not the backup quarterback at NMMI?

Danny, thanks for asking.

I played "arm-chair quarterback" with a red-head in one arm, a brunette in the other, and a blond waiting in the wings.
 

Pat,  10 points

For answering  "What was South Jr. High Football record in 1958 -1959".

Rex Booth

Danny,

I beleive you should be awarded "10 points" for your histrionics as the "elevator operator" during high school and summers at JP White building!!  Not many are aware of the hazards that can occur while an elevator is in operation.