the Law
Page 3
Nature and Wildlife
Pages 5 - 6
Editorials, etc...
Page 7
History Stories
Pages 8 - 10
Community Section
Pages 11 - 14
Events and Crossword
Page 15
The Trading Post
Page 16
...And Much More!
BULK RATE
US POSTAGE

PAID
CLOUDCROFT, NM
PERMIT NO. 7
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The Sacramento Mountains
Historical Society and Museum
by Pat Rand
Continued on page 6
Lincoln National Forest
Imposes Fire Restrictions
Continued on page 8
We believe it is important to preserve our history, and that knowledge is the building blocks
for the future. The Sacramento Mountains Historical Museum is a place where you can view
much of this mountains past. Pat Rand, President of the Historical Society, has provided us
with this story of how the Historical Society and Museum came about.
Back in September of 1977 (22 years ago) several organizational meetings of the pro-
posed Historial Society were held and the first officers were elected. Dr. Karl Wuersching
was named as presi-
dent and Lottie Scott as
vice-president, Marie
Wuersching as secre-
tary and Merle Mills as
treasurer. Margaret
Daniels was picked as
curator and a constitu-
tional committee made
up of chairman Merle
Mills, Lottie Scott and
Hugh Pittman was se-
lected.
The group decided
that on October 15
th
there would be a grand
opening and dedication of the log building that had been remodeled for use as a combined
Chamber of Commerce and Museum Building. It was originally built in 1913 by Emil Daniel
Winona to be his home and was donated to the village by the Eddie Coleman family.
Master of ceremonies for the event was Dr. Wuersching and the dedicatory address was
given by John Mershon,
former long-time state
representative from
Cloudcroft, who chal-
lenged the people to
have the spirit and de-
termination of the
hardy pioneers who es-
tablished our mountain
communities. Follow-
ing the ceremony, a
luncheon was served in
the High School and the
old-timers present
were honored for their
years of dedication. Dr.
David Bice, grandson
of Emil Winona, pre-
sented Dr. Wuersching with his grandfathers shotgun, an old Seth Thomas Clock and Winona
family photos for display in the new museum.
This was the beginning of a two year relationship between the Society and the Chamber, as
each organization grew and required more space. The Society board soon began the search
for another site and a second building. In July of 1978, a log cabin built in 1943 on the Rio
Penasco was donated
to the Society by the Bill
Dockray family. A
month later, Luther
Swift agreed to donate
to the Society another
log building, located in
James Canyon, which
had been the Posey
family home for many
years. All that was
needed was acreage on
which to locate them.
Dr. Wuersching,
Hugh Pittman and
Shirley Carroll in the
spring of 1979, pre-
sented sketches of the buildings to the Village Council and the planning commission, indicat-
ing they would be the start of a Pioneer Village. The Council agreed to lease about two acres
of land on the North side of Highway 82 across from the Chamber/Museum building to the
Wild Turkeys Everywhere
...Continued on Page 4
Ben Franklin wanted to make the wild turkey the national bird, and even today
some people wish he had succeeded. Stately birds in the forest, and Thanksgiv-
ing Day symbols at the home, wild turkeys are the largest game birds in America.
They are found in all mountainous areas of New Mexico, and their recorded
history here goes back to the 1540 expedition of Coronado.
Before that, turkeys were important to Native Americans. They were hunted,
and even domesticated, in the East and Southwest. Turkey bones 15,000 years
old and more have been found in caves and stream beds used by Native Ameri-
cans. Turkeys were eaten and also supplied feathers for clothing and arrow
fetching. Bones became awls, beads and spoons. When miners and settlers
came into New Mexico in the
1800s, they started to kill tur-
keys effectively. Wagonloads
were hauled to market. Turkeys
were eliminated from many
mountain ranges, and their
populations depleted in other
areas. The ebb was around
1924, and efforts of the Depart-
ment of Game and Fish began
to turn the numbers around by
1930. Birds were live-trapped
and moved to other areas. All
suitable mountain ranges now
contain wild turkeys.
There are three subspecies of
wild turkeys in the state. The Merriams turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami)
has the widest distribution by far, and is the most numerous, being found in many
mountain areas. The Rio Grande turkey (M. g. intermedia) can be found along
watercourses in northeastern New Mexico. In the extreme southwestern corner
of the state, the Mexican or Goulds turkey (M. g. mexicana) is found. It is con-
sidered endangered here and may not be hunted, though larger populations are
found in Mexico.
Adult toms weigh close to 16 pounds on the average, and hens seldom exceed
12 pounds. Tail coloration distinguishes the three subspecies. The Merriams
has an ashy-white tail band, the Rio Grande a rich chocolate band, and the Mexi-
can a pure white band. Turkeys have a brilliant bronze sheen on the breast and
neck, while their backs are a velvety black. Wing feathers have white and brown
bars. Females are generally lighter than males.
In the spring mating season, the colors and behavior of the toms are spectacu-
lar. A males head and upper neck are bare of feathers. The loose folds of skin
(or wattles) become brilliantly colored from deep red to bright blue. When a
tom displays for females, he spreads his tail feathers in an upright fan, droops his
1902 Fire Hose Cart in the Museum Building.
1905 Log Cabin in Pioneer Village, brought from Marcia.
Cottage know as Rift Point Lodge - built in 1899 and owned
by the family of J. Arthur Eddy, Father of Cloudcroft
Alamogordo, March 28 - The Sacramento
and Smokey Bear Ranger Districts will
implement fire restrictions beginning at
8am, Friday, March 29 and will remain in
effect until rescinded. Acting Lincoln Na-
tional Forest Supervisor Gerald Hawkes ex-
plained, Since the weather outlook calls
for warmer temperatures, high winds and
continued dry conditions, we feel it is nec-
essary to take these precautions. We want
our visitors to be fire safe while enjoying
their national forests.
Open Campfire Restrictions Campfires,
charcoal grills and stove fires are prohib-
ited on national forest lands without a per-
mit, except in Forest Service developed
camp and picnic grounds where grills are
provided. Within the Lincoln National For-
est, the only exception to the fire restric-
tions is the use of contained fueled stoves
and lanterns or heating devices provided
such devices meet the Fire Underwriters
specifications for safety.
Smoking Restrictions Smoking is al-
lowed within an enclosed vehicle or build-
ing; a developed recreation site; or while
stopped in an area at least three feet in di-
ameter and free of all flammable material.
Fireworks and Spark Arresters As al-
ways, fireworks are prohibited on all national
forest lands and approved spark arresters
are mandatory on all internal combustion
engines.
We need everyones help to keep our for-
est free from fires for the duration of this
fire season. Additional fire information can
be obtained at www.fs.fed.us/r3/lincoln/fire/
or please call toll free 1-877-864-6985.
Fire Restrictions on the
Mescalero Apache Reservation
Alamogordo, March 14 - Due to the continu-
ing drought and the extreme fire danger, the
Mescalero Apache Reservation is closed to
public entry until further notice. Measures
of this severity are necessary to protect the
Reservation from serious damage or destruc-
tion due to wildfire.
The specific restrictions are as follows:
Outside fires, including charcoal fires, will
not be allowed for cooking, warming or any
other purpose at any time. Fires within de-
veloped campgrounds are permitted in des-
ignated fireplaces and are allowed from 6pm
...Continued on Page 5
Buffalo on the
Circle Cross
Gabrial, Come Blow Your Horn!
by Bonnie Allen
I am reminded of a story my Dad, Bonnie Lovie Allen, told
me that happened when he was a small boy in about 1908.
It seems that one of his sisters was being courted by a cow-
boy and that this cowboy and my Uncle Arthur had become
good friends. This cowboy had come to pay court to one of
my Aunts and had brought along a big old cowhorn that he
gave to Uncle Arthur and helped him cut off the small end of
this horn to make an instrument that would make a loud noise
like a trumpet makes.
Well on a Sunday, pretty soon after, there was to be church
service and preaching over about five miles in another canyon
at a neighbors named Barton. This Barton family had so many
children my Grandad used to ask him if he earmarked the
girls and branded the boys to keep up with them.
When Sunday came, my Grandad harnessed the team, hitched
up the wagon, and the family all got dressed in their Sunday
best and away they went to the Bartons place.
Dad said he remembered my Uncle Arthur bringing along
his slicker all rolled up and tied, even though there wasnt a
cloud in the sky, and wondered why - but wouldnt find out till
later.
When they arrived at the Bartons there was already several
other mountain families there - including the preacher, Elder
Elkins. Everyone Howdyd everyone else and the wome