Husband
Gene and Argie Hoskins Shumway
On to Bob and Christy
Blair's home (Robert and Julie Groberg Blair are Bob's parents) for the
evening. Their daughter Amanda had given up her room for our comfort.
Next
day, April 14, 2009, we were inspired by the Memorial Service of
Celebration and Resurrection for Mercedes Dorothy Hoskins. This was held
at the St. Paul's United Methodist Church with Reverend Joseph E.
Whitley, officiating. The family gathering for a family prayer before
the service was held in a beautiful leaded window room with bright light
shinning through the east window. So pretty! Inscribed in the window is
the Lord's prayer highlighted with lovely purple iris. The large
chapel provided a colorful and happy presentation of light and beauty
surrounded us with a cathedral ceiling picture from floor to ceiling.
My, oh my!
The Dore Bible was used during the service.
Here
is a bit of history as inscribed on the fly leaf of this Dore Bible. “A
recent gift to St. Paul's Archive from Thomas and Mercedes Hoskins is a
Dore Bible, printed in Chicago in 1889 in the Norwegian language. The
book is named for the nearly 300 illustrations by artist Gustave Dore
who was an Alsacian born in France in 1832. He and the artisans in his
studios specialize in book illustrations. They produced hundreds of
different woodcuts illustrating scenes from a wide variety of biblical
stories.
The interesting story is how the Hoskins
obtained the bible. Sometime during 1967-1973 while Rev. Nelson Wurlger
was at St. Paul's, he told the Hoskins he had seen a Dore Bible. His
enthusiasm indicated he thought it was quite an event. He said it
belonged to an old rancher near Silver City, New Mexico. The old rancher
took Rev. Wurgler out to a barn, dug away a pile of manure, opened a
trap door, and took out a box containing the bible. He explained the
purpose of the manure covering the trap door was to maintain a more even
and consistent temperature and humidity for his precious bible.
About
twenty-five years later while the Hoskins were visiting the Hillsboro
Apple Festival, Mercedes happened to see a local lady with a box on her
vendor table that contained a bible. . .the lady was asking $50.00 for
the book. The Hoskins remembered Rev. Wurgler's earlier words and bought
the book, thinking that possibly it might have been the bible Rev.
Wurgler had seen years before. Apparently the old rancher's heirs didn't
think as much of the bible as Rev. Wurgler did.
The
inscription concludes with, "This Dore Bible is a wonderful addition to
St. Paul's Archive. We are indeed grateful to the Thomas and Mercedes
Hoskins Family for giving us this treasure.”
After the
prayer by Reverend Whitley we adjourned to the chapel. The softly
lighted chapel had the feeling of a cathedral. Beautiful in every way.
The service was inspirational with testimony of the Resurrection and
reminders that we will all be together again. Teddi created a world for
herself and others that was full of light and truth. We love you Teddi .
Service:
THE
WORDS OF GRACE
GREETING
PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD'S
PRAYER
PSALM 121 Ed Hoskins
AFFIRMATION
PRAYER OF
CONFESSION
HEBREW BIBLE LESSON
SPECIAL MUSIC Goin' Home
(Dvorak) Susan Ellington, soloist
THE LIFE OF MERCEDES HOSKINS
Earl Hoskins
GOSPEL LESSON
SERMON
HYMN
How
Great Thou Art
Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome
wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see
the stars, I hear the “rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r thru out the
universe display;
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
How
great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my
Savior God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
PSALM
23
HYMN
AFFIRMATION
EX[RESSION OF GRATITUDE
BENEDICTION
Just
a Closer Walk with Thee
I am weak, but Thou art
strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as
long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain:
Just
a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily
walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through
this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who
with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but
Thee.
Refrain:
When my feeble life is o'er,
Time
for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er,
To
Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
When Cousin Earl spoke
of his Mother's life and all she had done in the service of others,
along with her professional accomplishments, it was very tender and
deeply moving. Rev. Whitley, delivered a beautiful sermon on the
resurrection which must have been very comforting to the family.
In
the foyer of the Church is a china cabinet that houses a generous and
lovely donation from Tommy and Teddi. It displays thirteen hand painted
plates trimmed in gold depicting the ten commandments.
Tommy
and Teddi's children, sister and other members of the family
After
the cemetery trip, we went back to the church for lunch which was
called a reception. Time was spent enjoying the company of friends and
relatives. Rev. Whitley, Gene and I talked about this and that. We
think that he is a rather “in touch” man for his position in the
kingdom. When Rev. Whitley felt that he received a call to the
ministry, he left his law practice to enroll in a theological seminary.
We found Rev. Whitley to be a most intelligent, warm and loving man.
It was a joy to become acquainted with him.
Argie
Hoskins Shumway and Rev. Whitley
Off to the
University, we went to meet Bob Blair. Bob teaches Social Work at the
University. Gene stayed with Bob and went to class with him as I found
my way around campus. I found the archives, my old dorm Garrett Hall,
Milton Hall and some enchanting old trees.
Gene and I
went to Si Senor's for dinner which turned out to be a better tasting
meal than the evening before at my memory restaurant. Love Hatch chili!
Back
to Bob's home for a long and good visit. We loved their animals and
were well entertained with music and lively conversation. We took
pictures and looked at pictures before retiring. I tried not to talk of
my wonderful day too much. It was great walking the walk and dreaming
the dreams of A & M.
The
next morning we went back to the University, which used to be New Mexico
A & M in the days of 1955 when I attended there during my
sophomore year. It is now called New Mexico State University.
After
my freshman year in college at New Mexico Western College, in Silver
City, now New Mexico Western University, I transferred to A & M.
My year at A & M was very eventful for an Animas girl. I had
transferred because my brother C.L. had a basketball scholarship to A
& M.
C.L.
Hoskins standing next to the Coach
Back
Row: C.L. Hoskins
At the time, my major was Library
Science. I also loved the idea of Interior Design and took a furniture
refinishing class to fill a requirement in that direction. My project
was refinishing an old sewing table. This was the beginning of my love
for taking a piece of old junk and making it into a thing of beauty. To
this day, I remember the internal reward of doing just that, again and
again. I was not a “good student!” in any sense of the word, however I
worked hard to figure out that academic thing.
If you looked in
the Swastika (the year book or annual,) you would find that Argie
Hoskins was Beauty Queen winner, Maid of Cotton, Engineering Ball
princess, Sun Carnival princess and Military Ball Queen. Why? I was a
nice girl with kindness for all, no matter color or religion. I didn't
join a social club because I didn't have money to do that and I felt
uncomfortable with the idea of one group being better than another group
of girls. I loved and had friendships all over campus. Yes, I can
safely say that I never met a stranger on campus. It was fun being
friendly and getting to know the students from all over New Mexico and
other places, here and there.
"You
have got to be kidding!" First Place!
I
wore the dress of my friend from India. I wish I could remember her
name.
When
my grandchildren see this picture, "Grandma, someone spelled your name
wrong. It is Argie not Aggie."
There was a framed
picture of me hanging in Milton Hall for years. I looked in all the
places that it could be housed. The archivists of the University were
very helpful in trying to locate the picture. and they are continuing to
look. I had been a model for Mathieu Studio which does not exist
anymore. They had a hand colored portrait of me that was expensive. I
wanted it. I doubt that it ever sold. The University helped me look for
it. Never found it! Gene and I talked to a lot of people and learned a
lot of interesting things. The most rewarding was being able to get into
the old ballroom which is currently the radio studio. I saw a gentleman
coming out of the studio which opportunity presented itself for
conversation. Mike became our guide. C.L. and I had learned intricate
western dance steps, mostly our original creations, that we loved to
show off. Our home in Animas had a rather large kitchen which was our
dance floor. After eating mother's tasty meals, we practiced and
practiced into the night, night after night. We could hardly wait to
show our “stuff” and really looked “all decked out “ in the dresses and
skirts that mother had tailored, some things from the same fabric. Back
then we called fabric “the material.” For several dances, the students
thought that my brother and I were dating. C.L.'s friend Buz Burris
became my date for future western dances. Anyway that old ballroom
floor is the same ballroom floor after 54 years. About the only two
things that were the same at Milton Hall was a tree, only larger, and
that dear old dance floor. How I loved to dance! and dance!
The excitement of the Sun
Carnival days came next!
When
I was Sun Carnival princess, my brother C.L. was my escort. He was a
good choice because I had several boy friends that I could have asked,
but that would have complicated my life. The Sun Carnival was in El
Paso, Texas. It was so entertaining for the “kids” from Animas Valley.
We had never been to such “uptown” society. The many activities were
interesting. It was comfortable to have my brother with me; with whom I
did not need to converse if I didn't want to do that horrible thing
called talking. Carrying on intelligent conversation was and is so hard
for me. My brain processes mostly visual information with the emotional
part being intense. The auditory part of my brain has a difficult
time understanding and expressing itself. Conceptually, I am very
bright, however when one looks at me through my auditory brain
processing, I am somewhat viewed as dumber than “whatever.” Language
has always and I mean always been a challenge for Argie Hoskins, that is
I! As a teacher, I am writing a book about that whole challenge that
many of us endure. The book, “Don't judge me! DUMB” will be the title,
and I trust that I will finish it next year.
Anyway,
yes, a moment in time with my brother. As we walked up the steps to
the platform, we ntroduced to the court, “Argie Ella Hoskins of the
House of Hoskins escorted by her brother C.L. Hoskins." C.L. looked down
at me saying, ''I love you, my little sis.” Never will I forget that
magical moment. He really didn't hate me. Sometimes, as kids growing
up, one wonders!
Argie
and C.L. Hoskins at Aunt Boo's home in El Paso
As I
scanned my Sun Carnival pictures, the tears flowed. No, this did not
happen when I was scanning other pictures that had stirred happy, funny
memories. The tears jumped from my heart to my head. Why? I was
jubilant over having my brother with me and excited for both of us.
Yes, the tears came as I revisited the feelings of unhappiness that were
associated with the Carnival events. As the environment of festivity
unfolded, quickly, I realized that I had not been to a private school,
did not know a foreign language, had no ribbons for horseback riding, no
violin lessons, did not belong to a sorority which I couldn't afford,
wasn't listed in Who's Who and I could go, on and on. You know the
saying, "A fish out of water." I turned inward to wondering what I was
doing at the Sun Carnival.
As my sons would say, "Shame
on you, Mom." I am regretful that I didn't get pass my selfish feelings
of a dwarfed self. I missed the opportunity to become acquainted
with the beauty in the character of the outstanding young women of the
Carnival Court. They had social skills and were advantaged with
education which I had not had the privilege. For my Mother, I longed
for lovely fashions. She had given so much creative energy and sewing
skill to my wardrobe. Painful! I had things all mixed up. I wish I
could do that whole scene again.
At Animas High, I had
learned social lessons from having my head tied to a saw in shop and my
teeth brushed with a toilet brush. Were these cowboys motivated because
they thought I was a prima donna or just cute. I hadn't learned Latin,
but knew how to talk to a cowboy. Instead of violin lessons, I knew the
sound of the fiddle. My parents had taught me to work hard. When Daddy
woke me up in the morning he always said, "Get up and amount to
something, Sis." My experiences could have enriched the lives of other
members of the court.
Yes, Lord forgive me for my
immature feelings of being a "nobody" because I was a "somebody." My
dear mother had dressed me like a queen from the time I was born with
delicate fabric made with tucks here and darts there. Don't be ashamed
of homemade clothing, inside or out. I had been trained with good
manners ,"Don't be rude, think of the feelings of others, look before
you leap and don't be " Miss Priss!" You know what that means, don't be
prissy. I was a helpful, appropriate, well-behaved lady with good
values. What was wrong with me!
I had a very handsome
man by my side. I knew who he was, but me- -- who was Argie Hoskins? I
was looking inside for answers instead of looking up for strength. My
weaknesses can become my strengths. Remember a cowboy saying, "Pony
up!" Stop enjoying the pain of not having and start enjoying the joy of
having. I thought I knew the principle of looking beyond myself, but
the experience somehow caught me in a snare.
As years
have passed, I have gained a deeper understanding of my nature. No
matter how competent I am with my talents or acquired skills, I always
feel that I can do more and have more to feel better about myself. Life
is hard that way! On the other side of the coin, life is wonderful.
Just look up through the leaves of a tree. Every tree is beautifully
different. Every tree is a treasure!
Sun
Carnival Princess Consuelo Hernandez and Princess Argie Ella Hoskins
After
all is "said and done," I am pleased that I had the experience of being
a Sun Carnival Princess. Thank you, New Mexico A & M for the
opportunity to represent a great school. I represented you well.
While
at one of the activities, I noticed a blond haired handsome escorting a
lovely. lHe hardly glanced my way, in fact, I am sure he didn't see me.
I felt free to flint because I was with my brother. No chance with
Charlie Hooten!
Back to my world at A & M.
Loved it!
While on campus, I worked for Dad Jett. He
was a state Rainbow Girl's Dad. I was a Rainbow Girl. Professor Jett
was a dear man with whom I corresponded for years. At one point, when I
was elected to
another court,
he offered to buy me a dress because he knew that festivities were
expensive. I graciously did not accept, but was impressed with his
generosity. Jett Hall, the Engineering building, was named for him. A
& M's President Milton said that Dad Jett was the most loved
teacher on campus.
My
letters from Dad Jett are for another day.
I was so
sick by the time the events of the Sun Carnival were over and that
chapter had become history. Arriving back to the dorm, the bed looked
good to me however my liver hurt so badly, I could hardly move, and I
started to turn yellow. I went to the campus infirmary with a head full
of complaining, "I hurt from head to toe." Yellow Jaundice! A call to
Mother and she was on her way from Animas to take me home. On the way
home, Dr. Rice, who was in Lordsburg, checked me over. His very good
advice, "Drink apple juice, eat nothing, drink water, eat nothing and I
mean nothing, just apple juice until you are not yellow. That means even
the white's of your eyes," was taken seriously. So I went home to the
ranch, stayed in bed, and everyday it was "Drink apple juice, eat
nothing, drink water, eat nothing and I mean nothing, just apple juice
until I was not yellow, not even the white's of my eyes."
After
three weeks, I went back to school! My classes had started, but there I
was on campus. The teachers were great to work with me in my effort to
"catch up."
As I was still recovering from the sickness
and studying hard, here came another awesome moment in that wonderful
Milton Hall ballroom.
The
next event in my life at New Mexico A&M was the social whirl
surrounding the Military Ball activities. Again, I was surprised by
being elected "Queen of the Ball." This was an honor because of the
high standards and patriotic stance of the Reserve Officers' Training
Corps whom I was privileged to represent. They were the greatest guys
on campus, along with the cowboy hats that brought color and symbols of
our heritage. I quickly appreciated the individuality of the cowboy's
contribution to sound values without compromising themselves to the
whole. In others words, the philosophy that the whole is greater than
the parts, can only be true if the parts achieve individual greatness.
The whole should not guide the parts, the parts should guide the whole.
That is why the parts need to be committed to fundamental values and
principles.
The ROTC's attitude of commitment was
outstanding. They loved our freedoms and were commitment to defending
the principles of the constitution. At this moment, my heart thrills as I
relive that very special memory of "March in Review" accompanied by the
stirring notes from the band as we pledged our allegiance to our great
country, the United States of America. GOD BLESS AMERICA
President
Robert Corbett crowned Argie Hoskins Military Ball Queen
Military
Ball Queen
Escort
Buz Burris, Freshmen Class President
To be an AGGIE
was a really great experience due to the fact that everyone knew
everyone. Students had a friendly "Hi," sat for while and chatted. In
those days, more than casual conversation at the Milton Hall Student
Union was a "happening."
At the Ball, band
leader Ralph Marterie, with his eleven piece band, kept us swinging and
swaying into the evening. He was en route to play at the Palladium in
Los Angeles. Later, as an airline stewardess based in Los Angeles, I
danced with my date, Bing Crosby's son, Gary Crosby at the Palladium. A
little side note.
Another
surprise came when the Mesilla Park Co-Op Gin sponsored me to represent
Dona Ana County as Maid of Cotton. The contestants were highlighted for
personality, poise, good manners, intelligence, modeling ability,
family background, and beauty. They must have been born in one of the
cotton producing states. My Mississippi, North and South Carolina,
Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and Tennessee ancestors must have been
pleased. Oh yes, New Mexico! One day, I received a call from the Co-Op
asking me if they could sponsor me. Well, whatever that meant!
Sounded Okay to me. Mother started sewing again! Bless her heart, I
kept her very busy.
Dona
Ana Maid of Cotton, Argie Hoskins
The
Dona Ana winner competed in the state contest June 21-22, 1956.
Mesilla
Park Co-Op Gin awarding a gift to the county winner.
The
following pictures were taken at the state contest.
The
Seventh Annual Convention of New Mexico Cotton Ginners Assn. was held
in Ruidoso, New Mexico. My dear mother Edna Lawson Hoskins was my
escort. She was so proud of her "little girl."
Now,
children and grandchildren, I want you to know that the "
honors of man" are not the important
essence of character; the holy kindness and love that is in your heart
and mind is the
you! Love the
Lord, thy God with all your heart and let your steps on this earth, step
you into eternity with dignity and grace, not what you know but what
you do.
Years later, I returned to A & M to
find that I was not known anymore. Things change! The moment is to be
enjoyed now, not later.
Our journey took us to Deming
for a very frustrating day of trying to find the home that I remember as
my first home. Couldn't find it! When I found the address, the house
had been demolished and on my old tree that I played under was a
building permit. Yes, I cried.
I
have a vivid memory of the wicker design in my crib. It was in a
square, this way and that way, small pattern. I can rest there in that
little crib as I speak and see mother's face looking over me. I see her
with a spatula in her hand as Daddy did something in the background.
Of
this home, I remember a wooden floor with a dark colored rug with a
design that kept me busy as a crawling baby. As I grew older, say about
two or three years old, my imaginary friend Mrs. Meanie lived under that
rug. We visited often with adult conversation.
When I
was about four, my mother entertained some ladies with a well planned
shower. I took my porcelain tea set into the bathroom. Where else could I
get water? The ladies were enjoying the drink from my delicate tea cups
and thought that I was so charming. Mama followed me into the bathroom
to find that I was getting the water out of the toilet bowl. Where else
could I reach? She promptly brought my adventure to an end. So sorry for
the beginning and perhaps the end of my enthusiastic entertaining.
Daddy
carried me on his shoulders around and around the house. I loved to
duck under the door jams and giggle. Daddy also took me out to Harold
Holiday's farm where he kept Morgan, his horse. I remember riding it
with him. I have a picture of me when I was two years old leading a
parade riding Morgan. I have always loved horses. Never owned one!
However, I hold on to that dream!
Next door to us,
Benny Ray Lane lived with his own toys to share with Argie Ella. I
really liked to play with my friend Benny Ray, but not as fun as Mrs.
Meanie under the rug.
Outside and not far from the
still living tree, I sat studying the white plaster on the wall, running
my fingers over the texture. In back of the house was a storage shed,
grey in color, and cold inside. It seemed the color of cement and the
texture of stucco. In the shed an old trunk or two hide their contents
from me. The only item I remember was an old quilt. Stacked in the
corner was my black baby doll without any clothes. Across the room was a
Effanbee doll with beautiful hair and lovely clothing.
In
the back of the lot was the garage with Daddy's things. Can't remember
anything there except car things.
One day while walking
across the street to Bernice's home with Mama, she scratched my head
and said, “My head itches, how about yours?” The feelings I felt were
feelings that my mama loves me. I treasure that moment. The house is
gone; the home is in my heart.
Often, Mother would
place C.L. in the buggy; tightly,I held her hand. The picnic lunch was
in the buggy with brother as we strolled to the court house lawn. As if
yesterday, I remember the smell of the flowers and feel the warm,
sometimes hot days. Memories are there to revisit, again and again! On
our journey, we stopped by the ice cream shoppe for a treat. The ice
cream shoppe with the Coca Cola girls calender hanging on the wall was a
really good stop on the way home.
After Daddy retired
from the Diamond A Ranch as the windmiller, Mother and Daddy moved back
to Deming. At one point, they bought a mobil home and placed it in the
Deming Estates. They planted roses, fruit trees, all kinds of flowers,
a manicured lawn and had hummingbird feeders. I didn't expect the
hummingbird feeders, but the roses, fruit trees, lawn and flowers were
gone! I couldn't take a picture of the house because my heart broke.
Again! The pecan trees that Daddy had planted were there being the only
solace to my heart. My little family of sons had so much fun at this
place called the home of the Hoskins' grandparents. The beauty of the
house is gone; the home is in my heart.
We
went out the to the cemetery to visit the graves of mother and daddy,
Grandfather Charles William Hoskins and Jenny. Waiting for the
resurrection, not far away from them is dear Bonnie and cousin George
Hoskins. Along with them is Uncle George Edward and Elizabeth Bell
Hoskins with their daughter Ruby. Cousin Earl Hoskins has a marker there
as well. He died in World War II..
Peace filled the
air as I visited Mother and Daddy's graves. I am glad that they are my
parents as they taught me so many lessons of life. They are good people.
They are my parents and I love them dearly. Of course, it wasn't always
joyful, but who can say that life anywhere is all roses. Roses have
thorns. Please, God allow me to see life beyond the thorns! Had I a
choice of all the parents in the world, Mom and Dad were the pick of
eternity.
We
talked to Baca Granite business about the markers at the cemetery. What
they are going to do is forth coming. They will complete the date on
Mother's stone. I am considering a bench at the end of graves inscribed
with “The children of Edna and Al – Argie Ella and C.L.”
On
up the road to Santa Rita, New Mexico
Al, Edna and
children moved to Santa Rita, New Mexico in April 1939. Daddy worked as
a machinist for Kennecott Copper Mines. Santa Rita is an open pit
copper mine. Al was also a special deputy sheriff.
Western
New Mexico University: "The Santa Rita Mine is the oldest active mine
in the Southwest and now one of the worlds largest open pit mines. Mule
trains of ore were sent to Chihuahua City, Mexico, as early as 1800 and
prior to the 1800's the copper was utilized by the Indians. Today the
copper from the Santa Rita and Tyrone open pit mines provide the
economic base of the region and employ about 2,000 men and women."
Santa
Rita was a company town. We lived on Booth Hill in a little wooden
house. The management assigned where you were to live according to your
position in the company. The "big boss" lived "downtown" where the
General Store, Company Hospital, Community Center, and Company General
Offices were located. Along with the biggest boss, the smaller boss and
even smaller boss had rather nice residences in this world of
"downtown." Oh yes! The doctors and nurses lived downtown. I had a
few friends who lived "downtown," Shirley, Karen, Sylvia, and June, by
name. Forgot to include Donald Strand, Dr. Strand's son. I will never
and I mean never forget, the first time I saw wallpaper. There it was,
small flowers on Shirley's bedroom wall. I couldn't figure out how
someone could have painted so many flowers on all that paper. At
Christmas time, we caroled at Karen's home, the largest in town. Karen
Goodrich had the best hot chocolate and the cups were so pretty. No
paper cups at that house.
It was a really "big deal"
when the Hoskins family moved to Ball Park. A step up in the social
climbing of Argie Ella and C.L. WOW! And right below the water tank.
C.L. and I prayed every night that "the thing" wouldn't break open with
water flooding our house.
When I write this entire
chapter, you know edited and more of it, I will paint the picture of
Mexican Town, Iron Hill, Booth Hill, Ball Park and Downtown.
We
all loved living in Santa Rita. It was a fun place to have gone
through elementary school. As I reflect on my schooling, Sully
Elementary School demanded more of me, a student, than any school
before I arrived at college. Good old Sully School. I remember playing
in the streets and coming home after dark. It was a safe place.
Well,
I say safe! When I was in kindergarten, the school alarm would blast
through the building and out we would go to squat down under a
greasewood bush to protect ourselves from the Japanese and German
planes. Air raid drills, they were called. I had never seen a monster,
but one fine day as I squatted down, there it was staring me in the
face! A Horned Toad! I did not know that such a thing exsisted. The
Horny Toad shoots blood from their eyes. Really! I hated the sound of
an air raid drill.
I fell in love when I was fourteen,
but didn't date until I was fifteen. There he was at the Community
Center setting pins at the bowling alley. He came around to Ball Park
on a regular basis. A great big Hurley High man. My freshman year at
Hurley was wonderful because I was dating the star football player,
"Tack" Byrd. He was a fine person. My parents were fortunate because he
respected their daughter. I loved him so much, however I was a
virtuous young lady. I had been taught the value of "good old fashion
goodness." While other kids were smoking and drinking, I wasn't even
tempted.
"Tack" Byrd
When
I was 16, our family, moved to Animas from Santa Rita. I, well
remember the day when Daddy came home and announced, "I am tired of that
communist group of unions, the AFL and CIO." I had no idea how deeply
he felt, within a couple months, we were moving to Animas.
Years
later, I returned to Santa Rita to find a huge hole in the ground
holding my memories of Santa Rita. The town was gone. My home gone, but
the home still in my heart.
It was getting late as we
drove up the road to Silver City to meet Carol and Weldon Smith. They
guided us out to their ranch. After retiring to a comfortable bed with
no outside noise or lights to distract us, we slept like babies. Only
to awaken to the smell of coffee and bacon with Carol busily cooking a
scrumptious breakfast. Our old Animas cowboy friend Rex Williamson
arrived with his friend Patsy for the breakfast event. Rex has joined
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saint Church so we had some
conversation about that happening. Carol and Weldon belong to a church
without a name. Anyway, we all had a great time recalling the memories
of Animas Valley. Rex worked for Daddy Al on occasion and he will write
a history of that memory.
We
picked up our suitcases and headed for Silver City, Carol and I in one
car; Weldon and Gene in the other. Carol and I talked and talked about
our days in school at Animas High: the bus rides, dances, basketball
games with us cheering, boys, girls, and on and on. It was fun! Winding
around the hills, to New Mexico Western University, we drove.
Both
Carol and I had our freshman year of college in Silver City. While
Carol, Weldon, and Gene went to town to do business, I was guided around
the University by Phillip Cave from the University archives. So
exciting to find pictures of the year 1955 hanging on the wall in the
Memorial Building! There I was cheering leading and with the drill
team, the Westernetts. Carol is there on the wall with the next year's
Westernetts.
I
was a high school cheerleader for three years and college for one. I
am here to tell you, I would not make it in today's world of cheering.
Argie Hoskins was a dancer, not a gymnast however I, Argie, had a lot of
fun jumping up and down.
My days at Western
were not without drama. While bumping in to my first sweetheart “Tack
Byrd,” who played football and I might add had married; I was “going
steady” with Donny Morris, basketball star. Well, one fine day, a friend
from Lordsburg, Rex Kipp called and said that he would be in Silver
City to see me. He was on leave from the Army and had something
special to say to me. Well, as you can see, I had too many boy friends.
Now, at one time, I really had a crush on Rex. He would fly to the
ranch, pick me up and fly back to his ranch. His mother approved of me
and I really liked his mother. He was an exciting friend to have, so
how could I say “no?” After the basketball games, I always went out
with Donny. Now what to do??? Rex was on his way, the game was over and
Donny on his way for our usual date. I rushed to the dorm, changed from
my cheering outfit and stationed myself at the door, just in time to
rush to the car with Rex. There came Donny. Oh, NO! Into Rex's car we
went and right behind us was a white car following us and the car
followed us all evening. It was terrible! After Rex had walked me to
the door and very upset that the white car had followed us everywhere,
we said good night. A few minutes later, I was called to the phone.
Yes, It was Donny softy saying “Go to the window.” I did, to which, I
heard a resounding, “Go to h___!” My stupid little heart broke. My
steady boyfriend had just told to go to H____. He was such a nice boy!
How could he say such a thing to such a nice girl! As I think about the
situation, all I can say, “Oh, please Lord, forgive me for being
young. And I might add for “Always keeping my options open.”
"Tack" Byrd, my
first sweetheart.
Rex Kipp
Donny Morris
We
were now on our way to Carol's parent's ranch in Animas Valley. It was
refreshing to arrive at the home where Carol lived when we were in high
school. Her parents are both gone now, but the feel of the old
wonderful home lingers with the rock walls of the house still in place.
Carol
and Argie posed as they had years ago!
Next
day, a friend of Carol and Weldon guided us up the valley where the
Hoskins had lived on the Howe Camp when Daddy was the windmiller.
Carol's friend was a storyteller with real stories. She is a Wild West
lady.
My heart swelled as we turned south toward the
Diamond A Ranch. This was my world! An arid desert with rich animal
life and plants that I can see and smell along the dusty roads. Some
typical animals include the Cottontail, Jack Rabbit, Cactus Mouse,
Cactus Wren, Roadrunner, Rattlesnake, Lizards, Toads, and other
creatures. Daddy brought three Bobcats kittens home; one of which
Mother kept, Tommy by name.
The
plants are shrubby desert plants with grass that I have seen only in
Animas Valley. The birds are so graceful and full of song. I loved to
ride a horse around the yucca plants, get excited when Daddy would
bring a Manzanita plant home for Mom to decorate, and pleased to see the
growth of the Black Gamma grass after lots of rain. The smell of the
chaparral and colors of the sage are heaven's feast. New Mexico Thistle
is a member of the Sunflower Family. The Indians used this plant for
healing, as they did with many of the plants. Agave or Century Plant
grow here and there. Incindentally, I use Agave as a sweetener. I
didn't often see a Century Plant. They are not to be confused with the
Yucca plant. The Yucca is the New Mexico state flower.
We
went to the Howe Camp to find the little hill where I used to sit to
think and think and sometimes sit and draw. It was currently being
bulldozed or leveled to the ground along with one of my favorite trees.
Honestly! The house that was dear to me had been remodeled. The only
thing left about the house is a window frame and the kitchen floor that
C.L. and I used to dance our life away. Again, the house is not the same
house; the home is in my heart.
This is only the
introduction of my chapter called, "Animas, my grounding"
The
hill, where I would sit and eat, ponder and drew, was currently being
leveled by an old friend.
The
old house looks like the two adobe rooms have been taken away and other
construction ideas have been placed here and there. I did not
recognize the floor plan. Another house gone! The home is in my heart!
I
recall observing Daddy one afternoon, leaning against the fence,
looking at Animas Peak. How, I would love to know his thoughts and how
he was feeling.
The
Cottonwood trees down by the creek bed had been planted a long time
ago. I loved those old trees. I am sure they remember me as a teenager
walking, talking, playing, wading, picnicking, and praying. Some of
them are still living, but thirsty for water.
The old
barn is gone that housed the kittens whose tails were bobbed at a party
one evening. The chicken pen that housed the chickens that supplied eggs
to be candled, gone. The eggs were sold, along with the chickens.
Mother did her sewing to bring in additional money. Busy lady! She was
cooking, washing, canning, gardening, sewing, quilting, "churching," and
driving her children all over the place to dances and basketball games.
I
was a Rainbow Girl and Mother an Eastern Star. When we moved from
Santa Rita to Animas, I was involved in the officers of Rainbow. We
drove back to Hurley, near Santa Rita, for the Rainbow meetings. This
trip took about 3 ½ hours, one way. We would drive up after school,
spend the night with Mrs. Kelly, Mother Advisor, and drive home the next
morning. I would get to school when school was starting. This is an
example of the dedication that my Mother was known for in everything
she set her mind to do.
I became a Rainbow Girl because
I wanted to be one. My mother and Grandmother were Eastern Stars, as
were my Aunt Boo and Aunt Eula with Uncle Bill and Uncle Lloyd being
Masons.
Quoting from Wikipedia:
Officers
include:
* Worthy Advisor (WA) Presides at meetings
and plans activities for her term like a President: the highest office
in an Assembly. (elected by Assembly)
* Worthy Associate Advisor
(WAA) Duties similar to a Vice President. Presides over a meeting in the
absence of the Worthy Advisor: moves up to WA. (elected)
*
Charity Teaches about charitable deeds: moves up to WAA. (elected)
*
Hope Teaches that hope is always there: moves up to Charity (elected)
*
Faith Teaches that faith is our constant companion. She is the officer
who guides new candidates through an initiation ceremony: moves up to
Hope (elected)
* Recorder Records minutes and handles
correspondence: serves for 1 year and may be either elected or appointed
depending on the jurisdiction
* Treasurer Handles monies and
bills and compiles reports about the balances of the Assembly's various
money accounts: serves for 1 year and may be either elected or appointed
depending on the jurisdiction
* Chaplain Leads in prayers
(appointed)
* Drill Leader Leads the officers in their floor work
and leads guests around the Assembly room (appointed)
* Seven Bow
Stations Teach about their color and its corresponding virtue
(appointed)
o Love (red)
o Religion (orange)
o Nature
(yellow)
o Immortality (green)
o Fidelity (blue)
o
Patriotism (indigo)
o Service (violet)
* Confidential and
Outer Observers Guard the inner and outer doors, respectively
(appointed)
Musician and Choir Director Provide music for the
meetings (appointed)
I held the positions of Musician,
Drill Leader, Chaplain, Religion, and learned all Bow Stations. I held
other stations and became Worthy Advisor.
High honors:
The
Grand Cross of Color is the highest award given to a member or adult
leader for outstanding service. Up stairs, in a box, I have both my
mother's and my Grand Cross of Color. I learned to serve by my mother's
untiring example as she worked her way to become Worthy Matron.
One
evening after meeting, Mother decided to drive to the ranch rather than
stay over in Hurley. The meeting was over about 10:00 PM. We were on
the Cotton City road on our way to Animas. It was about 1:30 in the
morning. Off to the side of the road was a parked car with very bright
flashing lights pointed in our direction. Our first thought was some
kind of emergency vehicle was signaling our attention. We stopped. Out
of the car jumped two large men headed toward our car. Mother gunned
it! They were right behind us all the way home. We had one advantage;
we knew the road. Mother was getting tired of the race, so half way
between Animas and the ranch, I slid under Mother and took the wheel.
This was while we were going very fast. We felt that I knew the road
better because I rode it to school every day. Our mail box was one
fifth of a mile off the road to the house. We got to our house as they
got to the mail box. Into the house, we awakened Daddy and quickly he
got his gun. They stopped at the mail box and turned around. It was
obvious that those men were up to no good. Scary, scary! I do know how
to drive on dirt roads. They can be dangerous! Mom looked back from
time to time as we raced. She would say, “They slid off “ in one
direction or the other.” That night I was so glad to get home to my big
Daddy with his gun.
We had a lot of “wetbacks” going
through to get ranch work. They were harmless. I remember when I was
young I had a crush on a “wetback.” He had green eyes and tire tread
shoes. Mother would feed them and send them on their way.
Now,
down there, the illegals coming are coming across with guns and drugs
in their backpacks. The night that Gene and I stayed at Carol and
Weldon's without their dog. Carol and Weldon left to go back to Silver
City with their dog. I spent a sleepless night listening for
"whatever." I DID NOT sleep. No barking dog! A dog is a comfort. I am
so sorry that our world has changed. The fence is not helping. They go
around the fence and over Animas Peak to deliver their drugs to an
appointed contact. Then they sit on the side of the road for the Border
Patrol to take them back to Mexico for their next haul. Craziness!
School
at Animas High was fun: basketball games with C.L. a star player, with
Carol and I cheering in our green and white uniforms, dancing in the
smoke filled room of the gym or Community Hall with drunk cowboys
outside and some inside I never paid attention to the commotion because
I was having so much fun dancing those creative dance steps and
listening to Pug Scott fiddle in her tight pants. Mother made me pants,
shirts, and squaw dresses which I wore with moccasins lined with
buttons of silver and turquoise. I liked the way I looked. Oh yes, I
am told that the boys liked the way I looked, also. Good ole western
music.
The
gym was our square dancing hall. We loved to square dance and dance. I
loved to dance! Mother made Squaw Dresses for a shoppe in Santa Fe, so
you know that I had beautiful dresses. Mother's talent made me feel
like a queen. I have never had the look since Mother's professional
stitch covered me with style. Mother had been sewing since she was a
small child, running the treadle on her mother's sewing machine. She
took lessons by mail from an Institute of Sewing and received a diploma.
I still have a dress she made me.
We
left the Animas Ranch and made our way to Church in Cotton City. The
Richins, Richardsons, and Hatchs are still living on their farms. They
welcomed us with love. I also saw the Burtons, Don and Mary Ann. That
was fun!
Lordsburg was next on the adventure. This is
where I graduated from high school because Mother's cousin Ima Fairly
was the School Superintendent in the area which covered both Animas and
Lordsburg. She suggested that I would have an advantage at Lordsburg
High. It turned out that I received a scholarship that took me to
college. In my chapter on "Family Trips," I have uncovered the scenic
beauty from New Mexico to Canada, California to Florida, and places in
between in our great land of beauty. New Mexico came to life for me on
the Honor's trip from Lordsburg to places north. My friend Vern Payne
was a special person in my life. He encouraged me to listen to
missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints
Church. This church is the church in which my children have been
reared. Good values! My life has been involved with understanding the
principles of good. I do know that a war is being fought between the
forces of Good and Evil. I have many friends and relatives who
understand this war, who do not belong to this church. We are warriors
together! God bless!
Argie Hoskins
Rainbow
Girls meant so very much to me. I felt like I was a good girl and that
is a reward.
I had a good time in school with friends
like Vern Payne. My cheering leading friends were super girls. I was
in the play "Little Women," playing the part of Marme. Of course, I
loved the story line with an outstanding cast. I wanted the part of one
of the lovely daughters, but was delighted to be the mother. Can't
have everything I want and that is a lesson that has repeated itself
over and over in my life. Somehow, to have what I desire, I have had a
work very hard. The privilege of living on this earth has spent me into
the wrinkles of time. I have beauty around me, inside and outside. My
good righteous family is good to me and they are worthy of more than I
can give.
Vern Payne
Homecoming
was a good experience, even though, as I was being driven around the
football field to the place to be crowned, I heard, "Yea, for the Onion
Queen from Animas." My heart broke! I don't think they grew onions in
Animas. A thorn on the rose, it was.
On our way again!
Here
we are in Deming, again, looking for family homes. This time we found
Grandma Effie and Grandpa Les' home, changed but still standing. I have
written a nice description of this home in Aunt Boo's history. Only a
few blocks away stands Grandfather Charles William Hoskins and Jenny's
home. I enjoyed visiting these places that they called home. For a
moment in time, I felt time go back in time as I revisited their lives.
I don't know a lot, but enough to know that I will be able to visit
with them about many things. I felt their presence, real! I hope.
On
to Bob Blairs for another enjoyable visit and a night of rest. Up and
going to El Paso the next morning, after Christy helped us pack our
Hatch chili. They were so very kind to us.
First
stop was the house that Effie and Les lived in on San Deigo Street.
The house is mostly well kept. Missing were the flowers, trees,
chickens and porch with Honeysuckle growing up and around so you could
hardly see the street. How I loved to sit on that porch with Grandpa
Leslie Joe Lawson, look at his watch, and smell the Honeysuckle. It had
yellow blossoms. Grandma Effie grew the most lovely, large Dahlia
flowers, Zinnias, Sweet Williams, and Cosmos. Oh, yes lawn!
Grandmother Effie Argie
Fairly Lawson on the side of her home on San Deigo Street
Argie
Ella Hoskins, W.D. Scott, and C.L. Hoskins at Lawson Grandparents on
San Deigo Street
I
had warts on my knee, right knee, big ones and not so big ones. Grandma
Effie came in with a dish cloth or called “dirty dishrag” in my time
with Grandma Effie, wrapping my knee and went away for a while. Took the
cloth and buried it under the tree out back. The warts went away in
just a little while. A few days! Really! And they never came back. I
know you don't believe me, but it is true!
In that
magical house, I had paper dolls hidden in the front bedroom closet with
a nickel. There was corn candy and orange slices in the china cabinet.
Old magazines and children books in the back bed room which I loved to
root through looking at the illustrations. The chest in Grandma's room
had the most of mostest pictures. Why didn't someone give me the
pictures? I fell off that chest and broke my collar bone. Ouch! There
was an old victrola in the magazine room where Aunt Boo taught me how to
dance to the tunes of Al Jolson, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and
other jazz musicians that I can not remember. We would swing this way
and that as the records went round and round. I have always loved jazz
since my first steps were in that direction.
Grandma
and Grandpa Lawson loved each other; I could just tell. I gasped when I
saw Grandpa pinch her one time. Grandpa always carried a glass of water
to bed for her. I never heard them fuss. Yes, I loved being in their
home.
The Lawsons moved to El Paso from Deming when
Grandpa became a cattle inspector. As a small child, I would go with
him to the packing houses. That, I did not like one little bit. All
the dead cows hanging in rows, cold refrigerators. Terrible! Terrible!
We walked through the corrals before the refrigerated rooms because Les
Lawson had to inspect the before and after. I remember walking
cautiously to avoid the cow manure. Grandpa always wore a grey, three
piece, pinstriped suit with high topped black shoes for the occasion.
I
have a fond memory of sleeping with my Grandparents in that back
bedroom and listening to the train whistle which took my dreams
somewhere else. Grandpa wore BVDs and Grandma, a nice soft nightgown.
They would kindly tease me. I felt so cared for as a small child. I
always knew that my family cared for me and loved me.
As
I tore myself away from the Grandparent's home, Gene and I went up the
street and around the corner to Welsh's Market. The Mom and Pop
market is still there. Amazing! Up the street a couple blocks to Aunt
Boo and Uncle Bills house on Federal Street. As an infant, Effie Lou
came to live in that house. Great memories! I watched Aunt Boo and
Uncle Bill dance around on that wooden floor, having a ball. On New
Year's eve, pots and pans rang in the New Year.
Sometime
later, Aunt Boo and Uncle Bill moved to Zuni Street. That's where I
lived before I started to fly for American Airlines. Aunt Boo took me
to an Eastern Star dinner. As I sat there studying the people and
enjoying my meal, I looked up and this time that blond haired handsome
whose eye I tried to get at the Sun Carnival was standing there, not
far away, looking my direction. I couldn't believe it. There he was
again! More exciting than that, my Aunt Boo knew his mother, who was
also an Eastern Star. Charles and I had fun dating. Charlie took me to
a gorgeous home for a Christmas party. I had never imagined that
houses could be so beautiful. We stood in front of an enchanting
Christmas tree in the heart of town and it was the most beautiful tree I
had ever seen. I am certain that he did not know that such didn't
exist in Animas Valley. He give me the perfume “Joy” for Christmas. He
took me on a tour of his father's newspaper business. Yes, I was
impressed. I met his parents. Charlie took me on his motorcycle with a
response from my Uncle Bill, “Don't you ever get on that bike, again.” I
didn't! Charlie took me down to feed a horse, I think it was a
horse. We went to a New Years party where there was a hypnotist. I
just knew that was the wildest party I had ever been to in my sheltered
life. Wilder than Animas dances because I went into this room where you
could be hypnotized. We danced and went to more parties. At one
party, Charlie danced with a lampshade on his head. Funny guy! I
really liked this funny guy! I went to church with Charlie. Our churches
were really not as different as I thought at that point in my life.
April came and I left for American Airlines' school. Paths parted!
Friend,
Charlie Hooten
I frequently flew into El Paso where
Aunt Boo, Uncle Bill, Effie and Freddie were so kind to me. Their home
was my home, always and always. I loved the big bowls of fruit that
Aunt Boo always had waiting for me.
Dear
Cousin Effie Lou Scott
Dear
Cousin Freddie Joe Scott
Well, before Gene
and I left the memories of El Paso, we went to Rest Lawn to reverence
the graves of Grandma Effie Argie Fairly Lawson, Grandpa Leslie Joe
Lawson, my Aunt Boo and Uncle Bill Scott, my Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Eula
Olds Lawson, her parents the Olds and two of Uncle Bills family, Homer
Allen Scott and Larnell Scott.
Leslie
Joe Lawson belonged to the Knights of Pythias
Effie
Argie Fairly Lawson was an Eastern Star
Beulah
Effie Lawson Scott was an Eastern Star
|
 |
| My Aunt Boo, Beulah Effie Lawson Scott |
|
|
Before
going over to Grand parents graves, we had visited Aunt Boo's area and
wept. After spending time with Effie and Les. I asked Gene if we
could go back to Aunt Boo's grave. Aunt Boo was like a sister and aunt.
It was hard! When we got back over to the grave, a flock of birds
graced the area. I glanced around the cemetery and no other birds in
sight. This flock had come just to visit with us and mark that tender
moment. Thank you, Aunt Boo!
Dear
Blog, You are the outline for my personal history book. My next blog
will be the history of my children's youth.
Like I said, my blog
is only a snapshot of the whole deal. Someday, someone will read this.
