Tales from the Morgue

1935: Warden of Federal Prison Delights in His Farming

10/08/1935

Tom B: White Likes to Talk About Crops and Animals, Like Valley Grower Instead of Head of Jail

Warden Tom B. White likes to talk about his crops and his animals at the Federal Detention Farm, 20 miles up the Valley. A blond giant, six-feet-four, he takes you about the place talking in his quiet voice and voicing a homespun chuckle at some incident.

He talks about, "my corn" and "my alfalfa" like a farmer whose existence depends on the success of his crops rather than a man at the head of a prison with 502 men who are serving sentences on criminal charges.

"That last flood certainly wrecked my sweet potatoes," he said.

He was walking about the farm headquarters under the shadow of a silo which has a 10.000 gallon water tank at its top. If the flood had reached the silo it would have been a minor disaster.

"I had a fine crop of beans coming on," Warden White said. "Now you can't get a mess for one meal. But we are going to have a rabbit dinner next week."

Has Rabbit Hospital

Hundreds of baby rabbits in specially built hutches of the warden's own design were nibbling at alfalfa and barley and drinking fresh water from tin troughs.

“A man that could kill those babies has a hard heart," the prison official said. "But they are good eating. It takes about 135 for one meal. I can serve them for 12 cents a pound."

The warden pointed at what looked like a playhouse.

“'That's my idea of what a rabbit hospital ought to be like," he said with pride.

He designed it. The lower part of the hospital is boxed to keep out the wind. The flooring of wire netting is several inches above the ground. A curtain is dropped in front.

"I have not had a patient since I went to Ft. Bliss for advice from the veterinarian," the warden said.

Ft. Bliss Aids Warden

Ft. Bliss officials co-operate with the warden. Many of his farm buildings and much of his equipment is made from salvaged material from the post. He has eight Army mules doing; good work on the farm. They once were "sentenced" to die. The fresh air has rejuvenated them and several horses that Warden White and his guards ride about the farm and prison grounds.

Gleaming white, the Spanish designed prison with enclosed courts of green grass and brilliant flowers has little of the air of a prison. The prisoners play ball in the back court. In the spotless dining room, where more than half the 502 can be seated at one time, they were cutting icecold watermelon. The melons are the warden's pride.

Pork from the "White farm" is served to prisoners at a cost of 12 cents a pound. A flock of turkeys is coming on for Thanksgiving. It will take 3310 pounds for one meal. Mr. White waved his arm at a duck pond.

"You have to have clear water and a good-sized pond if you want healthy ducks and nice eggs," he drawled.

The man who escaped miraculously from death at Leavenworth in 1931, when seven prisoners armed with smuggled dynamite and guns took him along as a hostage in an escape attempt, and shot his chest and left arm, full of holes, does not approve of radios or movies in his prison.

"They get up their own entertainments," he said. "That gives them something to do instead of the chance to complain about the bad programs."

Mr. and Mrs. White belong to El Paso. The warden plays golf every Sunday afternoon at the Country Club. He is a Rotarian, the only warden Rotarian in the country, and a member of the First Baptist Church. Many informal dinners for their El Paso friends are served at the spacious Spanish home, a half block from the prison.

1934: Four Are Killed In Auto, Train Accidents Here

12/09/1934

Two Oklahoma Women Die When Their Car Leaves Road Near Fabens; Another Is Injured

Engine Strikes Elderly Man

Retired Rancher Succumbs From Hurts Received Thursday Night When He Walked Into Side Of Vehicle.

El Paso's traffic death toll yesterday soared to a new peak as three persons were killed in accidents in the city and county and a fourth died from injuries received in an accident Thursday.

Mrs. Gene Cole, 30, and Mrs. Amy Wainsted, 28, both of Enid, Okla., were killed last night when the automobile in which they were returning to Oklahoma from California, driven by Mrs. Wainsted, crashed into a tree after leaving the highway four miles east of Fabens. Mrs. Wainsted's mother, Mrs. A.C. Bookout, 51, of Oklahoma City, was cut on the knees and face.

J.G. Frank Urban, 78, of William Beaumont Hospital, was killed instantly when a Texas & Pacific Railroad engine struck him as he was crossing Main Street between Mesa Avenue and Oregon Street.

D.C. Williams, 73, died at City-County Hospital from injuries received Thursday night when he walked into the side of an automobile driven by Frank Miller, 611 North Octavia Street, at Kansas Street and the railroad tracks.

Became Frightened

The Oklahoma women's crash, officers said, occurred when Mrs. Wainsted became frightened as she was passing an automobile driven by Jose Lopez, Tornillo, and saw the vehicles' left rear wheel come off.

Mrs. Cole was killed immediately when the car crashed into a tree. Mrs. Wainsted died after being taken to Masonic Hospital in a Kaiser and Mason ambulance.

Mrs. Martha Rodriguez, 45, and her son, Carlos, 24, of Tornillo, riding in Lopez's automobile, were injured when the car overturned after losing the wheel. They were taken to City-County Hospital for treatment.

Mrs. Wainsted's husband was rushing to El Paso last night by plane from Enid. Her body was held at the Kaiser and Maxon Mortuary; Mrs. Cole's body was at the Peak-Hagedon Mortuary.

Attended Theaters

Mr. Urban probably was going to the Crawford Theater last night when his life was snuffed out by the railroad engine, relatives said. He had lived since February with his son-in-law and daughter, Maj. and Mrs. H.A. Clark, at William Beaumont Hospital.

The elderly man had few friends in El Paso and made it his custom to attend several moving pictures in an afternoon, Major Clark said, usually ending his itinerary at the Crawford Theater.

C.E. Lowe, engineer, and C.H. Price, fireman of the engine that struck Mr. Urban, could not account for the accident. Price said he saw him walking in front of the engine, apparently with enough time to get across the track; Lowe said he stopped the train when he saw the body tossed aside by the cow-catcher.

Watch Still Running

Mr. Urban's skull was crushed and several bones broken. In his possession were several theater ticket stubs and a valuable watch, still running after the accident.

The body will be sent by the Hartford Mortuary to Mr. Urban's former home at Dorchester, Mass., for burial.

Funeral services for Mr. Williams, a retired cattleman, were pending last night with the Peak-Hagedon Mortuary.

Roscoe Smith, Jr., 11, 1203 North Cotton Avenue, was slightly injured yesterday in a collision between automobiles driven by Louis Dunn, Camp Millican, and D. Rodriguez, Mesquite, N.M., at Overland and St. Vrain Streets.

Yesterday's death brought the toll in El Paso City and County for 1934 to 45, a record for all time during one year. Twenty-five of the deaths have resulted from traffic accidents in the city; 20 from accidents in the county outside the city limits.

1963: Over 300,000 Will Greet JFK On Visit To El Paso

06/05/1963

More than 300,000 El Pasoans and visitors from several hundred miles distant, will greet the President of the United States when he arrives in the City Wednesday.

President Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Texas Gov. John Connally and Gov. Jack Campbell of New Mexico, will be among the approximately 50 members of the Presidential party.

The President will arrive by helicopter at 5:30 p.m. at International Airport. Many of his party will be passengers in the five helicopters which will come to El Paso from White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Others will arrive separately.

Richard White, chairman of the committee making arrangements for the Kennedy visit, said the President’s presence here is an “historic event in El Paso.” The fact that Vice President Johnson will be in El Paso with the President is even more historic. White said he believes that never before in the history of the Southwest have the President and vice president visited simultaneously.

On his arrival, president Kennedy will be met by Vice President Johnson, Gov. Connally, and Ft. Bliss commanding general, Maj. Gen. Tom Stayton. They will walk over to the reception committee, and receive greetings from that group, according to White.

The committee is composed of White, Ray Pearson, Democratic state district committeeman; Major Judson Williams; County Judge Glenn Woodard; Customs Collector Ray Dwigans, I.S. Boundary and Water Commission Joseph Friedken; Postmaster J.J. Kaster; 95th Bombardment Wing commander Col. Thomas G. Netcher of Biggs, and possibly others.

The Chief Executive will be rendered a 21-gun salute, and the 62nd Army Band will play “Hail to the Chief.” An honor guard, commanded by Ft. Bliss Col William A. Stricklin, will also be present.

TO SPEAK AT AIRPORT

The president will ascend a 60-seat platform, accompanied by other members of the official party. White said it is anticipated that Mayor Williams will introduce Gov. Connally; the governor will introduce Vice President Johnson, and the vice president will introduce President Kennedy.

Following a 15 to 20 minute speech to a crowd expected to reach 20,000, the President and his party will ride in a motorcade to Downtown El Paso en route to Hotel Cortez, where the entire party will stay overnight. President Kennedy will ride with Gov. Connally and Sen. Ralph Yarbrough, in a special White House limousine brought here for the occasion.

Large crowds are expected to line the motorcade route. The cars will go south on Airways Boulevard to Montana Avenue; west on Montana Avenue to Mesa Street, and south on Mesa to the hotel. Officials are planning on thousands of spectators in the Downtown area around San Jacinto plaza.

INQUIRES RECEIVED

White said he has been receiving calls from as far as Marfa, Odessa, Midland, Presidio and Fort Stockton, Tex., and Las Cruces, Carlsbad, Alamogordo, Truth or Consequences, Deming, Lordsburg and Silver City, N.M.

“This will be the largest event ever held in this area, and I think we can expect visitors from all over the Southwest,” he said. “In addition to visitors from other Southwestern communities, I think we can expect thousands of people to come from Juarez to see and hear the President.”

After his arrival at the hotel, no further official functions are planned for the president. The Junior Chamber of Commerce Banquet, planned in the Cortez at 8 p.m. Wednesday, will probably be attended by several high officials but the President and vice president are not expected to participate, White said.

At 9 a.m. Thursday, President Kennedy and his party will return to the airport by motorcade, by the same route except that Yandell drive will be followed east to Montana, and his plane will be in the air by 9:30 a.m.

The President and his party will be coming to El Paso from White Sands Missile Range, N.M., where an extensive program is planned early in the afternoon.

The President will arrive at White Sands from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., at 2:40 p.m. He will remain there until 5:10 p.m., when the helicopters will leave for El Paso.

White stressed the fact that the program at International Airport, and all events on the President’s itinerary are directed by the White House. White House protocol also determines the size of the platform from which he will speak, who will occupy the platform, and who will travel in the motorcade.

More than 230 civilian law enforcement officers will control traffic and handle the large crowds expected at the airport, downtown and along the motorcade route.

Area dignitaries Tuesday held a “dry run” at International Airport. They were briefed on the schedule, security regulations and other items concerning the visit.

GIFTS FOR FAMILY

Just in case the U.S. missile defense program should prove inadequate to the job, President Kennedy will have a tried and true weapon to fall back on.

Upon his arrival in El Paso, the President will receive a pair of matched frontier model Colt .45s complete with western style cartridge belt, initialed silver buckle and tied down “gun slick” holsters presented by mayor Judson Williams.

Also to bolster the authority of his office, the President will receive a silver Texas Ranger badge handcrafted by Texas Western College professor Wiltz Harrison, with a smaller 14-carat gold replica for the first Lady.

Among other gifts to be showered on president Kennedy by Mayor Williams will be an official gold key to the City and a genuine size 7 1/2 Stetson with the President’s name printed in gold in the headband.

Mayor Williams said, “We want the President to know that here in the West the Colt .45 is still remembered as the great equalizer and that to be well-armed is America’s greatest defense against any and all enemies and surest safeguard of peace.”

Rep. Ed Foreman will fly to White Sands on an Army plane, then will come to El Paso for the Presidential welcome and the Jaycee dinner later.

White announced Tuesday the persons who will be in charge of crowd facilities for the Democratic party when the President arrives at International Airport.

Tom Diamond will be in charge of gate credentials and Col. Ted Hover, field co-coordinator, will be assisted by Ted Hover Jr. and Pappy Hoyt.

Joe Yarbrough is in charge of Platform arrangements and Wayne Windle is heading the general setting committee. Mrs. Barton Boling is in charge of the reception usherettes.

More artilces from 06/05/1963

Visit Makes EP Temporary White House

Fly Flags Wednesday, CC UrgesRaymond Telles To Make EP Trip

President Kennedy’s Schedule

Governors To Speak At Dinner

Kennedy’s Chair Packed

 Articles from 06/06/1963

Chief Executive Sees Holloman Facilities

President Views Flawless White Sands Missile Shots

Short Political Talk Highlights Arrival

Irish Grin Captures EP Hearts

Elevator Drops But Two Keep On Talking Politics

Photo gallery

1932: Volunteer Firemen Bar Gold-digging Girls

06/08/1932

GENTLY, but firmly. Secy. H. Y. Ellis of the El Paso Volunteer Firemen's Assn. announced today that gold-digging girls will not be permitted to frolic with the volunteer firemen at their annual party tomorrow at 6:15 p.m. in Juarez.

Last year, he said, uninvited girls upset the dignity of the gathering and interfered with the serious business of consuming beer.

"Even wives will not be permitted to attend." said Ellis.

"But they can rest assured that the party will be respectable.

"We're merely going to eat chili con carne, drink a little beer—well, maybe a whole lot of beer—sing a few" songs and get back in two hours."

The banquet will be given in the rear of the old Gold Palace cabaret, now the gambling hall.

"The charge of $1.50 a plate includes only the dinner and beer," Ellis warned. "Persons drinking whisky will have to pay extra for it."

Echoes of the past will be heard in the songs to be sung, which include “Sweet Adeline." "It's Always Fair Weather When Good Friends Get Together." and perhaps "Down Went

McGinty to the Bottom of the Sea."

Dayton Payne will be at the piano.

Speakers will include Mayor R. E. Sherman. Judge W. D. Howe. "Uncle Jimmy" Smith, El Paso pioneer, and others.

"Probably everybody will speak said Ellis, "

"There will be lots of stories, and, they won't be risqué, either."

Ben Levy, president, will be toast- master.

Fire Chief John T. Sullivan said he will be unable to attend because of a date.

Ellis said the Volunteer Firemen's Assn. was organized in 1880, when the whole town fought fires in a bucket brigade.

It has existed through the days of the hose-reel cart, the horse-drawn fire wagon and the modern trucks. The organization was incorporated in 1921.

Officers are Ben Levy, president: Charles M. Newman, A. J. Carpenter, D. C. Crowell, J. F. Coles, vice presidents; Thomas A. Thurston, treasurer, and H. Y. Ellis, secretary