Tales from the Morgue

1899: A Synopsis Of the Able Address Judge Crosby Delivery Today

JUDGE CROSBY’S ADDRESS

A Synopsis Of the Able Address Judge Crosby Delivery Today

__

EARLY FRONTIER DAYS

__

“Rancho De Ponce,” Then “Franklin” A Small Trading Post, Now the Live And the Thriving City Of El Paso.

I assume that I was selected to deliver an address on this auspicious occasion, because of the fact that I am today the oldest resident pioneer of what was first known as “Rancho de Ponce,” then for a brief space of time as “Franklin,” and subsequently as the town of El Paso, then with no delineative sign on the map, and now recognized as the young, vigorous, active, promising city, the “bright particular star,” of the southwest.

Under these circumstances, even were my ability equal to the effort, I beg that you will expect noting more from me, than a brief, plain, unvarnished historical recitation, of the rise, progress, and some of my onions as to the future possibilities (which are now most flattering) of our present advancing, vimful, and “git up and git” (in cowboy vernacular) little city.

In 1852 Hon. Rufus Doane, the then State Senator from El Paso county, A.C. Hyde, afterwards county judge, Hon. Joel Ankrim, then district judge and myself, finding ourselves at San Antonio, en route for this point, “chipped in” and purchased an ambulance and team of mules, and received permission from W.T. Smith (“Uncle Billy”) to travel in company with his train, some twenty wagons and teams. We were warned in advance, that we were expected to be “grubbed” for a sixty days trip over an expanse without a sign of civilization, and to be armed and ammunition for any contingency.

The country west of San Antonio, even as near as Castroville was then subject to raids from the Comanche, Mescalero, and other tribes of Indians. Fort Ingo, on the Leona river, ninety miles west of San Antonio, was then the outpost of the frontier limit.

We wended our way westward, averaging some twenty miles a day without any occurrence of note, until we reached the point of departure from the Pecos the next watering place, Comanche Springs. Here we were confronted by the appearance of some sixty Comanches, on the Mesa. They were a gay looking set of ducks, as they had just come out from a raid on Mexico, and were mounted on the best of horses, gaily caparisoned with silver mounted saddles, bridles, etc. etc. We soon learned that their only armament was bows and arrows, crude lances, and a few “Escopetas” which they had secured on their raid.

As with teamsters, muleteers, and some seven or eight Americans, skilled in Indian warfare, except your servant, who was a semi-tenderfoot, we numbered some forty in party; armed up to date, we were not inclined to stampede, but returned the Comanche salutations saucily and confidently. Night came on and we moved along our dreary monotonous way without seeing more of these, then “Lords of the Plains.”

After a long, weary, but not altogether uninteresting trip of fifty-seven days, we arrived at San Elizario, then the eastern initial town of El Paso County. After this long toilsome trip, fraught with danger from beginning to end, it was indeed a joyful climax to reach this home of civilization, to see the various kinds of fruit trees in full bloom, the vineyards giving promise of fruition, and more than all, to receive the genuine hospitable welcome from the denizens of the village, many of the walls of the structures of which were covered with the mould of centuries past. As, is perhaps known, this was one of the original Missions or Presidios, established in this part of the country, under the authority of the Vice Regal Government of “Espana Mera” or Mexico, as it was subsequently entitled.

From san Elizario our fleet of “Prairie Schooners” finally reached “Rancho del Ponce,” or Franklin with “Uncle Billy Smith” under whose guidance we had made our long, wearisome, but still to me most novel and interesting trip. Mt. Franklin, acquired its name from a party by the name of Franklin Coon, who had made a verbal purchase of the Ponce Rancho, which he subsequently abandoned and returned the possession thereof to Ponce de Leon, the original owner.

It was here that American civilization and its attendant push and enterprise, first took root in the remote, secluded and almost unknown valley of El Paso.

**

The speaker then referred to the establishment of Fort Bliss, the personnel of its garrison, the various forts in New Mexico, Arizona and West Texas, and contiguous Forts, viz.

Davis, Fillmore, Craig and others. The organization of the syndicate to purchase “Ponce Rancho, and to organize a Town Company,” the original members of which were the two Gillets, V.St. Vrain, W.T. Smith and himself. The opinion of parties as to this then considered wild dream. The charter by the legislature of the original Texas Pacific, and how and for what reasons originated. His selection as counsel for the company and the duties imposed upon him. What was done in pursuance of this employment; the old citizenship, etc., of the original Pioneers of the valley; the organization, proceedings, etc. of the courts of that period. The general class of litigation. The then existing methods of commercial transactions; the only exchange to be had, viz. Quarter-master, commissary and pay-master’s drafts; the volume of money and bullion then in circulation; the continued shipment of silver to New York and the retention of gold here, on a basis of 15 ½ to $1.00. The social relations between Mexican an American families on either side of the river. The prominent and wealthy families being the Jaquez, the Mirandas, Sanchez, Saminagos, and above all, the Cura, Ramon Ortiz, who for sixty years filled the high and responsible position of head spiritual adviser and ecclesiastical administrator of the church affairs in that parish.

Having in my youth read Kendall’s history of what was then known as the “Santa Fe Prisoners” (Kendall, the historian then chief editor and proprietor of the New Orleans Picayune, the then leading newspaper of the south, being one of the prisoners) in which appeared a graphic history of the ill-fated expedition and its arrival at El Paso, enroute to Mexico, these poor unfortunates beings chained together, weak, sore, were shoeless, and in rags, and consumed with a wolfish hunger, appealed to the grand Cura for succor and relief. From his scant means, this truly good Samaritan, in the fullness of his big heart and devotion to the Christianly instructions of charity, though a patriot at his heart’s core, expended all that he could command of his own resources and those of his friends, in the endeavor to assuage their sufferings.

(The speaker then referred to the society, male an female, as it existed in El Paso in the early days stating that a more cultivated, refined and educated few, could not be found.)

The laying of this corner stone, under the auspices of the Masonic Fraternity, ever foremost in deeds which signal the advance and the onward march of good performances, is an omen that this structure will serve, not only as a monumental record of El Paso’s wonderful growth, but also, as an ever enduring testimony of the public spirit, enterprise, foresight of those who, in their trusted capacity as guardians of the publics weal and who will consummate the “Cap stone” which will testify to El Paso’s onward march, assured future, and just mead of praise.

The history of El Paso’s future will award due and deserved credit to the municipal government, which originated and will carry to completion this edifice, destined to attract the views of coming strangers.

As an evidence of El Paso’s present commercial importance, the following official memorandum is submitted.

POST OFFICE

The total number of registered packages, handled per annum, 93,000. Issue of money orders about ten thousand (10,000) per year. Number of money orders paid about the same. Total volume of money order business about $225,000 per year. The office receives and handles on an average of about 20,000 pieces of mail daily of which about 6,000 pieces pass through this office for other points. The receipts of the office approximate $25,000 per annum.

CUSTOM HOUSE

The port of El Paso now ranks seventh in importance as to receipts an volume of business. Total receipts from customs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, $471,000.00. The above collections were made at the low cost of 8 per cent, which is a very favorable showing as compared with the cost of collecting the Revenue from customs at other parts in the United States.

El Paso’s collections were equal to all other of the custom districts in Texas as combined. There are 34 employes carried on the pay rolls for this district. Value of exports for fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, $4,106,000.00. Other districts in Texas show a cost of collecting the revenue from 20 to 28 per cent.

1924: J.B Williams Shot And Killed By Tom Mitchell; Woman Cause

02/27/1924

RICH SALOON MAN ACCUSED OF INSULT TO MRS. WILLIAMS
___
Defendant Held in County Jail Without Bond; Shooting Occurs in Law Offices of Croom, Goldstein & Croom in First National Bank Building.
__
SLAIN MAN UNARMED; GIVES DYING STATEMENT
__
Deputy Kilpatrick, in Office Building on Other Business, Arrests Mitchell; Trouble Arose in December When Alleged Advances Were Made
__
J.B. Williams, 44, safety inspector at the El Paso smelter, and president of the El Paso Rifle club, was shot and killed yesterday afternoon by Tom Mitchell, wealthy real estate owner and proprietor of the Stag bar in Juarez.

The shooting occurred shortly before 3 p.m. In the waiting room of the law offices of Croom, Goldstein & Croom, on the seventh floor of the First National  bank building. William died at 7:45 at hotel Dieu. One bullet took effect just above the heart.

Mitchell, who is reputed to be worth more than $100,000, is being held in the El Paso county jail without bond on a complaint alleging “assault with intent to murder,” filed by Deputy Sheriff J.B. Kilpatrick in the justice court of R.B. Rawlins, before Williams died. The complaint will be changed today to “murder.: Mr. Rawlins said last night, and preparations started at once for Mitchell's preliminary hearing.

Two Eye Witnesses

A court of inquiry also will be called he said, and a large number of witnesses examine. There were two eye witnesses to the shooting. Mrs. Cecelia Champagne and Miss Marta Richter, stenographers in the law office.

After talking with Mrs. Williams, wife of the slain man, late yesterday afternoon at her home, it became known that Williams had sought Mitchell concerning alleged improper advances that the latter was said to have made to Mrs. Williams in December.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams move into their present home t 1112 Grama street the first of December, Mr. Williams stated. The house at that time was owned by Mitchell, and the first month's rent paid to im in person, she declared. Mitchell sold the house shortly after the alleged insult, it was said last night. After that all business concerning the house was done through another man.

Mrs. Williams was ill in bed when interviewed. Her eyes wee swollen from weeping. Se had not a that time been told that her husband was fatally wounded.

“When we rented the house the understanding was that Mr. Mitchell was to pay the water bill and we were to pay the gas and light bills,” she related.

Calls Mitchell by Phone

“We were notified that the water bill had not been paid several days ago, and my husband called up Mr. Mitchell and asked him about it. My husband said that Mr. Mitchell had said that he wouldn't pay it, and Mr. Williams said he replied that if he had to pay it Mr. Mitchell would have to repay him.”

Mrs. Williams said that they had intended to move March 1, and that Sam Croom, attorney, told her husband that Mitchell wanted a complete inventory of furnishings in the house before the Williams family moved.

“The water was turned off yesterday morning and I called my husband, who was at work, and told him about it,” Mrs. Williams related. “He went downtown and paid the bill and then must have gone up to Mr. Croom's office to see him about the inventory, I presume that's why he happened to be there.”

That Williams went to Croom's office on business, and not on the trail of Mitchell, a theory advanced yesterday, is indicated by the fact that he called Sam Croom on the telephone. Croom was not n at the time and the stenographer took the message and placed the telephone number, Main 1105 J on a scratch pad to call it to the attention of the lawyer when he returned. The number is the safety office at the Smelter.

A few minutes after Croom returned to his office, Mitchell entered, it was learned. He asked for Sam Croom, was told he was engaged with another client, but that he would see Mitchell in a few minutes. Mitchell seated himself in the waiting room.

Only a few minutes had passed before Mitchell entered. As far as could be learned, no words passed between the two men,but the shooting occurred almost immediately.

An ante-mortem statement was taken from Williams by county authorities shortly before he died last evening. Dr. W.L. Brown, the attending physician, operated on the wounded man. Following the operation he notified Sheriff Seth Orndorff's office that there was no hope of Williams recovering. The dying statement was not made public. Mrs. Williams was with her husband when he died.

Mitchell was arrested by Deputy Sheriff Kilpatrick in the office of Sam G. Croom and taken to the county jail.

A few minutes after the shooting, Deputy Kilpatrick entered the lobby of the building on other business. He was recognized by an elevator boy, who told him that a shooting had occurred on the seventh floor.

Mitchell was seated in Sam Croom's office when the officer entered and immediately arose saying that he was about to communicate with the Sheriff's office and surrender. The pistol with which Williams was shot, a .25 caliber weapon, is being held at the sheriff's office.

“I was just about to telephone you and surrender,” Mitchell told Kilpatrick when the latter entered the office. He made a brief statement to the officer regarding the shooting.

“Mitchell said he had entered the office and was waiting to see Mr. Croom,” Kilpatrick declared. “Mitchell was told that Croom was busy and hie sat down to wait. A few minutes later Williams entered and rushed at Mitchell, he said. Mitchell declared that he then pulled a pistol and shot twice; the first bullet missing and the second striking Williams.”

Eye Witnesses Silent

Mrs. Cecelia Champagne and Miss Marie Richer, stenographers in the lawyers' office, who were eye witnesses in the shooting, refused to make a statement, saying they had been instructed to “keep quiet.”

Cleveland Croom one of the firm, is out of the city and will not return for several days, it was said at the law offices yesterday. A.H. Goldstein, another member of the firm, is in El Paso but was not in his office at the time of the shooting, it was stated.

Gowan Jones and Sam Croom refused to be seen yesterday afternoon. Last night, neither of the two Crooms, nor Jones could be located.

Williams Crack Shot

Williams, who was president of the El Paso Rifle club and a crack shot with a pistol, according to his friends, was unarmed when he entered the office, it is said. He has frequently won medals and other trophies for his prowess with firearms according to Rifle club members.

Police Investigate

City police did not know of the shooting until more than an hour had passed. Mitchell was in the county jail and Williams was being operated on when Detectives John Redmond and N.L. Chamberlain arrived on the scene. They left without making any statements.

Mitchell owns considerable property in El Paso, as well as the Rosemont apartments and 1217-19 North Oregon street, which he purchased a year or so ago at a cost of $70,000. He lives in apartment No. 2 at the Rosemont.

After being placed in a tank in the county jail, a reporter interviewed Mitchell, who refused to make any statement.

“See my lawyer,” was the only reply he would make with the exception of a sharp denial that his wife was with him at the time of the shooting.

Mrs. Mitchell Visits Jail

Shortly after being arrested, Mrs. Mitchell visited her husband at the county jail. She also refused to make a statement beyond saying she knew nothing of the affair.

Attorney U.S. Goen, who accompanied his client, asked that bond be named for Mitchell by Justice Rawlins, who refused until Williams' condition could be ascertained from Dr. Brown. When inquiry late yesterday afternoon developed that Williams was in a critical condition, Mitchell was ordered remanded to jail to await further developments.

Although Mr. Goen stated he knew the facts of the case, he refused to make any statement yesterday saying that “it would all come out at the proper time.”

Last night he stated that he was familiar with all details of the case and “confident that Mitchell has a complete defense.”

Calls at Goen's Office

Mitchell had called at Mr. Goen's law offices in the Mills building about 15 minutes before the shooting. He went from there to the First National bank building and to the offices of Croom, Goldstein & Croom.

Mr. Goen will attempt to get an early preliminary hearing for his client, and will see Mitchell's release on bond, he said.

Mitchell called Mr. Goen immediately after the shooting and was advised to notify the sheriff's office. He called his attorney again shortly afterwards and asked Mr. Goen to meet him at Croom's office and accompany him to the county hail, which Mr Goen did.

William had been in the employ of the American Smelting and Refining company for approximately six years. He is, by training, a civil engineer. During his employ with the smelter he has been stationed at various parts of the southwest and Mexico.

He came to El Paso about two years ago, and his wife joined him last August.

The body of Williams was removed to the Peak-Hagedon company, where it is being cared for pending funeral arrangements.

TOM MITCHELL HELD WITHOUT BAIL; WOMEN TELL OF WILLIAM SHOOTING

MITCHELL BOND TO BE $25,000 OFFICIALS SAY

Col. B.F. Hammett Of Type Of Men Who Make Great Cities

February 19, 1910

El Paso's Growth Is Largely Due to the Efforts of the Former Mayor, Who Is Now Mourned as Dead

__

To Co. B.F. Hammett's friends there is no need for an eulogy. But in the broader scope of Col. Hammett's activities in El Paso, in his work as a civic builder, as a man who with a few other far seeing minds let this city out of the wilderness of mesquite and greasewood into an era of prosperous growth, Col. Hammett left a heritage to the newer generations of El Pasoans.

As the head of a company which promoted one of the first large townsite additions to El Paso, as alderman, mayor, private citizen and business man, Col. B.F. Hammett's name was always found among the progressives who were working against great odds to make a city. "He never pulled back," is the estimate of a man who knew him perhaps better than any other man knew him. "I have known Hammett since I came here, 22 years ago," A.P. Coles said last night. "He was always - Hammett - with a charming personality. Charitable, liberal donator to public enterprises, steward in the Trinity church, he was a man who was loved for his fine qualities, for himself."

When He First Came

Col. Hammett's real estate and development activity was not confined to El Paso. Before he moved here he was as active in the affairs of St. Louis in a larger way than he was in El Paso later, Mr. Coles said. He came here to make his home about 1893 or '94, being president of the Campbell Real Estate company, of St. Louis, which owned the district known as the Campbell addition, extending from the river on the south to the intersection of Olive and San Antonio streets on the east, northward to include an irregular line east and south of the Mills and Sattenthwaite additions and the Santa Fe yard reservation.

This property was acquired by the St. Louis company in an interesting way. Robert Campbell, from whom the company and the addition took its name, was a wholesale merchant of St. Louis. Near the little town of Franklin, Texas, now El Paso, there were two brothers, John and Henry Gillette, who owned a goat ranch which was a part of the town of Franklin. The Gillette brothers failed, according to A.P. Cole's version of the early history of the town. In part payment of his indebtedness to Robert Campbell, John Gillette, who was the active member of the family partnership, turned over the goat ranch.

Selling Off a Goat Ranch

W.S. Hills was sent out from St. Louis to manage the ranch and arrange for disposing of it. This he did in a very competent way for a number of years, until the Campbell addition, as it was then called, was taken over by a St. Louis syndicate, composed of Col. B.F. Hammett, J.C. Van Blarcom, president of the Bank of Commerce, in St. Louis; David R. Francis, ex-governor of Missouri, and afterwards president of the St. Louis exposition; Gen. Noble, Gen. Boffinger, Thomas Rankin and others. Gen. Noble was president of the syndicate which took the name of the Campbell Real Estate company, and had for its purpose the promotion of the Campbell addition in El Paso. Prior to this time, Col. Hammett, who had been making trips to El Paso for many years before, brought a party of prominent capitalists here to inspect the field offered in the then little town for investments. After the organization of the real estate company, Col. Hammett moved to El Paso to make his home. This was in either 1893 or '94, Mr. Coles says, and since that time he and Mrs. Hammett have made this their home, taking an active part in the social and business affairs of the community.

B.F. Hammett, Jr., who was known to everyone as "Forest," was also associated with his father in the active real estate campaign for disposing of the Campbell company's holdings. After "Forest's" death, Paul Hammett came out from St. Louis and joined his father in the realty business. Associated with Col. Hammett in the upbuilding of El Paso were four men, each strong types, and to whom is due much of the credit of the Greater El Paso of today. These men were H.L. Newman, A.M. Loomis, Felix Martinez and A.P. Coles. While not directly associated in business, these four men, with Col. Hammett, worked elbow to elbow for the growth of El Paso, the results of their efforts being apparent in every corner of the present city of El Paso.

Railroad Building

Before Col. Hammett moved to El Paso, A.P. Coles was in charge of both the Campbell addition and the Franklin Heights addition. But finding the work of placing these properties on the market too hard, Mr. Coles relinquished the Campbell addition to Col. Hammett and confined his efforts to the Franklin Heights addition. Although they did not come here together, Col. Hammett, who was also a railroad promoter and builder, became associated with H.L. Newman in the promotion of the old White Oaks line, now the El Paso & Southwestern line, east. It was a strenuous campaign,and Col. Hammett, imbued with the St. Louis ideas, waged for a greater city of the southwest at the gateway. He built the Van Blarcom block on Texas street and Mesa avenue, which was named after his close friend, J.C. Van Blarcom, of St. Louis. He also built the D.R. Francis hotel on St. Louis street, which was also name after his very dear fiend, the former governor of Missouri. The Hammett building, where the Fraternal Brotherhood hall is located, on South Oregon street, was only recently remodeled by Col. and Mrs. Hammett. In addition to these holdings, Col. Hammett acquired a large quantity of city and valley property, his estimated wealth in realty holdings being placed at $500,000 at the time of his death.

Retires From Business

After disposing of the property in the Campbell addition, Col. Hammett in association with his son, did a general real estate business until about two years ago, when he decided to retire from active business life and devote his time to his private interest. During his administration as mayor, the antiquated mule cars were replaced by electric street cars, Col. Hammett being an active worker in the cause of better transportation facilities during his term as mayor from 1901 to 1903. Later, as alderman, he helped inaugurate the street paving era for El Paso.

Deceased was a member of the Elks' lodge, and with Mrs. Hammett was one of the leading spirits in starting the annual Christmas dinner and party for the poor children of the city which has grown to be the most comprehensive charitable efforts of each year.

1960: Many Systems Used In Missile Naming

05/28/1960

What's in a missile name? First, take the prototype of all missiles, the V-2. The designation V-2 was given by Allied forces. To the Germans it was known as the A-4-fourth in a series of avenger weapons.

When the V-2 was being tested here, a series of missiles was being developed with the cooperation of the California Institute of the California Institute of Technology. This series are military titles-Private, Privateer, and WAC Corporal.

Anyhow, the Corporal was the first tactical missile. Later a little more advanced from was named Sergeant.

Military Titles Started

Then came a change in naming practice. A new group of missiles was needed which would be surface-to-surface as Sergeant but larger. It was suggested the missile be name Ursa, for the brilliant constellation.

Ursa gave way to Major, to keep the military title series going. The Chief of Ordinance finally decided on Redstone, in honor of Redstone Arsenal. A similar decision fasted the name Pershing to the next surface-to-surface group.

The most interesting story surrounds the name selection Honest John. One account has it that an ordnance officer from Texas was so enthusiastic about the missile that he made extravagant claims. He was so exuberant skeptics accused him of telling tall Texas tales.

"Why, gentlemen," he replied, "around these parts I'm known as Honest John." So the missile was name. The name John became associated with field artillery free-flight rockets. when a requirement was raised for lighter and smaller version-that version became Little John. This one is transportable and can be used by airborne troops.

'Hones John' Aptly Named

The most promising cognomen was Demi John, For some reason it never was developed.

Lacrosse was a missile developed by the Navy. The Army accepted and kept it even though the name had been given by a Navy officer. The appearance of another missile accounts for its name. This is the Redeye, a shoulder-launched guided missile system. Its construction is such that the contamination of two mirrors in the nose of the missile looks like a huge eye.

Nobody seems to know why the Hawk has its name. However, a former artillery officer, Colonel Pete Peca, claims it comes from the words, "Home all the way to the target intercept," which became shortened to Homing-All-the-Way-Killer.

Nike Came From Greek

Last of the group, but probably most important, is the Nike family, Nike was the Greek goddess of victory.

The name was conceived late in World War II.

The first one was known simply as Nike, and was incapable of carrying the payload required. Later they became known as Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules respectively, after the swift Greek hero, Ajax, and the might Greek man of muscle Hercules.

It was only natural that, when the third generation came along, the name of the chief Olympian god Zeus should be used. He was god of the elements and the Thunderbird is his sign. Zeus is also god of law and order.

Following the same pattern, the names Loki, god of mischief, for the low-flying missile, and Jupiter, Roman equivalent of Zeus, were given to later missiles.

Giving the missiles attractive nicknames for the befit of the public has quickened the imagination of many an officer.

The nicknames mean much more to the layman than some code name of letters and figures, such as YV-123456-Z2.

Heard On the City Streets July 14,1913

These warm days small attempt is made to enforce the "Keep-of-the-grass" command posted conspicuously on the court house lawn and in consequence the lawn is made a lounging place for hundreds of people every day. Late in the afternoon women and children have possession of the lawn. Then after dark the grown people - mostly working men and their families and young men with girls - begin to appear on the scene, and pretty soon the lawn is covered with people; grown folks lying down on the cool grass and children running and tumbling. Of course a few undesirables also get into the innocent picture. The other evening a couple of county officials were standing on the court house steps, commenting on the scene when a party of six negro girls, ranging in age from fourteen to twenty years appeared on the scene and began tumbling around on the grass to attract attention and the youngest girl in the party used considerable profanity. A respectable negro man who was passing, stopped and after observing the negro girls for a short time turned to the county officials and said: "The presence of those shameless girls on this lawn prevents decent colored women and children from coming here. They are a disgrace to their race and I wish the authorities would bar them from all public parks and lawns. They shame our wives and daughters and disgust everybody else. I do no think that women of their character - black or white - should be allowed in public parks where they go simply to ply their trade."

**

"Don't you think this is the hottest summer we have ever had?" has been a familiar query during the past week," says Hope Smith, "and it is a query we hear every summer just as we hear every winter the declaration that this is the coldest winter we have ever had in El Paso. But there is nothing to it. The records in the weather clerk's office will show that El Paso did not have last year and is not having this year anything new in the weather line. Last year we had our hot weather in June and the only real warm weather we have had this year, we have experienced during the last six or eight days, and the porch sleepers will tell you we have not yet had a night warm enough to interfere with the comfort of sleeping. Last winter there was much complaint about the severity of the cold; and yet we had only one cold spell last winter and it lasted about twenty days; during the rest of the winter the weather was very moderate. I admit that the days have been pretty warm the past week. But I am not kicking, for the warm days help me, the iceman and the soda fountains and ice cream parlors. The hot weather has even done the beer man a good turn."

**

I was sitting right behind her at the ball game yesterday and though she was quite pretty she didn't know a thing about baseball; but her young man was trying his best to enlighten her. The umpire called a strike on Ducky Gowan when he really didn't strike and the admirers of Ducky in grand stand began shouting "robber!" During the melee two of the White Sox stole bases on Weeks and great about of exultation went up from the grand stand. "What happened then?" asked the girl, and her escort explained that two of the runners had stolen a base each. "The horrid things; why don't the officers arrest them?" Knowing that this remark had given birth to a broad grin all around him, the young man began talking to a friend several seats back of him and tried by actions to say as plainly as possible that the girl didn't belong to him.

**

We are trying to get up a marching team of twenty-five or thirty men," says Delegate Gunther Lessing, "to represent the El Paso lodge of Moose at the annual conclave of the order, to be held in Cincinnati on the 27th of the current month. If we succeed in our plans the El Paso Moose will appear in the parade at Cincinnati wearing the jaunty and romantic costume of the cavalier of Mexico. The Moose lodge of El Paso has about 800 members and should be able to send a crackerjack marching team to Cincinnati. As soon as our local lodge gets strong enough and in good shape financially we are going to put in a strong bid for the annual conclave; and we should be able to do that next year."

**

W.W. Bridgers, who has been attending the Elk's annual convention at Rochester,New York, writes to a friend in El Paso: "Rochester did not appeal to the Elks and and the meeting here had the smallest attendance seen at the Elks' annual in many years. The people of Rochester, however, entertained us royally. But the heat is almost unbearable and is no doubt responsible for the small attendance. I will be glad when I get back to cool El Paso."

1943: Girls In A Dither As Lt. Clark Gable Arrives at Biggs Field

January 28, 1943

Girl civilian employes at Ft. Bliss and Biggs Field were in a dither today over Clark Gable, who arrived at Biggs Field to train for combat duty.

Their interest proved that First Lieutenant Gable of the Air Force is just as glamorous in uniform as he was in the role of screen lover in dozens of films.

"We want a transfer to Biggs Field," several Ft. Bliss girl employes chorused when they heard the palpitating news.

Yesterday 75 officers' wives were gathered at a party when an officer entered and told them Gable was in their midst.

They news proved as exciting as an air raid alarm. Within a few minutes the whole air base was agog.

Meanwhile Lieutenant Gable, who can't help the flurry he causes wherever he goes, stuck to his guns in his Flying Fortresses. He's training for combat duty as an aerial gunner.

He is staying at the bachelor officer's quarters at the field.

Now 42 years old, Gable retains the dash and looks that have stirred the hearts of millions of movie-goers the world over. He now has his mustache, which he had to shave off while a cadet in the Air Corps Officer Candidate School at Miami, Fla. His hair is streaked with gray, but friends said he is in good physical condition. He has lost some weight.

Lieutenant Gable, pronounced a "regular guy" by soldiers, may soon see combat duty overseas.

He flew to El Paso yesterday after spending a short furlough on the West Coast.

1960: Elvis Presley Gets El Paso Depot Welcome

April 20, 1960

A 16-year-old El Paso miss got a kiss from Elvis Presley last night while 2000 whistling, shouting fans jammed Union Depot to look at their idol. The lucky girl is Joanne Van Tassel of 626 Kerbey avenue, who sneaked onto the singer's train. She carried a suitcase.

The rock ‘n’ roll troubadour's special car rolled into El Paso at 10:45 p. m. The teenagers started to file into the depot as early as 7 p. m. The train was here for an hour and 40 minutes and the roaring, cheering fans were treated to a few smiles and hip-wiggles from Elvis.

Nearly Hauled Off

He was nearly hauled off the back of his private car by two women who appeared to be in their early 30s. They clutched at his clothing and. grabbed at his hands. Police couldn't figure out how the pair climbed over a high rock wall and iron bar fence that held back other admirers.

But Miss Van Tassel managed to pull off the coup of the evening. She sneaked through a group of special police with a borrowed suitcase and boarded the train with other passengers getting on.

The first sight she got of Presley was when he peered warily through Venetian blind slats over a window in his private car. She managed to wangle permission to enter the car with members of the press, and then with lady-like poise, accepted a kiss on the cheek from Elvis.

Dressed Casually

“I don’t think I’ll ever wash that cheek again,” she giggled.

Presley was dressed casually, as befits the idol of the blue jean generation. He appeared in the lounge car for a brief press conference dressed in black velvet pants, black patent leather shoes, and open-necked red shirt. He had a slight yellow cast on his handsome features and his eyes looked sleepy.

"It'll take me a few seconds to get woke up," he told newsmen, and started signing autographs. He explained that he had been taking a nap.

I’m not going to get married, not now anyway,” he said. “But if I met the right girl, why, I’d marry her right off the bat!” Presley is en route to Hollywood for the first time since his Army discharge. He plans to star in a film called “GI Blues.”

He assured his teenage fans that he plants to remain his old his-swinging self.

“I see no reason to change my style, and I do not intend to change my style of signing,” he said. “But I don’t think I can go on doing one rock ‘n’ roll musical after another.” He said he wants to progress into more dramatic type films.

I’m kind of glad I’m out of the Army,” he said. “But I made a lot of friends while I was on duty.”

He said that he would have liked to attend college if he hadn’t turned out to be a singer. However, with a star-splashed movie career ahead and the prospect of several million dollars future earnings, there is little likelihood that the singer will ever tack a Ph.D. after his name.

Presley left the train flanked by four husky policemen and greeted the crowd at the station. He strolled down the walk and chatted with the pushing, whistling mob of fans who were separated from him by a high chain fence.

“I think El Paso’s a great town,” he said. “I’ve been through here lots of times. I’m sort of a West Texas boy, after all. I once spent some time just strolling around here and Juarez by myself. I’d sure give it a try again right now if the kids would let me!”

The singer drew a laugh from the crowd when somebody asked what his next recording will be. He started to sing “Out in the West Texas town of El Paso…”

He interrupted the cheers by saying, “Whoops, I’m not Marty Robbins, am I?” He said that his next recording will be up to Colonel Parker his manager.

Asked about a German fraulein he dated while in service, Presley grinned and said, “That’s all she was, just a date.”

The wild welcome accorded Presley gave station employes the jitters.

“If the kids get through those gate, I shudder to think what will happen,” the station master said. “Somebody is going to get hurt bad.”

The crowd hung on until the train pulled out a little after midnight, and then started drifting away, telling each other about the wonderful glimpse they had of their hero. Presley had already retired to his car when the train left.

 

2013: Document gives look at killer David Wood's childhood

01/31/2013

By Diana Washington Valdez
EL PASO TIMES

A 62-page court document filed by David Leonard Wood's defense asserts that the convicted serial killer from El Paso is mentally retarded and should therefore not be sentenced to die.

Gregory W. Wiercioch, the lawyer who represents Wood in the post-conviction appeal, prepared the document, "Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law," to rebut the state's arguments against Wood's claim of mental retardation.

The defense contends that Wood had low IQ scores, suffered an unusually difficult childhood, and failed as an adult to adapt socially, conceptually and practically.

According to documents cited by the defense, Wood was given six IQ tests as an adult between the age of 19 and 54 years old. His scores, in chronological order, were 111, 64, 71, 101, 67 and 57. However, records did not provide details on which IQ tests he took that correspond with three of those scores. The first score was recorded in 1977 and the most recent one in 2011.

"As the school records, trial and hearing testimony, and affidavits demonstrate," the defense document states, "Mr. Wood's significant intellectual and adaptive deficits manifested themselves before he reached the age of 18."

Wood's "disabling condition occurred during the developmental period," the document states, which is one of the three main requirements to prove mental retardation.

In 1989, Wood was convicted and sentenced to death for killing six girls and young women in 1987: Desiree Wheatley, Angelica Frausto, Susanna Ivy Williams, Rosa Maria Casio, Karen Baker and Dawn Smith. Their bodies were found buried in shallow graves in the Northeast El Paso desert, near the present Painted Dunes Golf Course.

He is appealing the death sentence.

The death row inmate's early years were marked by constant fights between his parents, a father who punished him with a paddle, and a mother who suffered from mental illness, according to court documents.

"Mr. Wood's parents, Leo and Betty, were singularly unprepared for the rigors of parenthood. Leo was 20 years old and Betty only 16 when they married," the document states. "One year later, their first child, Debbie. Within the next six years, three more children arrived, including David, the second oldest."

Wood and his siblings were sent to foster homes on a couple of occasions because of their parents' ongoing conflicts.

"David Wood's mother was continuously under the care of psychiatrists and doctors during his childhood," the defense document states. "She was institutionalized for a total of six months in a psychiatric hospital and received electro-convulsive shock treatments. Her treatment with prescription drugs was, according to Leo Wood, 'never-ending.' As a result of her psychological disorders and addiction to prescription drugs, Betty Wood was virtually never responsive to David's needs. Leo Wood testified that she treated David '[w]ithout love.' "

The parents divorced, remarried and divorced again. Both later remarried but to other people.

"At the punishment phase of Mr. Wood's (1989) capital trial, Dr. Donald T. Lunde, a psychologist and psychiatrist (now deceased), testified that he reviewed numerous documents showing that Mr. Wood was repeatedly administered IQ tests by the school district, welfare department consultants, and a social worker, according to the defense," according to the defense document. "In addition, Dr. Lunde found the amount and intensity of attention focused on Mr. Wood as a child and adolescent particularly compelling in concluding that his intellectual and adaptive deficits were congenital (existing from birth)."

"Mr. Wood's school records clearly demonstrate poor academic achievement," the defense documents states. "He flunked the first grade, the third grade, and the ninth grade; attended special education classes; and, eventually, dropped out of high school after the first semester of his second attempt at ninth grade. By the time he withdrew, Mr. Wood was seventeen-and-a-half years old, still a freshman in high school, three years behind his peers."

The defense document also states that Wood flunked the test to enter the Army, although it doesn't state when.

Wood's defense further argues in the document that Wood's behavior in prison should not be taken into account because prison is organized, managed by prison officials, and does not require inmates to use the kind of work and social skills that are required of most people to survive outside of prison.

"The fact that Mr. Wood possesses some communication skills, i.e., that he can express basic ideas and understand commands given by prison guards, does not preclude a diagnosis of mental retardation," the defense states.

Wood's lawyer also attacked the credibility of Thomas Allen, the forensic psychologist who testified in the 2011 post-conviction hearing, concerning Wood's mental capacity.

"Dr. Allen's methods for assessing Mr. Wood's adaptive functioning were not thorough or reliable. His methods do not comport with the guiding principles in the field of mental retardation," the defense document said. "In light of the compelling and abundant evidence of Mr. Wood's significant adaptive deficits during the developmental period ... Dr. Allen's testimony regarding Mr. Wood's adaptive behavior is not credible."

Allen had testified that he believed Wood was not retarded and that he showed signs instead of anti-social personality disorder.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2002 in a separate case, Atkins v. Virginia, that executing a mentally retarded person constitutes cruel and unjust punishment in violation of the U.S. Constitution. Wood filed an appeal based on the ruling in that case.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stayed the execution in 2009, one day before Wood was scheduled to be executed, in order for him to have a chance to present evidence of mental retardation. Wood is asking the court to impose a life sentence.

Visiting District Court Judge Bert Richardson of San Antonio, presiding over the 171st District Court, is expected to issue his recommendations next month. The Texas Criminal Court of Appeal will make the final ruling on whether to accept Wood's claim, or reject it and schedule a new execution date for him.

In summary, Wood's defense asserts that Wood meets the main legal requirements for mental retardation: He has significant limitations in intellectual functioning; he has significant limitations in adaptive behavior, and he exhibited significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior before the age of 18.

A determination on DNA testing of evidence from the 1987 murders is still pending.

More articles:

Sep 6, 1987: Bodies identified as missing women

Oct 24, 1987: Buried body identified

Oct 28, 1987: 4th body indentified as teen girl

Oct 29, 1987: Rape suspect served 7 years for sex offenses

Nov 18, 1987: Police indentify fifth body as missing teen-age girl

Victims of the 1987 crime wave in the Northeast

1988: Wood and the desert deaths: a chronology

David Wood's path from El Paso to Death Row

Aug 10, 2009: 'Desert killer' David Wood to be executed Aug. 20

Aug 20, 2009: Execution stayed

 

 

1987: Rape suspect served 7 years for sex offenses

10/29/1987

Benjamin Keck
El Paso Times -

David Wood was released from prison Jan. 15 and paroled to El Paso after serving almost seven years of a 20-year sentence for sex offenses, court records show.

Wood is now in El Paso County Jail, charged with sexual assault in connection with a rape that occurred during the summer in the desert east of the 12000 block of McCombs – the area in which the bodies of four females, two of them teens, have been unearthed from shallow graves.

Police say no one has been charged in those deaths and decline to confirm or deny that Wood is a suspect.

Wood, 30, of 10433 Hermes in the Northeast, also is charged with aggravated kidnapping in an incident that allegedly occurred Sept. 19, and with violating the terms of his parole.

He pleased guilty June 19, 1980, to charges of rape and rape of a child. The child rape case involved a 12-year-old girl and occurred three months earlier in a Northeast park. The other rape occurred eight days earlier.

Wood was sentenced to 20 years on each charge but the sentences were to run concurrently.

At the time of his arrest on those charges, Wood had been out of prison only about a year. He was sentenced to five years in January 1977 after pleading guilty to charges of indecency with a child in connection with an incident that occurred August 1976.

He was 19 when he first went to prison.

The sexual assault charge for which Wood was arrested last Friday alleges that he picked up a woman in Northeast El Paso took her to the desert east of McCombs, tore off her clothes, tied her up and raped her. That incident allegedly occurred between July 26 and Aug. 7 but was not reported until Sept. 22 – 18 days after the first bodies were found in the desert.

The kidnapping allegedly occurred when a woman accepted a ride from Wood after talking with him Downtown. It ended near a brick plant near the 2700 block of West Paisano when the woman jumped form her abductor’s truck after he put a knife to her throat and threatened to rape and kill her, court records state