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Monday, October 9th, 2006

Mesilla Chiles

The local chile harvest is almost over.

Chile pods can be picked green or red. The pods, green initially, turn red when older.

Green chiles are eaten in many ways, chile rellenos being perhaps the most famous. Red chiles are used for spicing and sauces.

Hereâ€™s a green chile two days before its harvest:

Here are red chiles from the same field. Because the pods mature at different times, a field will have both green and red.

Here’s a banana pepper:

Here are cherry peppers:

Tags: Chiles, Chile Rellenos, Peppers

Filed in: Agriculture, Chiles, Mesilla | Comments

Saturday, September 30th, 2006

Tree Regal

I think this is the oldest tree in Mesilla, perhaps the oldest in the valley. Why it’s growing in regal isolation on the edge of town, I do not know. Nor do I know how old it is.

This tree has lived so long, survived so much — it should be recognized as the majestic living thing it is and protected. Vivat rex!

Tags: Oldest Tree, Mesilla

Filed in: History, Mesilla, Misc Images | 1 Comment

Wednesday, September 27th, 2006

Quiet Lanes

If you’re looking for a place without traffic jams, where life is still delightful, consider these tree-lined Mesilla lanes:

Tag: Mesilla, Traffic

Filed in: Mesilla, Misc Images | Comments

Sunday, September 24th, 2006

Welcome and Adios

One sign, two sides.

Welcome to Mesilla.

Thanks for Visiting Mesilla. Adios.

Tags: Mesilla Sign

Filed in: Mesilla, Misc Images | Comments

Saturday, September 9th, 2006

Thunderbird de la Mesilla

This is believed to be the oldest brick building in New Mexico. It sits at the southwest corner of Mesilla plaza. The sign on the front wall gives a quick history of the building.

“This is the oldest documented brick building in New Mexico.

Augustin Maurin (of French descent) initiated construction in 1860 using burned brick from his own kiln. He was murdered by robbers in his adjoining apartment in 1866.

The heir, Cesar Maurin, came here from France to claim the property. He died of natural causes in 1868.

Frenchman Pedro Duhalde, a former Mesilla saloonkeeper, moved in and was himself murdered by robbers.

Now owned by Tiburcio Frietze, after having been used as a general store, residence, saloon and town hall, the building remains in good condition.

Original, hand-hewn vigas, supporting a low, irregular ceiling, join with the old brickwork in creating a fitting background for the gift items displayed.

The Dona Ana Historical Society finds this building worthy of preservation and commends Mr. Frietze for his part in its care.”

Tags: Thunderbird de la Mesilla Gift Shop

Filed in: History, Mesilla, Mesilla Plaza | Comments

Monday, September 4th, 2006

Old Mesilla Courthouse

The Old Mesilla Courthouse is now a gift shop.

As indicated by the sign, the Courthouse dates from 1850.

Here’s a photo of the courthouse after it became the Elephant Butte Saloon, taken some time in the 1920s. The walls appear to be brick, but the bricks are painted, not real, except for the distinctive decorative brick along the roof, which you can see in both the old and the new photographs. Notice also that the corner of the building has been sliced off to make the current entrance.

Filed in: Billy the Kid, History, Mesilla, Mesilla Plaza | Comments

Saturday, September 2nd, 2006

Mesilla Plaza — Satellite View

Here’s a satellite shot of the Mesilla plaza.

You can see clearly the octagonal bandstand located in the center of the plaza. San Ablino is located north of the plaza, just above the three rows of parking cars.

Mesilla bandstand.

Tags: Mesilla Satellite Image

Filed in: Mesilla, Mesilla Plaza | Comments

Thursday, August 31st, 2006

Billy the Kid

Still standing in the southeast corner of the Mesilla plaza is the courthouse and jail where Billy the Kid was tried and sentenced to death by hanging.

The only authentic picture of Billy.

Billy had been captured December 23, 1880.

On March 28, 1881, he was transported to Rincon by train and from there to Mesilla by wagon for trial for the murders of Andrew “Buckshot” Roberts and Sheriff William Brady. The indictment for killing Roberts was a federal indictment. The indictment for killing Brady was a territorial indictment. The territorial district court handled both jurisdictions, with the federal cases tried first.

His trial for killing “Buckshot” Roberts began on March 30, 1881. The case against him in this trial was thrown-out on the grounds that the killing took place on private land, not public land, and the federal government thus had no standing to prosecute.

The trial for the killing of Sheriff Brady began April 8. The judge presiding, Judge Bristol, dismissed Billy’s defense attorney from the Roberts trial, probably because of the change in jurisdiction, and appointed John D. Bail and Albert Fountain to represent him.

On April 13. the jury brought in its verdict: guilty. The judge then sentenced Billy to death by hanging, to be carried out on May 13, 1881 in Lincoln, New Mexico.

In an interview later that day in the Mesilla News, Billy said the following:

“Well, I had intended at one time to not say a word in my own behalf, because persons would say, ‘Oh, he lied’; Newman gave me a rough deal; has created prejudice against me, and is trying to incite a mob to lynch me. He sent me a paper which shows it; I think it a dirty, mean advantage to take of me considering my situation and knowing I could not defend myself by word or act. But I suppose he thought he would give me a kick down hill. Newman came to see me the other day; I refused to talk to him or tell him anything; but I believe the News is always willing to give its readers both sides of a question.”

“If mob law is going to rule, better dismiss judge, sheriff, etc., and let all take chances alike. I expected to be lynched in going to Lincoln. Advise persons never to engage in killing.”

Three days later he was taken to Lincoln. It was from the Lincoln courthouse that Billy escaped on April 28, killing two deputies.

Filed in: Billy the Kid, History, Mesilla, Mesilla Plaza | 1 Comment

Saturday, August 26th, 2006

Mesilla History

Welcome to Mesilla.

It is generally accepted that the town of Mesilla was founded some time in the late 1840s, although it had been visited by various European travelers since the mid-1500s. Of course, Native Americans were familiar with this area and had camped here for thousands of years. They were not pleased to see settlers.

Mesilla means “little tableland.”

In 1851, Fort Fillmore was established to protect Mesilla from raids by Apaches.

In 1854, The Gadsden Purchase made Mesilla officially part of the United States. The treaty is named after the person who represented the United States in the negotiations with Mexico, James Gadsden.

With this treaty, Mexico sold the United States approximately 29,000 square miles of land for $10 million.

The map shows the location of the Purchase.