THE WHY FOR THIS PORTION OF SOCORRO

Thank you so very much for coming to see what we are about. As the joker we are about too old (I am 77) to remember, but for some luck I do remember a lot about my boyhood home. I remember living on the School of Mines Road just up a little hill above Mr. and Mrs. Rafael Lopez (the school teacher many of my classmates had later in Socorro High). I believe the house was across the street from the Del Curto's. We (my Grandmother, Nanna, my Grandfather, Tom, and my Mom, Dorothy) moved to the Santiago Baca house on Garfield, and then to our "Adobe" on Hiway 6o. Looking at the map in the phone book it would have been close to the intersection of Hiway 60 and Alta Vista St (Lane). The rides in the rumble seat of my grandfathers car to the top of the hill above our home. The rides to school at the convent and the walk back, was it not 14 miles up hill both directions? Those were the beginning years full of all that life can bring, happy days of growing with others, of seeing and being a part of change. And it also brought some sadness, the moving away and leaving what certainly was a great portion of my life. There came about some extra items, family and kin, places (buildings) that carry with them interest outside of my ventures, thus with advise from my main contributors we felt the extra would be of interest to all. Socorro is still the place I miss the most, the summers at the plaza, the winters and Christmas Caroling, ah yes I remember and miss them all. I invite you to use the comment sections at the end of each subject and record your notes as you may desire. Thanks for dropping by dave anderson

PRIZE WINNING SOUTHWEST DESIGN COUNTY COURT HOUSE

When I was a lad, even into my teens, Socorro County was most proud of its County Courthouse. It was by far the most beautiful in design and out side suited the lay of the land to its best. The interior was well maintained and especially clean as I understand that a couple of judges threatened stir time if it got dirty.

TEMPORARY HOME FOR MISCREANTS

The temp home of some of the miscreants that violated the laws of city, county, and state. Thank goodness I missed it.

CHAMBON HOTEL LATER PARK AND DRUG STORE

When General Lew Wallace was Territorial Governor of New Mexico on one of his trips south he stayed at the CHAMBON HOTEL. This is where he also wrote much of his book"BEN HUR". The name changed when the new owners took possession of the hotel. The drug store was a part of my space when I was a lad, for there were favorite places to buy sweets, here at Park Drugs, Pettys Confectionery, and Mundy.

VALVERDE HOTEL

I have been trying to find a story about the VAL VERDE, something that I really knew about. To no avail until I was reading about our missing classmates and there, perfectly enconched in my mind, Filimon Montoya, and the story that lives all over Socorro. Filimon was always a busy opportunist and would take on any job offered so long as no one got hurt and payday was Friday. And so it was in this particular summer jobs were scant at best, but Filimon was there ahead of every other kid who heard that the Val Verde needed a bell hop. Filimon got the job, and would really hustle to please the folks staying at the hotel. This one evening the husband of one of the quests had taken ill, the wife had walked to the desk, at this time manned by Mr. (change jobs change title) Montoya. When questioned about medical care he offered the following; "The best doctor in town is Dr. V. E. Franklin, if he is in town". And to the response of 'if not in town' was what was known throughout the County "Dr. Franklin if we have to wait". This saying has been attributed to many, but I think you and I both know where it originated. to read more about our beloved Dr. Franklin see "HOME TOWN DOCTOR".

SAN MIGUEL CATHOLIC CHURCH

I WAS AN ALTAR BOY IN THIS CHURCH FROM THE FOURTH THROUGH THE SIXTH GRADES. FATHER STANLEY WAS MY FAVORITE PRIEST AND THE ONLY PRIEST I KNEW WITH A DOG, A GERMAN SHEPHERD AND AS I REMEMBER WHEN FATHER STANLEY WENT IN THE CHAPLIN CORPS THE DOG BECAME A WAR DOG. IN TIMES OF THOUGHT WHEN I WAS IN THE SERVICE I USED TO THINK ABOUT THE CHURCH AND THE SCHOOL (MT CARMEL) AND HOPED THAT I WOULD GET TO SEE THEM AGAIN, AND SAN MIGUEL IS FOREVER IN MY THOUGHTS.

Mount Carmel Grade School 1940

We think this is about 1940 Mt Carmel

Bill Caldwell reminded me that the door shown here was the door to the candy store??

MOUNT CARMEL CLASS 1944

ROBERT and ALICE and some children

KYLE AND KIM MILLER, DON AND DEBORAH BOYD, ALICE DUQUET, MICHAELA MABRY, BOB DUQUET, MADELYN MABRY. One would have to travel a long long way to make the kind of friends I have with Alice, my partner in a lot of the blogs, and Robert, whom I have not had the pleasure of meeting personally, who must be a GOOD GUY in putting up with the time Alice spends in picture taking and searching, locating people/places/things so Dave can continue his quest of seeking solace in the past.

AL MARIANNE

Marianne and husband Al. I have searched my so called mind trying to establish the why I first met any of the Family Harriet. I can only account for the Harriet House, and will accept from it the friends.

BETTY JANE and TRIBUTE MIQUETTE AND MARY LOU

MAJORETTE BEAUTIES The girls in the photo are left to right: Miquette Padilla, Jeanette Salome, Mary Lou Clark and myself. Betty Jane. Some of my favorite folks are here. And with the fondest of memories I will impart the most memorable facets of our friendships. That dark haired beauty with the wonderful feminine husky voice, even at an early age, was one or actually two emanate features about her. Her laughter could make the angels blush with envy, and add to these were the dancing dark eyes of one beauty by name, MIQUETTE PADILLA. "Mike" was a tough play before we moved on to high school. We, Mike, her brother Rudy, Ann Augustine, and occasionally Patsy Pickens and myself, were virtually joined at the hip. Mrs Damian (Nellie) Padilla took all of us on some of her sojourns to the county, and where there was a water ditch beware. When Mary Lou Clark, and family, moved to Socorro they lived in a house not far from one of my enterprises (the cement plant I over saw). I was at that time sort of divorced from every one as the job at the cement plant and the service station left me little time, however (ha ha however) I did secure several dates with Mary Lou. A little girl (in comparison to most of the other girls of that time) by stature by nature she was one most exuberant in the issue of having fun. And tho I left before she became a majorette I can surely see where it came from. To Betty Jane from my memory flower garden to you a bunch of mixed roses. Bright Yellow for yourself, beautiful sunset Pink for your family, and deep Heart Red for Mary Lou. Thank you, girls for being a part of my life.

VONNA BELL HENDREN

VONNA BELL HENDREN Class president and editor of the '49 WARRIOR.. How your servant might contribute words to describe Vonna Belle is near impossible. As a boy in grade school sitting next to one of the prettiest girls I was especially taken by her beautiful smile and voice. Her laughter rings yet in my memory. In time we grew both for, closeness was with us in High School for but a short time, and then finally apart and I doubt I would ever know why. The long beautiful hair, the capturing green eyes, her lips of flame, the tingle and calming feature of her voice lives still with me. God Bless. ( d a)

I WOULD STILL GO FOR A RIDE

About 1946 or 47 I had my first experience with a motorcycle, Bill took me on his "BLACK BEAUTY" Harley to Albuquerque. This ride to and from will remain in my mind til the end of my time. Thanks Bill. **************************************** From: Bill Caldwell To: Dave Anderson Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2007 5:53 PM Subject: Emailing: Aug01_02 Hi Dave, As you can see I still ride. The Bike is a 1985 Honda V65 Sabre, (1100) CC V4, 120 HP, weight is 530#, It will fly, over 160 MPH 6speed, W Overdrive. If you would rather have just me without the bike, let me know. BC

COMMENTS TO THE HARRIET HOUSE

A GOOD PART OF THE TRIBE OCCUPYING THE "HARRIET HOUSE. MARIANNE, GRACE, ALICE, MICHAEL.

Dear Dave I was happy to see your story on the Harriet House. We loved growing up in that big 2 story house. You were right it was always full of friends and neighbors. Each of us had neighbors our age and they spent a lot of time at our home. Our cousins, Noeline, Josie and Johnny Mounyo from Polvadera spent time there too. There was always lots of fun and games and laughter. We also had ranchers that came to town for a few days that stayed with us too like Marvin and Bessie Ake from out West, Holm and Betty Bursum with their sons. Holm III and Michael. There were many Basque people that were friends of the family that came to visit often. I look back and wonder how my mother did it and never complained. I guess I have a hard time turning loose of that house. Even though we sold it I never fail to take pictures of it when it snows or when new people move there I try to tell them all about it so they can enjoy it like we did. Alice

A GOOD PART OF THE TRIBE OCCUPYING THE "HARRIET HOUSE. MARIANNE, GRACE, ALICE, MICHAEL.

AMONG FRIENDS

THIS IS 'LAS OLLAS' OR BETTER KNOWN AS COOK'S HOUSE. There is a beautiful adobe fence enclosing the East, and North, and West sides of the Cook Compound. Along the outer portion were niches that were used at Christmas for Luminaries. ******************************************************** Dave, I looked at all of the neat pix , of the Church, The one with Lincoln, and Wayne, and Gene is great, brings back lots of memories to me. Another part of the surprise you mention, is the part about my Dad Big Bill giving you the advice you had requested, he was a great guy, and helped many people who really needed help, he did this and never boasted of it, or even told anyone of some of these deeds, and favors, he just did these things, in a way that gave the recipient the feeling that what he had received was a sincere gift, and that it came from his heart from one human being to another, with no strings, or be holdings attached. I thought the world of my Dad, and Mom, and all of my family, and I think of them a lot even now, as I do many of my friends. Also The Chambon Hotel, Later the Park Hotel ( Clyde Stauder),we used to drop several papers off there, and Mr. Stauder was a real gentleman, in that he never complained about anything, and always paid right on time, and acted like he was glad to do it, I always liked him, some of the other customers were not so kind, as you know. I remember Doc Herman, and son Guy Herman hanging around the Park Confectionery, as well as Jimmy Stackpole, Gilbert Stapelton, etc. these folks were much older than us, so I didn't know them except on sight. Mrs. Eanes was the prop., I also remember Sherman Ingram working there, I think one of Buddy Greens sisters also worked there, I think her name was Elizabeth, a really pretty girl, she may have been the attraction for most of the guys that came in there too, but I think Sherman won out, as I think he married her. They served fountain stuff, and also light meals, they always had a punch board or two, if one was inclined to gamble a little, I lost a few nickels on this on occasion, didn't win much either, so I learned early on that it is better to toil for one's funding. Do you remember Fred Downs? he passed away a couple years ago, he went to jewelers school in Flagstaff, Az, and met a girl there that married him, they moved to Elgin, ILL., many years ago, there were two children. Fred kept in touch over the years, and visited here a couple times, and brought Peggy, his wife. Fred and I always felt there was a good bond of friendship and I did everything to remain friends with him after he moved away, he was a friend. Dave Thank you for the kind things you say, and print. more later, Bill

DRAW TO THIS TRIO!!

LEFT TO RIGHT

LINCOLN CALDWELL My cub in his Moms Cub Scout den, my playmate making play boats

sailing them down the water filled ruts in front of their home.

And I am not discounting his brothers Bill and Mickey and sister

Burdette.

Husband of Alice Harriet.

WAYNE BLACK The friend I always wanted, the companion of many of us. And a real

honest to goodness BEER drinker. And the reason when it was time for

me to go in the service, I went in the Navy.

Two sisters Ann and Margaret.

On his birthday Oct. 22 1947, Guy, Neil, Bob H. and I spent the eve at

his house. His mom woke us early and I had my first surprise of spun

honey and waffles and sausage on the side.

GENE GAINES Can't add did not know or at least not remember.

HOT YOUNG BILL >>> CHILI ?? NO

The tie between the Caldwell's and I is somewhat beyond Mr. William Caldwell buying the dealership from my grandfather, and beyond playing with the kids, beyond Lincoln being in his mothers cub scout den, I was the Den Master as the Boy Scout. What is beyond this is that on several occasions I would approach Mr. Caldwell with either questions or with yeah questions.

One in particular was when I felt very desperate to get away from all of it. And since I had a good relationship with all I felt it incumbent upon myself to get the best objective advice, not just "yes I agree" or "no I don't". So I called Mr. Caldwell and asked to see him, and as the gentleman he was, he suggested that we get together at a set time so he could be with me.

No one was aware that I was there, as there surely would have been questions I not prepared to answer.

I told him of my despair and my desire to run away and I wanted to know what I should do.

Mr. Caldwell took his time in his answer with the question of how did I mean to support myself, rent, groceries, and probably the most important item of all my schooling. He suggested that should I really leave that I go to Kansas City, he knew some one there, and that I go to the school he went to to become a mechanic. I can still see the diploma "SWEENEY ???" . He impressed on me the only way to beat whatever was eating at me was to LEARN and then ACT. So it was back to school and back to learning that sometimes things work out.

I shall always remember this.....BILL your BIG BILL was Great.

A LITTLE BIT OF GET TOGETHER

top l to r NETTA CLEGG, ENID DOUGLAS, LOLA BARRETT. SOME ONE FOR COFFEE?? LOLA, JOHN, ALICE, NETTA. CHOW TIME ROWENA, FRANK, LEON, ZELLA, INA. I was a upper classman of Enid's but only in grade not in class, she was and am sure still is a CLASS ACT of her own. A beautiful and talanted girl. I did attend the University where her father graduated Baker University Baldwin City Kansas. CLASS REUNION CLASS OF 1952

A LITTLE GET TOGETHER

>ROSEMARY MOON ATKINSON AND BOB CLARK at the fence. > >INA AND FRANK WALTON looking for shade? > THE GROUP.(back l/r) Joe Zamora (53, Johnny Mounyo, John Dodson, Holm BursumIII, Frank Walton. (Middle l/r)Josephine Mounyo(51), Angel Soto, Benny Woodruff, Duane Williams, Rosemary Moon(?), Enid Douglas, Netta Lou Clegg(53). >(front l/r) Barbara McSmith (53), Georgia Seery, Betty Clark (53), Patsy Eiland, Lucy Torres, Emily Montoya, Zella DelCurto, Ina Gallegos. > >I went to school with JIMMY MOON brother of ROSEMARY, last I saw of Jimmy was at NAVAL AIR STATION MIRAMAR CORONADO ISLAND SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA. He worked in PERSONNEL and processed me OUT of the Navy. > >REUNION OF CLASS 1952

WHO WHO WHO "YES FRANCES"

**** A PART OF THE MIXED YEARS GATHERING A LOT OF HOPPING GOING HERE WITH THE RARE OPPORTUNITY TO RENEW FRIENDSHIPS AND LAMENT THE MISSING CLASSMATES ****** right CANDI MONTOYA,SONNY CUELLAR, FRANCES VALLES CUELLAR, EMMA CHAVEZ LAMBERSON, RAY LAMBERSON LEFT ROMANA M. SOTO, FRANCES VALLES CUELLAR, PATSY P. SHAFFER, JOHNNY MONTOYA LEFT LOWER PIC FRANCES VALLES CUELLAR, RUDY PADILLA Rudy Padilla and I both attended Mt. Carmel grade school. He and I over the years had our ups and downs as all friendships go at times. I saw Rudy once while I was in the Navy, in the EM Club at Barbers Point Naval Air Station, Oahu Hawaii. He was waiting transport to his duty station. We met again in Albuquerque after our discharge, lost track after that. Frances I have seen a couple of times when I was going thru Socorro and I would stop at her resturant and coffee it up. And I saw Sonny once. Couple of GOOD PEOPLE which we are sorely short of now days.

NOELINE TED JOSEPHINE

NOELINE TED JO

WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT APPEAR HERE

MARIANNE AND THE GIRLS. SHS SENIOR TRIP (1950). RUTHIE HARRIS, MARIANNE HARRIET, LOLA PATRICK, DORIS CLARICH, MITZI QUINN, PEGGY MAY, MARGARET ALLEY. BIG SMILE BY MARIANNE IN FRONT OF 'HARRIET HOUSE' Lincoln and Alice (Harriet) Caldwell Nancy Powell and John Dodson

IF YOU KNOW ME? PLEASE TELL ME WHO I AM, I CAN'T REMEMBER. JUST USE THE COMMENT AREA.

A SOCORRO FAMILY OF NOTE

Mildred and Big Bill Caldwell. Mrs. Caldwell was my Cub Scout Den Mother and I was the Den Master as I was already a Boy Scout. We had our den Meetings at the Caldwell home (north of the garage and dealership). We had a full complement of cubs and Mrs. Caldwell also had a little one at home, Mickey was walking and all but still a handful between cubs and activities. It was G O O D times. The family picture (circa 1942) MILDRED, WILLIAM (BIG BILL), BILLY, LINCOLN, BURDETTE MICKY. I especially remember that Mr. Caldwell liked his hat. And as I remember he generally had one handy. This family was always a pleasure to be around and hold a special place in my heart, particularly Mr.(Big Bill) Caldwell.

HOME TOWN DOCTOR

The handsome young Doctor V. E. Franklin. Doctor Franklin and his son Joseph. PICTURE FROM A NEWSPAPER IN 1980 HONORING THE GREAT DR. V. E. FRANKLIN DR. FRANKLIN OCCUPIED THE SOUTH END OF THE OFFICE/RESIDENT BUILDING THIS IS THE OFFICE I CAME TO AFTER WALKING AWAY FROM THE CONVENT. AND THEN OFF TO PUBLIC SCHOOL VIA ORDERS (STP) FROM DR. THIS WAS AN OFFICE AND RESIDENCE BUILDING As the grandson of the one of the dispensers of the medical supplies ordered by Dr. Franklin, I can tell you of the many things ordered to be delivered to my Nanna for distribution to the needy in our neighborhood. I have been told that Dr. Franklin had many dispensaries of goods. His ware housemen were all patients and most at a position where their condition did not interfere with Doctors orders for the distribution of the booty.(I use the word 'booty' with respect for the good dispensed to the needy was in every way a bountiful booty of good, for some of the patients were financially unable to buy the item dispensed. Money was never to be in the way of medical , and often nutritional help).. These items were mostly paid for by Doctor himself, and with no expectation of repayment, in Socorro at that time money was short. There were babies born, delivered and sent home with the necessitates newborns needed, formula (if necessary) diapers, first clothes in many cases, and of course care for the mother. Many times Doctor would come to our house directly from some call to a farmer and would bring fresh vegetables for the dispensary. Often eggs, corn, and many other farm stuffs. Doctor Franklin was the one person in town you could count on to do the job of medicine if that were the need. My boyhood friend Leo Funk was to graduate from the eighth grade at Mt. Carmel but instead spend the evening in the operating room with Col. Drummond in the waiting room in case Dr. Franklin needed him (Col Durmmond had the same odd blood type as Leo, and ready for transfusion). Leo's appendix burst and spread toxins through out the area. Dr. Franklin did all the clean up possible and then for the next six weeks watched over Leo like a mother hen. Country Doctor, well I suppose, but to us he was HEALTH coming home. Dr. Franklin was stickler for proper nutrition and many of his orders for health was in maintaining a proper diet, that is not to mean he cut sugar but certainly chastise strongly those diabetics that used sugar in their coffee, sugar on their cereal and so forth. But his fervor for good health was primarily a thesis of "take care". There is no doubt in my mind that Doctor Franklin is taking care of those in need in that heavenly place, and if he out THEY WILL WAIT. Bless Doctor Franklin. Here is a "Young" Doctor Franklin, This Doctor JOHN FRANKLIN with his mom MARTINA.