webmaster
05-23-2008, 11:30 AM
Elfego Baca – One Man, One War, One Mission
<center><table border=0 align=center><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>Elfego Baca One Man, One War<br> BRONZE SCULPTURE<br> maquette size 20" high x 16" x 16" - $4,800 - for details please visit: www.JamesMuir.com (http://www.jamesmuir.com/) © 2007, JamesMuir.com</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/efb-maq400_lg.jpg border=1 align=center vspace=5 hspace=5 alt='Elfego Baca One Man, One War - BRONZE SCULPTURE - maquette size 20" high x 16" x 16" - $4,800 - for details see: www.JamesMuir.com (http://www.jamesmuir.com/) (c) 2007 JamesMuir.com'></td></tr></table></center>
<table border=0 align=right><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>There is much that can be said about legendary Socorro County lawman Elfego Baca.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/5388806_scaled_187x237.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="There is much that can be said about legendary Socorro County lawman Elfego Baca."></td></tr></table>There is much that can be said about legendary Socorro County lawman Elfego Baca. Baca is arguably the most famous person ever born in Socorro County and is without question one of the most storied lawmen of the old west and is still New Mexico's most famous Hispanic peace officer. Like Billy the Kid, Elfego Baca stories will be told and retold for hundreds of years to come.
<table border=0 align=left width=173><tr><td width=173><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>...that’s why they’re dedicating a statue in honor of Baca in the Catron County community of Reserve on May 24.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/Baca_5211225_sm.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="...that’s why they’re dedicating a statue in honor of Baca in the Catron County community of Reserve on May 24."></td></tr></table>Obviously that’s why they’re dedicating a statue in honor of Baca in the Catron County community of Reserve on May 24, 2008. We’ll have more to say about that shortly. But before we tell you about that statue and the dedication, let’s take a quick look at the history that made Elfego Baca a living legend in his own time.
Baca was born in Socorro on February 10, 1865. He passed away peacefully in the environs of Albuquerque on August 27, 1945. During the years between he blazed a colorful trail as a legendary lawman, lawyer, and politician in the waning days of America’s wild west.
Though born in Socorro, the Hispanic Baca’s family soon moved to Topeka Kansas where they lived until his mother passed away in 1880. After that, Baca and his father returned to New Mexico and settled in Belen where Francisco Baca became a marshal.
According to Wikipedia, in 1884, at the tender age of 19, Baca reportedly stole some guns, bought a mail-order sheriff’s badge, and appointed himself deputy sheriff in Socorro County, New Mexico; but in an interview with Baca conducted by WPA writer Janet Smith in 1936 and now stored permanently in the Library of Congress, Baca related the tale of how he became a Sheriff’s Deputy this way:
"I had gone to Escondida a little way from Socorro to visit my uncle. A couple of Texas cowboys had been shooting up the town of Socorro. They hadn't hurt anybody that time. Only frightened some girls. That's the way they did in those days -- ride through a town shooting at dogs and cats and if somebody happened to get in the way -- powie! -- too bad for him. The Sheriff came to Escondida after them. By that time they were making a couple of Mexicans dance, shooting up the ground around their feet. The Sheriff said to me 'Baca, if you want to help, come along, but there's going to be shooting.'"
"We rode after them and I shot one of them about three hundred yards away. The other got away --- too many cottonwood trees in the way.
"Somebody asked me what that cowboy's name was. I said I didn't know. He wasn't able to tell me by the time I caught up with him."
The writer continued… <table border=0 align=right><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>"Somebody asked me what that cowboy's name was. I said I didn't know. He wasn't able to tell me by the time I caught up with him." </font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/wp-elfagobaca-lfz300_sm.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt='"Somebody asked me what that cowboy's name was. I said I didn't know. He wasn't able to tell me by the time I caught up with him."'></td></tr></table> I asked what the Sheriff's name was, and when Mr. Baca said it was Pete Simpson, I said, "The one you were electioneering for the time of the Frisco affair when you held off about 80 cowboys for over 36 hours." This is the one of Mr. Baca's exploits that has been most frequently written about.
And Baca replied: "Hell, I wasn't electioneering for him," he said. "I don't know where they got that idea. I couldn't have made a speech to save my life. And I didn't wear a Prince Albert coat either. They didn't have such things in this country in those days."
Following in the footsteps of his father, Baca’s career goal in early life was to become a peace officer. According to Wikipedia he is reported to have said, “[I want] the outlaws to hear my steps a block away.” Southwestern New Mexico at the time was still relatively sparsely settled cattle ranching country. Cowboys roamed the land and did as they pleased. They might come into a town, drink at the saloon, harass the local Mexican-Americans, and then shoot up the town out of boredom. As the earlier story from the Smith interview shows, Baca made it his goal to put an end to that.
It was the now-famous incident in the western Socorro County (which later became Catron County) community named Upper San Francisco Plaza but called Frisco (which then existed near the present day Catron County Seat of Reserve) that established Baca’s life-long reputation as a lawman who couldn’t be beaten. The story has been recorded and reported many times. Provided below are three versions of that remarkable story.
<table border=0 align=left width=160><tr><td width=160><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>“[I want] the outlaws to hear my steps a block away.”</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/5390107.jpg border=1 align=left vspace=5 hspace=5 alt='“[I want] the outlaws to hear my steps a block away.”'></td></tr></table>According to Wikipedia:
On December 1, 1884, in the town of Upper San Francisco Plaza (now Reserve), Elfego Baca arrested a carousing cowboy who had shot at him. The man’s companions demanded the cowboy's release, but Baca refused. Following threats from the cowboys, Baca took refuge in the house of Geronimo Armijo. A standoff with the cowboys ensued and some 80 cowboys gathered to attack the house. Allegedly, the cowboys fired more than 4,000 shots into the house, until the adobe building looked like Swiss cheese. Incredibly, not one of the bullets struck Baca. (The floor of the home is said to have been slightly lower than ground level; thus Baca was able to escape injury.) During the siege, Baca shot and killed four of his attackers and wounded eight others. After 36 hours, the battle ended when the cowboys ran out of ammunition. When they had left, Baca walked out of the house unharmed.
In May 1885, Baca was charged with murder for the death of the one of the cowboys killed in the attack on the cabin. He was jailed to await his trial. In August 1885, Baca was acquitted after the door of Armijo’s house was entered as evidence. It had more than 400 bullet holes in it. The incident became known as the Frisco Shootout.
On May 10, 1995, then Congressman and present Hispanic New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson inserted remarks about Baca into the Congressional Record which was recorded in the Library of Congress.
HON. BILL RICHARDSON
in the House of Representatives
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1995
Mr. Speaker, many of us have spoken at great length about the cowards responsible for the bombing of the Federal building in Oklahoma City. With all this talk about cowards, I thought it might be helpful to remind my colleagues that while our country is plagued with cowards from time to time, we have a rich history of heros and famous sons and daughters. One such famous son is Elfego Baca who to this day--more than 110 years after his remarkable feat in New Mexico--is still remembered fondly by New Mexicans.
An encounter between Elfego Baca and some Texas cowboys in the fall <table border=0 align=right><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>An encounter between Elfego Baca and some Texas cowboys in the fall of 1884 ... resulted in the elevation of Baca to heroic status.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/efb-maqcup400_sm.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="An encounter between Elfego Baca and some Texas cowboys in the fall of 1884 ... resulted in the elevation of Baca to heroic status."></td></tr></table>of 1884 has to many in the New Mexico Hispanic community resulted in the elevation of Baca to heroic status.
Elfego Baca was born the youngest child to a family of Spanish ancestry in 1865. During his youth, he held a job as a clerk in a merchant's store in Socorro County, NM. Several years later in 1883, Baca experienced his first introduction to the legal side of law enforcement.
Socorro County was undergoing rapid economic growth with the development of the Santa Fe Railroad. This expansion brought new faces to the area--laborers, miners, and ranchers to name a few. Many of the Texan newcomers held the local native community in low esteem. These cattlemen would often ride inebriated through town while shooting their guns. Obviously this posed a dangerous problem to the safety of the community so Sheriff Simpson called on Baca to help chase the cowboys out of town. Consequently, Elfego was appointed deputy sheriff for Socorro County.
It is still a mystery why Baca travelled to San Francisco Plaza in October 1884, but his confrontation with some Texas cowboys is what made him a legend. Shortly after arriving, deputy Baca encountered Charles McCarthy who was firing his pistol in a local saloon. Baca quickly took control and brought McCarthy to the justice of peace. McCarthy paid a fine and was released, but again repeated his lawless actions and was again arrested by Baca. McCarthy had fired his gun directly at Baca, so the deputy decided to guard the drunk prisoner in a private house in town. This enraged the other Texas cowboys and created an enormously tense scenario between them and deputy Baca. That night, a mob of stockmen threatened Baca for the release of McCarthy, but the deputy declined and held off their advances. It finally came to a head when Baca fired shots to disperse the mob and shot a horse which one of the cowboy's was riding, pinning the rider and crushing him to death.
The cattlemen used the following day to muster up their forces in retaliation of their comrade's death. Baca meanwhile hid in a small shack just outside town. When the cowboys finally tried to storm the house, Baca fired at the intruders, hitting one man in the chest and killing him. The infuriated gang of Texas cowboys that had congregated outside returned fire at the house but were unable to dislodge Baca from his fortification.
Finally after nearly a day of hiding out, the justice of peace issued an arrest warrant for Deputy Sheriff Baca. Baca surrendered under the condition that his life be spared from the cowboy mob and that he receive a fair trial in Bernalillo County with an Hispanic jury. Baca was acquitted under the grounds of self-defense.
The story of Elfego Baca demonstrates a man's will to preserve justice in a land and time of rampant corruption and bullying. Baca's bravery instilled hope to the native New Mexican people who upheld the laws of the land and refused to succumb to racial injustices.
I urge my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Elfego Baca and the countless numbers of other American heros and famous sons and daughters who have helped make this country great.
<table border=0 align=right ><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>It takes two sides to make a war. But nowhere is it written that the sides have to be equal, either in manpower, firepower, or courage.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/wp_elfbaca2_400_lg.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="It takes two sides to make a war. But nowhere is it written that the sides have to be equal, either in manpower, firepower, or courage."></td></tr></table>Finally, the Reserve-based website, www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com (http://www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com/), tells the “Frisco Shootout” story this way…
It takes two sides to make a war. But nowhere is it written that the sides have to be equal, either in manpower, firepower, or courage. When Elfego Baca declared war against the Texas cowboys who were harassing and brutalizing the local Hispanic population in Frisco, New Mexico Territory, (now Reserve, New Mexico), in October 1884, the numerical odds were eighty to one, with Baca on the short end. Yet, when Baca had emerged alive and proud, and when cowhands had backed off their persecution of the locals, the honors went to Baca.
Some conclusions can be drawn: first is that just maybe Baca had courage to the eightieth power, and that's what carried that day. A second possibility is that Baca had God on his side. Neither is a bad deduction in view of the outcome of events that happened in Frisco those few days in October.
When Elfego Baca learned of atrocities committed against the local Mexican population in Frisco when he was 19 years old, he took a job as Deputy in the city of Frisco, and found his mission in life. He was ready to rescue the Hispanics in Frisco from the Texas Cowboy.
At 5'7", Elfego Baca was an unlikely savior. He barely spoke any Spanish, having been raised in Topeka, and freely admitted that he was afraid of what they called Mexicans. However, Elfego Baca, was not afraid of anything else.
He tried to take a stand against the cowboys by appealing to the local Justice of Peace, but Judge Lopez was afraid to take a stand as well. Elfego Baca replied, "I will show them that there is at least one Mexican in the country who is not afraid of an American Cowboy."
His first arrest was a principal troublemaker named Charley McCarthy (or McCarty). He declared that he was there to keep the peace, and McCarthy blew his hat off. After he received no reaction from Baca, McCarthy hurried away from the tavern and was captured at a ranch house. Baca took him back to the house he was staying and held him there until he could go on trial.
The events following these proceedings led to an attack on Elfego Baca's life. The cowboys tried to convince the Justice of the Peace to help them fight against the "Mexican," but he was of no help. They set out on their own to bring Baca down.
William French, a man who worked for the WS ranch, and his friend "Old Charley" Moore found Baca and decided they would descend upon him. Every time they would fire at Baca, they would receive retaliation fire from Baca. More cowboys followed and by the end of the day more than 4,000 shots had been fired.
Remembering a Legend
Most of us have heard of the old western tales of Billy the Kid and others, but for Carton County, located in Western New Mexico, the Elfego Baca legend lives above the rest. Much effort has been given to find the early land deeds to locate the spot where the above story takes place. This effort has been given so that a memorial can be established. Locals to the reserve and Carton County have proposed to state legislature to put up $100,000.00 for this memorial.
Since Elfego Baca's death in 1945, there has been little to no recognition of this very note-worthy Mexican-American Hero. That’s where local store\restaurant owner, Henry Martinez has stepped in. Martinez is inspired by the fact that his great-grandfather, Epitacio Martinez, who was used for target practice by the Texan gang before Baca arrived. But he is also hoping to attract tourists to Catron County.
<table border=0 align=left width=160><tr><td width=160><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>Regardless of how the story is told or who is telling it, this remarkable tale and dozens of others like it form the bedrock and historical frame for Baca’s larger-than-life reputation.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/wp_elfbaca_cup1_300_sm.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="Regardless of how the story is told or who is telling it, this remarkable tale and dozens of others like it form the bedrock and historical frame for Baca’s larger-than-life reputation."></td></tr></table><table border=0 align=right><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>"One Man, One War"<br><br> <b>Artist's Concept:</b> This sculpture is a tribute to a “Courageousness” that transcends ethnic or temporal differences and pays honor to the highest and best that lies deep within all human beings. The objective is not to further the divisiveness of bigotry that Elfego Baca fought against, and which continues to this day, but rather to unite us all in the relentless struggle against tyranny.<br><br> <b>Rendering:</b> The design captures Baca’s signature moment – his single-handed gunfight against overwhelming force of 80 Texas cowboys in Reserve, New Mexico. He is stepping up through a doorway in the demolished wall of the “jacal”, as if rising from a grave into the light of life, with a determination born of true courage. He has looked death in the eyes and not flinched for his strength comes from a higher Power.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/140_jnmphoto_sm.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt='“Courageousness” that transcends ethnic or temporal differences and pays honor to the highest and best that lies deep within all human beings..."'></td></tr></table>Regardless of how the story is told or who is telling it, this remarkable tale and dozens of others like it form the bedrock and historical frame for Baca’s larger-than-life reputation. One other well-documented Socorro County story stands out as worth repeating here. Wikipedia tells that story this way… Baca officially became the sheriff of Socorro County and secured indictments for the arrest of the area's lawbreakers. Instead of ordering his deputies to pursue the wanted men, he sent each of the accused a letter. It said, “I have a warrant here for your arrest. Please come in by March 15 and give yourself up. If you don’t, I’ll know you intend to resist arrest, and I will feel justified in shooting you on sight when I come after you.” Most of the offenders turned themselves in voluntarily.
In 1888, Baca became a U.S. Marshal. He served for two years and then began studying law. In December 1894, he was admitted to the bar and joined a Socorro law firm. He practiced law on San Antonio Street in El Paso between 1902 and 1904.
In 2005, sixty years after Baca’s death and a decade after he placed that previously quoted entry into the Congressional Record, Governor Bill Richardson and the New Mexico Legislature approved state funding for the creation of a new monument to honor Baca that is destined to become the centerpiece for a new historic plaza in the heart of a revitalized Reserve, NM. The initial state grant was aimed at helping Reserve rebuild its economy which had long been based on ranching, logging and mining on a more stable foundation of historical tourism. The creation and placement of the Baca statue is one of the first steps in that process.
With the initial round of state funding secured, Reserve’s local Elfego Baca Historical Board picked famed Arizona bronze sculptor James Muir to design and create the proposed Monument. The first step in that process was the creation of a small scale clay model of the finished monument. A series of small photos of that clay model as well as a few words about the sculpture written by Muir himself accompany this article. By this point the soon-to-be Statue had also acquired its official name… “Elfego Baca One Man, One War”.
<table border=0 align=left width=160><tr><td width=160><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>...the next step in the creation of the life-sized Bronze Elfego Baca statue was the creation of a smaller bronze casting...</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/efb-maq400_sm.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="...the next step in the creation of the life-sized Bronze Elfego Baca statue was the creation of a smaller bronze casting..."></td></tr></table>Once the clay model had been completed and was approved by the Historical Board, the next step in the creation of the life-sized Bronze Elfego Baca statue was the creation of a smaller bronze casting called a maquette. This first casting of the statue was 20” high x 16” wide x 16” deep. The maquette was subsequently reviewed and approved by the Elfego Baca Historical Board. Photos of that maquette are featured in this article.
In 2007, the maquette was entered and exhibited at the Mountain Oyster Art Western Art Show and Sale where, it won the coveted “Olaf Wieghorst Award”. This is the Mountain Oyster show’s top award. It is given annually by Mountain Oyster’s Art Committee in recognition of that body’s consensus of “Best of Show”.
According to Muir’s site, www.JamesMuir.com (http://www.jamesmuir.com/), the Olaf Wieghorst Award is:
“… named in honor of Olaf Wieghorst, an early artist member of the Mountain Oyster Club. Olaf Wieghort was known as the “dean of western artists,” his paintings now hang in the premier museums and private collections in this country. Olaf Wieghorst had a lifelong love of horses and of the rugged individuals who helped shape the American West. He was born in Denmark in 1899, enlisted in the U.S. Cavalry in 1918, and saw service on the Mexican border. Upon discharge and into the 1920’s Wieghorst worked as a ranch hand at the Cunningham Ranch near Alma New Mexico. Wieghorst’s works reflected his personal experiences and the distinctive Quarter Circle 2C brand became his signature logo.”
After many years of tireless work on the part of the citizens of Reserve, over 50 years after his death, and almost a century and a half after his birth, New Mexico’s most famous Hispanic lawman will finally get the honor and official recognition that is his due when the new 1.25 times lifes sized “Elfego Baca - One Man, One War” statue is dedicated on Saturday May 24th in Reserve -- not far from the usually quiet mountain village where Baca’s reputation began. The dedication marks the end of a long hard trail for Baca and the beginning of yet another long trail for Catron County and Reserve, New Mexico.
Steppin’ Out plans to be there to record this historic event and wish both Baca and the citizens of Reserve well. We hope you’ll manage to get there and visit them too!
- Credit where credit is due -
Steppin Out gratefully acknowledges the images and content used in this article. Articles quoted and images shown were obtained from the following web sites and reference sources and are used under the fair use doctrine of U.S. Copyyright Law.
Sources:
The Official Library of the U.S. Congress www.loc.gov/ (http://www.loc.gov/)
The U.S. Congress Congressional Record www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/ (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfego_Baca (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfego_Baca)
www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com (http://www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com/)
www.JamesMuir.com (http://www.jamesmuir.com/)
Images:
www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com (http://www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com/)
www.JamesMuir.com (http://www.jamesmuir.com/) - The respected artist and sculptor who produced the statue to be unveiled in Reserve on May 24, s008.
<center><table border=0 align=center><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>Elfego Baca One Man, One War<br> BRONZE SCULPTURE<br> maquette size 20" high x 16" x 16" - $4,800 - for details please visit: www.JamesMuir.com (http://www.jamesmuir.com/) © 2007, JamesMuir.com</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/efb-maq400_lg.jpg border=1 align=center vspace=5 hspace=5 alt='Elfego Baca One Man, One War - BRONZE SCULPTURE - maquette size 20" high x 16" x 16" - $4,800 - for details see: www.JamesMuir.com (http://www.jamesmuir.com/) (c) 2007 JamesMuir.com'></td></tr></table></center>
<table border=0 align=right><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>There is much that can be said about legendary Socorro County lawman Elfego Baca.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/5388806_scaled_187x237.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="There is much that can be said about legendary Socorro County lawman Elfego Baca."></td></tr></table>There is much that can be said about legendary Socorro County lawman Elfego Baca. Baca is arguably the most famous person ever born in Socorro County and is without question one of the most storied lawmen of the old west and is still New Mexico's most famous Hispanic peace officer. Like Billy the Kid, Elfego Baca stories will be told and retold for hundreds of years to come.
<table border=0 align=left width=173><tr><td width=173><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>...that’s why they’re dedicating a statue in honor of Baca in the Catron County community of Reserve on May 24.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/Baca_5211225_sm.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="...that’s why they’re dedicating a statue in honor of Baca in the Catron County community of Reserve on May 24."></td></tr></table>Obviously that’s why they’re dedicating a statue in honor of Baca in the Catron County community of Reserve on May 24, 2008. We’ll have more to say about that shortly. But before we tell you about that statue and the dedication, let’s take a quick look at the history that made Elfego Baca a living legend in his own time.
Baca was born in Socorro on February 10, 1865. He passed away peacefully in the environs of Albuquerque on August 27, 1945. During the years between he blazed a colorful trail as a legendary lawman, lawyer, and politician in the waning days of America’s wild west.
Though born in Socorro, the Hispanic Baca’s family soon moved to Topeka Kansas where they lived until his mother passed away in 1880. After that, Baca and his father returned to New Mexico and settled in Belen where Francisco Baca became a marshal.
According to Wikipedia, in 1884, at the tender age of 19, Baca reportedly stole some guns, bought a mail-order sheriff’s badge, and appointed himself deputy sheriff in Socorro County, New Mexico; but in an interview with Baca conducted by WPA writer Janet Smith in 1936 and now stored permanently in the Library of Congress, Baca related the tale of how he became a Sheriff’s Deputy this way:
"I had gone to Escondida a little way from Socorro to visit my uncle. A couple of Texas cowboys had been shooting up the town of Socorro. They hadn't hurt anybody that time. Only frightened some girls. That's the way they did in those days -- ride through a town shooting at dogs and cats and if somebody happened to get in the way -- powie! -- too bad for him. The Sheriff came to Escondida after them. By that time they were making a couple of Mexicans dance, shooting up the ground around their feet. The Sheriff said to me 'Baca, if you want to help, come along, but there's going to be shooting.'"
"We rode after them and I shot one of them about three hundred yards away. The other got away --- too many cottonwood trees in the way.
"Somebody asked me what that cowboy's name was. I said I didn't know. He wasn't able to tell me by the time I caught up with him."
The writer continued… <table border=0 align=right><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>"Somebody asked me what that cowboy's name was. I said I didn't know. He wasn't able to tell me by the time I caught up with him." </font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/wp-elfagobaca-lfz300_sm.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt='"Somebody asked me what that cowboy's name was. I said I didn't know. He wasn't able to tell me by the time I caught up with him."'></td></tr></table> I asked what the Sheriff's name was, and when Mr. Baca said it was Pete Simpson, I said, "The one you were electioneering for the time of the Frisco affair when you held off about 80 cowboys for over 36 hours." This is the one of Mr. Baca's exploits that has been most frequently written about.
And Baca replied: "Hell, I wasn't electioneering for him," he said. "I don't know where they got that idea. I couldn't have made a speech to save my life. And I didn't wear a Prince Albert coat either. They didn't have such things in this country in those days."
Following in the footsteps of his father, Baca’s career goal in early life was to become a peace officer. According to Wikipedia he is reported to have said, “[I want] the outlaws to hear my steps a block away.” Southwestern New Mexico at the time was still relatively sparsely settled cattle ranching country. Cowboys roamed the land and did as they pleased. They might come into a town, drink at the saloon, harass the local Mexican-Americans, and then shoot up the town out of boredom. As the earlier story from the Smith interview shows, Baca made it his goal to put an end to that.
It was the now-famous incident in the western Socorro County (which later became Catron County) community named Upper San Francisco Plaza but called Frisco (which then existed near the present day Catron County Seat of Reserve) that established Baca’s life-long reputation as a lawman who couldn’t be beaten. The story has been recorded and reported many times. Provided below are three versions of that remarkable story.
<table border=0 align=left width=160><tr><td width=160><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>“[I want] the outlaws to hear my steps a block away.”</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/5390107.jpg border=1 align=left vspace=5 hspace=5 alt='“[I want] the outlaws to hear my steps a block away.”'></td></tr></table>According to Wikipedia:
On December 1, 1884, in the town of Upper San Francisco Plaza (now Reserve), Elfego Baca arrested a carousing cowboy who had shot at him. The man’s companions demanded the cowboy's release, but Baca refused. Following threats from the cowboys, Baca took refuge in the house of Geronimo Armijo. A standoff with the cowboys ensued and some 80 cowboys gathered to attack the house. Allegedly, the cowboys fired more than 4,000 shots into the house, until the adobe building looked like Swiss cheese. Incredibly, not one of the bullets struck Baca. (The floor of the home is said to have been slightly lower than ground level; thus Baca was able to escape injury.) During the siege, Baca shot and killed four of his attackers and wounded eight others. After 36 hours, the battle ended when the cowboys ran out of ammunition. When they had left, Baca walked out of the house unharmed.
In May 1885, Baca was charged with murder for the death of the one of the cowboys killed in the attack on the cabin. He was jailed to await his trial. In August 1885, Baca was acquitted after the door of Armijo’s house was entered as evidence. It had more than 400 bullet holes in it. The incident became known as the Frisco Shootout.
On May 10, 1995, then Congressman and present Hispanic New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson inserted remarks about Baca into the Congressional Record which was recorded in the Library of Congress.
HON. BILL RICHARDSON
in the House of Representatives
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1995
Mr. Speaker, many of us have spoken at great length about the cowards responsible for the bombing of the Federal building in Oklahoma City. With all this talk about cowards, I thought it might be helpful to remind my colleagues that while our country is plagued with cowards from time to time, we have a rich history of heros and famous sons and daughters. One such famous son is Elfego Baca who to this day--more than 110 years after his remarkable feat in New Mexico--is still remembered fondly by New Mexicans.
An encounter between Elfego Baca and some Texas cowboys in the fall <table border=0 align=right><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>An encounter between Elfego Baca and some Texas cowboys in the fall of 1884 ... resulted in the elevation of Baca to heroic status.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/efb-maqcup400_sm.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="An encounter between Elfego Baca and some Texas cowboys in the fall of 1884 ... resulted in the elevation of Baca to heroic status."></td></tr></table>of 1884 has to many in the New Mexico Hispanic community resulted in the elevation of Baca to heroic status.
Elfego Baca was born the youngest child to a family of Spanish ancestry in 1865. During his youth, he held a job as a clerk in a merchant's store in Socorro County, NM. Several years later in 1883, Baca experienced his first introduction to the legal side of law enforcement.
Socorro County was undergoing rapid economic growth with the development of the Santa Fe Railroad. This expansion brought new faces to the area--laborers, miners, and ranchers to name a few. Many of the Texan newcomers held the local native community in low esteem. These cattlemen would often ride inebriated through town while shooting their guns. Obviously this posed a dangerous problem to the safety of the community so Sheriff Simpson called on Baca to help chase the cowboys out of town. Consequently, Elfego was appointed deputy sheriff for Socorro County.
It is still a mystery why Baca travelled to San Francisco Plaza in October 1884, but his confrontation with some Texas cowboys is what made him a legend. Shortly after arriving, deputy Baca encountered Charles McCarthy who was firing his pistol in a local saloon. Baca quickly took control and brought McCarthy to the justice of peace. McCarthy paid a fine and was released, but again repeated his lawless actions and was again arrested by Baca. McCarthy had fired his gun directly at Baca, so the deputy decided to guard the drunk prisoner in a private house in town. This enraged the other Texas cowboys and created an enormously tense scenario between them and deputy Baca. That night, a mob of stockmen threatened Baca for the release of McCarthy, but the deputy declined and held off their advances. It finally came to a head when Baca fired shots to disperse the mob and shot a horse which one of the cowboy's was riding, pinning the rider and crushing him to death.
The cattlemen used the following day to muster up their forces in retaliation of their comrade's death. Baca meanwhile hid in a small shack just outside town. When the cowboys finally tried to storm the house, Baca fired at the intruders, hitting one man in the chest and killing him. The infuriated gang of Texas cowboys that had congregated outside returned fire at the house but were unable to dislodge Baca from his fortification.
Finally after nearly a day of hiding out, the justice of peace issued an arrest warrant for Deputy Sheriff Baca. Baca surrendered under the condition that his life be spared from the cowboy mob and that he receive a fair trial in Bernalillo County with an Hispanic jury. Baca was acquitted under the grounds of self-defense.
The story of Elfego Baca demonstrates a man's will to preserve justice in a land and time of rampant corruption and bullying. Baca's bravery instilled hope to the native New Mexican people who upheld the laws of the land and refused to succumb to racial injustices.
I urge my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Elfego Baca and the countless numbers of other American heros and famous sons and daughters who have helped make this country great.
<table border=0 align=right ><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>It takes two sides to make a war. But nowhere is it written that the sides have to be equal, either in manpower, firepower, or courage.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/wp_elfbaca2_400_lg.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="It takes two sides to make a war. But nowhere is it written that the sides have to be equal, either in manpower, firepower, or courage."></td></tr></table>Finally, the Reserve-based website, www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com (http://www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com/), tells the “Frisco Shootout” story this way…
It takes two sides to make a war. But nowhere is it written that the sides have to be equal, either in manpower, firepower, or courage. When Elfego Baca declared war against the Texas cowboys who were harassing and brutalizing the local Hispanic population in Frisco, New Mexico Territory, (now Reserve, New Mexico), in October 1884, the numerical odds were eighty to one, with Baca on the short end. Yet, when Baca had emerged alive and proud, and when cowhands had backed off their persecution of the locals, the honors went to Baca.
Some conclusions can be drawn: first is that just maybe Baca had courage to the eightieth power, and that's what carried that day. A second possibility is that Baca had God on his side. Neither is a bad deduction in view of the outcome of events that happened in Frisco those few days in October.
When Elfego Baca learned of atrocities committed against the local Mexican population in Frisco when he was 19 years old, he took a job as Deputy in the city of Frisco, and found his mission in life. He was ready to rescue the Hispanics in Frisco from the Texas Cowboy.
At 5'7", Elfego Baca was an unlikely savior. He barely spoke any Spanish, having been raised in Topeka, and freely admitted that he was afraid of what they called Mexicans. However, Elfego Baca, was not afraid of anything else.
He tried to take a stand against the cowboys by appealing to the local Justice of Peace, but Judge Lopez was afraid to take a stand as well. Elfego Baca replied, "I will show them that there is at least one Mexican in the country who is not afraid of an American Cowboy."
His first arrest was a principal troublemaker named Charley McCarthy (or McCarty). He declared that he was there to keep the peace, and McCarthy blew his hat off. After he received no reaction from Baca, McCarthy hurried away from the tavern and was captured at a ranch house. Baca took him back to the house he was staying and held him there until he could go on trial.
The events following these proceedings led to an attack on Elfego Baca's life. The cowboys tried to convince the Justice of the Peace to help them fight against the "Mexican," but he was of no help. They set out on their own to bring Baca down.
William French, a man who worked for the WS ranch, and his friend "Old Charley" Moore found Baca and decided they would descend upon him. Every time they would fire at Baca, they would receive retaliation fire from Baca. More cowboys followed and by the end of the day more than 4,000 shots had been fired.
Remembering a Legend
Most of us have heard of the old western tales of Billy the Kid and others, but for Carton County, located in Western New Mexico, the Elfego Baca legend lives above the rest. Much effort has been given to find the early land deeds to locate the spot where the above story takes place. This effort has been given so that a memorial can be established. Locals to the reserve and Carton County have proposed to state legislature to put up $100,000.00 for this memorial.
Since Elfego Baca's death in 1945, there has been little to no recognition of this very note-worthy Mexican-American Hero. That’s where local store\restaurant owner, Henry Martinez has stepped in. Martinez is inspired by the fact that his great-grandfather, Epitacio Martinez, who was used for target practice by the Texan gang before Baca arrived. But he is also hoping to attract tourists to Catron County.
<table border=0 align=left width=160><tr><td width=160><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>Regardless of how the story is told or who is telling it, this remarkable tale and dozens of others like it form the bedrock and historical frame for Baca’s larger-than-life reputation.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/wp_elfbaca_cup1_300_sm.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="Regardless of how the story is told or who is telling it, this remarkable tale and dozens of others like it form the bedrock and historical frame for Baca’s larger-than-life reputation."></td></tr></table><table border=0 align=right><tr><td><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>"One Man, One War"<br><br> <b>Artist's Concept:</b> This sculpture is a tribute to a “Courageousness” that transcends ethnic or temporal differences and pays honor to the highest and best that lies deep within all human beings. The objective is not to further the divisiveness of bigotry that Elfego Baca fought against, and which continues to this day, but rather to unite us all in the relentless struggle against tyranny.<br><br> <b>Rendering:</b> The design captures Baca’s signature moment – his single-handed gunfight against overwhelming force of 80 Texas cowboys in Reserve, New Mexico. He is stepping up through a doorway in the demolished wall of the “jacal”, as if rising from a grave into the light of life, with a determination born of true courage. He has looked death in the eyes and not flinched for his strength comes from a higher Power.</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/140_jnmphoto_sm.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt='“Courageousness” that transcends ethnic or temporal differences and pays honor to the highest and best that lies deep within all human beings..."'></td></tr></table>Regardless of how the story is told or who is telling it, this remarkable tale and dozens of others like it form the bedrock and historical frame for Baca’s larger-than-life reputation. One other well-documented Socorro County story stands out as worth repeating here. Wikipedia tells that story this way… Baca officially became the sheriff of Socorro County and secured indictments for the arrest of the area's lawbreakers. Instead of ordering his deputies to pursue the wanted men, he sent each of the accused a letter. It said, “I have a warrant here for your arrest. Please come in by March 15 and give yourself up. If you don’t, I’ll know you intend to resist arrest, and I will feel justified in shooting you on sight when I come after you.” Most of the offenders turned themselves in voluntarily.
In 1888, Baca became a U.S. Marshal. He served for two years and then began studying law. In December 1894, he was admitted to the bar and joined a Socorro law firm. He practiced law on San Antonio Street in El Paso between 1902 and 1904.
In 2005, sixty years after Baca’s death and a decade after he placed that previously quoted entry into the Congressional Record, Governor Bill Richardson and the New Mexico Legislature approved state funding for the creation of a new monument to honor Baca that is destined to become the centerpiece for a new historic plaza in the heart of a revitalized Reserve, NM. The initial state grant was aimed at helping Reserve rebuild its economy which had long been based on ranching, logging and mining on a more stable foundation of historical tourism. The creation and placement of the Baca statue is one of the first steps in that process.
With the initial round of state funding secured, Reserve’s local Elfego Baca Historical Board picked famed Arizona bronze sculptor James Muir to design and create the proposed Monument. The first step in that process was the creation of a small scale clay model of the finished monument. A series of small photos of that clay model as well as a few words about the sculpture written by Muir himself accompany this article. By this point the soon-to-be Statue had also acquired its official name… “Elfego Baca One Man, One War”.
<table border=0 align=left width=160><tr><td width=160><caption><font size=-1 face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000>...the next step in the creation of the life-sized Bronze Elfego Baca statue was the creation of a smaller bronze casting...</font></caption><img src=http://sonewmex.com/images/efb-maq400_sm.jpg border=1 align=right vspace=5 hspace=5 alt="...the next step in the creation of the life-sized Bronze Elfego Baca statue was the creation of a smaller bronze casting..."></td></tr></table>Once the clay model had been completed and was approved by the Historical Board, the next step in the creation of the life-sized Bronze Elfego Baca statue was the creation of a smaller bronze casting called a maquette. This first casting of the statue was 20” high x 16” wide x 16” deep. The maquette was subsequently reviewed and approved by the Elfego Baca Historical Board. Photos of that maquette are featured in this article.
In 2007, the maquette was entered and exhibited at the Mountain Oyster Art Western Art Show and Sale where, it won the coveted “Olaf Wieghorst Award”. This is the Mountain Oyster show’s top award. It is given annually by Mountain Oyster’s Art Committee in recognition of that body’s consensus of “Best of Show”.
According to Muir’s site, www.JamesMuir.com (http://www.jamesmuir.com/), the Olaf Wieghorst Award is:
“… named in honor of Olaf Wieghorst, an early artist member of the Mountain Oyster Club. Olaf Wieghort was known as the “dean of western artists,” his paintings now hang in the premier museums and private collections in this country. Olaf Wieghorst had a lifelong love of horses and of the rugged individuals who helped shape the American West. He was born in Denmark in 1899, enlisted in the U.S. Cavalry in 1918, and saw service on the Mexican border. Upon discharge and into the 1920’s Wieghorst worked as a ranch hand at the Cunningham Ranch near Alma New Mexico. Wieghorst’s works reflected his personal experiences and the distinctive Quarter Circle 2C brand became his signature logo.”
After many years of tireless work on the part of the citizens of Reserve, over 50 years after his death, and almost a century and a half after his birth, New Mexico’s most famous Hispanic lawman will finally get the honor and official recognition that is his due when the new 1.25 times lifes sized “Elfego Baca - One Man, One War” statue is dedicated on Saturday May 24th in Reserve -- not far from the usually quiet mountain village where Baca’s reputation began. The dedication marks the end of a long hard trail for Baca and the beginning of yet another long trail for Catron County and Reserve, New Mexico.
Steppin’ Out plans to be there to record this historic event and wish both Baca and the citizens of Reserve well. We hope you’ll manage to get there and visit them too!
- Credit where credit is due -
Steppin Out gratefully acknowledges the images and content used in this article. Articles quoted and images shown were obtained from the following web sites and reference sources and are used under the fair use doctrine of U.S. Copyyright Law.
Sources:
The Official Library of the U.S. Congress www.loc.gov/ (http://www.loc.gov/)
The U.S. Congress Congressional Record www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/ (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfego_Baca (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfego_Baca)
www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com (http://www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com/)
www.JamesMuir.com (http://www.jamesmuir.com/)
Images:
www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com (http://www.elfegobacaathenryscorner.com/)
www.JamesMuir.com (http://www.jamesmuir.com/) - The respected artist and sculptor who produced the statue to be unveiled in Reserve on May 24, s008.