lIM CSWR

F o'6 j ,- 7C11 / ~. ~:~~A CRONICA November 1993 ~ . ISSUE NUMBER 37 OE NUEVO MEXICO

NE'IV .l.'4EXICO FI.AS LOST .A TRE.ASURE D:c Myra Ellen Jenkins (Dr. '1") September 26, 1916 - June 22, 1993

Well, she's ~one , houses the center or has been involved As did so many would-be researchers. I Myra Ellen was a friend and mentor to It' hard to realize that so vital. in the building of a new one. Ask peo­ first met Dr. Jenkins in the basement of the many younq historians. Well. I wasn't so knowledqeable and dependable a friend ple interested in historic preservation . archives buildinq. I had only a vacue idea young when we first met. but she certain­ and colleague won't be around to Myriads of people and causes have of what I would find there but Myra Ellen ly helped me alone the way. answer our questions. to discuss our pro­ benefited because of Myra Ellen soon brought to my attention an unex­ We met for the first time when I was blems, to bring us up sharply when we Jenkins. pected wealth of material pertinent to my worlNew Mexico State University. She of scholarly nchteousness. served on countless boards and commit­ hours in that basement and later in the taught my New Mexico and Southwest But she meant much more than that. tees. Because she was there the after-hours more comodiousquarters on the first floor. history courses at state when I went on She was loyal and Iovine to family. colloquia in the nearest bar were often It was not just the documents that drew sabbatical. a memorable year since she friends, church and almost any critter more productive and certainly more fun me back but an atmosphere created by rented an apartment across the streetfrom that she came across. She was Iorthricht than the formal meeting had been. Myra Ellen that was conducive to study. my house and we sometimes attended lec­ and honest and devoted to all she lov­ And didn't she revel in that tour of She had a great interest in research and tures and social gatherings together. ed.She was also a doughty foe to anyone Spain! She reveled in a lot of things, bless the ability to encouraqe it in others. Her Although busy with her own projects. she considered untrustworthy. A lot of her: family, friends, former students. leam­ knowledge of NewMexican materials was she graciously agreed to read some of my pompous people have found they ing- any IBilly the Kid. scholarly to the social. Be in~ with Myra prior to its publication.) live in, whether or not we knew it at the mispronunication of Rio Grande - and Ellen was a pleasure. for she had a fine We have shared rooms at conferences time. Askany of her Indian friends whose more especially "Rio Grand River". sense of humor and her repartee was and enjoyed convivial drinks together. She land problems she helped them with. Ask careless treatment of historical fact. delichtful. She was a scholar. a most has been and continues to be a ~ood role anyone who worked for her or with her being called Mary Ellen or Myrna Ellen. helpful ~uide, and. I liRe to think a ~ood model. I miss her greatly. all those years at the State Records and qettinq up at the crack of screech! friend. I shall miss her. - Darlis A. Miller Center and Archives. Talk to anyone con­ Oh. Myra Ellen. you will be missed. - Robert W. Frazer cerned with the leaky old building that - Fern Lyon

~~w~~ The ";'Famous Amos", a 1986 photoqraph by Joann ~" 'Rij~1e~ I Remember Myra later years in both Albuquerque and One time we were talRing about some- New Mexico has lost a treasure but I - Robert W. Delaney Santa Fe. one and Myra said. "He's fine but he lost a close and dear fri end of many For more than four decades. I knew Especially do I remember fondly her 'snabbles.' " He 'snabbles?" I said. "Yes, years. Myra. When I first met her early in 1951 . sense of humor. She could categorize he 'snabbles'." "Myra. just exactly what Requiescat in Pace she was a tall slender woman with no people and issues in a descriptive word does he do when he 'snabbles'?" "He hint of the cripplinc Osteoporosis that or two. One person at UNM was always can't get a complete sentence out cor- would plaque her later years. She had a "fat-faced. old fool" in her eyes. Phrases rectly, he just 'snabbles'." I never did get come to UNM to work on her Ph.D. in like"the RioGrande River" or "down the the complete etymology of the verb "to Editors Note: Bob Delaney wasa close Latin American History after havinc earn­ LaBajadahill" were apt to evoke groans snabble" but Iwas convinced that "sneb­ friend ofMyra Ellen 's. for some forty ed her B.A. and M.A. with distinction at while holding her shakinc head in her blinq" was somethinq to be avoided at years. Perhaps. or as a result of that the University of Colorado and after hands and uttering "Oh. my! Oh . my'" all costs in Myra's presence . As a cat­ lonq and close friendship. he could several years of successful teaching in or "Oh croak." tleman's daughter. she was quick to re­ address her as "Myra." To all the rest that state's public schools. Veryproud of her Enclish ancestry and mind me of the enmity between cattle­ of us it was "Myra Ellen" or "Dr. J": Since we were both in the same pro­ heritaqe.she was always good for a laugh men and sheep men if I ordered or JOR­ to all the rest of us "Myra " was ~ram we worked and studied closely ifI teasingly prefaced some rernarb with ingly said something nice about lamp definitely a no-no. On the back page together: taRing the same classes and "God isan Irishmanand He told me , . ." chops or leg of lamb. of this Myra Ellen Jenkins memorial helpinq each other prepare for the in­ or. as I often asked, "Well.Myra, how are In recent years, we met mostly at issue of La Cronies is a selected evitable comprehensive oral and written thingswith the schismatics?"Such imper­ historical conventions but it was always account and publication list of "Dr. exams. Also, we both became Graduate tinence brouqht both a torrent of words as if we had seen each other the day J" 's contributions to New Mexico and Assistants to " La Suprema". Dr. Dorothy beqinninqwith "God isnot an Irishman." before. She became New Mexico's pre­ the nation prepared by Rob ert Woodward. I got to know her parents to and a dissertation that ended with "I am eminent historian but never lost that feel­ Delaney. whom she was deeply devoted and for not the schismatic. you are the ing for her roots nor her sense of -JPC whom she provided a home for their schismatic." humor. Albert H. Schroeder Joined Myra Ellen on July 19, 1993 Myra Ellen Jenkins ­ Jenkins talked about these people as center of the resurgence of interest in - Thomas E. Chavez A Teacher though she knew them. each time pull­ New Mexico history in the last few She came to the museum and used the in~ out a document to substantiate the decades. Unlike the eye of a hurricane, collections. from the books and the -Rita Cormpost Melody proof of the story. however, all was not usually calm at the artifacts she studied. She became a It was a historical research course at That class was like a time-travel. a center! In my own work. I know. I was member of the Friends of the Palace of the College of Santa Fe in the mid-1960S journey into the time of father Martinez always aware of Dr.Jenkin's "shadow" ­ the Governors. rarely missinq a meeting where I first met Myra Ellen Jenkins. Her and his printlnq press. of the intermar­ what would Myra Ellen think of this state­ and. when there. she never hesitated to picture had been in the newspaper often ria~es of families thereby introducing me ment or that assertion? With her con­ make a conviction, based on lmowledee and it was common lznowledqe that she to cousins previously unknown. and of tributions to the state's history she set and honesty. that everyone admired. was in charge of the State Archives; ac­ the hundreds of head of sheep and cat­ standards to which the rest of us often Dr. J nominated me for the Board of the tually, she was synonymous with the ar­ tle ~razing on my ancestors' land grant. could only strive to aspire. Historical Society of New Mexico over fif­ chives and always will be for me . Myra Ellen Jenkins took me there. I saw More than this, though, I think I ad­ teen years ago. She was one of the peo­ To "assume" is an error. it is said. But. it as real as the storyteller herself. just as mired Dr. Jenkin's because she was a ple instrumental in supporting a revamp­ I did anyway. I assumed that this class she is and will always be for me. 0 historian who, from my point of view, ing of the annual meeting into a con­ was going to be 'cut and dry.' 'berino.' saw history "from the inside out." She did ference. She also pushed and assisted with I the class because I wanted to not accept standard interpretations or the society's successful publication took - Michael Olsen research my geneolo~y . My family has approaches, whatever the source ­ program. been here in New Mexico for hundreds Recently an Albuquerque TV station. in ethnic, academic, political, etc. Through Dr. J loved history. it was her life. She of years and I wanted to know more reporting about the damace to the por­ her constant questioning and with her loved talRing about it. teachnq it and she about my ancestry. How to acess the in­ tal of the Palace of the Governors in San­ vast knowledge of the resources of the never tired learninq more of it. The formation was unknown to me. ta I'e. erroneously stated that the entire state's history. she always raised the highli~ht of my relationship with her came My memory dims what Myra Ellen building had been destroyed. That news possibility of other viewpoints, view­ when her friends paid for her to tour Spain Jenkins may have said during the beqin­ stunned me when I heard it and I im­ points which had credibility and on a friends of the Palace tour that I led. nine days of class, but her presence is mediately felt that the loss was truly ir­ legitimacy. We will all miss the oppor­ We took a pilgrimage to the National Ar­ vivid: she will always be vividly present replaceable. as it would be. I had much tunities we had to converse with her. chives and Library in Madrid and she did for me . Her slightly stooped, slender the same reaction when I heard of the and, in some ways even. the anticipation not want to leave. Her reaction to the stature, silver hair pulled back in a severe death of Myra Ellen Jenkins. that a chat with her provided. 0 tremendous libraries at the Universidad de upsweep roll. eyes sparklinq over her Dr. Jenkins was, in many ways, at the Salamanca and the Escorialcannot be ex­ spectacles slipping down her nose like pressed in words. pince-nez. left me unprepared for the Dr. J will always be with us. She was an focused, soft yet forceful. voice which inspiration and she cleared the way for shot words out with the rapidity of a many others to succeed. But. above all. machine gun. she genially was a good person and a Frankly, she looked "old" to me. as friend. 0 some people do when one is "younq." As she talked it all changed. She chang­ Recordando A La ed; I changed; or did she just change our Doctora Myra Ellen reality?She had a way of doing that. One Jenkins could lose the normal perception of - Nasario Garcia time, space. dimension in her presence. Las palabras de amistad abundan That was the magic about her. I think. entre amioos, pero al retirarse I remember straining to read the words uno de ellos de este mundo dichas of the first musty documents in the palabras dejan de resaltar. El archives after she had taught us the fallecimiento de nuestra querida technique of findinq what we were 1001<­ y estimada amica. la Ora. Myra ing for in those myriads of papers. Myra Ellen Jenkins. ha dejado hasta a Ellen Jenkins (I have to use her entire los mas elocuentes en discurso sin name each time because that's who she Myra Ellen receives New Mexico Historical Society Board of Directors A ward at palabras que puedan expresar Ia is to me) had taken a parchment. frayed Montezuma, NM in June 1986. (See La Cronica - December 1986) gran perdida para todo nuevomexicano at the edges. yellowed with age. and as aficionado de nuestra historia. she unfolded that document she said. Homenaje A Una In Honor of A Good Lady Extrafiaremos ambos el humanismo y el matter-of-factly, "I think you'll be in­ Buena Senora Listen. all my friends cartno que arropaban su alma y su terested in this." I could not discern the Escuchen todos ustedes mis amiqos. to what I want to say: coraz6n. Ella representaba la amistad letters. much less the words. unac­ 10 que les quiero decir. About a good lady por excelencia. Su despedida inesperada customed as I was to the calioraphy-like Lo de una buena senora. who came to live among us. ha atrafdo un silencio. pero su buena penmanship. Like a teacher in que entre nosotros vine ha vivir. She was born in our neighboring state obra retumbara para siempre en todo kinder~arten with a student who is yet which is located to the north; Naci6 en nuestro vecino estado. rinc6n de nuestra Tierra del Encanto. unable to read, Myra Ellen Jenkins beqan Born in a town called Elizabeth que esta para el norte localizado. No basta decir que la echaremos de .to skim her finqer across each word as in the middle of Colorado. Naci6 en un pueblito llamado menos. sino que anoraremos su ausencia. thouqh she was underlinino, and began Elizabeth, Well educated she came to New Mexico, to translate the page like the "pro" that que esta en los medias de Colorado. Remembering she was. That the document was written before that year of 1960, in Spanish. that the 'f's' looked like 's's', Con buena educacion vino ha when she took her position as Dr. Myra Ellen Jenkins historian. that the terms were archaic, none of that Nuevo Mexico. - Nasario Garcia with which she made her renown. tripped her for a second. antes de aquel ano de 1960. Words of friendship abound among Tom6 su posicion como historiadora. Since the day she started her job. Okay. so she was ~ood, I mean, really friends. but when one of them until her frail body could take qual fue con la que iso su cuenta. departs this earth those words proficient. She should be, after all. she'd no more, been reading those documents for years. Desde ese dfa que su trabajo she was teacher. mentor. and friend. become less obvious. The passing of That she could read Spanish was an add­ comenzo. to us who made New Mexico our beloved and esteemed friend. ed point. What I was really unprepared hasta que su frajil cuerpo ya no pudo. our study. Dr. Myra Ellen Jenkins. has left even for, above all.was that she could take out fue maestra. mentor, y arnica . She died on Tuesday , June 22, 1993. the most elocuent speakers without document after document. revealing a los que isimos Nuevo Mejico after suffering a grave illness. words that can express the great loss another piece of the story for you with nuestro estudio. May our Eternal father, for every New Mexican who is a fan of each one. She would divulge the con­ El martes. 22 de Junia, 1993 murio. keep her in his everlasting glory. our history. We shall miss both the tents of each paper without unioldinq it. despues de sufrir una grave We all came to this noble church, humanism and affection that enveloped presentinq it to me for verification and enfermedad. to bid her farewell. her heart and soul. She truly inspection of the oricinal source of the Que Nuestro Padre Eterno. Pray for us that accompany you. epitomized friendship par excellence. now that you have passed to a information which slid off her toncue like en su ~loria la tenqa por eternidad. Her sudden departure has left us a the history of the aqes. SHE was the ar­ better life. silence. but her Qood deeds will chive where the lmowledce contained in Todos venimos ha esta iglesia noble, Goodbye, our "Doctor 1" resound forever in every comer of our the documents became alive with per­ para darte nuesta despedida. we hope you are in God's Glory, Land of Enchantment. It does not sonality. In HER recountinq of an Reza por nosotros que te taking account of history's suffice to say that we shall miss her. rather. historical event. those ancestors were acompaniamos. grand figures. we shall miss her presence dearly. 0 ahora que has pasado ha mejor vida. and suffering this mortal life no more. ~iven a spirit a~ain, and became real peo­ .. With this I say goodbye, . ple to me. Adios, nuestra "Doctor J." these humble verses I offer. It wasn't enough that Myra Ellen Esperamos que en la gloria de A Note From so we do not forget the name great-~reat ­ Norman Cleaveland Jenkins could show me my Dios estas. of Myra Ellen Jenkins, a good lady. ~reat-~reat ~randmother's will. and that dando cuenta con grandes fi~uras de As Myra Ellen was ever the ardent -by your humble servant opponent of selective. or cafeteria-style. I should feel some indescribable la historia. Robert 1. Torrez reverence to be able to hold it. Rather. y sufriendo esta vida mortal no mas. o use of available documents for historical research, it is particularly sad that she will it was Myra Ellen Jenkins who would Ya can esta me despido. heighten the experience with little not be present when the 1878reports of estos humilde versos venco ofreser. Editors Note: As you read the English known facts about how surveying was para que no olviden el nombre. translation of this poem. please remember frank Warner Ancel are indexed and published. No doubt she would have led done at that time, how my great-great­ de Myra Ellen Jenkins. una that it was composed by Robert Torrez in great-~reat ~randmother's the way in cleansing the recorded history sons later tried buena mujer. Spanish in honor of a scholar. who to take the land away from their own became as proficient in Spanish as she was of New Mexico's turbulent Santa Fe - por su humilde servidor in English. fPC mother before she was dead. Myra Ellen Robert J. Torrez Ring. 2 "A Whole Box of Ode To Myra Ellen Pandoras" -Mary D. Taylor -John L. Kessell I'm trying to write about Myra Ellen I think what I enjoyed most and About some memorable experience remember best about Dr. J. was the imp that I remember. in her. Feisty. spelled and misspelled, But every time I encountered her may be the adjective of choice, but I It was memorable. prefer impish. There was nothing I could ever forget. More than once. I was privileged to How could there be with Myra Ellen? hear her tell a favorite story about her Each memory was unique I thoucht. fine friend Gov. Bruce King. A question Each time I saw her or heard her about some difficult issue had been aSR­ speaR ed at a news conference. The good­ It seemed unique. natured governor. it was obvious. didn't But "unique" is only one of a Rind want to answer. Pressed. he appealed for And it can't be modified by any understanding. "Why. boys, that'd be liRe degree or adjective. opening a whole box of Pandoras." I'd liRe to challenge that rule Myimage of MyraEllenJenkins on the In Myra Ellen's case because I other side has her. in that animated and never saw intimidating manner - a courtroom style Or heard her in a passive state that brought more than one fresh, young Each time the flash of wit Department of Justicelawyer to the brink The glasses (always slipped a trifle) of tears - interrogating a list of those Behind them the electric eyes Santa Fe Ringfat cats. so many of whom Which never missed a thing. were members of her Church of the Holy Faith Episcopal parish in Santa Fe. A voice raised in elation and triumph Success in translation; a document "Did you and Tom Catron really ...7" TalR about a box of Pandoras. D found A link searched for. the final proof, Her objections were never timid ... . either There was never a doubt in anyone's mind - Don Van Soelen As to whose voice was protesting. The HistoricSanta Fe Foundation lost Whose but Myra Ellen's? a dear friend and mentor with the death My memories consist of flashbacRs of Dr. Myra Ellen Ienhins on June 22 . A series of colorful stills; 1993, She was first nominated to the ALBERT H. SCHROEDER Doctor J at the Quivira conference Foundation board by John Gaw Meem At Salinas Monument and served from 1969-1973. She served March 23, 1914 - July 19, 1993 The stooped figure climbing faster again from 1980-1986 and was chairman A Memory - by Dan Murphy than any of us that last year. I had previously served as Listening intently to the young chairman and when Iasked her one time, Al Schroeder was steady. In a dozen conversations since the news of his archaeologist's toncue-in-cheek. if she wanted to be death began spreading through the community, words lilee "steady." "solid." listed as "chairwoman" or "chairperson" and "dependable" have come up. Words, and he, Rnowing she was there, rather than "chairman", she responded, Al was steady in his work. and in his friendships, too. As an archeologist "Ha - that's pure poppycocb." A little nervous It was only natural that Myra Ellen serve he worked much in ParR Service areas in Arizona, in that palimpsest of con­ I would be, too. on the Historic Research Committee and fused cultural relationsfrom WupatRi down to Phoenix. None of hissites turned Memories of Myra Ellen? then become chairman.She and others on out to be the Southwest's Rosetta Stone - and no one has found it since, Well, we all loved her that committee did a tremendous amount either - but that suited AI. He was a filler-in of details. I don 't iDenver or WashinQton, D.C. now in­ drivinq forces in Myra Ellen's lifewere her stead of in Santa Fe. family. her friends. her work and her cats. Until 1973, I worked at the Laboratory I'm not always sure of the exact order of of Anthropoloqy in Santa Fe and occa­ those interests - she mtqht well have sionally went down to the Bureau of ranked her cats htqher. I am confident. Land Manacement's state office. in the however. that she always placed her post office buildinq on Federal oval. family first. This may come as a surprise There. Mrs. Consuela Richardson careful­ to some in view of the fact that she never ly watched over the contents of their biQ married and had no natural family of her vault. No one knew what all was in the own. Nonetheless, my memories of her. vault; certainly it held boxes of land Qrant which ~o back to the late 1930S. are quite papers and the archives listed in Twit­ clear on that point. chell's Volume I. but also maps. ledqers. Myra Ellen always expressed pride in reservation surveys. notebooks from the fact that she . alone with her sister (my township surveys and subdivisions. Mother) and three brothers. had been copies of the Surveyor General's cor­ born and raised on a ranch between respondence and much else. There was Elizabeth and Ki owa. Colorado . During no inventory other than the ~uide for the the Great Depression . at on e time or microfilming done by the University of another. her siblinqs. alon g with their New Mexico in 1955. The vault was Qrowin g families spent time at the ranch Iascmatinc: almost anythinq might have for economic reasons. I rem ember that turned up in it. Myra Ellen. who apparently had steady At the Lab. Stew Peckham and I usual­ employment durino that time, constant­ ly ate lunch in the big front room. after ly "dropped by" to provide assistance which Stew would drive downtown to and support to all who need ed it. She check his post office box. This gave him routinely drove different family memb ers an opportunity to look over the bulletin in her own car to Denver and other co m­ board postinqs in the post office and see munities on various errands. To me. as if any new construction projects were a very young boy. the JenRins Family scheduled for bidding. Normally we seem ed to be quit e close. knew about these projects well in ad­ World War Two touched Myra Ellenand vance. but occasionally one coud go to the Jenkins family quidelyand deeply. Her bid without the archaeological surveys brother Myron. a career Navy man and that were a principal source of employ­ whom I stronqly suspect was Myra Ellen's ment at the Lab. family favorite. was captured in the Philip­ One day in 1971, Stew came back from pines and soon died in a Japanese prison his post office trip and said that those old camp. I don't believe that Myra Ellen or documents that Mrs. Richardson and I my Grandmother ever recovered fully lihed to prowl throuqh were QoinQ to be from that traQedy. The burialflagand other shipped off to the National Archives. This small mementos of "Uncle Jig" were still / was a complete and total surprise. I !' . ..1 drove down to the post office and found carefully preserved in her house at the / ' posted a thirty-day notice that asked for time of her death. and it became my sad public comment on the Bureau of Land duty to dispose of them . Manacernent's plan to transfer their After my Grandparents sold the ranch Spanish documents and land Qrant in Colorado, they later moved to New records to the National Archives. Only Mexico and lived with Myra Ellen for the a day or two remained in the comment rest of their lives.Myra Ellen was devoted Myra Ellen relaxing with a friend at her home in Santa Fe: riding the open box car on the period. I ran upstairs and ashed Mrs. to them and did everythinq possible to Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad - and looking a bit horror-stricken as friend Richardson about this: she confirmed make their declining years both comfor­ Al Schroeder samples a New Mexico wine during the Historical Society Annual Meeting that the powers that be in the BLM were table and enjoyable. In this capacity she Banquet in Santa Fe. April. 1990 . proposing to ship the records off. for did receive some financial assistance from reasons I do not now recall. the rest of the family. but the emotional One of the most vivid memories I have A Remembrance From With time running out. I to OR the and physical riQOfS of this responsibility she was of the days when the Qraduate Another Former Student notice from the board. photocopied it bore alone and without complaint. seminar met. She would drink a Qlass of - Ruleen Lazzell and gave the copy to the person who In 1963, she immediately dropped mils before the evening class, then lec­ ture and lead discussions. It was could stop this loss if anyone could ­ everythinc and drove to Douqlas. Arizona In 1984 I was a graduate assistant in the fascinating listening to her talk of tribal Myra Ellen Jenkins. It came as a surprise to be with her sister. my Mother. during to her as well. but she immediately the last few days of my Father's sudden New Mexico State University history policies and water law and New Mexico department. It was at this time that I had politics . Everyone quickly learned not to started the wheels rolling to halt the illness and the bereavement period transfer. Dr. Ward Allen Minge was Chair­ thereafter. She returned to Douglas 20 the opportunity to Qet to know Myra ask questions about Billy the Kid or suf­ Ellen Jenkins. She was a visitinQ professor fer a sharp retort. Afterwards we would man of the Commission on Public years later to help lay her sister to rest and Records at the time: he protested. just at NMSU one semester and I was assicn­ ~o to the Villa~e Inn on El Paseo Street to Tucson on a similar mission when my how I do not know. but the next trip to ed as her Qraduate assistant. I had met and have a late snacb and catch up on own wife died in 1991 . As a matter of the BLM revealed some bewildered looks her before. throuqh the rneetincs of the gradin~. 120 over responsibilities I had, course, Myra Ellen always made herself on administrators' faces. Apparently they Historical Society of New Mexico, but and visit in general. for years after that available to her family in time of need. simply hadn't realized the importance now I had the chance to talh with her when we had a chance to visit at HSNM Myra Ellen's amazing versatility is that New Mexicans attach to these on a reoular basis. It was quite a semester meetings. or if our paths crossed another characteristic I shall always ancient documents: that their Spanish listening to her lecture durinq class and elsewhere, we would remind each other remember. I saw this on many occasions. archives were much more than old aqen­ then, when we met to work or Qrade. not of those moments. I valued her friend­ but one example stands out clearly in my cy records. Fortunately. they were ship. honesty. and support not only then memory. In 1943. my Father worked for only to discuss topics about which she disabused. Plans changed. and by the had lectured but. also . to talk about but throuqhout the remainder of her life. the Phelps Dodge Corporation at Nacozari, sprinq of 19721 the archives. land Qrant Sonora. a mining town 80 miles south of diverse topics including her cats and how I can honestly say that she had a pro­ records and many other surveyor Douqlas. Myra Ellen spent a weeR visitinc she was hiding them from her Las Cruces found affect on my life and my career General's documents had come to the there. At a social Qatherin~ one evening, landlord. and I will certainly miss her. 0 New Mexico State Records Center and Myra Ellen and Marina. the wife of a com­ • • • • • Archives on indefinite loan. after 11 7 pany doctor, became involved in 'a long were happily carryinc on their conversa­ years under jurisdiction of the General conversation. They struqcled. as Myra tion in French. I never heard Myra Ellen .'I always said that I migh t wear Land Office and the Bureau of Land Ellen's Spanish at that time was not par­ speak french again, but it served her well out, but dammed if I was qonne Management. JUst out", 50 said ticularly Qood. and Marina's Enqllsh not that nieh; 1. The New Mexican (Santa Fe), April much better. They did not let this hinder Yes. it is a foregone conclusion that Myra Ellen Jenkins. 10. 1972. p. A4: Albuquerque Journal. them and. much to my surprise, soon those who knew her will not soon forQet. D April 10. 1972. p. At. 0

4 - Spencer Wilson Dr. J and the Battle for Testifying in Washington before the Senate Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, On a serious note. of course. we miss Blue Lake Dr. J faced the rancorous opposition of Myra Ellen. Her integrity and profes­ - R.C. Gordon-McCutchan Senator Anderson and Senator Lee sionalism were above reproach. and she Metcalf. Her exchanges with the Senators stamped the history profession. the state When I began writing my book on Taos on exclusive Indian use were especially Archives. and our own organization. the Pueblo's quest to reclaim Blue Lake. one important. Dr. J helped the Senate Historical Society of New Mexico. with a of the projects I most looked forward to Subcommittee understand. perhaps for dedication and Rnowledge that we may was interviewing Dr. 1. During the latter the first time, that the sacred area had not see again for a long time. She was part of the protracted conflict. she was oriqinally been included in the forest a dear friend. We also Rnow that Myra State Historian at the Archives and reserves to protect it for exclusive Indian Ellen could be very firm with those Records Center. and played a key role use. She also lucidly explained that whose opinions or knowledoe of New in the Blue Lake struggle. Her testimony money could not be considered an Mexico history did not match her own. before the Indian Claims Commission adequate compensation for sacred She could express herself in very firm was one of the central factors in the ground. In her highly effective testimony. tones. She did not suffer fools gladly ­ Pueblo's legal victory. a victory which she stood up impressively to the as I found out! prepared the way for the Pueblo's battle Senators' hostile badgering, and made a The case in point occurred years ago in Congress. matter of record important facts which during lunch on Amtrak enroute to a Soon after the Le.e. victory, New contributed significantly to the Blue Lake meeting in Gallup. Our party consisted Mexico's Senator Clinton P. Anderson. victory. of most of the members of the Cultural one of the most powerful men in When Dr. J died, Taos Pueblo lost one Properties Review Committee. We to OR Washington, made known his bitter of its most dedicated and effective up the best part of two tables. While we opposition to the return of Blue Laze. Dr. supporters. As their historian and friend. were enjoying a libation. maybe two. J worried about being involved in the she helped them fight many battles. But Recollections of "Dr. J." Myra Ellen was holding forth on some legislative battle. fearing that Anderson the battle which mattered most. the -John O. Baxter topic in her dulcet tones. At some point would see to it that she was fired . battle for Blue Lake. is the one for which I first met Dr. Jenkins at the beginning I made an irreverent remark and from However. when Juan de Jesus Romero, I shall always remember her. Dr. 1. of 1975. Through an announcement in the table behind me came the stentorian the old Cacique of Taos Pueblo appealed beleaguered by the hostile questioning the New Mexican. I had learned that she statement to the entire dining car - DR. directed to her for help. she joined the of some of the most powerful Senators would teach a course in archival manage­ WILSON, YOU ASS! She was correct. of lists of the Pueblo. As she told me later. in Washington, standing her ground with ment during the coming spring under course. I repeat. Myra Ellen did not suf­ "Who could say no to that saint." fiery wit. historical facts. and ready auspices of the University of New Mex­ fer fools gladly. One of Dr. J's finest hours came in 1970 repartee. Those to me will always be the ico. At that time, I had lived in Santa Fe I had first Rnown Myra Ellen when I was as the Blue Lake battle reached its peak. essence of the venerable Dr. 1. 0 a lackluster undergraduate at UNM about for several years and learned a little New 1951. I finally did graduate and went on ::xc :c ::xc :c .,c :c :c ::#c :c :xc ::r Mexico history, but wanted to know to a short and seasicR Naval tour of duty more. As the incumbent State Historian, BEAUTIFUL BWE LAKE during the Korean War. Retuming home. Dr. Jenkins' encyclopedic knowledge of it was time to get serious so I began All people must have a home; all things concerning the Southwest had graduate studies in history at UNM. By my people have theirs. been well publicized by the local press. Although I "didn't Rnow an archive from then Myra Ellen had completed her Hidden deep in Mother Earth's doctorate. bosom lies a lake called 'Beautiful Blue Lake.' an endive," to quote one of Myra Ellen's I did not see Myra Ellen again for a favorite expressions, I had majored in This lake welcomed my ancestors history as an undergraduate, and hoped number of years. I was bach east in many rivers ago graduate school and teaching. By 1966. to benefit from her expertise. During a It has wet the mouths of thirsty children, preliminary interview with this rather however. I saw the light and returned to given strength to the bear and deer cousins, New Mexico to teach at New Mexico and watered the cornfield for our soups formidable lady. we quickly discovered Tech . at night. that we shared a ranching background. a coincidence which gave us an im­ After my return I Rnow it was the in­ A rocky trail leads to the heart of the tersession of Myra Ellen that saw me ap­ turquoise water, mediate bond. As I siqned up for her and painted flowers surround her majesty. pointed to the Cultural Properties course, I had no inkling that we had Review Committee - where Myra Ellen Eagle sentinels fly over daily keeping begun an association that would last sat in her position as State Historian and a watchful eye. almost twenty years. Once underway, the class gathered in also as renowned historian in her own Outsiders have tried to claim it; right. Those were fascinating times. some have tried to buy it. Santa Fe at the State Records Center on Matters of historic preservation came Montezuma Street at nine o'clock on Enemies have tried to steal it! Saturday mornings. Most of the other before the Committee which were often But Divine power has granted title to controversial - the fate of the Ilfeld its rightful owners. participants were graduate students working towards masters or doctoral Warehouse in Albuquerque. for example. One today does not know all the secrets That dispute attracted the press and Myra that are hidden in rocks and aging trees degrees in history. At the beginning of Ellen was often quoted with very pointed enshrining the lake. each session. "Dr. 1." expounded on the care and organization of archival observations on her part. But grandfather's songs and humble prayers Another time she and some help from still linger. materials. citing examples from the Na­ the Archives rushed down to Socorro to tional Archives at Washington and similar I did not understand all that he knew, institutions in England. France, and rescue the territorial court papers from but his love for 'Beautiful Blue Lake' in August the basement of the Court House. They reminds me that his life and those Spain. Enthusiasm increased remarRably before him when we descended to the vault in the were in danger of being thrown out. A Cherished our lake as home, a refuge, truck load went back to Santa Fe. a place of joy, Records Center basement where we One winter day she dropped by our a symbol of a tribe, a people, a generation, beheld New Mexico's own archives a beautiful heritage. place in Socorro en route to Carrizozo dating back to the Spanish colonial era. on a similar mission. She was determin­ We soon learned that our mentor had ed to continue on despite the gathering Taos Pueblo Return of Blue Lake Howard Rainer recently supervised microfilming all the storm clouds but she did not make it. The Commemorat ion Committee pr9~~c;n.k _ official documents from Spanish, Mex­ pounding on our door heralded her A'OS ican. and Territorial administrations. a return - the snow was too deep so she ~) ~~T~U~_ monumental task. To supplement the spun around - literally - and returned lectures and provide the class with to Socorro. She plopped down on our hands-on experience, each student was sofa and removed her shoes to dry her required to organize a collection of un­ ~J::e::==::::::r:::::==::::::.::.J::==:::::'::===:::::O:::::==::::::C::==:::::O:::::==:::::O:::::==::::::.::.J::==:::::O:::::==::::::.::.J::==:::::O:::::==:::::C:::~::# : -,c ::: :x:: :3: ::)t die :::c: ::::ac :x: :a =- multi-colored SOCRS. processed papers according to pro­ I learned a lot of New Mexico history cedures we had learned from Dr. 1. and lore from Myra Ellen and had a lot Various alternatives included records of of fun. We will miss her. 0 -Carl Sheppard several counties from the Territorial It was only about ten years that I had period, legal files produced by some pro­ the privilege of Rnowin~ Myra Ellen minent attorneys. and the complete Jenbins. Our relationship was developed papers of a well-known Las Cruces primarily by serving on the same Boards, Bank usually historical. More or less by chance. I chose the My semi-official contacts with Myra Ellen records of Colfax County in northeastern always left me with a satisfied sense of the New Mexico as my project. Down in the right thing done. She knew what she was vault where the collection was stored, I about: backed her opinions with an in­ found a huge pile of canvas-covered depth knowledge of her subject (she could ledgers, tax assessment rolls, poll books always defeat an opponent by the deluge from various voting precincts, and files of her information). Sharp. kind. bulging with correspondence. all jumbl­ humorous, Myra Ellen was a friend and a ed together. Appalled at first. I soon colleague of top quality. Never did I hear discovered that Dr. L's precepts made it Myra Ellen "plopped" down onto the Wilson's couch. with her "multi-colored a complaint nor a negative personal cry. possible to bring order out of chaos. socks" - stripes of red. blue and green on a field of white. Sitting with her is She was valiant about herself and her continued on page 6 ~ a young James Wilson; older now. just like the rest of us. disabilities. No nonsense there! 0 5 JOHN BAXTER (continued) Memories of Myra Ellen worked in fear and trembling of a visit Memoriam - While sorting brand books and deed from the Fire Marshallbecause the exten­ -Cordelia Thomas Snow sion cords for our numerous spot-lights Dr. Myra Ellen Jenkins records from miners' location notices covered the site like so many snakes. - Carleen LazzeU and probate court journals. I found these To those who knew and worked with Because of dangerous site conditions. primary documents more and more in­ Myra Ellen. she will always be an un­ we closed the excavation to all visitors. I fondly remember the first time I ever triguing. Not long before the course forgettable presence. That is particularly Visitors could look over a barricade. but saw Myra Ellen Jenkins. Members of the began. I had read Jim Berry Pearson's so in my case. for an incident that occur­ could not enter. It never crossed our Historical Society of New Mexico were history of the Maxwell Land Grant which red in April of 1974when we were in the minds to include Myra Ellen and E. Boyd converginq at the Holy Cross Monastery described a mining boom in the Moreno midst of excavating Room 7 in the Palace in the "no visitors" category. Moreover. a few miles south of Mesilla Park in an­ Valley. a region that became part of Col­ of the Governors. According to the plans. they would have been outraqed had they ticipation of a Qreat conference. The set­ tinQ was special- rural New Mexico in fax County, As I set to work the first as John Conron investigated the fabric of not been allowed to poke around and the Palace from the attic to the floors. comment on everything they saw. They the midst of pecan orchards. The volumes I opened happened to be the monastery has a large Qrassyquadrangle organizational records of the Cimarron archaeologists would have several weeks were our project advisors and historians. to conduct test excavations benearth the and we all looked forward to seeing - and a view of the area from the dor­ and Willow Creek mining districts. two floors in the west end of the building. As them. mitory windows. While settling into my of the more important "diggings" in the it happened. of course. our discoveries One morning sometime in April. at a quarters. I looked out the window and Moreno area . While glancing through the were so unexpected we spent more than time when the excavation was an­ what did I see? A Qray haired woman in books. I saw that every noteworthy six months in Room 7 alone. accident-waiting-to-happen. I was sitting a purple wool suit rolling around on the speculator and prospector from the two As soon as word of our discoveries got in a former doorway turned exhibit case grass playing with the Franciscans' St. camps was mentioned. including Lucien out. and it didn't take very long at all. E. by Nusbaum. by then our only access to Bernard. My first thought was. "who is B.Maxwell himself. I couldn't believe my Boyd and Myra Ellen arrived on site. As the site. trying to catch up on field notes. that woman?" good fortune! When advised of this ma­ the excavation progressed. E. Boyd and when I saw Myra Ellen. E. Boyd and Fray Within the hour. I knew who she was - the leqendary "Dr. J." That important jor archival discovery. Dr. J. managed to Myra Ellen. occasionally accompanied by Anqellco behind the barricade. They ask­ day when I first met her was in April. take it in stride. but was obviously pleas­ Fray Anqelfco Chavez. began to visit the ed if they could bring a visitor through. 1978. (That was the day I met another ed by my excitement. site as often as several times a week. One Of course they could. day. aware that I had not yet had a I was the last one to file through the very special person. Al Schroeder.) Once the projects had been com­ chance to get down to the Archives. former exhibit case /doorway into the ex­ Since our first meeting. I have other fond pleted, the class struggled through a Myra Ellen arrived at the excavation with cavation. when I saw Myra Ellen lose her memories of Myra Ellen.When she retired rigorous final examination that wrapped a copy of SANM 11:253. a report prepared balance for a second. and someone put from the New Mexico State Records up the course. Fortunately for me. it by the Cabildo on the condition of the out a hand to steady her. I glanced down Center and Archives. members of the proved to be a beginning rather than an Palace in 1716. and snapped in her to see what caused her unsteadiness. and Historical Society of New Mexico ending. Thanks to Dr. 1.. my interest in customary way. "I hope you're not us­ was absolutely aghast at what I saw. Myra presented her with a matching set of lug­ history had been rekindled. leading me in,.g that awful Twitchell translation. Ellen was wearing spindly. bright-red. Qage at the conference in EI Paso. to seek a career in the field. During the Always go back to the original." I've hiQh heels! Everyone seemed to thinkshe would then next year. we continued to meet occa­ never forgotten. My worst nightmare was about to have plenty of time to travel. That was in 1981. And. I also treasure the time I spent sionally and our friendship strengthened. Shortly thereafter. our working condi­ come true . I could just see the headlines: with Myra Ellen in Billings. Montana. when Eventually. at Dr. J.'s invitation. I joined tions began to deteriorate. Each storage "State Historian Falls into Palace Storage pit excavated - several were two meters Pit." The crew was equally horrified. and we were roommates at the Western the staff at the Archives. documenting deep - added to the hazards on site. the visit seemed to last forever. Nothinq History Association conference in 1986. sites throughout New Mexico for the Although the excavated storage pits happened. of course. and Myra Ellen The memories of Myra Ellen will live on state's historic preservation program. were covered with whatever we could never let on as she nonchalantly. after in my mind and heart and I will miss her Without doubt. Myra Ellen influenced find. "for safety's sake." some of those that first mis-step. walked around the site. greatly. 0 many people in much the same way. As boards were pretty flimsy. In addition. that her choice of shoes for the occasion a result of her encouragement. several two large seventeenth century cobble had been anythinq but a good idea. other members of the class established foundations in the north half of the room Myra Ellen was an unforgettable -Marta Weigle uncovered below the level of the storage themselves as professional historians in presence, a friend, and mentor. may she I first encountered Dr. Jenkins. whom pits. further impeded movement. We rest in peace. 0 New Mexico and other southwestern I never then dared address as "Dr. 1.. .. states. Everyone who knew Myra Ellen when in the late 1960S I ventured down recognized her many talents: as scholar. the steep steps of the archives to begin author. administrator. and public servant. in earnest my doctoral research on the For me , however. she' ll always be Penitente Brotherhood. Much daunted. remembered as a teacher. the best I've deplorably inept and ignorant. I could ever known! 0 not have hoped for a more fortuitous • •• meetinq. In the acknowledgments to my dissertation I wrote: "Dr. Myra Ellen Wain~ht - Rev. Phillip Jenkins. historian and Deputy for Ar­ As a specialist in Church History my chives. has generously given me in­ arrival at the Church of the Holy Faith numerable insights into New Mexican in Santa Fe in 1986 was the occasion for and Colorado history. as well as taught a wonderful discovery: Myra Ellen me about the use of difficult official Jenkins was one of my parishioners. Our documents. She has been kind enough periods did not overlap (mine being the first four centuries A.D.) but we both had to permit me to examine various private the historian's mind. and she soon arous­ papers on the Brotherhood. Somehow. ed in me an interest in the history of the she found time to read and criticize the Church in the Southwest. manuscript. Without her generosity and My great discovery in Myra Ellen. familiarity with the recion and its history. however, was not her historian's mind this study. whatever its present faults. but her historian's heart. Myra Ellen did Taken in December, 1991 at a small dinner party at La Posada in Santa Fe. would have been very much the poorer, not just know the facts about the peo­ honoring Cttstobel Co16n XX de Carbajal. Duke of Veraqua (standing to the left in and I should never have learned as ple of the early days of the Anglican the photograph above) The Duke. the twentieth decendent of Christopher much." I should have written: Without church in the Southwest. she knew them Columbus. was touring E1 Paso, Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos as part of the her. nuthin', as people. She would talk about them as When the dissertation became a book though she had known them personal­ Quincentenial celebration. Myra Ellen is on the right. looked upon by Mark ly. and indeed I believe that she was able Simmons, with Pedro Mesones of Washington. D.C. standing between Mark and in 1976. I singled out "two women [who] to penetrate through the pomposities of Cristobal. (Photograph taken by Mary Jean Cook.) have shown me much about academic people long gone as easily as she was and human excellence": the late E. Boyd able to penetrate the pomposities of Myra and Billy - this tirade. I interrupted. Myra Ellen. I and "Dr. 1.." who "permitted me access those still living. "Poor Bishop Kendrick" said. name me one figure in all New Mex­ to the Dorothy Woodward Penitente - Robert M, Utley she would say. shahinq her head sadly. ico's history who is better known Papers. taught me to appreciate the "he was never the same after the Myra Ellen's nearly pathological con­ throughout the world than Billythe Kid. complexities of New Mexico and its business at Holy Faith in 1910. I'm con­ tempt for Billy the Kid. loudly verbaliz­ Coronado? Onate? Pope? Devarqas? historical resources. and herself ex­ vinced it hastened his death." She would ed at every opportunty. ranks as pro­ Kearny? Kit Carson? Manuelito? Mangas emplifies the highest standards in scholar­ frown disapprovingly at the mention of bably the best known of the many Coloradas? Albert Bacon Fall? J. Robert ship and humanity." What that does not the name of an early Chancellor of the legends of Dr.1. Because she reacted with Oppenheimer? Not one comes close to say is at least twofold: I who had no Diocese whose behaviour was sometimes less than gentlemanly. or colorful vituperation to his mere men­ the Kidif impact on the human irnaeina­ women professors in my rst three years chuckle at the way two of the great ladies tion. her associates delighted in seizing tion is a measure of historical of college and throughout Qraduate of 19th century Santa Fe had fought over on the slightest pretext to drop such a siQnificance. school came to know women scholars' the Women's Guild. "Oh my. she was a mention into the conversation. Myra Ellen glared at me. emitted a mentorship both directly and indirectly tyrant." she would mutter. sounding When Myra Ellen learned that I was growl. and turned and stalked away . She through her stories about Dorothy quite relieved that someone a little more writing a biography of Billy the Kid. she never answered my question. never Woodward. I who had no notion of easygoing was in charge now. treated me to repeated lectures. dripping acknowledged to me the publication of scholars outside the academy came to Myra Ellen was a historian because she with ridicule, on the folly of wasting one's my biography in 1989. and never see clearly that this endeavor mattered cared about people. The papers she gave time and talent on a character so relented in her assaults on the memory and that historical research affected peo­ to Holy Faith's archives in 1989were hard overblown yet so entirely trivial as to be of Billy the Kid. ple's lives in very important ways . for her to part with. not because they beyond the notice of a reputable were historical documents but because I knew and respected Myra Ellen Since that time. Myra Ellen continued they were mementoes of people who historian. Only once did I emerge the Jenkins for thirty years. I regarded her as to teach me about colleacueship. guar­ had been a real part of her life. To have victor. the most constructive force in New Mex­ dianship and commitment. Would that known Myra Ellen was not just to have At a meeting of the Santa Fe corral of ico history during my Qeneration.She will I had enjoyed more time in her com­ known a historian. but to have had a per­ the Westerners about 1986. she backed be greatly missed by the state. the pany. for she was excellent company in­ sonal linh with people who made history. me into the comer of La Posada's din­ historical profession. and her legion of deed for all of us in this challenging part It was a real privilege . 0 ing room and launched once again into friends. She was an orieinal. 0 of the world. 0

6 A Different Kind of servation and preservation when owner­ ordered me to get the documents. John blunders into the (to me) sacrosanctity of Document - Saved! ship of the land changed. She found Grassham and I got her copies but when the archives. over whichMyra Ellen presid­ -Marianne L. Stoller plans for homesite development in the deliveredto her inJune. alas, she was too ed as acznowledoed head-mistress. surrounding area in the County plat ill to translate them. An obscure Spanish Colonial 'docu­ It would be around ten o'clock on a books, and despite the new owners' in­ On what proved to be her last visit to ment', peinstahinqly tracked down to Har­ bright and sunny morning when the terest and concern with the site, she felt the site I saw her pich up a trowel. heft vard's Weidner Library, appeared to me BMW rounded the hill in a splatter of it should be otherwise secured. it in her hand. lean over to peer in a the perfect match for an equally little­ gravel and came to an abrupt stop in Myra Ellenhad been involved since its testpit, and unconsciously imitate the known archeoloqlcal observation pertain­ front of the site. Out would pop Myra inception with ElRancho de Las Golon­ troweling motions of the student she was ing to the location of a former 17th cen­ Ellen (even when infirmities slowed her. drinas. the living history museum of watching. Noticingalso. the student aSR­ tury Rio Grande pueblo. Having posted she still seemed to pop out of the car): Spanish Colonial life, in La Cieneqa. A ed. "Would you liRe to diq. Dr. 1.7" She the banns, as it were (I submitted the draft striding over to the nearest testpit. she member of its Board of Advisors, she felt drew bach and dropped the trowel. of my research efforts to Myra Ellen for would invariably announce herself by strongly that LA 20,000 should belong to "No," she answered. "Historians don't review), her ensuinq dtliqencies saying,"Well, kids,what have you found that Museum . The site extends dig." but added wistfully, "I wouldn't matrimoniaJes revealed. alas. a seriousim­ now?" - even if the "Rid" happened to knowledge of settlement of the Cieneca mind the fun of uncoverinq a potsherd pediment to the proposed union between be David Snow or myself. area and the Museum's coverage of col­ just once." Without doubt. if she had historical and archaeoloqical 'fact'. The Justly celebrated for her dedication to onial history back another one hundred been physically able she would have result of my efforts elicited a characteristic written documents, it may come as a sur­ years and is representative of the earliest jumped in that pit - and the transforma­ snort which. willy-nilly. swept away my prise that in the last fewyears Myra Ellen Spanish ranching and domestic house­ tion of historian into historical er­ supporinq document - a mere trifle, not Jenkins was transforming herself into an hold activities yet discovered in New chaeolcqlst would have been the oriqinal, just a copy of Adolph archaeoloqist' Of course she had long Mexico. She worked tirelessly with El complete. Bandelier. Suspicious at best. unacceptable worked with anthropologists and ar­ Rancho de Las Golondrinas Charitable LA 20.000 is a different kind of "docu­ in her schoolroom. Horrors! chaeologists on Indian land claimscases, Trust to persudade the Board to take ment." but Myra Ellen's personal foray Although fully aware of these seeminq­ and considered a number of us among title to the land, and with me in into archaeology resulted in one last ma­ ly innocent indiscretions, I was stunned her dearest friends and esteemed col­ negotiating the purchase and raising the jor achievement in preservinq the with the possibility that Bandelier had leaques (especially AlSchroeder), but the money to buy it - contributing an ap­ originalrecords of NewMexico's history. been, perhaps. only slightly more stories she told about us, and the tone preciable amount of the price herself. It o scrupulousthan Cruzate. "Well, DUMMY:' of voice she used, led one to believe that was a natural extension of her long­ she said, "this may be archaeology. but it her opinion of the discipline was not of standing interest in historical preserva­ -David Snow sure ain't history." The final blow - "and the highest. tion and her devotion to Las Golon­ My thouqhts. duringfuneralservices for speculative. too" - was delivered in a For many years, in many contexts, she drinas' mission to present and interpret MyraEllen. appropriately enough, were voice that I likened to the sound of a fine introduced me with a mixtureof pleasure the Hispanic history of the Southwest. on heavenly things. Principally, trout bamboo fly-rod breakinc. SlinRing off. de­ and affectionas, "My friend, Dr. Marianne Aftertitle to it wassuccessfully transfer­ fishing. Like the high mountain streams fiantly (muchI. imagined, liRe Billy the Kid Stoller from Colorado College." Then red, Myra Ellen called it "our" site. She where I am at peace. the silver. lilting should have done in her presence). I would come the punch line, delivered participated in the dog and pony show melodies of Shubert's piano quintet cowardly submitted the piece, never­ with a characteristic wave of the hand: presentations, as she called them, on our (Opus 114). the Trout. danced and tumbl­ theless, for publicationin an obscure and "She's one of those anthropology­ research at Gran Quivira Conference ed through my mind the entire service, inconspicuouscollectionof archeological archaeology types" - as if that explain- meetings. She permitted her historical revealing quick. bright flashes of Myra imponderabilia. a volume into which I Ellenremembered. Each sharply-etched fervently hoped no self-respectinq historian image is a keeper. taken. sparkltnq and miqht venture. To my acute embarrass­ feisty from the secret pools of my ment I learned, manyyearslater. that Myra memory and returned for the sheer Ellen not onlyowned a copy. but had had pleasure of another day. This luxury, I occasion to refer others to my early con­ confess, is my only concession to the tribution (albeit somewhat neutrally), as it prevailing catch-and-release philosophy contained highlights of certain fraudulent in vogue among many of todays' fly­ practices involving lands claimed by one fishinq elite;but never an option so long of her favorite pueblos. as Myra Ellen (and Amos. of course) And, so. I continue my efforts to seek awaited my return from the mountain on suitable matches between the stuff of a late NewMexicoor Colorado summer­ documentary history and the ar­ into-fall evening. chaeoloqical record, stimulated and. "By ~olly," they exclaim in unison, ultimately, aided and abetted by Myra "that's a lovely bunch of trout." Amos Ellen. I have failed, nevertheless. to deal withwhat she often considered my worst ~ ~:~t~; ~· ?~~~ stretches up, incredibly long aqainstMyra Ellen's leg, as she appraises the lot. her affliction. "Your writing hand suffers from "".-::.,,~~ eyes sorting, measurinq. evaluating, iden­ acute Montezuma's revenge:' she would ~.-... P;~.~'.A. "'{. ;>i;~~;~ A-; tifying. and cataloging. as though con­ say. appropos of nothing. Once, blue eyes achuchle, she went off in search of some 1" • •t;.... ~ .' . "-:, . '. ~~ . »t, ~ .._ " ,. fronted with a mess of newly-discovered documents. Their combined chorus of Kaopectate. grousing that a tablespoon-full "Well. what have you kids found now." - Myra Ellen "golly-m' rrrrow-thats a beauty­ of that stuff. applied to the offending visiting LA 20 .000. June 1988. rrrrraumrrrrrrow-u'huh-wow-m·rrrrow." member. "before each page." ought to ed everythinq about me (and maybe it imagination to envision Pueblo Indians are the sounds of a melodic. mad­ tahe care of that! does). I was never sure if the hand wave pouring over the hill, torches in hand, dashing brook. I will miss her, as I remember her best. was a dismissal. but I knew it wasn't ex- during the Pueblo Revolt. She brought Too frequently. alas. my return evokes in front of the stove. an arm and a fist actly a blessing. When, in the last cou- more and more people out to see the nothing more than an ego-deflating. cocked against her hip, the other hand ple of years,she dropped that punch line site when we were working. She stopped "Well. DUMMY. Where are the fish?" clutching a wavin~ spatula. her concentra­ and substituted, "She and her Rids dependinq on David and me to explain Amos stalks off with obvious disdain ­ tion intense as any trout-fisher. a creelfull (students) are excavating our site in La the site and began givin~ her own guid- Myra Ellen, disappointed. her mild blue of browns ("frauds:' they were), brookies Cieneqa." I realized she recognized that ed tours. I couldn't believe my ears when eyes darker now with impatience at my C'little fools"), and rainbows sizzling under her own disciplinary affiliation had taken I overheard words liRe "streticrephy'' and 'bad-luck' on the streams. resembles her watchful eye - the frying-pan sounds a new turn. "Glaze F potsherds" and "tree-ring nothinq so much as her former of my redemptionand salvation at the end Myra Ellen's involvement with LA dating" and "faunalremains"coming out schoolmarm-self. confronted with an in­ of a weary, August-hot days' pleasureand 20.000, the 17thcentury SpanishColonial of her mouth as naturally as if they had completed class assignment, or secret triumph. estancia in La Cieneqa. began in 1987 been part of her lexicon for years. homework neglected. Barely tolerable. when DavidSnow and I were invited by The historian in her remained, too. And I am reminded that this teacher suf­ - Ellie Pratt Mr. Alfonso Sanchez, the landowner. to Whereas David and I are caught up in fers neither fools, frauds, nor fly-fishers I didn't know Myra Ellen until my resume archaeological explorations questions about the architectural plan lightly. A ruler across the knuckles the return to Santa Fe on retiring as Direc­ followinq some earlier work done in col- and economic relations of colonists and smart of the intonation of a deftly­ tor of Museums on the Philmont Scout laboration with the Museumof NewMex- Native Americans. her abiding interest delivered, "Well. DUMMY," could reduce Ranch. My first encouter was at a board ico. We asked Myra Ellen to be our was in trying to identify which 17thcen- mountains to mole-hills again, politicians meeting of the Santa Fe Historical Socie­ historical consultant on the project. In- tury colonist might have built and lived to people, or professionals to poor ty. Iwas being interviewed for the job of Itially she limited herself to lecturing to at the estancia. She confessed to one freshmen. Humbling. Executive Secretary. After pertinent classes on the history of the area, newspaper reporter that she had "beaten An anthropologist. but one who prac­ questions were asked by all members ex­ derived from research she had already her brains to a pulp" trying to figure out cept MyraEllen the final vote was made tices historical archaeology (as proof. I by her when she said "you will do". I done on the history of ElRancho del Las who it was. naively argue to myself, that you can have would follow at her heels at Gran Golondrinas. However. as the extent of "We'vefound him!" she announced on your cake and eat it). I am neithera former Quivera conferences listening to Myra the site ~rew. so did the number of the telephone last November without student of Myra Ellen's, nor academically­ Ellen pounce on some know-it-all ex­ documents she found. FInally the lee- any other preamble, "And I'm red-faced trainedin her profession - my future. she pounding on a point in local history. tures had to be broken into two sessions because he was in Chavez (Origins of was fond of reminding me, "lies in ruins." I took her course in state history at the to save the students from writing New Mexico Families) all along." "Him" Once, I happened to overheara comment CollegeofSanta Fe. A~ain watchinq with paralysis. She still began by informing isAlonsoVarela Jaramillo who, in a docu- she made to someone - "yes, he's admiration her handling of obstreperous them that. as archaeologists, "their future ment dated 1632, declared he was living young male students. Fascinated by her definitely an archaeological-type, but he tales of pioneering on the family ranch lay in ruins." but her own visits to and on his estancia in La Cieneqa. We had sure knowsthose goldum documents bet­ in Colorado. intrigue with those ruins increased. earlier dismissed the reference as mean- ter than some I know." What I did with Her sharp wit so added to any social By 1990 the significance and complex- ing the Cieneqa of Santa Fe, but subse- those documents seems to have been, function. ity of the site had became obvious and quent research had convinced her other- however. a different kettle of fish in her Dear MyraEllen, you have left us with we beqan to worry about its future con- wise. Always the rigorous historian. she opinion: and I recall one of my first a space which never can be filled. 0

7 Myra Ellen Jenkins A Tribute to at Zuni Dr. Myra Ellen Jenkins - E. Richard Hart -Mrs. Tibo J. (Betty) Chavez Myra Ellen Jenhins was the principal Myra Ellen Jenkins' work with Zuni spealeeron February 7. 1993 at the annual spanned portions of two decades and meeting of the Valencia County Historical began in the late 1970S when the Zuni Society held at the HistoricHarvey House Tribeenlisted the assistance of MyraEllen in Belen, New Mexico. The occasion to pursue their land claim litigation. Zuni Myra Ellen and an honored the late Tibo1. Chavez, Lt. Gover­ had been unable to file a claim against award presented at nor. State Senator and District Judge the United States before the Indian December 1978 whose home was Belen and who passed Claims Commission during the allowable Historical Society board away November 25. 1991. There were period, but a determined effort by the meeting: a whiskey three hundred people in attendance. tribe for nearly thirty subsequent years (bourbon) bottle in the Myra Ellen had been the principal finally resulted in action by Congress in image of Billy The Kid. speaker at the first meeting of the Valen­ the late 1970s that allowed the tribe to cia County Historical Society held in file a lawsuit. Zuni claimed that the 1969. Tibo Chavez was a founder of the United States failed to pay for millions of organization and had prevailed upon his acres that were taben from the tribe good friend of many years to do the between 1846 and 1946. Governor honors. And so, it was appropriate that Robert E. Lewis and the ZuniTribal Coun­ she remember her "special" friend. as she cil scrupulously reviewed the credentials called him . at the opening of an exhibit of potential expert witnesses. listened to entitled: "The Life of the Honorable Tibo recommendations from tribal advisors 1. Chavez. " all in the courtroom - the judge . the at­ Delaney). in 1988. a "Guide to the 'Lost' She spoke of her initial meeting with and from other tribes that had already torneys for Zuni and the United States, Records of the Missionof Nuestra Senora been through the land claim process. the then Senator Chavez when she and the delegation of Zuni religious and de Guadalupe de Zuni. 1775-1858," AlSchroeder and others were attempting Zunidecided that MyraEllen was the best political leaders. and all of the other ex­ translating and analyzing priests' difficult to establish a State Records Center and historian that could be retained to testify pert witnesses - stared intently at the handwriting and providing important in­ Archives. He. having been in the about the critical period of Zuni history witness. A few seconds in such silence formation that will be used in the ad­ legislature for ten years. was a valuable during the tribe's firstyears under United seems interminable and one cannot help judication of Zuni's water rights. During and influential supporter of the 1959 States sovereignty. It was no light mat­ but feel for the person in the witness box her final months. she had begun work on Public Records Act. She recalled that the ter for Myra Ellen to taze on this com­ who has momentarily lost his memory. an essay explaining some of the historical first two years of the agency was rough mitment to provide expert testimony in This particular silence was broken. issues that were resolved in the Zuni and not all legislators were convinced what became Doczet 161-79L before the however. as Myra Ellen calmly spoke up litigation. that the agency should be staffed profes­ United States Claims Court. Though she from the spectators' seats and in her Her commitment and work in behalf of sionally and free from partisan politics . was imbued with incredible energy and familiar authoritative voice helpfully sup­ Zunican best be summarized in the state­ But. she said. "through it all. including worked with resolute perseverance. she plied the correct answer. much to the ment of Governor Lewis. who watched some pot shots from the University of was already committed to numerous suppressed delight of the judge . and the her worh for the tribe over more than fif­ New Mexico Library. The HistoricalSocie­ projects. so Zuni greatly appreciated the muffled chuckles of the other witnesses teen years. ty of New Mexico and even The Museum dedication she applied in their behalf. in the gallery. of New Mexico. the good Senator was an She joined a team of witnesses that Myra Ellen Ienkins has the Zuni It would be five long years before a people's enduring gratitude for unflagging supporter." included anthropologists fred Eggan and decision was finally sent down by the Later. through their joint efforts. they Iriloki Nath Pandey. historians Ward all that she did to help us docu­ judge (May 27. 1987). In the findings of ment our history accurately. were able to secure the IlfeldWarehouse Alan Minge. John Baxter. Lyman Tyler fact that were rendered. every substan­ as the depository for the new acency and and myself. and archaeologist T. J. and in so doing assist our efforts tive issue raised by Myra Ellen was deter­ to achieve victory in our land funds to renovate it. Myra Ellen lamented Ferguson. all of whom would devote the the fact that Senator Chavez was not in mined to have been accurately address­ claims litigation. As a result of better portion of a decade to the the legislature in 1993. as they sorely ed by her in her testimony. The historical that victory the Zuni people will project. needed a new building and that. he. un­ facts that Myra Ellen outlined for the have improved education. im­ After extensive archival research and doubtedly could inspire the necessary court were integral to the victory by the proved management of our numerous meetings with the attorneys appropriation from the legislature. Her ZuniTribe, which resulted in a $25 million cultural and natural resources. and the other witnesses. and relying on Qreat concern and worh on this project judgment. and greater employment. When her decades of experience and certainly merits the new building beinq Thiswas not the extent of her involve­ we honored Dr. Jenhins with a ~nowledge, in 1980 she completed her named in her honor. ment with the Tribe. She also par­ certification of appreciation in written testimony, "The Pueblo of Zuni She often said that Spanish and Mex­ ticipated in a unique public conference 1991. we told her how highly we and United States Occupation." In April. ican Archives were her first love as a at Zuni to explain her testimony in lay regarded her efforts and how 1981. she endured a grueling Justice historian. They were also the first love of terms to the Zunis. and later published greatly her work has served to Department deposition. during which Tibo Chavez. thus , there was a mutual the same essay. "Zuni History During the improve the lives of Zunistoday she elaborated on her written testimony. Early United States Period." in a bond between them. Myra Ellen was the She met on many occasions with Zunis' and in the future. Our children's State Archivist and Tibo Chavez was the newspaper that has been distributed children will join us to say the religious and political leaders, who all Chief Sponsor of all leqislation relating to widely at Zuni. and which is used in the Zuni word for "thank you" to came to regard her with affection. and historic preservation in New Mexico. schools there and elsewhere to explain the memory of Myra Ellen who admired her forthrightness and her the history behind the Zuni land claim To quote from her speech on february Jenkins. Elaqua. D 7, 1993. she said the following: strict adherence to fact. Early on in the cases. She also authored (with Robert W. process, she made it clear to everyone "As you are well aware. the issue of protecting our historic patrimony of involved that her responsibility was to ac­ M~ing tea for Dr. J... properly curacy in history and not to any ad­ structures. sites and other physical vocacy position in favor of Zuni.In other Bring cold water in a tea kettle Put the tea in a tea strainer: slowly evidences of who we are and have been words. she said let me do my worb to a boil; take aut two teacups. pour the boilino water through the in this great state has become a policy generally accepted almost as a matter of honestly and objectively. and let the (not mugs) and tea - Earl Grey is a tea; fill one cup halfway, fill the other chips fall where they may. Zuni and its good choice but not in teebeos. cup halfway. then fill both cups course. but it was not always so. Tlbo Chavez was the pioneer of Historic attorneys. Steve and John Boyden. to When water boils. pour some completely. Serve with sugar - no Preservation as a state and a national their great credit encouraged Myra Ellen. into each cup; retum the teakettle cream or gastly lemon. issue. In 1966. Congress passed the Na­ and all of the other experts they had re­ to the bumer; Empty the water in tional HistoricPreservation Act providing tained. to take this attitude throughout the cups. Now the cups are warm - Directions submitted for a comprehensive program. but. with the proceedings. And MyraEllendogged­ and ready for the tea. by Sandra Hauq ly pursued this straight course through­ the emphasis on state legislation to carry out its mandate with some federal funds. out. in her written testimony. during the Professional leaders who. in New Mexico. depositions, the meetings and interviews. had long been involved in local pro­ the written rebuttal testimony. and finally grams to protect sites immediately during the trial, which was held in Salt descended on Senator Chavez to spon­ Lake City, in the Utah Supreme Court sor state leqtslation which would bring chambers durinq March. 1982. the state into compliance with the na­ Myra Ellen's fidelity to historical ac­ tional program. Among them were ar­ curacy did lead to one humorous chitect. John P. Conron. National Par~ episode during the trial. The tension in Service archeologist. Albert H.Schroeder, the courtroom was not unexpected. She and this historian. He did not fail us and had borne the particularly aggressive drafted and sponsored the 1969 Cultural cross-examination on the part of the Properties Act which was hailed by the Justice Department attorney with digni­ feds and used by other states as a model ty and a commensurate level of restraint. for their own legislation. One provision all the while aware of the high stakes. and was that the Deputy for Archives at the the judge's intense scrutiny. Then. as one State Records Center would be desig­ of the historians for the opposition was nated as the official State Historian. and being questioned. the somewhat harried that the Curator of Archeology of the witness could not answer a question that / Museum of New Mexico as the official required a date. While he searched his A frequent working posture: on the floor in the library at the State Archeologist. Both were statutory memory, there was a painful silence as State Record Center and Archives. (continued on page 9. column 1) 8 TRIBUTE (continued from page 8) by the Governor and represented a cross­ John came to lApache Victorio seems unlikely tstion in Malaysia.She talked about the ways in which the Dream had photooteplied the flafl with Dr. 1. -Flannery Hauq 0 to have more than passed by. not. in the past been a truly inclusive vision. (particularly for Native- WanderinQ west. the road goes by another small hilL the Cerro Colorado. a boundarymarkerfor Laguna. although the li~ht never seems just ri~ht for it to show its color. Farther on. El Morro must be viewed. even if the temperature is about 103°. Then there is Zuni. and the never-to-be­ resolvedquestion of the exact location of HawiRuh. How could it be there. where there is no hill or canyon. when it was definitely describedas beingat the foot of a hill near the opening of a canyon? Myra Ellen tells a favorite story. told to her by the Zuni·s. An outlaw Qroup of Forty-niners. after pillagin~ a vill~e when its able-bodied men were away. were courteously led onto the trail by Zuni elders. The trail ended in quicksand. "We onlytook backwhatwasours," she quotes the elders with satisfaction. The remote site of Ft. Bowie. blue com porridoe at Second Mesa. an April snow storm in the Grand canyon. a hundred other places- the presence of Myra Ellen will always be with us when we are there. D

9 A Letter From An Old Friend Myra Ellen Jenkins: would visit. in person or on the telephone. that great personality can truly say that she would always inquire about the his writing is among the toughest to And Cousin Six Volumes of History kidletts. Josh and Kristin were. of course, read. - Eva o. Robertson 1916-1993 equally fond of her. As a doting grand­ In reality Dr. Jenkins had been testing Dear Miss Hauq. - John and Carol Grassham mother type. Dr. J frequently brought me on my pal eoqraphlcal shills I was so glad to receive your letter. bOORS and stuffed animals to them. And throughout the school year without my about Myra Ellen. I'm so glad she had such The six volume. History of England. yes. candy. too!! On one occasion. when ever realizing it. and evidentlv satisfied a good friend who helped her when she brought by Myra Ellen Jenkins' grand­ Josh was about four she brought him a with my work offered me a job effective was so sick. It isn't any fun being sick and parents when they immigrated from Nerf football. In no time they were in the July, 1967. alone. I'm alone and I have a cat and I England to Colorado . are heavily il­ backyard playing catch and try as she In June. 1967. the Reyes Lopez Tijerina taIR to her as ifshe was a person. Iimagine lustrated and contain a comprehensive might. Dr. J attempted to kick the ball to courthouse raid of Tierra Amarilla filled Myra Ellen did the same. history. It was. as she commented from Herparentswere pioneers here at Kiowa Josh. Realizing the historic nature of the the front page of every local newspaper time to time. the bOORS which sparked event. I quickly grabbed my camera and and the astonishing news of the activity and had a 1.600 acre ranch. In later years her lifelong interest in history. Turning when Uncle Lewis and Aunt Minnie were attempted to capture the moment on film. reached as far as Los Angeles. where I the pages of the tattered and worn unable to handle the ranch. they had a Dr. J did not liRe having her picture taken, was at the time. This incident would small house built on the main road for volumes one can imagine a youthful so I had to move fast!When bedtime roll­ touch and be a part of Myra Ellen's them. Myra Ellen and Aunt Minnie's MyraEllenpouring over them with great ed around. Joshua and Kristin would snug­ memory the rest of her life. Unfortunate­ mother. Myra Ellen's brother took over the enthusiasm. Dr. J. as many people call­ gle close to Dr. Jfor bedtime stories (Carol ly. I was not around during the time of main ranch house. but Myra Ellen still ed her. pursued history in college and as and I were not to far off - we liked to the raid. so cannot relate specifically to helped withthe ranch chores morningand we all know. later as a professional listen. as well). her reactions. night. historian. However. Dr. J was. by no At bedtime. the day of Dr. rsdeath. the Over the next few months after the I used to spend a week every summer means. consumed by history - she did "lzidletts" prayed for her. Theyreally knew courthouse occurrence, she was quite ac­ with them. I can still see Myra Ellen start "have a life." out on a high lope to the home ranch her - read their comments carefully. Josh. tive in investigating some of the land Dr. J enjoyed baseball and football. age 11. prayed. "God. please help Dr. J ad­ grant issues which fueled the raid and house. She had long hair below her waist. sometimes she even allowed herself the It was in long finger curls likeShirley Tem­ just to being with you now." And Kristin. due to her open-minded attacks on time to watch a game or two on televi­ ple and when Myra Ellen took off every age 7. also prayed for her. but added, Tijerina was sued by his organization. step she tOOR her curls would fly up. I can sion. She read fiction. and other non "Who will inherit her mail?" (Dr. J receiv­ something which never got anywhere. see that liRe just yesterday it happened. I historypublications.She loved allanimals. ed a large stack of mail every day). She The incident at Tierra Amarilla not only suppose she still went at a high lope: I especially cats. Dr. J also formed a close would have had a good laugh over that brought out-of-the-closet many of the land Rnow she did the last time I saw her. It network of friends and. what she referred comment!! grant questions that went back to the late used to be everytime she came up to to as "my family. " Cheerfully. Carol and Dr. J was a brilliant scholar. author. lec­ 1800S. but also brought out something in Denver for a conference or on business I were part of that "family." turer. mentor. friend and family member. Dr. Jenkinswhich would remain with her she would come over for a few hours' visit. Dr. J had a tenderness for children or She will be missed by all who knew her. the rest of her life: the investigation of land She would fly up and rent a car. The folks "Ridletts". as she called them. Anytime we would go down to her place in NewMex­ o grants. particularly those relating to the ico real often in the summer. Pueblo Indians. When she was in college in Bouldershe During the time that I worked with "Dr. used to stop here on her way to Kiowa J.', as those who knew her well would call to her folRs on weekends and she used to her. from 1967 until 1980. except fora cou­ say she sure made good time: she would ple of years that I was gone from the State make it here. 40 milesfrom Boulder. in 15 Records Center, I acquired an enormous to 20 minutes. She was always in a hurry amount of knowledge from her relatingto in everything she did. the history of New Mexico: the preserva­ be She will sure missed by everyonewho tion of documents, the translation of knew her. documents and research methodology. I have writtento both newspapers to see if they can and will send me copies of the Often we would sit for hours working on articles about her. Iwas hoping they would translations of 18th and 19th century have articles.as I RnOW she lived and work­ documents or working on lengthy re­ ed for the help she could give to the In­ search projects or simply on trying to dians and the Spanish people with their organize collections. land grants. Between 197 1 and 1980 we finished Again. I want to thank you for your let­ microfilming the Mexican Archives of New ter and the information you gave. If it Mexico and also filmed the Territorial Ar­ hadn't been for you folks we would have chives of NewMexico. Both of these pro­ never known of her death. jects were monstrous jobs which required Sincerely. many months of work On these two pro­ Eva O. Robertson Dr. 1. Josh and a football jects we spent many hours maRing sure There was just a year difference in our • •• that everything was properlyidentified and ages. "My Memories of Presidio Company. In the second targeted. Ms. Robertson is a iitst cousin to Myra Dr. Myra Ellen Jenkins" semester. I tOOR the second part of the In addition to the hard work that we ex­ Ellen's father. (editor) research course from Dr. Jenhins and perienced. we also enjoyed going to - J. Richard Salazar ..., . once again worked extensively with the historical conferences together. I still Spanish records of New Mexico. All of rememeber quite vividly some of those In an Albuquerque Journal North inter­ I first became acquainted with Myra the time that I was doing my research that we attended. Most of the time we view in 1989. Myra ElJen stated: "You EllenJenkinsin 1966 when Iwas finishing can't pick and choose the documenta­ my last year of school at the College of she continued to push me to see what traveled by car to many parts of the state potential I had in reading the old script. or in some cases to the surroundinq states tioti you 'll use in your research. or you Santa fe. Myfield of concentration was To her surprise I did quite well and upon to attend these meetings. As I drove. she are no scholar. There have been times history and Dr. Jenkins was teaching a finishing school in May of 1967, she of­ when attorneys I was preparing reports course in research problems both would point out the land marks of the fered me a job with the State Records for couldn 't understand that I'm not a semesters. During the first semester she country and relate short stories about the Center & Archives as an Archivist. My area. At the conferencesshe would always hired gun. " got me involved in reading the 18thand 19th century Spanish documents which research in that second semester had very politely introduce me to her she had at the State Archives. and focused on the military career of Dona­ colleagues. ultimately I wrote a somewhat com­ ciano Vigil. and anyone who has had ex­ When she attended conferences by prehensive history of the Santa fe perience in deciphering the writing of herself. she would always bring back something for her staff: usuallysome sort of hard candies. Many of us who knew "Dr.1."earlier in her career will. of course. remember her old Studebaker. For yearsshe had that car. until she got tired of paying for repairs. One day she dedded to take time offfrom work and the next morning showed up in a brand spanlanq new car: the BMW that she had for the rest of her life. A story which still mahes me nervous when I think of it. is when we one day drove in her new BMW to San felipe to investigate a historical question. Everything went well on the way to the pueblo. but on the way back we almost got into a seriousaccident. Pulling out of the pueblo onto what is now 1-25. she misjudged the distanceand speed of an eighteen wheeler which was doing about 70 miles-per-hour downhill; and the poor driver had to do everything within his power to avoid a Myra Ellen at the New Mexico fatal accident. God was certainly with us Historical Society Annual Meeting In response to an un-fact: "Ob Croke " so says Dr. 1. on that day. Anyone who ever rode with Banquet in Santa Fe in April. 1990 .

10 Dr. Jenkms will probably agree with me As Myra Ellen liked to remind him. and that her driving left something to be other archaeologists as well: "your future desired. As she always remarked. "I learn­ lies in ruins". ed to drive in the dirt roads of the Black I had the good fortune to have had a Forest." in Colorado. close friendship with both Myra Ellen and Over the years that we worked together. Alfor some twenty five years. The friend ­ as I mentioned earlier. I leamed immens­ ship nurtured and grew when Governor ly from the lady. However. ecerythlnq was David Cargo appointed us as members not always rosy. On numerous occasions of a newly established historical and while worRin~ on projects . we would be cultural properties review committee worRinQ smoothly until something would within the State Planning Office in April. make us disaqree. Sometimes it would be 1968 . (Thiscommittee was formalized as over a historical fact which we would have the Cultural Properties Review Commit­ to double check. or sometimes it would tee following the passage of the Cultural be over a translation or some word or Properties Act in April. 1969.) phrase. However. after a brief pause we Even though Myra Ellen's body was would a~ain return to the research ques­ thin. and bent with crippling tion and iron things out the way we both osteoporosis. she was not frail. None of felt comfortable. us want to forget, none of us shall ever From the time she retired from the Ar­ be able to forget that Myra Ellen visited chives in 1980 until the day she died. we upon us a wiseness and a ready wit that remained friends . She continued to stop sharpened our sense of history. She by the Archives to follow-up on her honed our appetite for the facts that research and as a member of the Com­ shaped events; she hammered into our mission of Public Records would attend heads the need to Rnow of what we regular meetings. At conferences she write . always spoke to me and sometimes we Never did Myra Ellen or AI. even would have lunch together. though serious illness becan to crowd in­ Mymemories of Dr.Jenkins will remain to their lives. cease to work to do with me for the rest of my life. Not only research. to write. Their minds did not will I remember the many hours we stop. not even slow down. Can any of worked together. but I will always also us ask for better? remember the difficulties we went I had the pleasure and the sorrow of through. Never. will I forget that she was so many remembrances as I read the person who started me on my throuqh all of the contributions which lifelong career. Thanks "Dr. J.". May you make up this issue of La Cronies. rest in peace. Reading each of them brought to my face a smile. but to my eyes an occa­ sional tear. Putting this La Cronice together was a rewarding task. yet a sor­ rowful chore. The void they have left in Watching a chipm unk - July 1992. From The Editor our hearts and beings is unfillable.Yet we Photograph by Sue brodkey This special issue of La Cronice de happily and gratefully remember that Nuevo Mexico remembers two close Myra Ellen and AI nurtured our minds. friends who died within a month of each and broadened our vision. other. The concept and purpose for this .MYRA ELLEN JENKINS It is hard to write about these two issue becan in my mind the day after friends when the inR and pages are Myra Ellen Jenkins died at her home in HISTORIAN AND ARGHMST OF THE SOUTHWEST obscured by misty eyes. Santa Fe on June 22 . 1993. With the aid We remember. we honor. we toast On May 14. 1990 Myra Ellen Jenkins was presented with an Honorary Degree as of two of Myra Ellen's close friends. Myra Ellen Jenkins and Albert H. Doctor of Humane Letters. honoris causa. by the Colorado College. in Colorado Schroeder. We cannot. we will not, in­ Sandra Hauq and Agnesa Reeve. a list of Springs. The citation reads as follows: potential contributors was made and deed New Mexico will not forcer. Their divided amongst the three of us. We Often called the most distinguishedscholar of New Mexicohistory. MyraEllenJenkins lives have touched us all. and we thank is really a native Coloradan. She was born on a cattle ranch near Elizabeth.where she began the series of telephone calls that them both for that. attended public schools. and received Bachelor of Arts and Master's degrees. both in Robert Frazer summed up all our dif­ resulted in the resp ons es you see history. from the University of Colorado. throuqhout this issue of La Cronies. Myra EllenJenkins began her professional career as a high school teacher in Climax. ficulties in putting something on paper Al Schroeder was. of course. on that and then Pueblo. Colorado. In 1950 she physically and mentally crossed the Arkansas under such circumstances: list. But to sorrow us furth er AI joined Riverand began to immerse herselfin Southwestern. Mexican. and NewMexicanhistory. I am slow in getting these few Myra Ellen in death before he could Whileattending the University of NewMexico. she was the student of illustrious historians words to you but I have difficulty reply to our request. France Scholes. Dorothy Woodward. and Manuel Horin: for the latter she wrote a doc­ in writinq this sort of thine . The loss A rancher's daughter: Myra Ellen was toral dissertation on Richardo Flores Ma~on. the Mexican anarchist who organized the of Myra Ellen and Al Schroeder in born and raised in the rolling foothills Mexican Liberal Party. In 1953 she received her Doctor of Philosophy degree . such short order is hard to take. that lead westward towards the soaring For the next six years Myra Ellen Jenkins worked as an historical research consultant Just the other day I read something and expert witness for the Indian Claims Commission on cases that returned to Rocky Mountain chain; the ranch was u.s. which. although in a different con­ Native Americans. or compensated them for. the loss of land and water rights. Her near the town of Elizabeth several miles skill as a translator of Spanish and Mexican documents. her knowledge of legal and text. Reeps coming to mind. "It had east of the prornttory known as Castle bureaucratic procedures. and her meticulous scholarship soon eamed her a reputa­ never occurred to me before that Rocl< in eastern Colorado. She never tion as a formidable courtroom presence and as the preeminent historian of the Pueblo the living are a minority." forgot her cattle ranch beginnings. Indians. I want to express my sincere gratitude In 1950 she moved to Albuqu erque In 1959 MyraEllen Jenklns became an archivist for the Museum of New Mexico: with to all who have contributed to this issue and entered a doctoral program at the the creation of the State of New Mexico Records Center and Archives in 1960. she of La Cronice de Nuevo Mexico. I know University of New Mexico from which was appointed Senior Archivist and. later. Deputy for the Archives and Chief of the that it was not an easy thing to do!!! she earned her Ph.D. three years later. Historical Services Division. the position from which she retired in 1980. In 1970 the Historical Society of New Mexicogave MyraEllenJenkins its Honor Award Two other doctoral candidates at UNM -John P. Conron, Editor at the same time became lifelong friends "For Outstanding Achievement in Preserving the Early Archives of this State." The Western History Association gave her an Award of Merit in 1977 "For Distinguished and contributed to this issue: Spencer The many (over 30) contributors to this Contributions to the Cause of Western History." In 1974 the National Trust for Historic issue represent a broad spectrum of pro­ Wilson and Robert Delaney. In 1960 she­ Preservationcited her "For Significant Achievement in Historic Preservationin the United joined the newl y establishe d Stat e fessionals and baczcrounds. with. as States." and in 1980 the American Institute of Architects presented heran "Award of would be expected. a preponderance of Record Center and Archives where she Distinction." In 1988 she received the Governor's Award and was inducted into the highly respected professional historians served devotedly and gallantly until her New Mexico Women's Hall of Fame. In 189 the New Mexico Commission on Higher retirement. As Brandt Morgan. writing in Education appointed her to its Eminent Scholars Program and the New Mexico En­ and archeologists. The majority of these the January 6 , 1991 issue of Sage dowment for the Humanities presented her with its Humanities service Award. historians and archeologists have already MagaZine. said:"over a period of 20 years Myra Ellen Jenkins' scholarly worR has appeared in many professional journals and attained the advanced academic goal Jenkins not only put her personal stamp bOORS.A Brief History of New Mexico. which she co-authored with Albert H.Schroeder. and scholarly degrees of a Ph.D.. two or on the records center. but gained a has informed scholars. students. and tourists. She wrote volume one and was editor three contributors are on their way to of volume two of The Historic Preservation Program for New Mexico. She was also reputation as a fiesty ~u ardian of achieving that level of scholastic achieve­ the director and editor of a major project funded by the National Historical Publica­ history". ment. One contributor is a retired banher tions Commission to microfilm. prepare. and publish guides and calendars on the and former historic foundation president: Al Schroeder's long and distinguished Spanish. Mexican. and Territorial Archives of New Mexico. career as an archaeologist began with the one is a lawyer with whom Myra Ellen Amidst her many activities. MyraEllenJenkinshas continued teachino. She has trained joined in battle acalnst the Federal Museum of Northern Arizona at Flagstaff college students in New Mexico. Southwest. and Mexican history and historiography. Government on behalf of the Pueblo of in 1938. He was the archaeological a number of whom have become staff members at the New Mexican Records Center Zuni. Two are former students of Myra foreman on a WPA Project sponsored by and Archives.Since retirement in 1980. she has taught at the Latin American Institute. the University of Arizona and later work­ University of New Mexico. New MexicoState University. and Santa Fe Community Col­ Ellen and two are relatives: a nephew ed with the u.s. National Museum Field lege. For many years she has also lectured to Colorado College students and. more and a cousin. Expedition in Coahuila. Mexico. Follow­ recently. has been an historical consultant for Colorado College's research project on One contributor. a records manage­ ing service with the u.s. Army during a 17th century Spanish site near Santa Fe. New Mexico. ment specialist. who first met Myra Ellen For students and faculty who study the history of southwestern culture. Myra Ellen World War II Al began his 30 year long JenRins is a model of scholarship in public service. 0 continued on page 12 ~ career with the National Park Service . 11 FROM THE EDITOR Taos. 1962; Pueblo of Nambe. 1962: Schroeder. ed. Glorieta: The Rio "Zuni History during the early (continued from page 11) Ysleta del Sur. 1970 and for the Pueblo Grande Press. 1973. UnitedStatesPeriod." in E. Richard of Zuni. U.S. Court of Claims, 1982. History of the Laguna Pueblo Land­ Hart. ed.. Zuni History. Institute of when employed at The State Archives Prepared land titlehistoriesof Pueblos Claims in R. L. Rand's report to In­ the American West. 1983. and Record Center, recalls for us how to ofTaos. San Ildefonso. Nambe. Pojoaque, dian Claims Commission. New Guide to the "Lost " Records of the make tea. "properly". Her parish priest Tesuqueand Santa Claraunder contract York Garland Publishing. Inc.. Mission of Nuestra Senora de remembers for us her many years of ser­ with BIA. 1981. and similar historyfor the 1974. Guadalupe de Zuni. 1775-1858. vice to her chosen church and her God. Pueblo of Laguna. 1979. Currently. under With Robert Delaney. Santa Fe: And lastly. an architect. who just hap­ Navajo Activities Affecting the contract with Taos Pueblo legal NewMexico State Records Center pens to be the editor of the newspaper. Acoma-Laguna Area. 1746-1910 counsel. and Archies. 1988. This architect has delved deeply. and with Ward Alan Minge. Report to quite carefully. into the fieldof architec­ As State Historian served as historical the Indian Claims Commission. On video recording: KNME-TV. ture preservation, and who. while in the consultant and witness for the State NewYork: Garland Publishing. Inc.. 1985. 3 Territorial Governors : Ed­ presence of Dr. Jenkins. only whispered Engineer in determination of water rights 1974. mond G. Ross. L. Bradford Prince. and acequia priorities. Served as expert that he has become an architectural Aboriginal Useand Occupancy by and Miguel Antonio Otero. witness in "State of NewMexico. ex rel. historian. Ttqu«, Manso and Suma Indians in Other articles and reviews in En­ S. E. Reynolds. State Engineer v.Aamodt. While our professions and backgrounds her "Tioua Indiansof Ysleta del Sur cyclopedia Britannica. Americana et al.and UnitedStatesof America. et al.. may differ. our ages may vary from during the Spanish Colonial Yearbook . EI Palacio, Arizona and No. 6639. Civil." U.S. District Court; ex­ senior citizen to university student. we Period." New York: Garland the West, La Cronies. Historical pert witness for the New Mexico all have one thing in common: Myra Publishing. Inc.. 1974. Magazine of the Protestant AttorneyGeneral in "Paul Livingston and Ellen Jenkins was our friend. Episcopal Church. The Southwest Sara Livingston, doing business as Liv­ "Spanish Records in the West. " in Churchman. New Mexico Quarter­ -JPC ingston Homecrafts George Ewing as Western American History in the v. ly Review, Utah Historical Review. P.S.Several persons have allowedus to Director of Museum of New Mexico. et Seventies. DanielS. Tyler. ed. fort Journal of Military History. 0 remember Myra Ellen Jenkins and Al al.... U.S. District Court. No. 77-192-B (in­ Collins: Educational Media and In­ Schroeder through the lenses of their volving right of the state to restrict sales formation Systems. 1973. ... . cameras; we sincerely thank them for in front of Palaceof Governors to Indians "LandTenure Historyin NewMex­ these frozen moments . only). 1978: "Mescalero Apache Tribe vs. ico." El Ceudemo, 1976. Fred L. O'Chesky. Jr. et al.. U. S. District "Arthur RoclSalt Lake City: The 1968. Montezuma. Santa Fe. NM 87503. Genealogical Societyof the Church Proposals should be submitted by Guide and Calendar. Mexican Ar­ of JesusChrist of LatterDaySaints. February 1. 1994. chives of New Mexico. Santa Fe: 1969. State Records Center and Archives. Proposals for individual papers The Historic Preservation Program 1970. should include the title of the paper. for New Mexico. 2 vols.editor. and Chairman Al Schroeder reviewing his a synopsis of the topic (50 words or Guide and Calendar. Territorial Ar­ author of Vol I. Santa Fe: State less). and brief biographical informa­ note prior to a Cultural Properties chives of New Mexico. Santa Fe: Planning Office. 1973. Committee meeting at the State tion on the presentor. Papers should State Records Center and Archives, be limited to 20 minutes (12-14 Records Center and Archives. Old Santa Fe Today. The Historic 1974. double-spaced paces) Late 1970S. Santa Fe Foundation. editor. and A Brief History ofNew Mexico (with author of various sections. Albu­ Proposalsfor complete sessionsare • Albert H. Schroeder). Albuquerque: querque: The University of New also encouraged. Sessions should con­ The University of New Mexico Mexico Press. second edition. 1972: sist of two or three presentors. plus A Selected Account and Press, 1974. third edition. 1982. moderator, and should be of sufficient Publication List of Myra Ellen's length to fill a 7s-minute time slot. in­ "The Baltasar Baca ·Grant'. History Foreward to RayJohn de Aracon. Contributions as a Historian, cluding discussion. Papers and ses­ of an Encroachment." El Palacio. Memorias sabre la Vida del Researcher, Writer and as an sions may be on any aspect of the 68. Nos. 1-2 (Spring. Summer). 1961 ; Presbitero Don An tonio Jose Mar­ Expert Historical witness history of New Mexico. the greater reprinted by Museumof NewMex­ tinez. Santa Fe:The Lightning Tree southwest.or borderlandsarea.Topics -prepared by Robert W. Delaney ico as separate publication: Press. 1978. reprinted in Richard N. Ellis. ed. A can include, but are not limited to Note: Dr. Myra Ellen Ienlan's career will "John GawMeem, FAIA. Citizen of New Mexico Reader. Albuquerque: Native Americans. historical ar­ be detailed in other places but she will Santa Fe," New Mexico Architec­ The University of New Mexico chaeology. architecture. biography. be remembered for her works and ture . 22. No. 2 (March-April). Press. 1971. art. education . travel. exploration. writing in New Mexico History. Aselected 1980. historic preservation. genealogy. the "Taos Pueblo and its Neighbors." account of them will indicate the scope Sectionsof NewMexico History for military, mining. ranching. banaino. New Mexico Historical Review. 41 . of her impeccable scholarship: the NewMexico Secretary of State and historiography. Papers and ses­ No. 2 (April). 1966. Expert historical witness before U.S. Bluebook. 1965-1974. sions related to Taos and its environs "Spanish Land Grants in the Tewa Indian Claim Commission for Pueblos of "Some 18th Century New Mexico are especially welcome. Area." New Mexico Historical Laguna-Acoma. 19571960; Pueblo of Women of Property." in Marta Anyone having questions regarding Review. 47. NO .2 (April). 1972. &:b&:b~~~ Weigle. Ed.. Hispanic Arts and a proposal or the conference can con­ ~~~~ "The Pueblo of Nambe and its Ethnohistory in the Southwest. tact Robert at 827-7332 (days) or This newspaper is published by Lands." in Changing Ways of 345·5147 (eveninss.) HISTORICAL SOCIETY Papers Inspired by the Worl< of E. OF Southwestern Indians. Albert H. Boyd. 1983. NEW MEXICO P.O. Box 1912 Santa Fe. New Mexico 87504 EDITOR FROM: Non-Profit Organization John P. Conron U.S. POSTAGE PAID OffICERS La Cronica de Nuevo Mixico No. 37 Santa Fe, New Mexico John W. Grassham - President Robert 1. Torrez - tst Vice President 87501 DarlisMiller - 2nd Vice President HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF NEW MEXICO Permit No. 95 Andres1. segura - secretary Carol Grassham - Acting Treasurer Post Office Box 1912 DIRECTORS John O. Baxter Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 Susan Berry Thomas E. Chavez John Conron Richard N. Ellis TO: Elvis E. Fleming Austin Hooever Myra Ellen Jenblns Serial s Department Margaret E. McDonald Riley ParRer Genet- a 1 Li t!r-a ;-y~ AI/nesaReeve Carl D. Sheppard Un ive r s i ty of New Mexico David H. Townsend A l t: !.~ ~ !~ L; e r-C; L~ 2 ~ j\i r~1 871 3 1 - J. Itt~ Robert White t.; John P. Wilson Spencer Wilson The opinions expressed in signedarticles e>. !> are not necessarily those of the Historical Society of New Mexico. Mention of a pro­ duct. service or professional in thesecol­ umns is not to be consideredan endorse- e>. !> ment of thatproduct. service or professional