Women in New Mexico history -
By Rosanne Boyett, Beacon Staff Writer
Posted Friday, March 30, 2012 in the Cibola Beacon
GRANTS –
Dona Tules Barcelo witnessed the region’s change from Mexican sovereignty to a U.S. territory.
Vanann Moore brought the Hispanic entrepreneur, a wily businesswoman, to life through her Chautauqua re-enactment. Barcelo, gaming hall owner, became the wealthiest woman in northern Mexico before the region was ceded to the U.S. after the Mexican-American War.
The gambling hall owner described the conversation and exchange of money, which took place at her establishment. This “behind the scenes” politics allowed the withdrawal of Mexican troops and the U.S. military’s entry into Santa Fe.
“President James K. Polk’s belief in ‘manifest destiny’ brought many, many Anglos to Nuevo Mexico,” noted Barcelo.
The consummate performer also introduced Lydia Spencer Lane and the Santa Fe Railroad’s Harvey Girls along with Carrie Tingley.
Lane kept a diary of her travels as the first Anglo woman to enter Santa Fe. Her detailed journey described the trip she made from Independence, Mo., to Chihuahua, Mexico, as the wife of a U.S. soldier.
Tingley (nee Wooster), a native Ohioan, was diagnosed with tuberculosis as a young woman. She and her mother traveled to the Southwest seeking a cure. They arrived in Albuquerque, and Carrie spent one year at the TB sanitarium there.
Her fiancé, Clyde Tingley, followed her to Albuquerque. They were later married.
Clyde served as an elected official in numerous positions. He eventually served two terms as state governor. The Tingleys were close friends with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
That relationship resulted in numerous federal Works Projects Administration jobs throughout the state including projects at Bandelier National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns, an opera house and others.
“We just love New Mexico,” Tingley told the audience, “and Clyde loves his red chile – the hotter the better.”
She paused, patted her purse and said, “Clyde would say, ‘Momma, where’s my Tums?’ and I always keep them handy right here in my purse.”
The Harvey Girls were the brain child of Fred Harvey. More than 100,000 young women, aged 18-30, worked at the restaurants that served Santa Fe Railroad passengers between 1880 and1950. The waitresses’ contracts included a clause that forbade marriage during their employment.
“Many of them later married railroad men or miners,” noted Moore. “The two most popular names for their sons were ‘Fred’ and ‘Harvey.’”
Moore brought Barcelo, Lane, Tingley and the Harvey Girls to life for an eager audience of approximately 30 area residents at the Double Six Gallery on March 24.
The performer interacted with several area residents, including Paul Milan, Brenda McBride and Filemon Vigil, during her presentation.
Milan had been served by Harvey Girls when he was a youngster traveling with his parents. McBride pointed out the importance of Fort Wingate’s contributions to Spanish and Anglo homesteaders. Vigil talked about his family’s discovery of Mexican coins in an old trunk in a relative’s cellar.
The event was hosted by the Cibola County Historical Society. It was one of two state centennial celebrations that the group has hosted this year. The other is the on-going Zuni Mountain fluorspar mining exhibit, which feature’s Vigil’s Chautauqua performances that are based on life in the Section 27 camp.
“Poor New Mexico --- so far from Heaven and so close to Texas,” said Moore as Barcelo bade the audience “adios.”
*posted at: http://www.cibolabeacon.com/women-in-new-mexico-history/article_caa13064-7a01-11e1-8c5d-0019bb2963f4.html
By Rosanne Boyett, Beacon Staff Writer
Posted Friday, March 30, 2012 in the Cibola Beacon
GRANTS –
Dona Tules Barcelo witnessed the region’s change from Mexican sovereignty to a U.S. territory.
Vanann Moore brought the Hispanic entrepreneur, a wily businesswoman, to life through her Chautauqua re-enactment. Barcelo, gaming hall owner, became the wealthiest woman in northern Mexico before the region was ceded to the U.S. after the Mexican-American War.
The gambling hall owner described the conversation and exchange of money, which took place at her establishment. This “behind the scenes” politics allowed the withdrawal of Mexican troops and the U.S. military’s entry into Santa Fe.
“President James K. Polk’s belief in ‘manifest destiny’ brought many, many Anglos to Nuevo Mexico,” noted Barcelo.
The consummate performer also introduced Lydia Spencer Lane and the Santa Fe Railroad’s Harvey Girls along with Carrie Tingley.
Lane kept a diary of her travels as the first Anglo woman to enter Santa Fe. Her detailed journey described the trip she made from Independence, Mo., to Chihuahua, Mexico, as the wife of a U.S. soldier.
Tingley (nee Wooster), a native Ohioan, was diagnosed with tuberculosis as a young woman. She and her mother traveled to the Southwest seeking a cure. They arrived in Albuquerque, and Carrie spent one year at the TB sanitarium there.
Her fiancé, Clyde Tingley, followed her to Albuquerque. They were later married.
Clyde served as an elected official in numerous positions. He eventually served two terms as state governor. The Tingleys were close friends with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
That relationship resulted in numerous federal Works Projects Administration jobs throughout the state including projects at Bandelier National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns, an opera house and others.
“We just love New Mexico,” Tingley told the audience, “and Clyde loves his red chile – the hotter the better.”
She paused, patted her purse and said, “Clyde would say, ‘Momma, where’s my Tums?’ and I always keep them handy right here in my purse.”
The Harvey Girls were the brain child of Fred Harvey. More than 100,000 young women, aged 18-30, worked at the restaurants that served Santa Fe Railroad passengers between 1880 and1950. The waitresses’ contracts included a clause that forbade marriage during their employment.
“Many of them later married railroad men or miners,” noted Moore. “The two most popular names for their sons were ‘Fred’ and ‘Harvey.’”
Moore brought Barcelo, Lane, Tingley and the Harvey Girls to life for an eager audience of approximately 30 area residents at the Double Six Gallery on March 24.
The performer interacted with several area residents, including Paul Milan, Brenda McBride and Filemon Vigil, during her presentation.
Milan had been served by Harvey Girls when he was a youngster traveling with his parents. McBride pointed out the importance of Fort Wingate’s contributions to Spanish and Anglo homesteaders. Vigil talked about his family’s discovery of Mexican coins in an old trunk in a relative’s cellar.
The event was hosted by the Cibola County Historical Society. It was one of two state centennial celebrations that the group has hosted this year. The other is the on-going Zuni Mountain fluorspar mining exhibit, which feature’s Vigil’s Chautauqua performances that are based on life in the Section 27 camp.
“Poor New Mexico --- so far from Heaven and so close to Texas,” said Moore as Barcelo bade the audience “adios.”
*posted at: http://www.cibolabeacon.com/women-in-new-mexico-history/article_caa13064-7a01-11e1-8c5d-0019bb2963f4.html
