Libbie James Patton

Then and Now
Lea County Familes
Volume I, 1979

Submitted by: Libbie James Patton

My fathers's ancestor, John Patton, came from Ireland and settled in Tennessee in 1796. His mother's ancestor, Benjamon Swingle, came from Switzerland, date unknown.

My father, David William Patton, was born September 26, 1868 in Milligan, Tennessee. My mother, Emma Edith DeGoat, was born June 11, 1867 in Albany, New York and came south at an early age. They met and married May 5, 1888.

I was born May 3, 1890 in Johnson City, Tennessee and lived ther until 1917. I came to Texas with my family for my fathers health. In 1919 we came to New Mexico and filed on 320 acres of land.

In 1911, I met Tom J. James, we married October 9, 1919 in father's home near Scott Post Office.

We lived in apartments of the drug store Tom bought from E.M.Smith. One baby was born there. He is David Patton James. He and his wife Nta live in Las Cruces where is Fire Chief on he campus of N.M.S.U.

Our days as pioneers were sometimes difficult with droughts, sand storms, blizzards; the worst was 1917. Cattle froze by the hundreds. Father lost most all of his. Two coys froze standing up.

Out trip to New Mexico from Texas was by train to Elida, New Mexico. From there mother, brother and I drove two ponies to the "surry with the fringe on top" over bare sandhills, no roads, only dim wagon tracks. We camped at Baker's Flat, our first experience sleeping out on the ground. It was so cold our breath froze on a shawl used to cover our face. The next day at noon we stopped to water and rest the horses at Ranger Lake.

The men with father thought best not to cook. Mother had one loaf of bread, large piece of bologna sausage, large can of peaches. She gave these to the men. They were frozen so solid, it was impossible to cook.

We arrived at our new house, a 14' x 14' square room with only one window, one door, dirt floor. We lived there until Spring then moved to a larger, two room house, later to become a lovely six room home.

Our entertainment was dancing and there were no roads drove across the prairie. People giving the dance hung a lantern on a mill tower for directions.

The highlight of the night was supper. One of these is most memorable. The very long table was laden with food. In the center was a baked cow's head. I was very hungry until seeing that, then I ost my appetite.

The Mr. and Mrs. had a heated argument after drinking something stronger than water. He shot out the light, stopping the dance until more lights could be found.

In 1912, New Mexico became a state, having been a territory. In 1917, Lea County was formed taking a part of Chavez and EddyCounties, to form Lea County.

My father D.W. Patton, was the first assessor of the new county and served this office two two years.

It's interesting seeing Tatum grow from one store to the town it is now, having excellent school buildings and fine teachers Tatum was the only town in the state to have a fully equipped six room Home Ec. Cottage.

In 1922, the Methodists built the first church building. We now have eight churches.

Many wonderful people have come and gone from our little town, some to their Heavenly Home. I am greatful Iv'e lived to see the changes made from the ox cart to the space age.