Story of History of Otero County

William H. and Mamie Brantley Frizzell

William, Mamie and Eva Frizzell

William, Mamie, Eva and Thelma Frizzell

                       Early Otero County Settlers
                       Willie and Mamie Frizzell
                           submitted by Virginia

William "Willie" Haradwin Frizzell was born September 13, 1890 in Bernett County, Texas. the youngest of three children of John Talbert and Margaret Serepta Baird, Frizzell. Bushwhackers reportedly killed John Talbert in 1892 in Marshall, Texas, as he and his family were traveling from Texas to the Territory of New Mexico.

Margaaret's family had settled at Pine Springs on James CAnyon in the 1880's. Sometime after the death of John Talbert, Margaret's brother Tate Baird traveled to Texas and brought his sister and her two youngest sons, Robert and Willie to New Mexico. John Wesley , the oldest remained in Texas.

It is unknown where the family lived after arriving at the home of Tate. Perhaps they lived with the family or on his homestead. the boys apparently helped on the farm. Robert eventually went back to Texas, Margaret became ill and was taken to the Indian Agency for medical attention where she died in 1920. She is buried on James Canyon Cemetery. They said after her husband got shot that she lost her mind and went crazy.

Mamie Lue Brantley was born March 11, 1893 on her father's homestead in 8 Mile Canyon. She was the sixth of twelve children to Fredric and Sarah Jane Doggett Brantley. The Brantley's came to the Territory of New Mexico in 1885 from Llano, County, Texas. they traveled with their 3 children, Fred's brother Hiram, his wife and 4 children.

In 1898 Fred bought 80 acres of land from James Hunter on the Penasco River. Charles Arthur had homesteaded this tract of land. He sold it to a man who was living in Rhode Island at the time. Mr. Hunter bought it. Mr. Brantley purchased it for the sum of $300:00.Mamie grew up on this home place, attending school with her brothers and sisters in Mayhill. To farther her education, she went to summer school on James Canyon at the Pine Springs schoolhouse. that was where she me Willie Frizzell. They were married December 24, 1914 at the home of her parents.

the fist home of the newly weds was on James Canyon on the Baird homestead. Willie was farming for his Uncle Tate Baird. In 1915, their first child was born, Eva Norene was born. they had lived and  worked there for about two years when they had the opportunity to buy a claim in Burnt Canyon from Earl and Lizzie Paxton. they lived on the claim off and on until they proved up on it in 1920. During these years, two more daughters were added to the family. Ara Irue was born in 1918 and Thelma Ellie in 1919.

For a short time they moved back to James Canyon and farmed for Emitt Gregg. In the fall of 1920 they had the opportunity to go to work for Robert McGee whose farm was only a short distance from Mamie's parents on the Penasco River. Mr. McGee had a homestead of 160 acres in 1880. Now that he was an elderly man, he wanted a family to live with him and tend the farm and house. They felt very fortunate to get the job. Mr. McGee had a good farm and orchard and since they would be working for a share of the crops this was a good opportunity.

In December 1922, Mamie and Ara took Typhoid Fever. Ara died on January 27, 1923. After her death Mamie had a relapse and for about 30 days, those caring for her thought each day would be her last, but she survived the terrible ordeal. Her health improved and she was soon back to caring for her family, cooking for  the farm hands and helping get the crops in, especially the apples for market. The next year their only son was born, William Aris, was born October 25, 1924 and Lora Lue was born January 3, 1928.

Everyone was healthy and happy and crops were good. In September 1928 the bottom fell out. Willie suddenly became ill and was taken to Alamogordo, New Mexico for medical attention. He was diagnosed with Nephritis and died a few days later. This was a terrible shock for Mamie and her young family. She was sure Mr. Mc Gee would want her to leave and hire another family but Mamie didn't have a clue to what she would do.

Mr. Mc Gee was now 78 years old. Having no family of his own, he loved the Frizzell's as though they were his own. He begged Mamie to stay with him and care for him until his death. In return he would deed the farm to her. They remained with him, hiring local men to farm and do the chores that Mamie and the kids were not able to do. He died in 1933 at the age of 83 years. Mamie buried him in James Canyon Cemetery near the grave of her husband. They continued to live on the farm until 1935,when her brother Lee Brantley took over the farm and Mamie and her family moved farther up the Penasco to Graveyard Canyon. In 1942 she moved back to the McGee farm and John L. Parker was farming for her. In 1943 Mamie sold it and the homestead in Burnt Canyon to John L. and Leah Parker. The Parkers owned the farm at the Headwater Spring. Mamie moved into their house and they moved to McGee place. She later moved to Mayhill where she lived until moving to Carlsbad, New Mexico in 1950.

Mamie was a kind and gentle woman who portrayed a remarkable strength as a Mother and business woman during an era and in a profession that was considered a man's world. She was loved and respected by her family, friends, and neighbors. She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ and was a wonderful Christian influence on everyone that she met.

At the time of her death in 1986 she was survived by four children, fourteen grandchildren, thirty five great grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.


Submitted by Virginia Stanbrough