Families of El Paso

EL PASO PIONEERS

ROSTER OF ANTEBELLUM RESIDENTS

FAMILIES OF EL PASO

:THURSDAY. JAN. 19, 1961

Story of Bassett Family Told at Pioneer Meeting
Mrs. Kenneth Englert at a meetins of the El Paso Pioneer Association at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum Tuesday afternoon related the story of the Basrset family of pioneer days and showed pictures of the old Bassett lumber mill three miles cast of Monument, as it appears today. It Is hardly a ghost of its original self Mrs. Englert started her biogvraphy of this family with the year it 1860, William Howland Bassett operated the sawmill and he had plenty of experiences with the Indians. The family in a covered wagon trip west began to see Indians soon after leaving Ft. Kearuey. Neb., but they were mostly peaceful Indian's. Mrs. Englert related many of the experiences they had had as they had been told to her and did not omit a classic episode. This occurrence was after they had left the Missouri River at Plattsmouth and were following the Platte River to Denver. There was a large camp of Indians, half a mile from their camp. The next morning, as they were hitching up to move on, an Indian came riding up on a fine horse. He offered the horse and 20 ponies in addition for the woman of his choice in the party. Considering that an Indian's horses were his most prized possession, he considered this a liberal offer. The men of the party explained emphatically that they would not accept the trade. The Indian rode away displeased. But it was feared that the Indians might attempt to steal the women and they hurried on their way. The family made many moves, living in Canon City at one time and Black Hawk at another time. William Howland Bassett was an original member of the Colorado City Town Co. In their travels the Bassets saw many Indians and herds of buffalo, and one day met a traveler who had been drat in the arm with an arrow. Indians would ride along beside the wagons and try to talk to them. They^ said that, seen from a distance, a large herd of buffaloes resembled a stand of timber. Indians tried to stampede a herd of buffalo against their wagons on one occasion. : Mrs. Englert's address had more to do with Indian experiences members of the family had related; to her than with operation of the Bassett saw mill east of Monument. However, this was a mill, from which much of the lumber; used in Colorado City, now the west side of Colorado Springs, was taken and there was always danger from Indians there in those: days. It was in the Black Forest that the Arapahoe and Cheyenne Indians made their last stand in the Pikes Peak region (.Gazette Telegraph)

Clara Smith Hamon Visits Her Father's Home Is Said by Sheriff at El Paso
EL PASO, Tex., Dec. 9.— Clara Barton Smith, wanted in Ardmore, Okla.., in connection with the shooting of Jake Hamon, millionaire oil operator, is In El Paso, according to Sheriff Seth Orndorff. At 10:30 o'clock Tuesday night she entered the home of her parents, 1119 East San Antonio street, according to the sheriff.

Not Arrested Yet

She was not arrested, he said, because no warrant for her is held here, and no definite information has been sent upon which she could be held if she were taken into custody. Deputy Sheriff John Boone says the woman was in Juarez, on December 2. An investigation revealed that .she probably had crossed the international border on a ten-day tourist passport, after giving an assumed name. Boone immediately notified bin superiors, who telegraphed the authorities at Ardmore.

No Warrant Is Sent

Nothing was heard from them until Monday, when they acknowledged receipt of the telegram but did not send a warrant for her arrest. In spite of the denial of J. B. Smith, youngest brother of Clara Smith, that he was in El Paso, December 4, Deputy Sheriff Boone said he is positive the youth was here at that time, having driven to El Paso in a touring car from Ardmore. The Woman's Movements On December 5, Boone says, J. B. Smith and his father, J. L. Smith, left the residence on H.ist San Antonio street in an automobile taking; with them . large trunk. Boone says Clara Smith at that time was either in Juarez or had slipped back across the border and reached a house in El Paso.

Say Warrant Has Arrived

Sheriff Orndorff of El Paso has received a warrant from Ardmore, Okla., culling for the apprehension of Clara Smith, wanted in connection with the shooting of Jake Hamon at Ardmore, according to the woman's brother and father of the .sheriff's office. The father and son, who are living at 1119 San Antonio street, said they expected Clara would come to their home as soon as she learned of the warrant.

RENO, NEVADA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1920