New Mexico History/Albuquerque Reminiscing

07/29/2025

In February 1896, prominent New Mexico lawyer and politician Albert Jennings Fountain and his young son Henry disappeared while traveling from a court appearance.

Their disappearance sparked a major investigation, with initial suspicions pointing to rivals involved in a land dispute. Despite extensive searches and investigations, including efforts by Pat Garrett, their bodies were never found, and the case remains unsolved.

The Disappearance:
Albert Jennings Fountain was a well-known figure in New Mexico Territory, involved in legal and political affairs, and was known for prosecuting cattle rustlers.

On February 1, 1896, he and his eight-year-old son, Henry, were returning from Mesilla, New Mexico, to Lincoln, New Mexico, after a court case.

They were traveling by buggy and were last seen near the White Sands.
When they failed to arrive, a search was launched, and their buggy was found abandoned with some personal items still inside.

Investigations and Suspects:
The disappearance quickly became a major public concern, and the governor called in both the Pinkerton Detective Agency and Pat Garrett, the famous killer of Billy the Kid, to investigate.

Suspicion initially fell on Oliver Lee, James Gililland, and William McNew, who were former deputies and were allegedly aligned with powerful politician Albert B. Fall.
The men were tried for the murders, but due to a lack of bodies and other evidence, they were acquitted.

The prosecution was hampered by missing witnesses and a courtroom atmosphere that was intimidating due to the presence of armed supporters of the defendants.
Fall, a rival of Fountain's, even acted as the defense attorney for Lee, Gililland, and McNew.

Unresolved Mystery:
The lack of bodies and the complex political climate of the time made the case very difficult to solve.

The disappearance of Albert and Henry Fountain remains one of the most enduring mysteries of the Old West.

Many theories exist, but the true fate of Albert and Henry Fountain remains unknown.

New Mexico History/Albuquerque Reminiscing

07/29/2025

Susan Backus has arrived! Two fabulous necklaces. Fred Harvey Era and Zuni vintage elements! 😯

07/29/2025

Madrid, New Mexico, began as a 19th-century coal mining town, becoming a company town dominated by the Albuquerque and Cerrillos Coal Company. After the coal market declined following World War II, the mines closed, and the population dwindled. In the 1970s, artists and other individuals revitalized the town, transforming it into a popular tourist destination and art community.

Here's a more detailed look:

Early Days (1800s-1950s):
Madrid's history is deeply intertwined with coal mining. The town was established around coal deposits in the Ortiz Mountains and grew into a bustling company town, complete with housing, a school, a hospital, and even a movie theatre. The Albuquerque and Cerrillos Coal Company controlled virtually every aspect of life in Madrid. At its peak, Madrid boasted a population of around 2,500 and was known for its elaborate Christmas light displays, fueled by the abundant electricity generated by the coal company.

The Ghost Town Era (1950s-1970s):
As the demand for coal declined, the mines closed in the 1950s, and Madrid's population plummeted. Many residents left to find work elsewhere, and the town became a virtual ghost town. For a time, it was a quiet place with mostly abandoned buildings.

Rebirth as an Artist Community (1970s-Present):
In the 1970s, artists and others began to move into Madrid, drawn to the town's unique character and the affordable housing. They renovated the existing buildings, and Madrid transformed into a vibrant artist community and tourist attraction. Today, it is known for its unique shops, galleries, restaurants, and its annual Christmas light display, which is a popular attraction.

New Mexico History/Albuquerque Reminiscing

07/29/2025

Why haven't were heard about this? 🚩🚩🚩

A push for more organ transplants is putting dying donors at risk !!

Danella Gallegos, who was being prepared for organ donation when she showed signs of consciousness and went on to make a full recovery, is seen on July 13 in Albuquerque, N.M.

In 2022, when she was 38 and homeless, Gallegos was hospitalized and went into a coma. Doctors at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, told her family she would never recover.

Her relatives agreed to donation, but as preparations began, they saw tears in her eyes. Their concerns were dismissed, according to interviews with the family and eight hospital workers. Donation coordinators said the tears were a reflex. (Tears can be an involuntary response to irritants.)

On the day of the planned donation, Gallegos was taken to a presurgery room, where her two sisters held her hands. A doctor arrived to withdraw life support. Then a sister announced she had seen Gallegos move. The doctor asked her to blink her eyes, and she complied. The room erupted in gasps.

Still, hospital workers said, the procurement organization wanted to move forward. A coordinator said it was just reflexes and suggested morphine to reduce movements. The hospital refused. Instead, workers brought her back to her room, and she made a full recovery.

Two years later, after hearing about Hoover, Gallegos filed a complaint with HHS, which opened an investigation.

Presbyterian made the treatment decisions, but hospital workers said they faced pressure from the procurement organization, New Mexico Donor Services.

“All they care about is getting organs,” said Neva Williams, a veteran intensive care nurse at the hospital. “They’re so aggressive. It’s sickening.”

In a statement, Donor Services said that it does not interfere with medical decision-making and that hospitals are in charge of patient care. Presbyterian noted that Donor Services was responsible for managing all aspects of the donation process but said it was reviewing Gallegos’ case.

Gallegos said in a recent interview she did not remember much about what had happened in the hospital. She recalled feeling fear but not pain.

“I feel so fortunate, obviously,” she said, “but it’s also crazy to think how close things came to ending differently.”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jul/20/a-push-for-more-organ-transplants-is-putting-dying/
https://share.google/Iw6eSKmHOsmdsauyH

07/28/2025

Photo of the day!

Seen in Texas!
Credit: unknown

07/28/2025

07/28/2025

Damn right!

07/28/2025

There are 125 Allsup's locations in New Mexico. ScrapeHero reports that this accounts for 35% of all Allsup's stores. Allsup's is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, but has a significant presence in New Mexico, where it was founded.

Lcations:

New Mexico 125 (35%)
A location for every 16,776 people, in New Mexico with about 35% of the total number of Allsup's locations

Oklahoma 12 (3%)
A location for every 329,750 people, in Oklahoma with about 3% of the total number of Allsup's locations

Texas 223 (62%)
A location for every 130,027 people, in Texas with about 62% of the total number of Allsup's locations

Source: ScrapeHero
New Mexico History/Albuquerque Reminiscing

07/27/2025

❤️

07/27/2025

No joke! 😆

07/27/2025