Ben Romero Sr., 1973-1974

File — Box: 5, item: 140-146

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Biography of Ben Romero Sr., ancestors' origins, deer hunter, knowledge of the Mexican Revolution, social and political organizations, celebrations and festivals, dances, traditional ceremonies, exploits and deeds of thieves. Interviewed by John R. Tapia in Fort Garland, Colorado. Spanish language transcript. 24 pages.

Job as a postal clerk, how the mail was distributed, work as a sheep herder, work for the Union Pacific, employed by Senator John McGill of Wyoming, life of a sheep herder, difficulties with the animals, difficulty with snow drifts, shearing sheep, exploits of Manuel Armento, The Thief. Interviewed by John R. Tapia in Fort Garland, Colorado. Spanish language transcript. 28 pages.

Captain of the sheep shearers, the Basques, manager of sheep company, working of many ranchers, a glance at the land of Ben Romero Sr., old churches. Interviewed by John R. Tapia in Fort Garland, Colorado. Spanish language transcript. 28 pages.

Killing a bear by trickery, saying goodbye. Interviewed by John R. Tapia in Fort Garland, Colorado. Spanish language transcript. 5 pages.

Biographical background, origin (Rancho de Taos, New Mexico, 1882), employment and wages, sheep herder, Union Pacific, marriage to Maria Agustin Ortega, origin of ancestors, Father's occupation: Hunter, "Skinners," working for Senator Gale McGee, celebrations in Taos, Encounters with criminals while deputy. Interviewed by John R. Tapia in Fort Garland, Colorado. 15 pages.

Duties of assistant postmaster, duties as Campero, working for the Union Pacific, working on Senator McGill's ranch, Campero in Wyoming, sheep shearing, competition, Mormon sheep companies. Interviewed by John R. Tapia in Fort Garland, Colorado. 18 pages.

Don Manuel Armento: bandit and lawyer, captain of the sheep shearers, working as a sheep shearer in many towns, the Basques, helping his wife in the post office, operating the Kimball Ranch, buying land, planting beans, killer of wild game. Interviewed by John R. Tapia in Fort Garland, Colorado. 13 pages.

Dates

1973-1974

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.