Old Chisum Days
Mike Smith
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It’s early June in Roswell and that can mean only one thing: the town is getting ready for the big event.
Just this morning 100 longhorn cattle were driven up Brasher Road, Southeast Main, the West Relief Route, and Atkinson Avenue towards the Roswell fair grounds and the Bob Crosby Arena.
That’s right, it’s time for the second annual Old Chisum Days!
What, did you think I was talking about the UFO Festival or something? (This is John LeMay by the way filling in briefly for Mike Smith).
Yes, before Roswell was famous for aliens it was better known historically for being home to legendary cattlebaron John Simpson Chisum’s South Spring Ranch. Chisum, “Cattle King of the Pecos,” came to the Pecos Valley in 1867 with nearly ten thousand head of cattle. He first set up a ranch north of Roswell but later moved to more permanent headquarters at South Springs Ranch south of town. Chisum would be a prominent figure in the Lincoln County War (as one of the good guys) and in New Mexico history in general.
John Chisum died December 20, 1884, and was laid to rest in Paris, TX, the town he founded. His memory is forever immortalized in the 1970 film Chisum, in which John Wayne portrays John Chisum, and by a bronze statue in his image that stands in downtown Roswell today.
Chisum and the days of the old west will be celebrated tomorrow in Roswell with an Old West Parade at 10:00 A.M., and after that New Mexico’s Largest Stickhorse Race will begin at 11:30, followed by a Dutch Oven Cook-Off and a Pedal Pushers Tractor Pull at noon.
You can even take a tour of Chisum’s ranch Saturday from 11:45 AM to 1:30 PM and Sunday from 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM via bus. There’ll also be a big rodeo Saturday night.
(Be sure to check out the commercial for last years Old Chisum Days here on Youtube.)
So faithful readers (all five of you) if you happen to be in Roswell this weekend be sure to check it out and see why Roswell is a town of both cowboys and aliens!
—John LeMay
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Reader Comments (3)
Do you have any idea as to who sculpted the statue of John Chisum? It's FABULOUS!
I can hardly wait until our next visit to Roswell! I want to see more of the Chisum history --- already know about the aliens! Come to think about it, some are here at Hopkinsville!
You're from Hopkinsville! I had a bit of help from Lucky Sutton's daughter, Geraldine Stith, in writing an article entitled "Monsters in the Woods" in the Roswell Edition which mentions Kelly's Little Men, check it out sometime and thanks for reading!
He said Geraldine Stith spoke as did the former highway patrolman, who investigated the incident, and felt the highlight of the day was the bus trip to Kelly to view the actual site. Needless to say, he thoroughly enjoyed the symposium and all of the people involved, but felt one man (I'm sorry, I cannot remember his name) who made fun of the entire situation, and called us residents of Hopkinsville "hicks."
I will have to say, however, living so close to Ft. Campbell, one does see some odd things in the sky, and some other oddities on the ground. But, that said, I do enjoy living here at Hopkinsville.
Maybe there will be another symposium about Kelly soon, and you can attend. I would like to meet you. Keep up the good work. I really enjoy your articles.