Lynda A. Sánchez - Apache Legends & Lore of Southern New Mexico: From the Sacred Mountain

The Apaches gathered about the campfires within the teepees in winter to hear legends and lore of their past, their heroes exploits and their ancient beginnings. Photo by Mary Serna.

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC 29403

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2014 by Lynda A. Snchez

All rights reserved

Front cover: Sierra Blanca, Mary Serna; Apache Dancer, Eric LeDuc; Percy Bigmouth, authors collection.

First published 2014

e-book edition 2014

ISBN 978.1.62585.038.6

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Sanchez, Lynda.

Apache legends and lore of southern New Mexico : from the sacred mountain / Lynda A. Sanchez.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

print edition ISBN 978-1-62619-486-1

1. Apache Indians--New Mexico--Folklore. 2. Mescalero Indians--New Mexico--History. 3. Lipan Indians--History. 4. Mescalero Indians--New Mexico--Folklore. 5. Lipan Indians--Folklore. 6. Indian mythology. I. Bigmouth, Percy, 1891-1959. II. Title.

E99.A6S29 2014

979.0049725--dc23

2014009997

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

I would like to dedicate this book to and express my gratitude to the family of Scout Bigmouth and especially Percy Bigmouth; the Apache people from Mescalero; the St. Joseph Apache Mission Restoration crew, along with Mary Serna and all those who love and appreciate the rich cultural mosaic represented by the legends and lore of the Apaches; and finally to all of those who choose to build bridges between and among cultures.

Author with Apache restoration crew (left to right): Tommy Spottedbird, Mary Serna, Martin Pizarro, author, Nikona Hosetosavit, Gilbert Garcia and Mary Mendez. Courtesy Mary Serna.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

No one is more passionate about preservation and history than author/historian Lynda Snchez. Lynda has been a friend and sister preservationist for many years. She is an inspiration to many who work in the history and historic preservation fields.

Without this book, many of these ancient legends that are so precious to the Lipan and Mescalero Apache people would have been lost.

It is also exciting to see a man from our community recognized. It was Percy Bigmouths deepest wish that the stories he shared with Eve Ball and wrote down for friends on his Big Chief tablets be saved and shared with future generations. Lynda has captured the heart of who Percy was and how much he loved his people and their history.

Enjoy these tales and remember well how things were not so long ago. Remember, too, how the elders used these stories to teach the children right from wrong in the Apache way.

Mary M. Serna

Director/Administrator

St. Joseph Apache Mission Restoration Project

Mescalero, New Mexico

Mary Serna, friend and sister preservationist. Courtesy Mary Serna.

MARY M. SERNA is the director/administrator of the St. Joseph Apache Mission Restoration Project at Mescalero, New Mexico. Her dedication and guidance have brought international attention to this sacred place. Marys knowledge of regional history, her networking ability, her business management experience and her photographic talent have assisted in making this incredible renovation effort a success and one that will stand for yet another century.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am deeply grateful to my husband, James, for his patience, creative intuition and suggestions.

Thank you to Percy Bigmouth for the numerous reasons already listed throughout this book and for being the man who inspired completion of the manuscript.

Thanks also to my writing mentor, the late Eve Ball, author and oral historian, and for her collection of papers, letters and photographs that I now consider my own. I shall never forget the many lessons she has taught me.

Thank you to the late Gene Neyland Harris and her family and Mary Spencer Montgomery for their interest in preserving some of the legacy of the Apache legends and lore and the Percy Bigmouth story, which to date has only been available in fragments. Their generous sharing of letters, photographs and accounts given to them by Percy has become an important part of the story.

And thank you to the following friends and colleagues: Danna Henderson for the information and wonderful historic photographs of Old Scout Bigmouth and her father, artist Dan Kusianovich (chief administrative officer of Fort Stanton Tubercular Hospital for many years); Pam McArthur, amiga especial, for her concern, comments and suggestions; Ralph Grimes, Apache enthusiast and guitar player, who has shown a great interest in the Apaches and who wanted the first ten books from the first edition; Pete Lindsley, for his photographic expertise, patience and willingness to assist in any way I asked; Mr. Eugene Heathman, editor of the Ruidoso Free Press, for his interest and willingness to share photographs; Mr. Erik LeDuc, reporter for the Ruidoso Free Press, for his willingness to share photographs; Ms. Diane Stallings, reporter and friend; Mr. Phillip B. Gottfredson of Blackhawk Productions, LLC, for allowing me the use of one of his fine poems; artist Bob Boze Bell, executive editor of True West Magazine, for use of his illustration of Billy the Kid; historic photo expert and collector Robert (Bob) McCubbin for his interest and support; and Gary Stilwell for use of his illustration of Coyote, the trickster. At The History Press, Id like to thank Jerry Roberts for his good cheer, creativity and steadfast guidance as my editor. The History Press design teams work throughout and especially on the cover is most appreciated, as is the editing work of Darcy Mahan.

A special thank-you to Mary Serna, restoration director/administrator at St. Joseph Apache Mission and Veterans Memorial, friend, high-tech guru and the go-to woman for many aspects of tribal and St. Joseph Apache Mission history. Without her, I could not have completed the manuscript. Marys photos are found throughout the book.

Thanks to Bev Strauser at the Dolan House for her support and the promise of my first book signing, Carolyn Chrisman for her good care of the manuscript and author Chuck Usmar for his encouragement and photographic assistance. Thank you to Mescalero artist Mel Herrera and others who were intrigued by my project or who sent along information, ideas and thoughts: Judy Allen; Dan Aranda; Matt Barbour, manager of Jemez Historic Site, New Mexico; Ellen Bigrope; Mike Bilbo; Ron Booher; Bernd Brand; Bill Cavaliere; John Bloom; Dorothy Cave, biographer of Father Albert; Hugh Fox; Roger Harris; Bob Hart; K.J. Herman; Cheewa James; Tresa Jameson; Donna Knaff; Dr. Ron Lipinski; Ms. Rainee Mackewich; Gene Merrell; Karen Mills; Mary Ann Moorhouse; John Moses; Barbara Pruitt; Gwen Rogers; Dr. Deni Seymour; Van Shamblin; Lee Skinner; Aron Snchez; Katherine Snchez Meador; Dr. Robert Watt, of England; and numerous other friends and neighbors who asked, When is your book going to be finished? You all helped spur me on, and thus, I hope you enjoy