Newspaper Transcriptions
White Oaks Golden Era
Submitted by Ed Carlson
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The 'White Oaks Golden Era' was to the best of my knowledge the first newspaper in White Oaks, New Mexico. Ann Louise McGinnis - A.L. McGinnis - was involved with the publication of that newspaper after her move from Kinsley, Kansas about 1883. A.L. and her husband, C.C. McGinnis, were owners/editors of several different newspapers in Illinois and Indiana prior to the death of C.C. in 1872. Ann then joined with her parents and most of her siblings in establishing what is now Kinsley, Kansas in March 1873.  She started the first newspaper in Kinsley, the Kinsley Reporter. From Wikipedia: In 1879, following the discovery of gold and coal in the Jicarilla Mountains, White Oaks sprang into existence from nothing. It was frequented by notable Old West personalities, including Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and Shotgun John Collins. Jonathan H. Wise established the town's first newspaper in 1880, called the White Oaks Golden Era.
Regards,
Ed Carlson

March 28, 2010 SEQ CHAPTER Golden Era

New Mexico as a State; The Development of Its Resources, and the Elevation of Its People.

White Oaks, Lincoln County, N.M.

June 5, 1885

Page 1

Columns 1 and 2

Advertisements

Column 3

CAMP and COUNTY.

‘Tis a very chilly day when White Oaks people won’t turn out to a first class entertainment.

The performance at the hall Friday evening was fairly well attended, and was the best entertainment ever given in the Oaks.

June 12, 1884

Column 3

CAMP and COUNTY

The first mail for almost two weeks arrived in White Oaks Monday morning, the 9th, inst.

W.F. Blanchard has returned from the Gallinas mountains, where he has been surveying mining claims.

Column 4

Hadgens vs. Langston, tried before Justice Blanchard, on Saturday last, was decided in favor of the plaintiff.

We have received mail in White Oaks, two days in succession, but this morning the same old cry - no mail - was heard again. How long will this state of affairs exist? We give it up. Ask the postmaster.

Mr. E. Hough, has accepted a position on the Times, Des Moines, Iowa, as business manager. We predict that the paper will prosper under his management. Hough is a royal good fellow, and his New Mexico friends will regret tht he has concluded not to return to New Mexico.

June 19, 1884

Column 3

CAMP and COUNTY.

No mail from the east, since the morning of the 16th.

June 26, 1884

Column 3

CAMP and COUNTY.

July 3, 1884

Column 3

CAMP and COUNTY.

Mr. and Mrs. Patty and Mrs. A.L. McGinnis are visiting on Eagle creek, at Capt. Brazil’s.

During the absence of the regular organist, Mrs. E.W. Parker, D.J.M.A. Jewett presided at the organ last Sunday.

Lincoln, Lincoln County, N.M.

July 24, 1884

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS

Column 6

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

July 17, 1884

July 31, 1884

Column 3

Col. D.J.M.A. Jewett came up from White Oaks Monday, and made the ERA a pleasant call. We are always glad to see you, Colonel.

Column 5

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

August 7, 1884

Column 3

COUNTY NEWS

Column 4

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

This section of the country is needing rain badly.

August 21, 1884

Column 3

COUNTY NEWS

Page 4, Column 4

A very pleasant party was given at J.A. Brothers’ on last Thursday night, in honor of Messrs. McPhersons and Mr. Frank Conger. Although an impromptu affair, a large crowd were present to pay their respects to the “boys,” who are deservedly popular among those who know them.

August 28, 1884

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Page 4, Column 3

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

Grass fine.

Plenty of rain.

September 4, 1884

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS

Two loads of water melons passed through yesterday on their way to White Oaks.

September 11, 1884

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS

Column 3

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

September 18, 1884

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS

Column 5

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

Mrs. Keeley, Miss Ada Keeley, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bond and Mr. Henry Patterson and son have gone to the Bonito trout fishing.

The following gentlemen were recently elected school directors of this district. Sam’l Bittler, Judge Blanchard and Ed. R. Bonnell.

September 25, 1884

October 2, 1884

October 9, 1884

October 16, 1884

October 23, 1884

October 30, 1884

November 6, 1884

November 13, 1884

November 20, 1884

Page 1, Column 4

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

November 27, 1884

December 4, 1884

Column 4

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

December 11, 1884

December 18, 1884

Column 3

COUNTY NEWS

Column 5

Two weeks ago Charlie Buford, Dick Young and Ed. Keeley, of White Oaks, wouldn’t have weighed more than a side show fat woman, all combined. Now each one separate would not exchange places with President-elect Cleveland and take it as an offense if any of their friends whom they meet on the street do not smile and call them dad. Each and every one of their households have been visited by a tender bud of promise who can never vote until Ben Butler and the woman suffragists prevail. But they will make a noise in the world all the same, and by and by this trio of hilarious parents will be grumbling at the amount of new shoes and coil oil these little darlings consume.

December 25, 1884

Column 4

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

The old settlers say that the recent snow fall is the heaviest ever known in this portion of New Mexico.

January 1, 1885

January 8, 1885

January 16, 1885

January 22, 1885

January 29, 1885

February 12, 1885

Column 5

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

Col. Jewett and party have not started on their surveying trip as yet on account of some necessary papers not having arrived. They will make but one post office and then the boys will look eagerly for numerous letters from their lady friends. Conger says if he should cross the trail of his girl, who is pintoed, he would leave the outfit and pack his burro for Boston.

February 19, 1885

February 26, 1885

March 5, 1885

March 12, 1885

Column 6

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

March 19, 1885

Columns 5 and 6

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

Column 6

W.F. Blanchard too Col. Jewett to Ft. Sumner, where they met the boys. The boys are all well and happy. In a letter from one, he says they have a burro in the outfit and will take bets two to one that it can masticate more periodicals, newspapers, towels and soiled hoisery than any other burro in Lincoln county, and with other good accomplishments makes him a general favorite.

March 26, 1885

Column 3

COUNTY NEWS

Column 5

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

April 2, 1885

Column 5

WHITE OAKS ITEMS

John A. Brothers met with an accident on Monday morning trying to clean out a stove pipe with powder. He is suffering somewhat with his eyes on account of the accident.

April 9, 1885

Page 1, Column 4

We took a run over to White Oaks Friday, the first time out of town for over seven months. We went nearly on purpose to see the babies. Every baby in the town was the prettiest and cutiest we ever saw. Now, this will make the mothers have a splendid opinion of us. We wouldn’t dare say anything else, for what little experience we have had with the fair sex, we are compelled to admit that they are the boss of all they survey. We remember that when going to school we had a little spat with one of these sweet-eyed, modest little girls and she threw an ink bottle at us. We have cause to remember this, for a large scar on our forehead often puts us in mind of those pleasant hours spent while going to school. Then since we have been married - but his doesn’t interest anybody but ourself and we can assure you it is mighty interesting sometimes. Oh, woman you are a snare.

Column 5

WHITE OAKS -- April 6 th.

The sides of the mountains and hills are getting green.

The county commissioner of this place, Uncle John Brothers, went to Lincoln Sunday.

April 16, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

April 23, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 2

WHITE OAKS -- April 19th

April 30, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 4

WHITE OAKS -- April 27th

The surveying party are heard from, from time to time by their many friends here, and they expect to be back between the 5th and 10th of June. The party have all had good health since their departure.

May 7, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 5

WHITE OAKS -- May 4th, 1885

May 14, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

May 21, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

May 28, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

June 4, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

June 11, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 5

WHITE OAKS -- June 6 th

W.F. Blanchard and family will move out on a ranch in a few weeks in the neighborhood of the Tucson mountains.

June 18, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 5

WHITE OAKS -- June 16th, 1885

June 25, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

July 2, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Page 3, Column 2

PERSONAL AND IMPERSONAL.

From the New York Morning Journal.

Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, the philanthropist, is fond of old fashioned hymns that she proposes to organize bands of sacred minstrels to travel throughout the country.

July 9, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

July 16, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

The boys of the Jewett surveying party: Pete Reid, Frank Conger, Oscar Dyer, John Woodland, Geo. Ulrick, Emil Ozanne and George Critchfield, returned to White Oaks, after a four months trip into Texas, Tuesday of last week. On their way home, they suffered greatly from thirst and hunger, going thirty-six hours without anything to eat and twenty-four hours without water. Two of the boys got so low that their tongues became swollen and they could not talk. The outfit tells some pretty tough stories. We will give two of them as samples of the kind they are dealing out of which they have a full stock. We questioned their veractiy, for the reason that we dislike very much to prevaricate and Oscar Dyer thought we were too particular. Here they are: After running out of eatables and becoming so weak that they wished they were home eating cake, they cooked a tender three-weeks old burro, and ate ravishingly thereof. No. 2. Frank Conger was telling us of a turtle he caught along the banks of Red River, three hundred miles from any settlement, that weighed 156-1/2 pounds. Upon asking him how he knew that its weight was exactly 156-1/2 pounds, being miles from where a monster of this size could be weighed, he scratched his head and looked sad, and a broad smile was noticeable on the faces of the bystanders. Pete Reid, in that dry way of his, said: “Why, Frank, don’t you remember that fish we caught that took two burros and a mule to pull out?” Well, we weighed it by its scales!” “Certainly, I remember it, “ said Frank, “as well as if it was yesterday, but what took me aback was the cheek these newspaper men have in questioning the ‘hard, frozen facts.’”

Column 4

WHITE OAKS -- July 13.

Col. Jewett and the surveying party returned after a four and one-half months trip on the staked plains. The boys do not care to go again in that part of the country at least.

July 23, 1885

New Masthead

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS

July 30, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

August 6, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Page 1, Column 4

WHITE OAKS -- August 3rd.

Jno. A. Brothers has put a new kitchen at this restaurant. It is quite an addition as well as convenience.

August 13, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 6

WHITE OAKS -- August 10th.

Col Jewett went out on Sunday night’s stage to Santa Fe.

August 20, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 4

WHITE OAKS - August 18th.

August 27, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

September 3, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

September 10, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

September 17, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 4

WHITE OAKS -- Sept. 14th.

September 24, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

October 1, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 6

WHITE OAKS -- Sept. 29th

Mrs. McGinnis, Messrs. Watson, Feast Seymour and Armstrong have been in from Nogal during the past week.

October 8, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 6

WHITE OAKS -- Oct. 6 th.

October 15, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

October 22, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

October 29, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 6

WHITE OAKS -- Oct. 27.

Mrs. Ed. Keeley came into town on Saturday from Nogal. After the boys get through haying, there is a large party going out to Nogal and have a good dance.

November 5, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Our space is so limited this week that we are compelled to leave the White Oaks communication out.

November 12, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

November 19, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 6

WHITE OAKS -- Nov. 16.

Col. Jewett has returned from a trip to Ft. Sumner, where he did some surveying.

November 26, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

December 3, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 4

WHITE OAKS -- Nov. 30.

December 10, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 5

WHITE OAKS -- Dec. 5.

Uncle John Brothers has just completed a well, struck a good vein of water, in gravel, at a depth of sixty feet.

Our little town is gradually improving, a number of our old citizens are making substantial improvements, and all have work that want it.

December 17, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

December 24, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

Column 5

WHITE OAKS -- Dec. 21.

December 31, 1885

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

EPITOME OF THE YEAR

Mention of the Most Important Happenings

IN LINCOLN COUNTY DURING

THE YEAR 1885.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

February 4, 1886

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.

olumn 4

WHITE OAKS -- Feb. 2.

February 11, 1886

Page 1, Column 3

COUNTY NEWS.