Picacho
Peaceful Village
Polly P. Kimbrell
Conclusion by Adelina Kimbrell
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Picacho, a somnolent little village of about two hundred people on U.S. Highway 70-380 forty miles from Roswell, lies sprawled around the base of the rugged mile-high mountain peak which gave the little settlement its name. Long before Charles Godnight and John Chisum drove their herds of longhorns across the Plains of Texas to the Pecos Valley in New Mexico the native people of the Rio Grande country had brought their small flocks of sheep and goats and established their little settlement. It nestled cozily on the winding banks of the Rio Hondo protected by the walls of Picacho Peak.
Little is known of the history of some of the early postmasters. In 1894 the old adobe store, office and hotel were owned by Robert H. Parsons. It sheltered important cattlemen, lawyers, judges who had stopped over on their way to hold court at Lincoln and Old Mesilla; and one of the Territory's later governors--George Curry--who came with his wife and sons. At this time the mail was brought from Roswell by a burro-drawn buckboard, driven by Old Romero the mail driver, who changed his burro team for ponies and would haul the buckboard the rest of the way over rough mountain trails to Lincoln and settlements in the Rio Grande Country.
Romero drove the primitive way with no lines to guide the lazy burros. He kept in the middle of the rocky mountain trails to Lincoln and settlements in the Rio Grande County.
Martin Chaves in his long life was the honored leader in important affairs. His practical advice was followed throughout the exciting era of Billy the Kid and the bloody Lincoln County War of 1877-1881. Another, and by far the most picturesque character, was wide awake August Cline who was married to a Spanish lady. August Cline had white, shoulder-length hair and deep blue twinkling eyes. Though he never was postmaster this colorful German eccentric of Lincoln County was known throughout the territory as a big hearted friend. A most colorful patron of the Picacho post office.
Byrd D. Garner and Lawrence W. Garner were brothers and natives from Kentucky. They were soft spoken men and congenial with all the natives. When Byrd D. Garner was commissioned Postmaster in 1915 the mail was still brought by horse and buckboard and the driver was Porfiro Chavez from Lincoln. 1915 was a memorable year. The first mail car, or mail bus, was initiated. Charlie Porter, Gene Hedgecoxe and Paul McCutcheon drove the mail and when they came through they stayed at the old hotel and always managed to be on time for Mrs. Garner's wonderful home-cooked meals. Both of the Garners are now deceased.
Albert H. Pruitt was born in Belton, Texas and moved with his family to New Mexico when he was just a young boy. He was former mayor of Roswell and part owner of the well-known Joyce-Pruitt Company. His wife, Georgia Pruitt, was born in Fredonia, Kentucky and was half sister of the Garners, Byrd and Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. Pruitt moved to Picacho from Roswell in 1932. He operated the store and Post Office and Mrs. Pruitt took care of the hotel and dining room. They were good friends to everyone and though both were claimed by death years ago one still hears old timers say, "Albert Pruitt was best friend I ever had."
During the grim years of World War II "Old Picacho" was vacant. It seemed as though the little village had been deserted but the post office did not die. At that time Viola K. Sandoval, daughter of W. E. Kimbrel, was commissioned postmaster. She operated the post office in her home just a few years off the highway as did her sister Pauline Kimbrel who succeeded her. Viola is deceased and Pauline married Robert S. Mackey.
The historic old adobe store and hotel burned in 1946. The daughter of the late Albert Pruitt, Polly, and her husband, Fred Bowser built a new store and Post Office on the highway and Polly P. Bowser built a new store and Post Office on the highway and Polly P. Bowser became Postmaster general. Widowed in 1951, Mrs. Bowser married Richard H. Kimbrell.
In 1942 when Viola K. Sandoval was Postmaster, the post office was in her home, which was the old home of George Kimbrell. He was an Irish soldier that had come to New Mexico with the California Regiment. Viola's sister Pauline was the next postmaster. The next postmaster married Richard Kimbrell, a brother, and the last postmaster there is Josephine Kimbrell, another sister. Polly died October 1, 1972 and Josephine Kimbrel was commissioned Sept. 16, 1972.
On September 15, 1975, just a few minutes before closing time, Josephine, alone in her post office and store was accosted by unknown parties. She was very badly beaten about the head, suffered a broke nose, two critical skull fractures, and other bruises. When she was found, she could not tell what had happened. Taken by ambulance in Albuquerque. She was there until November 8, when she was well enough to return to her home in Picacho. After therapy treatments, she returned to her post office. No Trace has been found of the assailants.
| Chas. P. Fritz June 11, 1891 | Elijah W. Hulbert May 20, 1908 | Viola K. Sandoval Sept., 1942 |
| Robert H. Parsons Mar. 3, 1894 | Francisco Santana Apr. 8, 1912 | Pauline Kimbrell, Act. PM March 17, 1943 |
| William Riley June 22, 1894 | Byrd D. Garner June 25, 1915 | Viola K. Sandoval Act. PM Nov. 1943 |
| Richard R. Hopkins Sept. 22, 1895 | Lawrence W. Garner Aug. 16, 1920 | Viola K. Sandoval 1947 |
| Martin Chavez Apr. 4, 1900 | Boyd D. Garner Sept. 1924 | Poly P. Browser Nov. 28, 1947 |
| Herman Wagenfehr Dec. 15, 1904 | Albert H. Pruitt Sept. 1935 | Polly P. Browser Kimbrell, Oct, 1952. |
| Jennie Cole May 24, 1906 | Georgia G. Pruitt July, 1940 | Josephine Kimbrell Sept. 16, 197 |
| Maud M. Thomas Feb. 11, 1907 | Kivas Tully Dec. 29, 1942 |
Transcribed by C. W. Barnum ©2005