Fun in BTK Country

lenjlass · Newbie

Fun in BTK Country

LorettaP · Veteran Member

Wow! You were shot at while at the White Oaks cemetery, huh??? I guess rough towns never die!

Go to this link so you can see what the Wortley looks like now. http://www.wortleyhotel.com/

Or take a look at a photo here http://www.wortleyhotel.com/images/wortley-inn-outside.jpg

I don't see any granny faces, click on the "more" link below to view more emoticons.

You must tell us more about being at Mrs. Mcsween's grave that day!

lenjlass · Newbie

Thanks for the Wortley info Loretta. Yep, I got shot at in White Oaks cemetary. A friend and I were in New Mexico in 1971 staying at the Wortley and doing tombstone rubbings.One of the ones I wanted was Mrs McSweens. We drove out to the cemetary in White Oaks. We had just started applying the rice paper with tape when I heard a load Ping not far away...a few seconds later I hear more then that and a lot of granit flew off the tombstone 2 away from us. Hey, I'm from Pennsylvania...I didn't know what was going on! All of a sudden a pickup truck skidded to a stop in the dust outside the cemetary gate. A man with a sheriffs jacket on got out and was yelling "get out of there now!" He looked scared to death. We ran out and I heard something hit in the dirt next to my foot and the dirt flew. The deputy opened the door to his truck for us and we jumped in...he took off almost before we got the door closed! After we got a distance away, he explained that an older man about 75 sat up on the hill and shot at people who were "messin with the stones" and had wounded a deputy about a month prior. We persuaded the deputy to take us to the guys house by the stream in White Oaks to speak with his wife. She was a nice lady and served us waterfrom the stream with little tadpoles in it. We explained what we were doing and that in no way harmed the stones. She smiled and said what fun it would be and she saw no problem...walking us to the door to leave. I'll never forget her parting words.."have fun girls..welcome to White Oaks, but I wouldn't go in the cemetary cause he'll shoot you for sure". Needless to say I got a photo from outside the cemetary and a lot of beers back in Lincoln!

Pam

Webmaster · Senior Member

I can’t believe that man wasn’t arrested for shooting at you and the fact that he wasn’t already behind bars for previously shooting and injuring a deputy is mind-boggling! That deputy should’ve called for back up to arrest the guy instead of just hustling you ladies in his truck and driving away. In Los Angeles if you even point a toy gun or anything that resembles a gun at someone you get arrested or shot down by the law enforcement. I guess it’s a whole other ball game in New Mexico.

LorettaP · Veteran Member

Geez, I hope that doesn't deterr folks from Pennsylvania (or anywhere else, for that matter) from visiting New Mexico! I can't believe that sheriff didn't arrest the old guy who was shooting at people...I have to wonder what the heck the sheriff was thinking!!

I'm glad Pam wasn't hit by one of those bullets, that had to have been scary.

PatF · Member

What an amazing story! I've been to the White Oaks cemetary a couple of times, but in the '90s, so I have a feeling that old guy who did the shooting is guarding the the place from heaven now . . . and without a gun.
I guess I'm not too surprised he wasn't arrested. When we visited the museum in White Oaks, the first thing the marvelous guy who gave us a personalized tour said to us was, "Welcome to lawless Lincoln County."
Lawless in White Oaks, at least!

LorettaP · Veteran Member

Pat,

I was in White Oaks this past summer, and I tried to get some pics of Susan McSween's grave, and wouldn't you know it, the pictures of the graves didn't come out, they came out looking like closeup of flames...it could be that the old boy is guarding Cedarvale cemetery from a place other than heaven

I'll have to send you a copy of those Cedervale photos sometime, and you'll see exactly what I mean and I won't seem so crazy to you!

texas_outlaw · Veteran Member

That's a great story. And amusing. (Probably not at the time though...)

Don't worry, that kinda thing happens here where I live all the time.

lenjlass · Newbie

Thank you for all of your comments on my big day in White Oaks! Keep in mind this was 33 years ago and there was no White Oaks Visitors anything at that time. The deputy just told us the old guy was always hidden...never near his home no matter how many times or when they showed up. Frankly the whole feeling was just like dirty Steve said in YGI "he ain't all there is he?". I would love to see those photos of Mrs McSween's stone or anything anyone else may have...Pam

Can Chaser Kate · Veteran Member

Wow! What a Story! And I thought I'd had a near Death Experience when I was Wounded in a Drive By Shooting in CA!

I hope that Area of NM is Kinder to me than they were to you, if I ever happen to go for a 2nd Visit!

nurseypoo5 · Member

Well, i havent been to White Oaks yet, but have been to Ruidoso and Lincoln half a dozen times. In fact my family and I are going to go in August for 10 days, we havent been in about 5 years, and this will be my 7 yr old sons first trip (other then an a baby). Need to let him watch the movie Young Guns (i know its a bit violent, but i dont think the discovery channel will peak his interest, the closest thing i can think of to get him into the billy thing)...Anyway about 10 yrs ago we did visit the Whortley Hotel, we didnt stay there but we did tour it, I do believe its a nice bed and breakfast now, and we do plan on eating there the day we visit lincoln. We hope the OLD DAYS OF LINCOLN festivle will be going on then. We caught it the last time we were there and it was great fun to watch the reinactments. I also heard that the county fair will be going on there in Capitan.

I do have one question tho..and will probably post this in another forum later, but we always stay in a cabin in Ruidoso and ofcourse if youve been there you can help but notice on one of the main highways a historical marker stating TUNSTALL SHOT HERE....I have never heard this anywhere else but on that historical marker that he was shot in Ruidoso. Was Ruidoso a town back then or was it just the New Mexico Territory of Lincoln County? It seems like one helluva horse ride from Ruidoso to Lincoln.....anyway, anyone else have news on this?

thanks!

LorettaP · Veteran Member

Hi Liz,

The Old Lincoln Days happen every year like clock work, the first full weekend in August. If you are planning on staying in the town of Lincoln, BOOK EARLY. If you are planning on staying in Capitan, BOOK EARLY, and even if you plan on staying in Ruidoso, BOOK EARLY! Capitan and Lincoln have limited accomidations, and Ruidoso seems to be booked on the weekends all summer long. This coming year will be my 8th attending the Old Lincoln days, so I speak from experience....and I've already booked my motel room for that weekend as well!

I know which marker on US 70 you are speaking about, but I think that marker just basically comemmorates the general area where he was killed. I believe the true actual spot is much more difficult to get to, much further out in a remote area and is also marked as is the true spot.

Ruidoso was settled in the 1840's by Spanish settlers, but it wasn't until the 1920's that Ruidoso became a popular summer vacation spot. Around Billy's time, Ruidoso was little more than a small settlement and a trading post area.

nurseypoo5 · Member

Thanks Loretta!

I have my cabin booked for the 1rst 10 days of August in Ruidoso (cant wait to get in that hot tub and animal watch ) Its no doubt my family and I will be there probably on Saturday the 7th! Just look out for a couple of very well fed adults, a beautiful (sigh and thin) 19 yr old girl, and a cute but obnoxious 7 yr old blonde boy....and well if your not to afraid (hehehe) mosey on up and introduce yourself! Look forward to it!

thanks!

Liz

PS. Do i need to make reservations for dinner at the whortley? I understood that they dont take them?