The story of Oliver Lee Memorial Park begins with the adventure of a french immigrant, Francois-Jean "Frenchy" Rochas. In the early 1870's he left France, immigrated to the U.S. and eventually built a rock cabin at the mouth of Dog Canyon. "Frenchy", a loner, used the water coming out of Dog Canyon (he owned the "homestead rights") to plant fig and fruit trees as well as a small vineyard. He was a trained carpenter in France and it is believed it was "Frenchy" who mysteriously arrived in Santa Fe in the 1870's and built the miraculous "hanging circular staircase" at the Our Lady of Light Chapel. The Sisters of Loretto credit Saint Joseph, also a carpenter, for the engineering marvel. Scientific analysis of the staircase wood identify it as a type not grown in the U.S. but rather growing in France. A manifest has been located which attributes "Frenchy" with bringing the wood into the country. The staircase has 33 steps (the age of Christ), constructed with only wooden square pegs (no glue or nails), makes two complete 360-degree turns, stands 20 feet tall and has no center support. There were no reports of anyone seeing the man come or go during construction and he left upon completion before the Mother Superior could pay him. |
After Christmas of 1894, Frenchy was found dead with a bullet in the back. At the time a rancher, named Oliver Lee, having owned nearly a million acres of land from Dog Canyon to El Paso wanted exclusive water rights out of Dog Canyon and historians think Frenchy was murdered in a dispute. I know who dunnit'! Very sad, especially since I am very fond of crepes!
The infamous Oliver Lee was indicted in the murder of a fellow, competing rancher on the other side of the basin, has a shootout with the famous Sheriff Pat Garrett (Billy the Kid fame) and manages to get acquitted of all charges. An American scoundrel! Oliver Lee continued his glorious ranch, lost it in bankruptcy after the Great Depression, then rises from the ashes to become one of the most famous politicians in New Mexico! A true American success story! You gotta love a winner. Go Hillary!!!!
The infamous Oliver Lee was indicted in the murder of a fellow, competing rancher on the other side of the basin, has a shootout with the famous Sheriff Pat Garrett (Billy the Kid fame) and manages to get acquitted of all charges. An American scoundrel! Oliver Lee continued his glorious ranch, lost it in bankruptcy after the Great Depression, then rises from the ashes to become one of the most famous politicians in New Mexico! A true American success story! You gotta love a winner. Go Hillary!!!!
Shona and I take a "chill" day. We hiked into the canyon along the arroyo and were amazed the oasis that grows in a desert when reliable water can be found. I read a book and enjoyed the fact that no phone or wifi service was possible. The campsite had less than a dozen campers and my neighbors have come from Nashua, New Hampshire. Small world!!! |
The sun was going down and the beautiful golds began popping out of the Sacramento Range. Just a few more minutes and it was sunset and time to reflect on how much sky there is out West!! Beautiful!
Moss never has a chance to grow under Clark Griswold's feet; we're on the road North tomorrow!