Silva, Luciano Frank 1968-09-17

From SWC Oral History Collection
Jump to navigation Jump to search

L. Frank Silva relates the story of Billy the Kid as his grandfather, Jesus Silva, knew him; and also general life conditions around Fort Sumner in regard to cattle driving.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Luciano Frank Silva

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: September 17, 1968

Location: Fort Sumner, New Mexico

Interviewer: David B. Gracy II

Length: None Given


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Luciano Frank Silva, Justice of the Peace, Grandfather, Jesus Silva, Died, 1940, Was personal friend of Billy the Kid, Reason for coming there, How he met Billy the Kid, J. Silva’s ride with Billy after the Kid’s jail break, J. Silva protected him from Pat Garrett, Stayed with him until Billy was killed (July 14, 1881), Frank Silva’s great-uncle was Justice of the Peace, Coroner’s jury, Jesus heard shot that killed Billy, Went to see if Billy was dead, Billy worked for Pete Maxwell, How he learned to shoot, Experiences of Jesus Silva, Picture of Billy the Kid, Frank Silva’s father’s occupation, Problems of dam, How grandfather knew Pat Garrett, Garrett’s relatives in Albuquerque, Friendliness of Mexicans toward Billy, Correspondence with territorial Governor Wallace, Lincoln County War, Crops raised.

Tape 1, Side 2: Coming of railroad (1905), Parsons Land Sale Office, Allen’s water well, People coming to buy land, Jailhouse, Adobe houses, Type of furniture, Early day lawlessness, Cattle stealing, Grandfather’s trip to Kansas, Paradise, Kansas, Fort Sumner street fights, Differences in sheep driving vs. cattle driving, Railroad arrival (again), Market for wool, Land sales operations.

Range Dates: 1880-1905

Bulk Dates: 1880-1905


Access Information

Original Recording Format:

Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:



Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.