The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1906-01-17

the desperadoes. The country, how
ever was rapidly becoming civilized
and he moved again in 1879 to FIT. Ell.
lott, Wheeler county, Texas, where
he served as deputy sheriff and depu-
ty U. S. Marshal.
Bravery.
Here again the bravery and fdel-
ity of the man was called forth. In
1879, Mr.. Poe received the nomination
for sheriff of Wheeler County, but
element voted solidly against him.
The cattle men Their employed him
to assist in protecting their interests
The "Billy the Kid" gang had been
making raids across into Texas, so
in the spring of 1881, the COW men
sent Mr.. Poe to New Mexico to see
if he could not break up the gang.
He reported to Pat Garrett, then sher-
iff of Lincoln county, New Mexico, re
Gently U. S. Collector of customs at
E Paso, Texas.
"They soon formed a close friendship
and worked well together and were.
together when Sheriff Garrett killed
"Billy h Xii" at Fit. Sumner. Gar
rett refused to run for reelection to
the sherif's Office, SO Mr.. Poe was
elected his successor In 1882, and re-
elected in 1884, with only 1876 votes
against him, in the entire county.
while he was sheriff, two of his
deputies, Johnnie Hurley and Jasper
Corn, both brave men were killed
while in the discharge of their duty.
Learns Irrigation.
"In the spring of 1882 he formed a.
partnership with Frank M. Goodin, |
and started the O & Goodin Cattle |
Company, with Poe as I'M
til 1885, when they sold out. The en-
terprise proved profitable t them
both. In 1886 he took an extended
trip through South America, where
he gained some valuable information |
on the subject of irrigation.
con his return he purchased SIS
acres of raw and near Roswell, and
made of it one of the prettiest stock
farms in the world. 1t is today a part
of the famous Led Stock Farm.
In 1890, the Bank of Roswell was /
organized, and Mr.. Poe became one of
it's extensive stockholders. In 1893
ne was elected president, which po-
sition he held until h sold his inter-
est in the institution. In 1894, he put
ZIP the building now occupied by the
First National Bank, which he sold
at the same time he sold his interest
in the bank.
In 900 he nounc that he would
organize a bank with $50, 1000 capital
and aimed to retain a controlling in
terest. Almost at once he had ap-
plication for over $780, 900 of the stock
So h Citizens National Bank was
organized with John w. Poe as presi=
dent, and November 18th, 1900 it op-
ened for business. 1t has made a
growth and is to-day regarded
one of the solid institutions of the
territory.
Prominent Mason.
Mr.. Poe is one of the most promi-
nent and valued members of the Ma
Fraternity in New Mexico and
has an interesting Masonic history.
When a lodge of Free Masons was or
ganized at FIT. Griffin, Texas he was
first man to be initiated.
when a chapter of Royal Arch
was the first on the first team to go
through, and when the Commandery |
of Knights Templar was instituted, |
he was the first to receive those de-
grees. These were conferred upon
and a class of nine other Royal |
Arch Masons by Col. Max Frost, of
Santa Fe and by the late General Ed
l.. Bartlett, who visited Roswell |
for the purpose, under commission
from the Grand Encampment of
Knights Templar of the United States