Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1911-03-24
lola.

Saturday. March 10, 1911, was a
day which win live long in the men,
DRY Of the people Of this section.
and when they are dead and gone,
history will continue to record II as
the date of the opening of the town.
site Of lola.
About eleven O'Clock in the morn
ing the people Of the Midway dis
trict began to assemble at the Tay-
Tor store. The day was perfect
with New Mexico's perfect sky over
head, old Sol genially shedding his
life-giving rays on the scene. and a
gentle breeze, soft as the zephyrs Of
poesy. tempering the air to that
balmy state when all mankind feels
akin and gladness reigns supreme.
The lunch baskets were there too.
Big ones. mostly. but reinforced by
smaller ones. and even by the hum
bic though serviceable shoe box.
II was picnic. A jolly, genial
family affair. Everybody knew
everybody else and was glad of it.
These people had all settled here
with a determination to build up a
community to be proud of on the
desert that is fast becoming a land
of plenty. and they had titled and
irrigated till the fertile soil had ac-
knowledged their dominion and
plenteously yielded unto them the
fruits Of its inherent fertility. To
them the organization Of a town
symbolized the embodying Of the
results Of their efforcs in a tangible,
concrete form; the wrestling of civil
ization from a wilderness.
They were glad. Glad that they
had come to country where their
labor earned its reward. Glad that
they had found neighbors who were
helpful and likeable. Glad that
their community had grown to the
point where it called for some at
least Of the urban conditions.
They had long wanted a town and
saw with keen regret the failure of
two previous attempts to establish
one. Now, at last. their desire was
about to be fulfilled and they were
happy indeed to be present at the
formal opening Of the townsite.
After an hour Of that enjoyable
interchange of serious thought,
tempered with ready wit which al
ways marks the meeting together Of
our intelligent agricultural popula-
ton. hunger began to assert itself
and the baskets and boxes were re-
lieved Of their precious freight.
About two o'clock the promoters
arrived in a red devil car. Mr..
Pattberg made a lengthy speech in
which he outlined their plans, which
included starting a general store.
organizing a power company to fur
nish current for pumping. and
starting a bank. His remarks were
listened to with marked attention
and were very favorably received.
Brother Land. who has been con-
Quoting a series Of meetings for the
past week in the schoolhouse. asked
the promoters for q lot on which to
build a Baptist church. and they
promptly and graciously acceded.
A lot was given storekeeper Tay-
Tor on condition that he move his
store on to II so as to have it inside
the townsite.
Sales Of lots were then made to
practically everyone present, most
Of them under form OF contract
that If the purchasers built on the
ground within six months the lots
would be free.
Mr.. Lucas bought enough to build
large hotel. Mr.. Jingle bought
one for a barber shop. Mrs. Jingle
bought one for a restaurant.
Ths Midway people did all that
could be expected Of them to make
. success Of lola. Now 4 the pro-
moters 10 ahead with their part.
eonzumation to b devoutly hoped