Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1922-11-24
Oldest Man in State
Dies at Capuin; Life
Full Of Adventures

Liondro Martinez. probably tn.
Oldest man in Colorado. was buried
at Capulin. Saturday. He was l03
years old at the time Of his death.
Although there are not many peo-
pie who knew him today. there was
. time when he was the best known
man In the valley. The story Of
his life. related In fragments to the
| Journal. 10 Of remarkable interest.
In 1919 he was born In Mexico.
His parents were Of the better class
and ne received many advantages
! in his native country which most OF
his fellow men did not receive.
| While very young. he emigrated to
Texas and shortly afterward Joined
the American army In their fight
with Mexico. After his discharge
! he lived In southern Texas. But he
! was not satisfied. He had heard Of
the wonders OF the north and start
ed toward the Eutopia. Encounter
! ing two Indian tribes who were on
the war path. he thought It wise
not to try to get any further north.
and with his family started south
again. But he was less satisfied In
1 Texas. SO he went TO New Mexico.
Over sixty-five years ago he came to
the San Luis valley. He settled his
family on one Of the creeks head
ing In the west range. He brought
with him 4 few horses. some cattle
had encountered trouble In other
states. he found his life anything
hut peaceful after he moved here.
He WAS beginning to get old and
longed for rest. Al that time this
valley was infested with bandits.
most OF them being OF q lower type
OF Mexican. and marauding bands
Of Indians. They did not sympathixe
with MIR. Martinez. realizing that
he was Of the better class. Shortly
after he had settled and had his
simple crops planted. the outlaws
would visit him. beat up him and
his family. devastate his crops.
burn his house and steal his stock.
Many times. Mr.. Martinez had to
find shelter in the mountains for
his family.
In spite OF his age. he faced life
and its necessities squareiy. He
would manage to get together =
few head Of stock and by the prac-
tice OF thrift and fruEaiity. would
again be started on the road to
prosperity in . small way. But II
was the same old story. His small
homestead was sacked and he and
his family left to shift for them
selves.
At that time. herds Of antelope
and buffaloes roamed over the val
ley and were - common - the
numerous packs OF wolves. Follow.
ing the onslaught Of the bandits.
tho family would live on Wild game
and Wild fruits until Senior Mar.
tines could get farther south 10 buy
. few head Of stock and smuggls
them back 10 his little home site.
He was = familiar figure among
tho carly white settlers OF the val
Icy. Because Of his acquaintance
with the topography Of the valley.
and because Of his ability to spy. no
has on moro than one occasion
warned the early settlers OF the
planned attacks Of the bandits. In
this way. the settlers were able 70
get together and protect their
homes.
lie seemed TO take . psternai IN.
tsrsst In all the valley Inhabitants.
He visited thcm At regular inter-
walls and was always ready 70 help
them all he could. He reioiced
when they rsjoiced and wspt when
they wept. He warned them Of
drouths and Of rainy spells and ai.
ways was known a. an infaliible
weather prophet.
Although Mr. Marines was never
naturaiised. he was always . Law
abidins and peaceful citizen. No
doubt his influence has been felt
BY many people Of bis nationality.
Mr.. Martines was . very modest
man. Only after he had known pso-
pie for many years would he tell Of
bis adventures and expsrieness. and
then, after mseh perssaslon. His
stories Of the Mexican war. his ex.
periences with the Indians IN Texas
, and New Mexico and with the ban.
dts IN the valley. make aii the
Nick Carter stories seem lite pjnk