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Marie Carter 1100 words
Anthony, A. M.
OLD TIMERS STORIES
Harry R. Hannum life: Maud Allen Hannum
Interview: July 1, 1937
I was in poor health," Harry H. Hannum of La Mesa said, 'when my
doctor told me to 'go west young man.' That was in 1903 and the only
white people living here at the time were the Herrins, Shepards, whites
and :eads. The Meads ran a broom factory. This house I occupy is their
old homestead; I bought it from them in 1906. Ed. and Frank Harrin were
farmers; also Forest Ihite and dillard Shepard. At a later date 14r. and
1.rs. Vo_Lney Potter, who lived at Chamberino, move to La Mesa.
I came here from iennsylvania, born in Bucks County, April 10, 1873.
le've had a Norris H. Hannum in the family for four generations. My grand-
father was Norris the first; my father was Norris the second; my son is
Norris the third, and his son is Norris the fourth. I don't know how they
happened to stray from the beaten path and give me the name of 'Harry,' he
chuckled."
Mr. Hannum, who was having his home remodeled, paused to speak to one
of the workmen, then resumed: "My grandfather and father were farmers so
when I came west I adopted the same occupation. In the latter years of my
father's life, however, he became manager of a branch of the wall paper
concern, Janeway _anafacturers. iventuaily, though, he followed me to New
Aaxico, spending his last days in La Mesa, where he died at the age of
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sixty-seven, October 9, 1909. My mother was Lucy C. Engle, born at Chester,
Pennsylvania. She was a grand old lady, lived to be eighty-two and died
February, 1922. idy mother's father, Isaac L. Engle, who was a sea captain
and vessel owner, was engaged in commerce from New York to China and is
buried at Shanghai, China, I am the youngest of four children and the only
posessing descendants. I grew up in Pennsylvania —Pennsylvania County near
Doylestown. Jhen I was seven my parents moved to Camden, New Jersey. I
had a public school education then left home to learn to be an electrician
at Philadelphia. I followed the electric business for fourteen years. Part
of that tie I was employed by the General Electric Company in the construc-
tion plant.
zunly, too," Mr. Hannum smiled reminiscently, all the time I was
working my feet were itching to be on the road. I wanted adventure, to see
the world, and Jouth Africa was my goal. I got tired waiting for old man
opportunity to come around, and once I had made up my. mind that's all there
was to it. I just packed up and left. In 1895 my dream was realized. I
landed at Cape Town and found employment at Johnnesburg in electrical work.
I arrived there about the time of the Jamison Raid which was the primary
cause of the South African Aar, ending in the subjugation of the four States
of England.
Some of my employment in South Africa took me to the different mines
and the gold hills. I left there in 1897, sailing from Laurenco Yarques and
returning to Philadelphia. Then I became a travelling salesman for the
Jersey and Pennsylvania. I was doing a very good business when my health
failed and i was ordered to the Southwest."
dhen I first came to New thexico I was a tenant farmer, growing alfalfa,
but in 1906 I bought two hundred acres of the 41reno property. I also en-
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gaged in the real estate business. For several years I was a director of the
Butte dater users association and am a member of the Dona Ana Farm Bureau and
Alfalfa Growers Association. Mien I first came to La Mesa there wasn't any
bridges across the -go Grande. 6ean iioreno ran a ferry and there was always
someone around to ferry us across. This same ,doreno was a Deputy Sheriff
and two -gun man. Jean as a born dictator among his own people and his word
was law. The Mexicans never crossed him because he was quick on the draw.
He never gave us whites any trouble," Mr. Hannum said, "and we all con-
sidered him a pretty good friend. As a rule, when Jean went after a bad hom-
bre, the\re was a gun fight, but he usually got his man. He killed four
pretty bad ones in succession and every one of them bore the name of Tomas.
The last mozo he trailed was a horse thief, who had been stealing horses,
taidng them across the border, and selling them. Jean was told that he could
find the horse thief at Anthony, but when he got there the Mexican had gone
on up to Hatch. Jean caught up with him and they had a gun battle to the
death, and when their dead bodies were found, the horse thief was clutching
Jean's hair.
My son, Norris H. Hannum III is a dorld der veteran," Mr. Hannum said,
He was born at Delzkir, New Jersey, March 16, 1899. He attended State
College at iAesilla kark, New Mexico, and at the age of eighteen was a volunteer.
He entered the regular service at Tort Bliss, El easo, was attached to the
first Aero Squadron, received his early training at Columbus, New exico and
was with that part of the American Air Forces that went over seas. He saw
duty on five fronts during the war, including the Luse, the Marne and the
Argonne and subsequently was with the Army of occupation stationed at deisent-
hurn, Germany, returning to the United States in 1919. He received his honor-
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able discharge at San Antonio, Texas. within thirty days after his discharge
from the army he became associated with my merchandise business."
Harry ichard Hannum was born in bucks County, kennsylvania, April 10,
1873; His father was Norris H. Hannum II. Mr. iiannum's mother was Lucy C.
Engle, who was born at Chester, "iannsylvania. Hannum came to Hew Mexico
and located at La Mesa In 1903. For several years Mr. Hannum was director
of the 3utte dater ,-sers Association and is a member of the Dona Ana County
Farm bureau and Alfalfa Growers Association. ar. Hannum married at Dalair,
Hew Jersey, June 1, 1898, Miss Maud Allen. Mrs. Hannum was born near
dashington Court House, Ohio, but was reared at 3urlinton, Iowa. One of
her teachers was Governor Lowden, former governor of Illinois and a prominent
candidate for the presidential nomination in 1920.
Norris H. -iannum III, only son of Mr. and 1rs. Harry R. Nannum was born
at jelair, Aew Jersey, march 16, 18994 He is associated with
is considered to be one of the active younger business men of
is married. His wife was the former Miss Rena Lewis daughter
They have two sons: Robert Ray and J0rris H. Hanqum --IV.
his father and
La Nlesa. He
of John F Lewis.