Document text
Qt•
Redfield, Georgia B.
MAR 1 4 193 8
Words 411-0
3/11/38
MRS. VARA (LUND) BONY
IN .}{OE VIN) A MUSE= FOR ROLIELL ORIGINATED
menu OF ROVsYLL'E FIRLT VCROOL.
Mrs,. f4tru (Lund) Bonney, wife of C. D. Bonney, vas the
first )erson to implant the idea of a Roovell MUmeum, in the
minds of the mseibers of the Chaves County Afthasological and
Hiatorical Society.
tince the firet day the idea was inttituted, und actual
building of the museum had begun. Ire. Bonney has been con-
tinual intpiretion in the actievement of new plans, thet have
gradually developed Into one of the finest cultural inttitu.
tiont in Southeatt Ntu kezico.
The fine Pueblo style building, that has materialized
from Mre. Bonney't original modest plans, of a one room in..
eMpentive structure, now stands is a memorial to the early
cettlers, and is dedicated to the *Pioneers and Butlders of
Roswell*.
Mrs. Bonney herself, is one of the pioneers and outstand-
ing builders, to whom ti large there of honor is due. She has
been treasurer of the Archaeological and Historical Soclety
that e)onsoreu the building of the museum, through all of the
years since its oreanization in 1930. As one of the members of
the buildng comulittee she uorked untiringly uith other faith.
2
fulmombers. until the plans for the building were set in
operation.
Yrs. Bonney realiaed that the valuable arChtsolOgical
collection which she aasisted in collecting moms of which
were donated by the State MUseum now cared for and housed in
the Roswell Museum, will be of much *duo:tit/anal value for the
citizens of Roswell and for future generations.
As the first teacher in the Roswell district. Mrs. Bonney
who *us Eura Lund- besides implanting the seeds of knowledge
in the 'Ands of the chi,dren of the early settlers, encourage
their exression in the clatural arts. In music, drama, writ
ins, and especially in Alyting,the art in which the hat showed
u nakter hand, as proved by her fine work in portraiture and
Indian life, that would grace the art collections in any private
home, or be a credit to art exhibits in lerge eastern cities
where fine art is recognized and appreciated.
Sara Lund (who ik now Ire. Bonney) was born in Canada in
186b. when a young child the moved with her parents. R. E.
Lund, and 8,Phronia(Ranoue) Lund. to Greenville.Miehigan. Whore
ahe received her early eduoation in the Greenville Public Schools
end graduated in the Greenville Normal School.
After graduating. Sera Lund, with her parents and a sister,
Maude and three brothers Fletcher,Bert. and Robert moved in
1886 to white Oakes New Mexico for the benefit of the haniiiir
of her brother Bert.
Shortly after the arrival in New Mexico of the Lund family.
3
a now, largo one room.adobo school building having a stone
fouadation, wooden floors, and a shingle roof, vas completed
nearly a halt a mile southeast, across the Hondo River free the
village that is now the City of Roswell. This building replaced
the first small sod covered, dirt floor, adobe strueture ersoted
in 18815. which was taught by Asbury C. Rogers an attorney.
A new teacher was needed for the larger and better sohool
building, which was planned to serve as Sunday stehoolechurch,
dance hall, and community gatherings of all kinds.
Judge Edmund T. Stone who settled in the Berrendo R ver
district in 187$, on hearing of the arrival in -New Mexico of
Ries Fara Lund, 'recently graduated', went to White Oaks, and
secured her aseeptance of the position of teacher of the now
school. She a000mapaniod him on his return to Potwell on the
old Roswell Lincoln stags.
Sure Lund, hapy and excited over the thoughts of the
responsibAt and important position that awaited her at the end
of what she hoped would be a Journey of thrilling adventures,
coulo eat no breaxfast.
Arriving about noon, somewhere near Pleacho, Judge Stone
approached a man at a camp fire and asked if he would cook a few
bites to eat for his young lady companion. The obliging camper
consenting, placed a frying pan on a bed of hot coals, took a
soiled red bandana handkerchief from his pocket and with it
oarefullgo wiped out the frying pan before placing in the meat.
Seedless to say, the hungry young traveler ate no lunch, Later,
some food W(41 obtained at the home of a widely known and respected
4
old German man. August Cline, ehose kindly hospitality and
generosity, °eased many travelers to stop and enjoy a meal in
his humble adobe home, presided over by a quiet, dark eyed,
little Mexican housevife.
Another adventure of the journey to Roswell was caused by
Judge Stone chomping the loudly protesting, drunken driver into
the back of the ptege coach, which he then drove into Rowell
himself.
Miss Lund Le the attractive and talented youne lady teacher
soon made many conquests and became a leader in all the pleasures
aeLier-01
ond sooial gatherings in thepoommunity.
She boarded in the home of Pat Garrett who hid bscone
famous: as the sheriff who in 188l, rid the country by shooting
the young desperado, William Bonney eho vas better known co
ft
Billy the Kid.
Miss Lund and three Garrett children her pupils, up rode
horseback to school from the Garrett ranch home, which sae about
three miles northeoat from the new school house.
name of the pupils (taught by Miss Lund) who grew up and
beoame prominent Roswell citizens were: Will and Disk Ballard.
Berta Bollard (Mrs. Jim Manning) Ann Ballord (Mrs. Jim Johnson)
Sherman. Monte, and Fred Miller. Robert and George Corn. and
Mintie Corn who married Charlie Ballard and the throe Pat
Garret children Poe, Ida and Annie.
Soon after coming to Roswell Wise Sara Lund net C. 1).
Bonney, the interesting young, early day. Indian tocut, who was
also a successful merchant and stock man, to whom she was
married December 18, 1466. This happy event ended her career
as teacher of the first Roswell District Pdhbol.
/our children were born to Mr. tad Mrs. Bonney, two boys
Cecil (who lives in Roswell) and Don (who died in 1921) and
two 6irls !lei*, who married Dr. J J. Blbek and lives in New
Jersey, and Doris, who is Mrs. Gerald St dinger living in
Moline, Unsex.
Mre. Bonney is one of the popular leaders in the social
life of Roswell. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church and
**longs to the Roewell Woman's Club, BouthwestUrn Fiktory Club,
sod Chaves County Archaeological and Historical Society.
Mr. snd Mrs. Bonney who live at 406 South Pennsylvania
Avenue, enjoy the essaftte and conveniences of s:'.modern hasio.wol_
ate surrounded by treasures and mementoes they have collected
durAat, the many jeers of their continuous residence in Roswell.
Many beautiful paintines created by the brush of Mrs.
Bonney, hang on the walls of her home. Painting as an els-
pression of her artistic temperment is it hobby enjoyed by her,
and is appreciated by her Roswell friends and especially by her
puAls, whom the teArght in the first Roswell Adstrict School.
Sours* of Informution
Mrs. C. D. Bonney in person Roswell, New Mesoo
Personal knowledge of "alter.