Document text
hedfield, Georgia B.
lioswell, Mew Mexico
."41411'azAli
1-13-39 JAN =191
aords (10o
Subject: Elizabeth Garrett.
Jouree of Information:
Elizabeth Garrett and
J.ersonal knowledge of
biographer.
L
usloian, 'uthor, and Composer of tat. bone
°O Fair New Mexico" and. Numerous other .,ongs of
The Southwest.
0111•60.1110.111101,
Elizabeth Garrettioswell musician, composer, and author of
the ,tate'ong 0 Fair NOw Mmxieo and numeroum other songs of the
-outhwe t is the daughter of j'at Garrett, and ielinariGutierrikAmLL44-
he was born at Lae. Greek, above the Ruidoso, in the Ubit. Lam.
taint of New 'Lexie°.
V'hen an infant she moved with her parents to a ranch home five
miles east of hosvell.
"14 childhood days on the ranch were happy neither constrict-
ed nor restricted," states Liss Garrett.
Nven though blind, since early childhood lie led an active out-
door life rode horsebmch, ma found pleasure and happiness in all
other active amunemente and sports trA.th her brother and sisters.
"Une of my earliest recollections of composing wan when swing,.
ing on a limb of an apple treti,, in h].00i, one sprine," said i'Ase
Garrett, during an iitervie 1 which eh cave an interestir- story
of her early life.
"Now i never catch the odor of apple -blossoms that I don't feel
again the lefy shadows, under the trees, and the bright sunshine,
nrd hen: the birds that called to each other from tree to tree. The
song I composed was about the a-I:isle blossoms and the bees that were
buzzing around the tree."
2
iZLizabeth Garrett spoke in prai e and aft eotion of her brave
father who accomplished a ereat deal as a peace officer, and holds
a tender place in the hearts and memory of the people of froutheaet
New Mexico for putting an end. to the dreaded outlaw and ear 1;
descradO known an Billy the Kid.
Nuite frequently," said 141ss Garrett, "my father had to bring
harmony with a run. I always have tried to do so by carrying a
tune." Az a verr small child she showed uzkusual musical talent,
which she inherited .from her mother whr was descended from bpanish
musicians.
't six years of age aizabeth's father placed. her in a school
for the blind in ;oletin, Texas, where her musical education was be-
gun. After graduating with honors, :he continued her music under
the best teachers in Chicago and New Iork, paying her own way by
her compositions and teaching. nor voice is a dramatic soprano.
‘hen hearing 4Aisabeth Garrett singing the state song "U Fair NOW
Mexico" with her own people, one in completely carried away. Than
to listen to her sing the musie of the Old iasters The Birth, .peath
and 14surrection of the ;Avvicr, is like a benediction.
Miss Garret has been enthusiastically received ii all the large
cities in the United Azle's. has been much fiited and honored,
but no matter how much they fate her how greatly honored they
can not keep her, foeDanehter of the -set", as she is, she always
returns to he: e.loved New Mexico. Lew Lexie() is proud of ;Alta-
beth Garrett. Roswell people feel that 11,e belongs to them, for
here she has built her "Dream.House", and here she will live her
life and 'write in song and music, the vtories of her people and
the land she loves.
To really know llizabeth (iarrett, Ale sivnil& see her in her
home. Her five room stueco adobe houte, "La Citee, at 102 ko.
liaa avenue hem all the eolor and atmosphere of the early.dwy zpanish
ardhiteeture, interior decoration and furniehing. The living room
is bright and cheering (no shades are ever drawn to exclude the wull.
light here) and there are flowers everywhere, with a soft blending
of bright colors gold predominating in draperies, rigs and pic-
tures.
There is a corner fireplace which speaks plainly of being the
center of interest, and eun symbol designs and Thunder Birds adorn
the andirons and door knocker made especially for this home by Colo-
nel "'ootty" Andrew *ping gifts of Mr. Joe Strong and his mister
'Ars. eter Nelson.
"Lost everything my home are gifts from friends," state*
Elime,et Garrett.
"Many are from my dearly loved 6ister i'auline who lives at Iasi
Cruces."
The gentle touch of her seeing hands showed me each prised
treaaure. A hand painted tray a "paniah -,4211orita", the work
of an artist friend, held the plaoe of ::onor over the fireplace,
There was a splendid painting "1;ianll ;)o Fonso" by Bezel Lawton, a
framed 'estern picture with song "Uut In New Mexico" by Annie
Laurie .41.orf, that was put to musie by Mlizeheth Garrett, and many
articles of gift furniture a 4anieh vase, inlaid coffee table,
stools, ohairs, lamps, and bright oolored Navajo rugs. Al]. these
rifts aeemselated for the "jream house" longed for, planned for
and at laat come true, in ,A11 its quaint artistry of construction.
L4r- ost
The home is dedicated to4olinari Gutierrez, Ariseboillit-GarrettS,
4
oesm4isses who passed on to a home in the Great Beiend, two weeks
after a visit to her dauchter in Losoell, where as the Widow or
.12at Garrett, the famous pioneer peace officer of the ..4outhwest,
she was the gueet of honor and proclaimed. "...aeon of the old. Timers"
for the Old Timers' celebration of 1976.
The three hobbies of Llisabeth Garrett are the theater, swi*..
mine and housekeeping. As a housekeeper, she is a constant marvel
to her friends. There are no homes in which there are more highly
polished floors, or shining windows. There are no more beautiful
ironed clothes than those done by the hands of this musician, who
does everything :he attempts equally as well, ao playing and sing-
ing or composing of son in the career she has chosen.
lets of laizabeth Garrett are Teenie, her "oeeing 'ye Dog"
that is her constant oompanion -"Jerry", a canary that sings gaily
in the sunshine of a big window and "bmutty", a oat that con.
sidero himself master of the house, juaing by the attention demand-
ed by him from the other members of the household.
The wonderful "eeinc ye Joe, is from a doE training school
in .orristown1New Jersey, where the most intellieent animals they
can secure are trained at guides for the blind. LIAM Garrett and
her dog are familiar ftnil interesting subjeots of attention, as the7
are seem almost daily, eoen in the moot traffic -congested di2tricte,
where the keen eyes of the doe are ever watchful of every step of
the adored mistress.
The home of =oliaabeth Garrett, ::.ars.n.ned by her with the assis-
tance of erank otanhardt, architect is typical of the unueuel cha-
racteristics and indiveduality of thir true "Daughter of the .i,ent",
who ha n gone far, aocompliehed much, end is one of the most beloved
5
women of New Nexlea. 'NA me her father at (Jarrett was one of
the most useful and beloved of men.