Page 82 - Ninety Miles From Nowhere

A mile or so north of the Benton residence, Mr. Johnson had a large tri-level house on the hillside with a four-car garage underneath. The house is now occupied by Marvin Ake. The caretaker was Slim Fullingim who later became sheriff of Socorro County and whose wife taught in the Socorro Schools when I did. Slim took care of the place in the absence of the Johnson family, then when they came out to spend a vacation, he took care of them also. He had the reputation of being a very fine cook.
Another cowboy at the ranch was Kub Barker. He took me to a dance once at Eagle Guest Ranch in Datil, owned by Lee Coker. Kub later married Gracie Baxley, another teacher in the Socorro schools when I taught there.
I had a job in Bingham (still in Socorro County) for the fall. Until then I did some remedial tutoring in Magdalena where I renewed my friendship with Dora Elsie Ladd of Claunch days. At some time during the intervening years since we taught together, she had married a druggist named Hardin. He once had a drug store in Socorro, but at that time he owned a drug store in Magdalena on the corner of Main Street and U.S. Highway 60 - now known as Evett’s.
“High Pockets” and “Half Pint”
Warm Springs pool which gave the old fort its name.