Ben Angel
@ben3angel.bsky.social
Writer with a civil engineering background. Born in WA, lived in these states: MI (1989-91), MA (1993-4), AK (1999-2003, 05-6), NM (2007), and international: UA (1994-5), KG (2003-4), AZ (2006-7), PH (2007-8) BY (2008-10, 12-15), AR/CL (2010-2), PL (2015-)
Well, that’s all folks. Almost 10,000 posts, some 350,000 words or 2 million characters worth of New Mexico and related history. Sometimes very loosely related, admittedly, but its all helpful in determining the larger background of a family’s story, which I’m still in the process of writing.
November 30, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Well, that’s all folks. Almost 10,000 posts, some 350,000 words or 2 million characters worth of New Mexico and related history. Sometimes very loosely related, admittedly, but its all helpful in determining the larger background of a family’s story, which I’m still in the process of writing.
#ThisDayIn 1923 (Nov. 30): In hearings over the suspicious leasing of Teapot Dome, the largest naval oil reserve, to Sinclair Oil, Albuquerque Morning Journal owner Carl Magee was called to appear before Congress. He testified about Interior Secretary Albert Fall’s financial situation (center).
November 30, 2025 at 5:39 PM
#ThisDayIn 1923 (Nov. 30): In hearings over the suspicious leasing of Teapot Dome, the largest naval oil reserve, to Sinclair Oil, Albuquerque Morning Journal owner Carl Magee was called to appear before Congress. He testified about Interior Secretary Albert Fall’s financial situation (center).
#ThisDayIn 1918 (Nov. 30): After a week of willful non-compliance, resentment, and chaos, Denver authorities rescinded their mask order, effective the next day at 6 p.m. Isolation and quarantine orders were, however, made more stringent.
November 30, 2025 at 5:39 PM
#ThisDayIn 1918 (Nov. 30): After a week of willful non-compliance, resentment, and chaos, Denver authorities rescinded their mask order, effective the next day at 6 p.m. Isolation and quarantine orders were, however, made more stringent.
#ThisDayIn 1916 (Nov. 30): Thanksgiving Day. The Albuquerque Morning Journal reported from East Las Vegas: “Juan Angel, the supposed slayer of Jose Maria Chavez, is still at liberty.”
November 30, 2025 at 5:39 PM
#ThisDayIn 1916 (Nov. 30): Thanksgiving Day. The Albuquerque Morning Journal reported from East Las Vegas: “Juan Angel, the supposed slayer of Jose Maria Chavez, is still at liberty.”
#ThisDayIn 1901 (Nov. 30): La Voz del Pueblo published a resolution by the Catholic Association of St. Joseph of Las Vegas, NM: “Wherefor Divine Providence in its inscrutable designs on November 17, 1901 saw fit to remove Manuelita Tapia de Pino, at the age of 52 after a long illness…”
November 30, 2025 at 5:37 PM
#ThisDayIn 1901 (Nov. 30): La Voz del Pueblo published a resolution by the Catholic Association of St. Joseph of Las Vegas, NM: “Wherefor Divine Providence in its inscrutable designs on November 17, 1901 saw fit to remove Manuelita Tapia de Pino, at the age of 52 after a long illness…”
#ThisDayIn 1894 (Nov. 30): La Voz del Pueblo reports: “The young Juan Silva opened the most reputable saloon in the plaza. In cleanliness and care of service, it rivals the best in the whole town.”
November 30, 2025 at 5:37 PM
#ThisDayIn 1894 (Nov. 30): La Voz del Pueblo reports: “The young Juan Silva opened the most reputable saloon in the plaza. In cleanliness and care of service, it rivals the best in the whole town.”
#ThisDayIn 1884 (Nov. 30): After his legislature amended the Constitution of 1857 so that he could run again, Porfirio Diaz defeated his hand-picked successor Manuel Gonzalez Flores. The election is considered to be the start of a period of authoritarian rule in Mexico, one that lasted decades.
November 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
#ThisDayIn 1884 (Nov. 30): After his legislature amended the Constitution of 1857 so that he could run again, Porfirio Diaz defeated his hand-picked successor Manuel Gonzalez Flores. The election is considered to be the start of a period of authoritarian rule in Mexico, one that lasted decades.
#ThisDayIn 1880 (Nov. 30): Deputy Sheriff Pat Garrett raided the Dedrick Ranch at Bosque Grande. Searching for Billy the Kid and his gang there, they found instead fugitives John Joshua Webb (wanted for murder in Las Vegas), and George Davis (wanted for horse theft). The hunt continued.
November 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM
#ThisDayIn 1880 (Nov. 30): Deputy Sheriff Pat Garrett raided the Dedrick Ranch at Bosque Grande. Searching for Billy the Kid and his gang there, they found instead fugitives John Joshua Webb (wanted for murder in Las Vegas), and George Davis (wanted for horse theft). The hunt continued.
#ThisDayIn 1878 (Nov. 30): The first Santa Fe railroad tracks are laid going into New Mexico Territory along “Uncle Dick” Wootton’s old toll road over Raton Pass, the northern route of the Santa Fe Trail.
November 30, 2025 at 5:33 PM
#ThisDayIn 1878 (Nov. 30): The first Santa Fe railroad tracks are laid going into New Mexico Territory along “Uncle Dick” Wootton’s old toll road over Raton Pass, the northern route of the Santa Fe Trail.
#ThisDayIn 1872 (Nov. 30): The Las Vegas Gazette reprinted a report from the Santa Fe New Mexican: “We are informed by the First National Bank of this city (Santa Fe) that counterfeit $10 bills on various National Banks are being extensively circulated in this Territory.”
November 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
#ThisDayIn 1872 (Nov. 30): The Las Vegas Gazette reprinted a report from the Santa Fe New Mexican: “We are informed by the First National Bank of this city (Santa Fe) that counterfeit $10 bills on various National Banks are being extensively circulated in this Territory.”
#ThisDayIn 1851 (Nov. 30): Padre Alexander Grzelachowski (“El Padre Polaco,” pictured) first appeared as Parish Priest at San Miguel del Vado, replacing the 65-year-old Jose Francisco Leyva (who was accused of having gotten drunk and fallen off a horse, breaking his leg).
November 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
#ThisDayIn 1851 (Nov. 30): Padre Alexander Grzelachowski (“El Padre Polaco,” pictured) first appeared as Parish Priest at San Miguel del Vado, replacing the 65-year-old Jose Francisco Leyva (who was accused of having gotten drunk and fallen off a horse, breaking his leg).
#ThisDayIn 1849 (Nov. 30): John S. Calhoun of the Office of Indian Affairs in Santa Fe wrote to the Secretary of Interior: “Matters in this territory are in a most deplorable condition, infinitely worse than you can imagine them, and which, without being an eyewitness you cannot realize.”
November 30, 2025 at 5:27 PM
#ThisDayIn 1849 (Nov. 30): John S. Calhoun of the Office of Indian Affairs in Santa Fe wrote to the Secretary of Interior: “Matters in this territory are in a most deplorable condition, infinitely worse than you can imagine them, and which, without being an eyewitness you cannot realize.”
#ThisDayIn 1844 (Nov. 30): The day after Mexico’s Interim President Valentin Canalizo suspended Congress during what was supposed to have been a brief recess, soldiers blocked its members from entering Congressional chambers. Protests almost immediately spread across Mexico City.
November 30, 2025 at 5:27 PM
#ThisDayIn 1844 (Nov. 30): The day after Mexico’s Interim President Valentin Canalizo suspended Congress during what was supposed to have been a brief recess, soldiers blocked its members from entering Congressional chambers. Protests almost immediately spread across Mexico City.
#ThisDayIn 1838 (Nov. 30): Pres. Anastasio Bustamante rallied his citizens at the start of the Pastry War: “War has in fact been declared on the part of France by opening fire upon the city of Vera Cruz and the fortress of Uluia; on our part by our full right to repel an iniquitous aggression.”
November 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
#ThisDayIn 1838 (Nov. 30): Pres. Anastasio Bustamante rallied his citizens at the start of the Pastry War: “War has in fact been declared on the part of France by opening fire upon the city of Vera Cruz and the fortress of Uluia; on our part by our full right to repel an iniquitous aggression.”
#ThisDayIn 1830 (Nov. 30): Pope Pius VIII, the former Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati, ended his 20-month pontificate (the shortest of the 19th century) at his death in Rome from an infection of an unknown origin. He was 69.
November 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
#ThisDayIn 1830 (Nov. 30): Pope Pius VIII, the former Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati, ended his 20-month pontificate (the shortest of the 19th century) at his death in Rome from an infection of an unknown origin. He was 69.
#ThisDayIn 1786 (Nov. 30): Bernardo de Galvez, Viceroy of New Spain, died unexpectedly of typhus at his home in Tacubaya at age 40. He was the hero who helped the Americans defeat the British in Florida, and a reformist. Rumors at the time suggested that he was poisoned (none substantiated, though).
November 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
#ThisDayIn 1786 (Nov. 30): Bernardo de Galvez, Viceroy of New Spain, died unexpectedly of typhus at his home in Tacubaya at age 40. He was the hero who helped the Americans defeat the British in Florida, and a reformist. Rumors at the time suggested that he was poisoned (none substantiated, though).
#ThisDayIn 1950 (Nov. 29): Lawyer William Vincent Morrison and Brushy Bill Roberts traveled to Santa Fe to meet with Gov. Thomas Mabry. Although the meeting was to be with only historians present and no press, Mabry had arranged for a large number of reporters to be present.
November 29, 2025 at 6:32 AM
#ThisDayIn 1950 (Nov. 29): Lawyer William Vincent Morrison and Brushy Bill Roberts traveled to Santa Fe to meet with Gov. Thomas Mabry. Although the meeting was to be with only historians present and no press, Mabry had arranged for a large number of reporters to be present.
#ThisDayIn 1914 (Nov. 29): US President Woodrow Wilson named a strike board for Colorado to prevent future unrest like that of the Colorado Coalfields War.
November 29, 2025 at 6:32 AM
#ThisDayIn 1914 (Nov. 29): US President Woodrow Wilson named a strike board for Colorado to prevent future unrest like that of the Colorado Coalfields War.
#ThisDayIn 1913 (Nov. 29): The Las Vegas Optic reported that a Grand Jury investigation, overseen by Judge David J. Leahy, of the work of Traveling Auditor Howell Earnest had not been done according to any acceptable standard.
November 29, 2025 at 6:30 AM
#ThisDayIn 1913 (Nov. 29): The Las Vegas Optic reported that a Grand Jury investigation, overseen by Judge David J. Leahy, of the work of Traveling Auditor Howell Earnest had not been done according to any acceptable standard.
#ThisDayIn 1909 (Nov. 29): The Santa Fe New Mexican reported from Alamogordo: “US and District courts are in session, a double header as it were with US Court having the right of way. The first case was that of Oliver Carr, charged with unlawfully aiding Chinese to enter the United States.”
November 29, 2025 at 6:28 AM
#ThisDayIn 1909 (Nov. 29): The Santa Fe New Mexican reported from Alamogordo: “US and District courts are in session, a double header as it were with US Court having the right of way. The first case was that of Oliver Carr, charged with unlawfully aiding Chinese to enter the United States.”
#ThisDayIn 1907 (Nov. 29): The Albuquerque Citizen reported from Santa Fe: “A telegram received here from Washington today stated that the commission of Capt. David J. Leahy as US District Attorney for New Mexico was mailed yesterday at Washington.”
November 29, 2025 at 6:23 AM
#ThisDayIn 1907 (Nov. 29): The Albuquerque Citizen reported from Santa Fe: “A telegram received here from Washington today stated that the commission of Capt. David J. Leahy as US District Attorney for New Mexico was mailed yesterday at Washington.”
#ThisDayIn 1902 (Nov. 29): The Albuquerque Daily Citizen reported: “Sen. Beveridge has telegraphed to Dr. Sloan at Santa Fe that the Senate Committee on Territories will make adverse report on the omnibus bill. There will be a minority report in favor of the bill.”
November 29, 2025 at 6:22 AM
#ThisDayIn 1902 (Nov. 29): The Albuquerque Daily Citizen reported: “Sen. Beveridge has telegraphed to Dr. Sloan at Santa Fe that the Senate Committee on Territories will make adverse report on the omnibus bill. There will be a minority report in favor of the bill.”
#ThisDayIn 1882 (Nov. 29): The Santa Fe New Mexican reported: “Felix Martinez, who conferred with Mr. William Whitney and then is supposed to have swung the New Mexico delegation into line for Cleveland at Chicago, is here (in Santa Fe) on the Democratic roundup today.”
November 29, 2025 at 6:21 AM
#ThisDayIn 1882 (Nov. 29): The Santa Fe New Mexican reported: “Felix Martinez, who conferred with Mr. William Whitney and then is supposed to have swung the New Mexico delegation into line for Cleveland at Chicago, is here (in Santa Fe) on the Democratic roundup today.”