Geococcyx californianus
 

Lincoln County         

It was once the largest county in the United States. In the late 1870s the so-called Lincoln County War broke out between ranchers and the owners of the county's largest general store. William Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid, became involved on the side of the ranchers after his friend and employer was killed. In the end, Bonney killed the deputy that killed his friend, another deputy, and the county sheriff. Several other people were slain in the conflict, which included the other leader of the rancher faction. His death ended the conflict. In 1878, the new territorial governor, retired Union General Lew Wallace, offered an amnesty to the combatants in order to bring a long-lasting truce between the factions. Enough of Billy the Brat. The Real hero of Lincoln County is Smokey.
 

Yucca Flower

 
Smokey

Lincoln County is Smokey the Bear Country!!
The Village of Capitan in Lincoln County has a unique history. On May 4, 1950, a discarded cigarette started the Los Tablos blaze in the Lincoln County Forest. On May 6, another fire started in Capitan Gap. These fires destroyed 17,000 acres and generated 70 MPH winds! On May 9, 1950 a fire crew found a injured little bear cub. His mother had been killed by the fire. Smokey was flown to Santa Fe for treatment. He was soon named Smokey. Let's go back to 1944. The forest Service had a project to protect forests. They had a poster featuring Smokey the Bear. That was the first Smokey. But when our Smokey The Bear from Lincoln County recovered, he was sent to Washington, D.C. A new era began in the effort to protect forests from unwanted fire. Over the next few years, millions of children all over the world read about Smokey. Smokey was a true hero. Smokey died November 9, 1976 at the age of 26. He is now and shall always be the hero of Lincoln County, New Mexico and the world.


ˇBienvenidos!

Online Data
Births Cemeteries County Death Records
Census Data  Recent Deaths  Deaths 1913 - 1919
 Post Office History History Mortuary Records
Marriage register Obituaries Corona Maverick
Lincoln County News An old Mystery Biographies
Territorial Marriages Early Catholic Marriages Military Data

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