The following is a recap of local events for this time period throughout history.
It has all the makings of an epic saga. The Animas River, one of the last undammed rivers to meander through southwestern Colorado and northern New Mexico, has once again been named in the top 10 of the American River organization’s endangered list. The Animas-La Plata project, approved by Congress last year, has been cited by the group as the river’s gravest threat. Building on more than 30 years of history, the fate of the river and the project now lie somewhere between environmentalists, local municipalities, Indian tribes and the federal government. “We are urging Congress this year not to appropriate funds to that project,” said Elizabeth Maclin, spokeswoman for American rivers. “We do not think that A-LP should be constructed.”
The Daily Times
Henry Tso, field coordinator in Shiprock Agency for the Navajo Tribal Work Experience Program (TWEP), was named outstanding sheep shearer at a sheep shearing workshop held Tuesday through Thursday in Shiprock. Nearly 40 persons from as far as Aneth, Utah, and Teec Nos Pos, Ariz., participated in the short course sponsored by the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Services and the Farm Training Program at Navajo Community College.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Be sure to join Aztec Museum for its season kickoff, exhibit unveiling and panel discussion: Unspun Tales: Sheep in San Juan County, from 2 -4 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026, free.
The Daily Times
Jack Farnsworth, 12, of La Plata, visiting his grandmother Mrs. E. Haynie, is confined to his bed this week recovering from a gunshot wound in the head. The bullet grazed Jack and luckily did not enter the skull. He is getting along as well as could be expected. Several persons have complained lately about boys out with guns recklessly shooting and in one instance a lady reports that a bullet passed through her kitchen. Parents should stop the practice of letting small boys play with firearms. Last summer a boy was killed. Jack Farnsworth narrowly escaped death. Let’s not have any more young folks killed.
Aztec Independent Review
With three men in the county jail at Aztec, one of whom has pled guilty, and 80 stolen sheep returned to their owner, another chapter in the history of San Juan County stock rustling seems about to be closed. The sheep were said to have been stolen from A. Jaquez of Blanco by Alfredo Trujillo and Criastimo Trujillo, with the connivance of Jaquez’s brother, Carmel Lobato. The sheep were later sold to the Sargent-Setter trading post in Rio Arriba County. The men were traced, however, caught and brought back to this county.
Farmington Times-Hustler
Dr. Howard, who purchased the Allan Pierce motorcycle last week, on his first trip out to the ranch met with a very serious accident. As he was passing the team of Mr. Franklin near the Murr place, the team crossed over in the road ahead of him, forcing him into the ditch and throwing him in such a way as to badly break his ankle. He was brought into town and Dr. Booth dressed and set the ankle and on Monday he went to Durango to Ochsner Hospital to have an X-ray taken of the break.
Aztec Independent
Rev. Geo. Hinson of the Protestant Episcopal Church is authorized to received bids for the church lot on southwest corner of Orchard and LaPlata Streets, Farmington. Offers to be mailed to the vendor on or before Tuesday, May 1, 1906. The highest bidder for cash will get the lot, provided the bid is higher than the reserved price ($450). Bids to be addressed: Rev. Geo. Hinson, Farmington, N.M.
Farmington Times-Hustler
This Week in Local History is compiled by Debi Tracy Olsen, local journalist and volunteer at the Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village. The stories are pulled from newspaper archives and are reprinted as they appeared, errors and all.
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