The Chronicles of Grant County
This column will feature items that relate somehow to Grant County - the name of a street in the case of the first one, and maybe other streets, or the name of a building or whatever catches the fancy of the contributor, Richard Donough. Readers are encouraged to send him topics of interest to them, so he can do the research and write an article.
Unclaimed Monies, Part Two
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 26 October 2021 26 October 2021
The Chronicles Of Grant County
Unclaimed Monies, Part Two
As you research whether you have unclaimed monies, there are several techniques you may want to consider using when researching information at the website MissingMoney.Com. You can visit this site by clicking here.
One of the things to keep in mind is that the system only provides 200 items for each search. Common surnames like "Smith" and "Jones" placed by themselves in the "Name" space will likely result in far more than 200 items, but since the system only displays 200 items, you may not realize that funds are owed to you. Thus, if you have a common surname, add your first name and your middle initial/middle name in the "Name" space.
Unclaimed Monies Part One
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 25 October 2021 25 October 2021
The Chronicles Of Grant County
Unclaimed Monies, Part One
You may have money waiting for you in Santa Fe (or Austin, Phoenix, or another state capital). Money owed to you that is being held by the State. But first you have to determine if you have monies waiting for you and then request those funds.
No, this is not a scam to have you part with your money. "Suzie" is not going to give you a call to let you know about your unclaimed monies. You know "Suzie?" She's the one that calls – repeatedly calls – to let you know about that auto warranty she wants to send you "before we close out your account."
"For your protection, banks, insurance companies, utilities, investment companies, and many other businesses are required by State law to surrender inactive accounts to the State," according to a statement from the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. "These accounts are known as 'lost,' 'abandoned,' or 'unclaimed' funds. The Unclaimed Property Unit serves as custodian of this money. If you can prove you are entitled to the money, we will gladly return it to you, at any time, without charge. Until the money is claimed, it is used by the State's General Funds, serving the citizens and taxpayers of the State of New Mexico."
There are number of people in Grant County that have unclaimed money. And the State of New Mexico would like to return the funds owed to local folks. "We really enjoy being able to get unclaimed property back to its rightful owners," said a spokesperson for the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. "The Department is happy to return unclaimed funds to anyone who can prove they are entitled to them."
10-Digit Calling Now Mandatory
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 24 October 2021 24 October 2021
The Chronicles Of Grant County
10-Digit Calling Now Mandatory
(This image was provided courtesy of the North American Numbering Plan Administrator, 2021.)
As of Sunday, October 24, people in Grant County need to include the regional telephone area code when making local telephone calls. Up until that date, calls could be made locally without using an area code.
This change has been implemented to allow a new 3-digit telephone number.
Most people are used to dialing "911" to contact law enforcement, fire protection, and other emergency responders. In many communities, "211" is used to provide information and referrals to callers about health and human service organizations in their area, while "311" is used to provide information and referrals to non-emergency governmental services. The telephone number "711" is used by people who have need to access the Telecommunications Relay Services, while the telephone number "811" is used by landowners and contractors to call prior to digging in the ground to avoid accidently hitting underground utilities.
These 3-digit numbers were designed to make life easier and more consistent throughout the United States.
Smallpox Part Three – Childhood Vaccination Exemptions
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 22 October 2021 22 October 2021
The Chronicles Of Grant County
"Under a magnification of 370,000X, this transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image depicts a number of smallpox virus virions," according to a statement from the U S Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. "These organisms display an internal, dumbbell-shaped structure that represents the viral core, which contains the viral DNA. This DNA acts as the blueprint by which the virus replicates itself once it is released into the host cell." (The photograph was produced by Dr. Fred Murphy and Sylvia Whitfield and provided courtesy of the U S Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, 1975.)
As some people today demand the right to not be vaccinated against COVID-19, it's important to consider how people faced an even greater danger – the scourge of smallpox – and were able to blend together individual freedoms and overall responsibilities in society.
The year after attaining statehood, the State of Arizona enacted laws mandating vaccinations of children. In 1913, the State of Arizona included Paragraph 4396 in its Civil Code:
"Each parent or guardian, having the care, custody or control of any minor or other person shall cause such minor or other person to be vaccinated."
The same 1913 Code also included Paragraph 4397:
Smallpox Part Two – Childhood Vaccination
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 21 October 2021 21 October 2021
The Chronicles Of Grant County
"The Jet Injector Gun (in photo above) and the Ped-O-Jet are air-powered medical injector devices designed to administer vaccinations very efficiently," according to the Pan American Health Organization. "Invented by Aaron Ismach, these medical devices were bought in mass quantities by the U S government and provided to governments around the world to eradicate smallpox and other diseases. (The photo was provided courtesy of the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization – © PAHO/WHO, May 28, 2010.)
One of the key disagreements regarding COVID-19 involves the mandating of vaccines for children attending school. Mandates for vaccination against several diseases for school-age children have been in place for more than 100 years in New Mexico. The goal has been to prevent a variety of diseases from affecting young people as well as others throughout the community.
Parents and guardians are able to request exemptions from vaccination mandates for their children for medical and religious reasons in New Mexico. According to a document from the New Mexico Health Department, the state does not allow for childhood vaccination exemptions based on personal or philosophical reasons.
As noted in a previous edition of The Chronicles Of Grant County, some see these mandates as a responsible use of governmental power to protect children and the general society. Others see these mandates as an overreach of governmental power that infringes on individual freedoms and parental rights.
One of the key vaccines used throughout the years was one to prevent smallpox.
Lake Roberts And Lake Roberts Heights Part One
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 20 October 2021 20 October 2021
The Chronicles Of Grant County
Lake Roberts And Lake Roberts Heights
Part One
Lake Roberts in the Spring. (The photograph was provided courtesy of the U S Fish and Wildlife Service, June 3, 2016.)
Lake Roberts is located in the northern reaches of Grant County. The neighborhood of Lake Roberts is located to the west of the lake, while the neighborhood of Lake Roberts Heights is located to the east of the lake. Both neighborhoods and the lake are located along or near Route 35.
The waterbody, Lake Roberts, is within the Gila National Forest and was formed by damming Sapillo Creek. News reports indicated that the lake was dedicated on May 18, 1963. This lake was named in honor of an employee of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF): Austin Roberts.
Smallpox Part One – Outbreaks
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 19 October 2021 19 October 2021
The Chronicles Of Grant County
The Pueblo at Jemez was the site of a major smallpox outbreak in New Mexico. (The photo was produced by Edwin Bass and provided courtesy of the Library of Congress, circa 1885.
There has been disagreement about governmental mandates regarding the wearing of masks, socially distancing from one another, and the use of vaccines regarding COVID-19. Some see these mandates as a responsible use of governmental power to protect society. Others see these mandates as an overreach of governmental power that infringes on individual freedoms.
It may be instructive to look back on how governmental mandates and freedom of choice were balanced regarding smallpox. This edition of The Chronicles Of Grant County looks at the impact of smallpox in Grant County and New Mexico. Future editions will look at the use of the smallpox vaccine with school-age children.
Many would agree that smallpox is a far worse disease than COVID-19. Smallpox spread rapidly. The death rate was quite high. Living with smallpox was difficult.
When a smallpox outbreak hit a community – or even just the rumor that a smallpox outbreak was underway or nearby – people took extreme actions to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.
Pinos Altos When It Became Pinos Altos
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 13 October 2021 13 October 2021
The Chronicles Of Grant County
The head frame at an old gold mine at Pinos Altos. (The photo was produced by Russell Lee and provided courtesy of the Library of Congress, May of 1940.)
As noted in a previous edition of The Chronicles Of Grant County, Pinos Altos – "Tall Pines" in the Spanish language – was initially known by Spanish and Mexican people coming through the area as "Pino Alto" – "Tall Pine." The name "Pinos Altos" appears in print starting in 1863. In that year, the Santa Fe Gazette reported about "…the gold, silver, copper and other mines of Pinos Altos…" on April 25, 1863.
Why exactly the name went from singular to plural regarding pine trees is not known.
Mining was key to the development of Pinos Altos. Prospectors came from throughout the West (especially California), from Mexico, and from other regions to strike it rich. Some succeeded.
The main mining boom in Pinos Altos lasted about ten years.