PIONEER COWMAN PASSES
Peter M. Shelley, Gila Cattleman and Rancher, Dies at advanced age
PICTURESQUE CAREER
Came to New Mexico in 1884; Active for Years in Major Industry
After an illness of several months, Peter M. Shelley, 83, pioneer cattleman and farmer of the Gila setion, died last Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock at Mimbers Hot Springs. He had been at the resort for some weeks, undergoing treatment for complications due to advanced age.
In the death of Mr. Shelley, Grant County and southwestern New Mexico lost an outstanding and picturesque character, who was among early trail blazers and a veteran of the livestock industry. He had much to do with building up the industry and in the development of the country.
Born in Clinton County, Kentucky, Feb. 9, 1852, he migrated to Texas in the fall of 1861, with his parents, where his boyhood was spent in the cow camps of a vast new empire and on cattle trails.
In 1874 he was married to Miss Emily Jane York, Nolanville, Tex. He came to New Mexio in 1884, accompanied by his wife and family of four children, taking up his home on Mogollon Creek, where he established the 916 ranch on a homestead. his brother, Absolom Shelley, came to New Mexico with him, the two bringing the 916 brand from their range in that state. To the day of his death, his cattle carried this brand.
Lived Active Life
As a young man, Mr. Shelley carried the United States mail between Silver City and Mogollon, thru a region infested by maurading Apache Indians under Geronimo, and over-run
by outlaw bands.
He served as a military guide, army disatch bearer and scout for Major Summers during the Indian war days, and was known as a man of undaunted courage.
In the early days he participated actively in the colorful history of that period and often recounted narrow esapes from death at the hands of Indians.
Mr. Shelley not only increased his livestock holdings, until he built up one of the country's largest independent cattle outfits, but he also aided in introducing irrigated farming to the Gila river section, engaged in merchandising as a part owner of the Cliff Mercantile Co., and for 12 years was a stokholder and director in the American National bank, Silver City.
As a neighbor and friend, Mr. Shelley was loved and respeted and his generosities were many. He was active in the conduct of his holdings until about a year ago, when his health began to fail.
Survived By Family
Surviving Mr. Shelley are his widow, Mrs. Nellie Booth Shelley, whom he married Oct. 6, 1925; a daughter, Mrs. Lee Rice, and two sons, Thomas J. and Will Shelley, of the Gila, and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Gila cemetery, conducted by Rev. J.B. Brown, pastor of the First Christian church, Deming. Cox's Mortuary had charge of interment.
Pallbearers at the funeral were his grandsons, Edwin Shelley, Worthington Shelley, William H. Shelley, Robert Shelley, Fayette Rice and Carl Rice.
The entire Gila community attended the brief funeral servies at the grave, and there wer many present from Silver City and other points in Grant County.
Peter M. Shelley, Gila Cattleman and Rancher, Dies at advanced age
PICTURESQUE CAREER
Came to New Mexico in 1884; Active for Years in Major Industry
After an illness of several months, Peter M. Shelley, 83, pioneer cattleman and farmer of the Gila setion, died last Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock at Mimbers Hot Springs. He had been at the resort for some weeks, undergoing treatment for complications due to advanced age.
In the death of Mr. Shelley, Grant County and southwestern New Mexico lost an outstanding and picturesque character, who was among early trail blazers and a veteran of the livestock industry. He had much to do with building up the industry and in the development of the country.
Born in Clinton County, Kentucky, Feb. 9, 1852, he migrated to Texas in the fall of 1861, with his parents, where his boyhood was spent in the cow camps of a vast new empire and on cattle trails.
In 1874 he was married to Miss Emily Jane York, Nolanville, Tex. He came to New Mexio in 1884, accompanied by his wife and family of four children, taking up his home on Mogollon Creek, where he established the 916 ranch on a homestead. his brother, Absolom Shelley, came to New Mexico with him, the two bringing the 916 brand from their range in that state. To the day of his death, his cattle carried this brand.
Lived Active Life
As a young man, Mr. Shelley carried the United States mail between Silver City and Mogollon, thru a region infested by maurading Apache Indians under Geronimo, and over-run
by outlaw bands.
He served as a military guide, army disatch bearer and scout for Major Summers during the Indian war days, and was known as a man of undaunted courage.
In the early days he participated actively in the colorful history of that period and often recounted narrow esapes from death at the hands of Indians.
Mr. Shelley not only increased his livestock holdings, until he built up one of the country's largest independent cattle outfits, but he also aided in introducing irrigated farming to the Gila river section, engaged in merchandising as a part owner of the Cliff Mercantile Co., and for 12 years was a stokholder and director in the American National bank, Silver City.
As a neighbor and friend, Mr. Shelley was loved and respeted and his generosities were many. He was active in the conduct of his holdings until about a year ago, when his health began to fail.
Survived By Family
Surviving Mr. Shelley are his widow, Mrs. Nellie Booth Shelley, whom he married Oct. 6, 1925; a daughter, Mrs. Lee Rice, and two sons, Thomas J. and Will Shelley, of the Gila, and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Gila cemetery, conducted by Rev. J.B. Brown, pastor of the First Christian church, Deming. Cox's Mortuary had charge of interment.
Pallbearers at the funeral were his grandsons, Edwin Shelley, Worthington Shelley, William H. Shelley, Robert Shelley, Fayette Rice and Carl Rice.
The entire Gila community attended the brief funeral servies at the grave, and there wer many present from Silver City and other points in Grant County.
PIONEER COWMAN PASSES
Peter M. Shelley, Gila Cattleman and Rancher, Dies at advanced age
PICTURESQUE CAREER
Came to New Mexico in 1884; Active for Years in Major Industry
After an illness of several months, Peter M. Shelley, 83, pioneer cattleman and farmer of the Gila setion, died last Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock at Mimbers Hot Springs. He had been at the resort for some weeks, undergoing treatment for complications due to advanced age.
In the death of Mr. Shelley, Grant County and southwestern New Mexico lost an outstanding and picturesque character, who was among early trail blazers and a veteran of the livestock industry. He had much to do with building up the industry and in the development of the country.
Born in Clinton County, Kentucky, Feb. 9, 1852, he migrated to Texas in the fall of 1861, with his parents, where his boyhood was spent in the cow camps of a vast new empire and on cattle trails.
In 1874 he was married to Miss Emily Jane York, Nolanville, Tex. He came to New Mexio in 1884, accompanied by his wife and family of four children, taking up his home on Mogollon Creek, where he established the 916 ranch on a homestead. his brother, Absolom Shelley, came to New Mexico with him, the two bringing the 916 brand from their range in that state. To the day of his death, his cattle carried this brand.
Lived Active Life
As a young man, Mr. Shelley carried the United States mail between Silver City and Mogollon, thru a region infested by maurading Apache Indians under Geronimo, and over-run
by outlaw bands.
He served as a military guide, army disatch bearer and scout for Major Summers during the Indian war days, and was known as a man of undaunted courage.
In the early days he participated actively in the colorful history of that period and often recounted narrow esapes from death at the hands of Indians.
Mr. Shelley not only increased his livestock holdings, until he built up one of the country's largest independent cattle outfits, but he also aided in introducing irrigated farming to the Gila river section, engaged in merchandising as a part owner of the Cliff Mercantile Co., and for 12 years was a stokholder and director in the American National bank, Silver City.
As a neighbor and friend, Mr. Shelley was loved and respeted and his generosities were many. He was active in the conduct of his holdings until about a year ago, when his health began to fail.
Survived By Family
Surviving Mr. Shelley are his widow, Mrs. Nellie Booth Shelley, whom he married Oct. 6, 1925; a daughter, Mrs. Lee Rice, and two sons, Thomas J. and Will Shelley, of the Gila, and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Gila cemetery, conducted by Rev. J.B. Brown, pastor of the First Christian church, Deming. Cox's Mortuary had charge of interment.
Pallbearers at the funeral were his grandsons, Edwin Shelley, Worthington Shelley, William H. Shelley, Robert Shelley, Fayette Rice and Carl Rice.
The entire Gila community attended the brief funeral servies at the grave, and there wer many present from Silver City and other points in Grant County.
Peter M. Shelley, Gila Cattleman and Rancher, Dies at advanced age
PICTURESQUE CAREER
Came to New Mexico in 1884; Active for Years in Major Industry
After an illness of several months, Peter M. Shelley, 83, pioneer cattleman and farmer of the Gila setion, died last Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock at Mimbers Hot Springs. He had been at the resort for some weeks, undergoing treatment for complications due to advanced age.
In the death of Mr. Shelley, Grant County and southwestern New Mexico lost an outstanding and picturesque character, who was among early trail blazers and a veteran of the livestock industry. He had much to do with building up the industry and in the development of the country.
Born in Clinton County, Kentucky, Feb. 9, 1852, he migrated to Texas in the fall of 1861, with his parents, where his boyhood was spent in the cow camps of a vast new empire and on cattle trails.
In 1874 he was married to Miss Emily Jane York, Nolanville, Tex. He came to New Mexio in 1884, accompanied by his wife and family of four children, taking up his home on Mogollon Creek, where he established the 916 ranch on a homestead. his brother, Absolom Shelley, came to New Mexico with him, the two bringing the 916 brand from their range in that state. To the day of his death, his cattle carried this brand.
Lived Active Life
As a young man, Mr. Shelley carried the United States mail between Silver City and Mogollon, thru a region infested by maurading Apache Indians under Geronimo, and over-run
by outlaw bands.
He served as a military guide, army disatch bearer and scout for Major Summers during the Indian war days, and was known as a man of undaunted courage.
In the early days he participated actively in the colorful history of that period and often recounted narrow esapes from death at the hands of Indians.
Mr. Shelley not only increased his livestock holdings, until he built up one of the country's largest independent cattle outfits, but he also aided in introducing irrigated farming to the Gila river section, engaged in merchandising as a part owner of the Cliff Mercantile Co., and for 12 years was a stokholder and director in the American National bank, Silver City.
As a neighbor and friend, Mr. Shelley was loved and respeted and his generosities were many. He was active in the conduct of his holdings until about a year ago, when his health began to fail.
Survived By Family
Surviving Mr. Shelley are his widow, Mrs. Nellie Booth Shelley, whom he married Oct. 6, 1925; a daughter, Mrs. Lee Rice, and two sons, Thomas J. and Will Shelley, of the Gila, and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Gila cemetery, conducted by Rev. J.B. Brown, pastor of the First Christian church, Deming. Cox's Mortuary had charge of interment.
Pallbearers at the funeral were his grandsons, Edwin Shelley, Worthington Shelley, William H. Shelley, Robert Shelley, Fayette Rice and Carl Rice.
The entire Gila community attended the brief funeral servies at the grave, and there wer many present from Silver City and other points in Grant County.
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