Wild West Magazine Article White Oaks New Mexico written by Josh Slatten. Author of article below was kind enough to mention Rob and I for assisting him with White Oaks research. Rob and Steve gets a little recognition.
In 1879, although the Lincoln County War had ended, central New Mexico Territory still carried the wounds of that violent factional conflict. Exiled from the strife-ridden county seat of Lincoln, tough individuals like Billy the Kid, along with his companions Tom O’Folliard and Billy Wilson, alongside the newcomer “Dirty Dave” Rudabaugh, had to seek out new havens to call home. Amidst various dubious hideouts, the mining camp of White Oaks emerged as a prime choice.
With the discovery of gold in what later became Baxter Gulch, miners flocked in droves, driven by the allure of quick wealth. The burgeoning tent city, named after the thriving white oaks near a local spring, became a focal point. Recounting the early days of White Oaks, pioneer Morris B. Parker, who arrived in 1880, reflected:
“These were the formative years of White Oaks, teeming with both revelry and sorrow, shaping local history in real-time. Though I was too young to grasp the gravity of it all, the diverse mix of residents, ranging from wandering cowboys and prospectors to college-educated individuals, was evident. Among them were both virtuous souls and scoundrels, adventurers hungry for gold and those merely curious to explore.”
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