Early Life of Elizabeth Garrett Redfield Georgia B. FEB 15 1937 2/11/37 512 words Early Life of Elizabeth Garrett Given In An Interview. Feb. 9-1937 "As an 'old-timer'-as you say-I will be glad to tell you anything you would like to hear of my life in our Sunshine State-New Mexico"; said Elizabeth Garrett in an appreciated interview graciously granted this writer. Appreciated because undue publicity of her splendid achievuments and of her private life, is avoided by this famous but unspoiled musician and composer. "My father, Pat Garrett came to Fort Sumner New Mexico in 1878. He and my mother, who was Polinari Gutierez, were married in Fort Sumner. "I Was born at Eagle Creek, up above the Ruidoso in the White Mountain country. "We moved to Roswell (five miles east) while I was yet an infant. I have never been back to my birthplace but believe a lodge has been built on our old mountain home site. "You ask what I think of the Elizabeth Garrett bill presented at this session of the legislature? To grant me a monthly payment during my lifetime for what I have accomplished of the State Song, I think was a beautiful thought. "I owe appreciation and thanks to New Mexico people and particulary to Grace T. Bear and to the "Club O' Ten" as the originators of the idea. If this bill is passed New Mexico will be the first state that has given such evidence of appreciation (in such a distinctive way) to a composer author of a State Song. SF {Begin page no. 2} "Even if never passed the thought alone will be an inspiration to me to work harder. If it is granted, then I will give up my music classes and devote all my time in the futurein producing more things that I hope will be classed along with my State Song-"O Fair New Mexico. "My childhood days on the ranch near Roswell were happy-neither constricted nor restricted. I led an active outdoor life, rode horseback, and doing did all things any child loves to do. "One of my earliest recollections of coposing composing, was when swinging on a limb of an old apple tree. I made up a song about the appleblossoms and the bees that were buzzing around the trees. I never catch the odor, of appleblossoms that I don't feelagain the leafy shadows, under the trees and the bright sun, and hear the songs of the birds as they called to each other from tree to tree in the orchard. "Quite frequently," said Elizabeth Garrett, "my father had to bring harmony with a gun. I try to do so by carrying a tune." Elizabeth Garrett spoke in praise and affection of her brave father, who had accomplished much as a peace officer, who is honored to day above all men for freeing New Mexico from the outlaw and murderer - Billy the Kid. In writing of Elizabeth Garrett her friend Mildred Marshall [?] says: "At the age of six Elizabeth was placed in a school for the blind in Austin Texas. Here her musical education was begun. As a very small child she showed extraordinary musical talent. This she inherited from her mother who descended from the Spanish. Graduating with honors she continues her musical education under {Begin page no. 3} the best teachers in Chicago and New York, making her way by her compositions and teaching. Her voice is a dramatic soprano. "When you hear Elizabeth Garrett sing - the State Song - O Fair New Mexico, with her own people joining in the chorous you are completly carried away. "Then to listen to her as she sings the great music of the Old Masters on the birth death and resurrection of the Savior is like a benediction. "Appearing is all the large cities in the United States Elizabeth Garrett has been enthusiastically recieved. She has been much feted. No matter how much they fate her they can not keep her beyond a certain time, for "daughter of the West" that she is, she always returns to her beloved New Mexico. New Mexico is proud of Elizabeth Garrett and Roswell people feel she belongs to them for here she has built her "Dream House" and here she will live her life, and write in song and music stories of her people and the land she loves. Sources Of Information Interview-Elizabeth Garrett-Roswell New Mexico, And book "Women Who Man Our Clubs" by Mildred Marshall [?] SF Biography Orig. FEB 15 1937 Checked By Elizabeth Garrett Musician Composer And Author of State Song 0 Fair New Mexico Elizabeth Garrett C18-6/5/41-N. Mex. SF {Begin page no. 1} Redfield Georgia B. 2/11/37 674 words 512/[?] Elizabeth Garrett Author And Composer of State Song O Fair New Mexico (Program at the Prison) Fools, they!! They call her blind! They call her blind; yet could she lead A thousand soul - sick man From cold gray stones and make them heed The song of wind and rain, From gloomy cell and dewy mead To sun and stars and sky, And show the message all could read, Of love and peace and hope, They call her blind! They call her blind, yet she could see A neighbor's heart in each A heart that neither Pharisee Nor Levite tried to reach. The wine of song she poured like The oil of love she bore And showed to men what men could be Through faith and hope and truth. They call her blind! They call her blind, yet she could paint A message each could see, A clarion call for those who faint In notes of sweetest song; And when they told her of the taint The men before her bore, She would not see, but like the saint, Saw faith and hope and love. We call her blind! We! Fools! The verses above written by "V.M.67616" in appreciation of Elizabeth Garrett and her singing to prisoners in Sing Sing, expresses, as no other writer has been able to express, the unusual gift of seeing possed by this wonderful woman-blind since early childhood. SF {Begin page no. 2} Her sympathetic understanding of human nature, seeing good in all, as she did the prisoners she cheered with song and music, has won for her a a multitude of friends who love her for this trait of character, as well as for her ability as a musician author and composer. To really know Elizabeth Garrett New Mexico's outstanding musician and composer of the State Song - O Fair New Mexico, and many other songs of the southwest, one should see her in her home. Her five room stucco adobe house-blue trim on the door and window sills- located at 102 So. Lea Avenue, has all the color and atmosphere of the early- day Spanish architecture, and in interior decorations, and furnishings. The living room is bright and cheering - no shades drawn here. There is a soft blending of bright colors-gold predominating-in draperies, rugs, and pictures. Flowers are everywhere. The three hobbies of Elizabeth Garrett, are the theater, swimming and housekeeping, As a housekeeper she is unexcelled. There are no, more highly polished floors, shining windows, or beautiful beautifully ironed garments in Roswell, than are found any day or hour in Elizabeth Garrett's home. During a visit by the writer Jerry - the Canary - on his swing was enjoying the sunshine from a window. Smutty - the cat-was let in by his mistress and introduced. "I am to have more pets," said Elizabeth Garrett, " a parrot - my mothers - and a wonderful guide dog is to be loaned to me, from a dog training school in Morristown New Jersey, {Begin page no. 3} where they train intelligent dogs to be guides and lend them, even for a lifetime of use, but they never sell an animal. I am in sympathy with their not selling, as they there might be some that fall into unkind hands." We seated ourselves before the fire in a corner fireplace, which spoke plainly as being the center (corner) of interest in this house. There are symbol designs on andirona and Thunder Bird on the door-knocker both were made by Colonel ("Scotty") Andrew for this home and were gifts of friends-Mr Joe Strong and his sister Mrs. Peter Nelson. " 'Most everything in my home are gifts from friends and there are many from my dearly loved sister-Pauline who lives at Las Cruces." The gentle touch of seeing hands showed me each prized article. A hand painted tray, "Spanish Seniorita"-work of an artist friend-had the place of honor over the fireplace. A splendid painting San il Defonzo, by Hazel Hanson, a framed western picture and poem "Out In New Mexico" by Annie Laurie Snorf, a Spanish vase, inlaid coffee table, stools, chairs, lamps, and bright colored Navajo rugs. All these gifts for this "Dream House"-longed for, planned for, and at last came true in all it's quaint artistry of construction. The house is dedicated to Elizabeth Garretts beloved mother-Polinaria Cutierez and Cutiernez Garrett, who passed on to a home in the Great Beyond 2 weeks after a visit to her daughter in Roswell. During the visit Mrs. Garrett as a widow of Pat Garrett, famous pioneer peace officer of the southwest, was the interesting guest of honor at the Old Timer's Day Celebration of October 1936. Mrs. Garrett was proclaimed "Queen Of Old Timers" {Begin page no. 4} for that day. Elizabeth Garretts house planned by her with the assistance of Frank Stanhardt architect is a revealation of the unusual character and individuality of a true "Daughter of the West" who has gone far, accomplished much, and is one of the most beloved women of New Mexico, just as her father Pat Garrett was one of the most beloved of men. Elizabeth Garrett Interview Redfield, Georgia B. Roswell, New Mexico Jan 16 1939 1-13-39 Words 950 Jan 16 1939 Subject: Elizabeth Garrett. Source of Information: Elizabeth Garrett and Personal knowledge of biographer. ELIZABETH GARRETT Musician, Author, and Composer of State Song O Fair New Mexico and Numerous Other Songs of The Southwest. Elizabeth Garrett Roswell musician, composer, and author of the State Song - 'O Fair New Mexico" and numerous other songs of the Southwest is the daughter of Pat Garrett, and Polinari Gutierrez, Garrett She was born at Eagle Creek, above the Ruidoso, in the White Mountains of New Mexico. When an infant she moved with her parents to a ranch home five miles east of Roswell. "My childhood days on the ranch were happy - neither constricted nor restricted," states Miss Garrett. Even though blind, since early childhood she led an active outdoor life - rode horseback, and found pleasure and happiness in all other active amusements and sports with her brother and sisters. "One of my earliest recollections of composing was when swinging on a limb of an apple tree, in bloom, one spring," said Miss Garrett, during an interview in which she gave an interesting story of her early life. "Now I never catch the odor of apple-blossoms that I don't feel again the leafy shadows, under the trees, and the bright sunshine, and [hear?] the birds that called to each other from tree to tree. The song I composed was about the apple blossoms and the bees that were buzzing around the trees." C18-6/[0?]/41- N. Mex. {Begin page no. 2} Elizabeth Garrett spoke in praise and affection of her brave father who accomplished a great deal as a peace officer, and holds a tender place in the hearts and memory of the people of Southeast New Mexico for putting an end to the dreaded outlaw and early-day desperado - known as Billy the Kid. "Quite frequently," said Miss Garrett, "my father had to bring harmony with a gun. I always have tried to do so by carrying a tune." As a very small child she showed unusual musical talent, which she inherited from her mother who was descended from Spanish musicians. At six years of age Elizabeth's father placed her in a school for the blind in Austin, Texas, where her musical education was begun. After graduating with honors, she continued her music under the best teachers in Chicago and New York, paying her own way by her compositions and teaching. Her voice is a dramatic soprano. When hearing Elizabeth Garrett singing the state song - "O Fair New Mexico" - with her own people, one is completely carried away. Then to listen to her sing the music of the Old Masters - The Birth, Death and Resurrection of the Savior, is like a benediction. Miss Garret has been enthusiastically received in all the large cities in the United States. She has been much feted and honored, but no matter how much they fete her - how greatly honored - they can not keep her, for "Daughter of the West", as she is, she always returns to her beloved New Mexico. New Mexico is proud of Elizabeth Garrett. Roswell people feel that she belongs to them, for here she has built her "Dream-House", and here she will live her life and write in song and music, the stories of her people and the land she loves. {Begin page no. 3} To really know Elizabeth Garrett, one should see her in her home. Her five room stucco adobe house, "La Casa", at 102 So. Lea Avenue has all the color and atmosphere of the early-day Spanish architecture, interior decoration and furnishing. The living room is bright and cheering (no shades are ever drawn to exclude the sunlight here) and there are flowers everywhere, with a soft blending of bright colors - gold predominating - in draperies, rugs and pictures. There in a corner fireplace which speaks plainly of being the center of interest, and sun symbol designs and Thunder Birds adorn the andirons and door knocker made especially for this home by Colonel "Scotty" Andrew - being gifts of Mr. Joe Strong and his sister Mrs. Peter Nelson. "'Most everything in my home are gifts from friends," stated Elizabeth Garrett. "Many are from my dearly loved Sister Pauline who lives at Las Cruces." The gentle touch of her seeing hands showed me each prized treasure. A hand painted tray - a "Spanish Seniorita", the work of an artist friend, held the place of honor over the fireplace. There was a splendid painting "Small De Fonso" by Hazel Hanson, a framed Western picture with song - "Out In New Mexico" by Annie Laurie Snorf, that was put to music by Elizabeth Garrett, and many articles of gift furniture - a Spanish vase, inlaid coffee table, stools, chairs, lamps, and bright colored Navajo rugs. All these gifts accumalated for the "Dream House" - longed for, planned for and at last come true, in all its quaint artistry of construction. The home in dedicated to Elizabeth Garrett's mother Polinari Gutierrez, Elizabeth Garrett's {Begin page no. 4} mother, who passed on to a home in the Great Beyond, two weeks after a visit to her daughter in Roswell, where as the widow of Pat Garrett, the famous pioneer peace officer of the Southwest, she was the guest of honor and proclaimed "Queen of the Old Timers" for the Old Timers' celebration of 1936. The three hobbies of Elizabeth Garrett are the theater, swimming and housekeeping. As a housekeeper, she is a constant marvel to her friends. There are no homes in which there are more highly polished floors, or shining windows. There are no more beautifully ironed clothes than those done by the hands of this musician, who does everything she attempts equally as well, as playing and singing or composing of songs in the career she has chosen. Pets of Elizabeth Garrett are Teenie, - her "Seeing Eye Dog" that is her constant companion -"Jerry", a canary that sings gaily in the sunshine of a big window - and "Smutty", a cat - that considers himself master of the house, juding by the attention demanded by him from the other members of the household. The wonderful "Seeing Eye Dog", is from a dog training school in Morristown New Jersey, where the most intelligent animals they can secure are trained as guides for the blind. Miss Garrett and her dog are familiar and interesting subjects of attention, as they are [seen?] almost daily, even in the most traffic-congested districts, where the keen eyes of the dog are ever watchful of every step of the adored mistress. The home of Elizabeth Garrett, planned by her with the assistance of Frank [Stanhardt?], architect in typical of the unusual characteristics and indiveduality of this true "Daughter of the West", who has gone far, accomplished much, and is one of the most beloved {Begin page no. 5} women of New Mexico. Just as her father - Pat Garrett was one of the most useful and beloved of men. Credit: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers' Project Collection. Chaves, Lincoln ********************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. 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