SMITH FAMILY CEMETERY Records, Eddy County, New Mexico Black River Village 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted By: Richard Wilkinson jrrrr@ZiaNet.com ************************************************************ BLACK RIVER VILLAGE, EDDY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO SMITH FAMILY CEMETERY RECORDS Records extracted by Richard Wilkinson Typing by Richard Wilkinson Jan 2000 Submittal by Richard Wilkinson Jan 2000 This family cemetery is located within the Black River Village on the family land. Black River Village is located south of Carlsbad, NM. Taking the highway towards El Paso, TX, there will be a sign directing you to the left, (east) before getting to White's City (Carlsbad Caverns). The family cemetery is seen from the road after entering the village which is several miles from the intersection. It is nestled among some very large Cotton Wood trees along the banks of the Black River. This is a well cared for family plot. It is cared for by the great granddaughter of Julian Smith who lives on the land and in the original house built by Julian and Mottie Smith in 1884. This land was originally homesteaded by Julian Smith in 1883. Prior to getting this homestead, Julian Smith lived in San Angelo, TX. A year later he moved onto the land and built a house that looks to the south at the Guadalupe Mountains and the highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak. This was a very large homestead in 1883. Over the years Julian Smith sold much of the land to the Bounds Family. The Bounds still live in Black River also and have a Bounds Family Cemetery. There are three surnames found in the Smith Family Cemetery, "SMITH" "UNRUH" and "BEACH". Julian Smith married Mottie Beach. Mottie had been married to a BEACH. Julian and Mr. Beach were friends. Mr. Beach was killed during a gun fight (possibly in San Angelo, TX), he was a spectator when killed. Julian married his widow, Mottie and raised Mottie's daughter from the Beach union. It appears that some of her in-laws followed her to this quiet desert oasis. In Memory of the Smith Family and friends: Row 1 (east) begining at the south: Edith Smith.............1891 to 1893 Tucker Smith 1884 to 1893 James Ellis Smith.......1888 to 1893 Jay Hal Smith 1894 to 1900 Ridgley E. Beach........1881 to 1963 Henry Beach 1907 to 1911 Justice Beach...........1879 to 1970 Dean Smith 1886 to 1953 Believed to have been a WWI pilot Camille Smith...........1892 to 1984 Annette Williams Smith 1930 to 1996 Row 2 begining at the north: Ethel S. Unruh..........Sept. 10, 1891 to Aug. 22, 1979 Victor S. Unruh Dec. 31, 1882 to May 28, 1973 Walter H. Beach.........1904 to 1984 Clarrissa Smith 1829 to 1921 Julian Smith............1854 to 1935 Mottie Smith 1862 to 1944 William Beach...........1872 to 1902