On August 18th, 1861, about ten days after I was born, my father was killed in a drunken row in Las Placitas. Another man was killed at the same time, and we never were sure who did kill my father. After Father's death my mother went back to Manzano to live with her people. My mother gave me to one of my aunts, Trinidad Herrera, (who was nicknamed Chinita) who, with my mother, moved back to Las Placitas when I was about two years old. I have lived the rest of my life in Lincoln County.

In the year 1869, when I was eight years old, all of the territory lying east of the Mal Pais, was created into Lincoln County, and the county seat was established at Las Placitas and the name was changed to Lincoln.

My husband and I were living on our farm just above Lincoln, New Mexico, all during the Lincoln County War. We liked both factions so we never took any part in the war. I remember the day the McSween home was burned. We could see the flames and smoke from our house but we stayed at home for we were scared to death to stick our heads out of the house. We could also hear some of the shooting.

Billy the Kid came to our house several times and drank coffee with us. We liked him, for he was always nice to the Spanish people and they all liked him.