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More history of La Luz, New Mexico, southwest United States
The first settlers of 1860 at La Luz, Otero County, New Mexico, southwest
United States, were joined by immigrants from other parts of the
southwest United States and from Mexico from 1863 on. Roland Hazard, of
Rhode Island, was attracted to the area, and moved to La Luz.
He built a pottery factory. Over time, the factory gained a national
reputation. He also built an Inn in La Luz Canyon, the Mi Casa
(my house). It was a stage stop during the late 1880's. And the Inn became
a favorite stopping place for soldiers from Fort Stanton.
Next Mr. Good began to raise cattle, competing with established rancher
(and political power) Oliver Lee. By 1888, the citizens of La Luz were
involved in a range war between Good and Lee. Helpless between the two
warring groups, the citizens petitioned the sheriff in Las Cruces, their
County Seat, to disarm both Good's and Lee's forces. "Such a reign of
terror has not been known since the Lincoln County War..." a reporter wrote.