ELIZABETH FACKLER
RWM
Elizabeth Fackler is an author of many novels; her best (in my
opinion) are the historical novels, Billy the Kid, the Legend of El
Chivato, and Texas Lily, which is partly based upon the life of John
Chisum. Fackler does careful historical research to assure the lives and
times of her subjects are accurate. Her research naturally led her to separate
the facts from the more popular fictional portions of the tales told and written
about the handsome and photogenic Pat Garrett. Her facts show that
six-foot-five-inch Pat was unworthy of many of the mighty tall legends told of
his law and order heroism and other deeds. Still, his daughter put her adored
long-legged father on a pedestal where he did not belong, and she dedicated her
life to being a good credit to his name. Her life of goodness and serenity, as
well as her song-writing and singing talent has brought a good image to the
Garrett name.
ELIZABETH GARRETT
Elizabeth Garrett
On the afternoon of July 4, at 102 South Lea, Roswell -- the
former home of Elizabeth Garrett -- Elizabeth Fackler, her husband, Michael
Sinkovitz, and Deborah Blanche held a public performance of My Eyes Have a
Cold Nose.
The script, poem and words of the song were written by
Elizabeth Fackler. The script, giving the historical facts of Patrick Garrett
and his daughter, was read by Fackler. The poem -- told in the voice and
viewpoint of Elizabeth Garrett -- was hauntingly recited by Deborah Blanche.
Blanche portrays historical New Mexico women for the New Mexico Endowment for
Humanities Chautauqua theater program. Michael Sinkovitz sang verses of
several songs while accompanying himself on guitar. Most of his songs seemed to
reflect Pat Garrett's point of view. Intermingling the three differing
viewpoints added to the poignancy and overall compelling performance by the
three.
My Eyes Have a Cold Nose
For years, Elizabeth Garrett was best known as the
blind daughter of Sheriff Patrick Garrett, the man who killed Billy the Kid at
Fort Sumner, New Mexico the night of July 14, 1881. That event -- whether by
plain luck on Garrett's part, or his shooting an unarmed and unwary man, or
Billy's betrayal by his friend Pete Maxwell, all of which has been credited by
historians -- overshadowed Garrett and his family. However, during the remaining
27 years of his life, he was a failure at everything he did and most of those
who personally knew him had a low opinion of Pat Garrett; except his shy wife,
Apolinaria, and his daughter -- who loved him dearly.
Garrett was killed near Las Cruces in 1908 as he
was riding to his property, preparing to sell it as a cattle ranch and anxious
to rid it of sheep. Although Wayne Brazel was tried and acquitted, the reason
for his murder and the person really behind it remains an unsolved
mystery.
Fackler said Elizabeth Garrett was not born blind
but some event blinded her not long afterward. For a few years of her early
life, she attended a school for the blind in Austin. Later she studied singing
in Chicago and New York and traveled the country singing and accompanying
herself on the piano. After she moved to Roswell, she taught piano and voice and
she wrote music. She acquired a seeing-eye dog, Teene, on whom she relied for
her independence and for whom she developed a deep affection. She grieved
the death of Teene; "not only my eyes but now my heart has a cold nose."
Deborah Blanche spoke for Elizabeth Garrett, first
as a young child freely roaming about her father's ranch, later feeling
abandoned at a school in a far away place. She said her father made two
decisions about her, that she would live a normal life and that she receive as
much education as possible. "Think your way out, daughter, and keep your head
above your heart" was advice he often gave her.
Elizabeth through Deborah spoke hauntingly of her
mother's premonition the day her father was killed. And she told about attending
the trial of the man accused of shooting him. She voiced heartache over her
beloved papa being known only as the killer of the Kid, and his soiled
reputation.
She was honored in 1917 when one of her songs, "Oh
Fair New Mexico," was chosen as the state song and many years later, it brought
her a modest lifetime annuity that helped hold her above poverty.
She overcame any difficulties with her powerful
faith, "ten fe." Throughout, she live a life of serenity and beautiful
music, often of her own making. "Time will tell whether a shot in the dark
echoes longer than lyrics of love. Ten fe!"
Periodically, between poem verses read by Deborah,
Michael sang haunting songs. One had a recurrent verse woefully lamenting that
regardless whatever else he did in his life, he was only known as "the man who
Killed Billy the Kid."
Elizabeth Garrett died in October 1947 after
falling over steps and gashing her head in front of a church while her cold
nose, Tinka, howled and ran around her protectively.
Of Garrett, Elizabeth Fackler said, "I'm struck
with the notion that her father was her child in the sense that she lived her
life to protect him. All she could affect was his legacy. She offered herself,
her name and life, as compensation."
