Anyone remember Elfego Baca? El Gato.

[panader0]

I first heard of him in the 50's watching Walt Disney. He was an Hispanic gunfighter who held off 80 cowboys
from the John Slaughter ranch in what is now Reserve, New Mexico. At age 19, working in Socorro, he heard
of the injustices done to the Hispanic citizens of Frisco (now Reserve) and went to help out. He ended up in an
epic 36 hour gun battle while holed up in a small adobe house. Over 4000 rounds were fired at the house by
80 cowboys. He killed 4 of them. He lived to age 80 and died in 1945.
I remember the musical theme from Disney and when he flashed through my memory yesterday, I went to
the band room and spent some time learning it on guitar. True story.
"For the legend was that
like el gato the cat
nine lives had Elfego el gato."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfego_Baca

[nykym]

1. I remember that TV series

could not wait till it was on loved it.

[abqtommy]

3. Me too! Thanks!

[luckone]

2. Never heard of him Is he a Disney creation or based on a real person in history?

[panader0]

5. A real person. Check the Wiki link.

By the way, Reserve, in the Tularosa Mts., is a beautiful area.

[dameatball]

4. I remember it vaguely. I was pre-school. We had to turn the antenna just right to get that channel.

[Sneederbunk]

6. Yes, it introduced me to Robert Loggia.

There were also Texas John Slaughter shows starring Tom Tryon.

[panader0]

7. Yup, he portrayed Elfego Baca in the Disney show.