New Mexico A Pageant of Three Peoples

by Erna Fergusson

New Mexico, a pageant of three peoples

408 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Erna Fergusson was a writer, historian, and storyteller, who documented the culture and history of New Mexico for more than forty years.

Erna, the eldest of four children, grew up in “La Glorieta,” a historic hacienda in Albuquerque, New Mexico, believed to be the oldest residence in the city. The hacienda was her primary residence. However, between 1897 and 1899 Erna spent her formative years in Washington, D.C. when her father served as a delegate to the United States Congress. In 1906 Erna graduated from Central High School in Albuquerque. She began teaching in the Albuquerque public schools while at the same time furthering her education. In 1912 she graduated from University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Pedagogy Degree. A year later Erna completed her Masters in History from Columbia University in New York. After teaching a while at Chatham Hall in Virginia she decided to return home and continue teaching in Albuquerque.

Throughout her years Erna had various other occupations. During World War II she took a job with the Red Cross as the home service secretary and State Supervisor for New Mexico. After the war she became a reporter for the Albuquerque Herald, writing various articles regarding her hometown.

She was commissioned in 1926 by Century Magazine to write two articles. These were “Redskins to Railroads” and “From Rodeo to Rotary” which were published only many years later, in 1947, after she had established herself as a regional writer. Fergusson’s early writing relied on two techniques she would perfect in her later work—the oral interview and a conversational prose style. Fergusson interviewed Albuquerque old timers and wrote in a humorous and engaging vein.

While at the Herald, Erna also began a touring company alongside friend Ethel Hickey. The touring company, Koshare Tours, provided guests with tours of the southwest, introducing them to native cultures. The touring company was so successful that Fred Harvey, a famous and well to do western hotel and restaurateur, bought Kosher Tours and hired Erna Fergusson to direct a new endeavor—Indian Detour Service.

In 1931 Erna Fergusson published her first book Dancing Gods, which was about Indian ceremonials. Several histories and numerous travel books followed after her success with Dancing Gods. In her 1934 book, Mexican Cookbook, Fergusson was perhaps the first to correct the popular view that “frijoles refritos” meant “refried beans,” but the correction never took hold.

In 1942 Erna Fergusson helped found the Albuquerque Historical Society. A year later she was awarded as an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of New Mexico. She died in Albuquerque in 1964.
—from Wikipedia, with information from “First Lady of American Letters” by Michael Ann Sullivan (http://newmexicohistory.org/people/er...)

Reviews

[Wayne Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful look into New Mexico's colorful past. Written in 1950, it is very dated when it comes to the modern era. For instance, the Mesilla valley is dominated by cotton in her account though today Hatch Chile and pecans rule. Her disdain for Texans is not at all disguised, though they arguably have accomplished more than New Mexicans. Then, there are a few errors, such as claiming New Mexico became a state in 1910 (it was in 1912) and having a decidedly difficult time distinguishing between John Chisum and Jesse Chisholm. But, overall, a very good read.