Advocate for depot, museum honored

The newly renovated east room of the Tucumcari railroad depot was scheduled Saturday to host a book-signing and presentation by the author of a book on the extinct coal-mining town of Dawson.

But the event also served as a surprise honor for Tucumcari's Frank Turner, who helped save the historic depot from demolition, founded the Tucumcari Railroad Museum and played a role in acquiring a grant from Union Pacific for the east room's renovation.

Turner traveled with his wife from his North Carolina home to attend the book signing for Nick Pappas' "Crosses of Iron: The Tragic Story of Dawson, New Mexico, and Its Twin Mining Disasters." Turner was a key source for Pappas' book, published by the University of New Mexico Press.

Before Pappas' presentation, Tucumcari MainStreet Executive Director Connie Loveland and President Cooper Glover gave Turner a plaque for his "relentless dedication" to preserving the depot and founding the museum, now owned by MainStreet.

Turner, clearly surprised by the honor, patted his hand over his left chest, signaling he was touched as applause swelled from the crowded room.

Glover also announced the east room also would be named the Turner Room.

"The best thing we ever did was turn (the museum) over to MainStreet," Turner said. "The best thing MainStreet ever did was hire Connie."

City commissioner Rene Hayoz in brief remarks echoed that sentiment about Loveland, saying she "does too many things she's not recognized for."

Turner later said his father was the last living employee of the 132-mile railroad line that connected Tucumcari to Dawson. He said he often spent time with him on the train as it went to and from the mining community.

"I liked (the Dawson Railway) because it meant I could spend two days with my dad," he said.

Turner said he was enthused by the large crowd - estimated at nearly 50 people - that turned out for the book signing. At one point, organizers brought in extra chairs to the room.

"It was good to see the amount of people here," he said. "I don't think people know of Dawson's importance to Tucumcari."

Dawson, which sat about 180 miles northwest of Tucumcari in Colfax County, was founded by J.B. Dawson.

By the early 20th century, Dawson soon became home to four mines that employed 650 men and produced over 400,000 tons of coal per year, the second-biggest in New Mexico Territory.

Phelps Dodge & Co. soon acquired the mines and rail holdings for $16 million - $500 million in today's money.

Pappas said the rapidly growing town soon boasted an opera house, mercantile store, a hospital, four schools, two churches, a swimming pool and a golf course. He estimated its population peaked at about 5,000.

He said by 1910, about 75% of the mine workers came from Europe. Over time, Mexicans became the primary labor force. Indicative of the melting pot in the town, the company printed mine danger signs in six languages.

Coal dust explosions were a common hazard in the first half of the 20th century, killing about 1,000 miners a year in the U.S.

Pappas said Dawson was warned in 1912 about the accumulation of coal dust in its mines. Ten months later, a coal dust blast killed 284 miners, leaving only 23 survivors.

A decade later, another coal-dust explosion killed 120 miners. Only two survived.

Though Dawson had a good reputation for safety, it remains the only mining town to suffer two major disasters. More than 500 miners perished in Dawson during its existence.

Dawson never recovered after that. Production declined, exacerbated by the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Phelps Dodge announced a shutdown of the mines in mid-1950 and paid a salvage company $500,000 to dismantle the town.

Pappas said many of the homes were moved to other communities, including at least one in Tucumcari.

D'Jean Jawrunner, who attended Saturday's event, said she lives in one of the Dawson homes on South Monroe Street. She's convinced at least two other Dawson houses exist on the block, citing their pyramid-style roofs.

The Dawson Railway made its final ceremonial run in 1961.

Pappas said few traces exist of Dawson, though its cemetery - with its 400 white crosses making it resemble "a miniature Arlington" - is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pappas said the former town site is owned by the 50,000-acre Dawson Elk Valley Ranch, and it still hosts a biannual Dawson Reunion. The most recent reunion in 2022 drew 600 people. This year's reunion is scheduled for Sept. 1.

"The community still exists," Pappas said.

Pappas, a former Albuquerque Journal editor, said he first became fascinated by Dawson during the 100th anniversary of the first mine disaster.

Going to its cemetery, he admitted a jolt when he saw the name of "Pappas" on one of the crosses - a Greek immigrant buried there.

Pappas said 10% of the royalties from his "Crosses of Iron" book would go to the Dawson organization that funds the reunions. The Tucumcari Railroad Museum is selling copies.

The event Saturday also debuted a new exhibit about Dawson, designed by Laura Love and finished by Loveland and other volunteers earlier that day.

The exhibit contains photographs of the mining town and stories from former residents. It is replacing another Dawson exhibit inside the museum.

Pappas said he was impressed with the new exhibit.

"They did a phenomenal job," he said. "They obviously put a lot of work into this."