100 years ago in Gallup

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Bill Donovan
Staff writer

GALLUP — In recent weeks, there have been stories about new people moving into Gallup, some of who have jobs and others who have decided to stay in Gallup and live off the generosity of the residents who do have jobs and money.

But there have also been reports about people moving out of Gallup, and it seems to be an ongoing story that the number of people who move in pretty well matches the number of people who move out.

A recent article in “The Elk” says a lot of these people are moving to California, filling up the westbound trains in an effort to find the fame and fortune there that they haven’t been able to find here.

The big rush seems to occur in the fall, but the winter months also see a good group of people get sick and tired of the cold and opt to go to the sunnier climate in California where the belief is that the jobs are more plentiful.

In other news, people in Gallup are being made aware of a law passed by the sate Legislature last year that makes it unlawful to “spit or expectorate on any public sidewalk, crossing or stops frequented by the public.”

The fine for getting caught performing this despicable behavior is a fine of no less than $1 and no more than $25 and the possibility of being confined to the county jail for a period of between 10 and 50 days.

“This law seems to be violated every day and particularly every night,” says a writer in The Elk. “Often men sit in front of the post office and various stores and unthoughtedly, of course, spit on the sidewalks to such an extent that a lady passing by is compelled to hold her skirts.”

The problem is so bad that young boys as young as 10 years of age are seen in front of the stores chewing tobacco and spitting on the sidewalks.

“We call attention to this matter both that the offenders may quit it and that if they do not that officers may be compelled to enforce the law. In doing so, the people of Gallup will be behind the officers as this matter has gone on to such an extent that it is almost a public nuisance,” the paper said.