 Many years ago I was heading down the highway when I saw the signs announcing Las Vegas. Being somewhat geographically challenged, I naturally assumed I was going right into the heart of the Neon Capital of the World, AKA Lost Wages, Las Vegas, Nevada. So I had to laugh at myself when I realized I was a only 700 miles off in my directions.
Las Vegas, New Mexico is today a quiet little town with a charming plaza. However, according to Wikipedia, it once was even wilder than the other Las Vegas. "The arrival of the railroad on July 4, 1879 brought with it [Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders] businesses, development and new residents, both respectable and dubious. Murderers, robbers, thieves, gamblers, gunmen, swindlers, vagrants, and tramps poured in, transforming the eastern side of the settlement into a virtually lawless brawl. Among the notorious characters were such legends of the Old West as: dentist Doc Holliday and his girlfriend Big Nose Kate, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, Mysterious Dave Mather, Hoodoo Brown, and Handsome Harry the Dancehall Rustler."..."Historian Ralph Emerson Twitchell once claimed regarding the Old West, "Without exception there was no town which harbored a more disreputable gang of desperadoes and outlaws than did Las Vegas."' So I'm guessing what happened there didn't stay there? :-) Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books Comments are closed.
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