Beschreibung:

The Gringo & Greaser / El Gringo y Greaser. Vol. 1, No. 12 (January 15, 1884), 4 pp, two in English, two in Spanish. 8.25 x 12.75 in. Charles L. Kusz, Jr. was born in New York about 1849. About 1875 he moved West for the opportunities presented, landing first in Georgetown, CO. There he was a partner in Broad & Kusz, advertising itself as "Brokers, Conveyancers, Real Estate and Mining Agents." Kusz speculated in mining in Leadville about 1879, striking it rich on Fryer Hill. Apparently, however, his (second) wife helped herself to this wealth (or some portion of it) and took off to parts unknown. He continued prospecting in Colorado for a short time, but by late 1880 or early 1881, he appeared in Manzano, NM. There he set up an assay office and store. He also became a rancher with a registered brand, postmaster of Manzano, notary public, among other pursuits. Finally he established the very unusual, even in its day, Gringo & Greaser. Each edition was four pages with three columns to the page, two news, one advertisement, set in eight-point italic. The total number of editions seems to be 17 - 16 bi-weekly and one "Extra." The first appeared August 1, 1883, the "Extra" was published August 18 (between Nos. 2 and 3), and the last, March 15, 1884 (Vol. 1, No. 16). According to Hertzog, only about seven of these could be found in a handful of libraries. Today, about ten seem to be available, but one group is found in several libraries as a microfilm copy (8-18, 9-1, 12-1-1883 and 1-1 through 2-15, 1884). Other than these, there are originals of August 15, 1883, December 15, 1883, January 15, 1884 and February 1, 1884 as well as October 1, 1883 as institutional holdings (LOC). Kusz was assassinated while sitting at the dinner table with his business partner, John Bradford, on March 27, 1884. The shots came from two assassins outside the house, killing Kusz instantly. Bradford was not hurt. He was, however, so stunned and confused, that by the time he and another editor, Mr. Bowman who was in the office at the time, realized what had happened, the gunmen were gone. The following week, the other newspapermen in the region met in Santa Fe, and passed a resolution, in part "... Whereas, a journalist, if he faithfully performs his duty, is frequently placed in a position where his life is imperiled while laboring for the public and not for his own benefit; and Whereas, the impression prevails that the said Chas. L. Kusz came to his death in consequence of his expression of opinions in a fearless manner; ... be it Resolved, That we, as journalists of the territory of New Mexico, now assembled at Santa Fe, express our profound sorrow for the untimely end of our esteemed brother in the profession... and be it further Resolved, That we express our earnest desire that the assassin shall be sought out and brought to a speedy and merited punishment for this dastardly murder; and ask the friends of a free press to show their purposes in that behalf." On the 29th of March, the Governor of New Mexico offered a $500 reward for the capture and conviction of the killers. All of this to no avail. The assassins were never identified. Charles Kusz had an acid pen on many occasions. The "Extra" edition of his paper was occasioned by the assassination of Manuel Otero, long-time resident of Manzano. The dispute was over land - Otero being the earlier owner and current resident. He was shot by a man who was "sold" the property by a land grant enterprise. In the edition after the "Extra," Kusz writes in reference to the shooting: ...The terrible affair has made a profound sensation among the people, stirring the popular heart by the wanton sacrifice of such as man as Manuel B. Otero, and arousing general indignation against the entire land grant infamy and all connected with it....Every community has its men who, if the chance presents, will take advantage of the misfortunes of their fellow men. They are the lowest class of society's vampires - dirty-work j