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Tuttle, Nov. 24: Mrs. Amanda Wampler, 79 year old Grady County
pioneer, could tell the younger generation a thing or two about the cow country and about being a cowgirl.
Back in the 1880's, Mrs. Wampler, then Mrs. Lenochan, joined her
brother in the job of taking 1,400 head of cattle from Texas to New Mexico. She could ride as well as any cowboy.
Mrs. Wampler, who now lives on her allotment five miles south of
Tuttle, came here in 1889, and it was here that she reared her family, saw her grandchildren grow up and is now watching great-grandchildren take their places in the world.
She was born Jan. 15, 1861, in LaMar County, Texas. She was the
youngest of four daughters of Lee and Ellen Campbell. Mr Campbell had come to America from Scotland and married a native
of Mississippi of Choctaw Indian origin. They established their home in Texas. He was called for service in Civil War. He left
his wife, two sons, and four daughters. Amanda was five months old when her father and an uncle left. She was a little girl
four and a half years old when her father and uncle returned. She was playing in the yard and was the first of the family to
see them coming toward the house. They were ragged and starved. They had been discharged in Louisiana. The child was so
frightened that she ran and hid and it was hours before she ventured from her hiding place and months before she made
the acquaintance of her father.
She was married to Tom Lenochan at the age of 17. To this union
were born Joe Lenochan, who is well known in this county and now resided on his mother's allotment, and Ellen Victoria Lenochan
known to many here as the late Mrs Joe Smith.
Mrs. Lenochan being of a pioneer nature and knowing no physical
fear joined her brother who was taking 1,400 head of cattle to New Mexico. She could ride as well as any cowboy. She made the
trip; took her baby Joe with her and remained in New Mexico for a year. when her brother sold the cattle they returned to
Midland, Texas.
Mrs Lenochan was married in February, 1890, to George
Wampler, after coming to Old Silver City in 1889. To this union were born
three sons, George Jr., who now lives eight miles south of Tuttle. John, of California, and Edgar, who died in 1920 as the
result of war service.
Mrs. Wampler has spent her life since 1889 in this vicinity. |
