Posted by:
olderelder
(
)
Date: November 10, 2019 11:25AM
I've been writing a story that takes place in the "boot heel" of New Mexico (far southwest corner) in the 1880s. I created a fictional boom-to-bust mining town and a range war between cattlemen and sheep herders. I wanted to add some historical references, like the surrender of Geronimo. Then I remembered the polygamist colonias were established at that time across the border in Chihuahua. What could I do with that? So I had a couple of townspeople gossiping about Mormons who passed through. Here's what I wrote:
“Mormons?”
“Yeah, bunch of them passed through here a while back, heading south. A few men and a load of women and children. Polygamists running from the law. Said they’re setting up colonies down there where they can practice their religion in peace. ‘Their religion,’ huh. Hell, I believe in enjoying lots of ladies, too, but marrying them all is just an unnecessary complication.”
Then there's this conversation about the town's remaining prostitute:
“I was worried business might’ve gotten too slow and she headed to a less dead place.”
“No, but she almost joined up with some Mormons ‘at came through here.”
“Marx just told me about 'em.”
“You know Sue has a religious streak. Bein’ raised by nuns’ll do that to ya. The Mormons seemed like a chance to give up her ‘sinful’ life and start over.”
“Why’d she stay?”
“She talked to a couple o’ the women. Decided she’d rather go to hell.”