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1869-1906: From Westphalia to the Wild West
Morris Herzstein, Albert’s father, was born in 1869 and immigrated to America in 1882. By the late 1880’s, Morris had moved to New Mexico, and established a store in Liberty with his brother Levi. Albert’s mother Lena Goldsmith Herzstein was from a resilient, pioneer family. Morris Herzstein and Lena Goldsmith were married on November 5, 1893.
• The Herzstein name is unique, originating only from the town of Thielen in the Westphalia region of Germany. The direct translation of Herzstein means “heart of stone,” an incongruous name for such an adored philanthropist!
• Morris Herzstein, Albert’s father, was born in 1869 and immigrated to America in 1882, living first in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and then Lawrence, Kansas. By the late 1880’s, Morris had moved to New Mexico, and established a store in Liberty with his brother Levi.
• Albert’s mother, Lena Goldsmith Herzstein, was from a resilient, pioneer family. One of six children, she was raised near Denver, Colorado. The area was so remote that once Lena’s sister Betty was kidnapped by local Indians. Her parents, Rose and Abe, paid a ransom to the kidnappers that included tobacco, flour, hickory, and a bolt of calico. When the ransom was paid, the Indians released her without any harm being done. Shortly thereafter, Lena’s family moved to Las Vegas.
• Morris Herzstein and Lena Goldsmith were married on November 5, 1893.
• Tragedy struck on June 12, 1896 when the notorious gunslinger and train robber Tom (Black Jack) Ketchum, arrived in Liberty with a few other outlaws. After stopping for supplies at the store operated by Morris and Levi, they headed off to make camp nearby. When a storm blew in, they sought shelter back at the store. Levi Herzstein allowed them to sleep there overnight. The next morning when he arrived and found cash and merchandise missing, Levi set off with a posse to find the men, unaware that he was dealing with infamous outlaws. Both Albert’s Uncle Levi and another posse member perished, each having been shot over ten times by Black Jack Ketchum. Morris Herzstein offered a bounty of $1,200 for the arrest of the outlaws, but his reward was never claimed. On April 26, 1901, when Black Jack was hung for another crime, Morris attended the hanging, although Black Jack was never formally charged with the murder of Levi Herzstein.
• Immediately following Levi’s death, Morris moved the store to Clayton, opening a successful shop that sold everything from clothing to coffins to automobiles. The Herzsteins became prominent citizens in Union County, with Morris participating in the Masonic Lodge and Lena being a founding member of the Eastern Star. Morris even built the first movie theater in Clayton, “La Luna.” The couple had four children, Levi, Sadie, Samuel, and Albert. |
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