‘After all, I believe that legends and myths are largely made of “truth,’”

And indeed present aspects of it that can only be received in this mode; and long ago certain truths and modes of this kind were discovered and must always reappear.’

— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien

THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND LORE THAT LEGENDS ARE TRULY BORN FROM. THESE PAGES PRESENT THE BEGINNING OF THE 19TH ANNUAL INSTALLMENT OF TRADICIONES AND WITHIN THEM, YOU’LL READ ABOUT SOME OF TAOS COUNTY’S NOTABLE PEOPLE — AND A MYSTERY — THAT LEFT THEIR MARKS.

Whether it be an 1865 murder gone unpunished; a young fur trapper captured by Mexican troops, imprisoned and then banished only to return to New Mexico as a territorial governor; a pair of seemingly outof-place stone pillars with possible ties to the Knights Templar; the unsung recusers of the real-life Smokey Bear; or a World War II Army private who was the first Hispanic American from the United States to receive the Medal of Honor, Taos is a book full of allure and pride. Leyendas (Legends) — the first in a four-part series spanning four consecutive weeks — is followed by Raices (Roots), Artes (Arts) and culminates with the Unsung Heroes/Citizen(s) of the Year publication on Oct. 10.

By retelling stories and searching for more answers — more possibilities — our community continues to breathe this valley’s mystique into the lungs of future generations.