Work Description: During today's session, I continued the detailed inventory of the El Paso Times' People Newspaper Clippings Collection, focusing on boxes PP 2 through PW 5. These boxes followed the same alpha-numeric arrangement by surname, and I examined each for folder ranges and major themes. Like the previous day, these folders presented a blend of biographical sketches and intense criminal content. I found extensive documentation of drug trafficking, homicide, perjury, and smuggling—sometimes involving public officials and military personnel. Several cases stood out, including a teenager charged with murdering four individuals, a large-scale forgery operation involving vehicle titles, and obscure but compelling incidents like a felony “dognapping.” The PR Series contained several disturbing accounts of child molestation and Mann Act violations. While reviewing these records, I also mapped the physical locations of the boxes, documenting their aisle and stack position for future access and preservation. I ensured each box was handled safely and noted any preservation concerns such as fading ink, folded articles, or rusting fasteners.
Reflection: This section of the collection was more emotionally intense than the earlier inventory, with a noticeable rise in documentation of violent and morally complex cases. The wide range of criminal charges—sometimes juxtaposed with personal milestones or community honors—reinforced how archives are mirrors of real life, not just sanitized history. I found myself reflecting on the ethical responsibilities of archivists in managing sensitive material, especially with records that may affect living descendants. It raised important questions about access, redaction, and respectful description. From a technical standpoint, I applied more efficient methods today—moving fewer boxes at once, using a staging area for easier folder access, and marking unclear folder labels for follow-up. My growing familiarity with the collection’s logic gave me more confidence to identify mislabeled or out-of-order folders and correct them while documenting changes. Today was a powerful reminder that working with historical records is not only an intellectual exercise—it requires compassion, critical thinking, and respect for the lives these records represent.
Definitions:
- Statutory Rape – A crime involving sexual activity with a minor who is legally unable to consent, regardless of actual consent.
- Mann Act – A 1910 federal law prohibiting the transportation of individuals across state lines for “immoral purposes,” often invoked in trafficking or exploitation cases.
- Forgery – The act of falsifying documents or signatures with the intent to deceive or commit fraud.
Summary of Work Completed:
- Inventoried boxes PP 2 through PW 5 in the El Paso Times Newspaper Clippings Collection.
- Noted themes ranging from drug smuggling and forgery to assault, organized crime, and statutory violations.
- Mapped each box’s physical location for future folder-level review and reference.
- Identified preservation concerns in clippings such as brittle edges, rusty fasteners, and fading type.
Examples of Notable Topics:
- PP Series: Drug trafficking, stabbing incidents, discrimination lawsuits, and military figures facing legal action.
- PR Series: Murder, child molestation, Mann Act violations, and alien smuggling.
- PS Series: Teen accused of killing four people, statutory rape, seduction cases, and school appointments.
- PV Series: Forgery, public employee fraud, and major drug seizures.
- PW Series: Federal savings bank robbery, obscene material charges, and theft involving dogs.
Additional Observations:
This section also included records of community service, athletic awards, and public achievements, often found alongside serious criminal cases. The archive’s mixed documentation presents a multifaceted view of life in El Paso and surrounding communities.
The image shows several rows of archival boxes from the El Paso Times' People Newspaper Clippings Collection neatly arranged along the back wall of the archives’ basement. The boxes are stacked no higher than five units for safety and accessibility, with visible handwritten or printed labels organized alphabetically by surname. The setting reflects a clean, well-ordered archival environment, with each box carefully positioned for ongoing inventory and preservation efforts.