“Bill Vanero (Paul Venerez)”
Description
Bill/Paul hears that a band of Indians is coming, and rides to tell his love Bessie Lee and her fellow ranchers. Fatally wounded, he writes a warning in his own blood. The letter is carried by his horse, and the ranch is saved
Notes
Logsdon notes a complicated story here. He states that Eben E. Rexford published "The Ride of Paul Venerez" in 1881. But it was in 1882 (July 17) that the White Mountain Apaches broke out of their reservation. Riders did bring warning of the outbreak, which allowed the settlers to protect the Burch Ranch near Payson, Arizona.
There is no documentation of a rider named Billy Vanero, so while the Rexford poem was probably adopted to the Arizona situation, the details are anything but clear. - RBW
Recordings
- Billie Maxwell, "Billy Venero" (Parts 1&2) (Victor V-40148, 1929; on WhenIWas2)
- Harry "Mac" McClintock, "Billy Venero" (Victor 21487, 1928)
- Glenn Ohrlin, "Billy Venero" (on Ohrlin01)
- Luther Royce, "Billy Vanero" (AFS, 1941; on LC55)
- Art Thieme, "Billy Venero" (on Thieme01)
References
- Laws B6, "Bill Vanero (Paul Venerez)"
- Larkin, pp. 40-45, "Billy Venero" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Logsdon 4, pp. 42-47, "Billie Vanero" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Randolph 199, "Bill Vanero" (3 texts, 1 tune)
- Randolph/Cohen, pp. 184-186, "Bill Vanero" (1 text, 1 tune -- Randolph's 199A)
- Fife-Cowboy/West 46, "Billy Veniro" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Ohrlin-HBT 99, "Billy Venero" (1 text, 1 tune)
- DT 374, BVANERO* BVANERO2*
- Roud #632
- BI, LB06