A number of books, websites and even an application to the National Register of Historic Places tell a tragic story of Ted F. Jones, former owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico.
It was reported for years that Jones, a prominent eastern New Mexico rancher, owned the Route 66 motel through much of the 1940s and part of the 1950s until he and his wife died in a plane crash. No date or place was provided for the crash, although most sources say it happened in the 1950s. At least one book reported it occurred in 1950.
Finding information about the Jones couple and the crash proved elusive, however. Nor did I find burial records for Ted F. Jones in cemetery records at the Tucumcari Public Library.
Thanks to a lead from a sister of Nancy Mueller, current co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel, I verified Ted Jones did not die in a plane crash, nor did his wife. Nor was there a plane crash involving them at all.
According to microfilm records at the Quay County Courthouse in Tucumcari, a front-page article of the June 28, 1954, edition of the Tucumcari Daily News revealed Theodore Frank Jones, 65, died at Tucumcari General Hospital several days after being admitted there with a cerebral hemorrhage.
Jones’ death no doubt was tragic for his wife, family members and people in Tucumcari who knew him. But his cause of death — essentially a stroke — was decidedly more benign than a plane crash.
Jones’ body was shipped by train to Spencer, Iowa, where he would be buried at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. Jones’ wife, Marjorie, was listed as one of the survivors.
The Daily News story reported Jones came to Tucumcari in 1944 and owned the Blue Swallow Motel from that time to his death. It’s notable the newspaper called it the Blue Swallow Motel. Jones owned the business when it changed its name from its original Blue Swallow Court to Blue Swallow Motel.
Jones also served as the director of the Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce for five years and was its vice president for a time. He was a member of the U.S. Highway 66 Association and a director of the American Hotel Association.
Amid all this background, the article never mentioned Jones being a rancher. Because of a lack of evidence and the relatively short time he was in New Mexico, the story about him owning a ranch seems unlikely.
With the plane-crash story debunked, one has to ask — from where did the story come?
It probably originated from the original National Register of Historic Places application for the Blue Swallow Motel filed during the early 1990s. Albuquerque historian David Kammer conducted an interview in 1991 with longtime Blue Swallow Motel owner Lillian Redman. According to the application, Kammer also consulted Michael Wallis’ book, “Route 66: The Mother Road.”
Wallis’ book contains no mention of Ted F. Jones dying in a plane crash. So I have to believe the story came from Redman. I don’t believe Redman was being deliberately untruthful to Kammer. I believe instead she got her stories crossed from a fatal plane crash that occurred in Albuquerque less than a year after Jones’ death. One also has to remember Redman was in her 80s at the time of Kammer’s interview.
With the age factor and the typical flaws of human memory, it shouldn’t be surprising her recollection was faulty in this instance. And this episode should be a cautionary tale against being too dependent on human memory when writing the historical record.
(Postcard image of Blue Swallow Court from 1940s via 66Postcards.com)
Ron,
You provide us with so much information on Route 66. You are an amazing person to take the time and energy for us followers of route 66 and we sincerely appreciate you.
Curtis & Tricia
Ron, excellent work. When it comes to faulty memory, loosey goosey facts and ridiculous claims, I deal with this every day at True West magazine. Over the past 16 years I have developed a healthy disregard for “family history” especially when it comes from family members. I would even go as far as to say, when it comes to the true history of anything, the family knows the least.
I think it depends on your family—-I developed my master’s thesis based on some recollections of my mother’s about eastern New Mexico in 1950. Mama’s facts were generally accurate and, of course, I corrected the issues that weren’t quite the “real” story. Another part of that thesis upended the history of one of the towns in the area based on the stories of the founder’s grandchild. Again, the grandchild’s story (he was in his 70s when I contacted him) checked out with contemporary newspaper accounts from the early 20th century rather than the “official” history of the town. I’m now researching another project, again based on stories I heard from my mother, and so far, at least, the U.S. Public Health Service Reports from 1936 and contemporary press coverage from 1933 confirm the accuracy of mother’s memories.
Very nicely done research. I’m sure Mr Jones appreciates your taking the time to remember him correctly
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=119829338
I believe this could possibly be the BLUE SWALLOW co-owner. There seems to be several generations with the name Theodore buried at this graveyard; The name is the more formal, full name – such as tombstones generally present. The date-of-death and location of burial on this gentleman, fit the Route 66 man!
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https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Jones&GSfn=M&GSiman=1&GScid=95956&GRid=123834117&
The above listing is Marjorie Jones – dead in 1958 and buried at the same cemetery.
If this was a puzzle, these pieces ‘SEEM’ to fit the big picture!
Nice work, Audrey. I had meant to check Find a Grave, but a balky internet connection and a fleeting memory over the weekend prevented me from doing so. Based on the grave’s location and the date of his death, I have no doubt it’s him.
RON – You are ‘The Righter / Writer Prince of RRt 66’. I am grateful to you for many reasons; So, my efforts were just a courtesy. Looking up a few details was the least I could offer for the super array of stories you have provided on this beloved roadway. A big hug to you — and all who care about the recording and preservation of the varied sagas of: ‘The Mother Road.’
You are very kind.
The Jones ranching family (Roswell) was not in the hotel business but they were in politics.
Guess I messed that one up. No matter how hard one tries, something always slips through. Route 66 is like that sometimes – myth and reality often combine.