Miguel Chavez

The Taos News

Young shepherd's rite of passage created a life of special memories

By Denise M. Spranger
Cover courtesy of Miguel Chavez
Below Photo by Megan Bowers

On the green slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the men in the Chávez family sat by the campfire, sipping coffee beneath the stars. Sheep ranchers for generations, they knew many evenings such as this, as each year they brought their flocks to summer pasture in "the high country"--that vast wilderness above timberline where the air was cool and the grass rich for grazing.

At the age of 10, Miguel Chávez longed to join his father, brothers and uncles in the seasonal adventure that defined his family. After circumstances suddenly granted his wish, no less than two films and an awarding-winning book would reveal his remarkable story.

His remarkable story

Joseph Krumgold's documentary-style film, "And Now Miguel," was released in 1951 after months spent with the Chávez family filming on location in the Taos area. Appropriately, Miguel was featured in the leading role in the story of his life, accompanied by other family members in their respective roles.

In 1966, Hollywood released its own version of "And Now Miguel" with Pat Cardi playing the part of the young shepherd seeking his rite of passage.

Krumgold followed his original film with a book of the same name.

Awarded the Newbery Medal for "The Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children" in 1954, the book has since been translated into several languages.

At his home in Los Córdovas, Chávez talked about the childhood that unexpectedly made him a star and the traditions that he still embraces.

Joining him were his wife, Frances, and nephew, Andrew "J.R." Montoya.

"It's been a beautiful journey," said Chávez. "To me, growing up on a farm with my family was the greatest thing. I'll never forget that."

Rigorous work

The children of the Chávez family, five boys and three girls, were seldom spared the rigors of farm work.

"When you're old enough to milk a cow, you're doing it," said Chávez. "That's just the way farm families are. Everybody has to put their work in to survive."

Despite the demands placed upon him at such an early age, Chávez feels that it taught him valuable lessons.

"At times, it felt like they expected too much," said Chávez. "But that was good. What you learn then, when I look back on it, is all just a part of growing up. We were having fun and working at the same time."

The circumstances that led Chávez to his first season in the high country were the result of earthly and, as some believe, "heavenly" causes. Having made a fervent prayer to San Ysidro that he might join the men of his family on their annual pilgrimage, Chávez soon learned that his older brother, Gabriel, had been drafted into military service. Though still a child, he found that his family now needed him to do the work of a man.

"I don't see how we ever survived it -- so many years in the high country," said Chávez. "Up there above timberline, there was nothing but lightning. There were times when bunches of lambs would get killed. We'd find them piled up after the storm."

Lightning was not the only danger the men faced as they tended their flocks.
"There were times that it rained a lot and hailed a lot and we'd lose most of the sheep," said Chávez. "It would take us a couple of days to round them up and by that time, the bear had eaten half of them."

Resilience the key

For this reason, Chávez noted that along with the fishing tackle he packed in on horseback, he never forgot to bring a means of defense.

"You didn't take but what you needed," he said, "but you had to protect yourself from the bear and mountain lion. I always carried my rifle. That was one thing that was a necessity."

Although weather and predators presented their share of challenges, the simple tasks of living often required a similar resilience.

"We took baths out there in the beaver ponds," said Chávez. "The water was so cold it about stopped your heart. But we did it."

Fortunately, the Chávezes managed a few comforts for themselves.

"We had this tent with a stove and chimney going up. It looked like a little house," said Chávez. "We even had a metal stove where we baked bread. They just had an open pit in my dad and grandpa's time."

Unable to pack enough food to sustain them for the entire season, the Chávezes would ride down to a meeting place to pick up additional supplies.

"Once every two weeks, they brought us food to a certain place," said Chávez. "But if you missed the day, you wouldn't eat. That's what it was out there -- survival."

At last, a State Fair!

Amidst these stories of peril and rugged living, it is almost possible to forget Chávez's tender age at the time, until he speaks about one of the sacrifices he found most difficult.

"Since we left for the high country in late May and stayed all the way through September," he recalled, "we never got to go to the State Fair. So I said to myself, 'When I grow up and I'm on my own, I'm going to that State Fair.'

"And you know what?" Chávez added with a smile. "Frances and I have gone every year since then."

When Krumgold chose the story of Chávez for the subject of his film and later book, he provided a window into a disappearing rural tradition that would resonate in the hearts and minds of children and adults all over the world. It would also impact the young boy who would long be remembered as "And Now Miguel."

"Even today, when I walk into a grocery store," said Chávez, "someone yells out, 'Hey, it's now Miguel!'

"I swear," added Chávez with a chuckle. "One of these days I'm going to die and they're going to write on my tombstone, 'And Now Miguel Passed Away.'"

Unexpected benefits

Aside from enjoying the warm memories of his fellow TaoseZos, that kind of recognition has benefited Chávez in a number of unexpected ways.

In the hand-crafted furniture business that Chávez ran for nearly 30 years with Frances, his signature carried an appealing weight.

"I autograph every piece of work that I do," said Chávez. "Because of the film and the book, I still get letters and calls from people all over the world."

Chávez was inspired to begin his furniture business some time after his return from Germany, where he had been serving in the U.S. Army. The family ranching business proved economically impossible to sustain as all of the Chávez boys eventually left to serve in the armed forces. Chávez noted that even while he was a child, his father, Blas, had worked as a surveyor for the state and federal governments to support his family. The elder Chávez, who passed away 12 years ago, had also served as a New Mexico state representative.
Chávez's mother, Sede, passed away in February 2002. Miguel and Frances raised a son, Miguel Jr., and a daughter, Roberta, supporting the family on their furniture business.

"It was successful enough to send our kids to college," said Chávez.
Roberta is currently a research psychologist living in Albuquerque while Miguel Jr. holds a bachelor of science degree in environmental science.

A passion for nature

After selling the furniture business several years ago, the Chávezes began a vacation rental business, Casa Chávez, next to their home.

In wetter seasons, Chávez enjoys cooking out on a campfire in his yard, offering smoked salmon and "cowboy coffee" to Casa Chávez guests. He also continues to practice woodcarving, creating hand-crafted angels, which he sells nationwide.

One thing is certain: Chávez's life-long passion for the outdoors and his boyhood love for fishing have never abandoned him. Whenever the mood strikes them, he and Frances take off on camping trips that may last as long as a month. Current plans include an upcoming fishing trip to Alaska.

"When we go up into the mountains," said Chávez, "I pretend I'm in the old high country. I remember it like it was just this morning."

Chávez recalled that after the filming of "And Now Miguel," Krumgold had asked him to come to New York and attend acting school, but his father would hear nothing of it.

"He might have been right," said Chávez, "but you don't ever know. Anyway, I've lived the way I wanted to live. And I wouldn't change my life with Frances for millions and millions of dollars."

"It's been a good life," Frances agreed.

In addition to his own children, Chávez's legacy seems to flourish in his 23-year-old nephew, Andrew "J.R." Montoya, who came from his home in California to spend summers with the Chávezes throughout his childhood. Along with emulating his uncle's industrious spirit, he also came to share his love for nature.

"He taught me to fish and he taught me to -- well, lie about his fish," said Andrew with a smile. "He also taught me to appreciate the beauty that is around me -- the green hills, the high country. I remember sitting with him by the campfire, sipping coffee beneath the stars."

And Now Miguel ...

At the age of 10, Miguel Chávez longed to join his father, brothers and uncles on their summer journey into the high country with their flocks of sheep. When his older brother, Gabriel, was drafted into military service, he got his chance.

Joseph Krumgold's documentary-style film, "And Now Miguel," was released in 1951 after months spent with the Chávez family filming on location in the Taos area. Appropriately, Miguel was featured in the leading role.

In 1966, Hollywood released its own version of "And Now Miguel" with Pat Cardi playing the part of the young shepherd seeking his rite of passage.

Krumgold followed his original film with a book of the same name. The book has since been translated into several languages.