John Prather "Mule King"

Rancher John Prather worked well with the federal government through two world wars. From his 32,000-acre ranch atop Otero Mesa, he ran New Mexico’s largest Army mule-breeding program. But in 1957, the government condemned his land for part of McGregor Missile Range. Prather rebuffed the military and remained on his ranch. His story made national headlines, and is told in the book and movie “Fire on the Mountain.”.