John MacCormack|on February 14, 2016
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Owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter says that he, along with the other members of the weekend's group had an enjoyable evening on Friday before Scalia was found the next morning to be unresponsive in his room. lessOwner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage2of28
Owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter says that he, along with the other members of the weekend's group had an enjoyable evening on Friday before Scalia was found the next morning to be unresponsive in his room. lessOwner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage3of28
Owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter says that he, along with the other members of the weekend's group had an enjoyable evening on Friday before Scalia was found the next morning to be unresponsive in his room. lessOwner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage4of28
Owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter says that he, along with the other members of the weekend's group had an enjoyable evening on Friday before Scalia was found the next morning to be unresponsive in his room. lessOwner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage5of28
Owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter says that he, along with the other members of the weekend's group had an enjoyable evening on Friday before Scalia was found the next morning to be unresponsive in his room. lessOwner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage6of28
Owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter says that he, along with the other members of the weekend's group had an enjoyable evening on Friday before Scalia was found the next morning to be unresponsive in his room. lessOwner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage7of28
Owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter says that he, along with the other members of the weekend's group had an enjoyable evening on Friday before Scalia was found the next morning to be unresponsive in his room. lessOwner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage8of28
Owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter, second left, walks back to his vehicle speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter says that he, along with the other members of the weekend's group had an enjoyable evening on Friday before Scalia was found the next morning to be unresponsive in his room. lessOwner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter, second left, walks back to his vehicle speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage9of28
Owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter says that he, along with the other members of the weekend's group had an enjoyable evening on Friday before Scalia was found the next morning to be unresponsive in his room. lessOwner of Cibolo Creek Ranch John Poindexter speaks to reporters the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Poindexter ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage10of28
President Barack Obama shakes hands with John Poindexter. "We have an obligation to all who served in the jungles of Vietnam," the president said. lessPresident Barack Obama shakes hands with John Poindexter. "We have an obligation to all who served in the jungles of Vietnam," the president said.
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Cibolo Creek Ranch
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The "El Presidente" suite where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead at Cibolo Creek Ranch the day following his passing at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79. lessThe "El Presidente" suite where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead at Cibolo Creek Ranch the day following his passing at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage13of28
The American flag stands at half mast at Cibolo Creek Ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spent the night before he was found dead in his room at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79. lessThe American flag stands at half mast at Cibolo Creek Ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spent the night before he was found dead in his room at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage14of28
The entrance to the Cibolo Creek Ranch early Sunday, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79. lessThe entrance to the Cibolo Creek Ranch early Sunday, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79.
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The "El Presidente" suite where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead at Cibolo Creek Ranch the day following his passing at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79. lessThe "El Presidente" suite where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead at Cibolo Creek Ranch the day following his passing at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage16of28
The road leading out of Cibolo Creek Ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spent time the night before he was found dead in his room at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79. lessThe road leading out of Cibolo Creek Ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spent time the night before he was found dead in his room at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage17of28
A portion of Cibolo Creek Ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spent time the night before he was found dead in his room at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79. lessA portion of Cibolo Creek Ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spent time the night before he was found dead in his room at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February 14 ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage18of28
The Texas flag flies at half mast on Sunday at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. lessThe Texas flag flies at half mast on Sunday at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas.
Photo: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage19of28
The Texas flag flies at the entrance to the Cibolo Creek Ranch early Sunday, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. lessThe Texas flag flies at the entrance to the Cibolo Creek Ranch early Sunday, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas.
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Workers at Cibolo Creek Ranch lower the Texas flag to half mast on Sunday, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was at a Texas Ranch Saturday morning when he died at the age of 79. lessWorkers at Cibolo Creek Ranch lower the Texas flag to half mast on Sunday, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14, 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Supreme Court Justice Antonin ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage21of28
One of the ponds outside the "El Presidente" suite where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead at Cibolo Creek Ranch the day following his passing at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79. lessOne of the ponds outside the "El Presidente" suite where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead at Cibolo Creek Ranch the day following his passing at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage22of28
Three geese walk the grounds at Cibolo Creek Ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spent time the night before he was found dead in his room at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79. lessThree geese walk the grounds at Cibolo Creek Ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spent time the night before he was found dead in his room at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage23of28
The Texas flag flies at the entrance to the Cibolo Creek Ranch early Sunday, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79. lessThe Texas flag flies at the entrance to the Cibolo Creek Ranch early Sunday, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79.
Photo: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage24of28
The dining table at Cibolo Creek Ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dined the night before he was found dead in his room at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia was 79. lessThe dining table at Cibolo Creek Ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dined the night before he was found dead in his room at the West Texas Resort ranch that stretches over 30,000 acres, February ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage25of28
The entrance to the Cibolo Creek Ranch, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia, who was on a quail hunting trip, was found dead Saturday morning in his room at the ranch, he was 79. lessThe entrance to the Cibolo Creek Ranch, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia, who was on a quail hunting trip, was found dead ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage26of28
The entrance to the Cibolo Creek Ranch, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia, who was on a quail hunting trip, was found dead Saturday morning in his room at the ranch, he was 79. lessThe entrance to the Cibolo Creek Ranch, the day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia, who was on a quail hunting trip, was found dead ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage27of28
George Van Etten, a property manager at Cibolo Creek Ranch, shows reporters the Ranch house the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14 , 2016 in Shafter, Texas. Justice Scalia stayed in the "El Presidente" suite, shown behind Van Etten, this past Friday night, he was found Saturday morning to have died, not responding to those who tried to wake him. lessGeorge Van Etten, a property manager at Cibolo Creek Ranch, shows reporters the Ranch house the day following the death Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at the West Texas Resort ranch February 14 , 2016 in ... morePhoto: Matthew Busch, Getty ImagesImage28of28
Cibolo Creek Ranch owner recalls Scalia’s last hours in Texas
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MARFA — A first-time guest to the Cibolo Creek Creek Ranch, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was animated and engaged during dinner Friday night, as one of three dozen invitees to an event that had nothing to do with law or politics, according to the ranch owner.
Just hours later, he would be found dead of apparent natural causes, which media outlets were reporting Sunday was a heart attack.
"He was seated near me and I had a chance to observe him. He was very entertaining. But about 9 p.m. he said, 'it's been a long day and a long week, I want to get some sleep," recalled Houston businessman John Poindexter, who owns the 30,000-acre luxury ranch.
When Poindexter tried to awaken Scalia about 8:30 the next morning, the judge's door was locked and he did not answer. Three hours later, Poindexter returned after an outing, with a friend of Scalia who had come from Washington with him.
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"We discovered the judge in bed, a pillow over his head. His bed clothes were unwrinkled," said Poindexter.
"He was lying very restfully. It looked like he had not quite awakened from a nap," he said.Scalia,79, did not have a pulse and his body was cold, and after consulting with a doctor at a hospital in Alpine, Poindexter concluded resuscitation would have been futile, He then contacted federal authorities, at first encountering a series of answering services because he was calling on a weekend.
"Ultimately they became available and handled it t superbly. They flew in by helicopter. They told me to secure the ranch, which I did until this morning," he said.
Scalia was just the latest newsworthy guest to visit the celebrity hideaway that covers 30,000 acres near the Chinati Mountains. Mick Jagger, Julia Roberts and Tommy Lee Jones have also partaken of its scenic vistas and luxury accomodations.
Established in 1857 by Milton Faver, known as the first Texas cattle baron west of the Pecos, the ranch retains 19th Century constructions, including "El Fortin de Cibolo," a primitive fort designed to protect settlers from Apaches.
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In a special guest package offered last month, rooms went for $545 to $565 a night for two people, with a meal package and ranch tour included. Other activities include hiking, horseback riding, bird-watching and ATV tours.
Scalia, who was scheduled to return to Washington on Sunday, had little time to avail himself of the ranch's offerings. Poindexter said he had only met Scalia once before briefly, in Washington. Scalia came to the ranch because he was friends another guest.Poindexter said he knew the other guests.
"All the guests were friends of mine, I paid for all of them. There were no politics, no jurisprudence in the slightest," he said.
"This was strictly a group of friends that the judge decided to join. He was coming with his son who had to drop out for reasons I don't' know.
Read Full Article"It was an honor to have him. He was widely admired. There were no speeches. He wasn't asked any hard questions, it was all about the outdoors and Texas, and what it's like to being a Supreme Court Justice," he said.
RELATED: Inside the West Texas ranch where Antonin Scalia was found dead
Scalia's personal financial disclosures show no previous trips to the ranch. The disclosures, posted on OpenSecret.Org show that the justice made several trips to Texas since 2005 to speak at colleges and universities, including St. Mary's University in 2008.
Poindexter, 71, said Scalia's sudden death was both a "personal tragedy" for those at the ranch, and for the nation.
"All of us here saw him as a stalwart defender of our way of life in Texas, in a real sense," he said."It's a great loss. Having made that statement, if it was his time to go, he was surrounded by friends, in fairly nice setting, with a full tummy too. He said he was very happy to be invited so it could have been in worse circumstances," he said.
"It's caused all of us here to stop and think about life, how precious it is, and how it is so unexpectedly lost," he added.
The body of the Supreme Court justice was moved to an El Paso funeral home early Sunday.The body was driven from Marfa and arrived around 2:30 a.m. at Sunset Funeral Homes, according to spokesman Chris Lujan.
Lujan said the funeral home was chosen by family of the justice, and at the advice of a family friend.The El Paso County medical examiner's office said they hadn't received any infomration regarding the possibility of performing an autopsy.
Staff Writer David Saleh Rauf contributed to this report.jmaccormack@express-news.net