USA > New Mexico > History of New Mexico : its resources and people, Volume I > Part 61
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cause he has displayed strong business qualifications and enterprise com- bined with a ready recognition and utilization of opportunity.
John Shaw, living a mile and a half northeast of Roswell, where he has thirty acres devoted to fruit and alfalfa, is also the owner of a large cattle ranch on which he has three thousand head of cattle, and he is likewise interested in other business enterprises, being vice-president of the Citizens National Bank of Roswell. He came to the Territory in 1876,. making his way to Santa Fé in company with Henry McBroom and Dan Sawyers, who had a contract from the government to survey the Spanish grants in the northern part of the Territory. The work of the United States was to survey these grants and segregate the grants from the gov- ernment land, and Mr. Shaw was actively engaged in survey work for eight years. In the winter of 1876-77 he surveyed in the Pecos valley near Seven Rivers and north near Fort Sumner. On leaving the surveying service in 1884 he turned his attention to the stock business sixty miles north of Roswell and has since been identified with the cattle interests. in the Territory, having three thousand head upon his ranch. He resided there until 1900, when he removed to Roswell. His home is now pleas- antly located one and a half miles northeast of the town upon a farm of thirty acres, which is devoted to the cultivation of fruit and alfalfa, and in addition to its management he is acting as vice-president of the Citizens National Bank.
The Roswell National Bank, from which sprang the American National Bank of Roswell, was organized April 9, 1903, with a capital stock of $50,000. Its officers were: President, Jeremiah Mccluskey; cashier, C. B. Mccluskey. Many changes in the management of the institution oc- curred before its directors sold the institution to the American National, which was chartered January 15, 1906, with a capital stock of $50,000 and these officers: President, George M. Slaughter; vice-presidents, John W. Warren and J. W. Rhea; cashier, H. P. Saunders; directors, George M. Slaughter, C. C. Slaughter, John W. Warren, John W. Rhea, W. P. Lewis, J. G. Hedgcoxe and H. P. Saunders.
J. G. Hedigcoxe, a man of wealth and influence whose labors have been of direct and immediate serviceableness in the development and promotion of the southwest, came from Texas to Roswell, November 24, 1899, ex- changing property in the Lone Star state for interests in the Territory. He has one and a half acres of land within the city limits of Roswell, which was planted for the first time in 1900, and in the year 1905 he gathered therefrom five crops of alfalfa, without any surface irrigation, the average production being five tons to the acre. The prospects are very bright for the future in this valley, as modern scientific farming has shown the possi- bilities of development here. Mr. Hedgcoxe belongs to that class of citi- zens who are a valuable acquisition to the district, for he has both wealth and influence-qualities which are essential to the development of the Ter- ritory. He is a director in the American National Bank of Roswell and is a very active man of keen business insight and ready recognition of opportunities, using the various advantages which come to him, and while promoting individual prosperity also advances the general welfare.
John W. Rhea, interested as a partner in the W. E. Pickard Company, is closely associated with the agricultural development of New Mexico. The ranch of the company is located in Reeves county, Texas, eighteen
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miles south of Toyah Station on the Texas Pacific Railroad. The company is composed of Roswell people, all save J. E. Rhea, of Bovina, Texas, the other partners being J. W. Rhea, H. R. Morrow, H. L. Gill and John W. Warren, all of Roswell, while E. D. Balcom is general manager and resides upon the ranch at Brogado, Texas. The officers of the company are H. R. Morrow, president; J. W. Rhea, vice-president, and E. D. Balcom, gen- eral manager and treasurer, while the other stockholders, together with the officers, are directors of the company. The company is irrigating its land, comprising forty-two hundred acres in a single tract, of which six- teen hundred acres is under cultivation. There is a canal fifteen miles long from Toyah Springs, and in the year 1906 one thousand acres has been planted to cotton. They also raise alfalfa and Indian corn and are now setting out a commercial orchard, the land being especially adapted for the production of pears, peaches, apples and grapes, one hundred acres being planted to fruit in the present year-1906. They have sufficient water power to develop one hundred horse-power and they have their own gin, operated by water power. This company purchased its present hold- ings in January, 1906, and are now operating extensively in the line of agricultural and horticultural development, with every indication for success.
J. E. and J. W. Rhea are also owners of a cattle ranch thirty-five miles north of Portales in Quay county, New Mexico. They run about six thousand steers there. The ranch adjoins the Texas line, and adjoining this in Texas they have fifty thousand acres, being the first purchasers from the Capital Syndicate Company of Texas. The brothers located this ranch in 1885, and it has been a paying property. In December, 1904, John W. Rhea removed to Roswell, where he has since resided, and has become a factor in its financial and commercial interests, being now the vice-president of the American National Bank and a stockholder in the Roswell Trading Company. He is active in the development of the rich natural resources of the Territory, and in business circles he has wielded a wide influence.
The First National Bank of Artesia was organized in August, 1903, and opened for business February 2, 1904. The capital of $25,000 is fully paid and a surplus of $1,500. The present management took charge of the bank July 15, 1004. During the first month of its existence the de- posits amounted to $20,000. When the present management took charge there were $45,000 deposits; now the deposits are $150,000, with a $5,000 surplus and $2,500 undivided profits. The officers are: S. W. Gilbert, president, one of the founders; Charles S. Hoffman, first vice-president ; K. C. Smith, banker of St. Francisville, Louisiana, second vice-president ; R. M. Ross, cashier, one of the founders and .the first president; and L. R. Gaidry, assistant cashier. The directors are S. W. Gilbert, R. M. Ross, L. R. Gaidry, Charles S. Hoffman, John S. Major, K. C. Smith, E. A. Cahoon and Olin H. Ragsdale.
The Hagerman National Bank was opened for business December 7, 1904, with J. W. Warren, president; H. J. Hagerman, vice-president ; and W. M. Waskom, cashier. The charter was issued December 6, 1904. The capital stock was $25,000. The present officers are: J. W. Warren, presi- dent; E. A. Cahoon, vice-president ; and W. M. Waskom, cashier. The directors are E. A. Cahoon, L. Wallace Holt, George M. Slaughter, John W. Warren and W. M. Waskom. The deposits are $100,000, and surplus and undivided profits are $2,000. The bank is located in its own building.
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The Bank of Artesia was organized February 7, 1905, with a capital stock of $30,000. Its officers are: J. C. Gage, president; A. V. Logan, vice-president; A. L. Norfleet, cashier; and John B. Enfield, assistant cashier, with E. N. Heath, J. K. Walling and A. T. Gunter as directors. The deposits are $106,000.
The First National Bank of Alamogordo, chartered November I, 1899, began business in February, 1900, with a capital stock of $36,800, and the following officers: President, H. J. Anderson; vice president, Charles B. Eddy; cashier, Benjamin Sherrod. The incorporators were men identified with the construction of the El Paso-Northeastern Rail- road, who erected the building occupied by the bank. H. J. Anderson, the chief stockholder, has filled the office of president continuously since its organization. William J. Bryson, the present vice president, succeeded Charles B. Eddy, and T. L. Lane, the cashier, succeeded Benjamin Sherrod. The directors are : Henry J. Anderson, William J. Bryson, A. P. Jackson, C. L. Meyer and F. M. Rhomberg.
Henry J. Anderson, president of the First National Bank of Alamo- gordo, who, since 1899, has been one of the potential factors in the de- velopment of the town and of Otero county as well, is a native of New York city, where his education was acquired. Early in life he entered the War department at Washington, D. C., in a clerical capacity, and for several years lived in the capital, being employed in the government serv- ice. Later he became interested in banking, and from 1878 until 1893 was a national bank examiner and receiver, and in this capacity wound up the affairs of several national banks which had gone into liquidation. In 1887 he was sent out as expert accountant and special examiner with the United States Pacific Railway commission under appointment by Presi- dent Cleveland to investigate the Central, Union and Southern Pacific railroads, bonded by the United States government.
In 1889 Mr. Anderson went to Scranton, Pennsylvania, as vice-presi- dent of the Lackawanna Trust & Safe Deposit Company, continuing there in that capacity until 1899, when he came to Alamogordo to establish the First National Bank, which has become known as one of the most solid and reliable financial concerns of the Territory. He has been its presi- dent since its organization. The bank was established upon a safe, con- servative policy that has awakened uniform confidence and secured a large patronage. His previous experience in the business and financial world well qualified Mr. Anderson for this undertaking, and he has enlarged the scope of the institution along safe and modern lines of progress and im- provement. Interests relating to the welfare and development of the city receive his endorsement, support and co-operation. He is active in the Episcopal church, and was one of the chief builders of the house of wor- ship in Alamogordo.
The First National Bank of Las Cruces has been in operation only since May 13, 1905, at which time it was incorporated with a capital stock of $25,000 by Nicholas Galles, and others. Mr. Galles has been president since the date of organization. Dr. Nathan Boyd, the first vice-president, was succeeded by J. S. Woodhull. Fay Sperry is the cashier. The di- rectors are the three officers and J. P. Mitchell and R. M. Maves. In the winter of 1905-6 the bank erected a two-story fire brick building.
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HISTORY OF NEW MEXICO
The Bank of Springer, chartered by the Territory November 16, 1905, with a capital stock of $30,000, succeeded to the business of the private bank of Andrew Morton, and is an institution which the residents of the southern part of Colfax county have needed for some time. Dennis J. Devine is its manager.
The Citizens' National Bank of Alamogordo was organized June 13, 1906, with $30,000 capital stock and these directors: A. Hunter, James Hunter, Jacob Snover, C. E. Mitchell, Perry Kearney, H. M. Denney, Oliver M. Lee, Bert Seamans and J. L. Lawson. A. Hunter was elected president, Jacob Snover vice-president, and Bert Seamans cashier.
The first bank to be organized in what is now San Juan county was located at Aztec, and was known as the San Juan County Bank. It was- established by Robert C. Prewitt and others in 1893, but went into liqui- dation January 1, 1897. Judge Samuel D. Webster was president, Frank M. Pierce was vice-president, and Charles V. Safford was assistant cash- ier. Mr. Prewitt, who was the chief stockholder, was cashier and manager of the bank during its life.
The second banking house established in San Juan county was con- ducted in connection with the San Juan Stores Company by R. C. Prewitt and others. The Citizens' Bank, of Aztec, is the third in the county. It was chartered under the territorial laws December 23, 1904, with a capital stock of $15,000. Colonel W. H. Williams is president, J. R. Williams is vice-president, and T. A. Pierce is cashier and manager.
Colonel William H. Williams, a merchant of Aztec, came to this place in 1890 and purchased a stock of goods from J. A. Koontz. A na- tive of Kentucky, he was born in Rock Castle county, March 18, 1835. He entered business life on his own account in March, 1856, in Carthage, Illi- nois, and was thus engaged until July, 1861, when he joined the Second Illinois Cavalry and served until the close of the war, being mustered in as orderly sergeant. He was on active duty in western Kentucky, western Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Missouri, and resigned his commis- sion as first lieutenant at Baton Rouge on the 21st of May, 1864. A few days after his return home Bill Dunn, Bill Anderson and other notorious characters went into the town on a raid and Colonel Williams accepted command of a new company organized for home protection, and at once was made colonel of the First Regiment of the Van Buren County (Iowa) Militia for protection of the Missouri and Iowa border. In August, 1864, he removed to Milton, Iowa. and three years later became a resident of Osage Mission, Kansas, where he remained for fourteen years. He left there in January, 1881, for Silver Cliff, Colorado, and subsequently was at Bonanza, Colorado, and afterward at Grand Junction and at Gunnison, Colorado, whence he came to Aztec in 1890. He has since been closely identified with mercantile interests here. In politics he is a Republican, but not active as a worker in the ranks of the party. Socially he is con- nected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
R. C. Prewitt, engaged in the insurance business in Farmington, where he located in 1883, came from Missouri to New Mexico. Subse- quently, however, he returned to Kentucky and was graduated in law from the Missouri University. He was afterward admitted to the New Mexico bar, and in 1885 he established an insurance agency in Durango. He has since figured prominently in various interests of importance to the busi-
First National Bank Tucumcari,
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BANKS AND BANKING
ness community, and in 1893 opened at Aztec the first bank in San Juan county, known as the San Juan County Bank, which went into liquidation January 1, 1897. Mr. Prewitt was the pioneer insurance man in San Juan county, and as representative of life and fire insurance companies has controlled the leading business in his line.
The First National Bank of Tucumcari succeeded to the business of the Exchange Bank of Tucumcari January 6, 1902, and was organized as a national bank June 9, 1902. Frank P. Harmon is president, A. B. Simpson is vice-president, W. F. Buchanan is cashier, and Earl George is assistant cashier. The capital stock is $25,000, and the deposits exceed $100,000.
W. F. Buchanan, cashier of the First National Bank of Tucumcari, on coming to the Territory located at Portales, where he established the First Exchange Bank of Portales, which was later merged into the Bank of Portales. In January, 1901, upon the organization of the town, he came to Tucumcari and opened the Exchange Bank of Tucumcari in 1902. It has since been merged into the First National Bank of Tucumcari. He is president of the Tucumcari Commercial Club, and is a man of keen business enterprise, of marked sagacity and foresight, qualities which enable him to recognize the opportunities for development here, to take cognizance of the natural resources of the country and to improve the possibilities which are everywhere evident. His co-operation has been a valued and effective force in public progress.
The Guadalupe County Bank, at Santa Rosa, was organized Decem- ber 9, 1901, by H. B. Jones, L. M. Shely, J. J. Moise and C. H. Stearns, under the laws of the territory. About the same time Jefferson Raynolds and others secured a charter for an institution called the First National Bank of Santa Rosa, and it was thought two banks would soon be in opera- tion; but an agreement was reached by which the charter of the National Bank was transferred to the organizers of the Guadalupe County Bank, and the two concerns were merged into the First National Bank of Santa Rosa.
The Bank of Portales was organized March 16, 1902, by J. B. Sledge, with a capital stock of $30,000, under the laws of the Territory. J. B. Sledge is president and cashier, R. F. Sledge is first vice-president, and J. H. Gee is second vice-president.
The First National Bank of Portales was organized in 1902 by W. O. Oldham, C. O. Leach and W. E. Lindsey, with a capital stock of $25,000 and these officers: President, C. O. Leach ; vice-president, W. E. Lindsey ; cashier, W. O. Oldham; assistant cashier, W. A. Davis; directors, C. O. Leach, W. E. Lindsey, W. O. Oldham, A. W. Rockefeller, E. J. Neer and G. W. Carr.
George L. Ulrich, vice-president of the Exchange Bank at White Oaks, dates his residence here from 1880. He is a native of Louisiana, but for the past twenty-six years has made his home in New Mexico. After coming to the Territory he engaged in the cattle business and dealt in live stock continuously for twelve years, when, in 1892, he 'joined with other substantial citizens in the establishment of the Exchange Bank, which was organized under the laws of the Territory at White Oaks, the stockhold- ers being Jefferson Raynolds, J. W. Zollars, John Y. Hewett, William Watson and George L. Ulrich. The present officers are Jefferson Ray-
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HISTORY OF NEW MEXICO
nolds, president ; George L. Ulrich, vice-president, and F. G. Sager, cash- ier. The bank was established along safe, conservative lines, and has had a prosperous existence, conducting a general banking business, which is constantly increasing in volume and importance.
The Southwestern Savings, Loan and Building Association of Las Vegas, was incorporated May 1, 1899, with these officers; president, C. E. Perry ; vice president, F. A. Manzanares; second vice president, Thomas Ross; third vice president, J. S. Duncan ; attorney and auditor, Arthur N. Jordan ; secretary, A. D. Higgins; treasurer, San Miguel National Bank. The authorized capital is $2,500,000.
Las Vegas Ætna Building Association was organized in September, 1899, and incorporated under the Building and Loan laws of New Mexico. The chief incorporators were John D. W. Veeder, Homer J. Kendall, L. Bradford Prince and others. The officers are: John D. W. Veeder, presi- dent; L, Bradford Prince, vice president; George H. Hinker, secretary and treasurer. The San Miguel National Bank is the depository.
The Raton Building and Loan Association founded in 1889, has been a leading instrument in upbuilding the town. It is proud of its record as a strictly mutual association, and, in line with this fact, it has never foreclosed or taken a building. Its reports show very large profits to its shareholders and corresponding low expenditures.
C. V. Safford, traveling auditor and bank examiner at Santa Fé, was born in Topeka, Kansas, in 1865. He went to Aztec in San Juan county, New Mexico, in 1890, where he engaged in banking and mer- chandising, and called to public office, served as county clerk of San Juan county from 1897 until 1901. He was deputy state treasurer and auditor from 1901 until 1903, and in the latter year was appointed traveling auditor, to which position he was re-appointed in March, 1905. He now makes his home in Santa Fé.
The suggestion that a Bankers' Association be organized in New Mexico came from C. N. Blackwell, cashier of the First National Bank of Raton, who, on November 25, 1905, addressed to the bank officials of the territory a circular letter calling attention to the need of such an organization. In response to these letters practically all of the banks and trust companies of the territory agreed that such an association was advisable, and on February 15, 1906, in response to a call issued from Albuquerque, representatives of the territorial banks met in the latter city. Those in attendance were: W. H. Gillenwater, Montezuma Trust Com- pany, Albuquerque; Frank McKec, First National Bank, Albuquerque ; First National Bank, Las Vegas; Exchange Bank, White Oaks; T. L. Lowe, Silver City National Bank ; Edward A. Cahoon, First National Bank, Roswell, First National Bank, Artesia, First National Bank, Portales, First National Bank, Carlsbad, Hagerman National Bank, Hagerman; Daniel T. Hospkins, San Miguel National Bank, Las Vegas; Solomon Luna, Bank of Commerce, Albuquerque; Willard S. Strickler, Bank of Commerce, Albuquerque ; Lou H. Brown, Bank of Deming, Deming; Henry J. An- derson, First National Bank, Alamogordo; Major Robert J. Palen, First National Bank, Santa Fé; W. F. Buchanan, First National Bank, Tucum- cari; John Becker. First National Bank, Belen; William D. Murray, Silver City National Bank and Silver City Savings Bank, Silver City; A. F. Kerr, American National Bank, Silver City; Nathan Jaffa, Citizens National
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Bank, Roswell; H. P. Saunders, American National Bank, Roswell; O. N. Marron, J. B. Herndon, State National Bank, Albuquerque ; Charles N. Blackwell, First National Bank, Raton, Bank of Springer; Joseph Price, Price Brothers, Socorro; H. B. Jones, First National Bank, Santa Rosa; Henry D. Bowman, Bowman's Bank, Las Cruces ; The Horabin-McGaffey Company, Thoreau; Ben Sherrod, Raton National Bank; and the Becker- Blackwell Company, Magdalena.
The first officers of the association formed at the time under the name of the New Mexico Bankers' Association were: C. N. Blackwell, First National Bank, Raton, president; R. J. Palen, President First Na- tional Bank, Santa Fé, vice president : H. D. Bowman, president Bowman's Bank, Las Cruces, secretary ; J. B. Herndon, cashier State National Bank, Albuquerque, treasurer ; Executive committee: E. A. Cahoon, cashier First National Bank, Roswell; W. D. Murray, Silver City National Bank, Silver City; W. S. Strickler, vice president Bank of Commerce, Albu- querque ; D. T. Hoskins, cashier San Miguel National Bank, Las Vegas ; Nathan Jaffa, cashier Citizens' National Bank, Roswell; Frank McKee, cashier First National Bank, Albuquerque ; Lou H. Brown, cashier Bank of Deming, Deming: Joseph Price. Price Brothers, bankers, Socorro; and H. B. Jones, cashier First National Bank, Santa Rosa.
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HISTORY OF NEW MEXICO
THE PROFESSION OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
The first medical attendance received by the inhabitants of New Mex- ico was offered by the Franciscan friars, who were physicians as well as priests, educators and farmers. Perhaps nothing approaching accurate diagnosis was attempted in those days, and only the simplest remedies were applied in the crudest ways. The practice of the profession of medicine in New Mexico can hardly be said to have begun until some time about the middle of the last century. Davis in "El Gringo" mentions the presence of Dr. Henry Connelly, an American, who had resided in the country since 1828, and whose estate was a few miles from the village of Peralta. The doctor had a large establishment with many dependents, but though de- clared a man of wealth and influence and a member of the legislative council (1855), nothing is said of his professional interests.
An anecdote detailed in "El Gringo" furnishes further light on med- ical practice shortly after the American occupation. A marshal's deputy, named Smith, a member of the traveling party with Mr. Davis, the author, occasionally prescribed for the simple-minded natives, but "always used horse medicine in his practice. He was known among the peasantry, among whom his practice lay, as Doctor Simon. Upon one occasion he administered a stiff dose of saleratus and vinegar to an old woman for the rheumatism, and, strange as it may seem, she got well under his treat- ment. Her friends looked upon the cure as a most miraculous one. A few days after, her son visited the camp with a present of eggs and chickens for Smith, but was conducted through mistake to Dr. Simpson, the surgeon of the regiment, whom he told he had brought something for doctoring his mother. The doctor denied curing the woman, but the boy insisted that he had, and that the medicine he had given her had 'biled up.' The inter- preter here explained that the 'Doctor Simon' alluded to was Smith, who was sent for ; and when he told them that the medicine that 'biled up' was saler- atus, all were surprised that the poor woman had not given up the ghost under the treatment."
In the annals of the medical profession in New Mexico in the earlier days the names of several men who afterward won national reputation ap- pear. There is no record to be found of the first surgeons and physicians who came to the Territory to practice. With few exceptions the first definite knowledge we have relates to those who accompanied the army of occupation under General Kearny.
One of the earliest who came and made the Territory their home for any length of time and did not come in an official capacity, was Dr. D. Camden de Leon, who located in Old Albuquerque a few years before the Civil war, practiced there until 1861, when he left to enter the Confed- erate army. He became surgeon in chief before General Lee took com- mand and after his term of service visited Europe for post-graduate work.
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