USA > New Mexico > History of New Mexico : its resources and people, Volume II > Part 31
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Mr. Gammon married Miss Isabella Bartlett, of Texas, in 1887. Their children are: N. A., attending military school at Roswell; Mabel, Lottie, and Malcolm.
M. W. McGrath, who has been closely connected with the material, intellectual progress and substantial development of Lordsburg along many lines, was born on Prince Edward Island, Canada, and acquired his early education there. When twenty years of age he went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama and in 1881 he arrived in Deming. He was in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and after a year and a half there passed he removed to Lordsburg, where he worked for four years as a master mechanic of the Arizona and New Mexico Railroad. Subsequently he entered the livery and feed business and later turned his attention to merchandising. He also conducted a butcher shop, and in 1900 erected a hotel and business block. He has also put up other buildings in the town and has thus contributed in substantial measure to the improve- ment of the city. He is now proprietor of the Vendome Hotel and has conducted the varied business interests above mentioned in partnership with his two sons, with whom he divided his entire business after they became of age. A man of resourceful ability, readily recognizing and improving opportunities, he has, through his marked enterprise, keen discernment and unflagging diligence, won for himself a place among the substantial resi- dents of Lordsburg and at the same time his efforts have been a valued factor in the material development and improvement of the city.
Mr. McGrath was married in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and has two sons, Lemuel C. and Herbert J., who manage and carry on the bus- iness. In community affairs Mr. McGrath has been deeply interested and his labors have been of direct benefit in lines of intellectual, social and pol- itical progress. He raised the first money and paid the first teacher who held school in Lordsburg, and was the first school director. In fact, he is regarded as the father of the system of public instruction here and he has ever done all in his power to further the work of public education. He has been justice of the peace of Lordsburg for the past fourteen years and is
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very active in Democratic politics, being an earnest champion of the prin- ciples of the party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. He is a charter member of Pyramid Lodge No. 23, K. P., of which he has been past chancellor.
O. R. Smyth, now living retired in Lordsburg, is one of the honored pioneers of New Mexico who have aided in reclaiming this region from the domain of the savage and converted it to the use of modern civiliza- tion. He was born and reared in Hempstead, New York, and came to the west on the second train that reached Pueblo, Colorado, over the Santa Fé Railroad. He prospected in that state and became familiar with min- ing processes and methods there. He also followed coal mining in Mis- souri. In 1876 he arrived in the Territory of New Mexico, locating in Santa Fé, where he spent a few months, after which he took charge of the overland stage at Silver City, conducting the stage business between the two railroads, the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific. Those were troublous times, when the Indians were frequently upon the war-path and resented the encroachments of the white race upon their hunting grounds. They stopped not at any atrocity nor depredation and constantly waged warfare upon the white people. There were nineteen men in the employ of Mr. Smyth who were killed by the Indians during the time that he had charge of the overland stage route. He is familiar with almost every chap- ter of the history of the early pioneer days here and from actual experiences can relate incidents of far more thrilling interest than many a tale of fic- tion. Since his retirement from the stage business in 1881 he has devoted his time and energies to mining, freighting and merchandising, but at this writing is practically living retircd, having in the course of an active, busy and useful life accumulated a competence that now enables him to put aside all business cares. In 1902 he was elected to the office of county commis- sioner of Grant county and discharged the duties of the position with the same fidelity and promptness that have ever marked the discharge of his business obligations and the care of his private interests. He belongs to Pyramid Lodge No. 23, K. P., of Lordsburg, and is one of the prominent and honored citizens of this locality to whom the Territory owes a debt of gratitude for what he has accomplished in reclaiming this district for the uses of the white race.
Robert H. Boulware, a commission man of Silver City, New Mexico, who is also engaged in the livery business, was born in Bowling Green, Virginia, and from the age of nineteen years has been in the west, identi- fied with the great movement of progress and improvement which has led to the rapid and substantial upbuilding of this section of the country. In 1885 he located in Fairview, New Mexico, and for six years was there en- gaged in raising and dealing in horses and cattle. In 1891 he made his way to Link Bar zinc ranch on Diamond creek, where he spent four years as foreman, and he was also foreman for four years on the ranch of Black Canyon. Removing to Silver City he established a livery barn, which he has since conducted, and he is also interested in the commission business, buying and selling horses, cattle and ranches. He is a man of executive force and enterprise, improving each opportunity as it arises, and has made a creditable record as a successful business man. He is also inter- ested in mining, having invested in different properties.
Mr. Boulware was married June 14, 1905, to Miss Blanch Casey. He Vol. II. 15
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is a member of Silver City Lodge No. 8, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the Knight Templar degree of Masonry. He likewise belongs to Silver City Lodge No. 14, B. P. O. E., and to Silver City Lodge, A. O. U. W. He served as deputy sheriff of Sierra county for four years and has had many experiences with the Indians, especially while living at Fairview, so that he became a participant in events which form the history of the most picturesque epoch in the development of the southwest.
J. B. Gilchrist, secretary and treasurer of the G. O. S. Cattle Com- pany, has been and is a valued factor in the development of the Territory through his active connection with railroad building and through the ef- fective efforts he has put forth in securing the investment of capital in this portion of the country. He came to New Mexico in 1891 as chief en- gineer of the Silver City & Northern Railroad Company and superintended and engineered the building of the road from Whitewater to Hanover. T. G. Condon, of New York city, was vice-president of the company and the prime factor in interesting capital in the road, and to him is due much credit for the establishment of the line. The line was completed in Sep- tember, 1891, the purpose of its construction being to take out the iron ore for the gold and silver smelters to be used as a flux. This ore was shipped to Socorro and El Paso and utilized for flux in the smelters there. The railroad was operated for this purpose until 1896, when the track was washed out, and in 1898 the Santa Fé Company bought the road, repairing it to Santa Rita. When the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company began opera- tions here they made arrangements with the Santa Fé Company to con- tinue the road to Fierro, since which time the company has been mining for iron ore and converting the same into steel, making shipments over the railroad. Following the original completion of the road in 1891 Mr. Gil- christ had charge of the line and was also superintendent of the iron mines in this vicinity. He continued in that capacity until 1895 and in 1896 he was engaged in mining operations in old Mexico and in 1897 at Cripple Creek, Colorado. In 1898 he returned to Grant county and in 1899 the firm of Gilchrist & Dawson was established. For a year previous Mr. Gil- christ had been engaged in leasing mining properties from the Santa Rita Copper & Iron Company at Santa Rita, and Mr. Gilchrist mined for copper on their properties. The firm of Gilchrist & Dawson being organ- ized in April, 1899, they continued in the same line of work and in the same locality, opening up property which had been idle since 1884, but which has been in active operation since they assumed charge. The firm of Gilchrist & Dawson, however, discontinued mining at Santa Rita in 1899. The firm then began mining at Fierro, leasing from the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, and so continued until August, 1902. A mercantile enterprise was conducted in conjunction with the other interests of this company, and at the present time Mr. Gilchrist is conducting a success- ful mercantile business at Fierro. He is the president of the firm of Gil- christ & Dawson, which firm owns the Copper Rose mine east of Santa Rita and now leases to other parties. Mr. Gilchrist has also extended his efforts to other lines, being now secretary and treasurer of the G. O. S. Cattle Company, with headquarters on the Sappello. This company is in- corporated with Victor Culberson as president and manager, J. B. Gil- christ, secretary and treasurer, and R. F. Herndon, of Colorado, as vice- president. This company bought out the Mountain Range Cattle Com-
J. W. Bible
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pany, also the stock interests of Mrs. O. C. Carpenter and of the old G. O. S. Company and merged all these under the name of the G. O. S. Cattle Company.
J. W. Bible, president of the Hanover Mercantile Company at Han- over, New Mexico, came to Grant county in the Territory in 1891 in the interests of the Southwestern Coal & Iron Company, Hanover Improve- ment Company and the Silver City & Northern Railroad Company. When the Silver City & Northern Railroad was acquired by the Atchison, Tope- ka & Santa Fé Railroad Company in 1891. Mr. Bible took a lease on the Hanover Improvement & Southwestern Coal & Iron Companies' proper- ties and also leased individual holdings. About 1900 the Empire Mines Company was formed by Mr. Bible and this company purchased proper- ties in this district, including the Ivanhoe mine. Later, however, this company sold all of its holdings to the Rio Grande Copper Company and Mr. Bible continued as general manager for this company. In 1904 the Hermosa Copper Company acquired these holdings and Mr. Bible con- tinted as general superintendent for the last mentioned company. In 1900 he was the organizer of the Grant County Telephone Company and is now its vice-president. He has been the promoter of business progress and im- provement along various lines here and in 1898 organized the firm of Mur- ray & Bible, general merchants, at Hanover, predecessors to the Hanover Mercantile Company, of which Mr. Bible is now president. He is one of the most far-sighted and energetic business men of this locality, and has made a success of every enterprise in which he has been connected. As a mining man he is one of the most practical and thoroughly informed men in the southwest. In 1900 he was appointed a member of the Ter- ritorial Immigration Board by Governor Otero and is now serving as treasurer of the board. He is also a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers.
J. A. Wolford, of Central. the pioneer fruit-raiser in Santa Clara valley, now devoting his energies to horticultural pursuits and to stock- raising, came to the Territory in 1874 and has since been a resident of Grant county. He was born in Germany and in 1839 came to America. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in 1861 at the three months' call. He was at that time a resident of Cumberland county. Illinois. He joined the army as a private, and after the expiration of his first term he re-enlisted in 1862 as a member of Com- pany G, One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Infantry. He came from Kansas to New Mexico and located near Lone Mountain.
F. J. Davidson. senior partner of the firm of F. J. Davidson & Com- pany, general merchants at Pinos Altos, is a native of Nova Scotia and came from Halifax, that country, to New Mexico in October, 1883. his des- tination being Silver City, where he remained until March, 1884. He then went to Pinos Altos and entered the employ of the Pinos Altos Gold and Silver Mining Company, one of the pioneer companies operating in this localitv, and practically the first company to build a quartz mill here. At that time V. C. Place was manager and Mr. Davidson was engaged as bookkeeper and manager of the company's store, which was conducted in the building which he now occupies. He was with the original company for two years, when they sold out to the Hearst people and the property now belongs to the Comanche Mining and Smelting Company. In 1886
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Mr. Davidson began business on his own account in Pinos Altos, success- fully conducting his enterprise until 1890, when he suffered a severe loss through fire. He was then out of business for nearly a year, when he re- sumed operations in trade, and in February, 1903, he again suffered heavily by fire. He reopened his store, however, in the building which he now occupies, and is at the head of the firm of F. J. Davidson & Company, dealers in general merchandise. They carry a well selected line of goods and have a liberal patronage, which is constantly growing. Mr. David- son has also been engaged in mining in Pinos Altos at different times, although not interested now in the development of the mineral resources of this section of the country. In politics he is a Democrat and fraternally is connected with the Elks at Silver City.
Walter Brandis, identified with mining operations in the vicinity of Pinos Altos, was born in Sherman, Texas, in 1874, and has been a resi- dent of New Mexico since 1879, the journey being made by wagon to Silver City. In 1891 he came to Pinos Altos and began learning the trade of a mill hand, working in the quartz mills in this camp. In 1902 the firm of Brandis & Company leased the mammoth mill at Pinos Altos from the Golden Giant Mining Company, and as head of the present firm Mr. Brandis has since been conducting this industrial enterprise, operating a ten-stamp mill. He also leased the Kept Woman mine, located above Pinos Altos, and controls its output. It has now been in his possession for about three months, and when he has it opened up will furnish thirty tons every twenty-four hours. Aside from its output he mills the output of other mines in this camp and is thus closely associated with the mining interests of this portion of the Territory.
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LINCOLN COUNTY.
Lincoln county lies nearly in the center of the Territory, being bounded north by Torrance and Guadalupe counties, east by Roosevelt and Chaves, south by Chaves, Otero and Doña Ana counties and west by Socorro. It contains nearly 5,000 square miles and about the same population ; that is, it averages one person to every square mile of territory. Its county seat is Lincoln, a town of 1,000 population.
Originally Lincoln county occupied the entire southeastern portion of the Territory, and much of the choicest grazing land in New Mexico. From 1876 to 1879 it was the scene of what was known as "the Lincoln county war," between rival cattle owners. The entire population of its 30,000 square miles was compelled to take sides in this conflict, and partisanship of the most bitter character was engendered. More than a score of men were killed during the contest, which was practically for the control of the range on the government land in that section. Each side employed desperadoes as cowboys, and battles and sieges succeeded each other as in a regular war.
By legislative act of 1889. Chaves and Eddy counties were separated from Lincoln, and in 1899 Otero was carved from its territory, which then assumed its present area.
Physical and Industrial Features .- The average elevation of Lincoln county is from 4,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level. The Sierra Blanca, Capitan, Nogal and Carrizo ranges, in its central and southern portions, are well forested with pine pinyon, juniper, oak and cottonwood, which afford excellent material for fuel and building. Loftier mountain ranges run north and south in Socorro county, but so near the western boundary of Lincoln as to form a complete watershed. Around White Oaks and the Nogal and Capitan mountains are valuable mines of copper and lead.
The face of the country is varied, the northern half of the county being chiefly composed of vast plateaus, interspersed with valleys, mountains and tablelands. The character of the soil also varies, the larger portion being a sandy loam, with frequent and considerable areas of chocolate and black soil, similar to the prairie lands of the more distant eastern states. The central parts of the county are well watered by running streams, the prin- cipal of which is the Rio Hondo, a deep, swift stream, draining the Sierra Blanca and Capitan mountains. Besides this are the Felix, Ruidoso, Bonito, Eagle, Upper and Lower Penyasco and Nogal creeks. In the northern portions springs break out on the wide plateaus and afford abundance of water for stock.
Grapes and currants in their native state grow in great abundance, while cultivated vines, as well as apples, peaches and pears, yield splendid harvests. All the grains of the temperate zone grow well, vegetables of
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every variety maturing into wonderful proportions. Beans are an espe- cially reliable crop, and the forage grasses and fertilizers develop to per- fection. Alfalfa yields from four to five cuttings annually, and the crop will average from five to eight tons per acre.
For pasturage and a stock country Lincoln county has few equals. Stock of all descriptions subsist on the range alone and keep in fine condi- tion, winter and summer. Prudent managers think that two per cent is a liberal estimate of loss from all causes while the cattle or sheep are on the range. The profit on cattle is estimated to be at least fifty cents monthly per head from the time they are calved, while the profit on sheep is not less than fifty per cent.
County Officers .- Lincoln county was organized in 1869, but, like many other counties in New Mexico, many of the records have disap- peared. It is impossible to give anything like a complete list of the county officials.
Towns .- Lincoln, the county seat, is in the southeastern part of the county, on the Rio Bonito. It is a place of about 1,000 people, its nearest railroad station being Capitan, on the El Paso & Northeastern line, about ten miles to the west.
White Oaks, forty-one miles northwest of Lincoln and nearly in the center of the county, is the most important point. It is surrounded by good gold mines and mills and is altogether a thriving town. The adjacent mountains are also rich in coal and iron and covered with pine, cedar and pinyon timber. Even before White Oaks secured railroad connections through the El Paso & Northeastern system it was a remarkably pros- perous place. For years it has been the seat of most successful gold min- ing. The first lode located in the White Oaks camp was South Home- stake, by John E. Wilson, in November, 1879. A few days later John V. Winters located the North Homestake. A little later were staked out Old Abe (the deepest dry mine in the United States), Rip Van Winkle, Com- stock, Little Mack and Henry Clay, and during the winter of 1879-80 Large Hopes, Little Hell and Blacksmith. The camp's real "boom" commenced in March, 1880, with the discovery of unusually rich ore in the North Homestake.
The military post of Fort Stanton is located in a beautiful valley seven miles from Lincoln. It is about forty miles north of the Mescalero Apache Indian agency, and was established in the late 'sos to keep the Mescalero Apaches in check.
John W. Owen, sheriff of Lincoln county, was born and reared in Sedalia, Missouri, where he became familiar with the occupation of farm- ing. He arrived in White Oaks, New Mexico, in 1885, and began raising and dealing in cattle and horses. He is yet interested in that industry in the vicinity of White Oaks, having a ranch thirty-five miles north of the town. He raises cattle on quite an extensive scale and the business is a profitable one. Called to public office, he was elected sheriff in 1902 and served for seven months. In 1905 he was re-elected and removed with his family to Lincoln. He had previously served as constable and as deputy sheriff of White Oaks, and has proved a capable officer, prompt and faith- ful in the discharge of his duties. He is a member of Excelsior Lodge No. 5, I. O. O. F.
J. J. and Manuel Aragon, proprietors of a leading mercantile estab-
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lishment in Lincoln, are natives of Valencia county, New Mexico, and both acquired their early education in this Territory. J. J. Aragon afterward became a student in Nelson Business College at Springfield, Ohio, and, returning to the Territory, he engaged in merchandising with his brother at Monticello; Sierra county, where he remained for a few years. He then sold out and removed to El Paso, where he engaged in merchandis- ing for about three years. He afterward spent two years in Alamogordo, New Mexico, as proprietor of a drug store, and in August, 1901, came to Lincoln, where he established a general mercantile store, which he has since successfully conducted. He has always been in partnership with his brother Manuel, the business relations between them being mutually pleas- ant and profitable. In 1886 J. J. Aragon was engaged in the real estate business in Kansas City. He has been somewhat prominent in public affairs in the Territory, especially as the supporter of the Republican party. He was superintendent of schools in Sierra county about 1896, and the cause of education found in him a warm and stalwart friend. He is ever alive to the best interests of county and Territory, and his labors have been of direct and permanent good in promoting the general improvement of the Territory.
George B. Barber, engaged in the practice of law at Lincoln, is a native of Virginia, and when a youth accompanied his parents on their removal to what was then the northwest territory, the family locating in the city of Milwaukee. Wisconsin. Coming to the Southwest, Mr. Barber took up his abode in Lincoln in December, 1877, and studied law in the office of Judge Ira E. Leonard. Following his preliminary reading, he was ad- mitted to the bar at Lincoln in 1882, and at once opened an office for prac- tice. He has since been an active representative of the profession here, and for three years served as district attorney for the counties of Lincoln, Chaves and Eddy. He is a close and discriminating student of the law, prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care, and is strong in argument, so that he has won many notable forensic victories, having a clientage that connects him with the most important litigation tried in the courts of the district. He is very active in Republican politics, recognized as one of the leaders of the party in this section of the Territory.
J. W. Prude, licensed trader with the Indians at Mescalero Apache Indian agency and also supplying the mess hall ranchers and others in the locality, was born and reared in Texas and has spent his entire life on the frontier. He was the son of a pioneer cattleman, John Prude, of Ala- bama, who went to Texas in 1852, while the mother, Mrs. John Prude, became a resident of the Lone Star state in 1847. In his youth J. W. Prude became a cowboy and is familiar with all of the thrilling experiences as well as the routine work of that occupation. Since the fall of 1887 he has been in New Mexico, and since 1889 has resided in Lincoln county, de- voting his attention to merchandising. He has been agency trader for four years, and for seven years previous to that time conducted an independent mercantile business. He has many Indian curios. The Apaches not only make blankets, but also moccasins, pappoose boxes and water jugs, the last being made from amole or soap plant, covered with wax.
Mr. Prude was married to Miss Mattie Bennett, a daughter of Captain John T. Bennett, who won his title by service with a Texas regiment in the Mexican war. Mr. and Mrs. Prude have three daughters and two sons,
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namely : Andrew B., Maggie, William, Ruth and Myra. Mr. Prude is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Alamogordo.
P. L. Krouse, who is engaged in mining at Alto, became a resident of Lincoln county, New Mexico, in 1887. In 1883 he had settled near Seven Rivers, where he took up a ranch and engaged in cattle-raising until 1887, when he came to Lincoln county and secured government contracts for building and repairing. When his work in that direction was completed he turned his attention to mining interests at Parsons and Eagle Creek, developed the Hopewell mine and other properties, carrying on business for the White Mountain Mining Company. He has now for a number of years been actively associated with the development of the mineral resources of New Mexico and his practice, experience and knowledge well qualify him for this task.
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