Patrick H. Boone

Redfield, Georgia B. 	Words 	189	4/29/38 

PATRICK R. BOONE 

Pioneer Ranchman and Cattleman, Leader in Construction of Hondo Irrigation 
Canal, Established First Roswell Meat Market 

When Patrick H. Boone came to New Mexico and settled in Roswell in 1882 the 
growth and development of this town that was destined to become a leading City 
of New Mexico had practically ceased for a period of eight or ten years. 

The two adobe houses - a store and a hotel - built in 1869 by Van C. Smith and 
Aaron O. Wilburn, on what is now the block west of the Court House, and a 
blacksmith shop established by Rufus H. Dunnahoo in 1881, (a short while 
before the coming of Mr. Boone) on what is now the corner of North Main and 
Fourth Streets was about all the progress made in development of the town at 
the time of the coming of Mr. Boone, who realizing that New Mexico was an 
ideal cattle country, soon after his arrival established a ranch at Salt 
Creek, about eighteen miles northwest of Roswell, and embarked in the cattle 
business. He then established the first meat market in Roswell. C18 - 5/6/41 
N. Mex.

C. D. Bonney had also come to Roswell and settled in 1881. He purchased an 
interest in the store owned by Captain Joseph C. Lea, which operated under the 
name of "Lea Bonney and Company." 

{Begin page no. 2}

After Mr. Boone had become acquainted with Mr. Bonney, the two became close 
friends, and when together they discussed ways and means whereby undeveloped 
land around Roswell might be watered and put into cultivation. 

Some of the plans discussed by them resulted in the construction of what was 
called the "Northern Canal" from the Hondo River, construction of which was 
begun in 1883. 

When work on the canal was completed the Hondo River furnished water for all 
farm lands south of Roswell, as far as the present town of Hagerman - a 
distance of twenty-four miles. Others actively became interested in this canal 
irrigation project, besides Pat Boone and C. D. Bonney, were Asbury Whetstone - 
who did the surveying - and Pat Garrett - who owned a ranch home near the 
Hondo River dam, about three miles east of Roswell. 

After the construction of the Hondo Canal Irrigation System, Mr. Boone 
established and developed one of the finest ranches in the Pacos Valley, now 
known as the Urton Ranch about four miles northeast of Roswell, which he sold 
to W. [?]. Urton in 1900, and is now owned by William Cooley Urton, a son of 
Mr. W. G. Urton. 

Mr. Boone was born in [Neosha?], Missouri and was educated in the public 
schools of [Neosha?]. 

After coming to New Mexico he married April 22nd 1890, to Miss Mildred F. 
Littlefield, daughter of a promiment ranchman of Texas and New Mexico. Four 
children, two girls and two boys were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boone: Mrs. 

{Begin page no. 3}

Minerva Pope, the wife of Professor D. N. Pope, who for over twenty years was 
Superintendent of the Roswell Public schools and Mrs. Alice Allison, the wife 
of Arthur Allison, owner of Roswell Greenhouse and Floral Company, Pat H. 
Boone, Junior, a ranchman of Littlefield, Texas, and William Littlefield 
Boone, who died in 1909 at three months of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. Pope have one child, a son, Delmar N. Pope Junior, seven years 
old, who was born in Roswell, on Christmas Day, 1930. 

Mr. and Mrs. Allison have one child a daughter, Mildred Lou, born in Roswell, 
who is seven years of age. 

[Mrs?]. and Mrs. Patrick Boone Junior have one son, Patrick Boone the third, 
born in Littlefield Texas, now fifteen years of age. 

Mr. Patrick H. Boone, Senior, died in Corpus Christi, Texas in October 1910, 
and was buried at that place. His wife Mrs. Mildred (Littlefield) Boone died 
November 25, 1921. 

Mr. Boone, who was of an adventurous, happy disposition, made many fiends in 
Roswell and in other places where he met people of all stations of life and of 
numerous professions. During his travel he was once taken for Jessie James the 
famous outlaw, whom he resembled in heighth, bearing and features. He was 
arrested and held for several hours until a friend could identify him, and 
assure officials of the law that he was in no way connected with the dreaded 
bandit of some sixty years ago. 

Mr. Boone is remembered by the early settlers of Roswell 

{Begin page no. 4}

as a man who was kind and generous giving of his worldly possessions to many 
in times of need, and lending a helping hand in every way possible during the 
hard years of settlement in the lawless new country of the Territory of New 
Mexico. 

Source of Information: C. D. Bonney and Lucius Dills, Roswell 
Mrs. D. N. Pope, his daughter, Roswell. 

Credit: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers' Project 
Collection.

Chaves

**********************************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any 
format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or 
organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of 
the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the 
listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given 
permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.
**********************************************************************************