Statewide County NM Archives History - Books .....Early History 1912
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 7, 2007, 1:03 pm

Book Title: Polk's New Mexico And Arizona Pictorial State Gazetteer

STATE OF NEW MEXICO
EARLY HISTORY.

By J. Wight Giddings. 
Editor and Lawyer, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

     New Mexico, though hut an infant in years as a state, being admitted August
21, 1911, is the oldest in the United States in point of geographical division.
For years, with its adequate population, its vast resources, its wonderful
possibilities, it knocked in vain at the doors of Congress for recognition which
was repeatedly denied. Now, with its star on the flag, and in its well earned
place in the sisterhood of states, it bids fair to advance rapidly in wealth,
population and progressiveness.

     It has a truly wonderful history, full of romance, poetry, battle,
subjugation and final triumph. It was the ground of exploration by the Spaniards
a century before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth and legend tells of Montezuma
being born in the Pecos pueblo, and flying southward, riding on the back of an
eagle, until the bird alighted on the site of the present city of Mexico, when
that city was founded in 1325. Then followed expeditions into this section,
first that of de Vaca, tarrying among the Indians and enjoying their
hospitality; Friar Marcus de Niza, accompanied by the negro Estevan, the former
companion of Vaca, and the cause of Niza's enforced return to his own land,
fruitless of results; Coronado, who came in 1540 in a mad chase for gold, rumors
of the great deposits of which had penetrated to the Mexican capital, and whose
expedition furnishes some of the most interesting pages of history; Espejo, who
came forty years later, to rescue a band of Franciscan Friars who had been
deserted by their escorts and were afterward massacred. These two expeditions of
Coronado and Espejo make some of the most romantic history that has ever been
written, and the hardships which they endured are almost without a parallel.

     It was in 1598 that the first permanent settlement was made under Onate,
and after successful and unsuccessful struggles for supremacy, in 1691 the final
rule of the Spaniards over the Indians became absolute. In 1804 the first
merchandise was brought to New Mexico from east of the plains, having been
hauled all the way from Kaskasia, Illinois. Later in 1806 Captain Zebulon Pike,
exploring in this section of America, was captured, sent to Chihuahua, but later
released and sent home after having been relieved of some valuable papers.

     In 1822 Francis Xavier Chaves established a government in New Mexico, and
in that year began the overland trade with the United States, which continued
through all the ensuing years. In 1835 the first newspaper published west of St.
Louis was founded, and was called "El Crepusculo"— The Dawn. From 1837 to 1842
occurred one revolution after another, when Governor succeeded Governor, on the
latter date the invasion of Texas being attempted.

     On August 18, 1846, Gen. Stephen W. Kearney, commanding a detachment of
United States troops took possession of the territory of New Mexico. The
Territory contributed six thousand troops to the Union armies from 1861-65, and
the work cut out for them was especially arduous as they had to contend against
Confederate troops on one hand and Indians on the other. In 1862, after a
desperate fight in Apache Canyon, the Confederates were driven finally from the
territory. At the close of the war followed almost constant campaigns-against
hostile Indian tribes, and it was not until 1886, when Geronimo, the Apache
chief, surrendered to Gen Miles that the Indians were subjugated and placed on
reservations. In the Spanish-American war New Mexico again showed her loyalty by
contributing to Roosevelt's Rough Riders the largest proportion of that famous
troop.

LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY.

     New Mexico is only exceeded in size by California and Texas, and has
several counties larger than Connecticut or Massachusetts. It has Colorado as a
neighbor on the north, Oklahoma and Texas on the east, Texas and old Mexico on
the south and Arizona on the west.

     Through it from north to south runs the great continental divide, and forms
thus the roof of the American continent, and from it the waters flow eastward to
the Atlantic and westward to the Pacific. This great stretch of mountain range
towers in altitude from 4,000 to over 13,000 feet. The huge ridge of mountains
belongs to the Rocky Mountain system though local names are given to the peaks
and broken ranges as it extends onward in a continuous chain through the west
portion of the state, broken of course, into what appear to be distinct ranges,
but all seeming to converge to a common center. These great ranges, with their
lofty peaks, their irregular formations, their deep canyons down which flow
clear, roaring, foaming streams, their brilliantly colored rocks display a
scenic grandeur and beauty that is unsurpassed anywhere in the world.

     The Rio Grande, bisecting the state from north to south, with its
tributaries comprises the most important river system. It rises in Colorado and
empties into the Gulf of Mexico, about 500 miles of its course being in the
state of New Mexico. In the flood seasons it is a tremendous river, overflowing
many of the lowlands, but in the dry seasons, it becomes an insignificant
stream, although under the sandy bed the water flows unceasingly. This river has
many tributaries along which lie some of the most beautiful valleys in the west.

     The rivers next in size are the Pecos and Canadian. Along the first named,
stretches the Pecos valley, well known for its fertility and beauty. Both of
these rivers, with their tributaries drain a large portion of the eastern
section of the state. In the northwest part are the San Juan, La Plata and
Animas, all of steady flow and in places running through deep canyons; and in
the southwestern portions are the Gila and Mimbres. These rivers, with their
associate streams, are the arteries upon whose flow the life of New Mexico
depends, as they furnish the water for those irrigation systems, without which
the state could not hope to reach the proud position in which she stands today.

     One feature of most, attractive power in New Mexico is found in the most
remarkable ruins of what once constituted the homes of a prehistoric race. Here
once lived the Cliff Dwellers, and the remains of their rock carved dwelling
places are as wonderful as the ruins of Egypt or the Orient, while out on the
plains adjoining are the remains of extensive villages peopled by a race unknown
to the scholar and whose identity the scientist is unable to reveal. These
extinct settlements have proven positive mines of value to the archaeologist in
the treasures which they have given up in pottery, jewelry and implements
unknown today, seeming to belong to the age of stone, but they have given no
solution as to the life, characteristics, method of living nor nationality of
the mystic people who fashioned and used them. Nowhere else in the world have
these ruins their counterpart, though those somewhat similar are found in
Colorado, Utah and Arizona. These interesting and. marvelous ruins offer an
unsurpassed field for the tourist, and New Mexico has an abundance of other
attractions as well, in the way of beautiful and majestic scenery and a
veritable paradise for the huntsman and the angler. Here, too, is the ancient
city of Santa Fe, the oldest city in the United States, rich in historic lore.
No portion of Uncle Sam's domain offers the attractions to the settler, the
tourist, the health seeker, the homeseeker, that are offered by the young and
promising state of New Mexico.

CLIMATE.

     There was an adequate reason for giving to New Mexico the name of the
"Sunshine State". Its climate is one of its big assets. Without any desire to
disparage any other state, it cannot be denied, that New Mexico stands in a
class by itself. The altitude varies from 8,000 feet in the northern portion to
3,000 in the southern, and in both sections and that intervening is found a dry
air, which is at the same time invigorating and has an almost antiseptic quality
against pulmonary troubles. There are no blizzards in this state and no torrid
days followed by debilitating nights. If the mercury climbs high in the sunshine
it drops to a pleasant temperature when the stars come out, and one does not
awaken in the morning with that tired feeling, so often experienced on a summer
morning in the east.

     In the north central portion, as at Santa Fe, the winter temperature runs
in the sun from 50 to 80 degrees, and in summer the shade temperature never
exceeds 90 degrees and the dryness of the air keeps it from being an oppressive
heat. At Las Cruces, in the southern part of the state, the mean temperature for
January is 42 degrees and July a little less than 80 degrees. The days of
sunshine in every year average from 300 to 320, an average which no other state
can show.

     The annual precipitation, including rain, snow, sleet and hail is 14.3
inches. While this precipitation is low, it must be remembered that 62 per cent
of it falls when most needed, in the spring and summer months. Summed up, the
climate may be described as most delightful and equable, with much sunshine, but
not great heat; free from high and disagreeable winds; lacking in that humidity
which is so noticeable in the central and far east; free from the cold and snow
and trying storms of northern latitudes; clear skies, sparse rainfall, few
storms of long duration; pleasant the year around, free from malaria and all
kindred troubles and a specific for consumption.

IRRIGATION.

     The homeseeker is looking more and more to New Mexico from the purely
agricultural standpoint, on account of the opportunities it is offering, and the
chances for the farmer to make good. In the main, the eastern and central
portions of the state are dry farming districts, though the southeastern portion
is successfully irrigated by the wonderful flow of artesian water, and the
southern part will benefit by the Elephant Butte dam, being constructed by the
government. The northern portion is irrigated country.

     Dry farming has been successfully carried on in New Mexico and surprising
results have accrued, while of the irrigated portions it is a common saying,
"You can raise anything". Aside from the reservoir system of irrigation and from
streams and artesian wells, the pumping system has been inaugurated with very
great success in parts of the state, and especially in the county of Luna. Here,
vast tracts, otherwise valueless, have been brought into cultivation and become
gardens of productiveness. The large irrigation systems now in operation, under
the various methods are in the counties of Colfax, Taos, Chaves, Otero, Eddy,
Dona Ana, Luna and San Juan, while others will yet be open to irrigation as
capital sees the value accruing from putting so productive a soil under water.

AGRICULTURE.

     Outside of the actual mountain ranges, any part of this state is adaptable
to agriculture under one system or the other, that of irrigation or dry farming.
Under the former the crops raised mainly are alfalfa, which is the staple crop,
wheat, oats, barley, corn and sweet potatoes. New Mexico is not generally
speaking, an Irish potato country and, only in certain sections are they
successfully grown. A very great success has been met in the culture of
asparagus, onions, celery and beans in the central and southern parts of the
state and those who have gone into the raising of these particular products have
done remarkably well. All garden truck has grown prodigiously and is never
without a market, and in Eddy county cotton has become a staple and winning
crop. Alfalfa in some parts of the state yields from 4 to 6 cuttings, and sugar
beets will grow two crops. In dry farming districts the leading crops are Kaffir
corn, milomaize, sorghum, alfalfa and broom corn. No New Mexico product,
however, is more popular nor has gained so sure a place in the market as the
cantaloupes which have come to be regarded as the finest grown in the world, and
the restaurants and dining cars always make an early bid for this luxury.
Tomatoes, also, grow magnificently and have a smoothness and flavor that belong
only to those produced under the New Mexico sunshine.

FRUIT GROWING.

     The leading fruit of New Mexico is the apple, and this product has won
several prizes over all competitors at various expositions, and at Paris in
1900, the Dona Ana county product took second prize in a world-wide competition.
The apples grown here are particularly free from blight and have a color, flavor
and texture that only the warm and continuous sunshine of the west could
produce. Pears, plums, quinces, grow on a par with apples and in certain
sections peaches rival those grown in parts of the country which for years were
regarded as the peach country par excellence. The peaches grown here have a
remarkable color and a flavor that is not surpassed by any in the world.
Cherries are raised on a small scale as yet, but do well. Small fruits are a
success wherever tried, and grapes are an established product, and are generally
recognized as having no superior.

STOCK RAISING.

     Of course the raising of cattle and sheep will always be as it has always
been, a leading industry. The ranges are almost limitless, the grass nutritious
and plentiful, being largely gramma and blue stalk neither of which has a
superior in stock grasses, and really take the place of grain. Angora goat
raising is also becoming a popular industry as these animals can be easily
handled, while they can find feed high up in the ranges, and the hair is a
valuable market product. The grade of New Mexico stock is being constantly
raised, and full blood Hereford cattle are no longer a novelty. The wool product
of the state is enormous and the grade of sheep is given more and more attention.

LUMBER AND TIMBER.

     The most extensive lumbering operations are at Albuquerque and Alamogordo,
and there are a number of large tie camps scattered throughout the state, those
in Taos, Santa Fe, Lincoln, Valencia, McKinley, Mora, Colfax being the most
extensive. The estimated acreage of merchantable timber is about 5,000,000. The
timber is mainly pine and spruce, and is, at present, largely used in the
construction of railroad bridges and for railroad ties, though, of course, a
vast amount is consumed in building construction. After the timber has been
removed, the land offers an excellent soil for farming.

MINING.

     The mining industries of New Mexico, if in any way detailed would require a
large space. The copper mines have already made a name, the silver mines have
been wonders as wealth producers, and gold has been found in paying quantities
in several localities, while lead and zinc deposits are very extensive.
Turquoise mines have also been worked since the old days of Indian occupation.
The country is rich in its mineral deposits, but with all the above mentioned,
the great asset is coal. Colfax, McKinley, San Juan counties are the big fields,
the two former already producing heavily at present and shipping a high grade
quality. Santa Fe also produces an excellent coal mined at Cerillos. Experts
claim the coal deposits in San Juan county alone are greater than in the state
of Pennsylvania and of the highest quality. Marble of very fine grade, capable
of a remarkable polish, is abundant in Dona Ana county.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

POLK'S NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA
PICTORIAL STATE GAZETTEER
AND
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
FIRST STATEHOOD EDITION
1912-1913
VOLUME NO. 1
R L. POLK & CO., PUBLISHERS
MEMBERS OF ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN DIRECTORY PUBLISHERS ST. PAUL, MINN.
PUBLISH ALSO GAZETTEERS OF
TEXAS, KANSAS, NEBRASKA, SOUTH DAKOTA, NORTH DAKOTA, WYOMING, UTAH, IDAHO,
OREGON, WASHINGTON, MONTANA, WEST VIRGINIA, MINNESOTA, IOWA, KANSAS, MISSOURI,
ALABAMA, OKLAHOMA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI,  KENTUCKY, PENNSYLVANIA, WISCONSIN,
INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ARKANSAS, FLORIDA, NEW JERSEY, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, NEVADA,
CALIFORNIA.


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