Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-07-24
source date: 1891
availability: public-domain

Was He Murdered Some six weeks, or two months ago, the body of a man was found about one-half mile from Cane Springs, on the west slope of the Cook’s Peak range of mountains in this county. The body lay near the surface, wrapped in a blanket, and was scantily covered with stones. The discovery was made by Mr. Washburne’s little girls, who were herding sheep in the vi- cinity. They notified their father of their dis- ( 67 ) covery, who, upon visiting the place found everything as described. The body had become mummified, and a gold ring on one of the little fingers was the only thing noticed. The corpse was not unwrapped, as the parties had doubts as to their right to investigate the matter. The justice of the peace, and his constable, in whose precinct the body was discovered, was notified. Notwithstanding this notification not a solitary officer has made a single effort to investigate the case. They evidently considered that is the victim of what undoubtedly was a cold blooded murder, was nothing more than a poor prospec- tor, he was not worthy of any attention.

. Notwithstanding this notification not a solitary officer has made a single effort to investigate the case. They evidently considered that is the victim of what undoubtedly was a cold blooded murder, was nothing more than a poor prospec- tor, he was not worthy of any attention. The popular impression along the Mimbres, where the facts of the case are known, is that the corpse is that of Julian Swallow, a prospec- tor and occasional book peddler, who was well known along the river and at Central, where he formerly resided. He disappeared mysteri- ously about a year ago. About that time some Mexicans were trying to dispose of some books, in the vicinity of WhitehilFs ranch, among others, Livingston’s Africa. Those parties were undoubtedly the murderers, or had cognizance of the crime. Had the victim been a man of wealth and in high standing in the community, and had a reward been offered for the body, our energetic officers might have exerted them- selves to gain the reward, laying aside all con- siderations of humanity and the obligations of the offices which they swore to faithfully per- form. Some one has proven derelict in his duty, and as it is the province of a newspaper to ex- pose wrong wherever discovered, the Enterprise makes the assertion unqualifiedly.

con- siderations of humanity and the obligations of the offices which they swore to faithfully per- form. Some one has proven derelict in his duty, and as it is the province of a newspaper to ex- pose wrong wherever discovered, the Enterprise makes the assertion unqualifiedly. Mike Slattery, superintendent of the Wad- dingham Cattle Co., has lately sold 6,000 twos and threes, to be delivered near the range, at $14 and $19, which are better prices than steers have attained for some time past. — Colfax Stockman. An exceedingly pleasant party was given at the White House ranch Wednesday evening last in honor of the birthday of Mrs. Angus Camp- bell. The party was largely attended by friends of the little lady, quite a number being present from Silver City. All of the guests came away wishing the charming hostess many happy re- turns of the day. Pre-historic RuinsThat the Mimbres valley was once the site of populous Aztec settlements, everything goes to prove, as all along the river for a distance of thirty-five or forty miles, evidence of former occupation are plainly visible. On the lower portion of the river, opposite the ranch of W. H. Taylor, the ruins of an extensive pueblo are seen.

settlements, everything goes to prove, as all along the river for a distance of thirty-five or forty miles, evidence of former occupation are plainly visible. On the lower portion of the river, opposite the ranch of W. H. Taylor, the ruins of an extensive pueblo are seen. At a depth of seven feet from the surface, foundations of large building have been disr- covered, whilst all through the valley as well as for miles along the mesa and hill sides sur- rounding, pottery in every conceivable form is found. At one time, beyond the possibility of a doubt, what is now the fruitful Mimbres val- ley, was a deep gorge, which by reason of washings from the surrounding mountains for countless ages, has become filled with layers of silt for hundreds of feet. In a number of places where holes have been dug and excava- tions made, portions of human skeletons have been unearthed. The pre-historic residents allied as they doubtless were, to the cliff- dwellers, built their habitations upon the hill- sides, and as the gorge became gradually filled up, moved down into the valley and cultivated the soil. Far back on the mesas, evidences of crude ditches exist, cut into the rock and cement, all trending in a general way, towards the level mesas and valley below.

he hill- sides, and as the gorge became gradually filled up, moved down into the valley and cultivated the soil. Far back on the mesas, evidences of crude ditches exist, cut into the rock and cement, all trending in a general way, towards the level mesas and valley below. This vicinity is full of interest for the archaeologist, and he could spend weeks if not months, in pursuit of his favorite pastime. To the antiquary, the Mimbres valley and surrounding hills are filled to repletion with interest, and the many quaint figures and picturesque objects rudely sculp- tured upon the rocks, high up, and almost inac- cessible, are pleasant reminder to the people of today of the innocent tendancies of the people who dwelt in that section aeons of ages before history was made. We of today can but indifferently estimate the toil and patience exerted by this primitive people to record their presence, in monuments more enduring than brass, and can but view with wonder, the ad- vancement made through decades of centuries down to the present enlightened age. TIMMER HOUSE.— J. H. Flagler and W. J. Evans, New York; P. Montgomery, Geo. H. Chick, W. A. Wilson and M. V. B. Benson, Den- ver; E. Strauss, St. Louis; Harry Essinger, Las ( 68 )

nder, the ad- vancement made through decades of centuries down to the present enlightened age. TIMMER HOUSE.— J. H. Flagler and W. J. Evans, New York; P. Montgomery, Geo. H. Chick, W. A. Wilson and M. V. B. Benson, Den- ver; E. Strauss, St. Louis; Harry Essinger, Las ( 68 ) Vegas; G. Gasderf, Santa Fe; R. Belton, El Paso; J. B. Gilchrist, Whitewater; G. E. Hare, Clayton; Bud Williams and W. F. Egidy, Dem- ing; Col. John S. Crawford and John Fraser, Kingston; T. Davis, Lordsburg; J. A. Harlan, Rincon; J. W. Nichols, Albuquerque; W. C. Hadley, Lake Valley; W. H. Llewellyn, Kansas City; Maurice Weil, La Puerta; J. F. Cook, So- corro; H. C. Moore, Deming; W. M. Lacy and J. A. Deaton, Minneapolis; Chas. A. Bailey, Pomona; S. B. Newcomb, Las Cruces; Ralph Halloran, Albuquerque; Joe P. Taggard and G. W. Neff, San Francisco.

alley; W. H. Llewellyn, Kansas City; Maurice Weil, La Puerta; J. F. Cook, So- corro; H. C. Moore, Deming; W. M. Lacy and J. A. Deaton, Minneapolis; Chas. A. Bailey, Pomona; S. B. Newcomb, Las Cruces; Ralph Halloran, Albuquerque; Joe P. Taggard and G. W. Neff, San Francisco. TREMONT HOUSE— Wm. Hink, Chas. B. Kehr- man, J. T. Wright, J. Gaitzsch, Phil Prager, H. Hensley; J. P. Goodlander, St. Louis, Mo.; R. H. Speed, Separ, N. M.; A. D. Speed, Wellington, Kansas; W. W. Stacy, W. C. Harris, A. B. Laird, San Jose ; H. A. Lyman, T. O. Francisco, Omaha ; Jno. A. Deemer, Georgetown; Douglas Gray, El Paso; S. B. Brillhart, East Las Vegas; V. T. Bonnot, J. B. Ferguson, Bonnot’s Mill, Mo.; David Eggleston, Gold Hill; S. H. Fairchild, Kansas City; Chas. E. Jones, Pueblo; A. Rosen- berger, St. Joseph; Felix Leavick and son, Mo- gollons; P. R. Smith, Deming; F. A. Mitchell, Mangas; Geo. C. Eley, San Marcial; Rev. Geo. W. Rubush, La Mesa; David L. Evans, Gila; Geo. C. Scott, Albuquerque. From the July 3L 1891, Issue of The Enterprise The Drummer Gets A Bellyache

. Joseph; Felix Leavick and son, Mo- gollons; P. R. Smith, Deming; F. A. Mitchell, Mangas; Geo. C. Eley, San Marcial; Rev. Geo. W. Rubush, La Mesa; David L. Evans, Gila; Geo. C. Scott, Albuquerque. From the July 3L 1891, Issue of The Enterprise The Drummer Gets A Bellyache Mr. and Mrs. Whiffin were on their way to the Hot Springs, where Mr. W. intended to get relief for his rheumatism in the baths. At a way station a drunken traveling man boarded the train and was put to bed in the berth next to Mr. and Mrs. W. by the porter. Shortly after Mr. W. awoke with a dreadful stitch in his side. Like a good dutiful wife, Mrs. W. arose and went to the lavatory to make a strong, extra strong mustard plaster with which to relieve the pain of her liege lord. On her return she pulled the wrong curtain aside and placed the plaster upon the stomach of the senseless, drunken drummer. Then she went to the lavatory, washed her hands and returned to her berth, getting into the right sec- tion and finding Mr. W. asleep. Finally a loud groan was heard, then these words: “Oh, my stomach, my s-t-o-m-a-c-h. oh-h-h!“ This was followed by “I’ll never touch another drop as long as I live. Oh, it’s burning a hole in me, oh-h-h!”

her berth, getting into the right sec- tion and finding Mr. W. asleep. Finally a loud groan was heard, then these words: “Oh, my stomach, my s-t-o-m-a-c-h. oh-h-h!“ This was followed by “I’ll never touch another drop as long as I live. Oh, it’s burning a hole in me, oh-h-h!” By this time heads were peeping out from behind curtains and the porter was on his way to the traveling man’s berth and a cry of “Oh, my, there is my stomach! I’m dead!” The exclamation was topped off by the mustard plaster being thrown out on the aisle of the car. The porter then grabbed the drummer and shook him until awake. During the first stages of sensibility he muttered : “Oh, my stomach is gone, gone!” RUSTICATE AT COOK’S PEAK A party of Deming ladies, Mrs. Birchfield, Mrs. Singer of Dodge City, Kan., Miss Lizzie Baker, Mrs. Keeler, Miss Netta Smith and Miss Audrey Smith, went up to Cook’s Peak last Tuesday to rusticate a week. Misses Susie Foster and Maud Wayfield preceded them on Saturday. Frank Jones, Mike Downes, Billy Conant and Rufus Bover are back from a big hunt and fish in the Mogollons. They found plenty of game and had a good time.

nt up to Cook’s Peak last Tuesday to rusticate a week. Misses Susie Foster and Maud Wayfield preceded them on Saturday. Frank Jones, Mike Downes, Billy Conant and Rufus Bover are back from a big hunt and fish in the Mogollons. They found plenty of game and had a good time. P. Gould, while hauling ore from the Klep- tomania, met with a serious accident last week. A pin came loose in the coupling, the horses and wagon left the road. Two of the horses fell into an abandoned shaft, one killed and the other so badly crippled as to be useless. The wagon was demolished. FAN-TAN PARTY Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Betts gave a Progres- sive Fan-Tan party Wednesday evening, in honor of Mrs. Betts’ sister. Miss Newcomb, who is visiting here from Boston. The ladies were all dressed in Japanese costumes, and presented a very pretty and unique appearance. The rooms were beautifully decorated and every one enjoyed themselves to the utmost. There were present: Dr. and Mrs. White, Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Rivers, Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb; Mesdames Ashenfelter, Morril and Noel; Misses Ada Martin and Emelia Ott; Messrs. Black, Cox, John Boyle, Jr., and G. W. Miles. ( 59 ) MIMBRES VALLEY A Productive Farming and Fruit Growing Section N. Y. ANCHETA,

d Mrs. Shoemaker, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Rivers, Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb; Mesdames Ashenfelter, Morril and Noel; Misses Ada Martin and Emelia Ott; Messrs. Black, Cox, John Boyle, Jr., and G. W. Miles. ( 59 ) MIMBRES VALLEY A Productive Farming and Fruit Growing Section N. Y. ANCHETA, a pioneer in the valley and the father of San Lorenzo, has a beautiful place, planted to the usual crops. An orchard, containing all the different varieties of fruit, although not exten- sive, is a feature of the place. Mr. Ancheta was one of the original discoverers of the mines in Pinos Altos, several of which he worked suc- cessfully, notably the Pacific. He is comfortably situated in his declining years, and apart from his services rendered to the country during his long and busy life, will ever be held in grateful remembrance as the worthy father of little Joe; Grant county’s distinguished senator in the 29th legislative assembly. SIM EBY,

y situated in his declining years, and apart from his services rendered to the country during his long and busy life, will ever be held in grateful remembrance as the worthy father of little Joe; Grant county’s distinguished senator in the 29th legislative assembly. SIM EBY, another old settler, has a snug place, which is well cared for, and has proven a source of revenue to its owner. Sim was an old stage driver in these parts, and when the country was young, did good service transporting the mails and adventurous travelers through the desolate wilds of Southern New Mexico. He had many narrow escapes, and he is now resting upon his laurels. During his many tours of observation through the country, he visited this section many years ago, and chose the Mimbres valley as his future home. He is comfortably situated and deserves all the success which may come to him. JIM SCHWARTZ, another old timer, has anchored down to a life of granger respectability. He has a pretty place, planted to the usual valley crops, and is doing comfortably well. His orchard is a source of revenue to him, whilst his small fruits are famous both as to quality and quantity. WHITEHILL’S,

timer, has anchored down to a life of granger respectability. He has a pretty place, planted to the usual valley crops, and is doing comfortably well. His orchard is a source of revenue to him, whilst his small fruits are famous both as to quality and quantity. WHITEHILL’S, at the old Mimbres crossing, is probably one of the best known localities in the southwest, and during the overland days was a harbor of refuge for the traveler from the states bound for Cali- fornia’s golden shores. As Mowry city, by which designation the place acquired an ephemeral reputation in the early days, the place will be familiar to all old timers. Since the decadence of the “city”, no attempt has been made to improve navigation on the Mimbres river, the nearest approach being the construction of reservoirs and canals for irrigation purposes. But little attention has been paid recently to agricultural pursuits, a small orchard and gar- den being the only effort in that direction. Harvey H. Whitehill is probably the only in- dividual in the territory who can properly lay claim to owning an entire town, and that fenced in. A number of cattle roam at will through the streets of the once great “city”, and the majority of the buildings which once constituted the settlement are now more or less in ruins. OLD SETTLERS REUNION

o can properly lay claim to owning an entire town, and that fenced in. A number of cattle roam at will through the streets of the once great “city”, and the majority of the buildings which once constituted the settlement are now more or less in ruins. OLD SETTLERS REUNION A reunion of the old settlers of Grant county will be held on the Gila river, at the McMillen crossing, August 21st, at which it is earnestly requested that all the old settlers of Grant county will be present. The committee of reception, appointed by the citizens of the Gila, is making extensive preparations to receive and entertain a big crowd. A grand barbecue will be spread, and no pains or expense spared to supply the inner-man with all that can be desired to quench the thirst and satisfy the cravings of a New Mexico appetite. The Silver City band has been engaged for the occasion, while many prominent old settlers have been put down for speeches. Let the old settlers from all over the county turn out, and have a jolly, good time. MOWRY CITY Vicissitudes of a Metropolis. — Decayed Grandeur. — A Retrospect.

ilver City band has been engaged for the occasion, while many prominent old settlers have been put down for speeches. Let the old settlers from all over the county turn out, and have a jolly, good time. MOWRY CITY Vicissitudes of a Metropolis. — Decayed Grandeur. — A Retrospect. As an historical neighborhood, this place will ever stand as a monument in the long list of disappointed ambitions. The effete east has its pre-revolution settlements, the histories of which are familiar to every American schoolboy; the middle central states of the union have their records of endurance and bravery, but the far west must be conceded the banner for indomi- table pluck and perseverance. The history of Mowry City, the head of navigation on the Mimbres, reads like a romance. Mowry City, at the old crossing of the Mimbres, occupies a peculiar position in the ( 60 ) niche of fame, and as an evidence of western thrift, stands unparalleled. At the present day, it wears an old fashioned, ante-deluvian appear- ance, and it might well be mistaken for an old habitation or stronghold of a once warlike people. The “city” was constructed of substan- tial stone and adobe houses, and when in the full tide of its glory, no doubt presented a truly formidable and grand appearance to the traveler.

and it might well be mistaken for an old habitation or stronghold of a once warlike people. The “city” was constructed of substan- tial stone and adobe houses, and when in the full tide of its glory, no doubt presented a truly formidable and grand appearance to the traveler.The place has an historical interest, inas- much as it was the oldest settlement within what are now the borders of Grant county, with the possible exception of Pinos Altos. The settlement was established about 1858, by Syl- vester Mowry, a graduate of West Point, and a first lieutenant in the 4th U. S. artillery. He was a full-blooded Yankee, having been born in Rhode Island, and was stationed at Fort Yuma, on the Colorado river. He was of an adventurous disposition of the Col. Mulberry Sellers variety and was open to any and all kinds of propositions which promised an imme- mediate reward, on a grand scale. Whilst sta- tioned at Fort Yuma, it occurred to Mowry that the Mimbres crossing offered unusual facilities for the establishment of a large and remunera- tive settlement. No sooner was the scheme originated, than the doughty soldier of fortune took steps to carry it into successful operation. Whether his faith in the country was real or imaginary, he made it appear as wonderfully rich in minerals.

nt of a large and remunera- tive settlement. No sooner was the scheme originated, than the doughty soldier of fortune took steps to carry it into successful operation. Whether his faith in the country was real or imaginary, he made it appear as wonderfully rich in minerals. At this time, the Mimbres river Apaches, under the leadership of the famous Mangas Colorado, held undisputed sway over the entire country now embraced in Grant county, as well as what is now Dona Ana, and a portion of Sierra. Nothing daunted at the obstacles which beset his path, Mowry pro- ceeded to lay out the future city which was to become famous in connection with his name. He built solid stone and adobe houses, many of which still exist in a remarkable state of preser- vation, notwithstanding the ravages of a third of a century. For years before and after this time, the crossing of the Mimbres was a station on the southern overland route from southwest Mis- souri to El Paso, and thence by way of Mesilla and the Mimbres on to the Pacific coast, touch- ing at Tucson and the military posts in Arizona and southern California.

er this time, the crossing of the Mimbres was a station on the southern overland route from southwest Mis- souri to El Paso, and thence by way of Mesilla and the Mimbres on to the Pacific coast, touch- ing at Tucson and the military posts in Arizona and southern California. Mowry was backed in his schemes by a New York company, to whom he probably made glowing reports of the agricultural and mining possibilities, of the country. He builded better than he knew, and if he could return in spirit form to the scenes of his former triumphs, he would no doubt be considerably astonished. The company published pamphlets, maps and prospectuses, and among their views was Mowry City represented as a fairly populous town on the banks of the Mimbres, while in mid- stream steamboats and other crafts were plying to and fro.

e would no doubt be considerably astonished. The company published pamphlets, maps and prospectuses, and among their views was Mowry City represented as a fairly populous town on the banks of the Mimbres, while in mid- stream steamboats and other crafts were plying to and fro. When the war broke out Mowry, despite the fact that he was a Yankee, in the fullest sense of the term, was very loud in his disaffec- tion to the government which had educated him. For his disloyalty he was imprisoned in California by order of General Carleton, who was in command of the New Mexico depart- ment. He was a man of unusual ability and had he directed his energies in the proper channel, he might have become a man of mark. He after- wards appeared on the San Pedro river in Ari- zona, where he built a smelter and obtained his ores from the vicinity of what is now Tombstone. Mowry died in London in 1868, unwept and unmourned. Years afterwards R. V. Newsham, who, after leaving the service in the famous Cali- fornia column, became post-trader at Fort Cum- mings, had a store at the crossing, but having no customers, he moved up to Silver City with his goods, the remnant of a large stock. The place was for a long time unoccupied on account of its supposed insalubrity, and was finally taken up by old man Porter and others.

um- mings, had a store at the crossing, but having no customers, he moved up to Silver City with his goods, the remnant of a large stock. The place was for a long time unoccupied on account of its supposed insalubrity, and was finally taken up by old man Porter and others. The Mimbres river derives its name from the Spanish, mimbres, meaning osiers or willows. In the old stage coach days, those within the memory of persons who have lived in Grant county for twenty years, the almost deserted Mowry City was a favorite resort for road agents, whose object was to capture the silver bullion which was shipped by Porter, Bremen, Lezinsky, Col. Bennett, Willison, and others. Upon one occasion Judge Mullen, now of this city, was a passenger on a buck-board of the N. M. and T. company, and as the team neared the crossing, he recognized a number of Silver City acquaintances, and among others an ( 61 ) individual known as Captain Stout. The captain did not disturb the buck-board or its passengers, but might have done so, as he was afterwards identified in Arizona as a famous road agent, and was sent to the Yuma penitentiary.

City acquaintances, and among others an ( 61 ) individual known as Captain Stout. The captain did not disturb the buck-board or its passengers, but might have done so, as he was afterwards identified in Arizona as a famous road agent, and was sent to the Yuma penitentiary. During the early years of the war, over- land mail via the Mimbres was interrupted, but in 1863 a renewal of the contract for carrying the mails was let, the route being through Cook’s canyon to Mowry city. One of the first, if not the very first of the coaches which came through Cook’s canyon, was laden with brave determined men, armed to the teeth, not one of whom ever lived to reach the Mimbres. They died fighting desperately — fighting as they ex- pected to fight, and some miles this side of Fort Cummings, alongside of the road, is a slight mound or cairn, under which their bones repose. Brave men all of them, who have alas! since then had many victims sent to keep them com- pany. Mangas Colorado, chief of the Mimbres Apaches, led the hellish horde which extermi- nated this band of brave determined pioneers. Indian atrocities, let us trust, have become things of the past, in this vicinity, and let us fondly hope, will only be referred to as tradi- tions.

gas Colorado, chief of the Mimbres Apaches, led the hellish horde which extermi- nated this band of brave determined pioneers. Indian atrocities, let us trust, have become things of the past, in this vicinity, and let us fondly hope, will only be referred to as tradi- tions. Cook’s Peak, towering majestically as a land mark, which can be seen for fifty miles in all directions, looks silently down upon the graves of innumerable brave men, over whose butchered remains the spectre sentinel stands a lonely vigil. Dozens of Americans and Mexi- cans who left their homes in the full flush and vigor of manhood, never reached their desti- nation, nor were they ever heard of afterwards in life; their mangled remains are scattered along the sides of the Cook’s canyon road.