The place has an historical interest, inas-…

chunk 871 · paragraph 1025

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.