The Mesilla Valley independent. [volume] (Mesilla, N.M.) 1877-1879, 1877-12-08
lwris'en for the1ndepsndenii
An IXnIAS ADVENTURE.
The JorpadO del MaertO in 1868.

Z
For tIsfee centuries the great tI.oroughfar.
through New Mexico. from Santa Re south
foaowea the fertile bottoms ofr the Rio Grand,
TO the Paraje at the northern point Of the Fra
CTistol'a mountains; here the river makes !
great bend flowing to the west Of the CIisto-
bal, cabailo, aud San Diego ranges; south Of
Inc San Diego, below Fort Selelen is the Rob
/ tbzr5, H''w known IS I.easburg Tho road .eav-
ing the river at ParaJe, passes TO the east Of
the mountain ranges shore mentioned, and
crosses plsin ninety miles in witltiii,e ssri-
king the river at RobIero. This ninety mile
stretch ras the tornado del Nuerto. the Jour
ney Of death; it vas. but no longer is. For
three centuries this waterIess plain had been
q terror to travellers: who has not heard of
the terrible snherings endured by the Texan
Santa Fe prisoners from cold and hunger
and thirst, whllc crossing this desefsf Doni-
phan ana bis command had no easy time Of
II either. But the Journey Of death Is num-
bered with the things Of the past. American
enterprise invaded its Solitude and DESTROYED
It's teFrors. Less than ten years ago jack,
Martin dug Men hx the roadside ,n;;sivzv
Gu the jornada, and found an inexhaustai,lr
supply Of living water. anal now there are
houses aHd people. and stock and 4 past. Office
l,y sMariins well- and ssilI further 90 il
another station where travellers can obtain
water fnnl AMI xAaeise
IN the summer of 1868 the ioraaaa was
still journey af death; iss ninety miles Of
waieFicss desert was stIewn with the bones
Uf murdered travellers ansI Fa,nislscsi anisnals
Bands of hestisr Aparllea izsssstsa lie ada
eesse mountains nad SeFiniffcd 10 passenger
to escape uansslssse.l. Tr3veilers wers ,n,.r.
deresa, trains mrrn attacked daily. During
the spring and sunlner of iSGs, Lieut. Barge
Of the New Mexican cavalry. Surgeon Was-
s0n oi che California column, Fitzgerald, IN
express rider, and laany Others fell victims
g the milFieEaus savages while crossing the
loFnada. The difficulties attending ordinary
travel OVER this desert were neither few nor
unaccompanied with danger, but when 10 |
Ihesc we're added the certainty Of an ATTACK
BY snerriiess foe, the risk attending the !
ourncy was srch As to alarm the brayest.
Such was the condition Of affairs ii June
1868. when Captain Henry a. Greene With
Company o. lst Infantry California yoIun.
gers arrived at the Qie del Rserfe tnow F0rs
Nc Rael spring in cafoa leading from
he jornada towards the Rio Gran,lc, some
eirty miles south Of Parajc. This point Was
favorite lurking place for the sayaaes. and
: about five miles from the main road from
'ere they would sally forth to attack passing
rains. Captain Greene was Instructed to en-
abi'sh post, and protect travel on Tie ior-
ada He had no easy task before him: he
ad less than ninety men. and ninety miles
I ro4d TO protect; nevertheless he succeeded
2 accomplishing all that was required or
i'm For eighteen months Captain Greene
ads shiscompans Eenlaisesi on the joFaaSla. and
ad many indian fights during that period
horfiy after we arrived ut Nc Rae. the mail
ontractors determined 10 stock shc road be.
seen Santa Fe and AIesilla and re. commence
~ mail service that had been interrupted by
le Texan invasion. In@August 1903, tie tirst
zach came into No Rae On it, way south.
lave hnox'waa IN charge, and Captain Jeffs
Fds. John Benton and come esss.s or III oth.
employees of il,e mail company were 4.