The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1883-06-30


| the first summer. The next -four
years he speat on aranch ON the
Platte, eight miles below Denver.
Having raised some fine horses he
took them down into Mexico, to
the Maxwell grant, dispOsing oi
some Of them to Mr. Maxwell. He
remained there during the follow.
ing winter training and caring for
the balance of his stock, which be
took to Leavenwotth, Kansas, in
the spring, disposing of them there
and spending the summer at that
place,
Hstthe1'returned't to New Mexi,
| 60, ssttllog temporarily at Taos,
where he remained for a few months
in the year 1866, during which
time he married the widow of al
bert Bent, son Of the first governor
of New Mexico uAder American
rule. She was the daughter of
Horace Long, who was for many
years probate judge of Las Anilnas
county and the father of Taos
county, New Mexico, Her mother
was a UastiIian of pure blood.
She, herself, received Il finished ed
ucation at the convent at Santa Fe.
and is a lady of fine address and
character and elegant manners.
She is the mother of three children
by her first husband, and of four
living children, two boys and two
girls, by her present husband, hav-
ing lost three of the offspring Of her
last marriage.
Soon after his settlement in this
country, Mr. Thompson being de-
sIrous of carrying on a larger bust.
ness in livestock, borrowed $4,000
from his friend, A. j. Snyder, of
Kansas City, with which he pur.
chased 900 head Of Texas cattle at
$40 a head. The increase of this
herd enabled him to pay Off this
debt at the end of three years
time, aud 10 have $4,000 worth
Of cattle left on the range. Since
that time his fortunes have Steadi-
ly advanced without let or him
drance, until hevnow owns 1900
head Of improved cattle at Uhappa-
qua and Las. Animas ranches,
about 30 miles southeast of Trini-
dad, IL, 800 more on the San Juan
ranch. in La Plata county, in the
southwestern part OF the State,
and about $50 horses on the two
rancho taken together. lie also
has 5000 sheep in western Kansas.
His home ranch near this city,
where he carries on general farm.
Ing, consists of 5000 acres. 1t is
located six miles west OF town, in
the valley Of the PurgatOire.
The great bulk Ofhis- landed pos.
sessions, is, however, additional to
the above named ranches. His
wife being heiress TO half of the 81.
Vrain aud Vigil land grant in 1879
and 1881, Mr.. Thompson bought up
the interests of the other heirs in
the remaining half ofsaid grant, so
that in his own right and as guar
dian OF his wife's children by her
first children, and AS her legal rep.
resentative he now owns or con
trolls the whole 100000 acres, ex-
cepting $1,000 acres confirmed to
actual settlers, or claimants deriv-
Ing title frrm them; and excepting
an interest he has recently sold TO
u. A. w. Tabor and two other gen
tlemen for .$l5O,O0O. This magnif-
cent domain covers a large part Of
the county Of Las Animas, aud por-
lions Of Huerfano, Pueblo and Bent.
counties.
Mr. Thompson's wife and chill
dren also own a half interest in the
famous Maxwell land grant in New
Mexico, covering millions Of acres
more. Il will thus be seen that
Mr.. Thompson is virtually suzerain