The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-12-06
New Mexico and Arizona.

NEW m6AlCO aLu ArlZOnds
Very little is known of the discovery
and first settlement of this section of
the United States, but traditions exist
among the Aztecs which go to prove
that they were the original settlers.
Ruins are found in both states which
show that at some early age Q300),
large and flourishino settlements must
have existed. 1t is supposed by some
writers that the Cit7y of Mexico was
dians, who started from the Pecos pu-
eblo, thirty miles southeast Of Santa
Fe, in about the year 1926. Their
chief, Montezuma, rode ahead on the
back of an eagle, acting as guide.
Wherever the eagle stopped at night
was planted an Indian pueblo. The
sign of arriving at the great city and
capital of the Aztec nation was TO be
the ''alighting of the eagle on cactus
bush, and devouring serpent. This
took place when the eagle arrived at
the site of the present city of Mexico.
The Aztec Indians from that time until
the arrival of the Spanish were a hardy
and industrious people, tilling the
ground and living peacefully together.
The first Spanish explorations took
place in about the years 1526-36, when
Cabeca de Vaca iourneyed by land and
water from Florida to the Gulf of Cal
ifornia. He met with many adventures
and suffered great hardships. His ac-
counts of the journey and the people
he met are probably what first turned
the attention of the Spanish to this
country. Following Vaca were sever
al excursions led by different command
ers, but none met with any permanent
success till the year 1897, when Onate,
with large company, made a settle
ment at Espanola, a little north of
Santa Fe. This party met with vary
ing success incident to instructions
and failure of crops up to the year
1850, when the Pueblo Indians rebelled,
killing large number of the Spanish
and reducing the power of the remain
der to such a degree that they had to
be content with their own labor Pre-
vious to this the Indians had been
obliged to work in the mines and carry
burdens. Their families had been
separated from them and they had
suffered greatly from cruelties prac-
ticed by the Spanish. The Indians re-
manned masters OF the country till 1691,
when treaty was formed with the
Spanish, allowing them to return and
cultivate the land. This treaty re-
manned unbroken for many years, prov
ING advantageous to all.
The foregoing history is derived al
most wholly from tradition, and for
that reason is very uncertain, but it
gives about the only information to be
had, and will therefore have to be ac-
cepted. In 1921 came Mexican in
dependence, and in 1922 a government
was formed for New Mexico. with
Francis Lavier Chaves for political
chief 1t is about this time that trade
was commenced with the East. 1t is
said that RobideauX Bros. did an over
land trade to the extent of $4,000.
Following this came the Mexican war.
with which all are familiar, ending
with the admission of New Mexico to
the Onion. from THIS time on it NAV
be said that the country really COM
menced to be settled. Money was APP
propriated by congress for educational
purposes and public library; mail
routes were established, churches
built, and the whole country given a
new start, which has continued down
to the present day. July oath, 1858,
daily mail was established, and a
through mail route to the Pacific coast.
Following this in quick succession there
were founded numerous towns and vii
lages, and daily and weekly papers
were quite abundant. New Mexico
formed an important part in the oper-
ations of the civil war. and a number
of important battles were fought in the
state. In November OF 1878, the first
railroad entered the state, crossing the
line in the Ranton mountains. 1t was
called the New Mexico and Southern
Pacific railroad. and was everywhere
received with great rejoicing.
In 1879 the mining properties of the
state commenced to attract the atten-
ton of miners and capitalists, and very
rich mines were found at White Oaks,
Lincoln county. Following this came
the completion Of the railroad to Dem
ING, connecting with the Southern Pa
cific railroad, and forming an all rail
connection to San Francisco. New
Mexico seemed now to have entered a
time of general advancement, the rail-
roads placing it in communication
with the east, and bringing into prom
inence the richness of its mines and adj
vantages offered to the settler. And
the stream of travel that then COM
menced to pour into the state shows
that the resources We're not wrongly es-
timated nor undervalued. And the
exhibits that the state has placed in
the different fairs held in this country
show to the experienced observer what
the state is capable of and what vast
riches remain yet to be unearthed.
There may IN other states have been
discovered richer mines, but never
mines that held out as long after steady
work had been spent on them. New
Mexico is to-day, and is to be for many
years to come, the leading state for
mining industries And to show that
1t is the universal verdict of all practi-
cal miners, notice what costly machin-
cry is being erected by the different
mine owners. That alone goes to prove
that New Mexico is what it claims to
be-the leading mining state in the
Union. Chances are abundant for the
new conner, and now is the time to start.
-S0merUitle (NdSS. Journal.
Take Good Care of the Seeds.