Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-13
MRS. PORTER, POST TRADER.


woman's Money Making Business In the
Far Southwest
Among the throngs Of ladies and gentlemen
who alighted from the Santa Fe passenger
train was q woman Of medium stature, tend
ing to the portliness of fair and hearty 40.
She was attired in q plain travelling gown,
and not loaded down with umbrellas, band
boxes and the general paraphernalia Of the
general female tourist Proceeding to the
expressman's stand, she handed her check to
ono Of the noisy baggage smashers, and di-
rected him in a business like manner to take
her baggage at once to the Windsor. She
next, without moments hesitation, solicited
carriage and directed the jehu in charge to
leave the depot behind him as rapidly as pos
sible on the way to her hotel. Upon arriving
she went a. once to the waiting room, sent
her card to the business Office in charge Of a
bell boy, and Clerk Henshaw Immediately oc-
cupied line Of the register with;
Mrs NJ Porter post trader), Fort Hua-
chuca, Ariz., pa"
With desire to know more Of such a bust
nesslike lady, and, moreover, a lady who
could conduct one Of the most successful and
best known trading posts in the United
States, News reporter sent up his card to
Mrs. Porter.
Divested of her travelling garments and at
tired in a neatly fitting dress Of black velvet
and silk, with small gold watch half hidden
in little pocket in her basque. diamonds at
her throat vieing with the brilliancy OF her
black eyes, her black hair, family streaked
with gray, neatly done up a la Pompadour,
the lady presented a changed yet pleasing ap-
pearance. Her business tact YVES still there,
mingled with the grace Of a lady of high So
cial standing.
$50 you want TO know something about me
and my businessf' she asked.
"Yes'em, that's it, responded the reporter
"Well, do not know as l can say much
about myself, but l could talk to you all
evening of my business Fort Huachuca Is
ninety miles from any town Of any size, and
about twenty-five miles from Tombstone,
A. T. There are four companies Of cavalry
and one company of infantry at the fort,
which is of great Importance, owing to its
nearness to the borders Of Old Mexico. In
diansi Oh, my, no; there are no Indians
there-it is a military reservation. There
are no dangers from that point, neither are
there any other dangers in that portion Of
the country
1--WE have one Of the most delightful eli
mates in Arizona. In the summer it is
phenomenon to have the thermometer go
above 81 dogs. in the shade, while it does not
get cold in the winter. We are situated in .
lovely spot in the hills, and 1t is beginning to
be q resort for people with lung diseases.
Several San Francisco people have come
there"
At this point Mrs. Porter rang for bell
boy and directed him to get a photograph
from her room. He soon returned with a
large size photo of a commodious ,vo story
frame house surrounded by beautifully laid
out grounds. a fountain in the center throw
ing its spray into the air.
THAT surprises you, does It! Well, built
that house for a home in 1885, and laid off
the grounds after the plan Of a landscape
architect think it is real pretty, especially
when it is so far away from everybody Ny
store is only short distance from the house,
and is regarded as the handsomest post
traders store in America. 1t Is finished in
side in hard wood. buy all my goods in the
east and ship them direct, as find that that
is the cheapest place and gives me a better
class OF goods.
Lonely down therei Not at all NV work
keeps me constantly employed and although
isolated to a certain extent from society, do
not have time to get lonely. lam very proud
Of the work am doing, and take great in
terest in keeping the best place of the kind In
existence. Ny husband has been dead for
five years, and am caring for my children.
'ls it a paying businessr you ask Indeed
It L. Some Of the soldiers spend as high as
SO a month with me, and make a good per
can't. on my goods There are only two lady
post traders in this country besides myself-
one at Fort Springer and the other in New
York-Denver News