Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1891-10-17

wards discovered when, in 1879, the pre-
sent owners of the Ortiz grant purchased
it from those then living of the original
stockholders and the heirs of those that
had long since died. The purchasers in
1878 and 1S79-wbo, or their estates, are
the present owners, some of them having
since died-were: Senator Jerome B.
Chalfee, of Colorado; Donnell, Lawson
and Co., of New York; Lars Anderson,
of Cincinnati; l. M. Larocque, S. B.
Etkins and r. G. Kerens.
The advertisements calling in the stock
brought it from nearly all the southern
states, many of the New England states
and some from the western states. In
1853 Governor Renchers syndicate
began active operations. Their com
pany, then known as the New Mexico
Mining company, which is still the
company's name, obtained special
charter giving the company extraordinary
powers They purchased a 70 stamp
mill, with full complement of ma
chinery, which was transported by wagon
from st. Louis across the plains, set up
and put in operation. 1t Was yielding
large returns, when the outbreak OF the
war put stop to operations. This same
stamp mill stands there in ruins to-day,
nothing having ever been done with the
property because OF lack OF organiza
ton, and because of investigation and
sale to the French syndicate, which con.
sumed nearly two years time. The
property was also sold to an English
syndicate for G5OO, 900, but in like man.
ner the sale was frustrated by designing
and inscriptions individuals. Both the
French and the English syndicates con.
sumed several months in examining the
property. Their reports are voluminous
and of highly authoritative character.
The main difficulty in the washing OF the
gold from the placers, which are the
richest in the world, is tie scarcity of
water.
In 1888 the present owners, under Sen
ator Chaffee, began active operations for
the development of the coal fields, which
is the property purchased by the present
st. Louis syndicate. Owing to dis
agreement with President Strong, of the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, de-
sired rates were denied, and the valuable
since that time has been lying
idle. The coal is Of superior
quality. The anthracite, as shown by
the United States geological report, is
equal to the Pennsylvania anthracite, and
the veins are five and six feet in thick
ness. The bituminous is also OF superior
quality, and the veins vary from Blk to
eleven feet in thickness. These coal
fields are phenominal, as there are no
other coal fields known within hundreds
Of miles to the north, none to the south
anywhere as far as the City of. Mexico,
and none to the Pacific coast.
Several hundred sguatters are now on
his property, having gone there without
lindrance from any one, as the owners
we're some of them dead and others scat
cred. Senator Chaffee was the largest
Individual owner and generally directed
he policy of the management. "Buck"
Grant, second son Of ex-President U. S.
Grant, married Senator Chaffee's daugh-
or, and he represents Senator Chaffee'S
interest.
The purchase by the st. Louis syndicate
means an immediate development of this
reat property, which viii. give an impetus
f great prosperity to that section of New
iexico. The new board of st. Louis
artes will be organized this week. 1t is
ot known yet who will be president, but
mple capital to build a railway line for
onnection with existing railway systems
ill be provided.