Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-05-22
A Hero of New Mexico.
DY CHARLES L. LUMMIs.

remnant OF body was laid to lest two
years ago under the shadow of the mobiles,
mountain in Western New Mexico, the
exploits OF many heroes, who were
handler to the frame maker, seem n trill,
tame. known and loved here, yet hi.
namc seldom reached to the great outside
world OF newspapers and historians. and
to-day he fills the grave of I'M almost I'M
recorded hero. Yet l suppose there was
never more remarkable life. For over
htty years he was almost constantly
warning against the Apaches, Comanchcs,
Nnvajos and Utcs. Over 200 of his
relatives were killed by Indians. lie
participated in more than 100 fights and
carried scar for nearly every one of
them. Ills body was such network of
CHASTITY ccatrices that scarcely could YOU
lay your hand upon him anywhere with
out touching scar. For the last fifteen
years OF his life he suffered untold agonics
the result Of his awful wounds aud the
years of exposure and hardship, but he
met this more mcrciless foe rs calmly ms
nc had met the Apache, and when, Mt
seventy four, the hickering soul went
O~Nf - ''S SNhiiO to u illllC Cllllu 8.
Life on the New Mexican frontier in
his day was something which we can i'll
realize. There were no railroads then to
make travel easy for even the timid and
weak; nor mails to bring far friends
near; nor telegraphs to flash warning or
hope. The lonely New NIexicans, Shut
OIL from contact, and almost from the
East by vast and fearful wilderness.
were surrounded by savage nature and
SUI more savage man. IL was one of the
bitterest lands on the earth, n land of
vast distances and scant product, of in
Unite thirst and little whercwith to
quench 1t, land of hardship eternal and
OF daily danger, where boys were sol.
dicrs and mothers had to fight for their
babes. 1t was almost as If there had
been no other world beyond those awful
plains. Whatever was consumed was
made at home, and found no other mar.
ket. There were not even firearms TO.
defence against the relentless savares,
save scant supply of the clumsy old
| Spanish escopctas, (iintlock muskets)
scarcely better weapons than the bows
and arrows whose use the settlers learned
from their foes. Manuel WIS in nj.
YOUTH Il wonderfully expert archer, and
won countless ponies and blankets from
the Indians themselves in contests durino
the short intervals of peace. Later he
became the best rifle shot New Mexico
has ever produced.
The little town of Ccbolleta, whcr,
Manuel passed his boyhood, was never n,
peace IN the first half century of its ex
istcncc. 1t was out and alone from tn,
other Spanish settlements, and in tn,
very heart of the Navajo country; and il
was fearful sufferer ut the hands of th,
Indians.
1t was from Cebollcta that young Man,
uel started, when he was eighteen year:
old, on his first expedition though h,
had already seen enough of war Mt home
and was accounted among the braves. OF
the brave. With his eldest brother
Jose, and fourteen other young men. h,
started Tor the Canyon dc Chusco, Isl
miles to the westward, in the stronrhold
of the Indians, on a trading expcditior
what commentary on the times in which
they lived--this seeking a market among
savages from whom murderous assault.
the traders were III constant peril ever
while at home! They were attacked NJ
night IN tie Canyon dc Chusco. and all
were killed save Manucl-who was lcf
for dead with seven arrows in his body
and his Indian servant, Pahe, who WIZ,
also fearluily wounded Alone and or
foot they started on that fearful journey
homeward. Pahc died of his wounds il
two days, and Manuel dragged himscl,
alone the rest of the way, hiding by day
from the savages, crawling on by night
followed by sncaking coyotes that never
left his bloody trail; tortured with thirst
and pain. with no food save the coctu.
iruit, until at last faithful seryan,
found him fainting on the last RIDGE nj
San Aateo and carried him home upor
his back
When he recovered from these wound,
he was engaged as = guide to a party o.
traders from Mexico to New Orleans. anf
thence went to ST. Louis with younc
Cuban, who finally robbed him of all l.,
had in the world
Then he returned to New Mexico ant
settled in Santa Fe, but in 1916 had +,
nee to Utah on account of political com.
plications.
The following year he was recalled
and put in command of an cypedit,o,
against the Utes, whom he thrashet
soundly.
The Invasion of New Mexico by tn,
America forces in the Mexican war wa
not opposed. and the Territory became
part OF the United States without blood
shed. Very soon thereafter came tn
'Tacs rebellion, small but fierce Nm
rising of Apaches and Pueblos in tn
most northern of the Pueblo towns, an,
Manuel played an important part in sun
pressing it. In fearful hand to -han6
struggle, too, he saved the life of hi
commander-Captain Zcran ST. Vrain
! afterward owner of the 1000, 00O-acr
ST Trniu GRANT in G,,los,lo