Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-12-19

county seat of San Juan and the natural
commercial center of a region rich in
natural resources, destined to become,
when its advantages are better known,
the metropolis of northwestern New
Mexico.
Mr. Koontz founded the town of Az
tee, which stands upon the ruins of an
ancient city inhabited by this strange
race, of which only vague traditions now
remain. 1t was named Aztec for one of
the immense community buildings of
these dusky children of Montezuma,
containing over 800 rooms, still standing
within mile of the town in remark
able state of preservation, and which, be
it said to the everlasting credit of Mr..
Koontz, he has protected from the later
day Goths and Vandals who would de-
stroy what is left Of this massive stone
structure-the most interesting and val
liable Aztec ruin on the American con
tinent-to build houses, roadways, wallis
etc., for their own use. But more of
this great relic anon.
The subject of our sketch is native
Of Pennsylvania, and was educated in
the public schools of his native state
In 1850 he came west and located first in
a small Nebraska town near the present
site of Omaha. where he engaged in
farming. Later he removed to Colorado.
where in different sections of the Cen
tennial State, he followed for time ag
riculture and stock raising.
1t was in 1881 that he made another,
and what will probably be his last
move, for he is devotedly attached to
the beautiful and fertile valley, where
for fifteen prosperous years he has resid.
ed on the banks of the winding Animas,
surrounded by peace and plenty, and all
that should render the declining years
of the old pioneer happy even beyond
the dream of most men. Coming to New
Mexico and casting about for a favor
able location, he decided upon the spot
where Aztec now stands, and there he
cast his anchor. One solitary cabin
marked the present site of San Juan's
county seat, but the prospect was never
theless inviting.
Mr.. Koontz had been in the west long
enough to realize the Importance, in an
agricultural and horticultural section.
of an adequate supply of water, and
here he saw this necessity filled to the
fullest extent, for three noble rivers
watered the valley, furnishing an mex
haustible supply for all the purposes of
the settler Securing considerable land
Mr.. Koontz opened a general merchan-
disc store soon after his settlement at
Aztec, and for many years thereafter he
| = Att, ~ ohnp NJ
those of the farmer and fruit raiser.
Settlers came in rapidly, for section
favored by natures rarest gifts could
not remain long unknown after the rail
roads had opened up New Mexico for
the home seeker. In 1883 Aztec became
the county seat.
| About six years ago Mr.. Koontz re.
tired from mercantile pursuits and since
that time he has devoted himself to his
landed interests which are extensive.
The Aztec ruins mentioned above are
located on one of his farms and surround
ed on two sides by orchards. There are
some 800 rooms in this great building,
which covers about seven acres of
ground. Many of these rooms have not
been opened and remain just as they
were left hundreds of years ago by the
Aztecs, containing without a doubt in.
estimable treasures for the Archaeological
and possessing for all intelligent people
an interest attached to no other relic of
the centuries that are dead in all America.
This ruin-which, by the by, is only
half a ruins we'll worth a journey of a
thousand miles, and to the scientific
student has value that is simply meal
culable. Concerning the San Juan val
ley Mr.. Koontz said in a recent inter-
view:
at is the garden spot Of New Mexico
and possesses natural advantages that
no other section of the territory can
show. Nature has provided us here
with an inexhaustible supply of water
and the settler finds the irrigation ques-
ton solved. We are now assured of bet
ter transportation facilities than we
have heretofore enjoyed, which has been
our only drawback. We have the finest
fruit belt in the west. Grapes, pears
apples and all kinds Of grain do espec-
tally we'll. Alfalfa yields about four tons
to the acre, and other crops in proportion"
Mr.. Koontz has never held any politi-
cal Office, though he is staunch Repub-
lican Of decided silver proclivities. His
extensive business interests have de-
manded his whole time, and while not
meddling in the game Of politics, he has
probably done more for the industrial
development Of the San Juan valley
than any other man, and he enjoys the
esteem Of wide circle Of friends and
acquaintances.