The sun., 1897-01-31
JOHN HITTsoN's ROUND
MS Invasion or New Mexico with m Army
ofTexau Cowboys.

nis Iavasien or New Mexico with m Army
ofTexan Cowboys.
"our spanish-American Territory. Now Mex
loo, underwent many invasions from tho time
the Toltecs and Aztecs camped In her valleys
on their long march southwark to the valley of
Mexico up to the unfurling OF tho United States
Gag in Santa Fe by Gen. Phil Kearny In 1916"
said the man from Colorado In an uptown hotel
last night. But doubt II any other conquer
ing hero ever created quite the sensation among
her people that Cattleman John Hittson did
with his army OF Texan cowboys, when. In the
early seventies, he marched across her eastern
border and began to roundup the cattle. 1t
was q privateering expedition. and tho leader
boro letters of marque. issued by the Governor
OF Texas, empowering him to connscate and
appropriate any cattle he should hnd beyond
the western limit OF the State bearing tho brands
OF Texan ownera
There had been preparing for many years
foundation and protext for just such a raid In
tho frghtful trade that certain New Mexicans
conducted with the Comanches- and R!owas
These Indians. forever preying on the frontier
settlers In Texas and tho northern States Of
Mexico, found . market for their plunder
among the people of northern New Mexico
The trade was conducted through the
agency OF renegade whites and half breeds,
found their way to the possession OF people
ranking high In wealth. respoctab!llty, and
official station. This trafio had gradually
become . settled business. and 1t amount
cd to offering to tho Indians premium
for rNiding on the inhabitants of Texas; It en.
larged their field Of pernicious activity. for,
where formerly they killed cattle only as they
needed them for food now that they could
coveted. the Comanches took to rounding up
tho Texas herds and driving them across the
panied by the attendant horrors of savage war
fare. OF which murder "a. the Least, the Tex
themselves whole. in shape OF S Counter IL maid raid
on the people who prohted by the Comanches'
John Hit,son. a roueh. and. ready cattleman.
handy with his pistol, and possessing qualities
OF leadership. was the man selected TO COM
raid were typical Texan COW boys, Wild horse
nei, who lived In the saddle and would rather
any lime frht than eat Each man carried two
ro, divers aud Spencer chrbinc. which lie WAS
PROMPT to use for cause shown. and often with
out cause: With his band OF 200 men OF tnis
quality. Hittson entered New Mexico, without
announcement, and. distributing his forces SO
as 10 sweep wide str!p OF country, proceeded
TO ga her in nll the cattle bearing Texas brands
driving them before him as he advanced. There
was no force that couid be gathered in time 10
resist him. and. in fact. OF those who had prof
tied by the traffic with the Indians there were
many New Mexicans who Thought the raid jus-
tined. or, at least. were not disposed To oppose
he swept the country clear OF Texas cattle be-
tween tho Pecos and the Red River, and swung
back across the Texas border with the biggest
nerd OF stock ever gathered on the New Mexican
plains. In rounding up the Texas cattle un.
dou6tedly great many were included belong.
ing legtimately to New Mexican owners, for
John ilittson was not q man to waive points
when on the cattle trail with a band OF armed
followers Mt his back. In Texas the cattle were
redistributed TO the original owners on terms
highly profitable 70 Hittson ana his men.
"This technically lawloss raid led to the
breaking up OF tho border trade with the Co
manches, although the Indians were not fully
rrpressed for some years after. What pRrtic-
ularly dampened the Rrdor OF these men who
had dealt In Comanche booty was the Issuance
by the Governor OF Texas OF requisitions for
certain New MeScans who wero known to have
prohted largely by this trafic. BY common re-
port IL cost one man In Santa Fe Sic, 900 to per-
| suade the Governor OF New Mexico to refuse 10
honor the Texas Governors reQuisition In his
case. 1t was cheaper for him to pay. for it was
well known that II ever he had been TAX on
across the border with the state OF feeling pre-.
yailing among the Texans he would not have
| lived To come to trial,
John Hittson aftsrward moved to Colorado
| where he built tine house on his ranch at Box
Elder. on the line Of the Kansas Pacific road
| He was accidentally killed few years ago by
being thrown from his buggy In Denver"