Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-02-13
HILLSBORO
PRoSPERING
Interviews With Business Men on
Present Conditions -County
Finances in Good Shape.
RAILROAD BADLY WANTED
Interest Taken in Transactions Of the Legis-
lature-Oattle Sold for High Prices
Ore Shipments from the District
Increasing.

Special correspondence New Mexican.
The merchants Of Hillsboro, who have
faith in the district and it's resources,
cast the following rosy lights on exist
ing conditions:
w. H. Butcher, cashier Sierra County
bank: although the town is not
thronged with people, the money in
terests of the community are as good,
if not better than ever before. The
number of actively working mines in
the district embrace the A. M. Porter
groupe, Trippe, Homestake, Richmond,
Eureka, x. K, Key West, Eighty-five,
Wicks, Copper King and numerous
lease properties. These mines are ship
ping ore and are being gradually devel-
oped. The cattle industry is in first
class condition. The last prices obtain
ed for cattle were $3.50 for yearlings,
1928 so for 2-year-olds and $27 for threes.
Some years ago the stock interests of
this country were devoted to cattle eX-
clusively, but during late year the
sheep and goatindustries have been grow
ing fast and have attained IA position of
considerable Importance. The local
merchants are all in good financial
standing and are able to bny according
to their needs. The county finances are
in splendid shape, and we pay as we go.
The total debt Of the county is now
$50, 900, and that is being l%iquidated fast.
Taxes are collected here up to IS per
cent and over. l believe that the legis-
lature should permit fidelity companies
to operate in the territory"
The Sierra County bank is differed
by J.. w. collars, w. H. Butcher and J.
r. Fiske. 1t has s123, 096. % in resources
and $50, 376.42 in deposits.
Andrew Kelly, county assessor, thinks
that the legislature should devote con-
siderable attention to laws OF taxation.
He said: eff a company Or individual
makes a false return on property there
is no way at present to bring them to
account. Another thing: The board of
equalization should not have the power
of fixing a maximum or minimum val
uation for tax assessments, for the law
states hat the assessor must assess at
actual value. The license law should be
made mandatory and every man in
business should pay licenes in accord
ance with the magnitude Of thai bust
ness. The pay Of tax assessors should
be raised, for 2 per cent is not enough.
Else the pay of assessors should be
new board of county commissioners pay
off their political debts or make good
fellows of themselves by rebating taxes
and that knocks the assessor out of his
just dues. In small counties like this
the assessors must get extra work in
order to live"
Thomas c. Hall, county clerk and re-
corder: 1.-THE county is much better off
it was a yea ago, financially and
otherwise. Good prices are command
ed by CATTLE"
MI. Hall is a good fellow and a stanch
friend to The New Mexican. He is now
his fourth term as county clerk and
recorder.
M. M. Freed, the copper king: For
Gods sake, bring us a railway"
1 would grant the above reasonable
willingly, but the express
charges on railways from Rincon to
Hillsboro are too steep at present.
Max. r. KahIer, county sheriff: "The
is in good condition. We have
fine Jail, but there is nobody in it. I
I'm waiting for some one to run in there
80 / can lock the door on him. Sheriffs
don't receive any compensation now
and they are out money every time they
serve a paper. County offices will soon
90 begging unless a change is made"
Mr.. Kahler has a fine producing ranch
which assists him in the work Of keep
.ng up the sheriff's office.
Will M. Robins, county treasurer and
collector and member of the general
firm of Robin & Crews:
The outlook for Hillsboro is exception
lilly bright. There are a number of big
deals on hand now, any one of
which will, if successful, create a boom
1ere. One of the most important mat
.ers for the legislature to consider is
some place to compel people to pay
axes. Regardless of the amount owed,
| man can retain possession Of his prop
,rty indefinitely. Of course the property
be sold for delinquent taxes, but
here is no way Of placing the new pur-
'haser in possession"
Mr. Robins Is now holding his third
successive term al county treasurer. He
s interested in a successful lease on the
snake mine and is a progressive, push
ng and valuable citizen. 1t Is such
merchants as Mr.. Robins that prove the
lie Of a community and aid in develop
ng it's resources He has secured a val
able custom among the mining men
nd he deserves it all and more, too.
L. E. Movers, druggist, has the finest
mineral cabinet in the district and visit
RS to Hillsboro should not fail to see it.
w. O. Thompson, of the Dalglish gro
cry, is an old-time newspaper man,
nd former editor of the Black Range at
Horde. The Dalglish grocery is fur
ishing a great many necessaries to
lrrounding mining camps and is in a
rosperous condition.
T. c. Long, grocer and general mer-
I'VE are looking for a big
lining boom this winter and the cattle
are moving ahead in good
{
George T. Miller, postmaster: 1.-THE |
Of the postoffice last yea was :
lir. The cancellations ran about the s
tine as the year before, which indi- I
ties that the business of the locality :.
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