Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1903-02-18
NEW MEXICO
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
A Most Interesting Public
Meeting Was Held at the
Capitol Last Evening.
THREE VALUABLE ADDRESSES
"reminiscences" by Colonel j.
Francisco Chaves--'The
Moses of the Mesa
The Stone Lions of
Cochiti."

Cochiti."
The public meeting of the New Mex
leo Historical Society held in the hall
of representatives at the capitol last
evening, was we'll attended, considering
other attractions in the city. There
que, Silver City, Socorro and other
points. 1t was characteristic NV
Mexico meeting, one of such interest,
as could probably be held no where else
in the United States. The hall Of rep
resentatives looked beautiful with it's
12O incandescent electric lights and the
audience was one that thoroughly ap-
preciated and enjoyed the literary and
historical treat. Ex-Governor l.. Il.
Prince, the president OF the society,
called the meeting to order and presid-
ed. He read letter from Chief JUS
tice Mills, an enthusiastic member of
the society, who regretted his inability
to be present, and letter from Gener-
al w. H. Davis of Doylestown, Pa, the
author of "The Spanish Conquest of
New Mexico" who intimated that GER
tain valuable historical documents In
his possession may ultimately come IN
to the possession of the Historical So
ciety. Five names were proposed for
membership and other routine business
was transacted.
Colonel ]. Franco Chaves was the
first speaker, his special topic being
Personal "reminiscences of the Estab-
lishment of the Government of Ari-
zona." Ex-Governor Prince paid him
a graceful compliment in introducing
him as the perpetual president of the
Council.
The colonel was in his best vein ana
with ;rapid touches he passed over the
events of the early Spanish conquest
and presented vivid picture Of condi-
tions In New Mexico so years ago. He
brought to mind the striking changes
that have taken place since he made
his first long journey at the age OF hve
wears. from his New Mexico home, to
Chihuahua, there to receive his hrst
schooling. He told in touching words
of his fathers prophecy OF the coming
of the "heretics" to take possession OF
New Mexico and of his advice TO go
east and there learn the methods OF the
"heretics" so that he could return with
thine to invade his own country. Ine
hardships of travel in those days, the
dangers that beset the pioneers on eV-
cry side, the graphic changes that nave
taken place even in the east since the
days that the telegraph began to span
long distances and the iron steam
horse commenced it's westward inva-
sion, were eloquently portrayed by the
colonel, He told of his coming to San
ia Fe a few days after General Kearny
had taken possession of the city. his
"reminiscences of the rebellion during
which Governor Perez was killed ana
the prowess of Governor Armi1o, were
esnecially interesting. Colonel Chaves
then told how in command OF four COM
nanies of soldiers in the winter OF 1865
he took the civil officers of the newly
established territory Of Arizona, Win
him from Santa Fe to Navajo Springs
on the other side of the New Mexico
boundary to establish the civil govern
ment of Arizona.
The long trip overland IN the
depth of winter, the hardships ana
dangers met on the road, the camp at
the foot of Inscription Rock In the Zuhi
country. and finally the establishment
IF the government on the 31st of De-
cember, 1853, at Navajo springs
amidsts the celebration of the soldiers
and speechmaking by the civil officers'
were eloquently recalled. Several TUBS
of whisky punch lent cheer to the oc-
casion and several cords OF wood were
burned up in bon-fires. The little cav
alcade proceeded across the wilderness
to Prescott, then little gold mining
camp, and there established the capitai
of the territory. There were grano
word pictures of the progress Arizona
has made since then and of incidents OF
that memorable journey. During MS
talk, Colonel Chaves also told OF his
Journeys across the desert to Califor-
MIA in 1853, and the discovery OF new
route to the Eldorado in company with
the traveller Aubrey who met his death
in this city. 1t is no wonder that tne
audience was moved to hearty applause
for there stood a man who told of these
stirring events not from hearsay, pu'
from having been an actual partici-
pant. one Of the makers of history IN
those early pioneer days. 1t Is no Won
der that they voted unanimously aye
when Judge A. l.. Morrison moved ear
nestly that Colonel Chaves be request
ed to reduce to writing these reminis'
cences, so valuable because they are
from an eye witness and a participatol
in the events which are at the begin
nings of American history In thu
Southwest. Judge Morrison offered t
bear part Of the necessary expense t