Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-02
charge of the construction accepted no
Valuable Historical Papers.


pay
Valuable Historical Papers.
The old palace is now given over chiefly
to the Historical Society whose museums
are filled with valuable and interesting
relics and documents. No state in the
Union has so complete a record of its his
tory, which Is due to the enthusiasm and
labor of Judge Prince. Max Frost and 9TH
er patriotic members. The native Mexi-
cans take very little interest in historical
affairs. They have no libraries and do not
care for documents, as was illustrated re-
Gently when the society obtained a large
quantity of papers of the greatest value
from the family of Epifanio Vigil. a prom
inent citizen of Santa Fee and a son of
Domeciano Vigil, the second governor of
the territory, after its annexation to the
United States.
The latter was a full-blood Spaniard
who had been a military officer under
Santa Anna, and was one of the most
prominent citizens in northern Mexico.
When anything happened in his section he
was apt to come to the front either a
leader or advisor, and after Bent, the first
governor of the territory, was aSSas-
sinated, January %. 1S47 at the pueblo of
Taos. Vigil was picked out as the man of
the hour and assumed authority and quiz
eted the agitation. Vigil remained in
power until New Mexico was admitted as
lived. exercised powerful influence
among the native inhabitants. He was
consulted on all occasions, both by his
fellow MeXicans and the Yankee officials,
and was celebrated for his wisdom, pru-
dence and common sense. Vigil seems TO
have preserved every scrap OF paper that
came into his hands during his long and
eyentful life; and although he wrote little
himself he received communications from
everybody of Importance in that day con-
corning questions and events of his time.
He carefully filed them all away.
Documents Of Interest.
These documents were divided between
his two sons. and for fifty years they have
lain in chests and store rooms where no
body could see them. Although many his
torians have visited Santa Fe in search of
material, they have applied in vain to Epi-
fanfo Vigil who under no circumstances
would permit his fathers papers to be ex-
amined. After his death his sons sold them
to the historical society. Then the brother
at Las Vegas brought his share down to
Santa Fe. where they are now being exam
ined by Judge Prince and are found to be
full OF interest. There is trunkful OF let
tiers and papers which have never been ex-
amined before and they not only throw
light upon the history Of New Mexico from
1910 to 1854. but contain several important
original documents which were not sup
posed to be in existence Among others Is
the original Oh the pTOCldIudllOn OF the Mex
lean governor Armijo issued when he start
ed north from Santa 9 in 1916 to drive the
"gringoes" from Mexican soil. He calls
upon the people to rise in defense of their
country and support the Mexican authori-
ties; and he dedes the Yankee invaders to
approach the capital, threatening them
with horrible penalties If they dare do such
a thing. Six days later Gen. Stephen w.
Kearney took possession of ArmiJo's palace
and issued an entirely different proclama-
ton to the people.
When the Mexicans, under their bombas-
tic. governor, met the Yankees at Glorieta
pass. about thirty miles north of this CITY,
and Armijo saw what he was up against
he turned about and did not stop running
until he reached the City Of Mexico, and
his forces were scattered all the way down
the valley.
General Kearney in Control.
Gen. Kearney marched quietly into Santa
Fe August 10. 1916, made a speech.
which was responded to by Mr.. Vigil. The
latter. in behalf of the citizens. made
pledges of loyalty to the government of the
United States and promised allegiance %
the new country. He said that the Amerl-
cans in initiating the example of WASH
ington, had excited the admiration of ali
the world.
Gen. Kearney, upon taking possession OF
the palace, issued a modest American-Iike
proclamation. announcing the appointment
of full set of officials 1t was printed
upon cheap paper in the form of small
dodgers for general distribution. and one
of them was found among the Vigil papers
Charles Bent, who was appointed gov
ernor. was the proprietor Of Bent's Fort"
a trading post on the Arkansas river, and
one of the principal stopping places on the
old Santa Fee trail. He was one of tho
earliest and most influential of the white
population OF the territory. His fort was
the refuge and asylum of pioneers from all
the foothills of the Rocky mountains. and
dams. who never disturbed him. But.
strange as 1t may appear, he was assassf-
mated few days after his appointment as
governor, at the pueblo of Taos.
You will also notice that Frank P. Blair
was appointed district attorney. That was
the first appearance In public life Of the