El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-02-24

Alameda. was the principal street and
ended in a ferry which crossed TO
Paso del Norte Mexico; and at the
end of Stanton street, known as
Canine Real" the highway was a
ford Between these two, stretched
across the river, was caDIe naue
Of the cactus fiber a large IRON rms
on the fiber rope made II easy 10
draw bundles from side to side.
horses were often tied to this cable
and assisted across, at the cost OF
few ''TclacOs," coin now OUT OF
date, valued at one and one-haII
cents.
County Of Santa Fe Found.
After the victory Of the United
States in the war with MEXICO, Lne
second legislature Of TeXac IN 1875
passed some special laws creating the
county Of Santa Fe- Thls included
the present FL Paso county ana
reached north to the southern boun-
dry of Wyoming Later on January
Paso was created with the town of
FL Paso as the county seat But san
Eljzario was selected by the people
and there the county offices were
located.
The courthouse was moved to vs.
leta in 1858, where they built a court
house and Jail This building IS
used today as a public school. In
1882 or 'S5. the county seat was
moved to FL PasO and the offices
were on South FL Paso street Ala
media street consisted OF rows Of one
story adobe buildings; and where the
hotel Paso del NOrte now stands, was
a small adobe house used as the
postOffice.
On the present site Of the Sheldon
hotel was a large store owned by the
San Antonio Mail Co. and opposite,
later, was the Grand Central hotel
An acequia ran through the town
and Mexicans, sitting under the shade
of cOttOnwOods that bordered 1t, sold
pottery, fruits and vegetables
It is interesting to know that the
first tax levy was one-fOUrth of one
poses, though particularly to keep up
the town ditch which was called the
''AIagOffinsville Acequia."
The MagOffin homestead, at the end
of MagOffin avenue, was q very prom
lnent place. Well known persons were
entertained there during this time,
among whom was the German edu- I
Gator, ETObeL Its thick adobe walls |
were proof against indian attacks
and its being near the fort made it !
dOubly safe.
Ell PasO's First Fort.
The first fort ever built in Ell PasO /
was built by De Leon in the north |
west corner of his grant; on the cor |
ner of Franklin and Campbell /
streets, for protection against the in (
dams. The first Federal fort was /
block SO, Bassett addition In 1850 I
the first troops were chartered in /
franklin Later the old deeds make I
mention of the forts having been /
IaOved to Concordia.
In 1877, Fort Bliss was moved /
close to Hart's Mill; the present fort, [
built in 1880. is located on the mesa I
about five miles from town.
Where the Angelus hotel stands. Dr. /
Nangle, FL PasO's first physician, had l
his home; and in 1881 the Customs
and Second streets.
A mile above the town was Simeon /
Harris flour mill where grain from
every nearby settlememnt was ground.
The dam, which supplied the water
Tor the mill, was over 200 years old
and was repaired by the MeEicans
living at PaSO del NOrte, JuareZ, in
oroer to get water into their town
lrrigating ditch
DOgveu FL PasO's First Mayor.
The first charter of the city of FL I
Paso was issued by the state of
IeNaS, June s, 1873, and Benjamin s.
of the first meeting Of the
council were written upon a plain Z
paper cOpybOOk which still exists.
Anson Mills made out the first map
Public library.
In 1882 the mode of rapid transit
v as the mUIe-Car, which ran on Ell /
F3 1Sf and san Antonio streets.
Ine southern Pacific railway came
10 FL PasO in June 1881. The train !
stopped on the New Mexico side of
the river above the smelter. A ferry
brought the passengers across the
NV near the present location of
.4r. COurcheSne's house. StageS- met I
them at this point and brought them
in to Ell PasO.
The railway bridge was completed
-n July or August of the same year.
Inc santa Fe was the next railroad, {
the depot being on Santa Fe street.
2nd this was followed by the T. &
and 6. Fl. & s. A. who built in
from Sierra. Blanca on q com bined !
track.
When the first train crossed into
Mexico, judge AIaSoffin. who hap
2&ened to be standing near. heard a
eXlcan remark, Yes. I can see how