El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-03-13
C. r. Morehead Writes OfEarIy Days In Ell Paso
Diary Of Pioneer Banker Tells Of City In 1880

MA y IL LLglLEEEADr president o.
the state National bank. one OF
TIE pioneer citizens Of "a Paso.
has just furnished the FL Paso
Pioneer society with a copy OF the
diary he kept on his first trip TO this
city and on through Arizona and
New Mexico to san Francisco, in 1850,
also excerpts from later diary, kept
in 1881 after locating here
The diary shows that Il took him
rom January % to February u to
come from Fort Worth TO FL Paso.
travelling as last as stage travel was
Aossi1le in IloEe days. The country
was infested with Indians. He was
accompanied BY O. T Bassett. father
q c. y. Bassett present president OF
the Fl Paso chamber OF commerce.
and the two went on together TO san
Francisco
The diary. which is OF much inter
est because Of its bearing on early
DAYS in El Paso and VI Morehead's
Prediction as early as 1850 that II
Faso 7ToClq some day be a great city,
IS printed below.
Thursday. Jan. se.-Caued 70 Mar
snal on 5-45 train BY president
Brown and superintendent Nc5ie. OF
l1e 4e1as d Faeitic railroad. who had
Just returned from New York, where
2 contract had been arranged by Jay
tsould. Gen. Dodge and others for the
building OF the T. & P. west TO Il
Friday. Jan. 30. - Return from
4larshal preparing 10 start TO FL
sunday. Feb Showing and sleet-
ing during the day commenced snow
night, average depth estimated ten to
12 inches. The heaviest snow fan
known 10 the Oldest Inhabitants.
Luesdays Feb. 3.-Passes came r.
today for west trip and return for
O r Bassett and myself over stage
and rail. through 10 san Francisco.
90 y. Bassett was the father Of c. y.
5asselt- president OF the FL Easc
chamber Of commerce.
Thursday. Feb. Left Fort Worth
concord coach Very cold. Arrived
a. thorpe Springs P. M. had good
supper at that town
Erlcays Feb 6--Arrived at Conan
che ana remained over night. Took
canvass TOP, spring stage next
morning. hauled by two lronchos-
The snow Ceases
saturday, Feb LEFT for Concho.
arrived at Brownwood Z p ms az
flFed at Coleman city u 2. m
sunday Feb. S.-Arrived at Wsf-
thai, took dinner, and went on 20
Concho, arriving at 10 = m
Monday, Feb s--Rema lined at Fort ,
Ccncho with 1t Z. P. Hunt all day,
tn company with Mr.. Corbitt. q Ger
man woman. and Mr.. Ponder. Here
the snow had passed off AIRS. Hirrna :
4.-gEEnrr gave as big pound cake 1
4lr- Lichtner was an old nlainsman, /
and fellow traveller Of mine in 1883 j
on the salt Lake route This fort IS
on the Coucho river We then took
the road between Concho ard Stool .
ton; across the river is the small /
town Of san Angelo.
Wednesday. Feb. 11-Arrfved at
+ orr STOCKTON at 10 a M had our /
retres hmeut bottles filled - Alr. Cor .
bit ard LETT for Fort Davis minus /
the German woman and Mr.. Cnrbitt- I
We regretted loosinE Mr.. Corbitt. as
be told us OF many Indian raids in 1
hat country and numerous escapes {
~ himself. which were very com
iortinE-"
Turning Prom the Indians
THURSDAY. Feb. 12.-Arrived at Fort /
Davis at I a. m. changed teams and
left for Fl Paso- Had a sandstone
with extreme cold: mules now and
then would refuse 10 face the gravel 4
md wind Arrived at old Fort Quit
nan the stage stand at 8 a. H.
hanged teams and prepared for the
indians, who we're reported near.
hey having driven off Col Morrfs's
sheep into che Guadalupe mountains,
rear this place. the day before We
lad cup OF black coffee and bread.
al they had The country here in
le valley was thick with tornilla
rush The driver called ali aboard"
81 all had guns and We rolled up the
surLalns Of the wagon and proposed
hat II any Indians showed uHs we
Fould ali jump out on their approach
nd take through the brush close TO-
-etuer- About six or eight miles out.
he driver handed Us the reins and
aid Camp fire smouldering. He4
it q match. the usual cowboy way,
and looked around the camp. and
same bounding into the wagon and
said -Mocassin tracks. gentlemen