APACHES IN NEW MEXICO.

747

promises made, and against the protests of the military authorities. Of the Apaches, only the remnants

of the Jicarillas and Mescaleros remain in New Mexico, and these under control on their reservation. Serious outbreaks are probably at an end. The problem of ultimate improvement remains unsolved.

CHAPTER XXX.

INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

1864-1887.

MINERAL WEALTH-MINING NOTES OF 1864-79-GREAT PROSPECTS AND SMALL RESULTS-STATISTICS OF PRODUCTION-THE MINING DISTRICTS— GOLD, SILVER, COPPER, COAL, AND IRON- THE 'BOOM' FROM 1880AUTHORITIES - RÉSUMÉ OF DEVELOPMENTS - GENERAL RESULTS AND PROSPECTS-SPANISH AND MEXICAN LAND GRANTS-LIST OF CLAIMS— PUBLIC LANDS AND SURVEYS-AGRICULTURE-STATISTICS SLIGHT PROGRESS-STOCK-RAISING-CATTLE AND SHEEP-MONOPOLY AND OTHER OBSTACLES MANUFACTURES-TRADE-RAILROADS TELEGRAPH LINES— STAGE AND MAIL ROUTES-BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION-SCHOOLS-PUBLICATIONS OF THE JESUIT COLLEGE-NEWSPAPERS-CHURCH AFFAIRS.

FROM the earliest times New Mexico's prospective mineral wealth has been recognized, and there has hardly ever been a year, perhaps never a decade, in which a few mines of some sort have not been worked. The early Spanish workings, never successful on a large scale, have left traces at many points; but, as elsewhere fully explained, have been habitually and grossly overrated in modern times. Practically, nothing but prospecting was ever done by the Spaniards or Mexicans, and very little more by the Americans for many years after their occupation of the territory. Their small numbers, isolation, and lack of capital, the general apathy of the native population, the heavy cost of transportation, and frequent Indian troubles, afford sufficient explanation of the slight progress made, while each year's operations furnished additional foundation for faith in ultimate success.

Such work as had been previously undertaken was for the most part suspended, on account of the con

MINING IN NEW MEXICO.

749

federate invasion of 1861-2 and the ensuing Indian wars; though at Pinos Altos, in the south-west, a nucleus for future operations still remained; in Santa Fé county preparations for active work were being pressed forward at the Old and New Placers; and each year the natives washed out a considerable quantity of gold in the wet season at many different points. The annals of New Mexican mining in 1864-79 would consist of a long series of detached items, not without interest in themselves, but entirely too bulky for presentation here. I append some general notes and references. The yield of gold and silver has been

1See N. Mex., Acts, 1864 et seq., as per résumé already given, for legislative action on mines, including the incorporation of many companies. For mining laws of the territory at different periods, see N. Mex., Revised Laws, 726-32; Mills' Hand-book of Min. Laws, and Guide to N. Mex. Las Vegas, n. d., 12mo, 35 p.; Raymond's Silver and Gold (1873), p. 453–9; Rand's Guide to Colorado, 85; Avery's Hand-book of N. Mex., 95-7; Rand & McNally's Overland Guide, 236-7; N. Mex., Business Directory, 1882, p. 185-97; Ritch's Blue-Book, 127-8. For mining information in the successive years, see the annual reports of the surveyor-gen. of N. Mex., in U. S. Land Office Reports, 1864 et seq.; also Raymond's Reports on statistics of mines and mining, 1869 et

seq.

1864. N. Mex. Mining Comp., Preliminary Report. N. Y., 1864, 8vo, 21 p. This comp. had been organized in '53, and incorporated in '58, to work the Old Placer mines, having purchased the Ortiz grant. This pamphlet contains by-laws, act of incorp., extracts from Gregg, etc., and corresp. intended to boom' the company's enterprise. Operations continued for several years, with no very great success, so far as this comp. was concerned. Not much done anywhere this year, on account of the Indians.

1865. Quartz-mill being built at the Ortiz mine. Furnaces at Las Cruces at work on ore from the Organos Mts; 2-300 miners at work at Pinos Altos, with good prospects. Owen (Richard E.) and E. T. Cox, Report on the Mines of N. Mex....Published by John S. Watts. Wash., 1865, 8vo, 59 p. This is a report of a geologist and chemist, including an examination of several mines; published in the interests of some comp., and showing everything in somewhat bright colors.

1836. Much prospecting and many discov., including the Moreno mines, Colfax co. N. Mex. Min. Co. at work; another comp. organized to work the mines farther south in same district. Little progress in smelting at Las Cruces, for want of capital. Machinery en route to Pinos Altos. Gold deposited at U. S. mint, $3,155. Gov. Arny's Message treats of mineral resources,' indicating that nothing much is being done. Copper discov. near Ft Union. Meline's 2,000 Miles, 170-9, has a chapter on mines, with something of personal observation. Clifford's Overland Tales, 367-83, has a chapter on my first experience in N. Mex.' in '66, a pleasing sketch of life at Ft Bayard, and some information on the mines. Sir Morton Peto's Resources, N. Y., 1866, p. 170-1, mentions the copper mines of the s. w.

1867. Browne and Taylor's Report, 324 et seq., contains Com. J. W. Taylor's report on N. Mex. mines, chiefly made up from old auth., and Gov. Arny's message of '66. It is also found in Hunt's Merch. Mag., lvi. 208, and Goddard's Where to Emigrate, 143. Much development at Pinos Altos; 1,000 men at work; 600 lodes within 6 miles; 15-stamp mill. Gold found near

estimated at $125,000 to $250,000 per year down to 1868, $500,000 annually in 1869-74, and $400,000 in Taos, and 400 men at work. Ore at Old Placers yields $27. Many discov. of silver, but no work. Fifty silver mines in the Organos Mts.

1868. Moreno mines produced about $200,000 in placer gold. Some inform., especially on the Ortiz mine, in the gov.'s message. The S. F. newspapers of '68-9 have many items.

1869. Gold product, $500,000; no silver. The Moreno mines in 3 districts -Ute Cr., Willow Cr., and Elizabethtown-yielded $200,000, of which $100,000 was from the Aztec mine. Hydraulic machinery at work in the gulches; 270 lodes registered at Pinos Altos and Central City; product from quartz, $60-70,000. Mills at Old and New Placers badly managed; chief mines, the Cunningham, Ortiz, and Brahm. Coal being mined at the Placers. Ditch projected from the Pecos. Gold and silver lodes on the Arroyo Hondo, in north. Gold-washing near Abiquiú. Carson lode in Manzano Mts very rich. Lincoln co. mines, gold placers and quartz-Sierra Blanca, Carriza, and Jicarilla-showing well. Recent discov. of copper and silver in the Magdalena Mts, Socorro co. The Organos Mts yield 80 per cent lead and $50 silver. Prof. Hayden, U. S. Geol. Survey, 1st, 3d rept, visited and described several min. districts, and has much to say on coal and other minerals.

1870. Chief excitement at Ralston (Shakespeare), and Ciénega, Grant co., where the silver lodes proved rich and numerous. Increased production of the Moreno mines, the Aztec paying $62,000 in 3 months. In Sta Fé the N. Mex. Min. Co. had suspended operations. Large deposits of iron, but as yet no smelting. On anthracite and other coal beds, see Raymond's Report; and McFarlane's Coal Regions, 72-6; S. F. Scientific Press, April 29, 1871. Mining stat., in U. S. Census Reports, 9th, Industries. Items and corresp. on the Burro mines, or Virginia dist (Ralston), in Hayes' Scraps, Mining, iii. 206–9, 212-14, 217-26.

1871. Increased yield from Moreno quartz and placers; Maxwell rancho sold to an English co. Artesian well of 300 ft at the Sta Fé placers not successful. Details of Pinos Altos region in report of R. Sturenburg, in Land Off. Rept; prospects good, but no true fissure veins yet discovered. Some silver development in the Corona del Pueblo dist, Socorro co., but mines badly managed and results exaggerated. Hayden's U. S. Geol. Surv. Rept has information on coal deposits.

1872. No material improvement or important discov. Gold yield of Moreno and the Placers $100,000; Aztec mill suspended. Grant co. prosperous, but operations stopped at Ralston for want of machinery. Prod. of the co. $350,000. Silver City lively, with 4 mills which produced $6,990 in a week. Richness of Socorro co. mines confirmed. Ruby dist, in Rio Arriba co., shows some activity; includes the reported diamond-fields; many precious stones exhibited by Ayres and Buckley. For 1872-4, see Raymond's Statistics; Id., Silver and Gold; Id., Mining Industry; all being his annual reports, separately published.

1873. Encouraging success at Silver City. Among the claims surveyed are many in Ruby and Spring Hill dist. Wheeler's U. S. Geog. Survey, iii. 632-6 and passim, contains much on the anthracite coal and other minerals. Partly reproduced in Ritch's Illust. N. Mex., 118-23.

1874. Eleven mining claims surveyed. Not much new development; but great activity in the old districts, especially in Grant and Socorro.

1875. Eleven claims surv. Wheeler, U. S. Geog. Surv. Rept, 1876, p. 66–7, 143-4, 201, describes the Aztec dist in Colfax, said to have yielded $1,000,000 since '68; 12 veins; greatest depth 180 ft; yield per ton $60; formerly a mill, now only arrastras. Also the Sta Fé placers, where only a little rude washing is done; nothing on the rich veins. An article on the copper mines in Coast Review, vii. 375-7.

1876. Nothing new of importance. Many claims surveyed. Capital much needed. Wheeler, in his report of 1877, p. 1295-1303, describes the northern

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751

1875-80. The total deposit of gold in United States mints and assay offices down to 1867 was only $85,459. The chief developments during this period were in the districts of western Colfax and Taos counties, where gold placers were profitably worked whenever water could be obtained, where ditches were constructed and hydraulic methods introduced to some extent, and where, at intervals, stamp mills were running after 1868; in Sta Fé and Bernalillo counties, at or near the old and new placers, where the customary washing operations were supplemented by several not very successful experiments in quartz-mining, though the veins were rich, where a mica mine was worked to some extent, and where a bed of pure anthracite coal was opened; in the Sandía and Manzano ranges of Bernalillo and Valencia, where nothing beyond prospecting was practically effected; in the Magdalena Mountains of Socorro, where rich deposits of silver and lead were found; in the region of Fort Stanton, or the Mescalero reservation, Lincoln county, where were rich gold placers and numerous quartz veins; in the Organos Mountains of Doña Ana, the silver ores from which were smelted without much real success at Las Cruces; and above all, in the counties of Grant and the later Sierra in the south-west, where the old copper mines were for the most part unworked, but where gold was washed from many gulches, and where minerals, quoting from a work by De Groot and Leembruzzen, pub. in Dutch in 1874. See also Sta Fé, Centennial Celeb., 30-4.

1877. Fine deposits of mica worked 75 m. N. w. of Sta Fé. Rich placers near Ft Stanton, in Sierra Blanca, but great lack of water. The prod. of the year is estimated by the surv.-gen. as $304,000 gold, chiefly from placers; $496,000 silver, chiefly from Grant co.; 2,010,000 lbs. copper, chiefly from Grant; and 850,000 lbs. lead, chiefly from Socorro.

1878. Increased yield. New impetus expected from early completion of the R. R. Mica mines flourishing.

1879. The gov. in his report takes a very favorable view of the prospects, declaring that the era of prosperity has begun in earnest. Las Animas Peak gold dist, in Doña Ana, is a recent discov. of rising repute. Other new developments are at Hillsborough, Ft Stanton, in the Sandía and Manzano mts, near Alburquerque, Los Cerrillos in Sta Fé, near Taos, and in Moreno district.

For statistics of production to 1879, chiefly founded on the estimates of Valentine, of Wells, Fargo, & Co., see Balch's Mines, Miners, etc., 512; Del Mar's Hist. Prec. Metals, 168; Las Vegas Min. World, 149; U. S. Sec. Treas., Rept on Finances, 1866-7.