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TERRITORIAL
IRIEIE'OIR/T
AS TO
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SOCOKRO, N. M.
SOCORBO DAILY NEWS OFFICE.
1881.
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MEXICO
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TERRITORIAL
AS TO
D ii 11
SOCORRO, N. M.
SOCORRO DAILY NEWS OFFICE.
1881.
Bancroft Li
IRIEIPOIR/Z 1
OF THE
COMMISSIONERS OF SOCORRO COUNTY.
LOCATION.
Occupying that portion of Xew Mexico known as the Western Central,
and embracing an area of near 17,000 square miles, is the County of Socorro.
It is bounded on the north by Valencia County, on the west by the Territory
of Arizona, on the south by Grant and Dona Ana Counties, on the east by
Lincoln County, and lies largely in Latitudes 33 and 34. The altitude is
from 4,000 to 5,000 feet in the valleys and from 10,000 to 14,000 feet in the moun-
tain ranges,' thus giving almost any climate desired.
pear, peach and small fruit*, and in time it will supply tiie great cities of, the |
North and Northwest with the earliest and most delicious of the products of
the horticulturist. Here the "Mission," the queen of all grapes, flourishes
almost without attention, and from it a wine is made which when manufac-
tured with proper care rivals that of the most famous vintage. Pears, peaches,
cherries and the different varieties of berries, are grown to perfection. All
(
vegetables can be successfully cultivated. As the planter depends altogether
upon irrigation, such a thing as a failure of crops is almost unknown.
THE CLIMATE
Is unexcelled, and for tuberculosis and other lung diseases it has no superior,
especially in the valleys, where the altitude is not over 5,000 feet. The atmos-
phere is dry and bracing, with but few heavy winds, and comparatively little
dust, that bane of most mountainous countries. The time is not far distant
when this portion of New Mexico will become a great health resort.
GAME IN ABUNDANCE
Is found, consisting of bear, deer, antelope, mountain sheep, rabbits, water
fowl, etc., wliile the mountain streams, especially m the western part of the
County, afford fine fishing.
GOOD TIMBER
For building purposes is found in the mountains. It consists principally of
pine, pinou, oak and other varieties peculiar to this latitude. In fact Socorro
i- one of the best timbered counties in the Territory. Several saw mills are
now in operation, and more are either in course of building or contemplated.
SOCOITO County in time will become the stock-raising county of the Territory.
The grass in the mountainous districts and upon the plains is abundant and
nutritious, and the mildness of the winters makes any artificial protection for
stock wholly anneeessary. Sheep and cattle do remarkably well. Great
improvements in breeding have been attained within the past few years, and
in the future the wool and cattle shipped will not be far behind in quality that
done
this vast waste of country will become productive, as the soil is
very rich.
In the mountains are numerous fine streams of the very best of water.
The principa towns are* Socorro, the County Seat, Polvidero, Limitnr
1
HEALTH RESORT,
As the experience numerous persons who have been benefitted will attest.
.f
VYhilo the altitude not high enough to be oppressive to persons with weak
is
resources, it is only necessary to state that a stamp mill and smeltry are in
course of erection at Socorro, and a smeltry is now in active operation in the
Magdalenas. Others will be built in the Black Range and Mogollons. Silver
exists in almost every variety of rock J found in the County. The best ore,
of course, is found in regular, well defined leads. These leads [seam all<| the
mountain ranges in the County. The Socorro Mountains, Black Range, Mag-
dalenn, Mosollon, (iallinas, 'San Felicite,^ Pueblo, Bear^Mountain, tOscura,
*!
j
Aluminum, the base of all the clays, is one of the leading metals of the
Mica, Graphite, Chalk, Salt, and in fact nearly all the known metals, are
met with here, almost all of which would pay a handsome margin on the money
--ted in their development.
Although Uncle Sam's dominion was the first colonized
this portion of
mines are the least known. But within the past year
'uropeans, yet its
and a half a wonderful change has been wrought. Hardy prospectors have
come m by the score, followed by the capitalist, who, seeing our wonderful
r<"Miurces, have not hesitated to invest.
To illusmite the activity that lias 1 ately been manifested, it is only nec-
r> state that nearly :-J,ooo locations of valuable mining properties have
t<>
ivordod within the past six months. Most of these locations have been
made by prospectors not very well provided with this world's goods, thus
enabling capitalists to purchase good property at a mere fraction of its real value.
The early Spaniards were evidently acquainted with the great mineral
wealth of this portion of Xew Mexico, as the remains of their work will amply
'. When it is known that they shipped into Spain and Mexico millions
>}lars, and that their work was done in the rudest manner, what can we
:r = ~
expect will be' the result of the improvements in mining that^we tind two cen-
turies later? These early miners knew nothing of the high explosives; they
transported their ores on the backs of mules and men hundreds of miles to be
smelted in the most primitive manner, yet wealth flowed into the lap of Spain
in such profusion as to astonish all Christendom. At present one miner can
do as much work in a day as a score could have done two centuries ago in the
same time, and of course the results will be as great porportionally.
It is an evident fact that, however rich a mine mav be, it needs capital
to develope it. Money is required to get the mine into a shape for its econom-
ical working and the purchase of machinery before it can be made produc-
tive. The investor, knowing this fact, naturally looks about him for a point
where with the least expense he can achieve the greatest results. We are
confident that Socorro County offers this advantage.
Our Gold, Silver and Copper Mines are not the only inducements we
hold out to skill and capital. The manufacturer can here find an opening for
almost any line of business in which he may desire to engage. He can utilize
our Iron, Lead and Zinc, with which the country abounds. Our Clays offer
great inducements to the manufacture of pottery.
Woolen mills could be operated successfully, as native labor is not
expensive and wool is cheap and can be procured hi unlimited quantities.
Machine Shops and Foundries are needed to keep pace with the growth
of our mines.
Our Fine Marble ctm be quarried and shipped to advantage. The great
Sulphur Beds might be utilized. We should not only supply the great South-
west with Salt and Alum, but also ship it to distant points. In fact there is
hardly any legitimate enterprise, backed with sufficient capital and brains,
that cannot be made to thrive in Socorro County.
A glance at a map of this Territory will show that the County of Socorro
lies inthe heart of the great mineral region of the Rocky Mountains, that the
leads of both Old Mexico and the country north converge to this point. If
there had never been any development made the face of the country alone
would prove to the observant mind that it was rich, not only in the nobler
metals but the baser also. While not wishing to disparage the mines of the
country north, yet we can offer inducements that they cannot compete with.
Our mines, to say the least, are as valuable as any that can be found in Idaho,
Montana or Colorado. \Vhile they can be worked but about half of the year,
ours can be successfully operated in all seasons. We have no blinding now
storms to drive miners from their work, nor deep drifts to stop mining opera-
tions nor prevent prospecting. In fact there is no better season than winter to
work. Atent will be sufficient the year round. If something more substantial
is desired, timber in plenty can be found, and adobes are easily procured.
tural resources are considerable and largely diversified. It is upon her mines
that her future prosperity largely depends, and as the value of these have
been amply tested, her coming greatness is assured. All that is wanted is to
turn the tide of capital and skilled labor to these gold, silver and copper-
ribbed mountains and hills to cause her to leap into an era of prosperity that
vvilleven exceed the expectations of the most sanguine.
As this report may circulate considerably among mining men perhaps it
will be as well to give a list of our mining districts with the leading ores. The
list is necessarily incomplete, as new districts are being formed almost
gangues, nickel.
HANSONBURG District Green and blue carbonates of copper, argen-
:
gold, coal etc.
tiferous grev coppeiV native copper,
WATER CANON District Gold, nativelsilver, argentiferous galena, man-
grey copper, iron, trace of tin, etc.
ganese, zinc,Viickel,'argentiferous
MAGDALEN A District Argentiferous galena, argentiferous grey copper.
The produces iron, zinc, cobalt, etc.
district also
PUEBLO Argentiferous|grey copper, argentiferous galena, red
District
and black oxides of copper; carbonates, both hard and soft.
BEAR SPRING District Coal, argentiferous grey copper, argentiferous
galena, graphite, etc,
SAN ANTONIO District Coal, argentiferous galena, argentiferous copper
in quartze gangue.
SAN MATEO^District Gold, silver, copper, iron, lead.
BLACK RANGE District Gold, silver, copper, lead in [quartz, and spar
gangues.
MOGOLLON District Gold, silver, varigated copper, argentiferous grey
copper, argentiferous galena, and prey copper.
DACTYL District Argentiferous galena, copper, etc.
The above will give the reader a very fair idea of the diversity of met-
als which abound in Socorro county. In making this report we have desired
not to exaggerate, but rather to underestimate what we have and what is in
store for us. Nature has indeed been lavish in her gifts. She has given us a
salubrious climate for the benefit of the invalid and for the protection of
health. She has given us fertile valleys for the use of the agriculturist and
immense plains for the stock raiser. And above all, she has given us moun-
tain ranges.
"Rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun," teeming with nearly all the metals
known to man, that the speculator, the capitalist and the working man, may
have an unlimited field for enterprise. Untold fortunes are now locked up in
the mountains of Socorro County which only await the pick of the miner
and the use of machinery to bring them to light.
During the late war many old California miners enlisted and were sent
to this portion of the Territory of New Mexico for the purpose of protecting
the native inhabitants against the hostile Indians. As these "49er's" crossed
and recrossed the mountain ranges their practiced eyes detected the presence
of precious ores in abundance, and when discharged from the service they set
about prospecting. The result was that they discovered rich leads of gold,
silver and copper; but so isolated was that section of the country at that time
that they found it impossible to bring the results of their labor to the notice
of the world Consequently they were compelled to patiently await the dawn
of a new era .That day has come, andjfor the first time has the attention of
enterprise, skill, capital and speculation beenjdrawn to Central New Mexico.
AVithout detracting from the resources of her sister counties in this Ter-
ritory, or any other localities in Uncle Sam's broad dominions, Socorro County
can proudly claim a place in the foremost rank among those portions of the
earth on which nature. has lavished her greatest wealth.
ANTONIO ABEYTIA.
M. FISCHER
COMMiSSlONEBS FOB SOCOBRO COUNTY.