F 802 NEW MEXICO TERRITORIAL IMMIGRATION REPORT BANCROFT LIBRARY University Library University of California Berkeley MEXICO TERRITORIAL IRIEIE'OIR/T AS TO o?/ /?? This Report was prepared by M. FISCIIEK AND ANTONIO Y. A. ABEVTIA, Commissioners, Socorro, Socorro County. SOCOKRO, N. M. SOCORBO DAILY NEWS OFFICE. 1881. MEXICO /s ^ TERRITORIAL AS TO D ii 11 This Report was prepared by M. FISCHEE AND AKTOKIO Y. A.ABE YTIA, Commissioners, Socorro, Socorro County. 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. THE FACE OF THE COUNTRY Is varied, a large portion being vast plains and fertile valleys, and the remain- der being foothills and mountains, covered witn timber, teeming with game and rich in the noble and baser metals. Indeed, when the great Humboldt said three-fourths of a century ago that the "wealth of the world would be found in New Mexico and Arizona," he must have had the county of Socorro in his mind's eye. THE POPULATION At present cannot be less than 22,000, of which the native or Mexican element comprises about 15,000, the remainder being immigrants, not only from the States, but from all portions of the civilized world. While a few of these are mere adventurers, a large porportion are here for the purpose of making Mi is their future home, and of course are interested in the growth and prosperity of the country. The native population and the immigrants from the States move together hand in hand, and if there ever was any jealousy existing be- tween the two .people it is fast becoming a thing of the past as they learn lo know ench cither better. THE CHARACTER OF THE SOIL .Varies grratly, from a rich, sandy loam in the valleys to a coarse, gravelly soil in the more elevated portions of the county. All kinds of tem- perate and semi-tropical fruits, gram and vegetables are raised abundantly in tho valleys, while the plains and mountain ranges will give pasturage to count- less herds of horses, cattle and sheep. Xo country on earth will excel the -.Valley of the Rio (-ramie and its tributaries for the production of the grape, 1 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 producecrin the East. The County is comparatively WELL WATERED H\ .several streams and springs. The swift-running Rio Grand flows through il from north to south. Besides this river we havs the Rio Polomas, Rio Los Ammas: also the Hio San Francisco and headwaters of the Gila, in the western parr of the county. In the center of the County are the plains of San Angus tint 1 , which can be amply watered by means of artesian wells. When this is 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 1 towns are* Socorro, the County Seat, Polvidero, Limitnr and La Joya; Grafton, Chloride, Fairview, Carbonateville, Clairmont and Alma are mining towns. San Francisco is'surrounded by a fine agricultural and grazing country, and bids fair to become an important point. .The chief point is Socorro, the County Seat, which contains a population of at least M,ooo, three-fifths of whom are of Spanish descent. From its natural location and other advantages it is destined to become a leading commercial center and the metropolis of a vast mining, agricultural and stock-raising country. The town is pleasantly situated on the west bank of the Rio Grande and within three miles and a half of the Socorro Mountains. A fine, warm spring breaks out at the foot of the mountains and Hows through the city, furnishing water in abundance. THE SOCIETY fs us good as can be found anywhere, the citizens not tolerating the desperado or bully so frequently met vvirh on the frontier. The Roman Catholics, Pres- byterians and Methodists all have good churches, which are well attended. A College that will be second to none in the Territory is in course of erection. THE A., T. & S. F. Railroad gives the City and County connections with both the Atlantic and Pacific sea boards. Surveys have been made for another road, the NEW MEXICO & SOUTHERN, Which will connect the County Seat with the mines of the Black Range and Mogollons, and ultimately push Westward until it reaches the Pacific coast. Socorro has no superior as a. HEALTH RESORT, As the experience .f numerous persons who have been benefitted will attest. VYhilo the altitude is not high enough to be oppressive to persons with weak lungs, it is above the malarial belt. Ague is unknown. While Socorro County offers great inducements to the fruit grower and stock raiser, it is not on those resources alone that we base our expectations for future wealth and prosperity. It is to our unexcelled MIXER A L RESOURCES That we look forward to with a confidence that comes from the meagre devel- opments already made, and that, too, in the face of many difficulties. It is an established fact that the County of Socorro embraces not only the greatest extent of mining lands in rhe Territory, but also some of the very best. Her silver and copper ores are remarkably rich, assaying often into the hundreds, and many times into the thousands of ounces to the ton. Well defined leads of copper have been located which assay from 40 to 70 per cent, of the metal. When we take into consideration the fact that the copper ores of Lake Superior give but five to seven percent, of the metal, and are worked profitably, can anyone doubt that the mines of Socorro County will prove a source of immense wealth V The most noted silver leads so far discovered assay from 60 to 300 ounces to the ton. and as the ore is easily treated, leaves an immense profit to the mine owner. ,. As an evidence that practical mining men are satisfied as to our 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 Water Canon and other districts, r are developing wonderfully. TheJLimitar, Ladrone and Mogollon districts are not only rich in silver but also in copper. GOLD Is found in different localities, notably in the Mogollon and Black ''ange districts. The celebrated Ivanhoe mine, which could not to-day be purchased for $1,000,000, is in this county, as is the Torrance, for which s.-)00, 000 has been refused. Of course these figures are exceptional, but there are scores of mines that have been sold to practical mining men at prices from .si 0,000 to $75,000 each. The transactions in mines have been carried on in a quiet manner, not with that "boom" which indicates a camp that is but for the day. Mining experts all unite in saying that the time is not far distant when Socorro County will lead in the production of silver and copper and other metals. All that is needed is the judicious investment of capital to bring this about. COAL We have in abundance, and located at points easily accessible, thus solvmg question of cheap fuel. A railroad eight miles long is now being built to ("imect the A. T. & S. F. K. E. with the coal beds, and will be completed this fall. IRON ( 'i' ihe bost quality is found scattered over large districts, and in connection i el leap fuel will be a profitable investment for the capitalist. Manganese and Antimony are also met with in large quantities. Of Zinc Ore we have an abundance, notably in the Magdalenas. Immense deposits of Lead have been opened, but are not worked to any Mt. With low freights the mining of this metal will become one of our leading industries. Sulphur, which enters so largely into the arts and sciences, is found here in almost unlimited quantities, and nearly pure. Aluminum, the base of all the clays, is one of the leading metals of the Porcelain and Fire Clay abounds to a plentiful extent. A very superior quality of hard marble has been discovered, and covers a large extent of territory. 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 this portion of Uncle Sam's dominion was the first colonized 'uropeans, yet its mines are the least known. But within the past year 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> t<> state that nearly :-J,ooo locations of valuable mining properties have 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 in the 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. A tent will be sufficient the year round. If something more substantial is desired, timber in plenty can be found, and adobes are easily procured. Besides, the industrious Mexicans or Pueblo Indians can be secured as labor- ers. Supplies and machinery can be transported to almost any point in wagons over natural highways, thus reducing the cost of mining to the very least possible point. One advantage that Socorro County offers, and which should not be over- looked, is the fact that it is not covered with land grants, as unfortunately is the case with much of New Mexico. The miner can, by doing $500 worth of work on his claim, secure a title f roja the Government which is absolutely perfect. In othei counties much of the very best mining property is located on grants, and tedious litigation on the part of the owners of mines will no doubt be the result. Socorro is eminently, a mineral-producing County, though her agricul- 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 vvill even 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 weekly and new discoveries are made daily: SOCORRO MOUNTAIN District Sulphate of silver, carbonates, argen- tiferous galena, blue and green carbonates of copper in gangues of calcite, heavy spar, quartz and quartzite. Chalcidany, Jasper and porphery, are found in the vicinity. LIMIT AH District Argentiferous copper in gangue of sulphate of baryta and quartz. POLVADERO District Same as above, with the addition of gold in quartz. LA DRONE District Argentiferous galena in colcite and quartz gangues, Native copper. LA JOY A District Argentiferous galena in spar, quartz and quartzite. coal . MANZANA AND OLO Districts Kidney and argentiferous copper. 8 VN FELICITE District Sulphate of Silver, carbonates, green and blue carbonates of copper, iron, fire-clay, coal, etc. (iALLiNAS District Hard carbonates, lead carbonates, chloride of silver, oro-entiferous'galen-n, molachite, native copper. S\N BARU District Cuperiferous silver, iron. coal. S \N PEDRO District-Fire-clay, iron, copper. OSCURA District Argentiferous galena, carbonates in quartz and spar gangues, nickel. HANSONBURG District Green and blue carbonates of copper, argen- tiferous grev : coppei V native copper, gold, coal etc. WATER CANON District Gold, nativelsilver, argentiferous galena, man- ganese, zinc,Viickel,'argentiferous grey copper, iron, trace of tin, etc. MAGDALEN A District Argentiferous galena, argentiferous grey copper. The district also produces iron, zinc, cobalt, etc. PUEBLO District Argentiferous|grey copper, argentiferous galena, red 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. A.'