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.
 /s
MEXICO
^

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, a rich, sandy loam in the valleys to a coarse,
from
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
ilfrom 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
tint1 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 towns are* Socorro, the County Seat, Polvidero, Limitnr
1

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 usgood found anywhere, the citizens not tolerating the desperado
as can be
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 numerous persons who have been benefitted will attest.
.f

VYhilo the altitude not high enough to be oppressive to persons with weak
is

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 abundance, and located at points easily accessible, thus solvmg
have in
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
( ihe bost quality is found scattered over large districts, and in connection
'i'

el leap fuel will be a profitable investment for the capitalist.

i
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 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.

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.
eminently, a mineral-producing County, though her agricul-
Socorro is

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

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.

of Silver, carbonates, green and blue
8 VN FELICITE District Sulphate
etc.
carbonates of copper, iron, fire-clay, coal,
(iALLiNAS District Hard carbonates, lead carbonates, chloride of silver,
native copper.
oro-entiferous'galen-n, molachite,
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-
:
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.