CHAPTER XXI
The Territorial Period, 1851- 1912

This period of sixty years will be considered briefly under the administrations of the successive governors; but for convenience of treatment and clearness of understanding, the Texan Invasion of 1862, and the Struggle for Statehood will constitute separate chapters. Matters connected with churches, schools, and newspapers are also arranged in groups in a distinct chapter, in order to present a connected view of each subject.

JAMES S. CALHOUN (1851)

was the first governor of New Mexico appointed by the President under the regular territorial government. He was inaugurated on March 3, 1851, and at the same time William S. Allen became secretary, Grafton Baker, John S. Watts, and Horace Mower, justices of the supreme court, and Elias P. West, United States attorney.
Governor Calhoun was already a resident of Santa Fe, as he had been Indian agent for New Mexico since July, 1849, and had shown himself a most intelligent and diligent official. Soon after his inauguration he called an election for the first territorial legislature, and that body convened in the governor's palace on June 2d. It held a second session on December 1st of the same year. Antonio Jose Martinez, of Taos, (PadreMartinez), was president of the Council at the first session, and Juan Felipe Ortiz (Vicar-

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General Ortiz), at the second. Theodore D. Wheaton, a lawyer of Taos, was speaker of the House.

Governor Calhoun's position was anything but a bed of roses. The situation was newT, and the limits of the authority of the civil and the military officials not yet closely determined. Troubles with the Indians, Navajos and Apaches, were of constant occurrence. The governor was also Indian agent and endeavored to keep the peace and prevent depredations. Colonel E. V. Sumner, in military command of the department, had different views of the method of procedure. The governor graphically explains his position in an official report, in which he says he is "without a dollar in our territorial treasury, without munitions of war, without authority to call out our militia, without the cooperation of the military authorities." Finally he started on a journey to Washington in May, 1852, and died on the route. Meanwhile Colonel Sumner built Fort Defiance, Fort Union, and other army posts.

The secretary left the territory even before the governor. When the-latter departed he endeavored to appoint Manuel Alvarez as acting-governor during his absence, but this was manifestly illegal, and John Greiner, firstly as superintendent of Indian affairs and afterwards as secretary, was in executive charge until the arrival of the new governor appointed by President Fillmore.

WILLIAM CARR LANE (1852)

Governor Lane had been an army surgeon and afterwards mayor of St. Louis. He arrived in 1852, endeavored to pacify the Indians by supplying them with rations, issued a proclamation claiming the Mesilla Valley as part of New Mexico, and became a candidate for Congress before election but failed of success, a

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small majority being given to Jose Manuel Gallegos (Padre Gal-legos of Albuquerque). Soon after this disappointment he left for the east, leaving W. S. Messervy, who had been appointed secretary, in charge of the territory, and never returned.

DAVID MERIWETHER (1853)

The next governor was David Meriwether, appointed by President Pierce at the beginning of his administration in 1853. He was a Kentuckian by residence but had had a very varied and romantic experience in the Far West, and in 1819 had been captured by the Spaniards and confined as a prisoner for some time in the palace. He made an intelligent, practical governor, but during his administration of four years there was incessant war with the surrounding Indian tribes. Incursions and depredations by the Navajos on the west, the Utes and Jicarilla Apaches on the north, the Mescaleros on the east, and the Gila and Mogollon Apaches on the south, were of frequent occurrence, and the military was kept busy nearly all of the time in expeditions against the various tribes, including a number of battles in which the Indians were generally defeated and dispersed for the time.

During this administration the Gadsden Purchase was made from Mexico, by which a strip of territory from the Rio Grande to the Colorado River was added to the domain of the United States.

A notable event of this period was the killing of F. X. Aubrey by Major R. H. Weightman, in the store of the Mercures on the south side of the plaza in Santa Fe. This occurred on August 18, 1854, just after Aubrey had returned from California, in twenty-nine days from San Jose to Peralta, demonstrating the feasibility of a railroad route to the Pacific. He had previously

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achieved celebrity by his record-breaking ride on the Santa Fe Trail, referred to in the chapter on that subject.

In 1854 Congress made an appropriation of $50,000 for the construction of the capitol, this being in addition to the $20,000 appropriated in 1850, with which the foundation was laid. The structure was now carried up one and a half stories and thus remained, roofless, until it was utilized for the exposition of 1883 and subsequently completed. In 1860, $60,000 was appropriated for its completion, but the delegate in- Congress relinquished this in consideration of the exemption of New Mexico from the war tax of 1862.

W. W. H. Davis, who had previously been United States attorney, was secretary during much of Governor Meriwether's term, and had a number of important documents in the "Archives" translated, and wrote several books on New Mexican history. He was acting-governor for nearly a year before the arrival of the next governor, who was

ABRAHAM RENCHER (1857)

appointed by President Buchanan at the beginning of his presidential term, and who served for four years. He was a lawyer who had been a member of Congress and also in the diplomatic service.

During this administration the Indian difficulties continued, especially with the Navajos. In 1859 and 1860 nearly 300 citizens were killed by the Indians, and on February 7, 1860, they made a bold attempt to capture Fort Defiance itself. This was followed by an active campaign by Colonel Canby, which ended in victory and a temporary cessation of hostilities.

The United States land office was established at this time under

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a congressional act of May 24, 1857, and the Santa Fe office was opened on November 25, 1858. The surveyor-general's office had been established in 1854, and William Pelham continued as its head until 1860. Besides the usual business of this office the surveyor-general of New Mexico had placed in his charge the investigation of titles of Spanish and Mexican land grants.

On the last Monday in December, 1859, the Historical Society of New Mexico was organized, with Colonel John R. Grayson as president, Chief Justice Kirby Benedict delivering the opening address.

HENRY CONNELLY (1861)

Governor Connelly was a man of large experience in the Southwest, and the first citizen of New Mexico to be appointed governor under the organic act, and the only one during forty-four years. He was originally a physician in Kentucky, but went to Chihuahua in 1828, and was actively engaged in commercial pursuits for many years. At the close of the Mexican War he settled in Santa Fe, and lived there and at Peralta during the remainder of his life. He was thus well equipped by knowledge and experience for the duties of the governorship. He was appointed .governor by President Lincoln early in 1861, and was reappoint-ed in 1865, continuing in office until his death in July, 1866.

At the time of the attempted state government in 1850, Dr. Connelly was elected governor at the election held in June, over Tomas C. de Baca. He was absent in the East at the time and the contest in favor of the legality of the state government was vigorously conducted by Lieutenant-Governor Manuel Alvarez, .as acting-governor.
At the time of the appointment of Governor Connelly, Miguel

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A. Otero was appointed secretary, through the influence of Judge Watts, notwithstanding that Otero had sympathized with the Southern leaders before the actual breaking out of the war. His actual loyalty justified his selection, but he only served for a short time, and after another brief term of James H. Holmes, W. F. M. Amy, of Kansas, was appointed, and became a prominent figure in New Mexican affairs until his death.

The most important events of Governor Connelly's administration were those connected with the War of the Rebellion, narrated in another chapter. Throughout the whole trouble he was an ardent Union man and his large acquaintance gave him much influence in preventing defections from the Union cause.
On February 24, 1863, Congress passed the act establishing the territory of Arizona out of the western portion of New Mexico, and on December 31st of that year the newly appointed officials of Arizona organized its territorial government at Navajo-Springs, just within its boundaries, and afterwards established the capital at Prescott. Colonel J. Francisco Chaves was designated as the escort of the officers of the new territory.

ROBERT B. MITCHELL (1866)

Governor Mitchell was appointed by President Johnson shortly after the death of Governor Connelly. He was a man of varied experience, a lawyer in Ohio, a lieutenant in the Mexican War,, an active participant in the free state movement in Kansas, an official in that territory, a colonel and finally a brigadier-general in the Union army. He became governor of New Mexico in 1866,. and served until 1869. His administration was a troublous one through its entire period. He seemed to follow in many ways the example of the president who appointed him. He was out of

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harmony with the legislature, and exercised the veto power, which was then absolute, unsparingly. The legislature appealed to Congress and the organic act was amended by providing that a veto could be overridden by a two-thirds vote. He invoked criticism by long absences from the territory, and the legislature went so far finally as to ask for his removal.

The joint resolutions of the two houses of the legislature fill nearly five pages, and denounce the governor for almost every oifense, and especially for illegally removing officials and endeavoring to appoint others to fill their places. About the same time they passed complimentary resolutions, commending Secretaries Henry H. Heath and W. F. M. Arny.

On December 15, 1867, occurred the tragic death of Chief Justice Slough (the Colonel Slough of the Colorado volunteers) at the hands of Colonel "VV. L. Rynerson in the office of the Exchange Hotel, then called the "Fonda," in Santa Fe.

WILLIAM A. PILE (1869)

On the accession of General Grant to the presidency he appointed, as governor, William A. Pile, of Missouri, afterwards minister to Venezuela.

It is one of the curiosities of history that this gentleman, who is uniformly well spoken of by those best acquainted with his character, should be known in New Mexico principally from his supposed connection with the sale of a portion of the Spanish archives for use as wrapping paper. Probably that connection was very slight; but it is certain that quantities of old documents were sold or given away to merchants for that purpose, and that an indignation meeting was held in Santa Fe to protest against such vandalism. Part of the papers were restored to the terri-

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torial library by the merchants, and others are occasionally found in private houses to this day. Ira M. Bond was territorial librarian at the time, and insists that the affair was greatly exaggerated and that no papers of real value were destroyed.

During his administration the soldiers' monument in Santa Fe was completed, and Lincoln and Colfax counties were created, telegraphic communication with the East was opened on July 8, 1869, and the First National Bank of Santa Fe, the oldest in the entire Southwest, was chartered and organized.

MARSH GIDDINGS (1871)

Under appointment by President Grant, Marsh Giddings succeeded Governor Pile in the executive office in 1871, and continued as governor until his death on June 3, 1875.

Perhaps the most important event in his administration was the earnest effort made to secure statehood and the holding of a constitutional convention for that purpose, as elsewhere narrated.

In 1871, John Martin, a soldier of both wars, discovered water in the center of the Jornada del Muerto, at Martin's Well or Ale-man, which was of such importance to the public that the legislature specially recognized the benefit thereby conferred.

In August, 1872, the Second National Bank of Santa Fe was established.
In 1873, the United States military road from Santa Fe to Taos was completed. This has ever since been the usual line of travel, being the road up the Rio Grande through Santa Cruz, Los Lueeros, La Joya, and Rinconada, and it took the place of the old route much farther east. The principal expense of the road was in the canons of the Rio Grande below and above Em-budo. In 1861 Congress appropriated $15,000 for this road, and subsequently $25,000 for its completion.

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In 1874 a new land office was established at Mesilla with a district embracing half of the territory.

On the death of Governor Giddings, Secretary William G. Ritch acted as governor for about two months, until the inauguration of Governor Axtell. Secretary Ritch was appointed to that position by General Grant in 1873, and held the office for twelve consecutive years. He had served in the war as lieutenant and adjutant, and in Wisconsin as state senator. He was a very progressive man, especially devoted to public education. To the establishment of an effective public school system he gave his best efforts for years against persistent and organized opposition, with admirable courage and excellent effect.

SAMUEL B. AXTELL (1875)

Governor Axtell was appointed by President Grant and inaugurated as governor on July 30, 1875. He had been a member of Congress from California for two terms, and was governor of Utah at the time of his appointment to New Mexico. He was a man of strong convictions, tenacious of his opinions, entirely fearless, and of the positive character which makes warm friends and bitter enemies. He was vigorously supported by the majority of the dominant political leaders and as vigorously denounced by their opponents.

During his official term the Lincoln county war between rival cattlemen and their adherents was a prominent feature. The contending factions were named after Murphy and McSwain, who were the leading cattle owners of that section. In this "war" a number of men were killed and the whole southeast of the territory was involved. A somewhat similar condition existed in Col-fax county where the cowboy element was strong. Great excitement was occasioned in 1875 by the murder of Rev. F. J. Tolby, a

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Methodist minister, on the road from Cimarron to Elizabethtown; and an attempt was made to connect Governor Axtell with that outrage. Party feeling ran very high between what was called the "Santa Fe King" and its local adherents, and their opponents headed by Frank Springer, a prominent lawyer. Numerous charges against the governor were forwarded to Washington and special agents were sent from there to investigate. In the calmer judgment of history each side misjudged the other, but the result was a determination by the national administration to change the principal New Mexico officials, especially the governor and United States attorney. Accordingly in the fall of 1878 Governor Axtell was superseded by General Lew Wallace, and Colonel Sidney M. Barnes, of Kentucky, was appointed United States attorney in place of Thomas B. Catron, who had resigned.

Subsequently, in 1882, Governor Axtell was appointed chief justice, and performed the duties of that office to the general satisfaction of the people.
The vigorous attempt to secure statehood, made in Congress by Hon. S. B. Elkins, having failed in 1875 as elsewhere narrated, New Mexico suffered a considerable loss of territory by the change of the northern boundary whereby the new state of Colorado acquired everything north of the 37th parallel of latitude. This change in area took place July 4, 1876, when Colorado was finally admitted.

LEWIS WALLACE (1878)

Governor Wallace was appointed by President Hayes with instructions to restore tranquility in the territory as soon as possible and to reform any abuses he might find prevailing. He was inaugurated October 1, 1878. He was a man of ability and

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reputation, having served in the Mexican War as lieutenant, and as major-general and corps commander in the War of the Rebellion. He was not in harmony with the local leaders of the Republican party who had generally been friends of Governor Axtell, and some friction was experienced during the legislature of 1880 which was the only session held while he was governor. He superseded the treasurer who had been in office many years and nominated for attorney-general Eugene A. Fiske, who was rejected by the legislative Council. After the adjournment of the legislature he attempted to appoint Mr. Fiske, which was clearly illegal under the organic act, and was so held by the court.

The first special business undertaken by Governor Wallace was the pacification of the Lincoln county troubles. With this object, at great personal risk, he visited Lincoln itself and had several interviews with "Billy the Kid" and other active participants. The war was not concluded, however, until the killing at Fort Sumner, on the 14th of July, 1881, of the "Kid," whose real name was William H. Bonney, by Pat Garrett, sheriff of Lincoln county.

During his administration, the Atehison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad entered the territory, affording direct connection with the east. This line reached Otero station, near the present town of Raton, in February, 1879; Las Vegas on July 1; Santa Fe on February 9, 1880; and Albuquerque on April 22, 1880. On its completion to the capital a brilliant celebration was held, the last four spikes being driven by the governor, chief justice, commanding general, and chairman of the county commission. An address of congratulation was delivered by Chief Justice L. B. Prince. The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad was built south from Antonito as far as Espailola, The advance of the railroads stimulated all kinds of enterprises; street railways, modern hotels, gas works, and large commercial houses were constructed; mining enterprises covered the territory; there was increased development in Grant county and the location of hundreds of claims at Cerrillos, White Oaks, Soeorro, and other promising camps. General incorporation acts for municipalities, religious and charitable societies, and foreign corporations were enacted. On Feb-

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ruary 15th, the legislature passed an act establishing a Bureau of Immigration, which organized April 15th with L. B. Prince as its first president. Many churches and schools were established, as will appear elsewhere.

On December 27, 1880, the Historical Society of New Mexico was reorganized and incorporated, the original society organized in 1859 having suspended operations during the war. Hon. W. G. Ritch was the prime mover in the reorganization and the first president. In 1882 L. B. Prince succeeded Governor Ritch as president and has continued as such to the present time. For thirty years this society has had its home in the palace at Santa Fe under national and territorial authorities, and has accumulated and preserved a collection of New Mexican antiquities and historic material absolutely invaluable, and which but for its faithful and continued efforts would have been scattered long ago and be incapable of collection at any cost at the present time.

The event which most closely identifies Governor Wallace with New Mexico was the completion of his famous book, Ben Hur, by the writing of the sixth, seventh, and eighth "books" in his bedroom back of the executive office in the palace, which has since been known as the "Ben Hur Room" and has become a Mecca for tourists.

On the election of General Garfield as president, Governor Wallace applied for a foreign diplomatic position and was appointed minister to Turkey.

LIONEL A. SHELDON (1881)

Governor Sheldon was appointed by President Garfield soon after his inauguration and assumed office May 15, 1881. He was a personal friend of the president, having been lieutenant-colonel

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of the Ohio regiment of volunteers of which General Garfield was colonel. After the war he served three times in Congress from Louisiana.

Governor Sheldon unfortunately began his gubernatorial career by antagonizing old citizens and officials who would otherwise have been friendly, and thereby injured his influence. But he succeeded finally in what appeared to be his special desire, which was the building of the penitentiary to accommodate the increasing number of condemned criminals. In the legislature of 1884 a bill was also passed for the erection of a capitol in Santa Fe, and a commission was appointed for that purpose.
Governor Sheldon gave much attention to organizing and strengthening the militia as a protection not only against a lawless element that had entered the territory in connection with the construction of the Southern Pacific and other railroads, but also against the Indians who were still disposed to be aggressive. These measures were successful and beneficial to the people. His term of office covered a period of active business and speculation in New Mexico. The territory was covered with mining camps, each of which believed itself a second Leadville. The rapid construction of railroads added largely to the general feeling of business enthusiasm. The only drawback was the intensity of political feeling which caused unfortunate divisions among its people. On the 13th of July, 1882, the Santa Fe Board of Trade was organized and incorporated, being the first commercial organization in the Southwest.

In 1883 there was held in Santa Fe a great historic celebration -called the Tertio Millennial, which exceeded both in its scope and realization anything of the kind ever attempted in America. The regular programme covered thirty-three days, during which each important Indian pueblo and tribe in turn was represented by forty of its people, who exhibited their ceremonials and dances in the genuine costumes required by their religion or custom. The celebration began with a three days" historic pageant of gorgeous magnificence. This really occupied the greater part of the year and while a financial failure, was well worth all that it cost.