The New International Encyclopædia/New Mexico
NEW MEX′ICO. A southwestern Territory of the United States. It lies between latitudes 31° 20′ and 37° north, longitudes 103° 2′ and 109° 2′ west, and is bounded on the north by Colorado, on the cast by Oklahoma and Texas, on the south by Texas and Mexico, and on the west by Arizona. It forms almost a perfect square, the line being somewhat broken on the southern boundary. The length along the western boundary is 400 miles; the greatest width, 358 miles. Area, 122,580 square miles. New Mexico exceeds in size every State in the Union except Texas, California, and Montana.
Topography. The whole Territory is very elevated, only a small portion in the south lying below 4000 feet. The topography may be divided into several more or less well marked regions, running north and south. The eastern third of the Territory belongs to the Great Plains, which skirt the whole eastern base of the Rocky Mountains. In the northeastern part of the Territory this plain is watered by the Canadian River, south of which it slopes gradually into the level and arid plateau known as the Llano Estacado. West of this is the valley of the Pecos River, the lowest part of the Territory, falling near the southern boundary below 3000 feet. From the Pecos Valley the land rises westward into the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, which issues from Colorado in a continuous line of lofty peaks, several of which are over 12,000 feet high. Toward the centre of the Territory the range becomes broken into isolated groups and mesas inclosing in the north park-like grassy plains, but toward the south arid and desolate valleys filled with lava beds and salt marshes. West of the Front Range is the narrow valley of the Rio Grande, traversing the whole length of the Territory. Finally, through the western part of the Territory stretches the great, broad plateau, the Continental Divide, which extends into Mexico as the Sierra Madre. Its average height is 7000 feet, though it sinks to 5000 feet in the south, and it is diversified by a number of mesas and isolated ranges from 8000 to 11,000 feet high.
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AREA AND POPULATION OF NEW MEXICO BY COUNTIES.
| County | Map Index. |
County Seat. | Area in square miles. |
Population. | |
| 1890. | 1900. | ||||
| Bernalillo | E 2 | Albuquerque | 8,842 | 20,913 | 28,630 |
| Chaves | F 3 | Roswell | 11,520 | ..... | 4,773 |
| Colfax | F 1 | Raton | 3,784 | 7,974 | 10,150 |
| Donna Ana | E 3 | Lascruces | 5,001 | 9,191 | 10,187 |
| Eddy | G 3 | Carlsbad | 6,613 | ..... | 3,229 |
| Grant | D 4 | Silver City | 9,337 | 9,657 | 12,883 |
| Guadalupe | G 2 | Puerto de Luna | 6,987 | ..... | 5,429 |
| [1]Leonard Wood | F 2 | Santa Rosa | ..... | ..... | ..... |
| Lincoln | F 3 | Lincoln | 4,984 | 10,618 | 4,953 |
| [1]Luna | E 3 | ..... | ..... | ..... | ..... |
| [1]McKinley | D 2 | ..... | ..... | ..... | ..... |
| Mora | F 2 | Mora | 2,532 | 10,618 | 10,304 |
| Otero | E 3 | Alamogordo | 6,874 | ..... | 4,791 |
| [1]Quay | G 2 | Tecumcari | ..... | ..... | ..... |
| Rio Arriba | E 1 | Tierra Amarilla. | 6,655 | 11,534 | 13,777 |
| [1]Roosevelt | G 2 | Portales | ..... | ..... | ..... |
| [1]Sandoval | E 2 | Sandoval | ..... | ..... | ..... |
| San Juan | D 1 | Aztec | 5,742 | 1,890 | 4,828 |
| San Miguel | F 2 | Las Vegas | 4,833 | 24,204 | 22,053 |
| Santa Fé | E 2 | Santa Fé | 2,212 | 13,562 | 14,658 |
| Sierra | E 3 | Hillsboro | 3,129 | 3,630 | 3,158 |
| Socorro | E 3 | Socorro | 15,386 | 9,595 | 12,195 |
| Taos | F 1 | Taos | 2,265 | 9,868 | 10,889 |
| [2]Torrance | F 2 | Progreso | ..... | ..... | ..... |
| Union | G 1 | Clayton | 6,302 | ..... | 4,528 |
| Valencia | E 2 | Los Lunas | 9,472 | 13,876 | 13,895 |
Climate and Vegetation. The climate is remarkably dry and healthful, and the air pure and clear. In the lower regions of the south the climate is mild throughout the year, but in the north the temperature sometimes falls below zero. At Santa Fe the mean temperature for the year is about 50°, for the warmest month 70°, and for the coldest 30°. The average rainfall for the whole Territory is about 15 inches, being nowhere sufficient for the needs of agriculture. Many of the mountain basins and river valleys are covered with nutritious grasses, one of the most common genera being the grama-grass (Bouteloua). The salt-grass (Distichlis spicata) often forms a dense sod over the alkali flats which abound especially on the western plateau. Bunch grasses cover many of the mesas and mountain slopes, but the sage brush is predominant in many of the plains, and the plateau toward the west becomes arid and desolate. Sycamore, cottonwood, oak, and other deciduous trees grow in the river-valleys, and some of the foothills carry growths of piñon and dwarf cedar, while extensive forests of pine, spruce, and cedar cover the higher mountains. With the possible exception of the alkali flats, the soil, wherever there is any, is said to be fertile and capable of becoming productive when irrigated.
For flora and fauna, see these sections in the article United States.
Geology. The mountain ranges are generally upheavals of a nucleus of granite and syenite which has broken through the Paleozoic sandstones and Carboniferous limestone, these strata being upturned and exposed along their bases and slopes. The eastern plains are almost wholly Cretaceous, and the same formation occurs in the northern part of the western plateau. Intrusions of eruptive rocks are found in profusion in many parts of the Territory; these range from ancient volcanic rocks and dikes of porphyry to more recent lava flows which cover considerable areas both on the plateaus and in the valleys.
Mining. This industry is but little developed in comparison with its great possibilities. The mineral region is almost co-extensive with the mountain region. Coal and gold are among the minerals most mined. The output of the former increased from 157,092 short tons in 1882 to 1,086,546 short tons in 1901. The output of the latter shows an increase from 26,074 fine ounces in 1898 to 33,302 in 1901. The output of silver and copper, which had decreased for a number of years, has grown extraordinarily, the output of the former in 1901 being 563,400 fine ounces, as against 425,300 in 1898, and that of the latter having increased from 31,884 pounds in 1894 to 9,629,884 in 1901. Emeralds, turquoise, and other precious stones are being mined in increasing quantities. Other minerals produced are lead, iron, gypsum, kaolin, and fire clays.
Forests. The wooded area is given as 23,700 square miles. The United States has reserved tracts amounting to 4299 square miles, mostly about the head of the Gila River. The merchantable timber is found only in the mountainous regions, and is mainly yellow pine and spruce.
Agriculture. Irrigation is practicable and in practice along the watercourses. However, the possibilities of irrigation in New Mexico are not as vast as in some other Western commonwealths, owing to the comparative lack of large rivers and lakes. The irrigated areas are scattered throughout the Territory and are not large in any particular region. The Rio Grande River supplies water for a greater area than any other stream. Owing to evaporation and the use of the water in irrigation, this stream becomes dry in the southern part of the Territory during the irrigation season. Much water is wasted by the primitive system of irrigation employed by the Indians and Mexicans. There is a considerable irrigated area on the San Juan River in the northwest. Irrigation has not been introduced until recently in the eastern plain region. In 1899 there were 975 irrigation ditches with an aggregate length of 2382 miles. Their construction cost $4,140,319. There were under ditch 646,784 acres, of which 203,893 acres were irrigated, and 182,804 acres were in crops. The total area included in farms (both agricultural and stock) in 1900 was 5,130,878 acres, more than six times as great as the corresponding area in 1890.
Alfalfa is the most important crop. Wheat, corn, and other cereals are grown in fair quantities. The Rio Grande Valley produces a superior quality of grapes. Most of the temperate zone fruits are grown. New Mexico can produce sugar beets of the highest grade. The following table of acreages explains itself:
| 1900 | 1890 | |
| Corn | 41,345 | 28,589 |
| Wheat | 37,907 | 21,853 |
| Oats | 15,848 | 9,314 |
| Beans | 3,349 | |
| Pease | 2,220 | |
| Hay and forage | 87,358 | 26,375 |
Stock-Raising. New Mexico claims the possession of a combination of favorable conditions—mild climate, etc.—unrivaled for purposes of sheep-raising. This industry, ever since the advent of the Spaniards, has been of first importance. The number of sheep decreased between 1880 and 1890, but increased enormously in the following decade. There has also been a marked gain in the number of cattle and of horses. The grazing region is chiefly in the eastern part, where there is an abundance of 'mesquite' and other varieties of native grasses. Very little grazing is afforded in the arid tablelands west of the Rio Grande Valley. The following table shows the leading stock holdings:
| 1900 | 1890 | |
| Dairy cows | 16,775 | 18,507 |
| Other cattle | 975,084 | 559,004 |
| Horses | 131,153 | 38,130 |
| Mules and asses | 21,213 | 8,367 |
| Sheep | 3,333,743 | 1,248,970 |
| Swine | 20,426 | 10,471 |
Manufactures. The manufacturing interests are small, but had a marked growth between 1890 and 1900. In 1890 there were 127 establishments with $965,938 capital, as against 420 with $2,698,786 capital in 1900. Railroad repair shops were the most important establishments. The large sheep-raising interests explain the introduction of wool-scouring establishments, of which four were erected during the decade.
Transportation. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad traverses the Territory from north to south, following the course of the Rio Grande. The Santa Fe Pacific branch of the above railroad connects the Territory with the Pacific Coast. The Southern Pacific crosses the southern portion of the Territory, and the Pecos Valley and the El Paso and Northeastern railroads have recently been constructed through the eastern part. In 1900 the total number of miles was 1779. There are no navigable streams.
Banks. The first bank in the Territory was a national bank organized in 1871. In 1888 some banks were organized under the Territorial laws. The Territorial banking law provides for yearly reports and examinations. In 1902 there were 15 national banks, with a cajiital of $1,012,000; surplus, $171,000; cash, etc., $430,000; deposits, $5,033,000; and loans, $3,688,000; and 12 Territorial banks, with capital of $417,000; surplus, $52,000; cash, etc., $148,000; deposits, $1,783,000; and loans, $1,354,000.
Government. New Mexico has the usual Territorial form of government. See Territories.
Finances. A public debt of $200,000 was created in 1884 to construct the Capitol. Later more bonds were issued for the erection of a penitentiary and other public buildings. There was also a constant deficit due to high expenditures, and also to the difficulty of collecting taxes, of which about 25 per cent. usually remain unpaid. In 1889 a movement for financial reform gained headway, and the expenditures were decreased by about 50 per cent. Since then the public debt has been somewhat diminished. At the end of 1901 it was $1,180,000. The receipts for 1901 were $540,795, and disbursements $465,815, leaving a surplus of $74,920.
Militia. In 1900 the men of militia age numbered 41,464. The number of militia in 1901 was 612.
Population. The population increased from 61,547 in 1850 to 91,874 in 1870, 153,953 in 1890, and 195,310 in 1900. The foreign-born in the last year numbered 13,625, of whom 6649 were Mexicans. The Indian population numbered 13,144, and the negroes 1610. A large part of the papulation are descendants of the original settlers, who were of Spanish or of mixed blood. Albuquerque, the largest town, had in 1900 a population of 6238; Santa Fe, the capital, 5603; and Las Vegas, 3552.
Religion and Education. The bulk of the population belong to the Roman Catholic Church, According to the census of 1900 the percentage of illiteracy was greater than that of any other State or Territory. With a compulsory school law, and greatly increased expenditures for school purposes, and the lengthening of the school year, illiteracy is diminishing. The percentage decreased from 44.5 in 1890 to 33.2 in 1900. In 1890 61 per cent. of the population could not speak English. This figure for 1900 became also greatly reduced. In 1898-99 there was raised $414,653 for Territorial schools and institutions, as against $85,129 in 1891; the number of teachers increased from 407 to 706; and the school term lengthened from three months in 1891 to four months in 1899. The Territorial institutions for advanced learning are: University of New Mexico, at Albuquerque; New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, at Mesilla Park; School of Mines, at Socorro; Normal School of Silver City, at Silver City; New Mexico Military Institute, at Roswell; New Mexico Normal University, at Las Vegas. The Catholic Church supports eighteen schools; the Methodist Church, eleven; the New West Educational Commission, five; and the Presbyterian Church, twenty-five. Furthermore, the United States has schools for Indians, including the Indian Industrial School at Santa Fe.
Charitable and Penal Institutions. There are a school for deaf, dumb, and blind, and a penitentiary at Santa Fe, and an insane asylum at East Las Vegas.
History. The first explorers of the region were Spanish. Cabeça de Vaca visited it in 1536, and Coronado (q.v.) in 1540-42. Espejo wandered over much of it in 1582-83. In 1598 Juan de Oñate conquered the inhabitants, who were Pueblo Indians, and not Aztecs, as often erroneously stated. Santa Fe was founded between 1605 and 1616. The Indians revolted about 1680, and kept their independence for ten years. The mines were worked and towns and missions were founded. This region became a province of Mexico when that country gained its independence of Spain in 1821. In June, 1846, Col. Stephen W. Kearny marched from Fort Leavenworth with a force composed of United States dragoons and Missouri volunteers, and occupied Santa Fe on August 18th. The whole Territory was declared a part of the United States. (See Price, Sterling.) The Territory of New Mexico formed a part of the Mexican cession by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848. The act of organization was passed September 9, 1850, and went into effect in March, 1851. The original boundaries included that part of the territory of the United States north of the Mexican line, west of Texas, east of California, and south of 37°, including, however, the territory north of 37° and south of the Arkansas River. In 1853 the Gadsden Purchase (q.v.) was added and Arizona was set off in 1863. The portion north of 37° was added to Colorado in 1867. In 1850 a convention was held and a State constitution adopted, but the dread on the part of the North of another slave State prevented the admission of New Mexico. Frequent efforts to secure admission have been made since. In 1894 Congress passed an enabling act, and in the Fifty-seventh Congress (1901-03) an act of admission passed the House, but did not reach a vote in the Senate. During the Civil War New Mexico was invaded in December, 1861, by Texas Rangers, who took possession of the Territory, but were forced to retire in April, 1862, by regular troops under Colonel Canby and a regiment of Colorado volunteers. Since that time there have been Indian outbreaks, which have been suppressed with difficulty. The following have been Governors of the Territory of New Mexico:
GOVERNORS
| James S. Colhoun | 1851-52 |
| Edwin V. Sumner, U. S. A., Commandant | 1852 |
| John Greiner, Secretary (acting) | 1852 |
| William C. Lane | 1852-53 |
| William S. Messery (acting) | 1853-54 |
| David Merriwether | 1853-57 |
| W. H. H. Davis (acting) | 1854-57 |
| Abraham Reucher | 1857-61 |
| Henry Connelly | 1861-65 |
| W. F. M. Arny (acting) | 1865-66 |
| Robert B. Mitchell | 1866-69 |
| William A. Pile | 1869-71 |
| Marsh Giddings | 1871-75 |
| William G. Ritch (acting) | 1875 |
| Samuel B. Axtell | 1875-78 |
| Lewis Wallace | 1878-81 |
| Lionel A. Sheldon | 1881-85 |
| Edmund G. Ross | 1885-89 |
| L. Bradford Prince | 1889-93 |
| W. L. Thornton | 1893-97 |
| Miguel A. Otero | 1897 — |
Bibliography. Brackenridge, Early Discoveries by Spaniards in New Mexico (Pittsburg, 1857); Davis, El Gringo; or, New Mexico and Her People (New York, 1857); id., The Spanish Conquest of New Mexico (Doylestown, 1869); McParlin, “Notes on the History and Climate of New Mexico,” in Smithsonian Report for 1877 (Washington, 1878); The Resources of New Mexico (Santa Fe, 1881); Ritch, Aztlan: History, Resources and Attractions of New Mexico (6th ed., Boston 1885); Lummis, The Land of Poco Tiempo (New York, 1893); Schwatka, In the Land of Cave and Cliff Dwellers (ib., 1894); Frost, New Mexico: Its Resources, Climate, Geography, etc. (Santa Fe, 1894); Bancroft, Arizona and New Mexico (San Francisco, 1888); Villagra, Historia de la Nueva Mexico (Mexico, 1900).