Stephen W. Dorsey Research Collection
Collection
Identifier: AC 359
Scope and Content
Collection consists of the research materials gathered by Thomas J. Caperton while writing Rogue! Being an Account of the Life and High Times of Stephen W. Dorsey, United States Senator and New Mexico Cattle Baron (Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press, 1978). Materials include copies of letters; news articles; copies of incorporations papers for Dorsey's business holdings; copies of lawsuits (including the "Star Route" mail fraud); as well as details on the history and construction of the Dorsey Mansion.
Dates
- 1861-1916
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
None
Copy Restrictions
Duplication allowed for research purposes. User responsible for all copyright compliance.
Some materials may not be photocopied due to poor condition.
Some materials may not be photocopied due to poor condition.
Biographical Information
Stephen Wallace Dorsey, the son of Irish immigrants, was born in 1842 in Vermont. I his youth he moved to oberlin, Ohio, where he worked as a house painter and attended Oberlin College. He subsequently enlisted in the First Ohio Light Artillery in 1861 and following the Civil War, married and went to work for a tool manufacturer. He rose in the ranks of the company and became involved in Republican politics. Dorsey became president of the Arkansas Central Railway, moved to Arkansas, and in 1872 was elected to the U.S. Senate, and set himself up as an international financer in Washington D.C.
In 1876, Dorsey acquired land in northeastern New Mexico where he constructed a large, rambling log house to which he later added a stone "castle," today known as the Dorsey Mansion. Dorsey dabbled in lucrative schemes and was frequently embroiled in controversies, scandals, and lawsuits. In 1892, he moved to Colorad and the California. He died in Los Angeles, California, in 1916. His mansion, tied up in lawsuits, became an unsuccessful sanatorium for tubercular patients, a cattle ranch, the social and business center for the ranching community, and a private residence. It was placed in the New Mexico State Register of Historic Places in 1972, and was declared a New Mexico state monument in 1976. The mansion is now privately owned.
In 1876, Dorsey acquired land in northeastern New Mexico where he constructed a large, rambling log house to which he later added a stone "castle," today known as the Dorsey Mansion. Dorsey dabbled in lucrative schemes and was frequently embroiled in controversies, scandals, and lawsuits. In 1892, he moved to Colorad and the California. He died in Los Angeles, California, in 1916. His mansion, tied up in lawsuits, became an unsuccessful sanatorium for tubercular patients, a cattle ranch, the social and business center for the ranching community, and a private residence. It was placed in the New Mexico State Register of Historic Places in 1972, and was declared a New Mexico state monument in 1976. The mansion is now privately owned.
Extent
2 Linear Feet
Separated Material
Photos housed in the photo archives.
General
Contact Information
- Fray Angélico Chávez History Library
- The Palace of the Governors
- P.O. Box 2087
- Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2087, U.S.A.
- Phone: (+)505.476.5090
- Fax: (+)505.476.5053
- Email: histlib@mnm.state.nm.us
- URL: www.palaceofthegovernors.org
General
- Title
- Guide to the Stephen W. Dorsey Research Collection, 1861-1916
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Processed by Library Staff
- Date
- ©2004
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//Museum of New Mexico::Fray Angelico Chavez History Library//TEXT (US::NmSM::AC 359::Stephen W. Dorsey Research Collection)//EN" "nmsm1ac359.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library Repository
Contact:
Fray Angélico Chávez History Library
New Mexico History Museum
113 Lincoln Ave
Sante Fe NM 87501 USA
(505) 476-5090
historylibrary@state.nm.us
Fray Angélico Chávez History Library
New Mexico History Museum
113 Lincoln Ave
Sante Fe NM 87501 USA
(505) 476-5090
historylibrary@state.nm.us