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William Watson papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-0171-SC

Scope and Contents

Among the items in this small collection is a 1900 contract between Minor Gaylord and the Eagle Mining Development Company of Lincoln, New Mexico concerning mining claims. There is also a copy, (signed by J.N. McDonald) of 1904 Department of Interior, publication, Forest Conditions In the Lincoln Forest Reserve, New Mexico. Besides these items, the collection also contains three brochures, “The Texas-Oklahoma Petroleum Company,” of Phoenix, Arizona, “Statement of Receipts and Disbursements of the American Gold Mining Company,” of Phoenix, Arizona, “Statement of Receipts and Disbursements of the American Gold Mining Company,” (1903) and advertisement for the Pecos Oil Field ca. 1919 The bulk of the collection is correspondence. This correspondence begins 1881 and covers various topics. Some of the correspondence is personal, including several letters to Mrs. Watson from her sister Eva. Bills and business correspondence are also found in this folder which is arranged chronologically. Most of the remaining items are letters relating to matters handled by Watson. Although this correspondence does not refer to any one particular matter, it does provide and interesting insight into New Mexico mining at the turn of the century. Among companies and individuals mentioned in letters are the Eagle Mining and Improvements Company of New Mexico (which had mines at Parsons, NM); T.A. Hones, a consulting mine engineer; Old Abe Company; J.M. Sullivan, New York railroad contractor; J.J. Jaffa, Lincoln, NM bander; J.M. Rice, A.T. Anderson and Angus Mackay, who were all associated with the Eagle Mining venture; the Rio Grande Livestock Company, Spragues Mercantile Agency; Cape County Milling Company of Jackson, Missouri; Doubleday - Page and Company, New York publishers; The New Mexico-Homestake Reduction Company of Nogal, New Mexico headed by L.S. Dairs and J.W. Douglas; The Sunflower Copper Mining Company, Esley, New Mexico; Quay County Land Company of Tucumcari, New Mexico; The New Mexico School of Mines at Socorro and Richard L. Powel, Land Scrip, Surveys and Patents from Silver City. Specific topics discussed include the Spragues’ Mercantile Agency’s (from Chicago) Lawsuit against the American Gold Mining Company and the interest of the Doubleday firm in the affairs of C.S. Davis.

Dates

  • 1881-1919

Extent

61 items (Small Collections)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Papers of a White Oaks, New Mexico attorney who specialized in gold and mining interests. Includes promotional brochures, correspondence, a copy of Forest Conditions in the Lincoln Forest Reserve, New Mexico and a 1900 contract.

Processing Information

Merleen Dibert, September 1980

Processing Information

The postcards of the White Oaks area contained in this collection have been copied and placed in the photograph collection of the Rio Grande Historical Collections.
Title
Guide to the William Watson papers
Status
Completed
Author
Merleen Dibert
Date
September 1980
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Branson Hall
PO Box 30006
MSC 3475
Las Cruces New Mexico 88003 USA