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Show 416 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY months later, disposed of the property to an English company for $1,350,000. It is said that Maxwell received $750,000 for the property. During the administration of Governor Giddings, Captain John Martin *42 succeeded in finding water upon the noted Jornada del Muerto, the terror of all travelers theretofore upon this portion of the old Santa Fé-Chihuahua trail. It was proposed in congress to persons. Maxwell invariably kept a large amount of money— gold and silver coin — on hand. This money was the proceeds of the sale of his sheep, cattle, and grain, principally to the United States government, at enormous figures. Maxwell founded the First National Bank of Santa Fé. The original stock certificates of this institution were unique, bearing a vignette of Maxwell with a cigar in his mouth. Maxwell was a man of unbounded generosity and possessed unlimited confidence in those whom he trusted. He was very charitable. He was eccentric, improvident, liberal, the last named characteristic being remarked even in those days. His friends found in him an object of undying affection. His love for the mountains and plains was unconquerable. Though rough in manner, there was nothing of the desperado about him. In the spring of 1871, political history Stephen of New B. Mexico, Elkins, with upon establishing another bank at the Thomas at the capital. time a rising B. Catron and Maxwell, figure others having in the determined tired of his banking experience, sold out to these men. Maxwell invested over a quarter of a million dollars in bonds of a corporation formed for the construction of the Texas Pacific Railroad. This investment proved a complete loss. Maxwell’s wife was Luz Beaubien. Three of their nine children still survive. The last years of his life were spent at Fort Sumner, where he died in comparative poverty, July 25, 1875. 342 John Martin, soldier and pioneer, was a native of Caledonia, New York, where he was born in 1829. He enlisted for the war with Mexico with General Winfield Scott, was present at the storming of Chapultepec, and after the war shipped on a sailing vessel bound for San Francisco, rounding the Horn, and arriving at the Golden until the breaking out enlisted and was elected of which J. H. Carleton coast to the Rio Grande. Apaches and for several Gate in 1849. He remained a citizen of California of the Civil War when, at the call for volunteers, he first lieutenant of Company D, 1st California infantry, was colonel. He marched with his regiment from the He took part in many campaigns against the hostile years was in command of the military escort accompany ing the United States mail north from place called by him ‘‘ Aleman,’’ where Las Cruces. he began In 1867 sinking he went to the a well in the hope of striking water. He was successful, finding the precious fluid at a depth of eighty-six feet. He sunk the well one hundred sixty-four feet, the dimensions being and stage station, six by the place four feet. thereafter Here being He also conducted a government forage agency. 1875, engaged in the business of stock raising. he known established as Jack a Martin’s ranch well. He continued living here until In the latter part of 1875 he moved to Santa Fé where he conducted the famous Fonda or Exchange hotel, continuing in this business until the date of his death in 1877. He was survived by his wife and four children, two of whom have been prominent in the political and official history of the territory, William E. and John A., the former several tumes a member of the legislative assembly, official court interpreter, clerk of the district court, deputy superintendent of the penitentiary, and prominent public speaker and politician, the latter register of the U. 9. land office at Las Cruces. O} . . : r 4 uef Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court Appointed by President Cleveland ir . William H. Brinker, A<J. of New Reuben A. M Reeves, A. J. |