Category: Silver City
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McComas’ Route to Lordsburg.
McComas’ Route to Lordsburg McComas’ journey to Lordsburg from Silver City took him over what was by that time the stage route between those two places; a route which in March of 1883 was quite new, and which was primarily a passenger-only route. The transportation of the mail by stage…
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McComas’ Destination and Why He Undertook The Journey
His Destination Descriptions of the events which led up to the attack on the McComas family frequently state that their destination was Pyramid City. Similarly, they will include the information that the journey was necessitated by a telegram, received by McComas at Silver City, which urgently requested his presence…
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Chapter 26 – The Desertion of Ralston City
Various editions of Grant County newspapers give indications of the rapid exodus of people from Ralston City to, for the most part, Silver City. Many leading figures and businessmen had made their way to this town from Ralston when it became all too apparent that there was nothing there that…
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Chapter 25 – A Last Hurrah!
The Ralston City – Gila River Railroad As well as the many references to transporting water from the San Simon or Gila rivers to Ralston, there are also several references to the planned construction of a railroad from Ralston City to the Gila River, most notably by Arnold and…
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CHAPTER 24 – Visitors From Pinos Altos
Who, When, and Why Perhaps one of Ralston City’s more reliable claims to fame is the fact that it was directly responsible for the founding of what is today the Grant County seat – Silver City. Many will be familiar with the famous exclamation of “Well (or Hell) boys! If…
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Chapter 23 The Great Diamond Hoax contd.
Philip Arnold and James B. Cooper On November 19, 1870, the Weekly Arizonan reported that “Messrs. Cowper and Arnold” had arrived at Tucson the previous week from the Burro Mines. They were en route to San Francisco and carried with them not only news of the mines at Ralston, which…
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Chapter 18 – Route No. 31454, 1878 – 1882, The National Mail & Transport Co.
Introduction The awarding of the contract for this new four-year period would lead to the most significant changes for Ralston; the settlement would not only be included as a stop on a new route, but would also acquire a new name when, in April of 1879, it would become known…
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Chapter 17 – Route No. 17404, 1874 -1878, Kerens &Mitchell
On March 3, 1874, the names of the successful bidders for the upcoming contract term were published in California. Richard C. Kerens and Mitchell (first name unknown) were awarded the contract for two routes in New Mexico: Las Vegas to Mesilla, and Route No. 17404, Mesilla to San Diego.¹²⁶ News…