Dennis Partridge, Author at New Mexico Genealogy

Twelve Years free from Spanish Control

For twelve years they then lived, free from all Spanish control, proud in their freedom, yet, doubtless, constantly in dread, even as they were in Zuni and the other pueblos, of the coming of the Spaniards to wreak vengeance. In 1692 came Don Diego de Vargas, re-conqueror the second, and he and his two hundred soldiers gained the speedy submission of Acoma. But as before, it was merely a submission of words, for four years later the sturdy patriots revolted again, and when de Vargas came in anger to storm the rock, they jeered at him from above and defied … Read more

Early African American Settlements in New Mexico

Blackdom, Chaves County, New Mexico This small town settlement was officially established on December 5, 1911. It covered about forty acres with 166 lots for houses. This was an incorporated town site that lay within a broader area called Blackdom community. This community was composed of farms, and homesteads by African American families covering several square miles. The town was settled by Frank and Ella Boyer and Daniel Keyes, who wanted to establish a self-sufficient settlement for African-American settlers. Blackdom was officially incorporated on December 5, 1911. A post office existed in Blackdom from 1913 to 1920, but declining water … Read more

Fort Selden, New Mexico Troops, 1865-1891

Fort Selden was a U.S. Army post, occupying the area in what is now Radium Springs, New Mexico. Established in 1865 for the purpose of protecting westward settlers from Native American raids, the post fell into disrepair after the American Civil War. It was ultimately abandoned in 1891, due in large part to the decision to expand Fort Bliss and the lack of any expenditures for repair of the facility. Fort Selden was established in 1865 in an effort to bring peace among the varied inhabitants in the south central region of present day New Mexico. Their primary intent was … Read more

Artesia, New Mexico

Artesia was of much later establishment than Roswell, the building of the pleasant little city of today beginning with the completion of the railroad in 1898. There are now about 2,000 people in Artesia, and it is coming to be one of the most important cities on the slope. The artesian well is altogether responsible for Artesia, the irrigation ditches from the streams stopping far to the north. Under the artesian wells, some 15,000 acres of orchards and alfalfa are now smiling productively, and the indications are that their area will be steadily increased even though the present promise of … Read more

Carlsbad, New Mexico

All over the Southwest the thrifty city of Carlsbad, the county seat of Eddy County, is known as Carlsbad the Beautiful. Stately shade trees overarch the broad, well kept streets, even in the business sections of the town, while the residence section, with homes enveloped in shade and flowering plants and shrubs, has made the residences of Carlsbad justly celebrated throughout the state. Commercial thrift has furnished Carlsbad with substantial business blocks, good hotels and handsome public buildings with the usual accessories of a modern up-to-date community. A complete waterworks system furnishes every house in town with city water; an … Read more

Christmas at San Felipe

As at the approach of Christmas the heart of every good Christian is filled with joyful anticipation, so too, the San Felipe and Santo Domingo Indians are similarly affected. Weeks and even months in advance they inquire how long it is until noche buena, the holy night, (literally the “goodnight”), conies and then in their own primitive fashion try to count again on their fingers the number of days. True, the majority of these Indians might hardly grasp completely the real significance of this most beautiful of all feasts; still their tradition, though somewhat confused, tells them; that it must … Read more

Christmas at Santo Domingo

But now it was high time for me to be off for Santo Domingo and the Mexican Mission of Domingo where I was also expected today. I took leave of my parishioners and mounted my faithful bronco, held in readiness at the church door. At first rather wild and unmanageable, it is a Navajo pony, it soon became gentle as a lamb. Cautiously it stepped over the new iron bridge, carefully lifting its legs, lest it stumble over the shadow of the rail-posts, cast by the light of the moon. It was, indeed, a beautiful night. The vast expanse of … Read more

Buffalo Soldiers

“Buffalo Soldier the name given by the Indians because of their short curly hair and their courage and fortitude, much admired qualities of the buffalo. Kiowa Indians in western Kansas after encounters with Black soldiers of the 10th Cavalry Regiment in 1866, gave them their name. It was a compliment by the troops and the 10th Cavalry adopted a picture of the buffalo as its regiments crest. Black cavalry and infantry troops known as buffalo soldiers were sent to the west to take part in the Indian wars and the protection of settlers at the end of the Civil War. … Read more

Buffalo Soldiers, buried at Ft. Bayard, New Mexico

The post was named in honor of General George D. Bayard, who died from wounds received in the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1862. He had previously served as a lieutenant in the New Mexico and Arizona territories where he had sustained arrow wounds in Indian confrontations. Fort Bayard was one of many installations throughout the Southwest that was garrisoned by the so called Buffalo Soldiers. Company B of the 125th United States Colored Infantry Regiment established the post, and they were joined by other black units, including troops from the 9th Cavalry Regiment. Corporal Clinton Greaves, stationed at Fort … Read more

A Buffalo Soldier’s Grave

Buffalo Soldiers Grave. Old Fort Tularosa, (Aragon) New Mexico, Catron County, New Mexico

An elderly rancher pointed out this grave several years ago and told of its history. After the Civil War, African American soldiers were sent West. One troop was garrisoned at Fort Tularosa, northeast of Reserve, New Mexico. They were used to control Indian raids, escort stages, protect travelers and civilians. Fort Tularosa was created in 1872, near the present day Aragon, New Mexico. It was the government’s intention to move Chief Victorio and his tribe of Indian people to this location, but Victorio had other intentions. He and his people refused to stay. They wanted to live at Ojo Caliente … Read more