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LAKE VALLEY NEW MEXICO MINING MATERIAL.
In August, 1878, George W. Lufkin and Chris Watson discovered silver ore
around the area of Lake Valley. Their discovery started a silver mining rush as
prospectors settled in the area to continue the mining. Lufkin sold his claim to
George Daly, and with Whitaker Wright (who came to Lake Valley in April 1881)
bought or made 8 more claims away from the outcrop. They then went to New York
and with George D. Roberts formed four mining companies each with four claims.
The Sierra Grande Silver Mining Company of Lake Valley ran the mines for all
four companies. In 1882, John Leavitt, a blacksmith, leased a claim that George
Lufkin had been working. Just 40 feet away from the surface, Leavitt discovered
a huge cavern lined with solid silver. This incredibly rich cavern was later
named "The Bridal Chamber" because of the sparkle from its crystal
encrusted walls. George Daly was killed by Apaches the day of the discovery. A
settlement, first called Daly but later renamed Lake Valley, moved to its
present location after this discovery. Two and a half million ounces of silver
were eventually removed from the Bridal Chamber, some of it so pure it required
no smelting. In fact, the silver was so easy to remove that a railroad spur was
built into the chamber and silver was loaded directly onto the cars. In 1893,
silver was devalued, and the prosperity Lake Valley had known took a down turn.
In 1895, most of Main Street burned to the ground.
Several of the letters are directed to D.H. Jackson, Superintendent of the
Sierra Grande Mines.
DEMING,NM LETTERHEAD. 1882 Letterhead of
G.P. Armstrong, Dealer in Wines, Liquors, Cigars, Tobacco, Miners Outfits and
Supplies. Deming New Mexico. 8 1/4" x 11". Letter written to D.H.
Jackson at Sierra City. Though the town was originally called Daly, and changed
to Lake Valley, there must have been a short period of time in the interim it
was called Sierra City . Some wear, soiling, and dampstaining, (though not as
pronounced as the illustration suggests, overall VG. (W.694)$45. |


EL PASO SMELTING CO. RECEIPT. Lake Valley
NM Silver Mining Co Smelting Receipt. 8 1/2" x 12" 1897 El Paso
Smelting Co Invoice for ore from Silver Mining Co, Lake Valley New Mexico. These
lists gross weights, amount of metals, net proceeds. I have a small number of
these receipts, illustration is representative, ca. 1897, overall Gd cond., with
original fold lines, and small punch hole. (W. 749); $16.99
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A.T. & S.F. RR CO. LETTERHEAD- NUTT
STATION. 11 x 8 Ό letter to D.H. Jackson, July 16th,
1882 from agent at Nutt Station. Nutt Station was the station on the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa Fe, stagecoach ran the distance of 14 miles to Lake Valley for
$2.00. Late a branch of the railroad was extended to Lake Valley. Exhibits some
discoloration along edges, b/r corner has damage along edges, , o/w Gd. (W750);
$65.
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1882 GIANT POWDER CO., S.F. LETTERHEAD.
10 Ό x 7 Ύ , 2 pages, Blue paper. Bandmann, Nielsen & Co., Agents for the
Giant Powder Co. Two page ink manuscript letter to D.H. Jackson, regarding
shipment of high explosives, along with pricing for shipments. Some minor
discoloration along bottom of pages, overall Gd. (W.742); $150.
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1882 EMPIRE LINE BILL OF LADING. 11
x 8 1//4 multi-color bill of lading for Safe received at Nutt Station.
Despite dampstaining along left edge and the bottom edge, along with a small
amount of discoloration along rt edge, still displays well. Also has damp
staining on verso . (W.745); $50.
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1882 LETTER REGARDING STOCK FOR THE LAKE
VALLEY MINES. 11 x 8 Ό , Pacific Bank , San Francisco, directed
to D.H. Jackson, regarding stock availability of stock for the Sierrra Grande as
some friends of mine have a little money to invest . Please give me your
opinion as to the value of the property
. Light discoloration along left
edge, age toning to rt bottom section, o/w Gd. (W.743)$65.
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1882 SAN FRANCISCO LETTER REGARDING FRAUDULENT
SHIPPING WITH RAILROADS. 11 x 8 ½ 1882 Letter from
the Office of Prescott, Scott & Co. Union Iron Works , to D. H. Jackson.
Somewhat amusing letter to D.H. Jackson about a man caught by the railroad on
trying to circumvent shipping charges by mislabeling the boxes, and cautioning
Jackson not to try the same. (W744); $100.
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1882 SIERRA GRANDE MINING CO. LETTERHEAD.
Philadelphia, to D. H. Jackson, at Daly, notifying him of the purchase of
stock and asking to acknowledge receipt of same. Signed by George Smedley, Secty.
7 5/8 x 10 1/8. Minor discoloration b/r corner, overall VG. (W.741); $85.
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BROWNE & MANZANARES COMMISSION HOUSE
Several of the following lots are in connection with the Browne &
Manzanares Commission House (1879-1899), which was one of the great commission
houses of the Plains, first following the Kansas-Pacific R.R.to Kit Carson Co.
then following the A.T. & S.F. R.R. to Las Vegas. This trading house resided
in all of the end-of-track towns, their path being Leavenworth KS., Junction
City, Ellsworth, Sheridan, Fort Wallace, Kit Carson CO., Granada, Las Animas, La
Junta, El Moro, Trinidad, Otero NM., then Las Vegas.
1890 LAS VEGAS,NM CHECK.
Las Vegas, New Mexico Check. 8 3/8" x 3 3/8" check from the firm of
Browne & Manzanares. Vignette of young child's face "Lucia". I
have a few of these checks, payee might be different than one illustrated.
(W.685); $18.
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SAN
MARCIAL, NM LETTERHEAD. 1884 Simon
Leyser General Merchandise, letter to Browne and Manzanares regarding payments.
8 1/2" x 11", . Some (insect or rodent) damage to left edge, fold
lines, a few random small holes. (W.701); $45.
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1884 FORT SUMNER, NM LETTERHEAD. J. H.
Teats General Merchandise. Two pages, second page has list of articles for
delivery. 10 1/2" x 8", Sept 21, 1884 . A scarce item from the noted
NM town. Some (insect or rodent) damage to top left edge, a few random small
holes, o/w G. (W698); $85.SOLD
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1899 LINCOLN COUNTY BRAND REGISTRATION.
1899 Lincoln County New Mexico. Cattle Sanitary Board Certificate for Re-Recorded
Brand. 7 1/8" x 8 1/2". Certificate for James Cree of Fort Stanton, showing the placement and
design of brands on cattle and horses. Scarce and desirable cattle ephemera. Original horizontal fold line, a few small light edge creases, o/w VG
(W.530); $245. |

1882 SANTA FE JEWELER LETTERHEAD. 1882
Letterhead of S. H. Lucas & Co. Mexican Filigree in Gold and Silver. 8 1/4
x 11. Handsome letterhead, small illustration left side. Letter regards order
of clocks. Small loss of paper bottom right corner, o/w Gd. (W. 739); $145.
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1882 THE MONTEZUMA HOTEL ILLUSTRATED LETTERHEAD.
Strong graphic letterhead, 8 1/2 x 11. Letter regards cost of lodging.
Though the letterhead exhibits edge roughness along the right side, with the b/r
corner having some damage with a small loss of paper ( along with some
discoloration), the main subject is so strong graphically the flaws are somewhat
overlooked. (W.746); $195.
The Montezuma Hotel, as it was originally called, was built in 1882 as a hot
springs resort by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, along a spur
line from Las Vegas. The Queen Anne Style hotel was the first building in New
Mexico with electric lights. After a fire in 1884, the hotel was rebuilt, only
to burn again in 1885. In 1886 the third and final Montezuma Castle
opened. The resort hotel, with its proximity to the Montezuma Hot Springs, was a
popular destination for travelers making the crossing from east to west and
back. The Castle closed in 1903, and eventually fell into disrepair.
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