Page 13 - The Mines of Kingston, New Mexico

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and as few bad debts as will be found anywhere. Although it is by no means unpopular to take a drink of beer or whiskey, and temper- ance societies would not secnre a large membership in the camp, there is but little drinking to excess, and no more drunkenness on the streets than is usual elsewhere.
H \ crnr,
The finding of the rich float on the Solitaire and the general
prospects of the North Percha neighborhood, was the occasion, in the latter part uf Aumi^t. of locating a trading point there, and it was followed by the laying off of a townsite. The location is well chosen atapointwherethevalleyofCarbonatecreek furnishingthetown
undantsupplyofwater widens,givingampleroomforalarge population. J. W. McCuistion was the first merchant, coming from Chloride. No road had yet been built nor trade of any kind estab-
lished, though the surrounding count: ill of prospectors to the number of several hundred. He packed his stock in trade over the mountains. It consisted of three hundred cigars, five gallons of whU- .ttles of champagne, eighteen bottles of beer, and $8.75
ish for a working capital. His success is evidenced by a large log store-room, which cost him $300, and a stock of goods in house and cellar which has cost him $3,000. He has also secured mines and ii
n mines which promise a yet larger return.
The town^it ated August 28th, by John Bachus and
Me Donald. The construction of the wagon road to a connection with the Hillsboro and Kingv LI commenced September 5th and the first wagon came into camp on the i2th. The town was surveyed on the i5th and w i^ platted on a box cover. Of three hundred lots, each 25 by 140 feet, one hundred and twenty have been sold for from fifteen to forty dollars each. For a time business
was lively, but there was a serious disadvantage in having no stage line. The population reached at one time as many as five hundred.
\ D. Osborne was the second merchant, also coming from
Chloride, opening the Ore saloon and dealing principally in wet gro- ( cries. John Graden came from El Paso and started a restaurant. J. T. Nickerson came with a restaurant and boarding house. Ballou & Cook opened another saloon, now closed. Mike Mason started in the same business, also gone. Mr. Carmichael opened a small
store ; he has also departed. Later J. C. Roberts opened a meat