Tucked away in the far northeastern
corner of New Mexico is Union County, endless miles of
semi-arid plains, where the earth meets the sky and where
the past is still close to the surface: though things
change in Union, some things never change.
Formed from land that made up part of three other counties--the
counties of Colfax, Mora, and San Miguel--Union County
was created by the Territorial Legislature on Feb 13,
1893. It is said to have been named Union County because
everyone was in agreement, or united, in their beliefs
that a new county government was needed. But that appears
to be about all they agreed upon! Much political wheeling
and dealing went into the birth of this county, dissension
as to who would get what--with money and political power
the vistors, of course. The settlers could not even agree
on where the county seat would be located, and it has
been suggested that its very name--Union County--was selected
because no one could come up with a better name.
There seems to be little doubt that there was justifiable
need for the new county, because many of the people had
to travel great distances in order to conduct their business
at their respective county seats, and travel was hazardous.
Furthermore, communication a century ago between small,
isolated frontier towns on the prairie was understandably
poor.
Not surprisingly, the new county movement met with strong
opposition from the three counties involved. It represented
to them a loss of valuable land and resources, as well
the loss of considerable tax revenue. Colfax was being
asked to cede an area of approximately 60 miles east-west
and one of like size north-south. The counties of Mora
and San Miguel would be losing a somewhat smaller area,
approximately 55 miles east-west by 35 miles north-south.
Of important significance, also, is that the area being
proposed for the new county had, by the turn of the century,
some 65 miles of railway. The railroad was attracting
new business and prosperity into emerging towns like Clayton,
a town on the railroad line. Homesteaders were moving
into the area,and cattle ranches were everywhere, but
by 1885 the cattle business was on the decline and the
sheep business was taking hold. No farming at first: people
believed it too dry to raise cropts, and depended entirely
upon the grass for cattle and horse feed. But by 1890,
farming had gradually begun. Fertile soil, level land,
and a good climate made this a desirable place in which
to live.
Yet, bills presented by the Council to annex land to
form the new county continued to be met with defeat. That
is, until early February 1893, when the bill was brought
up for the third consecutive year--its fate awaited with
deep concern for if it passed at all it would be by a
very narrow margin. They were right about that: it was
a tie vote! However, moments later it was saved by a representative
from San Miguel County who changed his vote, reportedly
from a "nay" to a "yes." It may be
that he had grown weary of all the haggling. But, whatever
the reason, Union County came into being that day.
The local 'power war' was not over, however. A new county
seat was in the offing, resulting in great rivalry. Everyone
wanted the county seat to be situated where they
lived! The two largest towns in the new county were Clayton
and Folsom, with Des Moines a distant third. All three
and more vied for the county seat. Though all had something
to offer--a railroad, tourist attractions, a central location--Clayton
won out, but not without a struggle. Clayton and Folsom
had become the leading contenders by then, and this called
for some fancy maneuvering. So when Folsom ramrodded a
bill through the ledialature in its favor, Clayton--not
to be outdone--retaliated by being the first to build
a courthouse. It was said to be an ugly building. Adding
insult to injury, it was bult on the wrong side of the
track--not where the businesses were, but on the side
where the prosperous businessmen lived! This situation
was short-lived, however, because in 1908 the building
was destroyed by a tornado and a second courthouse had
to be built, this one presumably in a more acceptable
location.
Union County grew and prospered over the years, but,
as with all communities, there were also hard times: droughts,
fires, tornadoes, dust storms (the area was part of the
Dust Bowl), and starving cattle all took their toll, as
did the Great Depression.
The county's population suffered a drastic drop in the
1920s, as countless families abandoned their farms and
entire communities virtually disappeared. Also contributing
to this drop was a reduction in the area of the county
in 1923, which reduced the county's population by approximately
one-third. U.S. census figures report the population of
Union County in 1900 to be 4,528. By 1920 it had increased
to 16,680. Today's numbers continue to reflect the reductions
of the twenties; the 1990 U.S. census lists its population
as 4,124. Descendants of some of these early settlers
live there yet. Others have come and gone, to be replaced
by new residents. Having survived its first century, this
remnant of the Old West can look back with pride on its
colorful history and its many achievements.
This book [NMGS Union County Marriages, Vol. I] is a
compilation of marriages in Union County for the years
1893-1940, published by the New Mexico Genealogical Society.
The original marriage records can be found at the Court
House in Clayton, New Mexico
Jacqueline Chagnon Hill
Acknowledgment:
To Barry Newton Alvis for his article entitled "History
of Union County, New Mexico" (1934), the source of
the historical material used in this Introduction. |
