Newspapers.com is a source I refer to regularly for interesting items about New Mexico’s history. I especially like to read how newspaper editors and reporters of the time write about events, specifically about wording they use to describe them.
As I was poking through the site today, I stumbled across an article in the March 6, 1898, edition of the Rio Grande Republican about a plea from then Territorial New Mexico Gov. W.T. Thornton pleading for information leading to the bodies of Col. Albert J. Fountain and his son, Henry, and the capture of the three individuals who were believed to have captured and killed them ion Feb. 1 of 1898.
Fountain was quite an interesting character in the history of New Mexico and Texas. He served in the Civil War, was an acting Lieutenant Governor of Texas, a staunch Republican and a highly regarded citizen of Las Cruces and Dona Ana County. As an attorney, he also defended William H. Bonney, aka “Billy the Kid,” for some of his roles in the Lincoln County War. Check out his extensive history at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Jennings_Fountain
The three individuals who are believed to have ambushed and killed Fountain and his son somewhere on the east side of the Organ Mountains near what is now White Sands Missile Range headquarters were never caught or convicted for the crime. It is suspected the ambush was staged by two rival landowners, Oliver Lee of the Alamogordo area and the notorious Albert B. Fall, of the Teapot Dome scandal fame. My good friend, author and historian, Jack Wilson, probably has lots more information about this incident and Fountain’s history. I’ll ask him about it next time I see him.
I personally know one of Fountain’s descendants, Art Fountain, who is a fine craftsman and was a long-time member of our local Episcopal church, which Col. Fountain was involved in founding. The historic Fountain Theater still operates in Mesilla and the old Fountain house is still standing in that historic community.
I’m glad I stumbled across this bit of history in the old Las Cruces newspaper. It makes living here even more interesting.
aero-cordero.com 