Winslow J. Howard: a Founder, Found by Steven J
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ZIM CSWR Ova. ;. e F 791 .C7x c.l "0.82 ...f0111Ca oe Nuevo Mexico ro PubIished since 19 76 ~ The Official PubIication of the Historical Society of New Mexico 03: January 2010 Issue Number 82 New Mexico's Cowboy in the Roundhouse Governor Bruce King 1924-2009 By David Myers On November 11 this past year. commitment to public service. Kin~ which he did successfuIly in 1958 lonq time New Mexico political leader attended school in Moriarty where he King entered statewide politics at a Bruce Kin~ quietly passed away ~raduated from hi~h school. He briefly crucial time. The need for a broad surrounded by his family. A few days. attended the University of New Mexico program of reform and modernization later some 2000 plus mourners and then spent two years in the U.S. of New Mexico ~overnmental ~athered in the Moriarty Hi~h School Army at the end of World War II. He institutions was apparent. Corruption ~ym to honor one of this state's most returned to the ranch and. with his two and lack of leadership hindered important and remarkable leaders. brothers. beqan to build it into a progress in the state. The state Buloetzed by his close friend former thrivtnz, major operation. In 1947 he personnel system. lobbying practices. president BiII Clinton. people across married Alice Martin and began a close the judicial system and the educational New Mexico and the nation mourned partnership that would continue for system all demanded slqntficant the loss of this unique individual. the next sixty-one years. reform. It was fitting that he died on the Inspired by his parents. both New Kin~ joined with an emerging ranch where he spent his life. It was Deal Democrats. Kin~ was captured by ~roup of reformers in the early 1960sto here his parents settled in the 1920s. the calI to public service. In 1954 he help lead the way in taking a variety of Bruce was born on April 6. 1924 and ran successfully for a seat on the Santa major steps. In 1963 he became from his youngest days alone with his Fe County Commission. His speaker of the house and joined two brothers and a sister; he worked outstandtnq service in this position Governor Jack Campbell and Senate the farm and the ranch. His parents convinced county political leaders to Majority Leader Fabian Chavez to enact New Mexico Governo r Bruce Ki[) ~ Officia l portrait c. 19 79 instiIIed in all of the children a deep encouraqe him to run for the New a series of reforms Includinq a (UNM School of Law Archives. image #587) love for this type of life and a stronq Mexico House of Representatives continued on page g 1& ••• Winslow J. Howard: A Founder, Found by Steven J. Cary Discovering little-known Historical in ~eneraI that he has taken a room Howard did not tiptoe timidly into John. who joined him in Santa Fe in Society of New Mexico (HSNM) co in the placita of the Exchange town . late 1858. During his Santa Fe sojourn. founder Winslow J. Howard has Hotel. for the purpose of repairinq Repeated weekly. Howard's the young Watts kept a daily journal in occupied several research ers for fine Watches of every description. advertisements presented his primary which he made dozens of entries several years. so far. Though no photo also Clocks. Music Boxes. Jewelry. credential - a recommendation from re!Jardin~ Winslow Howard. Watts' yet has been found. it is nevertheless and other mechanical Tiffany & Co. in New York after 13years observations. thouqh brief. offer a possible to shed considerable Ii~ht on contrivances. By the practical in their employ. Founded in 1837. much-needed personal perspective on Mr. Howard and thereby allow the experience of thirteen years in the Tiffany & Co. became arquably the Howard and even su~~est that appropriate halo of respect to appear business. and with the premier jewelry manufacturer and Howard's shop was a popular social at his head. Much of the research has recommendation of the largest retailer in the country. Howard's ad venue for Watts and his friends. involved the readtnc of old Jewelry Establishment in the implied that he worked at Tiffany's Watts confirmed that Howard newspapers. so presenting his story to country - the house of Tiffany & from 1845 to 1858. and he reiterated repaired watches and sold metal you in La Cronies de Nuevo Mexico Co. New York city - he hopes to this claim faithfuIly in his newspaper jewelry items such as rinqs and wiII be something of a harmonious merit a share of public patronage ads elsewhere around the West for the buttons. Howard fashioned some items homecoming for Howard. in his line; and assuring his next 30 years. Tiffany's could not verify himself. like a gold ring he made for When word of a !Jold strike in customers that all work shaIl ~ive Howard's employment. I but Watts. while other thinss were ordered Colorado hit the New York papers in satisfaction. Watch Glasses. Hands corroboration of sorts was obtained from back east. Some customers (i.e.. July 1858. Winslow Howard must have and Keys accurately fitted. from former U. S. Mint Director J. R. Watts)were allowed to buy "on tick" - to been more than ready. Ten years Particular attention paid to the Snowden. who understood Howard to be paid later. Watts portrayed Howard earlier he chose not to ~o to California; repairing of Jewelry in all varieties." be employed at Tiffany's repairing as literate. curious. outgoing and just 20 years old and standing barely A little farther down that same clocks and watches as early as 1853.2 adventurous. Howard read books. five feet tall. he might justifiably have column. a comparable ad in Spanish Howard wrote to the U. S. Mint talked about books. and shared books felt unsuited for the rouqh-and-turnble demonstrated that Howard appreciated several times between 1853 and 1858 with Watts. An enthusiastic coIlector of life of a mining camp. Instead. he the lone colonial history of Santa Fe because of his interest in coins. The many thtncs, Howard was excited to persevered in his traininq at Tiffany's: and that he embraced the bllinqual American Numismatic Society was find waterdogs, the immature stace of Iearninc metallurgy and watch repair; nature of the community: born in New York in April 1858 and. ti~er salamanders.' a specimen of workin!J with !Jold. silver. !Jems and "Referimos nuestros thouqh apparently not a founder. which was on display in his shop alone minerals. Lectures by explorer concuidadanos. al aviso del Senor Howard's knowledce of coins was top with "lizards . horned froqs and a naturalists at the natural history society W J. HOWARD . que apareca hoy. rank.' He bought and sold some of the venerable owl which subsisted on live fascinated Howard with all the Este Relojero es un Senor que no rarest early U. S. coins and was listed mice. swallowinq them whole". wonderful new plants and animals tiena superior en su profesion. amonq the prominent coin coIlectors Howard traveled to distant locations in betnc discovered in the Rocky Trae consiqo un certificado de un of the time.v' Numismatic historians New Mexico including Zuni and Mountains. In August 1858. Howard establecimiento en Nueva York. later relied on Howard to document ceremonial dances at Santo Domingo quickly !Jot his affairs in order. enya casa es celebrada por todo el the provenance of several unique Pueblo. both stilI popular tourist consolidated his finances. boucht mundo como Ia mas rica y pieces.' Persistent inquiries by Howard destinations today. A western travel supplies and headed west. splendida en su surtido de cosas and the ~rowin~ ranks of coIlectors writer stopped in Santa Fe and When Howard arrived at the finas y joyeria de primer." prompted the Mint to issue its first described souvenirs Howard may have Exchange Hotel in Santa Fe. New Along with a third item on another official proof coins. minted specifically ~athered on those trips and placed on Mexico Territory. after the Ionq journey paqe toutinq the ~enuine "specimen of for coIlectors. in 1858. display in his shop: a necklace made of from New York. no one but he knew the Atlantic Telegraph Cable. brought A special perspective on Howard's human fin!Jer bones. a scalp with what was about to happen. For him directly by the house of Tiffany & time in Santa Fe came to li~ht with coarse black hair two feet long . slate townspeople. the first hints appeared in Co. of New York" and now on display at publication of the diaries of John pipes. bear claw necklaces. bows. the Santa Fe Weekly Gazette of his shop. Howard made quite a splash. Watts.? The diarist's father. the Hon. arrows. spears and shields. " October 30. 1858. In the upper left Those newspaper items revealed a lot John S. Watts. hailed from Indiana. but Howard participated in Santa Fe corner of the front pace. about Howard's vitality. self-confidence came to New Mexico in 1851to serve as community affairs throuqh the Masons? "MR. W J. HOWARD be~s leave and out-going nature. His broadside of territorial [udqe. He thought the clear. and through his involvement with the most respectfully to inform the advertisements was designed to ~et dry air of northern New Mexico would continued on page 21& citizens of Santa Fe and the public attention. but politely and respectfully benefit the health of his adolescent son. Mark Your Calender Now: New Mexico History Conference, Hobbs Special Events Center, Apri129-May 1, 2010.