Tag: New Mexico

New Mexico, located in the southwestern United States, is a state renowned for its diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and rich history. From the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains to the vast stretches of desert in the south, New Mexico offers a unique blend of natural beauty. It is famous for its vibrant art scene, influenced heavily by Native American and Hispanic traditions, reflected in its numerous art galleries, adobe architecture, and colorful festivals. Cities like Santa Fe and Albuquerque draw visitors with their historic charm and modern amenities, while rural areas offer a glimpse into traditional ranching and farming lifestyles. New Mexico’s cuisine, highlighted by spicy chiles and native ingredients, adds another layer to its cultural tapestry, making it a captivating destination for travelers seeking both adventure and cultural immersion.

Creek Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

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Cornus sericea, commonly known as Redosier Dogwood, Red Twig Dogwood, or American Dogwood, is a deciduous shrub native to North America. It belongs to the family Cornaceae and is known for its striking red stems, especially visible in the winter, which provide ornamental value. This report explores the botanical characteristics, habitat, ecological significance, and uses of Cornus sericea.

Creek Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Creek Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

Botanical Characteristics

Morphology

  • Stems and Bark – The most distinctive feature of Cornus sericea is its bright red stems, which are particularly vibrant in young twigs. The bark is smooth and can be greenish-red in younger branches, turning grayish-brown with age.
  • Leaves – The leaves are opposite, simple, and ovate to lanceolate, with a length of 5-12 cm. They have a smooth margin and are characterized by prominent venation. In the fall, the leaves turn a variety of colors including red, purple, and orange.
  • Flowers – The flowers are small, creamy-white, and arranged in flat-topped clusters called cymes. Each flower has four petals and blooms from late spring to early summer.
  • Fruit – The fruit is a small, white to bluish-white drupe, typically maturing in late summer. These drupes are an important food source for various bird species.

Growth and Reproduction

Cornus sericea can grow up to 1.5-4 meters in height and spreads through both seeds and vegetative means. It readily forms thickets by sending up new shoots from its root system. The plant prefers moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate a range of soil types including wet, clay soils.

Habitat and Distribution

Geographic Range

Cornus sericea is widespread across North America, from Alaska and Newfoundland south to New Mexico and Virginia. It thrives in a variety of habitats including wetlands, stream banks, and forest edges.

Environmental Preferences

This shrub prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives in moist, well-drained soils. It is often found in riparian zones, wetlands, and along the edges of lakes and rivers. Cornus sericea is adaptable to different soil types, including clay and sandy soils, and can tolerate seasonal flooding.

Ecological Significance

Wildlife Habitat

  • Birds – The berries of Cornus sericea are a crucial food source for many bird species, including American robins, cedar waxwings, and woodpeckers. The dense thickets provide excellent cover and nesting sites for birds.
  • Mammals – Small mammals, such as rabbits and beavers, feed on the bark and stems. The plant’s dense growth offers shelter for various small animals.

    Erosion Control

    Due to its extensive root system, Cornus sericea is effective in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, especially along riverbanks and slopes. It is often used in riparian restoration projects for this reason.

    Uses

    Ornamental Use

    Cornus sericea is widely planted as an ornamental shrub for its vibrant red stems, which provide winter interest in gardens and landscapes. It is also used in hedges, windbreaks, and as a natural screen.

    Traditional and Medicinal Uses

    Indigenous peoples of North America have historically used Cornus sericea for various purposes. The bark and stems were used in basket weaving, and the plant had medicinal applications, such as treating colds, fevers, and diarrhea.

    Conservation and Restoration

    Due to its ability to thrive in wet environments and stabilize soil, Cornus sericea is utilized in wetland restoration and conservation projects. It helps in maintaining biodiversity and improving water quality by filtering runoff.

    Conclusion

    Cornus sericea is a versatile and ecologically significant plant with wide-ranging benefits for wildlife, soil stabilization, and ornamental use. Its adaptability to different environments and its role in supporting biodiversity make it an important species in North American flora. Conservation and utilization of this shrub can contribute to sustainable environmental management and restoration efforts.

    This report provides a comprehensive overview of Cornus sericea, highlighting its importance in various ecological and practical contexts. Further research and conservation efforts can enhance our understanding and utilization of this valuable plant species.

    Resources

    Edward Lawrence Schieffelin

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    Edward Lawrence Schieffelin, a rugged and determined prospector, carved his name in the annals of American history as the man who discovered silver and founded the legendary mining town of Tombstone, Arizona. Born on May 7, 1847, in the small town of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, Schieffelin embodied the spirit of adventure and exploration that characterized the American West during the late 19th century. From his humble beginnings as a prospector to his eventual success in striking it rich, this biography delves into the life and achievements of Ed Schieffelin, shedding light on his extraordinary journey and his enduring legacy in the American mining industry.

    Edward Lawrence Schieffelin
    Ed Schieffelin

    Early Years and Adventurous Spirit

    Edward Lawrence Schieffelin, known as Ed, was born into a family of eight siblings. Raised in a modest household, he developed a strong work ethic and a sense of wanderlust from an early age. Ed’s adventurous spirit led him to leave his hometown in pursuit of opportunities out West when he was just a teenager. Inspired by stories of the California Gold Rush, Schieffelin set out on a quest for fortune and adventure into California, Death Valley, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

    In 1877, at the age of 30, Schieffelin arrived in Arizona Territory. The region was known for its hostile terrain, inhabited by hostile Native American tribes and infested with outlaws. It was an untamed and dangerous land, yet Schieffelin saw the untapped potential hidden within the rocky mountains and rugged landscapes.

    The Discovery of Tombstone

    Undeterred by the challenges, Schieffelin embarked on a solo prospecting expedition in the southeastern part of Arizona Territory. Despite being warned by soldiers at the nearby Fort Huachuca about the “all he would find would be his own tombstone,” Schieffelin remained undeterred and ventured into the wilderness.

    After several months of searching and enduring hardships, Schieffelin struck silver in 1877. His find, located in the area that would become Tombstone, Arizona, ignited a rush of prospectors and speculators. Schieffelin named the mining district “Tombstone” in response to a friend,  Al Sieber who predicted he would only find his own tombstone.

    As the news of Schieffelin’s discovery spread, the town of Tombstone boomed with activity. Miners, gamblers, and businessmen flocked to the area, transforming the once desolate region into a thriving mining town. Schieffelin, known for his eccentric personality and adventurous spirit, became a legend in his own right.

    The Legacy of Tombstone

    Tombstone, under Schieffelin’s influence, rapidly grew into a bustling frontier town. The rich silver veins of the area attracted numerous mining companies, turning Tombstone into one of the wealthiest towns in the West. The town quickly developed essential infrastructure, including saloons, theaters, banks, and a newspaper, the “Tombstone Epitaph,” which chronicled the tumultuous events that unfolded in the region.

    Schieffelin, though he had made his fortune, continued to lead the life of a prospector, always searching for the next big strike. However, he faced his fair share of challenges and setbacks. The mines faced legal disputes, water shortages, and labor conflicts, which took a toll on the town’s prosperity. Despite the challenges, Tombstone remained a symbol of the American frontier spirit and resilience.

    Ed Schieffelin Monument

    A 25 ft tall monument is erected near to spot of Ed Shieffelin original claim in Tombstone. The monument represents the type of marker a miner makes in claiming a strike. A plaque on the monument reads, “Ed Shieffelin, died May 12, 1897, aged 49 years, 8 months. A dutiful son, a faithful husband, a kind brother, and a true friend.” The monument is located just to the East of Ed Schieffelin Monument road, north of the town of Tombstone.

    Christopher Houston Carson

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    Christopher Houston Carson (December 24, 1809 – May 23, 1868), also known as “Kit” Carson, was a nineteenth century American Frontiersman, Army Officer and Politician and the namesake of Carson City, Nevada. During his lifetime, he achieved notoriety for his exploits as an Indian Fighter, Fur Tapper, Mountain man

    Christopher 'Kit' Carson (1809-1868), American explorer - Photograph byMathew Brady or Levin C. Handy - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cwpbh.00514.
    Christopher ‘Kit’ Carson (1809-1868), American explorer – Photograph by Mathew Brady or Levin C. Handy – This image is available from the United States Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs division.

    Carson was born on December 24, 1809 in Madison County, Kentucky to Lindsey Carson and Rebecca Robinson Carson. He is a cousin to Danial Boone on his mothers’ side. The family moved to Missouri two years later. Survival being the priority, Carson never learned to read or write. At the age of 16, he signed up with a large caravan of merchants headed west towards Santa Fe.

    Exploration

    In 1854, a change encounter with the explorer John C. Frémont, made Carson an active participant in the clash of empires that eventually extended the boundaries of the continental United States to its present. The two men met aboard a steamboat on the Missouri River. He served as a guide to for Fremont on three expeditions for a sum of $100 per month. These expeditions found the Oregon Trail and opened to west for the settlers who followed.

    First expedition, 1842

    In 1842, during the first expedition, Carson guided Frémont across the Oregon Trail to South Pass, Wyoming. The purpose of this expedition was to map and describe the Oregon Trail as far as South Pass. It is during this trip, that the two men produced a guidebook, maps, and other paraphernalia would be printed for westward-bound migrants and settlers. After the completion of the five-month expedition, Frémont wrote his government reports, which made Carson’s name known across the United States, and spurred a migration of settlers westward to Oregon via the Oregon Trail.

    Second expedition, 1843

    In 1843, Carson agreed to join Frémont’s again during his second expedition into the west. Carson guided Frémont across part of the Oregon Trail to the Columbia River in Oregon. The purpose of the expedition was to map and describe the Oregon Trail from South Pass, Wyoming, to the Columbia River. They also ventrured towards the Great Salt Lake in Utah, using a rubber raft to navigate the waters.

    On the way to California, the party is held up during bad weather in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Fortunately, Carson’s good judgement and his skills as a guide and they found some American settlers who fed them. The expedition turned towards California. This ventures is illegal, at the time, and dangerous because California was Mexican territory.

    During the expedition, the expedition arrive in the Mojave Desert. His party met a Mexican man and boy, who informed Carson that Native Americans had ambushed their party. The Native Americans killed the men, and the women are staked to the ground, sexually mutilated, and killed. The murderers then stole the Mexicans’ 30 horses. Carson and a mountain man friend, Alexis Godey, went after the murderers. It took the two men, two days to find the culprits. The pair rushed into their camp and killed and scalped two of the murderers. The horses were recovered and returned to the Mexican man and boy. This act brought Carson even greater reputation and confirmed his status as a western hero in the eyes of the American people.

    The Mexican government ordered Frémont to leave. Frémont returned to Washington, DC and filed his reports. He but did not mention the California trip. The government liked his reports but ignored his illegal trip into Mexico. Frémont was made a captain. The newspapers nicknamed Fremont, “The Pathfinder.”

    Third expedition, 1845

    In 1845, Carson lead Frémont on a third expedition. Leaving Westport Landing, Missouri, they crossed the Rockies, passed the Great Salt Lake, and down the Humboldt River to the Sierra Nevada of California and Oregon. The third expedition is more political in nature. Frémont may have been working under secret government orders. US President Polk wanted Alta California, which includes parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and parts of Wyoming.

    Once in California, Frémont set out to rouse American settlers into a patriotic fervor. The Mexican General Jose Castro at Monterey ordered him to leave. On Gavilan Mountain, Frémont erected a makeshift fort and raised the American Flag in defiance to these orders. While in Oregon, while camped near Klamath Lake, a messenger from Washington, DC, caught up with Fremont and made it clear that Polk wanted California.

    On 30 March 1846, while traveling north along the Sacramento Valley, Fremont’s expedition met a group of Americans Settlers. The settlers claimed that a band of Native Americans was planning to attack them. Frémont’s party set about searching for Native Americans. On April 5 1846, Frémont’s party spotted a Wintu village and launched a vicious attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 120 to 300 men, women, and children and the displacement of many more. This act of savagery became known as the Sacramento River massacre. Carson, later stated that “It was a perfect butchery.

    Army

    Kit Carson accepted a commission as a colonel in the U.S. Army in 1861, Carson fought against Native American and Confederate forces in several actions.

    His fame was then at its height,… and I was very anxious to see a man who had achieved such feats of daring among the wild animals of the Rocky Mountains, and still wilder Indians of the plains…. I cannot express my surprise at beholding such a small, stoop-shouldered man, with reddish hair, freckled face, soft blue eyes, and nothing to indicate extraordinary courage or daring. He spoke but little and answered questions in monosyllables.

    Northern Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman

    References

    Old Spanish Trail

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    The Old Spanish Trail was a historic trade route that linked Santa Fe, New Mexico to Los Angeles, California. The trail was established in the early 19th century and was primarily used for the transportation of goods, such as furs, horses, and mules.

    The Told Spanish Trail BLM Sign
    The Told Spanish Trail BLM Sign

    The trail began as a network of routes used by Native American tribes, who traded goods such as salt, obsidian, and turquoise. In the late 18th century, Spanish traders began to use these routes to transport goods between Santa Fe and California. These traders were known as the “Comancheros” and were primarily focused on trading with the Ute and Navajo tribes in the area.

    The route became known as the Old Spanish Trail in the early 19th century, when American traders began using the trail to transport furs and other goods to California. The trail was difficult to traverse, with harsh deserts, steep mountains, and treacherous canyons, but it was a vital link between the Southwest and the West Coast.

    The trail was not a single route, but rather a network of different paths that crossed the desert and mountains of the Southwest. The most popular route followed the Virgin River in Utah, crossed the Colorado River at the mouth of the Virgin River, and then passed through the Mojave Desert to Los Angeles. Another route followed the Gila River in Arizona and crossed the Sonoran Desert to California.

    The Old Spanish Trail played an important role in the development of the American West, as it provided a direct link between the remote and isolated communities of the Southwest and the growing cities of California. The trail was also a source of conflict, as American traders often clashed with Native American tribes over access to resources and trading rights.

    In the mid-19th century, the discovery of gold in California brought thousands of settlers to the West Coast, and the Old Spanish Trail became a major thoroughfare for travelers and goods. The trail was also used by the Mormon pioneers, who traveled to California in the late 1840s and early 1850s.

    In the late 19th century, the construction of railroads and highways made the Old Spanish Trail less important as a trade route. However, the trail remained an important part of the cultural history of the American Southwest, and efforts were made to preserve the trail and its landmarks.

    Today, several sections of the Old Spanish Trail have been designated as National Historic Trails by the National Park Service, including sections in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and California. These trails allow visitors to experience the beauty and history of the Old Spanish Trail and to appreciate the legacy of the traders, Native Americans, and settlers who traveled its rugged terrain.

    Old Spanish Trail Routes

    All routes came together at Fork of Roads, east of present-day Barstow in the Mojave desert, and then crossed Cajon Pass between the San Gabriel and San Bernadino Mountains to Coastal California. After negotiating the pass, traders had an easy two to three days travel to the San Gabriel Mission and beyond to Los Angeles.

    Armijo Route

    Exterior, south facade of Mission San Gabriel Arcangel - 1878
    Exterior, south facade of Mission San Gabriel Arcangel – 1878

    The first complete trip across the trail began in Abiquiú, northwest of Santa Fe. The Armijo party followed well-known trails northwest to the San Juan River, then nearly due west to the Virgin River. They used the Crossing of the Fathers, cut into rock canyon wall some 75 years earlier by the Domínguez-Escalante party. Armijo’s caravan went down the Muddy River and across
    the Mojave Desert to the Amargosa and Mojave Rivers, through Cajon Pass and down to Mission San Gabriel.

    The Armijo and Northern Route diverge from each other on the east bound trail near the town of Tecopa, California.

    Main Northern Route

    First blazed by William Wolfskill and George C. Yount in 1831, this route veered northwest from Abiquiú through Southern Colorado and central Utah. It avoided the rugged canyons of the Colorado River that the Armijo party had encountered and took advantage of the better water and pasture resources across central Utah before returning to the Colorado River and Armijo’s route not far from Las Vegas.

    Northern Branch

    This route followed well-known trapper and trade routes north through the Rio Grande gorge to Taos and into southern Colorado. It then went west through Cochetopa Pass, largely open during the winter when other passes were snowed in and up the Gunnison River valley, rejoining the Northern Route near present-day Green River, Utah.

    Mojave Road

    Afton Canyon in the Mojave National Preserve.
    Afton Canyon in the Mojave National Preserve.

    The Mojave Road is a 188-mile crossing of the Mojave Desert long used by area Indians and by Spanish explorers and missionaries, it was first traveled by Jedediah Smith, an American trapper, in 1826.

    Old Spanish Trail Locations

    Government Holes in the central section of the Old Mojave Road.

    Old Mojave Road

    The Old Mojave Road (Government Road) is an east-west route that enters the Mojave National Preserve off the highway 95 in Nevada, and Afton Canyon…
    The Old Spanish Trail BLM Sign

    Old Spanish Trail

    The Old Spanish Trail was a historic trade route that linked Santa Fe, New Mexico to Los Angeles, California. The trail was established in the…
    Francisco Hermenegildo Tomás Garcés O.F.M. (April 12, 1738 – July 18, 1781)

    Old Spanish Trail (Garces Expedition)

    Old Spanish Trail (Garces Expedition) is a Nevada State Historic Marker Number 140 located in Clark County, Nevada. This marker is one of several which…
    Captain John C. Frémont, explorer first mapped Diamond Valley Nevada

    Old Spanish Trail (Journey of the Dead Man)

    Old Spanish Trail (Journey of the Dead Man) is a Nevada State Historic Marker Number 139 located in Clark County, Nevada. This marker is one…

    Old Spanish Trail Mountain Springs Pass – Nevada State Historic Marker

    Old Spanish Trail Mountain Springs Pass is located along highway 160 and Nevada State Historic Marker No. 142 in Clark County, Nevada. The Old Spanish…
    Old Tecopa house at smelter on Willow Creek, Amargosa Valley. Dr. Noble, Mrs. Noble. Inyo County, CA. 1922 - Photo from Herbert E. Gregory Book 8: 1915 - 1924.

    Tecopa Inyo County

    Tecopa is a small town located in the southeastern part of California, United States and its named for Chief Tecopa. The town is situated in…
    The Old Spanish Trail 1829-1850 - Nevada State Historic Marker 33

    The Old Spanish Trail 1829-1850 – Nevada State Historic Marker 33

    Old Spanish Trail 1829-1850 is Nevada State Historic Marker Number 33, located in the town of Blue Diamond, in Clark County, Nevada. The Old Spanish…
    Old Spanish Trail 1829-1850 - Nevada State Historic Marker #34 located in Mountain Springs, Nevada

    The Old Spanish Trail 1829-1850 – Nevada State Historic Marker 34

    Old Spanish Trail 1829-1850 is Nevada State Historic Marker Number 33, located in the town of Mountain Springs, in Clark County, Nevada. Old Spanish Trail…

    References

    George Benjamin Wittick – Photographer

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    George Benjamin Wittick was born in Pennsylvania and later moved to Illinois, and then out west in 1878 to pursue frontier photography. He served in the Civil War for the union using the name “Benjamin Wallace” in Company A of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry and Company D of the 2nd Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry, from 1862 to 1865. He first worked for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroads before establishing his first photography studio in Gallup, New Mexico.

    George Benjamin Wittick
    George Benjamin Wittick

    During his career, he photographed many subjects to include the railroad; southwestern landscapes such as Canyon de Chelly, the Navajo Reservation, and Pueblo scenes; and the Native peoples mostly the Apache, Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni. Wittik was the first person to photograph the Hopi Snake Dance. An elder warned him at the time that he would die from a snake bite for witnessing the ceremony and not being an initiated member.

    His photographs from this event brought the Hopi religious ritual great attention. 

    George Benjamin Wittick - Self Portrait
    George Benjamin Wittick – Self Portrait

    He carried with him a collection of props for his photographs to include rifles, pistols, blankets, pottery, and more. Most of his photographs were taken outside using the natural sunlight against backdrops.

    Geronimo (Goyathlay, 1820–1909), a Chiricahua Apache; full-length, kneeling with rifle, 1887 - Photograph George Benjamin Wittick
    Geronimo (Goyathlay, 1820–1909), a Chiricahua Apache; full-length, kneeling with rifle, 1887 – Photograph George Benjamin Wittick

    Billy The Kid

    Easily, Wittick’s most famous photograph is of Henry McCarty, AKA Billy the Kidd, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The image is the only known image of the outlaw to be identified by those who knew him. The image It shows the outlaw dressed in a rumpled hat and ragged clothes, which include a bulky sweater. He’s is holding a Winchester carbine on his right side and a Colt revolver holstered on his left side. Two of these tintypes were produced. One is given to Paulita Maxwell, the kids girlfriend, and the other to friend Dan Dedrick. The last time this original is auctioned, it sold to William Koch for 2.3 million dollars.

    Henry McCarty - AKA Billy the Kid - Fort Sumner, New Mexico, 1879 - 80 Tintype by George Benjamin Wittick
    Henry McCarty – AKA Billy the Kid – Fort Sumner, New Mexico, 1879 – 80 Tintype by George Benjamin Wittick

    It was taken by a traveling photographer who came through Fort Sumner [New Mexico] in 1880. Billy posed for it standing in the street near old Beaver Smith’s saloon. I never liked the picture. I don’t think it does Billy justice. It makes him look rough and uncouth. The expression of his face was really boyish and very pleasant. He may have worn such clothes as appear in the picture out on the range, but in Fort Sumner he was careful of his personal appearance and dressed neatly and in good taste.

    Paulita Maxwell Jaramillo, the Kid’s girlfriend – 1920’s

    In 1900, he established his last studio at Fort Wingate. In 1903. he decided to return to visit the Hopi Snake Dance. As a gesture of friendship towards the Hopu, he captured a rattlesnake to bring to as a gift. While handling the snake, he is bitten on the thumb on August 8, 1903 and died three weeks later at Fort Wingate, New Mexico, just as the Hopi elder had predicted many years earlier.

    References