Lucien Maxwell, Villain Or Visionary

HARRIET FREIBERGER

Publication: Sunstone Press, 1999, Santa Fe

First edition. 8vo. Pictorial, stiff wrappers, 160 pp., introduction, illustrated, maps, notes, bibliography, index. Illustrations by Jean Kashner. As gold seekers raced to California in 1849 for gold, Maxwell settled in northeastern New Mexico at the edge of the Santa Fe Trail and purchased land. In a period to 20 years he purchased and developed almost two million acres of land. He eventually sold his land in the Cimarron country and moved south to Fort Sumner, New Mexico. However in order to develop the area law and order deteriorated into lawlessness regarding land grants. Indians were removed to faraway reservations, railroad tracks replaced the Santa Fe Trail. How is Maxwell to be judged in all of this as a villain or visionary? Fine copy.

Inventory Number: 42096