Lost Las Vegas 29 - NMHU

San Miguel County Courthouse
Photo from Donnelly Collection #0500
Courtesy of the Citizens' Committee for Historic Preservation
36. San Miguel County Courthouse NW corner National & Church 1885-ca. 1939
In the early 1890's, there was a depressed sheep and wool market, due to that pastures were not as plentiful, and the communal lands dictated by the original Las Vegas Land Grant were increasingly being split up and fenced off as private land. This threat to the local economy was most felt by the small farmer who relied on the communal lands to raise his stock. The local reaction to this was Las Gorras Blancas, or White Caps, who were disguised nightime riders who tore down fences, burned barns and haystacks, scattered livestock and threatened worse if justice did not prevail. Numerous demonstrations of men on horseback, wearing white caps, riding through Las Vegas streets at night typically ended here at the Courthouse. At one point during these years between 1889-92, 10 arrested men were freed from the new jail behind this Courthouse by 300 sympathizers, and then marched around the Plaza singing "John Brown's Body."

In a handbill distributed in March 1890 Las Gorras Blancas declared, "Our platform...Our purpose is to protect the rights and interests of the people in general and especially of the helpless classes. We want the Las Vegas Grant settled to the interest of all concerned... If the fact that we are law abiding citizens is questioned come out to our houses and see the hunger, and desolation we are suffering, and 'this' is the result of the deceitful and corrupt methods of 'bossism. Be fair and just and we are with you, do otherwise and take the consequences. (signed) The White Caps, 1500 Strong and Gaining Daily."* The issue went to court.

This dramatic and complex Victorian structure built of local sandstone was torn down after a fire.

*H. Bryan, The Wildest of the Wild West,pg.211

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