TXWILSON-L Archives

From: "Sarah" <>
Subject: #4... Life & Times in Albuquerque, Texas
Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2005 12:23:55 -0500

The town's name, most likely drawn from South Texans' Civil War experiences
in Albuquerque, New Mexico, (13) became official when the United States
post office was established on September 19, 1870. (14)

The post office, with William W. Davis as postmaster, was in operation until
February 20, 1877. It was re-established four months later, on June 11,
1877, with Mrs. Martha H. McCracken as postmistress. It is believed that the
post office and the general store were housed in the same building, two log
cabins joined together by a long open hallway or "dog trot." (15) Under this
arrangement one cabin probably housed the store and post office while the
other cabin, which had a loft accessible by ladder, was reserved for the
storekeeper's family. Through the years, as business and family increased,
the hall way was enclosed and "sheds of rough lumber were attached to the
cabins." (16)

Davis, the postmaster, was an unusual citizen in several respects. He was a
carpetbagger. (17) Once seen, this self-educated medium-sized, auburn-haired
Yankee was never forgotten, for in those days "gold teeth were an unusual
occurance" and Davis had several (18)

The store was operated by William Carrol Barnes, a shrewd business man. His
limited stock consisted of clothing, staple foods, farm implements, and
liquor.

(13) According to the muster roll, on file in the Texas State Archives,
William P. Hardeman's company of Sibley's Brigade, which held off and
finally routed a larger and better equipped force of Yankees at Albuquerque,
New Mexico, was composed of men from "Guadalupe and surrounding counties." A
signed statement of S. E. Barrett, September 15. 1950 (MS. in the Archives,
University of Texas Library) indicates that at least one veteran of the
campaign. a William Wiley, settled within a mile of the townsite after his
discharge from the Confederate Army.

(14) Letter from Forrest R. Holdcamper, Industrial Records Division.
National Archives, Washington, D. C.. January 18, 1950 (MS. in the Archives,
University of Texas Library) .

(15) Signed statement of Mrs. Eva Hastings McCoy. August 15, 1950 (MS. in
the archives, University of Texas Library).

(16) Ibid.

(17) Signed statement of Karon Smith, September 15, 1950 (MS. in the
Archives, University of Texas Library).

(18) Signed statement of Mrs. Ola Gillespie McPeters, September 21, 1950
(MS. in the Archives, University of Texas Library).

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