XSX Ranch Letters: Finding Aid mssXSX
Kelly Kress
The Huntington Library
April 2022
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: XSX Ranch letters
Identifier/Call Number: mssXSX
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear Feet
(1 folder)
Date: 1917, 1922
Abstract: Letters from an unknown cowboy working at the XSX Ranch to his mother, describing his work and life on the ranch.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
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[Identification of item]. XSX Ranch letters, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from McBride Rare Books, February 2020.
Henry (last name unknown) was a cowboy working on the XSX Ranch in New Mexico, from 1917 until at least 1922.
Three letters signed "Henry," who was a cowboy working at the XSX Ranch in New Mexico, writing to his mother and describing
his work and daily life on the ranch. The first two letters were written in 1917 and describe his arrival on horseback in
Silver City, New Mexico, and subsequent journey north to the XSX Ranch. Henry writes in detail of the landscape, including
the Gila River and the canyons and pine forests he passes through; various tasks such as loading and unloading pack mules,
hunting, fence riding, rounding up and driving cattle and horses; and the people he meets, including fellow cowboys, the ranch
cook, and the neighboring Mexican American Montoya family. In relating his conversations with others, Henry also provides
commentary on unions, World War I, Black people working as servants, and other aspects of American politics and culture. The
third letter is from 1922 and continues describing ranch life and work, and also mentions several photographs, which are unfortunately
not included.
Processed by Kelly Kress in April 2022.
Arranged chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Cowboys -- United States
Ranch life -- New Mexico
Gila River (N.M and Ariz.)
New Mexico -- Description and travel
United States -- Social conditions
Letters (correspondence) -- 20th century
XSX Ranch
Box Main file 86, Folder 9
XSX Ranch letters 1917, 1922