Of the thirty or more young men who were from time to time employes of
mine in this Customs District while I was collector (1863 to 1869), I
believe only two are now living (1900), my brother, E. A. Mills of
Mexico, and Maximo Aranda of San Elizario. Seven of them met violent
deaths, four while in the service. Here is the record: Mills (no
relative of mine), killed by Indians near Tucson in 1864; Virgil
Marstin, killed by Indians near Silver City in 1865; John F. Stone,
killed by Indians near Fort Bowie in 1869; James Taylor, killed by
robbers near where the El Paso smelter is now located, in 1866; Judge
John Lemon, killed by a mob at Mesilla, N. M., in 1869; Moses Kelly,
shot to death at Presidio del Norte, about 1870; Abraham Lyon, shot to
death at Tucson; A. J. Fountain was recently murdered on the plains near
Las Cruces, N. M., and A. H. French died insane in asylum at Austin.
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