Auguste Lacome
| Auguste Lacome | |
|---|---|
| Born |
~1821 Basque Country |
| Died |
U/k Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico |
| Occupation | Trader/Merchant |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Rosa Arellano |
| Children | José Eulogia, Gabriel Augustin, Silvestre Augustin, Juana Josefa (adopted), Pedro Antonio (adopted), Juan Maria |
| Parent(s) | Unknown |
Auguste Lacome (born in or around 1821) was a Basque settler in the New Mexico territory. Brother of Juan Bautista Lacome, he was an investigator to the White Massacre.
Biography
Early life
Auguste Lacome was born in the Basque Country. US census records list his birthplace as both France and Spain. His brother's name, Juan Bautista, is in the Spanish form, however, they are referred to as "Frenchmen"[1][2] in contemporary sources. He emigrated to the New Mexico Territory before 1850.
Family
Baptismal records note the brothers Auguste and Juan Bautista adopted José Pedro, a 3 year old Paiute boy, indicating the brothers lived together for a time. José Pedro, was baptized on May 10, 1852, with Juan Bautista and his wife, Maria Dolores Alire, standing as godparents. The boy was originally purchased as a captive by Cura José Thomas de Jesus Abeita.[1]
Auguste married Maria Rosa Arrellano April 26, 1855 at Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores in Arroyo Hondo.[3]
Children
- José Eulogia (1859 – died May 23, 1918)[4]
- Gabriel Augustin (February 2, 1858 – ??)[4]
- Silvestre Augustin (August 22, 1859 – March 3, 1929)[4]
- Juan Bautista (April 6, 1862 – ??)
- Juana Josefa (adopted Navajo girl baptized at 6 years old in 1862)[5]
- Pedro Antonio (adopted Navajo boy baptized at 12 years old in 1863)[5]
- Juana Maria (November 4, 1866 – ??)
Trading
Ute Mission
In February 1850, James S. Calhoun, Indian Agent, and later first Territorial Governor of New Mexico, granted Lacome a license to trade with the Ute nation so long as he did not trade lead, weapons, or other war items. Calhoun charged Lacome to search for survivors of the White Massacre and ascertain whether they could be ransomed. He returned his report a few weeks later on March 16, 1850.
He traveled with an interpreter and two peons. About forty warriors came to meet him, taking his rifle, and divided his trade goods among themselves, valued at about $690 in goods, one horse, and one mule.
The Utes had resolved to kill the party with the exception of one of the peons, who was to be allowed to live to inform the governor of their actions. An arrow was shot at Lacome but the interpreter jarred the Ute who held the bow and it missed its mark. After much negotiation the Utes consigned to only give a severe whipping to the interpreter and a peon. Lacome's rifle was returned to him, being too heavy for their use, along with four of his worn out mules, two oxen and two cows.
Lacome stated he was searching for the Jicarilla Apache involved in the massacre and the Utes confirmed that the child had been killed shortly after Grier and Carson's attack on their camp and her body thrown in a river. The servant was killed a short time later, being unable to keep up with the band. The Utes further stated they wanted no peace with the United States.[6] Upon his return, Lacome presented a petition on behalf of citizens of Taos County to Calhoun for a campaign against the Apache. Kit Carson was also a signer of the petition.[7]
Other documented trading
In 1852, Lacome took trade items, including knives, tobacco, coffee, lead, sugar, and other goods, loaded on mules to trade with the Navajo at Cañon de Chelly. A month later Lacome returned.[8][9] Lacome's .58 caliber prairie rifle is displayed in the Palace of the Governors museum in Santa Fe, where he is recorded as a trader with the Zuni.
The 1860 census of Taos/Arroyo Hondo lists his occupation as a merchant, age 48, with real estate valued at $2000 and personal property at $8000 (approximately $55,500 and $225,000 respectively in 2013 dollars).[10]
Death and legacy
Lacome died in Arroyo Hondo, and was buried in an unknown location. His home on Lacome Lane still stands near the Nuestra Señora de los Dolores church.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Arroyo Hondo Book of Baptisms/Marriages 1852-1865 Nuestra Senora De Los Dolores
- ↑ Calhoun, James S., collected and edited by Annie Heloise Abel, "The Official Correspondence of James S Calhoun While Indian Agent at Santa Fé and Superintendent of Indian Affairs in New Mexico", 1915 Washington Government Printing Office, pp. 166
- ↑ Taos County Marriages Nuestra Senora De Los Dolores Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico 1852 - 1869
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 1860 Federal Census Taos County, New Mexico Territory (Index: File 7 of 18)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Baptisms 1868-1871, Conejos, CO extracted by David Salazar and compiled by Hope Yost
- ↑ Calhoun, James S., collected and edited by Annie Heloise Abel, "The Official Correspondence of James S Calhoun While Indian Agent at Santa Fé and Superintendent of Indian Affairs in New Mexico", 1915 Washington Government Printing Office, pp. 168-170
- ↑ Calhoun, James S., collected and edited by Annie Heloise Abel, "The Official Correspondence of James S Calhoun While Indian Agent at Santa Fé and Superintendent of Indian Affairs in New Mexico", 1915 Washington Government Printing Office, pp. 178
- ↑
- ↑ Wheat, Joe. "Blanket Weaving in the Southwest", 2003 University of Arizona Press, pg 75
- ↑ 1860 Federal Census Taos County, New Mexico Territory (File 23 of 32)