El Paso Troubles In Texas. A Resolution Of The House Of Representatives, Transmitting Reports Of The Commission Appointed To Investigate The El Paso Troubles In Texas

MCCRARY, GEORGE W. [SECRETARY OF WAR]

Publication: Government Printing Office, 1878, Washington, D C

First edition. 8vo. Quarter leather and marbled paper over boards, titles stamped in gilt on a leather spine label, 159 pp. large folded map laid-in. Reports via House Ex. Doc. No. 93, 45th Congress, 2d Session, May 28, 1878.

The "Salt War" was a complex range war that concerned the ownership of huge salt lakes at the base of the Guadalupe Mountains in West Texas. The political struggle between two prominent men, one Charles H. Howard, the other Louis Cardis, began in 1866 and culminated in the violent death of Cardis at the hands of Howard, on the 10th of October, 1877, in El Paso. This action eventually grew into an armed conflict between Mexicans and Tejanos against a Texas politician (Howard) who was supported by the Texas Rangers. The upshot was that the right of private factions to own what was once community assets (the salt lakes in this case) was established through force.

The report is well-presented and in sound tight condition with the rare map laid-in that has light wear to a few fold points. Overall a near fine copy.