Clayton

Ranch site in northeastern New Mexico Territory in 1876.[1]

Acquired by Senator Stephen W. Dorsey in 1876 as part of his purchase of a former Spanish land grant, the Una de Gato, near Point of Rocks and the Santa Fe Trail, New Mexico Territory.[2] Though he was unable to reside on the land at the time, Dorsey hired a foreman, Ami H. Young, to establish and occupy ranch land in early 1876. He informally named the site Clayton after his son.[1]

In March of 1876, Young's niece, Adelaide, was sent from her home in Silverton, Colorado Territory, by her concerned parents to live with him, away from what her parents considered the bad influences of a lawless mining town.[2]

Bret Maverick arrived in Clayton[3] in late April of 1876[1] to visit Adelaide. "A long story" entailed, and Bret found himself on the trail for Laramie, Wyoming Territory,[3] by early May.[1]

Dorsey had Young began the construction of his rambling log and stone ranch house in the summer of 1878, which was completed about a year later.[2]

In 1887, Dorsey established a town about 55 miles east of his mansion to take advantage of the coming Santa Fe Railway. He named the town Clayton, again after his son,[2] at which time the informal name was dropped from his ranch and its surrounding lands.[1]

Nothing remains of the original town of Clayton today. The Dorsey Mansion remains as a private residence and llama ranch.[4]

See: The Jeweled Gun

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