Statehood of Affairs - Softcover

Cillis Ph.D., PhD Daniel R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1462050840 ISBN 13: 9781462050840

Publisher: iUniverse, 2011

Synopsis

2012 NEW MEXICO/ARIZONA BOOK AWARDS FINALIST

In 1911, New Mexico found itself at the center of a vicious international conspiracy that threatened its proposed statehood. The unjust commitment of a woman to an insane asylum reveals a plot to ?nd a missing document, Article X of the Treaty of Mesilla?the Revert Document. Tensions rise as two nations position for legal control over the territory, and soon the United States and Mexico are on a collision course toward war. If the document emerges before Arizona and New Mexico can attain statehood, Mexico could legally recover those lost territories?thereby changing history.

On a more human scale, the sibling rivalry between two sisters descends into criminal behavior, with murder and mayhem and traitorous extremes. Adobe Centori, a hero of the Spanish-American War, arrives in New Mexico and becomes a statehood delegate. A?airs of the heart complicate a?airs of state as women representing a range of political views compound Centori?s challenges. His strongest opponent is Gabriella Zena?La Guerillera. They share true love but not the same side of the border as champions for New Mexico and Old Mexico.

History is made by people, for people, and Statehood of Affairs invites readers into the lives and struggles of these heroes?and villains?of the American Southwest?s early days.

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Daniel R. Cillis teaches graduate courses in management behavior and leadership at Molloy College in New York. In addition, he has taught at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Dr. Cillis lives in New York and in New Mexico.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Statehood of Affairs

By Daniel R. Cillis

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Daniel R. Cillis, PhD
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4620-5084-0

Chapter One

New Year's Eve 1910

All three men sitting in the Circle C line shack on the open range had arrived on the strength of their character, having met the physical and emotional challenges of the day. More than two feet of snow covers the range, the result of a blizzard that has blanketed the central New Mexico Territory. The blizzard has exposed cattle to the most severe winter of the new century. Snow-covered grass is beyond reach and time is running out.

When the storm hit the territory, ranchers had found it nearly impossible to help their drifting cattle. Yet the three men of Circle C have led a valiant effort to save many animals and will continue their work at daybreak. Since the three men had arrived at the shack, the temperature had dropped and the wind had worsened.

Exhausted, wet and chilled, they are dressed in heavy coats, with their collars pushed up and their hats pulled down. The small, one-room structure houses an old rough-hewn table, a few bunks and a stone fireplace. The flames dance wildly as the Circle C men sit around the table. Line shacks across the range provide shelter to men protecting invisible boundaries. Tonight the cabins protect against nature's wrath.

Inside, the fire gives the line shack a slight smoky smell. Outside, lingering clouds conceal the sky; the darkness is absolute with no visible moon or stars, and the air is getting colder. Intermittent coyote cries shatter the otherwise complete silence. According to legend, the coyote gave man fire; on this night, the men are especially grateful for the gift of the crackling blaze.

One man offers coffee, cigars and appreciation to the two other men for their courageous and decisive action out on the range. He is Adobe Centori, sole owner of the Circle C Ranch. The vast ranch, with thousands of cattle on thousands of acres, is located near the town of Valtura, in Corona County, New Mexico Territory.

The conjunction of the Sandia Mountains to the east and vast mesas and plains to the west distinguish Valtura, the county seat. Established along the Rio Grande, the high desert town is elevated 4,800 feet above sea level. Although there are many sunny and dry days, the winters here can be unpredictable.

Adobe Centori is forty years old, intelligent, educated and romantic to the extreme. At times, practicality pushes his romantic view of the world to the back of his mind. Today was one of those times. The handsome leader is square-jawed with a slender, square-shouldered build. He wears a long brown coat, a big tan hat and an ivory-handled, silver-plated Navy Colt pistol.

As Centori drinks black coffee, his cool blue eyes see the cigar smoke and fireplace smoke intermingle. His thoughts turn to his responsibility as a New Mexico statehood delegate. He thinks, Will the economic impact of this winter have an adverse effect on statehood? There always has been some reason that stops the process short.

The people in Valtura appreciate Centori's integrity of character, expressed by his public-spirited work and his willingness to provide territorial leadership. A rising star in New Mexico politics, he will probably do nothing in the New Year to spoil that promise.

Centori has lived a life encircled by honor and has placed his trust in men based on intuition—experience has confirmed his feelings. Earlier, the other men had displayed their true mettle and clear devotion to the Circle C Ranch.

"Thank you for all you have done," Centori says. "There's no doubt that Circle C men are the best in the territory. This is risky business, yet you came through with skill, confidence and, above all, friendship."

The two other men nod in support of the emotion. Suddenly, the blizzard intensifies, sending a violent wind roaring across the range and slamming the cabin. The strong blast causes the door to crash open; the loud noise and the cold wind rushing through the quarters surprises the men. Centori jumps up, causing his straight-back chair to fall over with a crash. He pushes the door closed and places two heavy pieces of firewood against it as a defense against the howling power of the blizzard.

That night, the stockpiled firewood and stone fireplace shield against raging winds and frigid temperatures. That day, there had been no defense against a blinding snow driven horizontal by high-speed winds. The horses, with steaming breath, had staggered through poor visibility, fighting the deep drifts, with shards of ice flying up as they had struggled for footing. Pressing on, the men had screamed to communicate over the deafening roar of the brutal winter winds.

Sitting directly across from Centori is twenty-one-year-old Henry Anthony Ellison. A strong young man with long, wild hair, he has a devil-may-care attitude. Although he had little ranching experience, Centori had hired him and helped him to learn the job. On the surface, Ellison is loyal, but known to trust the wrong people. Nonetheless, at the Circle C, he has been a good cowboy.

The oldest in the group, A.P. Baker, has gray hair and slit eyes. An honorable person with a general good character, he is friendly and dependable. He drives a hard bargain and takes risks for a good cause. At one time, he was one of the youngest to ride the Chisholm Trail, driving longhorn cattle from Texas to Dodge City's railhead. A dedicated cowboy, he moved herds ten miles a day for bread, beans, bacon, coffee, son-of-bitch-stew and $30 a month. Upon his arrival in Valtura, the fast-growing Circle C had needed help. Centori had hired A.P. based on his notable ranching skills and had soon promoted him to line foreman.

It is the first decade of the twentieth century but this is not the first big snow of the century. According to A.P., this snow is similar to the blizzard of 1901, making it one of the worst winters in New Mexico's recorded history. Although the exact snowfall is unknown in Valtura, one thing is obvious: the unrelenting snows had started in December and had created a hard winter.

Although the men had spent the last several days focused on their jobs, they were also aware of the closing of the west. In the last century, men had protected invisible boundaries around the open range. The new century had increasingly called for more fencing, causing sweeping changes in the cattle business. The most significant sign was barbed wire—a stark symbol of the end of an era.

Centori reaches into his pocket to look at his watch while thinking of the doom that had fallen upon many unsuspecting animals. His thoughts return to New Mexico's long struggle in seeking statehood. He draws on his cigar and thinks, Will this disaster hurt our chances again? We have sought a self-governing state for so many years with so many failed attempts.

Coyote cries shatter the silence again, jarring Centori from his thoughts. The coyote is an amazingly adaptive animal known for shortcuts; but there are no shortcuts for the cowboys on the open range and there are no shortcuts to statehood.

Americans in New Mexico remain without self-government, a condition that has existed since Mexico ceded the territory in 1848. For centuries, New Mexico had been a Spanish province and then a Mexican territory, with Santa Fe as a significant trading town. Yet New Mexico, a low priority in Washington, was still a territory.

It is 11:58 p.m. Centori turns, pulls out a bottle of whiskey and three dusty old glasses from a not-so-hidden box and considers his role as Corona County statehood delegate. He thinks, Since the first attempt in 1850, New Mexicans have been continually disappointed, but I am resolute that the territory achieves statehood in the New Year. This year our destiny will be different.

The latest statehood procedure had started in June with a referendum vote by the people and then a petition to Congress. An enabling act, signed by President Taft, had allowed the territory to hold a convention to create a state constitution in compliance with the U.S. Constitution. Centori and delegates from each county had assembled in Santa Fe where they had drafted and framed a constitution for the proposed new state of New Mexico.

In the New Year, the people will vote on the constitution and, if approved, the territory will be able to seek congressional and presidential support for statehood. Another election can follow for ratification and approval of congressional conditions. If Congress passes a joint resolution accepting the territory, the president can sign the bill for statehood.

Centori and the delegates know the statehood process, but a dormant political time bomb hidden in a time capsule is unknown. The time-sensitive Article X that could awaken with far-reaching repercussions for the United States, Old Mexico and New Mexico is nearing its deadline.

In the middle of a frigid, windswept blizzard, Centori pours, raises his glass and says, "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year to you too," Ellison says.

A.P. says, "Boss, any wishes for the new year?"

"Same wish as last year, New Mexico statehood."

"Well, with you involved as a delegate, New Mexico will finally become a state."

"Thanks, A.P. but many others have tried before."

"You will do more than try, you will succeed," A.P. insists.

Centori pledges, "I'll do my best for statehood."

A.P. smiles and says, "Happy 1911."

Chapter Two

Verona to Valtura

The people of Valtura are accustomed to his big tan hat and frequent walks along the town's wide streets and plazas. Adobe Centori, who is serving his second term as Corona County sheriff, flashes brilliance stemming from a family history in Verona, Italy. Valtura is a long way from Verona, but his story begins in the romantic Italian city.

Adobe is descended from a formidable European family founded by a powerful seventeenth century Renaissance man, Donato Centorius. Based on a vast banking empire, Donato occupied the commanding heights of Verona society. He was a scholar, a poet and a philosopher and was wholly involved in Machiavellian politics. As the patriarch of Verona's richest and most influential family, Donato supported artists and financed a public fountain system.

During the eighteenth century, Donato's great grandson Aldo turned away from family tradition. Seeking to distance himself from stressful city life, he sought relief in the Apennine Mountains of Southern Italy, where he found a town called Pietragalla. The small mountainous village with wonderful views overlooking the Basento River valley appeared to be a good place to live.

As heir to a financial fortune, Aldo planned a return to Verona; however, a woman changed his destiny. His diary reveals his love for a woman called Flora and an enduring passionate romance. All of his words about their walks along Traversa Giardini and their talks in the cafes on Via Serra showed that love yields more treasure than Verona riches. Besides, Flora's dowry was more than enough. Consequently, Aldo's break from Verona became complete; he married Flora and never returned. The couple had one son, Dante.

As a young man, Dante felt a clarion call for Verona and the family banking empire. He was, though, in love with the mayor's daughter Franca, a young beauty of sixteen years. The mayor, prominent and involved with many powerful allies, was against the marriage of his too-young child. Given the mayor's connections, an elopement would be mortally dangerous for Dante, but he was in love and he was determined.

One night Franca told her sister about the imminent plans and fear of their father. Then Dante entered their second-floor bedroom via the balcony to offer reassurance. Franca agreed to elope and then events quickly unfolded. Her father stormed in with sword drawn, challenging Dante. The young lover grappled with the mayor, causing the older man to fall out of the window. On the ground, hurting and outraged, the mayor cursed the couple and cried out, "Vendetta!" This proclamation forced the lovers to flee from Pietragalla.

To complete their escape, they became part of the first large group of Italian immigrants to America. Upon their arrival in New York, Dante's surname became Centori. He married Franca and worked as an unskilled laborer. They lived in lower Manhattan and enjoyed a long, happy marriage that produced three children, six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren including Aldoloreto Centori.

Born a third-generation American in 1870 to Dante Centori's grandson Giacomo Centori, Aldoloreto Centori spent his youth within the confines of the New York melting pot. His father, a local politician, entertained many distinguished visitors, who discussed political, social and economic issues. This childhood experience sparked a desire within the ambitious Aldoloreto to embrace the wider world. He entered New York University to study the new discipline of political science and then attended a few classes at New York University Law School, the first of its kind in New York. After several academic years, he could no longer contain his desire for adventure.

Following an instinct for excitement, Aldoloreto dropped out of school and joined the United States 6th Calvary Regiment in 1890. Although Giacamo did not condone the enlistment, it did not matter. When the regiment moved west and roamed the wide-open spaces, the army offered Aldoloreto a chance to fulfill his adventurist dreams.

In 1898, the regiment sailed to Cuba for the Spanish-American War and participated in the San Juan Hill assault. Aldoloreto received the Medal of Honor for heroism and an official citation:

Aldoloreto Centori. Rank and organization: Captain, Troop A, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Santiago, Cuba, 1 July 1898. Entered service: Brooklyn NY. Birth: 8 August, 1870 New York, NY. Date of issue: 6 July 1899. Citation: Facing heavy enemy fire, Centori showed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout the battle. In addition to performing gallantly at his command post, he carried several wounded men from the line to the rear, despite heavy fire from Spanish positions and great exposure to danger.

Aldoloreto met a special woman in Cuba who affectionately called him Adobe. The adoring name continued, as a constant reminder of the romantic escapade and the love shared—but lost.

After the war, the horse soldiers returned to the United States to patrol the Mexican border in the territory of New Mexico. Upon finishing his military service, Centori settled in a town twenty-five miles north of Albuquerque called Valtura. The town, not much more than a dusty crossroad, provided wrangler work on a cattle ranch. Based on his superior horsemanship, the range boss promoted him to cowboy.

On the open range, Centori would dream of romance and loving the right woman beyond the lost love of his life. That was a dream; reality was a completely different story. Most nights around the campfire, he favored the sound of crickets to the talk of men who wanted to hear about Cuba. He often dispelled the San Juan Hill cavalry charge myth. In fact, infantry and dismounted troopers stormed and captured the heights. Although he downplays his role in the war, his bravery in Cuba was absolute.

Eventually, Centori acquired and amassed good land and ultimately established the Circle C Ranch. For two dollars an acre, he bought over 10,000 acres of ranch land about six miles north of Valtura. Increases in animal agricultural production improved the local economy, with the Circle C as a core catalyst for growth.

Based on his reputation for honesty and bravery, Centori became a candidate for Corona County sheriff in 1908. His superior military record, strong sense of justice and penchant to do the right thing—even in the face of adversity—helped him win the election. His star continued to rise in 1909 with an appointment as the Corona County delegate to the constitutional convention. Unbeknownst to Centori, his positions as sheriff and delegate will intersect when he faces a substantial challenge from the Revert Document.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Statehood of Affairsby Daniel R. Cillis Copyright © 2011 by Daniel R. Cillis, PhD. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: iUniverse
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1462050840
• ISBN 13: 9781462050840
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 452