F.M. Montez vs. C.D. Casad,, 1912

The Herbert Barlett Holt Papers consist of the personal and legal papers of a prominent southwestern pioneer and lawyer. The bulk of the personal series contain personal letters from his wife Nellie, which span from 1897-1912. The letters from Nellie inform Herbert of various events that occur during his business travels. The letters contain information about their family, social events, politics and business matters occurring in Las Cruces during Herbert’s absence. The papers also contain material concerning Holt's appointment as Captain in the New Mexico Home Guard from 1918-1920 (now known as the New Mexico National Guard).

The majority of the legal papers in this collection concern mining. The following mining districts are represented: Cook's Peak; Florida; Tres Hermanas; Organ; Black Mountain; Silver Hill (Jicarilla); Virginia; and San Diego. There is a map of mining claims in the Tres Hermanas Mining District near Columbus, New Mexico.

The information on the Elephant Butte Project includes several annotated bulletins which date from 1905-1926. Also of interest is a copy of an unpublished manuscript by H. B. Holt entitled Early History of Elephant Butte Dam or Rio Grande Project, 1946, written for the Historical Committee of the Las Cruces Aztec Lodge.

The majority of the political items concern the 1948 elections when Holt's former law partner, William A. Sutherland, ran for District Judge of the Third Judicial District on the Republican ticket. This includes a Democratic flyer (in English and Spanish) which decries the "Holt political machine."

Also included in the collection is an undated estate note which concern Hiram Hadley, and a letter and a telegram from Albert B. Fall, both dated 1918. There are also several letters from Governor R. C. Dillon, and correspondence between U.S. Senator Andrieus A. Jones.

The collection also includes some correspondence about the Bowman Bank and Trust Company (1922-1925), various blank tax forms, miscellaneous political pamphlets and a few photographs. There are many shorthand written notes and annotations on the legal papers, government bulletins and newspaper clippings in this collection.

The folders follow a very rough chronological order; and the arrangement within folders is chronological, except for the John P. Mack materials and abstracts which are ordered as they were found.

Lastly, kept in a small collections folder, are photographs that were found in the collection.