by Charles W. Bowman

Biographies

   On the north side of the Arkansas River, two miles from La Junta, is situated the home ranch of Nathan Hughes. Here he was 943 acres, in one body, of as good land as there is in the Arkansas Valley. It is peculiarly adapted for sheep-raising, having the natural protection of high bluffs. Mr. Hughes has 640 acres under ditch, and sixty acres of fine grass land, and also 300 acres of timber. His stock consists of graded animals, but believes the Hereford stock is best adapted for the plains. Mr. Hughes was born in Macon County, Mo., in 1841, where he lived sixteen years, working on a farm and attending school. A portion of the time from 1862 till 1865, he was freighting across the plains. Afterward, he lived nine years in Missouri, engaged in farming. He then tried his fortune on the Cimarron Creek in stock-raising, where he had 400 head of cattle. From the Cimarron he removed to San Luis Valley, engaged in stock-raising and in the grocery business. Here he remained two years. He was Under Sheriff in Conejos County. In 1878, Mr. Hughes came to his present home. He married, September 5, 1865, Miss Mary J. Harrison, of La Fayette County, Mo. Their son, Thomas Hughes, was accidentally killed by being thrown from a horse, May 31, 1881, eight miles north of West Las Animas. Though only twelve years and eight months old, he had worked on the range three years with cattle men, and understood herding thoroughly. He would stand night guard, and perform the duties of old and experienced herdsmen.