Friday, May 14, 2010

Mystery Person


Okay, Elpasonaturally readers. Can you name the mystery person in the photo and say why he is important?
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1 comment:

fastmtnbiker33w said...

Since you haven't posted up here yet, I'll brag a little and fill everyone in!

The man in the painting is Benjamin Franklin Coons. It is the only known portrait of the man who started the first trading post here in El Paso along the Butterfield Trail. From what Kelly (FMSP Naturalist) told me, he lent out way too much credit and failed at his venture. There is also some information that shows his trading post was more like a PX for the military service members who were guarding the trading routes around El Paso. He later was involved with major sheep herding in California.

Our incredible mountain range is named after him.

May 16, 2010 at 3:43 PM

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