Forty Years at El Paso, 1858-1898

"Forty Years at El Paso, 1858-1898" by W. W. Mills is a late 19th-century historical narrative that recounts the author's life in El Paso during a period of significant change. It showcases his journey to the small adobe town in 1858, including both his early impressions and business projects, describing not only the town's mostly Mexican residents, but also El Paso's geographic importance and the socio-political environment of the time. As a Union supporter amidst conflict, Mills details daily life, significant happenings, and important people, including events of violence, local government, and military activity that all built up before the Civil War. Through personal experiences, his story sets the stage for a review of how complicated life on the frontier was amongst the war and the societal shifts that follow.