Inventor Born

[Craig Tx]

From The Texas State Historical Association

Pioneer Texas inventor born in New York

On this day in 1801, Gail Borden, Jr., inventor, publisher, surveyor, and founder of the Borden Company, was born in Norwich, New York.

He came to Texas in 1829 and became surveyor for Austin's Colony in 1830. In 1835-37 the ubiquitous Borden published the Telegraph and Texas Register, prepared the first topographical map of Texas, and helped lay out the site of Houston.

In the middle 1840s he began inventing. He is supposed to have experimented with large-scale refrigeration as a means of preventing yellow fever and with a terraqueous machine, a sort of prairie schooner that would go on land or water. In 1849 he perfected a meat biscuit, made of dehydrated meat compounded with flour, which he tried to market on a worldwide scale in partnership with Ashbel Smith.

In 1853 he sought a patent for his most famous invention, a process for condensing milk in vacuum. After several unsuccessful attempts, he opened a condensed milk factory in Connecticut in 1858. When the Civil War brought intensified demand for condensed milk, sales grew so much that Borden's success was assured. After the war he returned to Texas and founded the community of Borden, where he established a meat-packing plant. He died in Borden on January 11, 1874.


Craig

[Trois Castors]

Interesting stuff

When the Civil War brought intensified demand for condensed milk.....

What do you think they used it for?

[Trois Castors]

Found this:


The U.S. government ordered huge amounts of it as a field ration for Union soldiers during the American Civil War. This was an extraordinary field ration for the nineteenth century: a typical 14 oz (300 ml) can contains 1,300 calories (5440 kJ), 1 oz (30 g) each of protein and fat, and more than 7 oz (200 g) of carbohydrate.

[Craig Tx]

Huh...  I had no idea...  Makes sense...


Craig

[Uncle Russ]

WOW!
Craig, you can really come up with some interesting things at times.

Had me"googling" Borden's Condensed Milk, who'd ever thunk it?....geesh! The things we learn as we go through this life.

Dig through them archives you're so handy with, and find something dealing with El Paso, if such a thing is possible.
The short time I attended UTEP, I discovered the East Library was simply loaded with such "stuff". I didn't have the time then to take advantage of what was available....you know, wife, kids, work, mortgage, life....

Sure wish I had the opportunity to go back again!

Uncle Russ...

[Craig Tx]

Uncle Russ, I love a challenge...

Exactly what is it you want to know about El Paso?  At least give me a place to start...    


Craig

[Uncle Russ]

Craig, the one thing I would be most interested in is the role El Paso was involved in during the fur trade.
It was a link between Taos, a one time hub of the Fur Trade, and  Mexico.

I had such a book one time, The Taos Trappers by David Weber, it dealt with the Indian Trade and was interesting reading...albeit not to well written, IMO.

The Rocky Mountain Fur Trade, with the trapping of the famous Beaver which worth so much in its time, and has had such an impact on the reading public that it seems many of the fringe areas, such as Taos, NM and El Paso leaves little to be found beyond that point in print.

For example; Deming, New Mexico just a couple of hundred miles from El Paso was in fact something of a trade center between the Pueblo, Jicarilla, Mescalero's, French, and Mexico Government.

However, the trade was for something other than Beaver...probably smaller furs such as coyote, fox skunk, even Ermin. There was also horses, mules, metal ware, and trinkets that would be traded once again when they found their way to the Rocky Mountains or deep into the interior of Mexico.
How do I know this? The Court House in Deming is loaded with paintings and writings from that era.

IMO, Deming New Mexico is noted for two things...the current day Deming Duck Race, and that wonderful old run down Court House.
 
El Paso's original name was Paso Del Note (Pass to the North) and it is totally unreasonable to think that many of the trade goods of the time didn't pass through El Paso on its way south to Mexico, or on up north to the Canadian border. I also can't believe everything was sent to St. Louis and shipped on the Missouri.  
Knowing that part of the country pretty good,  I just can't see that happening. But what would I know?

Kinda thinking out loud, if you know what I mean.

Uncle Russ...

[Gordon H.Kemp]

Russ , when you say east library , are you refering to the one off Diana? or was it somthing to  do with UTEP ?   I found some great books at the Diana branch while living in N.E. ElPaso.Arew years later after being out of state I went back to do some research , and the library system had been "updated" and most of those books had been purged because few checked them out . This has been my experience with other areas of the country as well.
          It seems there is a dead spot in the history right around ElPaso , you find it skips the time period between the Spainish control and then it picks up again in the early outlaw /cowboy era.As I recall?? The settlement of ElPaso was basically a shanty town located in what was a swamp along the river .  There is also quite a bit of lore on the Texas Rangers activitys inthe area Yesleta , Scorro  and the fewMissions  located in the valley .  
        Now , if you and I and  Craig were to work together we might fill in some of those blank spots?  

[Uncle Russ]

Gordy, your memory amazes me at times.... Hope I'm as capable as you are when I get your age!  :shock:

Just kidding, Craig

I will do some research and post some links, etc
If we get lucky maybe Chuck (CB) will see this and help us out. He is very knowledgeable about the Southwest.

Uncle Russ...

[Craig Tx]

Uncle Russ, bribery is always appropriate!   :rotf

If ya like I can certainly start a new thread and we can take it from there...



Craig

[Gordon H.Kemp]

Russ , if you were to get down here while we both can motovate without walkers or wheelchairs  I believe that would have to be one of the highlights of my life . As long as I"m able to get around you have a place at the table and a spot to lay your head this also includes the Misus.
        Whenever a subject starts me to thinking , such as what really was happening in the "pass area" It brings to mind , books that I"ve read that , even though were not of the subject matter , but certrain parts and passages will mention  a historical event that the author uses to embellish a person  , place or event.  I"m certain you have read books by Dobie , Ben K. Green  and of corse Leon Metz . There are many others  that have tid-bits of information that confirm ideas you might suspect.  I"m no doubt , a little strange about seeking clues from books , documents and local historys after nearly 50 years of family history research . Lets see if it is feasible to aquire enough information to help fill in the blanks ?