Kenneth Baxter RagsdaleQuicksilver: Terlingua and the Chisos Mining Company

Terlingua was a very remote town in south-western Texas in the Big Bend region--a town that only came to exist because deposits of mercury were found in the area. This book tells of the history of this remote mining town and the Chicago-bred "quicksilver" baron, Howard Perry, who founded it and ran it for years almost as a feudal lord more than a businessman. Well-researched and with an emphasis on ethnic conflict between white Americans and Mexican workers in the area that is welcome but surprising considering the book was written in the late 1970s before ethnocultural/labor studies historiography was much in style with mainstream historians in the South, this book is a very crucial volume to anyone interested in western Texas, the Big Bend, mining history, or company towns. The writing is strong, inviting, and while not of the nearly-novel-like trend some contemporary historians take on, it's a book you'll find hard to put down if you're into the topic. Dr. Ragsdale has apparently written several other books on Texan history which I now am keen to read.

I have visited terlingua and heard about and saw the remains of the mining company. This book gave a tremendous insight into what went into all this. Though a lot of information is repeated in different contexts, it was very informative. I would recommend this to anyone who's going to Terlingua or has been there.

Much of history is told in wide arcs, with little room for details. This book takes a close look at an area often overlooked. Excellent read.

good history of the Terlingua, Texas area

This book explores, as nowhere else, the history of commercial mercury production in the Big Bend area of Texas in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Howard E. Perry, a would be Chicago robber baron, established the Chisos Mining company in 1902. Combining sound, intuitive observation with shrewd business acumen, he was able to overcome the difficulties of launching an enterprise in the scenic, rugged terrain of Terlingua near the Mexican border. By making efficient use of local Mexican workers and knowledgeable advisers, Perry gradually prospered.Perry created a paternalistic socioeconomic society in Terlingua, where the company dominated the day to day life of both supervisors and workers. Men who faced countless hazards in the mines by day shared a close knit social life. Perry's venture grew as the demand for mercury increased during the early part of the 20th century. The First World War gave a tremendous impetus to sales, but after the war demand faltered. By 1942, his enterprise had fallen into bankruptcy.Ragsdale's work offers the general reader an easy and approachable writing style. He thankfully steers clear of financial data (sales, profit, losses) pertinent to the expansion (or contraction)of the company. Having spent time in this wonderful area of Texas, I believe Ragsdale's book reclaims the role of mining as center stage and explains why Terlingua exists at all in the remote and unforgiving place.

This book surprised me. I wanted to learn about Terlingua, TX and therefore picked up this book. The author provided in depth information about various aspects relating to Terlingua and the Chisos Mining Co. in a very readable manner. I learned about mercury mining and sales, society in the Big Bend area, a turn of the century industrialist, etc. Excellent read and highly recommended for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding about the Big Bend area of Texas.