Near Alamagordo in Otero County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Disappearance of Albert J. Fountain and his son Henry

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 25, 2011

1. Disappearance of Albert J. Fountain and his son Henry Marker

Inscription. Albert Jennings Fountain was a Civil War veteran, New Mexico legislator and prominent lawyer. On February 1, 1896, Fountain and his eight-year-old son, Henry, were traveling home to Mesilla from Lincoln. They carried grand jury indictments against cattle rustlers. Both disappeared at Chalk Hill, and their bodies were never found. In 1899 Oliver Lee and James Gililland were tried for their murder. Both were acquitted.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1949.

Location. 32° 31.052′ N, 106° 22.54′ W. Marker is near Alamagordo, New Mexico, in Otero County. Marker is on U.S. 70 at milepost 178, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alamogordo NM 88310, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Albert J. Fountain Murder Site (approx. 2.8 miles away); White Sands Missile Range (approx. 10.9 miles away); Nike Hercules Missile (approx. 12.6 miles away); San Augustín Pass (approx. 12.8 miles away).

Also see . . .

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Murders Most Foul. An article by Jay W. Sharp detailing the disappearance of Albert Fountain. (Submitted on August 20, 2011.)

Photographed By Maria Tellier, May 24, 2020

2. Disappearance of Albert J. Fountain and his son Henry Marker

Disappearance of Albert J. Fountain and his son Henry Marker reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 25, 2011

3. Disappearance of Albert J. Fountain and his son Henry Marker reverse

Points of Interest
New Mexico's Historic Markers typically have a map on the back side showing the location of other OSHM's. This is an excellent source of information when exploring for other Historical Markers and locations.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 25, 2011

4. Disappearance of Albert J. Fountain and his son Henry Marker

View east on US-70.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,419 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 13, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 2. submitted on May 26, 2020. 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.