François Xavier Aubry was a pivotal figure in the American Southwest, a French-Canadian merchant, a daring wagon train captain, and an intrepid explorer whose name became synonymous with speed and ambition on the frontier. His indelible mark includes setting astonishing speed records on the perilous Santa Fe Trail and pioneering early explorations of the 35th parallel northwest of the North American continental divide. The story of Aubry is one of relentless entrepreneurial spirit and frontier grit.
Early Life and the Lure of the Santa Fe Trail
Born on a farm near Maskinonge, Quebec, Canada, on December 3, 1824, François Xavier Aubry inherited an adventurous spirit. At the young age of 18, he left his rural roots to seek opportunity in St. Louis, Missouri, a burgeoning hub of westward expansion. There, he took up work as a store clerk, a position that quickly exposed him to the immense profitability of transporting goods along the legendary Santa Fe Trail. Recognizing this golden opportunity, the ambitious young entrepreneur meticulously saved his earnings, eventually purchasing several wagons and draft animals. With an additional loan for trade goods, Aubry was prepared to stake his claim in the lucrative frontier trade.
On May 9, 1846, at just 21 years old, Aubry embarked on his first journey along the Santa Fe Trail from Independence, Missouri, as part of a larger trader’s caravan. This initial venture proved successful; after selling his merchandise in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he earned enough to repay his loans and realize the potential of this arduous route. The following year, he cemented his commitment to the frontier trade by moving to Independence, dedicating himself full-time to his role as a merchant on the Trail.
The Speed Demon: “Telegraph” and “Skimmer of the Plains”
François Xavier Aubry quickly surmised that speed was the ultimate differentiator in maximizing profit on the Santa Fe Trail. His innovative approach involved making two annual trips instead of the customary single journey. This strategy not only increased his revenue but also brought him national recognition. On December 22, 1847, Aubry departed Santa Fe, and despite facing constant harassment from Native American tribes and battling severe winter weather, he arrived in Independence a mere 14 days later. This feat shattered the previous record by an incredible 10½ days, earning him significant publicity and the moniker “Telegraph” Aubry from newsmen captivated by his remarkable speed.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Aubry continued to push the boundaries of speed. In 1848, he managed to complete an unprecedented three round trips between Independence and Santa Fe. During one of these extraordinary journeys, he traversed the entire distance in just five days and 16 hours, breaking his own record. This astounding achievement not only cemented his reputation but also won him a staggering $5,000 in wagers, further solidifying his legendary status and earning him another fitting nickname: the “Skimmer of the Plains.”
Expanding Trade Routes and Frontier Perils
By 1849, Aubry had risen to become one of the foremost frontier merchants. His gaze extended beyond Santa Fe, seeing immense potential in trading venues like Chihuahua, Mexico, and even Texas. In February of that year, he ventured to Chihuahua via El Paso, Texas, alongside fellow merchant Charles White. Together, they established a new mercantile in El Paso. After wholesaling their goods, Aubry returned to Independence, Missouri, on August 23. This return journey was not without incident; his caravan endured attacks from both Apache and Pawnee warriors. Despite these harrowing encounters, they suffered no losses, and Aubry, ever resilient, immediately procured new goods for another trip to Santa Fe.
The summer of 1849 had been particularly dangerous for Santa Fe Trail traffic, with numerous wagon trains suffering attacks and livestock being driven off. The escalating tensions prompted Santa Fe Indian Agent James Calhoun to formally request additional troops, noting that “the Indians, generally, are in a bad temper — the number of troops is insufficient here to keep up on them a proper check.”
The Tragic White Massacre
Despite the growing dangers, Aubry was resolute in making another journey. He led a substantial caravan, which included ten wagons belonging to Ceran St. Vrain and 13 owned by James White, departing Westport, Missouri, on September 15. At a certain point along the trail, Aubry decided to send his wagon master, William Calloway, ahead to Santa Fe for fresh mules. James White, who considered himself an experienced “trail veteran,” opted to accompany Calloway, hoping to expedite his family’s arrival in Santa Fe. Despite Aubry’s strong arguments against this risky move, White remained determined. He loaded his wife, Ann, their daughter, Virginia, an employee named Ben Bushman, and a black nursemaid into two carriages. They were joined by a German traveler, Lawberger, and two of Aubry’s Mexican employees, forming a smaller, faster-moving contingent.
This advance party was tragically attacked on October 24 near Point-of-Rocks along the Cimarron Cutoff in New Mexico. In what became known as the White Massacre, the warriors killed all the men, sparing only Ann White, her child, and her servant, whom they took captive. Upon reaching Santa Fe on October 30 and learning of the attack, Aubry immediately offered $1,000 for their release. He promptly hired both Pueblo Indians and New Mexican friends to mount a rescue mission. Unfortunately, Ann White was later killed, and neither her daughter nor the nursemaid was ever found, a stark reminder of the brutal realities of frontier life.
The Aubry Cutoff and Western Exploration
Following these events, Aubry established Santa Fe as his permanent base, continuing to explore the market potential in Chihuahua, Mexico. To circumvent the expense of goods purchased in Missouri, he embarked on a new strategy. On December 1, 1849, he left Santa Fe with 20 empty wagons, crossed Texas, purchased goods in Victoria, and then proceeded to Chihuahua via El Paso. He returned to Santa Fe in early June 1850. While this new route proved financially rewarding, it was exceptionally difficult. Aubry encountered a severe snowstorm, losing 40 mules in a single night, and the frontier remained rife with danger from Native American tribes. He would attempt this route only one more time in 1850. Later, in a letter to the Daily Missouri Republican from San Antonio, Texas, Aubry conceded that the Indian problems in Texas and the vast distances made the San Antonio-El Paso Road an unsuitable replacement for the established St. Louis-Santa Fe route. The Republican newspaper further detailed other challenges, including a glut in the Chihuahua market, scarcity of grass and water, and the presence of “the class of whites known as gamblers, horse thieves and cutthroats.”
In late 1850, Aubry’s keen eye for efficiency led him to discover an alternative path to a portion of the Cimarron branch of the Santa Fe Trail. This detour reduced travel distance by 52 miles and provided better access to water resources. This invaluable discovery quickly became known as the “Aubry Cutoff,” a testament to his practical contributions to overland travel.
California Ventures and a Vision for a Railroad
By 1852, Aubry’s entrepreneurial gaze shifted westward to California. He embarked on a ambitious venture, leading a caravan down the Rio Grande and Gila Rivers, eventually reaching San Francisco via Tucson and Los Angeles. His cargo for this epic journey included 3,500 sheep, 100 mules, and ten wagons brimming with supplies. After successfully selling his goods, Aubry, accompanied by ten Americans, six Mexicans, and a black cook, commenced his return journey to New Mexico.
Choosing a different route for the return, the party crossed the Tejon Pass on July 10, 1853, and reached the formidable Colorado River by July 23. Their trek continued through Arizona’s central mountains, where they faced increasing harassment from Native American tribes, likely Yuman or Mohave. On August 14, an Indian chief, feigning friendship, approached Aubry’s campsite. However, the facade quickly dissolved, and the Indians launched a fierce attack, injuring nearly every member of Aubry’s party. Nevertheless, François Xavier Aubry and his men valiantly fought back with their pistols, reportedly killing 25 attackers and wounding others. Skirmishes with hostile natives continued until the party finally reached the safety of the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico on September 6.
Upon his return to Albuquerque, Aubry shared a detailed report of his arduous journey with New Mexico Territorial Governor David Meriwether. In his report, he articulated a visionary conclusion: “I am satisfied that a railroad may be run almost mathematically direct from Zuñi to Colorado [river], and from thence to the Tejon pass in California.” This statement underscores his foresight regarding America’s future infrastructure.
Final Journey and Tragic Demise
In late 1853, Aubry, with the support of other Santa Fe businessmen, prepared for a second expedition to California. This time, he drove an immense herd of some 50,000 sheep, reaching Los Angeles by January 10, 1854, before continuing to San Francisco. His final return journey began from San Jose, California, on July 6, with a group of 60 men, arriving back in Albuquerque, New Mexico, without incident on August 18.
However, the day of his triumphant return proved to be his last. On August 18, 1854, Aubry visited a store operated by the Mercure brothers in Albuquerque to purchase a drink. There, he encountered Richard Hanson Weightman, a former Territorial Delegate to the United States Congress and editor of Albuquerque’s Amigo Pais newspaper. A heated argument erupted between the two over an article Weightman had published, quickly escalating to violence. Aubry drew his gun, but it tragically misfired, allowing Weightman to fatally stab him with a knife. Weightman was subsequently arrested on murder charges but was later acquitted, as it was determined he had acted in self-defense. François Xavier Aubry was just 29 years old at the time of his death and was laid to rest in Santa Fe’s Rosaria Cemetery.
Aubry’s untimely death brought his extraordinary life to a close, but his legacy endured. His personal diary, detailing accounts of his final journey, was discovered in his saddlebags and subsequently published in newspapers across the nation, from St. Louis to New York. These published accounts garnered significant interest from railroad companies, ultimately leading to the construction of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, largely following the very route that Aubry had so bravely explored and mapped. His contributions to trade, exploration, and the charting of crucial western paths remain an important chapter in American history.
