Cooney Tomb and Cemetery, Catron County, New Mexico

Sgt. James Cooney, while serving in the 8th U.S. Calvary stationed at Fort Bayard, discovered a mineral deposit in this canyon. He kept his find a secret until he mustered out of the army in 1876.

By 1880 he had developed a profitable silver and gold mine. In April 1880 he and one other miner rode to Alma to warn the settlers in the valley of the danger of an Indian attack. Returning to the mine, the two were killed by Indians near this site.

His brother and fellow miners interred him in this boulder. Two of his brother’s children are also buried in this rock “crypt.” This small graveyard is on private property, so please pay proper respect.

The following is a list of 7 burials occurring at the Cooney Tomb and Cemetery in Catron County, New Mexico.

Cooney Tomb and Cemetery, Catron County, New Mexico

Cooney Tomb and Cemetery, Catron County, New Mexico

Cooney Tomb and Cemetery, Catron County, New Mexico

Cooney Tomb and Cemetery, Catron County, New Mexico

Cooney Tomb and Cemetery, Catron County, New Mexico

Cooney Tomb and Cemetery, Catron County, New Mexico

Cemetery: Cooney Tomb and Cemetery
GPS: N 33.41331 W 108.83777
County: Catron
Directions: From just S of the Alma Store in Alma on US 180, E approximately 4.8 mi on Mineral Creek Rd (which becomes McKean), SE side.

Cooney Tomb and Cemetery, Catron County, New Mexico

Surname Given Birth Death Age Notes
Buhlman Mr. 1880 Apr 30 Killed by Victorio's Apache's; these three men (Cooney, Chick & Buhlman) were riding to warn settlers of an impending indian attack.
Chick Jack 1880 Apr 29 Killed by Victorio's Apache's; these three men (Cooney, Chick & Buhlman) were riding to warn settlers of an impending indian attack.
Clark Charley 1868 Oct 26 1910 Aug 20 41
Clark Elza May 1896 Jun 29 1905 Sep 5 6 Daughter of Charley Clark
Cooney Hugh C. 1898 Oct 3 1900 Jan 7 1
Cooney J.C. c.1840 1880 Apr 29 40 Killed by Victorio's Apache's; these three men (Cooney, Chick & Buhlman) were riding to warn settlers of an impending indian attack.
Cooney John D. 1880 Aug 20 1891 Dec 15 11