Coal mining at Carthage, Tokay and Fraley...

The first coal mining in New Mexico was at the Government mine near Carthage supplying the smithing needs of Forts Selden, Bayard, and Stanton. At times, army soldiers worked the mines. A soldier supplied the name Carthage and mining camps including those at Tokay and Fraley grew up around coal mines. Coal was carried by wagon to nearby rail heads.

The Santa Fe railroad eventually built a bridge across the Rio Grande and laid tracks to the mines making the area the busiest coal camps in the state. When a land grant application was denied, the railroad tore up the tracks and moved its operations to Madrid.

The mines ultimately closed and the area was slowly abandoned.