MacGeorge << = = The Early Settlers of the Country
Angus Martin
= = >> J. Montes

Angus MartinBorn at Balladon, Lewis Island, Scotland, in the year 1871. He came to the territory in 1895, at a time when the Patagonian pioneers were just starting their progressive labours. The desert began to be settled and on its barren lands, the sheep brought by the first comers were already grazing. Young arms and stout hearts were needed in order to withstand the hardships and difficulties inherent to life the open air, in an icy climate, in a region stricken by fierce gales from the Southern Pole, and where one lacked even the most rudimentary means of tempering the rigour of such an existence.

Mr. Angus Martin combined all those qualities needed to carry on this struggle; he was young, of an athletic constitution and nerves of steel, proof against strains or weakness.

Charged by Messrs. Curtze, Walen, Williams and Suárez, to stock the land which now forms the estancia "Las Horquetas", the estate belonging to the last named, he worked faithfully and constantly for the term of twelve years, winning the esteem of his employers and of all the settlers of that time, when a display of extraordinary energy and chivalrous rivalry were an every day occurrence.

For a period of two years, while carrying out the task confided to him, he had to dwell in a tiny shelter constituted by six sheets of zinc, enduring a temperature of 20 degrees below zero (Centigrade). The only supplies at hand were purchased at a store kept by the firm of Braun and Blanchard at Rio Gallegos and were reduced to beans, flour, hard tack and a little Paraguayan tea (mate). As for flesh-meat, there were guanacos, ostriches and "caiquenes" (bustards) which were brought down with a gun.

When his work at "Las Horquetas" ended, Mr. Martin went over to the lands of "Chank-Aike", which he stocked for the account of another important firm of the region.

In 1907, with his mind made up to work for his own account, he pitched his tent on the lands which are his own property today and constituted the estancia "Chali-Aike", situated at a short distance from "La Vanguardia" and from the road leading from Gallegos to Lake Argentine and passing by "La Esperanza", Ness and Stipicic's place.

Still a young man, Mr. Angus Martin manages his establishment with great ability, for though comparatively small it brings in a profit which is a present compensation for the long years of struggle spent on the Patagonian Pampas in order to achieve this well-deserved reward.

Source: «La Patagonia Argentina», p.151