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When Augustine Maurin began construction of his store on the
southwest corner of the Mesilla plaza in 1859, he used brick
from his own kiln, which was located about half a mile from
the town of Mesilla, making it one of the earliest structures
using local brick in New Mexico. Maurin, the original owner,
and his partner, Eugene Leonart, were of French origin and owned
much property in Mesilla Valley. However, in 1861, Leonart sold
merchandise to Confederates who occupied Fort Fillmore and Mesilla,
and when they withdrew in early 1862 to Texas, he accompanied
them. Maurin continued the business in Mesilla and also owned
at least three farms. He was murdered by robbers in his adobe
apartment, which adjoins the brick Mesilla store. A relative,
Cesar Maurin, came from France to claim the property and died
in 1868, from age and infirmity, according to a coroner's jury.
The Historic American Buildings Survey documented the Maurin
Building in 2005.
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